Saoirse Frost

[forgottensaoirse]

OOC | Saoirse & Lucian

ok so!! by the sounds of it, lucian frequents lorcan? and, if so, i feel like that may mean they two are acquainted? i feel like saoirse's default mode is DONT TRUST OVN-IANS!!!!! buuuuut it sounds like he's been coming around a lot? proving his trustworthiness? in which case, maybe they do know eo a bit better, perhaps? esp bc it sounds like he's lowkey cut a lot of the more toxic ties in his life (at least in terms of like...being controlled by them, anyway) and is trying to live by his own code?

[forgottensaoirse]

OOC | Saoirse & Odile

ok but in another world i feel like these two are kickass partners <333333 in this one however...not so much lkajsdfkljadf tho!! if odile wanted to strategically steal from ppl who itd benefit the rebels to suddenly uhhhhh lose capital, well...dlskfjadlksjf ;DDDDD

[forgottensaoirse]

Lord of Lorcan | Saoirse & Cassimir

There was one positive thing Saoirse could say for Cassimir Malconaire, even these days: he was easy to spot. Standing well taller than nearly any of his peers, save her own eldest brother, his silhouette was all Saoirse required to realize precisely who was climbing the mountain towards them.

Saoirse and the children had gone for a walk, today, enjoying the peace of the lake and its white and black attendants who placidly flated across it, as well as the crags and clefts and caverns all around it for all their natural beauty. They'd not been long at it, however, when the sound of hoofbeats had come echoing up the mountain from the direction of Malconaire.

Shading their eyes, they'd all three stopped to peer towards the interloper. It was Clea who had declared him, at last, asking if the bad man had come again. With the softest laugh, Saoirse had been forced to acknowledge that he had.

"I have an idea," Saoirse said, kneeling down to address her charges. "Let's baffle him. Let's play hide and seek, hm? You hide...Cassimir and I shall seek. What do you say?"

Peadar was grave, but even he could not long withstand his sister's excitement and, before long, Saoirse was holding her hands to her eyes (though in truth watching where they went -- she would not dare truly lose track of them, these days) and circling, counting as the children rushed to hidden corners of their native mountain. Dropping her hands at last, she came face to face with Cassimir's charger as he at last approached.

"Are you lost, Lord Cassimir?" asked Saoirse, stiff with politeness, yet unable to shake a touch of snark as she raised a hand to point. "The Riverbend is that way."

[forgottencassimir]

Cassimir reined in his horse sharply, irritation flaring hot and immediate at the sight of Saoirse alone upon the path. Of course. Again. He had not ridden all this way to exchange barbed pleasantries with a servant who fancied herself clever; he had come with purpose, with intent carefully measured and rehearsed. His gaze swept the rocks with quick precision, already cataloguing the likely hiding places with a hunter’s instinct. He did not miss the faint traces: scuffed earth, a snapped twig, the echo of movement too recent to be coincidence. The children were near. They were always near. Saoirse only ever hid them just enough to make a point.

His eyes settled on her fully then, as he dismounted his from his horse. “Have you lost track of your charges?” he asked, voice deliberately raised just enough to carry. “I fear Lady Lorcan would be very displeased to hear of it. These are unsettled days. Dangerous days. Even loyal lands are not free of trouble, and children wandering the wild ... ” His voice trailed, allowing her imagination to determine the rest.

What truly rankled him was Peadar’s absence. The boy was what mattered. Peadar was not merely a child of Lorcan: he was its future. Cassimir had intended to be remembered kindly, as a steady presence rather than a looming one. Each time Saoirse denied him that chance, she delayed his work and pressed his patience.

“You mistake me if you think I come here without goodwill,” he continued, stepping closer now, lowering his voice. “I have an interest in the children’s welfare. In Peadar’s education. In ensuring that when he comes into his inheritance, he does so with friends beyond these mountains.” His mouth curved faintly. “That sort of bond is not forged overnight. It requires time. Familiarity. Trust.”

He paused, then added, more coldly, “And you mistake me further if you believe I will be turned aside indefinitely by games.” Cassimir glanced once more toward the rocks, then back to Saoirse. “Call them back. Now. Or I will be forced to involve Lady Lorcan herself, and I suspect she will be far less amused by this performance than I have been.”

Straightening, Cassimir folded his hands behind his back, every inch the nobleman who expected to be obeyed. “I am trying to be patient,” he said. “Do not test whether that patience is endless.”

[forgottensaoirse]

He was direct, she'd give him that. Saoirse's lips quirked and she shrugged, only barely managing to conceal her bemused smile. "How is the Riverbend, these days, m'lord?" She wasn't about to call him Lord Malconaire. Even if he had won Eithne's hand by love -- something she did not for a second believe -- he could barely tend what he had, already. What qualified him to run Malconaire, as well? After all, she had a sneaking suspicion that he couldn't even answer her question about his only true lordship. That Saoirse most likely underestimated him was probably true. That she did not like him? Absolutely true.

"Lord Peadar is indisposed, just now," she replied. "He had a rather late night, last night. The Emperor came to dine." That was true enough, and he'd demanded all ceremony. Even from a child. "He is not receiving visitors today."

Saoirse wasn't precisely lying, but she would have done, in this circumstance, if she thought she could get away with it. She didn't mind deceiving Cassimir. It was worth it if it would keep him away from Peadar. She hoped it would work. Her little lord had had more than enough of political maneuvering last night. The last thing he needed was a round with Cassimir attempting to manipulate him. Saoirse wasn't about to let him flatten and roll over little Peadar the way he'd done to poor Eithne.

Looking up to Cassimir, again, she tilted her head. "I suppose you must be here to see Lord Cormac? He was just telling me that he believes he can soon convince you to add a little color to your wardrobe? He thought pink might be especially...I believe the word he used was 'frothy,' with the rest of your wardrobe." Saoirse was not optimistic that Cassimir would add any color, save maybe green, to his apparel. And she strongly suspected Cormac had not been Cassimir's errand at all. He'd come to manipulate a little child, she believed. The thought did nothing to endear the man to her.

"Have you come to hear more of his arguments?" she asked sweetly, as if she truly believed this might be his goal. "He says his words last time were quite moving." He had, in fact, teared up simply thinking of whatever it was he'd said. In truth, Saoirse would have paid good money to watch Cassimir listen to that speech. Sadly, she'd not had the opportunity. "But we were interrupted before he could share them with me. Might you tell me what he said?" She doubted he would, but she couldn't think of anything more amusing, just then, than hearing Cassimir repeat whatever rousing speech Cormac had delivered, likely without any gusto, so it was well worth the effort in her view on the off-chance he might. "I believe pink would suit you rather well, m'lord. Pink tulle. Gobs of it." It was difficult to keep a wide smile from her face.

Saoirse let out a long breath and took a step closer to the man. "M'lord, if you believe I am failing in my duties, by all means -- involve Lady Lorcan. I assure you, as I am extremely competent in my work, you will only earn the dear lady's frustration and my own vindication with your conscientiousness. Nonetheless, you must do as you see fit. I will make no effort to stop you."

She smiled in a bland, polite sort of way. It was easy enough to call his bluff on this because, if he did take her challenge, she was certain all would proceed just as she described. (Indeed, had Lady Lorcan been walking along beside her when Clea had spotted Cassimir riding up, Saoirse strongly suspected the good woman would even now be helping her.) If he did not -- which she thought more likely -- he would only be sparing himself from further damaging his reputation at Lorcan and, perhaps, sparing himself a touch of embarrassment from being shown up by a serving girl.

"It is fortunate, indeed, m'lord, that my little lord may rely upon the support and goodwill of Lady Malconaire, I suppose, if -- as you imply -- you will withdraw yours when a child exhibits the need for his childhood." She looked him dead in the eye, unwavering. It was foolish, perhaps, as a serving girl to make a powerful foe, and she knew it. But she also knew that Peadar had been through enough. And she meant to do her all by him. She smiled then, laughed as if they were old friends. Better for everyone that she should hand him one last opportunity for an out. "But that is not what you mean, I imagine?" Her tone was a challenge.

"Sir," she began in her gentlest tone, as if he were one of her charges in a mood, himself. "If this is the measure of your patience, as a childminder by trade, might I suggest you forego any activity involving little ones? They are dear, sweet creatures, but can prove most trying. Indeed, m'lord, a child can prove as trying, or, indeed, at times even more trying -- though I grant the notion strains credulity -- than even a Frost."

She paused, looked him up and down. "How fares my brother?" she asked. "I hear you made him steward, like our father. That was well done. He may give you lip -- he's never been one for keeping a civil tongue in his head, poor rascal -- but he'll work like a dog for Malconaire as for all those he loves. That much you need never doubt. It's a family trait."

[forgottensaoirse]

The Princess & The Serving Girl | Saoirse & Cassandra

This was all, really, a Frost family fault. Like so many other difficulties in her life, Saoirse found, her brothers had inadvertently colluded to force her into this position...and her own ill luck had from there only compounded the issue.

