de omnibus dubitandum

[cagedsibyl]

John pursed his lips, “Good, good. Everyone is in great spirits.” He would tolerate her to her face; open hostility was out of the question due to how long she would most likely be around. How he could end up with such a disappointment of a son was beyond him, he should have arranged a marriage when his son was young. By the time John decided Violet should be Abraham’s wife, Adam was adamant about Phoebe and Bram.

Taking a few more steps into the room, he stopped in front of Marion and pushed a piece of her hair behind her ear. “Jo, darling. Your hair is a mess, fix it before our guests arrive.”

Marion squeezed Phoebe’s hand harder, and nodded her head in reply. She felt like such a disappointment to him and bowed her head, “Yes, father. Thank you.” She sensed today wasn’t going to be a good day, but she was lucky Phoebe was here because her father was going easy on her. She looked up at Phoebe and smiled, more than happy to have an anchor.

[reluctanthuntress]

“Now, Mari,” she says dotingly, “I think you’re looking rather lovelier than usual today.”

And that was bold, outright disagreeing with him. Especially in his own house. But soon, she’d be the lording lady here. Marion would be treated better, then. Phoebe lets go of her hand only to reach for the hairbrush on her vanity. “Sit, my dove,” she murmurs, urging Marion down onto the plush stool. Looking back up at John, she gives him a forced smile. “Thank you, Mr. Stearne, for throwing us this lovely engagement celebration.”

Phoebe undoes Marion’s braid, and begins to brush her beautiful dark hair. She was envious of it, but Bram had taught her to love her blonde mane. Like his lioness. “It is most gracious of you, my lord.” Her own home was only as big as the dining room in this sprawling mansion. Being a sub-family of the Hopkins didn’t provide her much wealth. 

[elitehuntsman]

Noah smiled just a little bit, at least she was going to see him. That was a good start even if she wasn’t going to be happy. Bram definitely needed it, needed to see her smiling or pouting face. It wouldn’t matter to his best friend, he was basically withering away in his office without her. It was ridiculous really, but Noah never knew what it was like to be in love. Surely it had to be horribly painful and disappointing, maybe wonderful at the same time but he wouldn’t allow himself to feel such things. He took her hand and kissed her forehead, “Definitely.”

[reluctanthuntress]

“Then we’re off,” she says, letting go of his hand only to pull on her coat. In the countryside, it was a tad cooler. “Will there be tea?”

She’s a bit peckish, and she didn’t want her hunger to spoil her mood. She was feeling... forgiving. Though Phoebe tells herself that, she knows that she wouldn’t have been able to wait that much longer. Bram had always been a big part of her life. He was the only man she’d ever loved. These past few weeks without him had been unbearable. She forgot what it was like to sleep alone.

[cagedsibyl]

The noise was absolutely irritating, two girls squealing like a bunch of damn roosters crowing in the morning. He opened the door and stared at the two, completely satisfied when the color drained from his broken daughter’s face. “Hello, Ms. Hopkins how are you today?” he didn’t smile at all when he asked, but the corner of his mouth twitched slightly at his daughter’s unease.

“Father…” she greeted, now rubbing her hands together nervously. Though she loved her father dearly, sometimes he scared her when he was acting so calm. Those tended to be the times he would seek out and hurt anyone he’d felt like hurting that day. She dared not speak again until Phoebe answered his question. Do not speak again until you are spoken to.

[reluctanthuntress]

It takes everything in Phoebe not to go scurrying out of the room right then and there. If anyone frightened her the most, it was Bram's father. She knew how much he disliked her. She knew the things he did to her sweet fiance.

In an effort to comfort her, she takes her future sister-in-law's hand and squeezes it softly. Raising her eyes to John's in a show of courage, "Elated," she says. She's sure he's the opposite of that.

[cagedsibyl]

“Yes!” she said a little too quickly, “oh my gosh please it would be so fun, I want to wear a beautiful dress like yours!” She furrowed her brows and added breathlessly, “Of course, I mean not like yours exactly, but one that is really nice and regal – but not.”

