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Rae had been staring at her hands for quite some time; the meek aerial creature cradled in her palms - still suffering, wounded wing twitching. For the child of Artemis, this was the way of life. There didnāt seem to be a reason for the redhead to play God, even if she is - technically, a Demigod with the ability to play the game of life and death with Earthās ālesserā creatures. While she had managed to help a few people here and there, they were people - intelligent creatures with purpose and usefulness. Animals such as this tiny bird? Pathetic enough to not fly away in time to notice that an arrow was coming for it.
Yet, Rae was innately prone to caring for these little beasts. They were far less talkative than humans, for one. That was always a plus in Raeās book. Secondly, they were extremely useful to her and her gift. Her emotions were a mixture of care and rationale. She could heal the bird, maybe, but she could also let nature take its course as intended. Thatās the way of life. Of all life, even humans. Then again, just as one could fault the bird for a lack of knowing, Rae could also be blamed for a terribly misguided arrow. Deep down, this internal battle was truly the outcome of weakness. She couldnāt heal the bird. Sheās never healed a living thing in her lifetime, and she had never intended to in her future.
The goddess watched her daughter with arms folded across her chest. It must be a complicated way of living - to be so cold when one is actually quite warm on the inside. Her shell was tough and hard to penetrate, but there is a part of her that wishes she could be like everyone else. Maybe even a little more like Cherise. Tolerable. She hadnāt expected that her daughter would take on the personality that she did, but her less than nurturing childhood had ruined a lot of what Rae could have been.
Artemis calmly stepped forward and took the bird from the cradle of Raeās palms and smiled lightly, āI understand, Rae. Perhaps you need more time,ā she concluded as gently as possible. There was no use in scolding a girl that couldnāt care less. āBesides, you have a guest.ā With that said, there were a few seconds of light before the fluttering of wings beating against a gentle breeze could be heard alongside some cheerful tweeting. āBe kind, Rae.ā
As Artemis melted away just as Sloane approached, and a pair of hazel eyes swung to greet the womanās apologetic entrance, "I'm sorry. I was just wondering about and accidentally stumbled upon you both. I did not mean to interrupt." By this time, the goddess had left the scene to leave behind the two girls.
āWhy are you sorry?ā The fiery-haired womanās head cocked to the left, her eyes fixated on Sloane with owlish curiosity. āBeing sorry for interrupting because you were in the area makes so sense. I really wish people would quit apologizing for uncontrollable actions...ā She sighed and turned away from the brunette to pluck a couple of fallen arrows from the ground and place them into her quiver.
Naturally, Rae had no idea that Sloane had just been crying. Nor did she notice any hint of emotion on her face that would indicate that her day had been completely shitty. Then again, why bother? Why bother with peopleās emotions anyway? It wasnāt like Rae could make a day ruined by emotional turmoil any worse. Right? āIt was just my mother. You know - mother-daughter talks and such. I say that sheās a bit too late for that, if you ask me!ā There was a bit of laughter that slipped from her lips as she made an extremely dry joke that most people wouldnāt get. Only because sheās bad at joking, and most of her jests are just really cold truths trying to wear a funny disguise.
She tossed Sloane a quick glance over a shoulder and smirked, āNameās Rae, by the way. Artemisā biggest mistake. Sheās far too kind to admit it, but I am hugely too flawed for one to even assume that I am her spawn. Who would you be?ā
She turned to face Sloane, cocked her weight to the right leg, and then placed a hand on her right hip. āWait - wait. Let me guess, hmm? Iām kind of good at this.ā A lie. Even though Rae could not read the emotions clearly painted across Sloaneās face, something on the inside felt like she could use a good cheering up. Maybe it was just the fact that the woman seemed ratherā¦ soft, and Rae was the obvious opposite in personality.
āI can see that youāre an Ares child,ā she made her āguessā as she wagged a finger at the brunette.
Whether or not the other woman would laugh was none of Raeās concern. āIām going to go eat. Did you eat yet? It looks like you could stand to eat a little more...ā she noted in typical blunt Rae fashion while making a āskinnyā motion with two hands at a narrow distance from each other. Whether or not she was joking is best left up to the individual, but it could be either.
