”Some things cannot be fixed … They can only be carried.”
Code ~ #0B610B
The response that she garnered while not what she wanted was interesting, to say the least. Euphemia - or rather, she was known as Reese now - seemed to have been in some way triggered by Althea’s question of the Queen and had snapped, immediately attentive to their conversation and interjecting herself. While older than she was by a year at most, the other woman was only a few inches at most taller than she, and seemed to be attempting to use her outer persona to intimidate Althea in some way.
Observing the dark look that had settled deeply within Reese’s eyes, Althea tilted her head slightly to the side, her expression curious yet holding a softness to it that could only be explained as patience and understanding, if it were to be put into simple words. Althea did not interject, allowing Reese to continue her outburst, as it was clear that this was a serious and sore topic for her still. The anger that she saw, and the abrasive cruelty that she attempted to give off, did little to mask the underlying sadness that Althea could quite easily read within her. Once Reese had finished, Althea took a moment to absorb what she had said, vaguely taking in what the Queen had said in response to her question as well as the inquiries and reactions of those also within the room, but noting it nonetheless.
It was clear that all of their parents had perished in horrible and graphic ways, but in almost seemed as though, in some way or another, their deaths had been quick and at least not torturous. For that, Althea drew a bit of comfort, knowing that they did not suffer for very long. Adding to that the knowledge that her brother was otherwise healthy for what they knew, she felt a bit better about the situation, although was still deeply sorrowful and mournful over the loss of her family and potential life, and not to mention completely and utterly enraged. Her expression tightened a bit as she processed everything that Reese had said and she turned her face slightly towards the ground. The nice thing about her was her ability to keep her emotions in check for the most part, so pushing back the anger that boiled within her chest, she swallowed thickly and shook her head a bit.
It took a few moments for all of these thoughts to flash through Althea, but by the time that she had sorted her mind, she was calm once more, her features relaxed. Lifting her head, Althea took in a small breath and let it out in a soft sigh, her gaze fixating on Reese. A few steps took her to her side once more, and Althea never once wavered her eyes on the other girl. Reaching out, she laid her hand gently on her upper arm, near her shoulder but not quite atop it, both in order to get her attention as it had been drawn towards the Queen, but also in a movement of comfort.
”The reason why I wanted to know how much they suffered, is because now that I know, I can be comforted by the fact that their deaths were quick. It does little to lessen the pain, but it does bring me some comfort, nonetheless,” she said softly, her expression holding that gentle understanding to it once more. After a moment, she spoke again, her voice holding a small bit of conviction to it, yet still quiet. ”Bansky once said, ‘They say that you die twice; once when you stop breathing, and then a second time, a bit later on, when somebody says your name for the last time’.” Glancing around at the other women in the room briefly, she returned her gaze to Reese once more, a sadness held in her features now.
”Reese, we all lost our parents and the lives that we were supposed to have lived. I know it isn’t fair that we had to grow up the way that we did, with some suffering more so than others, but we cannot compare pains at a time like this. We cannot change the past, but only the future. If anyone, in either this world or Rhindeval, can even come close to understanding what you have been through, it’s the people in this room,” she motioned a bit to the room as she spoke, her eyes pleading with Reese to understand. When she met her gaze again, Althea gently took her hand in hers, that look of plea remaining on her face. ”Not only do I need you, but we need you - and so do the princes and your people. You heard the Queen - the dragon of Emperia is missing, and your people are frozen in an endless blizzard. I cannot speak for your parents, but I know that mine would want me to do everything that I can to save my brother and my people.” Searching her gaze, Althea gripped her hand a bit tighter, yet not painfully so. ”'There comes a point where it all becomes too much. When we get too tired to fight anymore - so we give up. That's when the real work begins. To find hope where there seems to be absolutely none at all.'" Althea paused and bit her lower lip before she continued. "Christina Yang said that. Our hope is the fact that not only are we still alive, but so are the princes and the people of our kingdoms. That has to mean something. For us to win this fight, though, we have to be a team, and to operate as a team, we need everyone that is a part fo that team. At this point, all that any of us has is each other, and I frankly could not care less if any of you feel the opposing way, but to me ... I consider you all family. Reese ... We need you.” After another moment, Althea gently released Reese’s hand, taking a step back from her and rubbing her own elbow. At this point, there wasn’t much else that she could do to help the situation - it was out of her hands.