Marina laughed cheerfully and started dancing around Phoebe. Finally she would have a sister too. Though she loved her brother dearly, there was nothing she wanted more than his happiness and a wonderful sister. Phoebe was perfect!

[reluctanthuntress]

Jittering with excitement, Phoebe giggles possibly longer than necessary but she knew Marina wouldn't mind. They were a lot alike. A little too sweet, a little too happy. "You can have any dress you like, and we will celebrate all night!"

She joins Marina in her dancing, stopping only when there's a knock on the door. Quickly she presses her hands down the front of her dress, trying to look like she hadn't been just twirling around the room like a little girl.

[darlingdormer]

[cagedsibyl]

Marina nodded in agreement with each statement because everything that Phoebe said was important. Even if other people didn’t see it that way, Bram did and that’s why Marina did too. “Yes of course! We’ve got to keep up with our research!” She was just too excited to be allowed a room in their house, let alone a large one.

[reluctanthuntress]

Phoebe was vibrating with excited energy, she couldn't believe this was actually happening. She was going to marry the only man she would ever love. The only man who saw her for who she was, and wasn't disgusted or annoyed or baffled. With him came this sweet angel of a girl, and she couldn't be happier.

"You're going to be one of my bridesmaids of course, yes?" she asks, a bit shyly but trying to appear otherwise.

[elitehuntsman]

      Noah looked away and rubbed the back of his neck. Whatever he was trying to do wasn’t going to work, Bram made a mistake and half of the damn association was pissed at him. His father wasn’t, which made Bram feel even worse. Noah’s father was disappointed in the outcome, but it was collectively a plan some on the board put together and agreed to. Sighing, he looked back at her and dropped his hand, “Uhhh well…” The answer was no.

[reluctanthuntress]

Phoebe watches him closely, Noah couldn't keep things from her. They knew each other inside and out. She sighs, "That's a no." Resolutely, she rises from the couch and tosses the book she'd been reading on to it. "Then we'd better head over there, don't you think?" She was far from forgiving him, but she wouldn't let her husband wither away. They were honor and duty bound to take care of each other for the rest of their lives. And Phoebe loved him more dearly than any soul on this planet.

[elitehuntsman]

“Maybe he thought that nothing would go wrong and no one would get hurt. I think he thought he was doing the right thing and sparing you the heartache of the tough decision?”

      Noah was really trying here, but he couldn’t find the right words to back up his best friend. Had the mission gone the way it should have, she would probably still be mad at him for taking hostages even though they would’ve be alive.

[reluctanthuntress]

"You're stretching, my love."

Sniffling, she sits back in her chair and looks into his eyes. There's more pain there then she's been letting on. It's been hell, staying away from Bram. Her husband, the only man she'll ever love. But he made a horrible, heinous decision and she never thought he would be capable of this. "Is he eating?"

[elitehuntsman]

   ”I’m just saying he is miserable Pheebs, and he misses you…            At least talk to him, I don’t like watching you both suffer.”

[reluctanthuntress]

"Noah, he broke my heart."      She says it simply, like she's trying not to feel what that means. "He broke my heart."

[cagedsibyl]

Marina’s eyes grow wider and she stops spinning, forcing Phoebe to stop with her. It was way too much for her to process and she couldn’t figure out what to do with herself anymore. In stunned silence, she squeezes Phoebe’s hands tighter and nods profusely without uttering a word. ‘She would love to be a bridesmaid. Yes the room would be amazing.’

[reluctanthuntress]

Phoebe smiles her thousand watt smile at Marina's agreement. She really, truly loved Marina the way that she loved her own little sister. Maybe she liked her a little bit more though. Giving her one more hug, she pulls away and backs up toward the door. "Now, you may have your large room in our estate, but you must also have a library."

[cagedsibyl]

      Mary wanted to hug Phoebe, but she was too excited to even stand still long enough to embrace her. She just spun around with her arms held out, and in a sing-song voice she continued ranting, “Will you guys get your own house? I don’t think Bram wants to stay in our castle anymore, but I would love to visit your new home! This is so amazing, I’m so happy he doesn’t listen to our father.”

