Aoife Malconaire

[forgottenronan]

Unsent Letter

𐌃𐌄𐌀Ɽ𐌄𐌔𐌕 𐌀Ꝋ𐌉𐌅𐌄,

I know what you must think of me. I wake, sometimes, and think it, too. I know it pains you. Would I could take it back. But I cannot. And I cannot stop. I must move forward, only forward. There is much to be done, and who else will do it? Who else is left to plunge their hands into the filth and pull Astaira, bleeding, free of her shackles? I must do this. I cannot look back. I know you do not -- cannot -- understand. I don't blame you for that. It is your goodness. Whatever is left of mine wishes you had never seen me again; wishes you could remember, forever, instead, the young man I once was. He was your equal. But this ghastly ghost who yet wears his face? Who is he? I know myself to be irredeemable, and I know myself to be a stain, now, on your conscience. It is a terrible burden to bear both for you -- and for me, as well, to have done you harm of any kind. I want you to know, Aoife, that the brother you knew, who loved you so well, and whose ghost loves you still, went to his doom with an open heart, believing just as you do. I -- whatever is left of him -- is now your shield. I bear these things that people like you, who remain good, need not soil themselves in the mire of Varmont horror. It is the only comofrt I can offer you. I know you will not understand. But it must be done. There was a time, Aoife, when I might have heard of my own deeds and called them heroism -- might, even, have wished for this opportunity. Guardians forgive me, I did not know what I was asking. This isn't heroism. There is no shining glory or sweet beauty here. Nothing noble in the muck. It is grim and desperate and dirty and dark. Do not come to me, again, Aoife. Do not seek me out.

Even in our present darkness, Aoife, you and your sisters and the precious people like you: in you I place my enduring hope. Do not give in. Do not let them rip you down or tear you to shreds as they have me. But I am a fool to give you this counsel. The truth is, dear sister, for all that I fear you have never seen it, you have always been stronger than I am, or have ever been. In this one thing, Aoife, I know my faith to be well placed. You are stronger than anything they may try to set against you. Do not lose faith. All my prayers are for you.

I will die doing this. I have no other illusions, Aoife, but you, you will live. Do not be afraid. I will ensure it. And you will rebuild this good green earth into what it once was. You will be the salvation of us all when I am gone. And if the Guardians are good, you will forget me as I am, now, and remember only the man I once was, when I am gone. Even in our present darkness, Aoife, you and your sisters and the precious people like you: you are my hope. Protect your light. Do not give in. Do not let them rip you down or tear you to shreds as ythey have me. But I am a fool to give you this counel. The truth is, dear sister, for all that I fear you have never seen it you. ave always been stronger than I am, have ever been. Do not forget it. In this one thing, Aoife, I know my faith to be well placed. You are stronger than anything they may try to set against you. Do not lose faith. All my prayers are for you. You are my hope. Goodbye.

Your loving brother, ⱤꝊ𐌍𐌀𐌍 𐌅ⱤꝊ𐌔𐌕

[uniiicornsources-old]

Send 🍁 + any question you've been curious to know about my muse

Could be absolutely anything. Don’t be shy!

[forgottenaoife]

.:. aoife .:. aria .:. eithne .:. fiona .:. lucian .:. marian .:.

[velliememes]

Send 💋 to kiss my muse in a forbidden situation

kiss my muses in a situation where muses shouldn't be thinking about kissing at all. Undercover? Vibes. Two people who shouldn't be kissing? Love that. Stuck in a closet avoiding someone? The best. Anything that your heart desires, as long as it's a forbidden situation.

[forgottenaoife]

.:. aoife .:. aria .:. eithne .:. fiona .:. lucian .:. marian .:.

[memesfrommontmartre]

THE LAND IS INHOSPITABLE AND SO ARE WE

starters taken from lyrics from the album the land is inhospitable and so are we by mitski.

as i got older, i learned i'm a drinker.

one day, you'll figure me out.

look around, listen close.

your pain is eased but you'll never be free.

that love is like a star - it's gone, we just see it shining.

i can't go inside.

no one will ever love me like you again.

sometimes a drink feels like family.

you're my best friend.

i'm yours, no matter.

i'm yours, no matter that love's gone.

i don't like my mind.

i love me after you.

hey, what's the matter?

of course, nothing replied.

you know, i'd always been alone.

you know, i'd always been alone, until you taught me to live for somebody.

sometimes i think it would be easier without them.

i was hiding. or forgotten.

you're an angel, i'm a dog.

nothing in the world belongs to me but my love.

there's another memory that gets stuck.

we acted like two fools.

when you leave me, i should die.

nothing speaks to you in the night.

now i've no one to tell.

now i've no one to tell how i lost my best friend.

did you go and make promises you can't keep?

nothing in the world is mine for free.

people always gave me love.

isn't that worth holding on?

i can feel it getting near.

i want someone to take this soul. i can't bear to keep it.

i don't like being left alone in a room.

you believe me like a god.

there's a deal that i made.

when you break them, they break you right back.

could i go on break?

the house is mine alone.

you can bet it's there, waiting still.

i deserve it, don't i?

remember when we met?

i know nothing can hurt me when i see their sleeping face.

the frost, it looks like dust settled on the world after everyone's long been gone.

we've traveled very far.

i blast music loud and i work myself to the bone.

my love is mine, all mine.

amateur mistake, you can take it from me.

i'm sorry i'm the one you love.

please don't take this job from me.

we were so glad to have found it.

i can't bear to keep it.

now the world is mine alone.

the dark awaits us all around the corner.

the dark awaits us all around the corner, but here in our place we have the day.

there was no one in sight.

my baby here on earth showed me what my heart was worth.

others were never to blame after all.

that love is like a star.

i try to remember the wrath of the devil was also given him by god.

[forgottenaoife]

.:. aoife .:. aria .:. eithne .:. fiona .:. lucian .:. marian .:.

[aedearly]

✎ㅤ. . .ㅤ𝑯𝑬𝑨𝑫𝑪𝑨𝑵𝑶𝑵 𝑸𝑼𝑬𝑺𝑻𝑰𝑶𝑵𝑺.

₊˚⊹ ㅤa collection of character analysis/headcanon questions to learn more about your character and your partners'! writing/headcanon prompts requested by anonymous. feel free to edit these as you see fit.