Because of Ronan's wanted status, Saoirse had been obliged to change her name for that of one of the Varmonts' wretched victims, and because of Cillian's impetuous lies, she'd been obliged to adopt the identity of someone from Ormond. Today, Saoirse Frost was Saoirse ó Réimse...a person for whose death Saoirse, herself, was likely to blame. Many Saoirses had been rounded up, after all, in the hunt for Saoirse Half-Seer. It was her own fault. She'd neither been clever nor humble enough to cover up her talent, as other Seers had done. It was a weight Saoirse bore daily, but one that wore most closely upon her when once again changing names with her.

Today it breathed a dark hue, tickling at her ear. My fault, my fault, mine...

She'd applied as a maid, intent upon serving the Staffords, but today she'd found herself assigned other duties. So it was that Saoirse found herself liveried in the rose queen's signet and colors, and thrust through her door with an assignment to dress her daughter. There was nowhere to hide.

While, generally, Saoirse might have been glad to have an opportunity of snooping in the Varmonts' own personal chambers, having to attend upon the person of Cassandra, specifically, presented...issues. Saoirse was, after all, a much more reluctant liar than her elder brother. Still, she would do what she must, and she was fortunate in that she had been given her assignment before reaching the room: she knew just what awaited her, which gave her a little time to prepare.

"Good morning, Your Imperial Highness!" she chirped, bustling in as busily as she could and hoping against hope that the princess would not recognize her.

Cormac Calleary, who had known Saoirse whole life, after all, often struggled with this, and Cassandra was a known friend of his...Perhaps Roderick's own daughter, doubtless a far more haughty person than even Cormac! would prove similar...But somehow Saoirse could not credit it. The princess had proven far too interested when Saoirse's idiot brother had introduced her to the princess as his own servant, and later she had, indeed, recognized Saoirse at Lorcan when, in a panic, Saoirse -- this time the idiot for making her mistress look amiss in Cassandra's eyes -- had claimed that these were Cillian's children.

Today, prepared as she was, she would tell a far better lie. Today, Cilli--Lord Ormond had given her the day off, she decided, and knowing that (since the riots had run off many of the previous servants) the imperial palace was much in need of attendants, she had wished to make a touch more coin...No, no: she had wished to do her duty to the empire, she decided, and take up work there.

Smoothing her dress with her hands to help dispell her nerves, Saoirse summoned all her confidence and bustled to the princess's wardrobe, throwing open the doors with perhaps somewhat undo verve. A vision of cloth-of-gold half-blinded her as the sun struck it.

Has the poor girl not a single comfortable thing to wear? She felt a sudden pang of pity.

Turning to Cassandra, and knitting her fingers together behind her, Saoirse smiled. "Has Your Highness anything you should most like to wear today?"

[forgottencassandra]

Cassandra turned at the sound of the girl’s voice with all the bright expectation of someone who had been bored nearly to death since waking. She had been lingering near the window, watching the courtyard below for any sign of movement worth remarking upon, and the sudden bustle was almost a relief. However, when the serving girl came through the door, there was something in the girl’s posture, in the careful way she held herself, that tugged faintly at Cassandra’s memory. Not enough to name: just enough to make her tilt her head and study her.

“Good morning,” Cassandra replied lightly, stepping closer as Saoirse opened the wardrobe.

There was nothing new to wear (her new clothes had been delayed due to the disruptions with the riots - nothing that wasn't essential had been allowed to pass to or from the gates which, unfortunately, included the materials her seamstresses needed to complete her new gowns).

She sighed, surveying her options. "The green one on the left, I suppose?" It had been a long time since she had worn it. Green wasn't one of her preferred colors and, as a result, it often sat idle. "Or perhaps ... " A pause. She turned towards the girl, "Which do you prefer?"

It wasn't often that Cassandra would defer to the opinions of a serving girl when it came to fashion. They often wore the same thing each day which, to Cassandra, spoke volumes about how much thought they ever put into their appearance. (The fact that perhaps what they wore was all the could afford did not cross her mind). But this girl had opened her wardrobe with so much enthusiasm that Cassandra wondered if she might be different. All of her gowns (even her least favorite ones) highlighted her exceptional taste, so the poor girl could hardly choose incorrectly ...

After glancing back towards her again, Cassandra knew that she recognized her and yet she certainly wasn't one of the normal girls who dressed her. "What did you say you were from?" She asked, tilting her head. Perhaps she was a local girl from Malconaire?

[forgottensaoirse]

Saoirse took a steadying breath as Cassandra approached her, hoping she wasn't moving in to inspect her. As yet, she had given no indication of recognizing her, and Saoirse silently prayed to any Guardians who might be listening that they might cloud her mind, if they could. In that she didn't think that, strictly speaking, such things were within their power, she supposed she would have to use mortal means to distract her. Fortunately, given the extreme array of clothing -- veritably a fortune in fabrics casually hanging in her wardrobe -- Saoirse surmised it might prove a topic of much interest (and therefore distraction) to the girl at her shoulder.

Cassandra's voice did not sound terribly certain, but, nevertheless, Saoirse reached for the garment -- only to be delayed. She glanced towards the princess out of the corner of her eye (trying, as much as was possible without being too obvious about it, to keep her from seeing her full face in the hopes that this would stave off any memories she might have of her), and was suddenly powerfully reminded of Cormac -- though, in fact, Cssandra had already displayed greater decisiveness than Lord Calleary.

Saoirse's eyes widened in shock. All comparisons to Cormac Callery ceased. It would never have occurred to him to ask a mere servant such a question. Clearing her throat, as if to press back her shock, Saoirse quickly scanned the many items on display -- she'd never owned so many dresses in all her life, little less fine ones! Touching them only very gently (she certainly could not afford to repair them, were she to damage any of them!), Saoirse pulled them back nd aprt to better inspect each.

She didn't speak, only taking five out, one by one, and laying them out on the princess's bed to inspect. Two of them, after a moment of concentration, and some moving about of sleeves and skirts, she put back without a word. At last, satisfied with her selection, she turned to the princess. "They are all quite beautiful, but these are a mix of beauty with practicality. After all, I would imagine, Your Royal Highness, what may best suit perhaps depends to some degree what you wish to do, today, and in that the tournament is ongoing, I presume some large portion of your day will be consumed in sitting in the stands, both watching and, if I may, as imperil princess, being watched as well? The blue, I believe, will best suit for socializing -- enough cloth-of-silver detailing to catch the eye and leave not a soul to wonder about your rank, even if they come here unaware of who may be whom. It will also serve to shine and catch the eye any time you move. However, the silver is rather heavy, which brings us to the pink. It has such fine movement, I believe it will be the most comfortable for a long day of sitting in the sun in the midst of a field with dust being constantly stirred up. And finally the green. The very fact that it was your first instinct sets it apart from all the others, Your Highness. Our preferences are sometimes our best advisors, don't you think? If its what, on some level, you want, I believe it may please you best."

At the sound of the second question, Saoirse turned quickly to look at the princess, surprised. She quickly rued the decision and turned back to tend to invisible motes on the gowns, hoping to conceal her full face, but she feared the jig was up. The princess had recognized her.

"Ormond, Your Highness. I'm filling in during the tourney, so please Your Highness." She paused, wanting to distract her. "I've never seen a tourney before, Your Highness -- are they very exciting? We hear of all sorts of tales and customs here, but I can't say which are true -- and which are fiction. What's your favorite thing about a tourney?"

[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.

[forgottensaoirse]

Saoirse bit her lip as Aoife's voice faded. That was no good. He was a Varmont, and they were notorious. He'd only break her heart. Still, now was hardly the moment. Reaching for her friend's hand, she squeezed it. "Doesn't matter what it meant, Eef," she said, gently. "I shouldn't worry over that too much, just now." Yet, she saw revelation, then, creeping over Aoife's face. Saoirse frowned.

"What is it?" She bit her lip, hoping against hope that Aoife was not about to declare passionate love for the prince. Still, as soon as she did say something, Saoirse found herself rushing to her friend's defense. "You're not 'just' anything, Aoife," she said, fiercely. "You're kind and loving and clever; you're wise and warm and capable. I'll bet my boots he's never met a soul like you, and he'll never do so again. That man should be so lucky!" She glanced away, a bit irritated at herself for apparently encouraging something that was bound to bring Aoife harm, should she pursue it.

"Remember, Eef, 'prince' for them just means he happened to be born to one set of parents instead of another. I doubt he's really done anything with his life, at all, to earn it. You on the other hand? You work your hands raw for Malconaire, each and every day."

