Thought I should take the opportunity to ask about the possible family dynamic of Claude and Petra and their children, Soraya and Cillian as siblings. Maybe Soraya and Claude try to rope Cillain into dancing or relaxing when it comes to festivities and celebrations as well as discuss their mutual love of poetry and the arts. Petra and Soraya could enjoy napping in trees as well as possibly hunt together, but I'm also curious if Petra would have Soraya betrothed to someone or allow her the freedom to marry whoever she wants. Soraya would no doubt abdicate her position as heir to Brigid to Cillian so she'd be crown princess to Almyra. There's also the possibility of their younger siblings who has a crest to become the Duke/Duchess of House Riegan and possibly assisting in the governing of their respective nations.
Needless to say it sounds like a very lively time with this family!
Sounds like you did most of the work for me here, Chespin! I'll build on that. Updated the Cillian portrait!
💛House Riegan (Claudetra Edition)🩷
(I did touch on this a little in a previous post almost a year ago before Soraya came out (I've been doing this that long?!), but here's the link to that -> Link)
It is sickening how good looking this family is, just saying.
🌊🏝️The Sea and Sky🌙🦌
Soraya would come first, a bright eyed and giggly beauty who seemed to take more after her father day by day. Not too far behind would be their son Cillian, a handsome little boy who made so few sounds that many worried if he did not have a voice to speak with. And still more came after, with a few brothers and sisters to follow.
Over time, the two eldest would develop along different paths that would often collide along a 'horizon line' from time to time.
Cillian would go hunting, and up in the trees, he would find Soraya having a nap in the canopy. Soraya would be swimming in the ocean, and on the beach, her brother would have been training there since dawn broke. But there would be simpler ways, too. Enjoying a snack of delicious fruit together or sharing an in-depth conversation with just their hands to avoid gossiping aloud at an Almyran party.
Granted, Soraya and Claude would be in the middle of that party, enjoying themselves to their heart's content while Cillian would much prefer to watch from the sidelines. Well, not for long, anyway. Petra would certainly encourage her son to head out onto the dancefloor sooner or later, at the very least to share a dance with his family. But when it's time for hunting, Soraya would much rather like to watch this time, seeing how amazing her mother is at getting in close and studying the way she takes down a wild animal with such ease.
Their family would probably travel a lot, given the nature of their territories being so far away from each other. Soraya's personality and gift for speech would eventually appeal to the people of Almyra, making her much desired by those common and of high status alike. As for Cillian, his preference for actions over words would be a boon to the people of Brigid, allowing for the acknowledgement and enaction of change - making the people stronger as a result.
That is likely how he would end up being the crown prince of Brigid, while Soraya would be crown princess of Almyra despite being older. "It's simply a better fit. Wouldn't you agree?" Even if this may result in their eventual separation, that would not mean either sibling would not cross sea and sky for the other, providing their support and even just time to spend together. After all, it is almost guaranteed one of their younger siblings would become the future Duke/Duchess of House Riegan, which bridges that gap just a little better.
It is likely that Petra and Claude would insist that their children marry whomever they choose. That's how they married in the first place (that, and the fact Petra near-threatened to hog tie him and bring him to Brigid to marry her anyway). All things considered, Soraya might have a hand in finding Cillian a bride of his own. It's not like he'd have an easy time finding someone he genuinely resonates with; he's not very open at first. Thankfully, his big sister would know him better than anyone. And any man who was interested in her would most certainly need to be vetted by her younger siblings - Cillian chief among them.