[ 🖐️ ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat do their hands feel like: soft, calloused, trembling ? [ ☂️ ]ㅤ.ㅤdo they crave touch or fear it ? [ 🎐 ]ㅤ.ㅤdo they have a sound, like a song or voice, that they associate with peace ? [ 🕊️ ]ㅤ.ㅤwhen did they feel the safest ? [ 💤 ]ㅤ.ㅤhow do they sleep ? curled up, sprawled, holding onto something ? [ 🦇 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat is a fear they never talk about ? [ 🔒 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat is a secret they’ve sworn never to tell ? [ 🪢 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhen was the last time they broke a promise ? [ 🫳 ]ㅤ.ㅤwho do they feel they owe, but never paid back ? [ 💼 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat do they always carry with them ? [ 🧨 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat’s the quickest way to set them off, even if they hide it well ? [ ⛓️ ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat does guilt feel like to them ? [ 💢 ]ㅤ.ㅤwho have they never forgiven and never will ? [ 🩸 ]ㅤ.ㅤis there something or someone that, if lost, would break them ? [ 🌧️ ]ㅤ.ㅤis there a pain they refuse to heal from ? [ 🪞 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhen have they looked at their reflection and hated what they saw ? [ 📿 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat superstition or ritual do they cling to ? [ 🌊 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhen was the last time they cried ? [ 🐾 ]ㅤ.ㅤdo animals like them instinctively ? [ 🪶 ]ㅤ.ㅤhow do they laugh ? [ 🫀 ]ㅤ.ㅤwho taught them what love is ? did it hurt ? [ 💭 ]ㅤ.ㅤdo they believe they’re worthy of being loved ? [ 🎀 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat is their main love language ? [ 🔦 ]ㅤ.ㅤwho do they search for ? [ 📜 ]ㅤ.ㅤis there a story they love sharing with others ? [ 🌒 ]ㅤ.ㅤdo they have a dream or goal they have given up on ? [ 🕯️ ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat memory do they replay when they’re alone ? [ 🌪️ ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat’s the one choice they regret (not) making ? [ 🧩 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat’s a truth about themselves they refuse to admit ? [ 🍻 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat kind of drunk are they ? [ ✉️ ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat kind of letter would they write but never send ? [ 🗡️ ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat is a scar that they have but never talk about ? [ 🕸️ ]ㅤ.ㅤdo they have a favourite lie they like to hear ? [ 🪦 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat would they want on their gravestone but never admit aloud ? [ 🎱 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat kind of future do they crave, and who’s in it ? [ 🌀 ]ㅤ.ㅤdo they have a recurring dream or nightmare ? [ 🍃 ]ㅤ.ㅤdo they feel like they belong ? [ ⚓ ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat does “home” mean to them ? [ 🧭 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhere would they go if they could disappear tomorrow ?

[forgottenaoife]

.:. aoife .:. aria .:. eithne .:. fiona .:. lucian .:. marian .:.

[mcflymemes]

"YOU'RE THE ONLY PERSON I CAN TURN TO" PROMPTS *  adjust as necessary, send 'reverse' for the reversal of action prompts

DIALOGUE PROMPTS

i'm sorry if this is a bad time, but i need your help.

this is a matter of life and death.

trust me, if i could go to someone else, i would.

i know you don't owe me a thing, but i'm desperate.

this is the last time i ask you for help. i promise.

please don't make me do this by myself.

you're the only one who knows how to do this.

all right, all right, i'm sorry! now will you help me?

i didn't know who else to turn to.

this was the last place i wanted to go.

you know what i'm dealing with. you have all the answers.

please. this is worse than i imagined and i need your help.

you promised them you'd help me.

can we put our feelings aside? i really need your help.

i won't ever ask you for help ever again.

would you just listen to me for two seconds?

i'll explain everything. please come back inside.

i hate this just as much as you do.

i ran out of options.

i don't know how else to ask you.

you're the only person who will listen to me.

you've got to help me out with this.

this is my last chance.

just help me with this, and i'll be out of your hair for good.

i wouldn't come here for nothing.

you're the only person i can rely on.

i trust you to help me.

you helped them. why can't you help me? what makes me so different?

look. put our pasts aside and just help me, would you?

you're my last resort.

it all hangs in the balance.

this is do or die.

you promised me you'd help if it came down to it.

are you busy? i could use your help.

ACTION PROMPTS

[ stormy ] sender arrives at receiver's doorstep soaking wet

[ bloody ] sender arrives at receiver's doorstep bleeding and injured

[ call out ] sender calls out to receiver to help them in a moment of grave danger

[ text ] sender texts receiver asking for them to swing by and save them from a bad or awkward situation

[ call ] sender calls receiver in a time of need

[ wait ] sender is waiting in receiver's house when they come home, there to plead their case and ask for receiver's help

[ find ] sender locates receiver after hours of searching and pleads for their help

[ shout ] sender shouts receiver's name, desperate for help

[ panic ] sender approaches receiver in a panic and tries to explain to them what's going on

[ hide ] sender hides behind receiver's body

[ stranger ] sender desperately asks receiver, a stranger, for help with something

[ reluctant ] sender reluctantly asks for receiver's help

[ refuse ] sender refuses to help receiver

[forgottenaoife]

.:. aoife .:. aria .:. eithne .:. fiona .:. lucian .:. marian .:.

[forgottenaoife]

Unsent Letter

Step Mother, Sometimes at night I hear you in his office, going through Father's things again and again, looking for something until you've convinced yourself it will never be found. You tell yourself that no one will ever find out what you did. You tell yourself it was the right thing to do because otherwise we, all of us, would be out on the streets with no home. You tell yourself that if Father had not been blinded by his love for my mother, he would have seen reason years ago and made the right choice.

But you don't believe that, Step Mother, do you?

So you wake and you search through his things once again, hoping you'll find that one page of the will that disappeared. Perhaps it slipped between floor boards. Maybe its under the desk and you've just never spotted it. Maybe tonight is the night you can finally set aflame only thing that could prove your guilt.

But you'll never find.

You'll never find it because you'd never suspect I might have it. You think in my quiet I am also meek, but that is not the case. Did you even think to check if I might have been outside in the hall when you made your plans to take Father's will and change his words? Do you even remember you passed me in the hallway as you went to his office? I doubt you would... which is why I doubt you would ever imagine that I have Father's will, his real will, tucked away where you will never find it.

So I will sleep well, Step Mother, comforted that my Father's own words are safely in my care.

