fury's daughter

[tenacious-finnian]

I wouldn't be surprised if I could at this point.

I get that a lot, and it's a good thing since they're my fathers. It'd be awkward otherwise. I suppose it would be unfair for me to welcome your mother to the family but not you, since you are her daughter and somewhere within the vast family tree, we're related somehow or another. Welcome to the family, Estella, daughter of the First Mother.

[jealouslyxestella]

Yes, hence the official First Heir moniker. It would be very unfair and quite rude on your part if I was not recognized by my familial connection to a First, or the entire First family bloodline as you so pointed out. Did you really come all the way here to formally introduce yourself to my mother or just get severely lost in a castle maze? I can, at least, tell who to avoid and not avoid. There's my twin brother Ric, his future husband Rinn, a wolf Valentin and his dhampir puppy boy toy Robin, the assassin Ramiel and my cousin Blair who's his wife, my kind of adopted cousin-turned-brother Lysander, and the distasteful thing I call a father. Oh, and a former witch assassin who is currently held prisoner by a goddess. That's Marina.

[valentin-kuznetsov]

There comes a point where someone needs to draw the line between hoarding books just to obtain them and actually liking them. I can guarantee that none of these have been cracked open in the last few centuries, with the intense musty smell that's coming off of them.

[jealouslyxestella]

Keep in mind a vast difference between the past and now, Valentin, Greed did not have my Auntie Alexia gauging what he should keep and what is deemed unnecessary. Some are kept not for their titles, but probably because he liked the way the cover looked. I won't rat you out if you pitched a few.

[gianna-foxwood]

I suppose bad news every other day is like a vacation. That is very darkly ironic, but wholly accurate. It tells me everything I need to know... I'll let Nyrinn know I'm handling the conversation. I need you to promise me something, okay? You and Nyrinn do not let him out of your sight. He might do something, he might not, but I don't want any of you getting into danger.

That's enough to scar him, no matter how little time it was. Right... with all of this vampire and goddess business, we had to put his cure on the back burner. I suppose it's time I consult with Pandora again, but the moodiness will pass. Having no abilities in a time like this, when he could feel he is of use, is probably wearing on him.

[jealouslyxestella]

It's a less shitty viewpoint on top of the already shitty viewpoint. My well-intentioned twin brother is his mother's son, in case you have not seen yourself in him, he'll without a doubt feed his own temptation by doing something he shouldn't to save a friend he held dear. Fine, Mom, Rinn and I will keep a close watch on him. I promise.

Imagining Lysander living with our father as long as we had and I swear, he would not find the strength leaving his room again. A war and goddesses doesn't really compare to breaking curses when you look at it that way, Mother. I did steal his phone and texted that little nature-obsessed bestie of his so he'll inject himself with serotonin while they flirt at each other until they fuck. I know gay and those two...are Robin and Val level.

[tenacious-finnian]

If we're lost together, at least I know someone will need my assistance with something and will track me down. So at least we'll be saved.

I am. First Heir, Son of Rhys and Uriel, Finnian– at your service. You can call me Finnian, I'm not a stickler about titles.

[jealouslyxestella]

Hm, right, and maybe your First Heir aura will provide some kind of compass leading us the way out if all else fails.

Finnian, Finn, you really look like the love child of Rhys and El. Estella, begrudging Princess of Envy, and proud daughter of the First Mother herself.

[gianna-foxwood]

The sad part of the world we live in is that there may be bad news around every corner– but hopefully not any time soon, so we don't have to subject Rinn to that. I will, I know how much Marina means to your brother.

Lysander finally left his room? That took... longer than I expected, but I felt he had a lot of complicated things to work through. Have you spoken to him?

[jealouslyxestella]

I'm not disappointed by that fact, Mom, we lived and breathed bad news on the daily. Suppose Rinn doesn't need to be our sacrificial lamb which is darkly ironic. They were inseparable if that tells you anything.

It's what happens when you're held hostage by a psycho version of your uncle-turned-father. He's just being moody about having no abilities and thinks his only talent is listening.

[tenacious-finnian]

I won't tattle just in case it's not fine– just forget I'm here. Unless I go missing, then you should do me a favor and find me somewhere in this maze.