Yet, at her next words, Saoirse turned speechless for a moment. She'd heard much tell of these gifts -- thoughtful and helpful, and -- she frowned. She thought...a Varmont had left them for them? There had to be another explanation. She just had to think it through, logically. "It wasn't Ronan," she blurted, forgetting for a moment that no one was supposed to know where he was. Her eyes met Aoife's, and she smiled apologetically. So long as no one overheard -- she was sure the secret was safe with her. In truth, though Saoirse had never admitted aloud that she knew where to find her brother -- she'd never truly doubted for a moment that Aoife already knew she did, anyway. "And it wasn't Cillian," she'd heard that one suggested, too. "Or me."

No one had mentioned her in her hearing but, just in case, given that the rest of her siblings had been held in suspicion at one time or another, she felt she may as well get that one out of the way, though she doubted she'd been seriously considered. Saoirse wasn't quite so impulsive as her brothers.

She frowned. "It's not the Lorcans or the Callearies -- I would have seen one or another of them at it, by now, given how often and at what strange hours I walk the passages back and forth." She frowned. Who else could it be? The Staffords were out of the question (both sets, though for entirely different reasons), the Ormonds were dead...If it were Padraic, hiding in the shadows like Ronan, certainly he'd be leaving such offerings for his own wife and children, as well, but none had ever appeared.

Saoirse shred her look, bafflement written across her face. "You...you truly think it might be Sebastian Varmont? But...why?" The Varmonts were hardly known for their kindness. "Why would you suspect him?"

She tried to smile, but the look hardly touched her lips. She clasped Aoife's hand. "Of course not! Not for a second! No one who knows you would ever imagine there's any truth to it, whatsoever. Oh, but --" she bit her lip. High as tensions undeniably were with their stepfamily, she knew it would sting to hear the truth. "As to whom, I--I don't know for sure, of course, but -- I keep hearing it was Valentina, herself, at the gala, when none of you were present. She allegedly told Roderick in front of -- well, evidently quite a few people. But--but don't think people are spreading it because they believe it! Quite the opposite! Everyone I've spoken to is outraged by her shocking behavior."

What was being said in Varmont circles, she did not know, though she could find out. She had her information primarily from Ciara Varmont, herself, who had been present when Valentina had begun her lurid accusations. Still, she couldn't admit to that without exposing her connection to Ciara, so she remained coy. Aoife had enough trouble as it was. She didn't need this on top of everything else.

When Aoife asked, she said, "I heard it from the butcher, this morning." That was true enough. "I started looking for you, directly." It was true enough. She'd hoped, before that, that it would not get around, but knowing now that it had, she'd wanted her friend to hear it from her, first, rather than from someone else. "But I assure you, he only told me that I might warn you. He was most outraged that anyone would say such things about you, and he didn't believe any of it for even a moment, I promise you. He spent most of our conversation defending each of you--"

She broke off as she watched her friend freeze. "No," she said, hurriedly. She glanced around and lowered her voice before continuing. "Cillian and I have taken care that he should not hear, but -- I fear its only a matter of time before he does find out..."

[forgottensaoirse]

OOC | Saoirse & Garbhan

so, since these two both live at lorcan, ive no doubt they know eo!! as a rebel, i doubt saoirse has the ~best opinion of garbhan lksdjfkljdf but its at least probs better than her opinion of rian so...*ragged cheering* (also, like...what a crew up at lorcan laksjdflkjdsf i love this chaos <3333) im guessing?? finn and garbhan drink and gamble together a lot just bc...they seem to have similar hobbies that way, and its convenient, so she probs ~also saw him as a bad influence on finn if so hahaha but now that finn's a rebel as, hopefully, a good source of intel, esp since he's close w arthur, so...thanks for that, man!! lkadjsfkljds but yeah by and large she probs thinks he should go back to stafford (or better yet the ovn!) and leave them all alone, if he loves roderick sm (which frankly, unless he's given her reason to assume otherwise, she probs thinks that he does what w the family dinners and what not lasdjkfjdsf)! lksjdflkjsdf

[forgottenfinnegan]

Here Comes the Sun | Finn & Saoirse

The lawn rang with laughter and the dull thwack of wooden blades as Finn staggered backward under Peadar’s enthusiastic assault, clutching his side with a groan that was far too theatrical to be real. “Mercy!” he cried, spinning once on his heel before dropping to one knee. “Have pity on an old man, will you?” Peadar only laughed harder, cheeks flushed, eyes bright, and lunged again. Finn parried at the last second, deliberately clumsy, letting the boy feel every inch the victor.

Finn straightened, breathless and grinning, raising his practice sword in salute. “Well struck, my lord,” he declared solemnly. “A blow sung of for generations.” He was mid-bow when something beyond the game caught his eye. His expression softened and he lifted his free hand in a casual wave.

Saoirse was crossing the grass with Clea at her side, and Finn’s grin widened as if it had been waiting for her all along. “Oi there!” he called, tone bright, beckoning them closer. It was enough of a distraction; Peadar seized the opportunity with a triumphant shout and jabbed his wooden sword straight into Finn’s ribs.

Finn froze. Slowly, dramatically, he looked down at the blade. “Ah,” he said faintly. “A mortal wound.” He wobbled back two steps, clutched at the air as though reaching for something lost to him forever, then collapsed flat onto the grass with a groan. “Tell my sisters I loved them,” he rasped. “Tell your Uncle Cormac ... ” a pause, a dramatic wheeze, “ ... nothing. Tell him nothing.”

By the time Saoirse and Clea reached them, Finn was still sprawled there, one arm flung over his eyes, the picture of tragic ruin. Peadar hovered nearby, torn between pride and the suspicion that his uncle might be enjoying this far too much. Finn cracked one eye open, just enough to see Saoirse, and smiled up at her. “I turn my head for one moment and I’m struck down in my prime.”

He propped himself up on an elbow, nodding toward Peadar with mock solemnity. “I’d keep an eye on this one, if I were you." Then, lowering his voice as if confiding a great secret, Finn added with a crooked grin, “He's dangerous, he is."

[forgottensaoirse]

It was a beautiful day, sweeping blue skies shining with a merry, bright sun. Everywhere trees came into bloom while tall grasses waved in warm zephyr. Saoirse felt as if she'd stepped into one of Rose's fairy tale illustrations -- even the lake was a perfect mirror image of the world around it, as if all had been conjured with the intent of sweeping beauty. Peadar was playing with his uncle, and Clea -- having evidently finished playing 'the swan game' with Aunt Fiona and Uncle Cormac (Saoirse fought to suppress a smile hearing that -- she imagined a blood curdling scream would alert the entire castle when Cormac discovered he was 'playing' that particular game), she wished to chase butterflies around the flowering meadow which, in truth, sounded to Saoirse like a perfectly idyllic way to pass an afternoon, as well.

With her little legs, Clea was forced to practically gallop and leap, her little hand grasping Saoirse's, all the while, but Saoirse could feel her little charge tiring. She smirked, glad she'd brought the picnic basket and the wide blanket. She sensed a nap in the near future.

Espying movement as they came round the side of the castle, Saoirse spotted Finn waving to them. "Wave to your uncle, Clea," said Saoirse -- only for him to be brutally struck down -- somewhat hamming up the role as he reacted. Putting her hand to her mouth, she laughed. She heard Clea doing the same.

"Those silly boys. Shall we pay our last respects to your uncle, before he perishes?"

The answer was in the affirmative, and they came quickly forward. "Oh, dear," said Saoirse, finding Finn so dramatically composed. "It seems we're too late." She looked to Peadar. "Did he have any last words?"

"He said to tell Uncle Cormac nothing."

Saoirse laughed. "Sound advice."

She placed the basket on the ground, opening it and drawing out the blanket, and beginning to arrange it in a shady spot close to Finn's final resting place.

"Is that his shroud?" asked Clea, very seriously.

Saoirse's eyes widened, wondering where on earth she'd heard about shrouds, before Clea emitted a little joyful cry and bounded away after a butterfly, her brother in hot pursuit. Chuckling to herself, Saoirse popped the basket onto the blanket, her ministrations mostly done with till either nap time or lunch -- whichever arrived first.

Hearing Finn's voice, she laughed, shaking her head in mock seriousness. "These are dangerous times. Your brother was just telling me --" she added with a mischievous gleam in her eyes. Saoirse thought Cormac one of the most amusing men of her acquaintance, and delighted in asking him what he was thinking about whenever she saw him. He never failed to surprise -- or to call her something completely different, each time. Once, he'd called her by her actual name, but she suspected that was entirely a coincidence. She'd didn't expect it to happen, again. "-- he suspects the presence of rebel scum in this place." For once, Cormac had gotten something right, she supposed. "They're the ones, evidently, filling his rooms with swans while he sleeps." She tilted her head -- right again, actually, though -- not at all for the reasons he suspected. "He's much too dangerous to leave in peace, of course. A classical revolutionary tactic."