I doubt you will ever sleep so well again.

[forgottenaurelian]

OOC | Aurelian & Aoife

it's unfortunate that sebastian had to go and embroil himself in scandal w a ~middle daughter when eithne was literally right!!!! there!!!!! but alas here we are ldskjfalksdjfjf no but aurelian is def taking the tack that THIS DIDNT HAPPEN (he doesn't care if it really did and aoife actually ~is carrying his great`grandchild bc it aint a good look for the House™ so like...who cares) and he thinks aoife and her sisters should be sent off somewhere far away conveniently for ~at least nine months~ and then return when rumors have settled down/their figures have returned alkdjflkdsjfsdfj childless families are always happy to take in foundlings and part of cassimir's job should be to ensure those children are cared for and no one else ever has to remember they exist, if they ~are real! also that awful valentina woman needs to shut her mouth!!!!! (finally a plan ~everyone can get on board with...)

so yeah while roderick's like 'place this girl in marian's household' aurelian is like NO WAY JOSE (he thinks roderick's being soooooo embarrassingly touchy-feely caring abt his bastard grandkids like that smdh) and tryna exile her to the fens or calleary or smth probs alsdkjflkjsdfjsdf esp when it comes painfully clear those girls are all dowerless...aurelain said sebastian/aoife notp SOB

[forgottenaoife]

how is it that roderick is kinda taking the kinder approach to the malconaires (not) pregnancy that aurelian! everyone's mind is blown!!

it feels like aurelian might be on team Finn/Aoife engagement along with @forgottencormac ? (i still love that both of them kind of have NO idea that is actually going on and being discussed, haha!) which basically no one else is on!! especially aoife!

i feel like aoife is maybe going to try to put some distance between herself and the varmonts after all these rumors about herself and sebastian-- tbh i don't know how well that's really going to work bc i do think she finds herself wanting to be around @forgottensebastian more and more SO i don't know if she and aurelian cross paths bc of that??

knowing how quiet and introverted aoife is, she is def going to be SUPER intimidated by aurelian! even if he wasn't trying to banish her sisters to the fens or smth, she's def not the sort of person she'd ever feel comfortable talking with!

[forgottenroisin]

Motherhood | Roisin & Aoife

"How're we so calm about it? Well, I confess," retorted Rosie, sarcastically. "I never imagined motherhood would feel so much like maidenhood!"

Valentina was in the midst of telling oof the two younger girls off, two days after the Malconaire fete had had its disastrous ruin and Rosie, for one was tired of it. Catching Aoife's hand in hers, and casting a defiant look towards their stepmother, Rosie marched out into the woods, dragging her sister behind her. Valentina would not follow them into the Old Forest, and Rosie for one was much in need of a little respite.

Pulling her sister down onto a fallen log like a bench, its body covered over in cozy moss, she huffed loudly, still not releasing her sister's hand. "And that woman calls herself a mother! Did Cassimir ever stand a chance?" She often thought he must have, because Sonya had turned out so differently, yet at the moment, she couldn't imagine how any of them could have possibly gotten their heads on straight with Valentina there to chew them off again.

"Our mother, no less," she muttered, irritably flicking an acorn, only to watch if go shooting away and bounce into the green verdure. "Eugh!"

Maybe I just planted a tree, she thought, pressing her eyes closed and exhaling a long breath. Maybe it will grow and grow, and when all the other trees that stood here during our lifetimes, proud and true, are gone, it will stand just as they did to remember us all.

Rosie had had a difficult fortnight, and she had not patience left for Valentina's incisive jabs or cold humors. So much that was happened, so much that had happened, she wished she could just wash away. Wake up, and start anew. But that tale was told and stale, now, and she hated it. She wished she could wash it away, tell something different in its place, like the ever-changing walls of her tiny chamber, but that was just fantasy. And this was cruel reality.

"I can't believe anyone believes this...this rubbish about us," she muttered, darkly, finally releasing Aoife's hand, and rising again, to pace in front of her. It was a mortifying spectacle, and her cheeks were hot just thinking of it, of people imagining all sorts of salacious things about her whole family, only to judge them for it. This was yet another terrible innovation brought them by their overlords. Astaira had never been so. In Astaira, a woman could try out a marriage for a year, then walk away if she so chose. The Varmonts' people prized only maidenhood in a woman.

"I'm so tired of all this, Aoife. I just want--I just want to go. To leave it all behind. See something new. Do something new. Be something new! Isn't it all just too exhausting? I want to...to climb a tree again and laugh amongst the leaves at the top, or, or...dive near a waterfall and feel the current's pull, or...or just...do something I've never done before, and wash all the past away. Somewhere they've never heard our names before, or the Varmonts', or--or even Astaira's! I want to...I want to feel free again, Aoife." She plucked a leaf from a nearby tree, looked down at it in her hand. "I want all of this to be over."

[forgottenaoife]

"She's not our mother," Aoife said quietly, her eyes drifting down to the fallen log they were both perched up, picking absentmindedly at the moss growing there.

"She's Papa's second wife-- not our mother."

Aoife was silent as her sister paced back and forth in front of her, wishing there was something she could do to help ease Rosie's mind. She knew very well her sister was struggling and now knew why-- knew what Edmund had done. She'd known for months now it was one of the princes leading the charge at Malconaire but Aoife somehow knew the it would have been more of a blow to Rosie than to Eithne or even Aoife herself. It wasn't because her youngest sister was weak or naive or foolish but because she put all her emotions into so much of her life. Aoife hoped this wasn't the the thing that would stop Rosie from always doing just that...

"Would you really want to go?" Aoife asked her sister, "Leave... Astaira? I just... I don't want you to go," Aoife said quickly, grabbing Rosie's hand and squeezing it.

"But Sebastian... I know, " Aoife said quickly when Rosie heard her mention the name of a Varmont. "I know... everything about them is... is difficult. But Sebastian, he is close with his uncle and, perhaps..." Aoife paused, shook her head.

"You're going to think I"m mad but perhaps he might find you-- any of us, really-- a decent match with someone who might take us away from here. I.. I know..." Aoife paused, chewed on her lip for a moment. "It feels like giving up. But I don't know how much longer any of us can keep fighting. And I don't know if it will ever be over."

"And might it be nice?" Aoife continued. "Might it be nice to not have to worry about who Cassimir might try to marry us off to or what could happen to us once he and Eithne are married?"