[jealouslyxestella]

Plausible deniability, got it. You think in a castle this expansive, I would know where I'm going? I get lost pretty much every single day, so you might be on your own.

You're the coven heir apparent, aren't you?

[tempestuously-lysander]

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

[jealouslyxestella]

Now that you aren't wallowing from your undoubted complicated feelings about the sperm donor, are you technically considered my brother now or were you technically Ric's replacement? Not being a sarcastic bitch, it's a genuine question.

[gianna-foxwood]

As appealing as it is to shove off the responsibility to someone else, I can't do that to Rinn. I'll talk to Ulric; he deserves to hear it from me.

[jealouslyxestella]

If Rinn can handle marrying into this family, then he knows sometimes the responsibility breaking bad news to his future husband rests on him. Ric will feel it coming, but do it gently.

Speaking of siblings, guess which brother-not-really-brother came out of his secluded hidey hole?

[gianna-foxwood]

I'm not going to let you do it, Estella– it should come to me, but I selfishly don't know if I can handle another onslaught of emotions at the moment.

[jealouslyxestella]

Well, one of us out of everyone here should tell him, Mother. Unless there is one other person who could spill the beans if you ask nicely, like...Nyrinn.

[jealouslyxestella]

I won't land in hot water for cracking open a window, it's fine.

[valentin-kuznetsov]

Not that I dislike the fact that there are multiple libraries, but did all their books have to be so dry?

[jealouslyxestella]

You're living in a house previously owned by a stuck-up hoarder coveting the millions of books in existence. None are the fun kind.

[gianna-foxwood]

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

[jealouslyxestella]

So, who's going to be the one to break the news to Ulric?

[varya-kuznetzova]

My son has always been fascinated with magic, even from the moment that he could walk on his own, so he developed the next best thing to magic that he could. Valentin could get hit by a truck traveling at top speeds and be okay. His liver is basically made out of steel. You didn't stand a chance, but I know he has fashioned a cure over the years, so you're in good hands. Even if those hands got you to this position in the first place.

[jealouslyxestella]

It doesn't matter that you can't consider it magic, whatever the hell it is he does with booze is some mystical shit even the daughter of a demon prince and the First Mother can be impressed by. So, are you saying Val is trolling everyone? I just learned that word recently from a very down with the lingo Gen Z kid, but it's like he's making it as strong as possible to see everyone get shit-faced while he is unaffected. Would it even be safe to approach Valentin for the cure? He and Robin have really kept to themselves since my mother's ceremony.

[varya-kuznetzova]

Where he holds no aptitude for magic, Valya more than makes up for his affinity for potions. What is alcohol if not a socially acceptable potion? He tends to forget that he has higher tolerances than most, so that does not make you weak.

[jealouslyxestella]

Granted, I am not an alcohol or potion connoisseur, but I know his mixing is another form of magic not of this realm. Being part empathy witch means I'm a little susceptible to emotions, I did not think that also applied to my booze tolerance. He owes me a hangover cure.

[varya-kuznetzova]

I know that look anywhere. Valentin gave you his special brew, didn't he?

[jealouslyxestella]

More than enough of it. I promised him I wasn't a weak bitch, but whatever he puts in that shit hits hard.

[jealouslyxestella]

What is the hangover cure again, hair of the dog? I'd rather vomit in peace.

[valentin-kuznetsov]

Val felt a genuine chuckle for the first time since evacuating from his home to the obscenely large home dubbed Castle Envy. He took his drinks seriously– learned how to brew things from his mother. Sure, it wasn't potions in the way that she makes them, but the wolf was damn good at crafting his own alcohol. "It is specially aged, not for the weak. You are not on your ass, therefore not weak." He gave a wink, "keep drinking though, and you just might be."

[jealouslyxestella]

Stell almost adopted her uncle's signature pride knowing she was the one to elicit an actual laugh from the wolf who previously came to Castle Envy at a dhampir's side looking dour. They both looked a little worse for wear, if she was being perfectly honest, but who can blame them knowing the story why her mother invited them as guests? "You live with a father like mine and you can't be weak, Vukodlak." She placed her lips to the flask's rim again and took another drink, wincing all the same. "You're a terrible influence, but you keep me entertained enough that I don't give a shit."