Turning to watch the children giggling together, Saoirse felt her face crack into a smile. "It's good to see him laughing, again," she said softly. He'd been through so much -- too much. Clea, too, of course, but she was so young, she didn't understand it all. Peadar, though, Peadar understood perfectly well. And it had taken its toll. Now, though, in this moment, he was but a little boy, again, playing in the sunshine. And Finn was a large reason for it. She turned back to him with a grateful smile. "Thank you."

Not one to let a moment drag on too long, Saoirse cleared her throat. Turning to her little basket, she opened it. "Fancy anything to eat or drink? I brought plenty -- and," she added with a teasing smile. "You chose such a pleasant place to die. It seems a shame to leave it in a hurry, doesn't it?"

[forgottenmarian]

Little Swans || Saoirse & Marian

After his many promises, Roderick had finally taken Marian to tour Lorcan and, surprisingly, she found herself qutie enamoured with the place already. It had a grandness to it she felt the Citadel lacked, seated up in the mountains. She halls were filled with art and tapestries that reminded her of home in many ways.

Roderick had gone to meet with Lord Stafford privately-- a situation which did not please Marian given how often she had lately heard Rían Stafford's name mentioned in connection with her daughter-- and Alaric had last been spotted walking towards the gallery with Eabha. Not particularly wishing to find herself trapped in conversation with the loquacious Lord Calleary, Marian had decided to walk along the path from the castle to see the famed lake which sat atop the mountain.

The day was bright as Marian made her way along the path, the breeze keeping the temperature comfortable even as the sun heated the side of the mountain. It was a peaceful stroll which was interrupted, suddenly, by the gleeful shriek of a child who, moments later, appeared dashing (somewhat unsteadily) up the path towards the Queen.

"Goodness me!" Marian laughed as the little one skidded to a halt in front of her. Marian knelt down do they were eye level.

"You must be the little Lady Lorcan," Marian smiled at the little girl who was a bit unsteady on her feet, given of course that she was quite little. Marian held out her hand to steady the little one.

"Clea! You devious little bird, where have you gone?" a woman's voice sailed across the winds towards them. Marian looked up to see a young woman rushing down the path towards them.

"Quite quick for such a little one," Marian smiled as she rose back to stand. The little one scampered back towards the young woman, who Marian could only assume must be their nurse. She felt a pang suddenly for days past, when Cassandra and Sebastian an Arthur were all small.

[forgottensaoirse]

"The Emperor's expected, you know," added Cillian, in a hushed voice. "Percy said he may even bring one of his brides."

"Why?" hissed Saoirse.

He shrugged. "Romantic getaway?"

"No, not that! Why is Roderick coming to Lorcan?"

That evening had been a quiet one, the stars gleaming bright in the inky firmament while brother and sister whispered their secrets. Over all, Saoirse's room was a small one, boasting little more than her small bed and a trunk, and a modest fireplace to keep her warm on winter nights (and from which she brewed her tea) but it was fine, too, with large windows and a balcony near as large as the narrow room, overlooking the wide valley far below. On it she'd popped a small table where she took most of her meals, when she did not fancy venturing into the servants' mess, and chairs, one largely intended for reading and sewing, and the other for sitting up to the wee table. And here she nurtured a bevy of little green things, which Cillian was dexterously avoiding knocking into the chasm below, as he reached for his teacup. It was a bit crammed, out here, with two, but it was absolutely lovely.

"As to that, sister dear -- we're not entirely sure..."

"But you wish me to keep on eye on the situation? Learn what I can?"

"Well," Cillian arched an ironic brow. "Perhaps your charges will be curious to meet the man whose terrorizing all that they hold dear."

Saoirse's voice was flat. "They've met."

"That's right," murmured Cillian, softly, staring into his tea. For a moment, the pair fell silent, thinking of those awful hangings and the poor little boy forced to witness them. "Well," he resumed at last. "Whatever you can--"

She nodded. "I make no promises. I'll not expose my little lord to that evil man, again, any more than needs must. But if the opportunity presents itself -- I won't shy away."

Her brother grinned, affectionately nudging her shoulder with his own (and nearly casting an unsuspecting fern into the abyss before he caught it with a slightly undignified sound). "Ah, that's my girl."

The opportunity had presented itself.

Saoirse stared warily at the queen. She was as beautiful as everyone said, she noticed -- golden locks and limpid eyes and high, elegant cheekbones. She was just the sort of woman a young girl would picture, sitting at her mam's knee, listening to fairy stories. A golden queen.

She bobbed a curtsy, cast her eyes down. Saoirse knew well and good how a queen was meant to be treated, and she knew who Marian was, right away. She'd seen her once or twice, before -- though never up close -- while serving at the palace as an extra hand during the tournament days. Though Saoirse didn't truly think any wife of Roderick's deserved devotions -- for who could choose to unite oneself with Roderick! -- she observed them, anyway. Lady Sorcha deserved it. Lady Aine. Eithne. They deserved it. But she knew, too, the part she was meant to play.

It had been her decision to take the children outside. With the emperor in residence, she thought it best to avoid him. But it seemed imperial interference was nothing short of inevitable. She might have known.

The queen had a lovely smile, she found. Almost...kind. If she hadn't known Roderick to be such a wretch, she might have been tempted to think well of his third wife...But looks could be deceiving. And Saoirse was not here for a social call -- she was looking to mine answers.

"Yes, m'lady," said Saoirse, softly, recollecting that Marian would likely not expect Saoirse to recognize her as anything save aristocracy, by her accent and by her dress. "She grows stronger, day by day, that one. She'll be outstripping us all, soon enough. Fly away and leave us all behind, very soon, will you?"

Clea answered with a bright, cheerful giggle, and uppy hands, causing Saoirse to stoop and pick her up.

"Are you fond of children, m'lady?"

[forgottenarias]

ooc || guardian physical forms

starting this off w/ our discussions from disco...

kate: this is probaby a question more for lizzy but maybe some of the guardians are more powerful/manifest in these forms that turn into the folkloric characters? like obvs the malconaire guardian is the tree! and maybe either those guardians forms were some of the inspo behind the house sigils OR if they're like… shape shifters… they changed their forms to suit the houses they guarded? kate aa: Ngl I had the Calainon dragon as part of their seal w the thought in mind that it was the Guardian there (based on the Cholchean dragon 💕🐉) and ngl my impression of the great oak was that it had taken the ~form of the tree more so than that it was literally ur average everyday tree? But yeah realizing idk if that was based on smth lizzy said it my own imagination just running wild? But anyway assuming for the moment that that ~is the case, that ~would line up w the white hart guardian tale from house ormond’s origin story w the sun and the moon caught in its antlers (itself based on an irl legend I adapted)

kate: Eeee! Okay I love that the dragon was a guardian!!! So my HC with aria since she could hear/sometimes see the guardians that she never really like looked straight at one— it was always something she’d catch out of the corner of her eye or something! And maybe I made this up but I had it in my head that the idea that guardians were demons to non believers was bc they’d appear as these frightening creatures???

kate: So I wonder if the guardians of certain places took these forms that humans would actually be able to perceive like dragons and trees? Like does aria (and other seers ofc!) only catch these glimpses of guardians because her brain just can’t process these figures???

kate aa: No I agreeeeeee i sorta pictured them as like sorta shadowy wraiths kinda in their true form??? Idk if I made that up tho? But omg I love aria never quite looking right ~at one it’s a flicker at the corner of the eye! Delicious!!!!!

kate: I had a thought that maybe when she [aria] was v young she at least believes she saw one fully?? That’s just my silly HC tho

kate: Omg obsessed with that idea of their eye color ties back to their celestial heritage!!!! Like does the goddess Alya have those blue eyes? ( do all the gods???) kate aa: Ooooh i love That!!!! It could also be like…kids aren’t as limited in what they can conceive of like maybe they ~can perceive them better/more clearly than adults…

kate: Lots of kids possibly seeing the guardians but lose the ability as they age???

kate aa: Oooooooh Maybe that’s part of the seeing the souls on Samhain thing? Some kids report seeing guardians as well? Which might be part of too why regular ppl know they look like demons? kate: Yessss!!!

kate aa: Not me like did roderick see one once and was ~haunted and decided to destroy… Aella’s Arch was right there… kate: That makes so much sense tbh little kids seeing these frightening beings but maybe thinking them monsters bc the lost the ability to continue to see them so they became the monsters under the bed or smth kate aa: Yessssssss and maybe kids’re more likely to see their ~true forms~ rather than whatever shape they’ve taken to fool adults so it’s all the more frightening that way?

kate: Yes!! Ooo I wonder if kids w/o the gift can see but not hear them so maybe when Aria or other little kid seers first saw them they could actually communicate they weren’t monsters!

kate aa: Oooooh i love thsttttt!!!! And that’d be all the more scary too like it can’t comfort you or if there is speech attempted just a wordless void to witness…

kate: For sure! Which is maybe why they try not to be seen? But it’s bound to happen ofc and that’s caused the demon rumors

OK so, apologies, this is probably a lil' choppy bc there were a couple convos going on and i specifically pulled out the things regarding the idea of guardians having physical forms that ~all people could perceive!

so just on my end-- and like i said above this is all just HC and I definitely would love input from @thelongforgottenrealm bc i don't want to mess with any ideas you have ofc!! <3-- but the idea wasn't that ALL guardians don't have a physical form since the idea of people considering them as ~demons exists, but that some of the guardians that are maybe attached to specific homes-- so like the guardian tree and then i'd rambled smth later about maybe the flock of swans at lorcan are actually a guardian too!-- manifest in a physical form so that ALL people can see them!

the other idea that again had just been a guardian HC was that while aria has the powers to hear the guardians and see them, she's never really has looked directly at a guardian! they've something she's partially seen OR its out of the corner of her eye!

and then that kinda spawned the idea that maybe kids can see the guardians when they're younger and more ~open to things! but being young they don't really have the language to explain what it is, so they're just like 'i see monsters!' which is part of where the whole idea of that guardians are scary demons!

anyway, just putting this in a proper post for further discussion <3

[forgottenbrigit]

Offerings | Brigit & Saoirse

One day, the gods will come again ...