[forgottenaoife]

Don't Panic || Aoife + Cillian

Aoife's head had been spinning her entire trip back from Lorcan which, luckily, was much shorter given that she'd managed to catch a ride on the back of a cart headed towards Malconaire's village. Saoirse's words were playing over and over in her head. There's a rumor that...that you and...Sebastian Varmont were..."

There's a rumor that you're carrying his child."

It wasn't true and she knew anyone with half a bit of sense in their heads would know wasn't true- that rumor and any of the other ridiculous ones that were circulating about her sisters. But Aoife knew there was one person who would both know it wasn't true but still want to seek retribution on behalf on the Malconaire. That person was Ronan.

Aoife hopped off the back of the wagon as it slowed to take the bend near her home, waving at the driver to thank him before setting off in a run back towards her home and straight towards one of the few people who might be able to stop Ronan from doing something completely mad.

"Cillian!" Aoife burst into the stables, breathless. Cillian looked a bit shocked, which was unsurprising as Aoife rarely appeared at any places\ with such urgency.

"You have to take me to Ronan. I have to talk to him before-- before he--" Aoife couldn't process the words, thoughts coming all at once. What if Ronan had somehow heard the rumors already? What if he was halfway to Stafford as he spoke?

"I know you must know what's being said about me, Cillian," Aoife turned to him. "That they're more than the horrible lies being spread about my sisters. But I know there's... there's other things being said about how... Sebastian and I being seen in... in... compromising positions at the Emperor's tournament-- which of course isn't true! But I know how he is, Cillian-- Ronan, I mean-- I know how he is and it seems as if its gotten worse since he left so... I just... I have to talk to him. I don't want him to get hurt and I... I don't want him to hurt Sebastian.

[forgottenroderick]

Love & Honor | Roderick & Aoife

Eithne had proven reasonable to treat with and, having heard -- to his wroth -- Valentina's unseemly delcarations at the Malconaire Ball the other night, Roderick was determined that his conversations with her sisters should go just as smoothly.

Roderick had arrived early in the morning, not much past the dawn, and found to his astonishment only one rough-tongued young man present to take his horse. Lady Valentina must have given her servants leave to take the morning off after last night's festivities, he thought. And clearly her foolish help knew not to whom they spoke, or else he had little doubt that uncivil boy would have kept a quiet tongue in his head. Still, he'd cooled his wrath. He was here for a purpose and did not mean to be recognized, and it better suited him that the household should not be roused.

"Where might I find Lady Aoife?"

"What do you want with my lady?" demanded the swain.

"Nevermind what I want with your lady, where is she?"

It had taken some doing to wrest any information from the youth and he'd not gotten her location, but thrusting his reins roughly into the peasant's mongrel hand, Roderick had strode off into the woods, himself.

It was an unquiet wood. Above, gusts of wind struck the sentinel trees till their boughs groaned and creaked, emmitting low ghastly moans. But worse was the leering silence that came later. Light was dim, flickering eerily through the crags in the leaves, till he found himself caught in a murky gloaming twilight, queer at the dawning of day. Branches seemed to crouch low, sightless eyes turned to stare. Leaf-less branches clawed skyward, raking the air with skeletal fingers and tore at his clothing. The air was musty and close. The trees closed in.

This is an ungodly place, he thought, unconsciously pulling his cloak tighter as if against a chill he did not feel.

"AOIFE!" he bellowed.

Alarmed, a songbird shrieked. Roderick pulled back. With a puff of green feathers, the bird escaped skyward.

A voice. Roderick gasped, turned quickly. A pale face loomed from beyond the wind-swept trees. The sounds of birds and squirrels and deer resumed. Light, real daylight, filtered through the trees and cheerily dappled the forest floor below. The wood was an ordinary wood, again.

Swallowing hard, Roderick shook himself and approached the girl. "Forgive my...abrupt appearance," began the Emperor, taking her by the arm and beginning to guide her from the too-close trees. An open field would do just as well, he thought, suppressing a shudder, as the screeching woods.

"After the night's...festivities, I wished to speak with you." He paused. "It has become clear to me, after all, how much my son...values your...friendship, and I wish to give a gesture of..." he glanced away. How to be delicate in such suggestions. "Is it so that you are soon to be betrothed, Lady Aoife?"

Cormac Calleary had spoken of his intentions. Yet, the rumor was surely quite widely spread, already, of Aoife's shocking behavior as regarded Sebastian. Perhaps even Lord Calleary would find himself less than delighted with such a prospect...only time, he supposed, could tell.

[forgottenaoife]

Aoife had tossed and turned most of the evening once she'd finally been able to go to bed after the party that previous evening. She hadn't been foolish enough to assume the event would be a pleasant evening-- from the start she'd been all but thrown at Arthur Varmont who, thankfully, had almost immediately called for his brother to join them. Sebastian always managed to put her at ease, even in the most uneasy of places like a party made up primarily of people she did not know well.

She wasn't sure how long she'd managed to sleep before the sun began streaming in through her bedroom windows but, despite not feeling like she had rested nearly enough, she found herself restless. Thankfully it seemed as if her stepfamily was sleeping in after the festivities as the main level of the house was silent as she headed out through the back door and made her way into the forest.

The woods were a comfort to Aoife, as she knew they were to all of her sisters. She loved the sounds the forest made, the chittering of creatures back and forth, the bird songs, the rustling of the leaves. It was like the forest had its own language in all of those sounds and only those who dwelled beneath the canopy of leaves would ever learn to speak it, too.

"AOIFE!" Her name came through the trees at such a volume it seemed to shake the whole woods, Aoife herself feeling as if she nearly jumped out of her skin at the sudden noise. Some instinct told her to turn back towards the house and as she did, she found the source of the shout.

It was the Emperor.

"Yo-your Imperial Majesty?" Aoife questioned as if she might be seeing some sort of spectre. He turned immediately, eyes wide as he saw her. This was no spectre, this man was of flesh and blood... and he was looking for her.

Aoife made to curtsey to the Emperor but he was grabbing her by the arm and walking her out of the forest. Aoife hadn't realized until she stood this close to Roderick Varmont that they met eye to eye. It felt strange to see him this close, when he often seemed to tower over everyone in a crowded room.