[reluctanthuntress]

Phoebe watches the girl spin and twirl, a giddyness in her heart. Maybe Marina would be happy now, with a wedding to go to. "Maybe you could be on of my bridesmaids," Phoebe says excitedly, grabbing Marina's hands so they can spin about together. "Oh! Even if we move away, we'll have a special room for you and only you!"

[cagedsibyl]

      “You’re gonna be my sister!” she bounced up and down excitedly.

[reluctanthuntress]

A smile grew upon Phoebe's face, she liked making people happy. Bram's sweet little sister was no exception, and she bounced along with her to share in the excitement.

     "That's right, I am! Isn't it a wonder?"

[recklessleader]

[ Bram stares right into her eyes as she reprimands him. He’s gripping his chair hard enough to crack the wood, but he keeps it under control for her. He loved her and even now she was determined, well spoken, and good natured. That’s why he didn’t tell her. He knew exactly what she would say and he figured the aftermath would be better than bickering before the war, unfortunately the orders he gave were ignored. Capture them alive, alive and unharmed. He sighed heavily when she was through and closed his eyes for a moment to collect himself so that he wouldn’t boom back at her. ]      ”I respect you more than anyone else in my life, and I love you more than life itself. I want you to be yourself as you have always been, I want your opinions to consider. I made this decision without you, and now you are not going to be held accountable for anything.”

[reluctanthuntress]

[ Phoebe has to catch her breath, staring at him through pained eyes. Because right now, all she can see is his fatal flaw. The one thing that could be his undoing; his arrogance. She can't help the pitiful noise she makes, somewhere between a whimper and a gasp for breath. An episode is coming, she can feel it brewing in her belly but she keeps the panic in. Just long enough to make it to the door. She grasps the handle, forehead against the stained wood. ]

"It wasn't your decision to make, and I would rather be on the stake than face what you've let them turn you into."

[ She can't look back at him, can't stand to look at him. In a second she's gone, locking herself up in her library where no one can watch her unravel. Not even him. ]

[elitehuntsman]

"You’ll have to forgive him sometime…             this wasn’t his war you know, he didn’t ask for it.             He knew exactly how you’d feel, but my pop knows what’s best.”

[reluctanthuntress]

   "Don't, Noah. You're not doing him any favors.     If he wants forgiveness then he should grovel at Catherine's feet, not mine."

[recklessleader]

      “Jaysus Chroist. I know they would have!              They are good soldiers and they understand the importance of following the orders of higher ups. Of course the deaths of the royal family are on my head. This mess is my fault, but it was not my ambition or decision to even start this war. My leadership is in question by everyone, but I didn’t think you would be in that group. I’m questioning myself already, I don’t need my wife to do it too.”

[reluctanthuntress]

[ The chair Phoebe is sitting in nearly tips as she surges towards his desk, gripping the edges of it as she shouts across it at him. ]

   "Yes! Your wife! I thought you'd forgotten me. I thought you hadn't even considered me. Your equal. Right?  The only other person you want them taking orders from."

[ There are angry tears choking her words but she refuses to show any weakness to him now. She'd trusted him to do what was right. ]

   "You knew how I'd feel about this. And you did it anyway, Abraham. You went behind my back. And you... You expect them to even begin to respect me as your wife? You expect me to kiss away your worries and rub your fucking feet, when you betrayed my trust and faith in you?"

[recklessleader]

"Do you think I was sitting behind a fucking desk, Phoebe?         It was a stealth mission and I sent the ones I deemed worthy.         I should have sent Noah and Elijah; they would have done it right.”

[reluctanthuntress]

   "No, they wouldn't have done it at all.     Even if they could, they'd know in their hearts                       that they shouldn't.       And you can't even take the blame."

[recklessleader]

     “I expected them to follow my orders.          Bred to be killers or not, they were also trained to follow the leader.          The order was to capture, not massacre the whole royal family!”

[reluctanthuntress]

   "The leader?    Christ, Bram. You're not King Arthur.    You expect them to follow you when you didn't have enough sack          to do it yourself."