... and we shall weep for Malconaire ...

Brigit heard the guardians whisper in her head, their voices which once had been loud grew fainter and fainter still, despite her redoubled efforts to make certain that they remained strong -- that they kept whatever dangers were on the other side at bay.

Her last offering had been unsuccessful. She'd left some bread and the rest of the lemon cakes for the guardians by the great oak tree, but Valentina had spotted her doing it and tossed the food out into the rain. Brigit had received two lashes for wasting valuable food (although it had not been she who had thrown it out!) and another three for her "sacrilegious" behavior.

We do not have much strength left.

"I will see that another offering is made," Brigit promised, but she could hardly find anything in the kitchens and wondered if Valentina had been spiteful enough to throw the rest of everything out to keep her from trying again.

It may not be enough.

"It will be enough." It had to be enough. Brigit had been unable to do little when her home was invaded; had been helpless when her sister made the announcement of her engagement -- but she would not let any more harm come to Malconaire or Astaira if she could help it.

She grabbed her bow, prepared to hunt if she had to, when she came upon a lone apple tree somewhere between the Malconaire and Lorcan lands. Brigit was up amongst the branches gathering as many apples as she could when the clouds began to part; the sun shining through again and -- soon after -- she saw Saoirse Frost coming up from the otherside of the hill.

Brigit could have cried to see her -- she would need help carrying as many apples back as she could and she could think of no better person to help her in this than Saoirse whose belief in the guardian had always been strong. Someone else might have thought Brigit wasteful to use so much food at such a time on some ancient tradition.

But not Saoirse -- Saoirse would understand how important this was.

Brigit scrambled down the tree and ran to meet her and nearly knocked her over when she drew her into a hug. "You are on your way to Malconaire? Would you help me? I ... I was picking apples for the guardians and I may need help getting them back."

[forgottensaoirse]

Her dreams had been frightening and confused, of late, coming even when half-awake, at times. "You mean to warn me of something," Saoirse said to the whispering wood of Malconaire. "But I cannot make it out. Send me a sign."

Of a purpose, she'd made a large offering and sheltered that night at the foot of a great tree, her head pillowed by its reaching roots. "Show me," she murmured as she drifted off. "Show me what you mean."

Her dreams had been terrible. She'd seen her little cottage razed to the ground, its bones reduced to smoking ruin. She'd seen a firebird pecking at her parents' bones. She'd seen Lorcan crumbling, ramshackle stones overturned with root and ruin and tumbling, long-forgot, to the valley floor below. And she'd seen her two brothers, bound and shrieking upon a funeral pyre, the blessed statues of the guardians kindling at their feet. The sun was eaten away, devoured by black shadow. Faint-glowing stars wept silver tears that fell to earth, boiling upon its burning surface. "They come!" shrieked a thousand hissing voices, rising from bubbling cascades of liquid fire. "They come! They come!"

She woke with a start, trembling, but it was not cold. Tears ran down her cheeks, heart thudding in the chasm of her chest, and, as she looked to the sheltering leaves above, though she'd never heard the guardians speak, she almost believed she'd heard the leaves rustle a single word: Beware.

"Well," Saoirse had mumbled, pulling her legs beneath her chin and wrapping her arms around them. "That doesn't seem good." She'd tried to laugh. It came out a sob.

The rest of the day had passed in a blur, Saoirse ruminating continuously upon what she'd seen, thoughts punctuated occasionally by a splitting headache before a flash of vision. The tree, great and sprawling, of Malconaire cut down. An island nation swallowed in the sea. A great burning pit extinguished. A sword, flashing like starlight, shattered on the mossy ground.

"Guardians be good," she'd muttered, and going at once to Lady Lorcan, she'd explained that she was quite unwell and asked for the rest of the day, a request gladly granted, though with some concern. Still, Saoirse had hardly noted the conversation. She needed to get back to Malconaire. She needed to dream again. The guardians meant to tell her something important, but she could not guess what it was, even still: only that doom was on its way.

Saoirse was inclined, as with most things, to blame Roderick, yet it seemed strange to her that she should be warned of his arrival now: two years after the conquest. No, it must be something more, though she heavily suspected he was involved: it was a phoenix she'd seen consuming her parents' remains, after all. That, she was sure, could be no coincidence.

Saoirse was so intent upon these unpleasant thoughts as she marched for Malconaire, that she nearly missed the woman climbing high above her till, at last -- just as she had wished! -- Saoirse realized a voice was calling to her from the trees! Whirling around, expecting to at last behold a guardian -- as seers were meant to do! -- she was startled to spot Brigit Malconaire descending from an apple tree, eyes stormy with determination -- and eyes bright of a sudden with hope.

"Brigit?" And suddenly, the other young woman was crushing her into a hug. Though surprised, she couldn't help but respond in kind -- it was a comfort she'd not known she needed -- and she pulled back, reluctant for the ending. Her words were a call to action, and Saoirse nodded emphatically, not bothering at first to make any other reply than to hold up her apron to collect as many apples as she could carry.

"The guardians sent you, Brigit Malconaire," she said, half breathless as the two young women bundled more and more apples into the folds of linen. "I asked for a sign, and the guardians sent you to me."

She stilled, then, in her frantic gathering, her gaze finding her friend's. She didn't mean to speak, but the words came tumbling out. "Something's coming, Brigit. I've seen it. Something terrible. Something...something that frightens even them. I don't know what it is. They won't speak to me, won't show themselves. But I can feel them, sense them and...they've shown me this. We have to strengthen them, Brigit. I'm glad you thought of this. We must do whatever we can. Time is running out."

[forgottenbrigit]

"And I think they've sent you to me," Brigit said, almost laughing with the relief of having aid. It had all seen so hopeless a moment ago, but she suddenly felt less alone in not only this task, but in whatever the future held.

It was then that Brigit caught Saorise's expression. She seemed pale and almost frightened. "Saoirse? Are you alright? Did something happen?"

Brigit stopped her work for a moment: she could spare it for her. And then, all at once, Saoirse explained to her what she had felt and Brigit felt her blood run cold at her words. She'd not been the only one. Were they trying to warn Saoirse, too, about the god's return?

Brigit opened her mouth to speak wanting desperately to tell her what she had heard them say, but would Saoirse knowing their fears do anything to soothe her anxieties? Was the risk of confiding in her worth confirming her fears? Had she been more impulsive, she might have completely unburdened herself then and there, but it was dangerous for anyone to know.

Even Saoirse, who may truly be a half-witch.

"What have you seen, Saoirse?" Brigit asked, her eyes meeting her friend's.

She dropped to her knees to gather the fresh apples that had fallen into her apron. "Whatever is to come, they will need their strength -- we should take whatever we can carry."

[forgottensaoirse]

Welcome Rebel | Saoirse & Brigit

Saoirse was grinning. Leaning back against the makeshift structure behind her in which Ronan dwelt and the Resistance met, Saoirse gestured for Brigit to approach the open door, and the two young women ducked inside. Structure was perhaps a strong word. Built up against a cave, it really boasted only one wall and part of a ceiling. It was a single room.

"Welcome to the Resistance," began Saoirse. "Let me show you around." Taking Brigit's hand, she led her in a circle through the tiny space. There was a makeshift bed. There was a makeshift table. She could see both from the entrance. There was nothing new to observe. Saoirse's lips quirked into a bright grin. "Well, that's done! Any more questions?"

Saoirse's grin widened at the little joke, and she winked before sinking onto Ronan's bed and gesturing for Brigit to take a seat at the table if she so chose. "I'm awfully glad you're here," she said, releasing a small sigh. "This outfit was never really whole without a Malconaire." She winked. "And I hear you're a good shot," she added, wryly, as if Brigit weren't here for winning an archery contest against the entire kingdom.