Aoife hadn't been sure how to respond to the Emperor's mention of Sebastian-- she did value Sebastian's friendship as well. He understood her in a way others did not-- that had been made clear when he'd given her time to process the revelation about one of the prince's being the cause of her father's death. But even before then, she knew-- she'd known when he'd just chosen to sit with her quietly or walk through the fields without needing to carry on a long conversation.

The abrupt change in conversation topics, however, was not what she'd expected to hear.

"Am I-- am I to be betrothed?" Aoife repeated, slightly confused why the Emperor of the Twelve Kingdoms would come on his own to find Aoife and ask her that. She could never have imagined Cormac's chatterings had taken on some actual ground and it was getting about that she was potentially to marry Finn Calleary.

"I-- not that I am aware of, Your Majesty. Though, my step brother was still in bed when I left for my walk this morning... I do suppose my situation could have changed since I went to bed myself last evening...?"

[forgottenfinnegan]

ooc | Finn & Aoife

Hi! I just realized I'm not sure we talked about these two directly, at all?? (just goes to show what an a+++ match Cormac has made alsjdflsdjf)

I feel like, out of all of the Malconaires, Aoife is the one he always knew the ~least?? And he probably wanted to keep it that way tbh? Not that he doesn't like her, I just feel like he'd feel awkward and not know what to say because he knows she's quiet and shy and he is also self aware enough that he can be A Lot at times and he also just isn't sure what they would talk about since his life is just drinking/partying/gambling and the only thing they have in common is their love for Saoirse, which Finn is definitely NOT bringing up ;DDD

Also, to start, Finn probably takes the engagement the least seriously out of anyone? Like this literally came from Cormac it's a joke, right??? I think he probably forgot about it like .25 seconds after he was informed about it, which also makes him the worst fiancé!!

He'd also definitely be against this marriage because he does NOT think that he is worthy of someone like Aoife (or anyone woman, really BUT definitely not someone as sweet and kind as she is??). Even when he hears the rumors that have circulated (which he doesn't believe btw) about her ++ probably has learned a little more about what is really going on at Malconaire just from being in the resistance, he is still hesitant because he just thinks he'd be a terrible husband despite all of his best efforts. (also not to mention the thought of marriage, in general, also terrifies him, so there's that!)

[forgottenaoife]

the best people love @forgottensaoirse <3333

tbh it def makes sense that finn would know aoife the least! i def think she was spending the most time with aine out of all the callearys considering they have similar temperaments! but laughing at some awkward convo where aoife and finn are trying to converse and he tells her some wild story from the night before at the tavern and aoife just sort of stares, not sure how to reply. for real tho i could see though where aoife has spent time just listening when finn's around and then hearing some of his stories i would imagine might have earned a small grin from aoife

i definitely think aoife would have considered it more of a joke than its turning out to be EXCEPT she had (currently having!) the most unhinged conversation with @forgottencormac about engagements and he seems SO focused on this she's a little concerned about it... i def didn't think it was going to go as far as it seems to have tbh but... cormac seems to have a way of creating ~scenarios aklshdasfsdif

so aoife definitely doesn't want to marry finn either, haha! (tho weirdly in some AU they might actually make a nice couple? not a love match or anything but definitely a better couple than certain people *cough cassimirandeithe cough*) plus aoife's slowly coming around to realizing she has feelings for sebastian (girl moves slowly!) AND even tho she doesn't really know about saoirse's feelings for finn... she would NEVER want to get in the way of that! even if its just some silly thing in cormac's mind!

[forgottenbartholomew]

OOC | Bartholomew & Aoife

so fun fact, [ roderick thinks bar and aoife look cute together ] ;D lkajdsfkjdsf unfortunately for valentina, tho, bar is NOT looking to move in on @forgottensebastian 's not!gf alkjsdfjdsf that being said, tho, bar sadly does NOT ship it, bc he knows that ~seb is actually the rightful third heir, not arthur, as roderick's firstborn son and yeahh lakjsfkjdsf so seb's gonna need like a princess or a queen or smth sorry aoife!! but also he ~is a fan of romance so he hopes these two have a good time together but frankly he doesn't think it'll last for frankly a lot of reasons and isn't worried abt breaking them up or anything bc that'll probs just happen naturally right! kajsdkfljsdf so yeah like...he is rooting for them, but also not laksjdfkljsjf

but yes, despite roderick's considerations, he frankly is NOT considering aoife for himself!! esp bc she and seb are still v much a thing even if the other malconaire/varmont alliances are fraying etc lakjdsfkjsdf

as i said...ig in @forgotteneithne 's thread, i do think there may have been a time when bar was considering eithne for eoin but since both are now engaged elsewhere, i think he's given up on that but should either party become free again, he'd def consider it afresh

anyway, as i also mentioned in eithne's bit, he'd also want aoife's opoinon on the lorcan conroversy, and whether she thinks rian, cassimir, or peadar is, as part lorcan herself, who she'd rather guide her maternal home into its next chapter!!

he'd also like to talk up sebastian a bit bc that boy deserves to enjoy his first love even tho it'll hurt when it inevtably peters out...klsdajfksdjf he def wayyy underestimates the srsness of their connection frankly otherwise he would ~never encourage it but here we are alkdsjfjksdfjk

[forgottenaoife]

i like that roderick has no boundaries of like... respecting his elders since he's just looking for new wives for bar left and right! not like bar hasn't had two whole wives already! ;)

also poor bar having no idea that @forgottensebastian nearly proposed to aoife already! asdlsflsdfhou i'm pretty sure that relationship is NOT petering out the way he thinks its going to!!

do you think bar puts any stock in the post tourney rumors that've been going around re: sebastian & aoife?

i definitely don't think aoife would expect him to ask her anything about lorcan!! she's, of course, going to be on team peadar! i def think lorcan is a place she (and probably all the malconaire girls!) can escape to-- which seems kinda weird consider it is pretty chaotic at lorcan but, thankfully, valentina is NOT there-- but i don't think there's any way she would want lorcan given up to anyone else-- but ESPECIALLY NOT cassimir!!

[forgottenaoife]

A Friend in the Window || Kale & Aoife

A housemaid had been hired.

It was a bit of a shock that Cassimir continued to prove good to his word, but a few weeks after kitchen staff had been brought in to relieve Eithne of her duties in the kitchen, a housemaid was suddenly announced so that Aoife might no longer be spending her days scrubbing floors.

It wasn't exactly surprising that Aoife was the first sister after Cassimir's own fiancee to no longer be acting as a servant within their own house. Aoife was, clearly, the least objectionable of the younger three in their step brother's eyes.

