burning on

[tenacious-finnian]

That's ever lived– that's a grand title that looks like I have some big shoes to fill.

You are a troublemaker when you want to be, you know, because it sounds like you want me to get into a fight with my dad. Which, if I'm being honest, sounds kind of nice right now. I have a lot of aggression that I can't keep carrying on my shoulders if I want to be level headed when the eventual fight against the vampires and goddess knocks on our door.

[divinely-helena]

It's not the only big shoes you are currently filling.

I'm not saying I want to see you or him get into a fight and result in likely catastrophic injury, but I'm also not saying getting his ass kicked by you isn't capable of making Rhys listen. You can go toe-to-toe with your father and come out alive, Finn, no one else will. I'd do it, but I have a daughter who needs an uninjured mother and you know that Celeste would if she wasn't carrying. You could send Wrath his way, but then we see Rhys carried home in a body bag. You've learned from the best.

[gianna-foxwood]

Sometimes it's hard to separate what I'm supposed to feel and what I'm siphoning from everyone around me. I know I should be an expert by now, but it doesn't get any easier. You're right... I can't keep wallowing in past mistakes. A part of me is... glad that I get to meet all these different people and see glimpses of other timelines, and at least help the ones who didn't have a fortunate timeline. There's just always a small part of me that is selfish and wishes for normalcy. For maybe just a day.

[divinely-helena]

The hardships of an empath, unable to draw the line between genuine personal feelings and the absorption of everyone else's. No one is an expert, Gianna, not even me. The alarm coming across those you know in a completely different life never fades, but some are better off living in this timeline. Your twins, for example...their mother isn't imprisoned and their father is not a mad possessive King of Hell. You will gain normalcy at the end of the Bellora-free tunnel, dear First Mother. There's cost, sacrifice, but what is striving happiness if not that?

[mournfully-yasmin]

My Lord is very on edge, so he no doubt echoes your concerns.

[divinely-helena]

I wouldn't know, Yasmin, I barely see Death most days. He is always on the move and rarely slows down to let me in so I can help.

[tenacious-finnian]

Good, someone needs to keep me accountable. I am genuinely glad he was around, and I know for one that I am excited to meet both versions of your daughter. I'd like to start my reign of being the best uncle-cousin there is.

I've been biting my tongue, Helena, but with every moment that I'm here cleaning up messes that he should at least be giving assistance with, and I'm almost to my breaking point with him. Maybe he understands, maybe he doesn't– a part of me doesn't care how he sees it.

[divinely-helena]

Leave it to me. The grown version is buzzing to see you again, sweetie, her opinion points you to being the greatest uncle-cousin there ever lived.

Here's another option, stop biting your tongue. You know how I would give your father a piece of my mind without fearing any retaliation. Not speaking up and letting him do as he pleases while you carry the heavy grunt work sends a message that it's okay treating your family and your problems as acceptable. He's your father, but you're also his coven leader. Why approach this any differently than you would another member of the coven just because you're genetically linked?

[tenacious-finnian]

Don't make me glad I missed it, because none of that sounds appealing. But hey, a healthy baby girl, hopefully with the father around for the birth. Cross my heart and hope to die, I will never miss something else important when it comes to you.

That's definitely putting the typical trials and tribulations of carrying our titles. I'm sorry too, but then I see him, and I don't feel sorry. He's in no shape right now to take over even if he wanted to.

[divinely-helena]

If Death and I ever have another child, I'll ensure you aren't bounty hunting and force you to attend the birth. She is beautiful, both baby and grown Mabel, Death was there for when I brought her into this world if my birth-addled brain can recall. You keep your promises, so I believe that statement.

One only imagines the thoughts bustling through his mind to think it's acceptable behaving so unbecoming of a First who once was set to inherit a coven. You are the best person keeping us afloat right not, Finn, Rhys should understand that.

[gianna-foxwood]

I know... I just. I've felt this weight on my shoulders since the resurrection that I can't shake, the guilt, and I thought that if I continued to do good, then I could atone, but it just makes me feel every setback that much harder, and it's hard to get out of that mentality.

[divinely-helena]

You are doing good, Gianna, I see what a difference you have made for every occupant in your home. This guilt is normal, healthy even to prove that you aren't unaffected by your actions, but you feel it greater as an empath. Some of these kids wouldn't be here had it not been what you did and I see how it can portray this constant reminder. If you blame yourself for any decision everyone makes good or bad, where do you draw the line?