"Though, be careful. News like that is sure to go straight to Cillian's head. Before we know it, he'll be proclaiming himself as the mentor of the greatest archer in Astaira and, while technically true...we just can't have that, can we? Please tell him that someone else helped you, too, even if its a lie. For my sake."

For all her teasing, though, Saoirse's happiness was quite genuine. She'd always had a great fondness for Brigit, and the fact had only been compouded by their recent meeting, where Saoirse had shared all the news of her terrifying dreams. There was a comfort in having another seer to talk to...and even more in that person being, already, a dear, dear friend. But Saoirse had never been much good at putting such feelings in words.

"So Ronan tells me you're keeping your own winnings," she said without rancor. She saw no issue in that, though she was well aware some had. "I have to say I'm curious -- what's the first thing you intend to buy?"

[forgottenaine]

ooc | Aine & Saoirse

Saoirse is an honorary part of the Calleary/Lorcan family now and there is nothing anyone can say to Aine to convince her otherwise!!! <3333

Aine is the sort to know about all of the servants in her employ and she seeks to develop a real friendship with them, beyond just a professional one -- especially when they are like Saoirse and all living and working in the same household together! But I feel like this extends doubly to Saoirse, who she has entrusted to help with the care of her two children, who she loves more than anything else in the entire world!!!

I don't think she made this appointment lightly, and I imagine that she knew Saoirse before she ever came to work for her @ Lorcan? I was going to joke that she saw how she handled/mothered her two older chaotic brothers and was like "that is as good of a reference as any" but there might actually be some truth to that alsjflsajf

Aine is here though to do whatever she can for Saoirse?!? Lorcan isn't too far from Malconaire, but she would have always been welcome to take as long of a leave as she needed/wanted to visit her own family (Aine never wanted her to miss out on being w/ her own fam for the sake of Aine's, y'know??) And I think that Aine is an involved enough mom that she is okay to handle things w/o Saoirse for an extended period if she ever needs it!

But you just know that those kids adore her so much!!! I was thinking a little bit about their personalities and I thought I'd share them with you.

Peadar loves adventure!! Stories about knights and dragons and pirates and princes fascinate him!! (he would be a huge fan of lord ormond's life ngl ;D)

He's always had a lot of energy and loves to explore! He's got an active mind and asks a lot of questions/is v curious

loves to learn and I feel like he is a bit of a lowkey nerd

(I feel like he loved running around the shores back at calleary while visiting there, but would also enjoy going to his aunt eabha and asking her questions about the ocean, etc!)

Used to be full of laughter and smiles like 24/7 but he's a bit more serious since his dad has disappeared

he always knew that he would be lord lorcan one day but he didn't think that it would come this soon??

unlike his mom, probably actually thinks that his dad is dead but would never say that out loud b/c he doesn't want to hurt her

he's only ten years old but he feels the need to protect both his mom and his sister in his dad's absence

is even more studious now than he ever was, because he wants to be v prepared for that moment when he can just take lorcan back from rian!!

I do think he still does have moments where you can see his old self and he does still like playing with saoirse (especially if cliodhna is involved so he doesn't feel bad about acting childish)

my poor boy just feels like he needs to grow up too soon :(

Cliodhna is only two years old and so she is just starting to develop a little personality

it is clear that she's going to be v extroverted

smiles and waves at literally anyone who pays her any attention

I feel like she's super adorable and just has a bunch of people wrapped around her finger already and aine is a little afraid that she'll be spoiled (spoiler alert, she probably already is a lil!)

she's also v smart for her age!

knows how to stack her blocks and can put together easy puzzles but also gets a kick out of putting them together wrong and seeing everyone's reaction and just laughs at how ridiculous she is being

already is developing a sense of humor and is also a lil mischievous

will probably be deeply influenced by finn and fiona when she's older alsdfjalsdfj

in fact, once totted in the room after fiona when she put a swan into uncle cormac's room and wouldn't stop giggling about it

Both of them adore Saoirse, though!!! I feel like Peadar makes her presents/drawings and even Cliodhna will bring her a flower that she's picked while they are out playing!!! I think Saoirse does them both a lot of good and I think that, honestly, Peader especially benefits from having her around b/c I think he feels like he has to be grown up and strong for his mom, but he doesn't feel that same pressure when it is just Saoirse and his sister?? (Also this would literally break Aine's heart if she knew!!!!)

[forgottensaoirse]

honestly saoirse feels the same way abt aine and those kids!!!! she couldn't love them more if they really ~were her kin!!!!!! i do think, being a frost and thus kinda sorta not!family to the malconaires, she went in lowkey feeling that way already re the lorcans and then yeah got to know them and came to love them on their own merits and not just for the sake of hwo much the malconaires did!!!!! esp bc i feel like in a lot of ways she really did finish up her ~growing up~ there and flourished and a lot of that was due to aine and her family's nurturing and she just <333333333 saoirse's an extremely loyal person!!!!! she's in it to the end <33333333

so yeah since writing the above, we have established that there were so many summers growing up at hanthom w the staffords, the malconaires, the lorcans, and obv the calleries, and yeah i ~do think where the malconaires go...so do the frosts like they're not ~technically siblings but also...they are ;lajskdfjklsdjfdf ;DDDD so yeah i deffff think its safe to say that saoirse and aine and also padraic def v much knew eo before saoirse moved to lorcan to take up her position! not her seeing her mother her older brothers BAHAHAHAHAHA but honestly she came pre-loaded w the skills to tame THE most unruly of people...alksdjfkljsdkjflsdfj honestly a ~great reference and one saoirse teases her brothers abt mercilessly all the time 'peadar is more mature than both of you combined' and she means it <3 lakjsdfkljsdlkjfsdf

honestly i def do think saoirse took her up on that!! but equally i feel like her brothers and the malconaires would come visit ~her too so like...i don't think it was ever too disruptive and if anything just meant the kids got to see more of their cousins/not!cousins ;D also saoirse was always happy, if it worked out better, to take the kids ~w her to malconaire and so forth as well!

also idr if this is accurate or not but...aine's pregnant rn right? if so, great, if not ill ~still talk a bit abt it since obv clea would've been a pregnancy that saoirse was there for etc and yeah i def think saoirse does as much as she can to like run interference and make all of that as easy and stress-less as she possibly can on aine and is always like ive got a bot of hot water for you to soak your feet in while you play w the little ones and here're some herbs imma put in this tea and that'll help w how youre feeling (she ~is a ~pseudo seer soooo ;DDDD) and all of that too and just has it ready to go etc!! and i def think she tries to be as much as a help/support to aine just ~in general~ too as she possibly can!!!!! and i ~do feel like, given that aine's a v hands on mom, they probs work together/in tandem to make sure things are all going smoothly etc esp for the kids?

honestly i think saoirse is steaming mad abt what peadar in particular has had to go through!!!! and now the latest w these hangings!!!!!! saoirse can be a bit overprotective and obv she's a rebel like lkajsdfkjdsf she's ready to punch roderick in the throat for all of this alone little less everything else too alkjsdfkjldsf fortunately she hasn't gotten an opportunity bc...she ~is a frost so who knows what she'd do ladksjfkjlsdf jk jk i do think she's got more self-control in general than her brothers but...it does come out so!! laksjdfkljsdf who knows hahahaha not that poor aine, being a calleary, hasn't seen all that sort of thing a million times before lksadjfklsjdfjd

also i am obsessed w these adorable children and honestly so is our girl saoirse thinks they're the cutest, the smartest, the best kids to ever walk the earth and if you get her drunk and talk to her abt them she ~will get a lil weepy over it lakjsdfkljdskjf you have been warned BAHAHAHA

i think saoirse also works hard to achieve a balance of like...discipline and good behavior but also like...being really fun and wildly silly and probs even a lil pranky like lajksdfkjdsjf she loves hearing them laugh and she is here to make that happen!!!!!! she also loves reading to them and making up stories for them and singing to them and stimulating their minds and imaginations!!!!! but also, as a frost, she knows what its like to have wild blood (in their case calleary but...she still gets it ;D) and she tries to help them deal w that constructively as possible hahahah 'i was too late to help my brothers...im here on time for you' so they don't grow up and do things like start yelling at emperor's heirs abt his evil party and thus screw over the ~whole rebellion by getting banished from the palace ;DDDDD yes saoirse's still salty abt that one laksjdfkjsdf

but yeah i think she ~does sometimes fear she hammered in the self-discipline thing a lil too hard w poor peadar...and thus as a result does over-compensate w clea a bit the ~other way so like lakjsdfkjdsjf she's trying her best but!!!! she's def still learning!!! her intentions are always good and v loving tho i swear!!!!