This did not mean, however, that Aoife was relieved of her duties involving her step mother. Valentina was still resistant to the idea of moving to the dower house, often prone to wailing when anyone mentioned moving any of the household furniture to the house in preparation for her own move (which a date had yet been set).

Cillian and Aoife had taken making interior design decisions of their own, moving some of Valentina's more gaudy decor or furniture that was clearly not of Malconaire down to the Dower home themselves. No longer needing to focus on the cleaning of the main house, Aoife had turned to cleaning her step mother's future home instead.

Cillian had, rather unceremoniously, dropped a box of dishes at the house which Aoife had set about unpacking. She did like the quiet, but the time to think also weighed on her mind. She had spent many nights up with Brigit and Roisin trying to figure out any way their elder sister might be spared the fate of marrying Cassimir, but nothing beyond kidnapping her and whisking her off to hide in the woods seemed plausible.

Aoife was so focused on her thoughts and wiping down the dishes (which, luckily, hadn't broken in transit despite Cillian's best efforts!) that it almost didn't register when she glanced up towards the window that there was a face staring in the window at her.

Aoife's eyes shot back up and she found herself staring into a familiar face. It was a smiling face. It was Kale's face.

Aoife quickly hurried to unlock the window, pulling it open.

"Someone is going to see you!" Aoife exclaimed, gesturing wildly towards the kitchen door at the far end of the house. "Go, go! I'll unlock the door."

Pulling the window shut, Aoife hurried through the half empty home and, unlatching the old wooden door, opening to find Kale on the other side.

"My step mother has not forgotten what you did! If she found you here, she'd have you arrested in a second!" Aoife scolded as he made his way inside the house. When they were safely inside, Aoife immediately felt more at ease.

"Eithne told us you'd been by to scold her. It will do no good if you're back to try again," Aoife informed him with a sigh. "She is steadfast in her decision."

[forgottenkale]

“I’m not here to scold anyone,” he said, holding up his hands. “I’ve learned my lesson. Your sister could stare down an army if she wanted with that sort of determination. No, I'm ... merely passing through."

This wasn't entirely true.

Kale hadn't given up on convincing Eithne to rethink her decision (there would be another way to save Malconaire that did not include sacrificing herself. Kale just hadn't happened to have thought it through, just yet), nor was this particular meeting with Aoife simply by chance. It seemed that Eithne was not the only Malconaire lady who had taken up with suspicious company.

And Kale meant to get to the bottom of whatever had transpired between Aoife and Sebastian Varmont. He had been spotted more than once in her company and Kale did not like the looks of what he had seen.

That, however, could wait. It had been too long since they had seen each other.

“Valentina tried that one already,” Kale said cheerfully and with an easy confidence that made it sound as though she couldn't ever try to have him arrested again. “Didn’t take, apparently. They say I’ve got a gift for slipping away from things that don’t suit me.” He winked, leaning against the table as he lowered his voice. “Besides, I doubt very much that Valentina would be caught dead in a kitchen. It is, I suspect, a rather convenient way for me to hide in plain sight. I ought to have just stayed in the kitchens at Malconaire, just to see how long I could have gotten away with it."

It pleased him to think of Valentina living here (even as he was fighting the very decision that had led to this outcome). While he was certain that she would still live in relative ease and comfort, this move could not have been easy for her. "Is the mistress happy about her new home?" Kale asked, knowing full well what the answer must be (he rather liked the idea of discussing his former mistresses displeasure too much not to ask the question).

Cassimir rarely did anything Kale agreed with, but on this particular score he found that he was (reluctantly) a bit pleasantly surprised. "I didn't think the craven had it in him to disobey his mother's wishes." A beat. "Or, perhaps, she does not yet know that her son means to have her displaced?"

[forgottenaoife]

Aoife frowned at Kale's reasonings for being at the Dower House that day.

"Passing through?" she questioned. "There are much safer paths to take that don't lead you by the lord's house! After the... the stunt of entering the tournament-- don't try to deny it, I know it was you!-- its almost as if you wish to be caught!"

Part of Aoife wished the entire tournament had never happened. She had been a nervous wreck knowing that Kale, Ronan, and Cillian walked among the dangerous Varmont court and the aftermath, the rumors Saoirse had told her were being spread.... it was enough to make her wish to never leave the borders of Malconaire again.

"My step mother despises the thought of living here... Quite frankly, I think the idea of it might have driven her to temporary madness, Kale. When we first came here..." Aoife paused, remembering how Valentina had raved at her that day. "She demanded I bring Mama's portrait here to hang in the house-- not Papa's portrait, just Mama's..."

"Eithne had it packed away and taken to Lorcan when I told her of it," Aoife continued, let out a small sigh. "And, what with that awful party she hosted at the end of the Emperor's tournament, she seems to have either forgotten or found something more important to focus on. But she will not come here, no, not without a fight."

A pause.

"Did Cillian tell you he carried her down here himself after she refused to set foot here after Cassimir told her she must leave the manor?" a small grin crept onto Aoife's face. Kale and Cillian had been partners in crime when they'd both been employed at Malconaire so Aoife could only assume that if Kale was lurking about the county, he would have undoubtedly crossed paths with Cillian as well.

"I cannot imagine he would not have told you of it first thing. He was exceedingly proud of himself."

Another pause.

"I know you're not simply passing through, Kale," Aoife said quietly. "... tell me, why have you really come here?"

[forgottensaoirse]

Rumor, Rumor | Saoirse & Aoife

"Aoife!" hissed Saoirse, poking her head out a nearby window of Castle Lorcan. She'd spotted the blonde walking below and had, right off, recognized her from above.

In truth, Saoirse had been eager to see her friend again, for personal reasons, but these had become even more pronounced with the revelation of a certain rumor which had reached her ears. Saoirse didn't wish to jump to any conclusions, but she did wish to get to the truth and quickly -- before Ronan heard it and formed opinions of his own.

"Aoife! Wait there! I'm coming down!"

Trundling down the winding steps as fast as her legs would carry her (which was remarkably fast, really, for circular stairs as Saoirse had a great deal of experience chasing her mischievous little charges up and down it when an escape attempt was occasionally made), she half-flew to the base and flung herself out the nearest postern door, by Aoife's side, huffing and puffing slightly.

