Sentimental
The sound of horseshoes clapping against stone reverberates throughout the capital as new recruits pour out from their homes, tearful eyes holding both pride and trepidation. Tia's face is unsteady as she watches them pass by from her window, an amalgamation of her own emotions stirring. Her eyes graze the room she had let herself believe would be her home, seeming hollow now that most of her things have been packed away. Tia questions if it would be a home to her again when she returns or if she would return at all.
This is the second time I'm leaving my home... |
All in one year! But this time I'm doing it alone. |
Not completely alone
Duff reminds her, locking eyes with Tia
It's hard to imagine I won't see dad again… for years! |
What if I never see him again...? |
I-I already lost mom I- |
You will see him again
Duff insists
As Tia wipes at her eyes, he can feel the crushing sense of loneliness looming in her mind and her fear of it threatening to crash into her with its full weight. Duff meows suddenly, catching Tia by surprise. He stares pointedly at the recruits passing in front of the manner gates. Tia searches their faces, seeing the same uncertainty she was wrestling with. She remains silent, watching until a knock stirs her from contemplation. Duff leaps onto her shoulder as she makes her way to the door.
Evelyn paces in the great hall, pale and tense until Tia and Allen descend. She draws in a breath and offers a steady smile to her granddaughter, trying to put them both at ease.
Come here, Tia |
I've triple checked your belongings and have them prepared out front—everything is ready! |
I-I don't know if I'm ready… |
Evelyn opens her mouth to reassure her but pauses as Allen places a hand on Tia's empty shoulder.
You don't have to be |
Listen to me |
You do everything you can to keep yourself safe. I don't care what they say or do, whatever pressure they put on you—you focus on staying alive! |
Ok |
She places her hands over his, squeezing them once before letting them drop. Allen turns to Duff and gives him a stern expression.
I expect you to look after my daughter |
Unlinching, Duff offers only a simple nod and Allen returns his attention to Tia
And I expect you to write us, even when you're busy! |
Tia gains a wobbly smile followed by a deep breath to steady herself
Now then |
Let's repeat the rules one more time before you go! |
Ok |
#1: No changing my appearance
#2: No changing forms—only use Dad's magic #3: Keep Duff concealed and don't be seen together #4: Tell no one |
We both know you're going to break every single rule
Duff snarks
Probably today.
Hush! |
I just have to act like a normal human. I already know how to do that! Mostly... |
Aaaand |
Number five: no boys! |
Oh, Allen! |
There is one last thing then, a family tradition… |
Evelyn leads them to the mantle of the fireplace. A polished box creaks open under Evelyn's hand and she produces a knife with the family crest on its pommel. She then gestures to a glass case Tia hadn't stopped to observe before. Her fingers graze the glass, delicate as a feather, and her eyes brim with memories. Inside, many locks of hair are braided and pinned to a satin backing—fifteen in total.
When a Minx child leaves for service, we cut a lock of their hair and pin it here |
So a piece of you is still here, no matter where you go, and when you return you cast it into the fire to celebrate the person you've become! |
Then these…? |
If they… can't return |
We keep these here so that they are never forgotten and this piece of them is still with us. |
A heavy silence looms over them until Evelyn turns to Tia, offering her the blade. Tia runs her fingers through her hair as she eyes it.
Do you think... |
I'd like to use my real hair… if that's okay? |
Evelyn blinks, not having considered the difference. She seems about to rebuff Tia's request until Allen speaks up.
I don't see any harm in it |
Evelyn nods, despite a tight frown, and Tia takes hold of the knife as snowy hair rolls down her shoulders. She selects a lock near the nape of her neck, severing it and passing it to her grandmother.