omg saoirse looooooves those presents!!!!! the nursery is decorated w those pictures and those flowers everywhere!!!!! but her favs she does keep for her own room <3 she keeps a lil book of clea's pressed flowers and peadar's lil drawings and she goes back and combs through it every so often <3

and omg she'd be sooooo delighted -- and i think actively ~tires to be!! -- that safe space for peadar where he can just let down and totally be a lil kid and she ~encourages it (esp bc i think she blames herself for some of his melancholy which like...honestly noT her fault but in ~retrospect she feels like she should've let him be a lil more spoiled and resultingly carefree when he had the chance bc now its all been stripped from him and it absolutely breaks her heart!!!!!) but yes she def likes to take them on fun day trips and encourage their creativity and give them as much fun as possible!! they need it so badly!! and honestly she does it for them but i think it does ~her good, too!

but also she's honestly just so impressed by aine and everything she's managed to do esp in the face of all this and i really think aine's a v inspirational figure for saoirse and she sometimes thinks 'if i were a better person, id be more like aine' <3

also sorry this took me so long to respond to!! i legit thought id do so already but ig it was just the replies...speaking of which ill post them here...

margueritedemarigny

Jul 5, 2024

@forgottenaine peadar noooooooo SOBBB hopefully his sister's infectious laughter will give him a lil joy during all this alksjfklsjdf also the fact that like...@forgottenrian was like this as a kid too and like...somehow he's now in a postiion where he's like...rivals w his 10 yo self like????? rian: what is HAPPENING laksjdfkljsdkfj

forgottenaine

Jul 5, 2024

Original Poster

@margueritedemarigny RIAN IS RIVALS WITH HIS TEN YRO self!!! Is Rian just destined to always be rivals with kids (and lose to them? ;DDD) Rian: why does this keep happening to me!??!

margueritedemarigny

Jul 5, 2024

@forgottenaine SCREAM ralksdjfkljds doomed never to escape his initial failure by continuously rivaling a cycle of children...rian, what do you have to say abt this? rian: fml

[forgottensaoirse]

╳   FLAWS

absent-minded | abusive | addictive | aggressive | aimless | alcoholic | anxious | argumentative | arrogant | audacious | bad liar | bigmouth | bigot | bitter | blindly obedient | blunt | callous | childish | chronic heroism | clingy | clumsy | cocky | competitive | controlling | corrupt | cowardly | cruel | cunning | cynical | dangerous | delinquent | delusional | dependent | depressed | deranged | disloyal | ditzy | egotistical | envious | erratic | fickle | finicky | flaky | frail | fraudulent | gloomy | gluttonous | gossiper | greedy | gruff | guilt complex | gullible | hedonistic | high-strung | hostile | humorless | hypochondriac | hypocritical | idiotic | ignorant | immature | impatient | impulsive | incompetent | indecisive | insecure | insensitive | insubordinate | judgmental | lazy | lewd | loud | lustful | lying | manipulative | masochistic | meddlesome | melancholic | melodramatic | messy | moody | naive | nervous | nosy | ornery | overprotective | oversensitive | paranoid | passive-aggressive | perfectionistic | pessimistic | petty | possessive | power-hungry | proud | prudish | pushover | rebellious | reckless | reclusive | remorseless | ridiculous | rigorous | sadistic | sanctimonious | sarcastic | selfish | self-conscious | self-martyr | shallow | short-tempered | shy | skeptical | sociopathic | sore loser | spineless | spiteful | spoiled | stingy | stubborn | tactless | temperamental | tight-lipped | timid | tone-deaf | traitorous | ungracious | unsophisticated | untrustworthy | unstable | vain | vainglorious | withdrawn | whiny | wild | workaholic

♔   STRENGTHS

active | adaptable | adventurous | affectionate | alert | ambitious | analytical | appreciative | approachable | artistic | athletic | articulate | assertive | autonomous | bold | brave | caring | calm | cautious | centered | charismatic | charming | cheerful | clear-headed | clever | compassionate | confident | considerate | cooperative | courteous | creative | curious | daring | decisive | dependable | determined | diligent | diplomatic | disciplined | discreet | easy-going | effective | efficient | empathetic | energetic | entertaining | enthusiastic | even-tempered | extroverted | fair | fashionable | focused | forgiving | forthright | friendly | fun-loving | funny | generous | gentle | good sportsmanship | gracious | happy | hard-working | heroic | honest | honorable | hopeful | humble | idealistic | industrious | innocent | imaginative | incorruptible | integrity | intelligent | intuitive | inventive | mature | mellow | jocular | jovial | just | leader | lively | loving | loyal | merciful | mischievous | musical | neat | objective | observant | open | open-minded | optimistic | organized | outgoing | outspoken | passionate | patient | perceptive | persuasive | philosophical | playful | polite | popular | practical | protective | punctual | quiet | quirky | relaxed | reliable | resilient | resourceful | responsible | righteous | self-assured | self-possessed | selfless | sensible | sentimental | silly | sincere | sophisticated | spiritual | strong | studious | supportive | talkative | thoughtful | tolerant | tough | trusting | trustworthy | uninhibited | versatile | warm-hearted | well-intentioned | introverted | wholesome | wise | witty

∂ SKILLS & HOBBIES

acrobatics | acting | adventuring | alchemy | animals | archery | archiving | astrology | astronomy | badminton | baking | beach combing | bead working | bee keeping | bird watching | blacksmithing | boating | boat making | botany | bowls | building | calligraphy | camping | carpentry | cartography | carving | cave diving | chandlery | chess | collecting dragon eggs | composing | cooking | crochet | dancing | daydreaming | diplomacy | divining | dragonlore | drawing | drinking | embroidery | engineering | engraving | epicureanism | exercise | exploration | falconry | fashion | farming | fishing | flower arranging | flower pressing | foraging | gambling | gaming | gardening | ghost hunting | gossiping | guiding | hatchet throwing | hawking | healing | heraldry | herbalism | history | horseriding | hospitality | hunting | ice skating | illuminating manuscripts | inventing | jousting | juggling | knife throwing | knitting | leather-working | linguistics | lock picking | looting | martial arts | mazes | meditation | metallurgy | mountaineering | music | needlework | oration | orienteering | origami | pageantry | palm-reading | painting | people watching | philosophy | picnicking | poetry | pottery | praying | puppetry | puzzles | pyrotechnics | quilting | racing | reading | researching | riddles | rock climbing | running | sand building | scheming | scholasticism | sculpting | sewing | singing | socializing | sports | shamanism | shopping | sleight of hand | slingshot | sorcery | stealing | storm chasing | storytelling | swimming | swordplay | tarot | tennis | traveling | walking | war games | weaving | whittling | wrestling | writing | writing letters | usurpation

[forgottenciara]

Secret Meetings | Ciara & Saoirse

Since the riots, Ciara had not been able to leave the palace -- and as the servants had to abide under the same restrictions, Percy, had been trapped there, as well -- causing their communications with the resistance to fall silent.

Even today, the only reason she had secured her reprieve was because a small army had been dispatched to Lorcan, under the command of Alaric, and only by traveling under their protection had she gained permission to visit her maternal cousins. Cassandra had pleaded to be allowed to go as well, but had not been granted the same courtesy.

In the afternoon, Ciara excused herself from her cousin's company to go visit Aine's little ones and while she would be happy enough to see them -- in truth that was not the main object of her attentions that afternoon. As both Finn and Fiona were out, if she meant to find out what had happened to the resistance since she last spoke with them, she would have to seek out Saoirse.

Ciara closed the door behind her, taking care that no one was even in the halls before she asked, "Is everyone alright?" She was certain she would catch her meaning. She had not heard any familiar names amongst those who had been arrested, but as for those who had died in the streets? Could any of their numbers been amongst them?

"Here," Silently, Ciara slipped a coin purse into Saoirse's hands. "For whatever you need," She said, softly.

She did not dare ask if the resistance had been behind the men who had been rescued -- she felt she already knew. And if that was the case, they would need supplies to feed and cloth them as long as they must remain in hiding. Ciara counted her blessings that she had so much of her own stipend left to spend. Her father had increased it since her engagement, but she had taken care to spend only a small fraction of it on new clothes (enough for him to see that she was spending it) and the rest she often was able to funnel to the resistance when they were in need of it.

[forgottensaoirse]

Saoirse had cleared a space as soon as she'd heard Ciara was there, and sent little Peadar to bed a touch earlier than ordinary (he had not minded over much -- she'd taken care to tucker him out beforehand). Clea might still be young enough to risk being overheard by her, but Peadar? She could not dare risk him that way. After that, it had been a simple matter of waiting. Ciara would come in her own good time, when she had readied matters on her own end, but that she would come, Saoirse had no doubt.

"Everyone is fine, fortunately," she assured her, quickly. She arched a brow. "Thanks in large part to you. It would not have done well at all, if it weren't for your warnings. Thank you. I know you risk a very great deal bringing them to us."

Saoirse was seated on the floor of the nursery, legs stretched out, one slid over the other. She leaned back on one arm. She'd been gathering up toys, but she'd forgotten her task part way through. Now she sat where she was, fingers absently turning over a wooden block, again, again, again.