"Aoife!" A long pause as she drew her breath and, laughing, drew her into a wide hug. "Oh, I'm--" heavy breathing -- "So glad to--to see you. Oof! I'm going to have to look out next time your littlest--littlest cousin goes running away!"

Finally recovering her breath, she laughed, pressing her palm flat against her stomach. "Now, come along, as much as I want to do the usual catching up, I'm loathe to say that I have heard a...a rumor about you...and your sisters and," she took Aoife's hand in both hers. "I want to say that, whatever the truth, I love you very much, and I am here for you, I do not judge you, and I shall help you in every way that I can, and any way that you wish, but..." she bit her lip. "Is it true?"

She paused, seeing confusion dawning across Aoife's face, and realized she'd not heard. "Oh, Aoife, I'm so, so sorry to be the one to tell you, but...There's a rumor that...that you and...Sebastian Varmont were..." she flushed. "Were caught...you know....together...in...in public? I mean!" she added, hurriedly, knowing how profoundly humiliated Aoife must even now be feeling, and squeezing her hand reassuringly. "I'm sure, as is everyone who knows either of you, that there's a misunderstanding, that's hardly...in character, is it? I just meant...Is it based on anything at all, or is it all just...malicious gossip? Only...I see the way he looks at you...and its not as if his brothers haven't each been known to entertain your sisters, so I wouldn't blame you if there were some truth to it."

Her eyes widened as she realized how that might sound. "Not that you were publically, um, exploring those feelings! But that maybe..." She exhaled slowly, pinched her nose. "Aoife, is there an understanding between the two of you? I just -- I want to be sure that the truth gets out there."

To Ronan, specifically, she thought. Before he finds Sebastian somewhere and tries to kill him!

"This isn't the sort of rumor I imagine you want circulating uncontested..." she paused. "Because...because there is," she sucked in a deep breath. "There is a spot more to the rumor, I'm afraid..."

[forgottenaoife]

After two days of trying to help Valentina with decorating the Dower House and only hearing about how she wanted their mother's portrait, Aoife decided enough was enough. She'd woken early, heading away from Malconaire with Lorcan as her destination. Even if she had to walk the winding path that lead through the mountain caves to get there, she needed an escape from her home.

Luckily she passed a cart on that was making its way up the mountain and offered to let Aoife ride along. Soon a couple hours trip turned much quicker and Aoife already felt her day was looking up.

It occurred to Aoife, as she approached Castle Lorcan, she had thought that perhaps it wasn't the best idea to show up unannounced now that Lorcan was in the care of Rían Stafford. It had been different when Cousin Padraig was the Lord-- he was family and they'd always been back and forth between the two counties.

But then she heard her name being called and, looking straight up, saw Saoirse danging out one of the windows. Aoife broke into a smile, seeing her dear friend. Yes, today was already shaping up to be a good day.

Not necessarily ready to potentially face Cormac Calleary, Aoife was happy to linger alongside the castle walls waiting for Saoirse to appear. She grinned when her chipper friend came hurrying out of the castle, wrapping her arms around Saoirse in greeting.

What Aoife hadn't be expecting what Saoirse to suddenly start chattering away about rumors. Aoife couldn't begin to understand what she was talking about and wondered if this was some sort of joke she'd thought up with Cillian to tease her.

But then Saoirse mentioned Sebastian and, suddenly, Aoife’s head was spinning. Saoirse was saying so many things so quickly but all Aoife could think of was how stupid she'd been at the tournament.

“I kissed him," Aoife whispered when Saoirse finally stopped to take a breath. "No, no!” Aoife held up her hand to stop her friend before she could jump to any conclusions. “It was nothing! Just a kiss on the cheek to wish him good luck, before the archery tournament! Just as innocent as one I would give your brothers."

Aoife brought her hands up to cover her face, shaking her head. This couldn't be happening-- it just couldn't! Anyone who had seen it-- and Aoife had made absolutely sure no one had been around!-- would have known it was just a simple moment between friends.

Suddenly she dropped her hands and looked directly at Saoirse. "What do you mean you've seen the way he looks at me?"

But Saoirse had continued and Aoife's face fell further, if that were even possible. “More?” Aoife stared at Saoirse.

“Seerie," Aoife grabbed her friend and using her old nickname for her friend, one she hadn't called her in years. "You must tell me exactly what you’ve heard! Please,” Aoife begged. "I promise I won't... wail or faint or give in to hysterics... but I have to know."

[forgottensaoirse]

“I kissed him."

Of all the things Saoirse had expected Aoife to say to her, just now, that had not been one. Eyes widening, Saoirse found she was speechless. Cillian had spoken (and Ronan raved) about the troubling devotion that seemed to pour both ways between the Houses of Malconaire and Varmont, but in truth Saoirse had dismissed it all as foolishness.

"Uh...oh," she murmured, attempting futilely to disguise her astonishment. She flushed, certainly imagining -- given the nature of the rumors -- that this kiss had been far less chaste than a quick peck on the cheek. "That's..." But urgency reclaimed her tone. She knew well this must prove fuel to the fire, should it get out. "Oh, Aoife, have you told anyone?"

Relief, at once, at the sound of Aoife's explanation. "Oh, Eefie, I'm so glad! Not that I should judge you, whatever might have happened, but it is an easier position from which to give defence against such outlandish rumors!"

Her face went blank at that question and, despite herself, Saoirse laughed. "Oh, Eef...don't tell me you haven't noticed? Eef, he looks at you like...he looks at you the way your lord father looked at your lady mother; the way my brothers say my da looked at my mam. He looks at you the way every young girl wants some handsome young knight to look at her." She shrugged, suppressing a surprised little laugh despite herself and despite herself uable to resist a soft tease, of it, hoping to lighten the mood. "Have you really not noticed? I think if a boy were ever to look at me like that I might just dare all respectablility and kiss him in public -- and more than a quick peck on the cheek for luck, too," she teased.

All pretense at trying to make her laugh ended with the urgency of her friend's tone. Taking both Aoife's hands in her own, chafing them soothingly, Saoirse wasted no more time. "Feel free to react however you like," she said reassuringly. "But I'll out with it. Aoife, there's a...There's a rumor that you're carrying his child."

[forgottenaoife]

"Have I told anyone?" Aoife's eyes went wide. "There-- there's nothing to tell! It was nothing, it meant--"

Aoife stopped mid sentence, her eyes focusing on something in the distance. She couldn't say it meant nothing because that was a lie. It meant something... but Aoife wasn't sure what it meant.