She turned away once more, but this time to head toward the mess hall. Rae had a really casual stroll; slow and unbothered. This day had already been dragging on far too long with too little to do.
Yet, Rae was innately prone to caring for these little beasts. They were far less talkative than humans, for one. That was always a plus in Raeās book. Secondly, they were extremely useful to her and her gift. Her emotions were a mixture of care and rationale. She could heal the bird, maybe, but she could also let nature take its course as intended. Thatās the way of life. Of all life, even humans. Then again, just as one could fault the bird for a lack of knowing, Rae could also be blamed for a terribly misguided arrow. Deep down, this internal battle was truly the outcome of weakness. She couldnāt heal the bird. Sheās never healed a living thing in her lifetime, and she had never intended to in her future.
The goddess watched her daughter with arms folded across her chest. It must be a complicated way of living - to be so cold when one is actually quite warm on the inside. Her shell was tough and hard to penetrate, but there is a part of her that wishes she could be like everyone else. Maybe even a little more like Cherise. Tolerable. She hadnāt expected that her daughter would take on the personality that she did, but her less than nurturing childhood had ruined a lot of what Rae could have been.
Artemis calmly stepped forward and took the bird from the cradle of Raeās palms and smiled lightly, āI understand, Rae. Perhaps you need more time,ā she concluded as gently as possible. There was no use in scolding a girl that couldnāt care less. āBesides, you have a guest.ā With that said, there were a few seconds of light before the fluttering of wings beating against a gentle breeze could be heard alongside some cheerful tweeting. āBe kind, Rae.ā
As Artemis melted away just as Sloane approached, and a pair of hazel eyes swung to greet the womanās apologetic entrance, "I'm sorry. I was just wondering about and accidentally stumbled upon you both. I did not mean to interrupt." By this time, the goddess had left the scene to leave behind the two girls.
āWhy are you sorry?ā The fiery-haired womanās head cocked to the left, her eyes fixated on Sloane with owlish curiosity. āBeing sorry for interrupting because you were in the area makes so sense. I really wish people would quit apologizing for uncontrollable actions...ā She sighed and turned away from the brunette to pluck a couple of fallen arrows from the ground and place them into her quiver.
Naturally, Rae had no idea that Sloane had just been crying. Nor did she notice any hint of emotion on her face that would indicate that her day had been completely shitty. Then again, why bother? Why bother with peopleās emotions anyway? It wasnāt like Rae could make a day ruined by emotional turmoil any worse. Right? āIt was just my mother. You know - mother-daughter talks and such. I say that sheās a bit too late for that, if you ask me!ā There was a bit of laughter that slipped from her lips as she made an extremely dry joke that most people wouldnāt get. Only because sheās bad at joking, and most of her jests are just really cold truths trying to wear a funny disguise.
She tossed Sloane a quick glance over a shoulder and smirked, āNameās Rae, by the way. Artemisā biggest mistake. Sheās far too kind to admit it, but I am hugely too flawed for one to even assume that I am her spawn. Who would you be?ā
She turned to face Sloane, cocked her weight to the right leg, and then placed a hand on her right hip. āWait - wait. Let me guess, hmm? Iām kind of good at this.ā A lie. Even though Rae could not read the emotions clearly painted across Sloaneās face, something on the inside felt like she could use a good cheering up. Maybe it was just the fact that the woman seemed ratherā¦ soft, and Rae was the obvious opposite in personality.
āI can see that youāre an Ares child,ā she made her āguessā as she wagged a finger at the brunette.
Whether or not the other woman would laugh was none of Raeās concern. āIām going to go eat. Did you eat yet? It looks like you could stand to eat a little more...ā she noted in typical blunt Rae fashion while making a āskinnyā motion with two hands at a narrow distance from each other. Whether or not she was joking is best left up to the individual, but it could be either.
She turned away once more, but this time to head toward the mess hall. Rae had a really casual stroll; slow and unbothered. This day had already been dragging on far too long with too little to do.
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Cherise was left to her own company, and she didnāt really mind that. This meant that she could think about how she might approach Keith. No, Daniel. Keith? She blinked and tilted her head from side to side, the quiet conversation in her head running through her at a million miles and hour. Whyād she kiss him last night? Was she stupid? Maybe. Maybe sheās stupid. Cherise really detested liars, but she wasnāt entirely immune to liking them as well.