"I'm concerned, though," she admitted. "Ciara...it went so well--" She broke off. She bit her lip.

Ciara'd warned them it was a trap, the tournament. They'd known it going in. Ronan said the same whenever Saoirse brought this up. They'd accounted for it. That was why it had gone so well! But Saoirse had a gut instinct. And she knew better by now than to ignore those. They weren't always Guardian-sent. They weren't always even right. But something had her on edge. Something she couldn't quite name.

"Something dark is coming, Ciara. I do not know if it is this or--" she dropped the block to the ground, again, looked away. "But something is coming. It means to swallow us all."

As Ciara came forward, Saoirse knew at once she spoke of the refugees, still swallowed in Lorcan's fathomless belly. Saoirse nodded solemnly. "Thank you," she whispered back. It was slow going. They could only get people out in small numbers at short times. One or two there, wait a month or more, now three could go...It could not be doubted that any large exodus would be detected. It had to be this way. But easing their path? Keeping them here until that time? All care needed to be as discreet as their retreats.

"Guardians willing, you'll not need spend another coin after this," she remarked, turning the gold over in her fingers. She looked to Ciara. "Your father suspects nothing?"

[forgottensaoirse]

OOC | Seers & Dreams

Idr if seers get prophetic dreams (i think @thelongforgottenrealm said they do?) so this might be moot (if they don't, saoirse just ~thinks the dreams she had before the lorcan hangings were prophetic, but they were actually just anxiety dreams bc well this is a pr damn anxious time!!), but if they do, maybe saoirse gets some premonitions or whatever abt roderick vs malconaire and the girls being declared witches etc but like garbled — like maybe she sees her cottage burning and thinks ronan and cillian are gonna die causing them to behave (more) erratically or like she sees roderick cut down the guardian tree w/ the lost stafford sword and thinks he’s the coming doom (which maybe is actually, like, the gods and/or legit him just using the night of astaira to overthrow our girls or whatever…idk! I’m at work and can’t make my thoughts clear hahaha) and starts plotting to assassinate him…idk! Chaos!

(note: Were auguries and other nature-related divination big in the Astairan seer tradition?)

[forgottenpercy]

Comfort Food | Percy & Saoirse

"You didn't need to do all of this," Saoirse had brought him a basket filled with cheese and bread and fruit -- and what smelled like a freshly baked pie. "They do feed us here at the palace, you know," He said, teasingly.

While that was true, the kitchens were only stocked with the ingredients that were required to make whatever foreign foods the Varmonts were accustomed to and the servants were left to eat whatever was left that was about to expire. It left him wanting for some freshly made Astairan food.

"Between you and Eithne, I'll soon be too fat to ride any of these horses and I'll loose my job. And you'll have no one to blame but yourselves," This had been a ritual that both girls had started after Percy lost his family. Percy had once tried to refuse -- food could be scarce both at Malconaire and Lorcan -- but they were insistent and if they were unsuccessful in their attempts, they'd only have Cillian sneak the food in when Percy wasn't looking.

Percy had long ago given up trying to voice any such protests.

Besides, the food was always good and always welcome. He'd make sure to share this basket with his fellow servants tonight. He knew that they could all use a taste of home. His eyes met Saoirse's. "Thank you." His teasing replaced now with sincerity.

[forgottensaoirse]

"Do they, really?" teased Saoirse. "Wouldn't know it to look at you." Saoirse flashed him the very same mischievous grin she gave to her brothers when she gave them lip and, smirking to herself, set down the basket, turning more serious as she began to unpack its contents. Fresh apple tarts and shephards pies, bacon and cabbage, and even a rich, meaty stew packed into a buttery trencher.

"You should come home more often, Percy. Then I could give you hot food to eat. Immaculate as these pastries admittedly are, they were even more mouth-watering then. Don't make me worry they're not feeding you properly up here."

That was an easier thing to say, after all, than the simple words: I missed you.

"Besides," she bustled, having drawn a touch too close to sentimentality for absolute comfort. "How am I supposed to keep my brothers in check all by myself, hm? I understand my idiotic brother went and openly antagonized a Varmont prince one evening before, the very next morning, revealing to poor Princess Aria that he's Lord Ormond, as if the poor lady didn't have enough on her mind already! For all I know, he started the riots as well! I swear, the fool cannot be trusted without direct supervision." She sighed, passing a hand across her brow. "I don't suppose you know anything of these events?"

Giggling as he spoke of an eventuality in which he lost his occupation due to overfeeding, Saoirse leaned back against the wall behind her. "If you mean to tempt me to stop, you're failing miserably," she jested. "I'd pay significant coin to watch that."

Yet, her expression sobered slightly alongside his and, with the slightest of shrugs, her gaze fell to the floor. His genuine thanks made her feel gangly, suddenly, unkempt, and she didn't know what to do with her hands, but she smiled, then, meeting his eye, and nodded. She didn't know what to say, but she liked to see him happy and cared for, and, crossing her arms across her chest, she smiled too.

"Well," she began, smirking and drawing herself up, wishing to laugh. "I couldn't very well let you starve. I've tried a touch of Varmont food in my time, and it is not for the faint of heart!"

[forgottenpercy]

"You're not convinced?" Percy asked, patting his stomach -- which did little to help his argument. Neither did the widening of his eyes and the watering of his mouth when Saoirse emptied the contents of her basked before him.

"Just how many men are you planning to feed with all of this?" He teased.

He couldn't help but feel a wave of sadness when she suggested that he come home more. Malconaire would always be home to him, but there was also a wave of memories that flooded his mind whenever he walked those familiar paths amongst the village and wondered through the forests: memories of a family who had left him long ago.

Of course there were good memories, too, and they often prevailed -- especially when he was surrounded by his friends (his family now), but if he tarried there too long and he was left alone: it was in those quiet moments that the ghosts from his past haunted him.

His brothers should still be alive, he thought, bitterly. And not for the first time, he wondered what why he had been the only one spared.

For the moment, he pushed those thoughts aside, "But who should run this place, if I'm gone?" He raised an eyebrow, "Don't let my humble garb fool you, I'm very important."

The laughter didn't last long, for Percy felt his blood pressure rise when Saoirse began to recant her brother's latest scrapes. He had known about the incident with the prince -- and liked to try to forget about it -- but he had not know about his conversation with Aira.

"He what?" He ran a hand through his hair, "When was this? What else did he tell her?" Percy had not doubt that Aria would keep his secret, but the less people knew about it, the better. Not to mention Aria Stafford was watched at all times and he did not always trust Cillian to watch his tongue, even when there might be others watching. "He really never thinks does he?"

Another sigh at the thought that Cillian might have had something to do with the riots, "Gods, above. I never thought he would have done anything that stupid, but guardians know that he certainly could have lit that match to incite them all, even if he didn't know it." There was nothing so inspiring as Cillian Frost when he spoke both passionately and without censorship -- let alone when he was given encouragement. Unfortunately, he didn't always pick the most opportune moments for such displays.

"I may have to come home more often," He found himself saying, half-serious. "Someone needs to keep your infuriating brother in check."

[forgottensaoirse]

Growing | Saoirse & Percy

"So," commented Saoirse, coming to lean back against a tree beside Percy. "The Resistance grows."

Her brother had called a meeting, and now they were all congregating. Unsurprisingly, the Calleary twins were late (Saoirse had spent the last five minutes complaining about this, as she often did, because they often were late), causing everyone else to gather into clumps or otherwise entertain herself. Percy, Saoirse noticed was watching Brigit who was, herself, practicing her archery. She'd ridden her strange silver steed to the thicket.

There had been some concern regarding Brigit's acceptance into the group, and Saoirse was well aware it had caused some tension, but she herself was glad to have Brigit on side. A single half-seer wasn't what they needed, but Brigit? Brigit could helpt turn the tide, almost single handed...and that was before factoring in her skill with a bow, her stubborn loyalty...or her warhorse.

"You deal with horses." She pointed to the creature, currently affectionately head-butting Brigit -- and making it that much more difficult to aim. "Do you think that's really a magic horse?" She grinned at him a bit sardonically, passing Percy an apple before producing another, rubbing it against her sleeve, and biting into one of her own.

For her part, Saoirse had no doubt that was a magic horse, she would feel it, somehow, sense it. She simply didn't understand it. She'd never heard of such a thing. But something near unheard of, save in ancient myths, worried her greatly. It had to have taken a great deal of power and energy from the Guardians to conjure such a creature and, given their current state, she couldn't imagine they'd do such a thing were it not absolutely vital...which gave galling credence to her dreams...Somehow, for that reason, she hoped Percy would contradict her, say it was the most ordinary steed he'd ever seen but...she didn't think that likely at all.

"I think," she began in mock seriousness. "Its a collective hallucination everyone currently in Astaira is sharing."