Aoife was silent at Saoirse's explanation, her mind turning over her friend's words while also thinking back to her time spent with Sebastian. Her mind landed, suddenly, on the music box that was safely hidden away in her room from Valentina. She'd never come across a music box that played her favorite song... yet one appeared on her their doorstep a few weeks after she remembered singing a bit of it for Sebastian when he'd told her that he'd never heard the old Astairan tune.

"I'm such a fool..." Aoife whispered, turning her gaze to her friend. She didn't know what to say-- she still didn't know what the kiss she'd given Sebastian at the tournament meant

"He's a prince... I'm just...," Aoife's voice trailed off. She was just Aoife. She wasn't meant to be romancing princes.

"The gifts... the gifts I'd find at the kitchen door, do you remember when I told you of those? I thought-- I thought they were from Ronan but, Saoirse... I think they were from Sebastian. I think... I..." she stopped. "I... I don't know what to think."

Aoife processed what Saoirse had told her next for nearly a full minute in silence. "But... why? Wh--why would anyone think something like that?" Aoife asked. "Why... why would anyone say something like that? Where did..." Aoife stopped, dropped her eyes to the ground trying to make sense of anything she was hearing. "... where did you hear this? Who told you? Do... do people think its true?"

Aoife froze as a thought entered her head.

"Does Ronan know?" Aoife whispered, eyes wide as she looked at her friend.

[forgottenaoife]

OOC || Frost Family Card

Keywords: answers, hard truths Quoted from the guide: "[You] have chosen this card because the answers your seeking have been right in front of you for some time but you've chosen not to see them. Tea magick will visit you when there is a hard truth that needs to be heard and you're experiencing some form of denial.

[forgottenaoife]

OOC | Mabon Oracle Card Pull

Happy Fall, y'all! :) And Happy Fall Equinox/Mabon!

I'm starting a new deck for the season and thought it would be fun to do a pull for my characters (which also doubled as me checking to make sure I shuffled the deck well!!! XD)

I pulled one card for each lady in alphabetical order and here are the results! Aoife - Apple of my Eye (2); keywords: mindfulness, being careful, being present, awareness The guide for this deck talks a lot about this card speaks a lot about it being a sign for being mindful of changes that need to take place in your life and how that change happens-- not always necessarily a big, dramatic moment but more of something you need to nurture in yourself. I honestly kinda love how that relates to Aoife-- there is a lot of change coming (not that she's aware) and she is definitely going to need to change to survive everything! Between properly standing up to Valentina to confronting her own feelings re: Sebastian to literally having to survive without any of her sisters once the whole Malconaire witch era starts... I def think its even applicable now given all these rumors circulating: Aoife needs to be mindful, careful, and present until that all blows over in order to keep from making things worse! Aria - Pomegranate (29); keywords: lust, pleasure, seduction, forbidden fruit I just need to quote the first line of the guide directly: "Your higher self chose this card because you are ignoring the things that could show you the path to your purpose, to more rewarding relationships and to unrealized talents or new ways to experience fun." ... I mean, obviously, right? ;) Its obvious to everyone but Aria that she's actively pretty much all the signs from Arthur showing their feelings for one another are mutual! And in some ways he sort of is a forbidden fruit for her-- he's the enemy, the son of the man who has stolen basically EVERYTHING from her so being with him is a betrayal to all her principles! Beyond Arthur though (bc as much as these two seem to insist to us its all about the other... ITS NOT!!) there was another quote in the guide that struck me for Aria: "By denying your desires, you are denying what makes you you!" That really struck me and how that really could relate back to how the Stafford family operated. We've discussed how important duty was to the family and even Arthur pointed out to Aria she was denying things that might bring her joy. I definitely think that she (and Eilia!) SHOULD (... at some point, now might not be the BEST time tbh, haha!) on finding more joy in their lives that isn't tied up in being the most dutiful of people!

Eithne - Kitchen Witchery (23); keywords: abundance, manifesting, many path[s] or opportunities The first line of the guide for this card is "[You] chose this card because you're entering a joyful period of abundance and manifestation!" and to be honest... that is very much not what is on the horizon for Miss Eithne, even if it was just a wedding that wasn't going to get derailed by witch accusations, Roderick burning down her home, and having to flee into the woods! (though i guess we could say they'll be an abundance of romantic tension between she and Tristan??) The quote on the card, however, I definitely think REALLY applies to Eithne and who she is in her life-- even when things don't seem like they're going that well. The card quote is "Abundance flows easily and effortlessly into your life. Be in gratitude." ngl it actually made me think of Valentina?! and how she believes Eithne and all the Malconaire girls have had these very easy lives, wonderful lives-- and I don't think she's wrong! But I do think one of the things the Malconaire family ahs always had going for them is that they understood this and ARE grateful for it! I can see, though, how Eithne may have lost sight of this tbh! she is so very, very sad right now, so very very lost in the fact she can see how her life is going to be once she's married to Cassimir and its not great... she's lost sight os there being anything good in her life right now. Would it fix everything if she refocused on the positives and the people who care for/support her? probably not, but she might not be so miserable!

FIona - Coming of darkness (7); keywords: preparing, coming of darkness This card is a warning-- something difficult is coming and you should prepare for it. Its probably no surprise that out of all my characters, Fiona is the one I have the least idea about how she fits into everything (beyond the pre-determined plots, of course!) and exactly what she wants out of life beyond Astairan independence, BUT... I suppose there is a storm on the horizon for the resistance, isn't there? They've managed to walk into the trap Roderick set with the marked coins and inadvertently turned his gaze on Malconaire... which will be disastrous for everyone!

Marian - Apothecary cabinet (1); keywords: tools, a need to develop skills, hard work SCREAMING because honestly doesn't this card just say 'Amira' upon first glance?! (#queenbesties) And then, the more I read in the guide for this card I decided this card actually IS about Marian and Amira in a way! The guide references being realistic about where you are in your journey and what you need to see results-- I've decided to interpret that as Marian realizing that she alone is not going to be able to stop Roderick from marrying Eilia on her own... she needs to team up with the resource that's right in front of her face: Amira. Queen alliance activate! ... and tbh totally honest this card really didn't speak to me for Marian any other way! i honestly thought about re-pulling for her but i do love the bit of the connection with her and Amira! ;)

Anyway-- this was a fun distraction this evening! <3