"I hope that fate will forgive us
For tempting the sea
I hope that they won't forget us
But we cannot go back
To the way it used to be."
- Arrows for Athens
---------------------------------
"Ms. Evers. Justice does have a point. You did not make clear how many people you might be able to bring with us, and she also does have a point against bringing up a sensitive subject, like her family. That saidā¦"
"FINALLY." Lucie exclaimed. Finally, someone who was capable of rational thought.
āJustice. You are smart, very much so, we all know this and recognize the obvious amount of help you can bring to this entire groupā¦ But you need to slow down and grow up some."
Lucie blinked as her eyes met Kineraās. She was taken aback by the compliment much like she was taken aback by Freddie before but how could she slow down and grow up at the same time? Wouldn't growing up mean speeding up? No, Kinera must have meant slowing down her speech so the dimwits could keep up. Growing up though, wouldn't the dimwits be left further behind if she was even smarter with age or that maturity? Lucie just didn't get it, her brows furrowing slightly in confusion.
āIvelda and Lilith are powerful witches, and can do amazing thingsā¦ But they are not goddesses.ā
Lucie felt like she was about to get sick. Really sick. Like nauseous, 'I'm about to throw up' sick because there was no way on Earth, Heaven or Hell, Rhindeval or wherever that she would even consider other people as worthy of worship let alone Ivelda or Lilith. The thought on its own was so revolting that she turned away and bent over a little with puffed cheeks and a hand to her mouth fighting the urge. She was the center of her own world. Not some murderous royal-wannabe and her mediocre sister.
āSo yes! Lilith needs help! But so too, do you. Tell me if you know of another princess whoās capabilities deal in the purely magical. Please, sincerely, I would LOVE to know her, so that she could further aid Lilith. Tell us if you know of another means by which we could get to Rhinedeval. By which we could bring your men, and by extension their weaponry. By which we wouldnāt be dropping these people, who shouldnāt even be a part of this conversation, into a world where there are those who can practice MAGIC, Justice. MAGIC. Where we know, reliably I might add, that there are creatures of otherworldly strength and speed, and terrible efficiency. My homeland had sirens, and they did not discriminate. Where we know, reliably still, that there are men and women who are trained and hired by a woman who is endlessly hungry for us to NEVER. RETURN.ā
Lucie's head was exploding because she knew that. She already KNEW that. She HATED to admit that. Lilith was their only option, weak, mediocre, or whatever, there was no other choice! It was infuriating, as someone who could always rely on another's competence to get her what she needed or to get her where she needed to be. For once, she didn't have the best resources and it wasn't a matter of money or status. She just didn't have it so she settled for non-magical trained men. Followed by the mention of sirens and the pressure of them succeeding against Iveldaās own armyā¦ her thoughts were racing a mile a minute. How could she slow down?
āMy gift to you wasā Isā an oil that you could put in your hair. It keeps your color, keeps it alive, and most of all, can be placed onto your clothes to keep them stupendously clean.ā
Kinera handed her a bottle, Lucie just managed to hold it after the heavy load of self-imposed responsibility dropped on her shoulders. She wasn't in this adventure alone but she certainly felt that way. Staring at her reflection in the potion, an idea occurred to her. Maybe she was going about this all wrong. Maybe she needed to be that princess Kinera was talking aboutā¦ with magical capabilitiesā¦ that could further aid.. no, correction, that didnāt need Lilith. She was a little unhappy with Kinera as yes she needed people but it served no purpose to tell them that! The gift and compliments was enough to sweeten the mood back to where they started though. An oil for clothes... curious. "Thank you for the gift but I'm also hungry for ju--." She paused and decided to rephrase. "Revenge. I meant to say revenge." Lucie said with a wagging finger. If Ivelda wanted her to never return, she made a huge mistake of allowing her to live.
Lilith apologized and opened up about her own familyās passing as well as her feelings of failure. Lucie listened, well even, not once speaking out of turn. Not that there was any reason to interrupt someone in the middle of admitting that Lucie was right about everything. āIf you want me to talk about it more, you can ask, but know that I will do my best not to fail each of you again, even if it costs me my own life. I will try to be more clear with all of you about things in the future, but I do ask if you're not sure about something, please ask me okay? Justice, you can bring those men with us to the state park and to the teleportation site, but that's all I am willing to promise you. I am sure Queen Eowyn will be bringing plenty of fae with her when she greets us so we'll help you with your luggage when we get there okay? If we're done here, all of you can come in. Justice, your men can come in if they need to. We just need Euphemia and Ishara and then we can get going." Although Lilith left the scene drained, Lucie was rather the opposite and invigorated. "Well, if I HAD to choose between the men or my luggage... a close call." Lucie said with a shrug of the shoulders and pocketing her gift. It wasn't the optimal outcome but she was getting half of what she wanted. She also wanted to shove that victory in some faces.
WHAM! "I don't care how much juice the witch has to take from me. We're bringing this one."
Lucie raised an eyebrow, torn between disbelief and a feeling that she could have seen it coming all at once. Reese looked like she was having a blast despite spitting out blood and being restrained by her new right-hand man. What was she even thinking trying to punch a-- No, obviously, Reese doesn't think. But Lucie would not object to that sacrifice if it were possible. "That's the sanest thing I've ever heard coming from a nut job while acting like a...nut job. Schwarz!" Lucie was about to take the situation back into her hands but not long after, she too was restrained. Silvia hugged her from behind without warning, trapping her securely in place.
āJustice. Please tell them to let go of Reese. If they donāt let her go...then I wonāt let you go. Although, if they take too long to let her go, I am sure I can find a better way to make you, make them, let her go,ā
She didn't even get a chance to do anything and she was being treated like this! Lucie struggled and struggled stubbornly for a while but when she realized Silvia wasn't loosening her hold and that personal space was indeed compromised, Lucie's breathing started to become rapid, shallow, and sharp that it was almost painful. It wasn't the words that threatened her. Lucie could handle words... but the physical she couldn't stand. "I already told you... nobody touches.. me." Young Silvia's voice echoed in her head. All the flower colors. The sirens. The gasp of air. The lady at the first aid tent mistaking them as friends. Lucie's legs were free but she couldn't bring herself to attack. Not this time anyway. "Tch, what did you think I was going to do with Reese? I want nothing to do with her!!!" Lucie declared then groaned after like it was so abhorrent to think otherwise. "Schwarz, let the nut job go. She's enjoying you too much like she's got a kink." Lucie called out casually, looking over her shoulder as much as she could at Silvia with a face that didn't hide how displeased she was.