[judiciously-ezekiel]

It is the best remedy I have ever been able to concoct. No matter the issues, there is always a tea that answers. It figures that would be what remains the same through the iterations of myself.

[divinely-helena]

Mother could never compete with your remedies and even she will admit that. My daughter's regaled how different versions of you are still serving tea in Death's realm which is a surprise to no one who knows you best. Cellie thinks there's no version of you out there not associated with tea.

[tenacious-finnian]

I know, I feel shitty about missing Mabel's birth. If you can find it in your heart to forgive the person you love most in your life, besides your new bundle of joy, I would greatly appreciate it.

I heard about the new First. I need to visit Gianna and extend my greetings to the family– it's no easy feat to obtain a title when not directly born into it.

[divinely-helena]

Most of it consisted of screaming my head of and cursing to the wind. For the person I love most in my life, I'm willing to make an exception and forgive you this time around.

Indeed. From what I have seen thus far, she is juggling the role well under extreme duress. A child under her charge went missing and found herself with Bellora. An unfortunate mishap, but Gianna will appreciate a visit from a coven leader. I'm sorry my brother isn't taking the responsibility.

[tenacious-finnian]

Sleepless nights, countless tribunals, and tracking down errant council members lead to a barely functioning coven, but it's functioning.

[divinely-helena]

I suppose coven matters come first, but you missed seeing the birth of my daughter and several parties, including a new First in our family.

[divinely-helena]

Bouncing from a length of silence to an uptick in goddess-level noise is concerning.

[gianna-foxwood]

Barely into the lockdown, and I already lost track of someone I'm caring for. Not very First Mother of me.

[divinely-helena]

You're hammering too much pressure on yourself, Gianna. Unpredictability happens and you cannot prevent it.

[seer-nikolai]

Hope you're not looking forward to some witty and hilarious banter– I don't have it in me at the moment.

[divinely-helena]

Is this reason something I must speak with Death about? Violet's been staying at my home, Nikolai, and she's been alarmingly vague.

[judiciously-ezekiel]

I have more tea if you would like to sit.

[divinely-helena]

No matter the timeline, I'll never grow tired swimming up to my ears in tea. Especially yours.

[tempestuously-lysander]

Forgive me for staying out of the current issues, but there's not much I can do other than lend an ear.

[divinely-helena]

Lending an ear is sometimes a powerful thing.

I'm sure you remind everyone of Rhys, Lysander, but you remind me of my other nephew Finnian. We haven't met yet, I'm Helena. Celeste is my sister.

[valentin-kuznetsov]

I would be embarrassed by the fact that my mother swooped in the moment I got a little upset if I didn't miss her.

[divinely-helena]

I thought that was Auntie I sensed closer than should have been possible had she been in Russia.

I spotted you speaking with Mabel at the First Mother's party. I'm your cousin, Helena.

[temptingly-blair]

"You're not the only one drinking to the point of being unbecoming, so you're in good company," the princess grinned as she grabbed another drink for her friend, pushing it into her hands before taking Helena's free hand, dragging them both to the dance floor, and giving the brunette a spin. "Drinking, dancing, forgetting everything just for the moment. Nothing is better medicine."

[divinely-helena]

"Are we not always great in the other's company?" Helena nudged the hem of her skirt up in a miniscule curtsy before curling a hand around the glass of her drink and became infected by a fit of giggles as the blonde princess yanked the two best friends toward the dance floor. "The best medicine." Hel replied after finishing her twirl, falling into the rhythm of the music's beat, "Speaking of, our children found a cure for their lovesick longing. They are finally together." She took a sip of her drink and shot Blair a wide grin, "We'll be mother-in-laws in the blink of an eye."

[beau-baird]

I wouldn't be very kingly if I didn't have manners, that's for sure. I will have you know that we are very happy. Mabel and I had a nice discussion, and we're together now– we're figuring out the rest as we go. Not rushing, you know?

[divinely-helena]

The fact you strolled through that door with a bright grin on your face like you are now also dropped more than a handful of hints. Ah, yes, had it not been for the rifts, I imagine there'd be a crown on Mabel's head very quickly. You and my daughter deserve every happiness, Beau, welcome to our family even greater than you were before.