Ordinarily |
We start a new board for each generation and these would be displayed in the library or study. But… I can't bring myself to take them down. |
That’s fine |
I like this better anyways. |
Evelyn gives her a starkly grateful smile in return. Tia's braid is secured and Evelyn carefully pins it at the end, the clear white popping compared to the brown and black lockes. Allen's eyes fill with tears as she closes the case and he swipes them away quickly before Tia can see. As a bell tolls throughout the town, Tia reverts to her disguise and Duff disappears into her cloak, settling into a pocket Evelyn had prepared. Much of Tia's clothing now had these little hideaways. They make their way outside and, pausing to embrace them both a final time, Tia mounts her horse in silence. Allen watches as she rides through the manor gates, lost. The moment she is out of sight, Evelyn retreats into the manor, crashing into a nearby sofa like a bundle of firewood set loose. She covers her face with one hand, otherwise seeming like a limp doll in the seat. Allen follows her inside with tenuous steps, surprised by the sudden shift.
I never… |
I had hoped I'd never have to do this again... |
Allen settles into the matching armchair and he still feels a tingling in his limbs. It hadn't left him once all morning and now seems to expand. He flexes his fingers slowly, his mind still racing with potential alternatives or solutions which he knew were all futile. Allen wanted nothing more than to race after his daughter and leave this place with her. This thought, among many others, had been repeating endlessly in his mind since the day Ambrose had refused his request but today it was overwhelming. He gestures over a staff.
I understand it's been a hard day |
But- |
Do you? |
I am not having this argument with you today! |
And I won't see you touch a drop of that brew ever again! Just... fetch him whisky |
Besides, we still have important matters to discuss. |
I'm sure House business |
Can wait until tomorrow. |
I've been handling House affairs on my own for more than a few decades, far more efficiently than most I'll have you know—something you'll need to learn now that you've returned! |
There is a distressing rumor circulating. It- |
Mother |
Gossip is the last thing I will tolerate today! |
You will stop interrupting me! |
This isn't just gossip, it has to do with your daughter! |
Allen blinks and leans back into his seat, lips pressed together. The servant returns with a bottle and a cup on a tray, placing it on the table between them before stepping away. As Allen pours himself a glass, Evelyn dismisses all of the staff and waits until they are alone to continue.
From what I've heard |
Ghislaine, under direction from the king, is trying to find and capture shape shifter spies. |
Evelyn holds Allen's eyes with her own, his already pale face losing more color.
Spies…? |
Yes |
From the Continent Beyond according to what's been circulating. |
That's preposterous! |
Ambrose would never believe baseless fear-mongering! There's something more to this... |
Evelyn hums her agreement while Allen mulls over his options
There is... one more thing |
He's looking for something called a "dark" shape shifter. |
Darkness... |
Have you seen them too, her shadows? |
Ambrose looms on the easternmost balcony of the castle, overlooking the alabaster streets and watching the annual pilgrimage. His son had departed earlier this morning, tradition dictating he be the first to leave, but Aldric is far from Ambrose's thoughts as his eyes scathe the children below. Any one of them could be the girl who holds all of his hopes and ambitions, the future of the kingdom, just out of reach. He knows she's likely an unwitting player in this game and yet he struggles against the accumulation of animosity for her—this clueless, weak-willed child who had snared his greatest desire so effortlessly and threatens to trample sacrifices the likes she could never comprehend. Despite Ghislaine's assurances, Ambrose feels as if she's slipping through his fingers. The door behind him swings open and Ghislaine emerges, squinting into the glaring sunlight reflecting off of white stone buildings.
What is it? |
It's Allen, sire |
He's here asking for an audience with you. |
Allen? |
Here now? |
Ghislaine nods as Ambrose pauses to work out why
Should I dismiss him? |
No |
I'll see him. |
Ghislaine follows Ambrose back into the castle, grateful for the dim atmosphere as they make their way to the great hall. Allen waits there, speaking with Martin and seeming to poke fun at and ruffle him. The sight brings a sense of nostalgia to Ambrose despite the reversal in their habits and a smile touches his face.
Allen, what a surprise |
Still your specialty I see. |
Good morning, sire |
I hope I'm not intruding, dropping in so suddenly. |
Ambrose hums a laugh in response but it doesn't affect his expression
I certainly didn't expect to see you today, of all days |
A solemn occasion for most. |
Allen's smile strains in response, pulling at the aged lines on his face
Well |
I've never been able to sit idle when there's work to be done. |
You’re here on business then? |
Yes |
I'll try to get right to the heart of it and not waste your time. |
Even when you're serious you're slipping in jokes! |
Ghislaine frowns, the joke completely lost on him. Allen clears his throat and tries to be more serious.