A lie was the only explanation that she could naturally come up with. It annoyed her, but she didnāt want to be annoyed with him. Oh, but she should be! She sighed at her self-directed conversation and kicked a rock a few times down the trail in front of her. Sheād give him a piece of her mind! Yes. Thatās what Rae would tell her to do. Yes. Donāt give a liar an inch!
āOh my gosh, such a coincidence!" A familiar voice came to her, and when she looked up she saw Daniel, as cheerful as ever. She didnāt say anything and allowed him to continue spouting off at the mouth. It wasnāt because she was mad at him, it was simply due to the fact that she was greatly confused by him. āSo - so how's Andy doing?" She was still silent. If Danielās sister wasnāt in great shape, heād have known by now. Most people probably would. It was safe to assume that she was probably okay, and Cherise probably would have said otherwise if it were not true. That, and well - her inability to heal Andy to the fullest made her feel a touch guilty. She should feel horrible because people expect her to do these things, but she was still such a novice.
"I'm trying to hold a mini training session if you want to be medic on stand by or have live target practice. You, me, two newbies. Could make it a team session." Silence. Heavy, awkward, unsettling silence.
Daniel rubbed his neck, and the silence of Cherise likely did not help to settle his nerves. A sigh fell from her lips, and her head titled just slightly, āDonāt you think you owe me something? Are you just going to stand there and pretend that you didnāt lie to me about everything?ā
Yes, it was obvious that Cherise was a little upset by this whole situation. She gripped the bow in her hand, but deadly weapon aside - her angry tone was quite weak. It almost sounded like she had to force herself to scold him.
āI know that we just met, but you didnāt need to make up a whole new name and persona. I am not stupid, you know. I mean -ā she started to make confused gestures, her weapon flailing about with her hand as she tried to get everything in her thoughts out. Yes. This was a GREAT scolding, and he deserved it. āI feel pretty stupid!ā She huffed that out like a toddler throwing a cute little tantrum. It was really hard to yell at someone when you were just too nice for this world.
Sheās too nice for this world. Even her scolding is too nice.
A lie was the only explanation that she could naturally come up with. It annoyed her, but she didnāt want to be annoyed with him. Oh, but she should be! She sighed at her self-directed conversation and kicked a rock a few times down the trail in front of her. Sheād give him a piece of her mind! Yes. Thatās what Rae would tell her to do. Yes. Donāt give a liar an inch!
āOh my gosh, such a coincidence!" A familiar voice came to her, and when she looked up she saw Daniel, as cheerful as ever. She didnāt say anything and allowed him to continue spouting off at the mouth. It wasnāt because she was mad at him, it was simply due to the fact that she was greatly confused by him. āSo - so how's Andy doing?" She was still silent. If Danielās sister wasnāt in great shape, heād have known by now. Most people probably would. It was safe to assume that she was probably okay, and Cherise probably would have said otherwise if it were not true. That, and well - her inability to heal Andy to the fullest made her feel a touch guilty. She should feel horrible because people expect her to do these things, but she was still such a novice.
"I'm trying to hold a mini training session if you want to be medic on stand by or have live target practice. You, me, two newbies. Could make it a team session." Silence. Heavy, awkward, unsettling silence.
Daniel rubbed his neck, and the silence of Cherise likely did not help to settle his nerves. A sigh fell from her lips, and her head titled just slightly, āDonāt you think you owe me something? Are you just going to stand there and pretend that you didnāt lie to me about everything?ā
Yes, it was obvious that Cherise was a little upset by this whole situation. She gripped the bow in her hand, but deadly weapon aside - her angry tone was quite weak. It almost sounded like she had to force herself to scold him.
āI know that we just met, but you didnāt need to make up a whole new name and persona. I am not stupid, you know. I mean -ā she started to make confused gestures, her weapon flailing about with her hand as she tried to get everything in her thoughts out. Yes. This was a GREAT scolding, and he deserved it. āI feel pretty stupid!ā She huffed that out like a toddler throwing a cute little tantrum. It was really hard to yell at someone when you were just too nice for this world.
Sheās too nice for this world. Even her scolding is too nice.