Now that I've returned and seen off my daughter |
It would be… irresponsible for me to sit in my manor twiddling my thumbs. I came here today hoping to play a more active role again |
To offer my skills to you and the kingdom. |
Eyebrows raise on all of their faces, Ghislaine and Martin locking eyes before looking back to Ambrose
That is a very appealing offer, Allen |
But I am not without skepticism hearing this from you now. |
Ghislaine nods into Ambrose's words and Allen can see a similar doubt on Martin's face
And I understand that skepticism |
I won't deny that I have been an absent member of your court for some time now. |
Absent? |
Absent doesn't begin to cover it, you ran away for two decades! |
That's hardly- |
No, he's right |
All of you know... I was lost after that battle |
And I did run away from many things in my grief. My family, my duties, myself and yes, the kingdom and all of you. |
Martin and Ambrose glance to each other and Martin's face grows particularly mortified at the memory of Allen during that time. Martin was there in the aftermath of that battle, Allen lingering amid the corpses of his siblings. Neither of them knew how approach Allen in the wake of his losses, their friend shutting down every approach and isolating himself. Allen had nearly drowned himself in the hallucinogenic mead his mother had refused him this morning, reliving his past or experiencing alternate paths had he made different choices—anything but his reality at the time. He was an utterly broken man. Even Ambrose's stoic facade warps as the memories return to him, unsettling Ghislaine.
And I will always be grateful for how you responded |
I'd still be lost if not for the mercy you granted me. I found myself and a new purpose because of that kindness. |
That's all… a beautiful sentiment, Allen. |
But it assuages none of the concerns about your loyalties to his highness! |
That is still my concern |
While I appreciate your skills, nothing is more valuable to me right now than loyalty. How am I to trust in your loyalty, Allen? |
I bring up the past to preface that very point |
You know better than most that, at every point in my life, nothing has meant more to me than my family |
And when I lost them... I lost my faith and my purpose. But I have that family again. There is nothing I wouldn't do for my daughter! |
Ambrose raises a brow as he speaks but waits for Allen to make his point
And now… her future is inextricably tied to the kingdom's future |
Her fate is the kingdom's fate, so my loyalty is to this kingdom's future. I would be... remiss to sit idle while that develops. |
I see |
Ghislaine fumbles witnessing his utterly satisfied tone and expression, breaking through his usually ironclad facade. But how could Ambrose help but smile, his oldest friend finally returned before his eyes? Martin breaks the silence with a single hard laugh.
Well, that's no bluff |
Every moment o' that damn escort ye were smothering th' lass! |
I see your nephew has already had an impact on your accent |
You're not even drunk! |
A soft, nostalgic warmth remains in Ambrose expression as he watches the two of them, the smallest smile still in place. Ghislaine puffs up at the sight.
Loyalty to your daughter does not mean- |
I know first hand how passionate a Minx is when protecting their loved ones |
I do trust in that loyalty. I will consider where you might be most useful. But I still expect you to prove yourself! |
Of course |
I'm grateful for the opportunity! |
Well |
I need a drink after that! |
Can you hold your liquor any better, after all these years? |
You know I can't |
But that's never stopped me! |
Allen and Martin both bellow with laughter and Ambrose chuckles. They look to him, questioning if he would join them, and Ambrose leans achingly close to accepting. Ghislaine shuffles behind him, stewing silently, and Ambrose offers a curt denial. The two men bow politely before making their way out and Ambrose sighs once they are alone, his gentle joy dissipating all at once.
I can feel your disapproval |
I fear... he's using sentimentality to further his own goals, sire |
And I won't forget his motivations! |
Ghislaine presses his lips together, biting his tongue
But he may prove a valuable tool in flushing out this shifter… assuming complacency hasn't robbed him of the shrewd mind I remember. |
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