Magpie
23
Noble
L.I.W to Princess Cera
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Post by Rosemary McIntyre on Jun 8, 2020 19:58:08 GMT -5
A chill ran down Rosemary's spine as she imagined cutting herself on her own poisoned blade, and she shuddered in spite of herself. She knew quite well what some of her plants were capable of despite their lovely appearances; to think that her pride and joy might be used to cause such pain made her sick to her stomach. "I think...perhaps we'd best start with something simpler."
Aoife's sigh made her glance over at her cousin, even as Aoife seemed to be heavily contemplating the roses. Had she put her cousin in a difficult position? She hadn't meant to, but Aoife was already making plans to have a weapon commissioned and train her to use it.
"Are you sure that's--I mean, it isn't too much, is it? I don't want you to go to any unnecessary trouble over me. I'm sure that Father or Lucas could find me a weapon and some kind of tutor... I mean, it would be nice to work with someone I trusted, especially you, but I..." she trailed off, both her voice and her posture seeming to shrink. "I don't want to be a burden."
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Pyxis
27
Increasingly complicated
Ex-soldier
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Post by Aoife Lee Frye on Jun 13, 2020 16:25:31 GMT -5
”Don’t worry.” Aoife assured her, noticing with concern the shudder that took hold of her younger cousin. ”We’ll start at the beginning, and we’ll go at your pace.” She would have never considered such a kindness with recruits (not that Aoife had often been entrusted with training), but the battlefield was different to the court. Rosemary only needed to learn how to defend herself, to keep herself safe, she did not need to learn to hunt and to kill as soldiers did.
Not that the woman really knew how to begin with Rosemary, it had all come so easily to Aoife… so naturally. With her cousin though, she imagined it would take a little more encouraging, more time. It wasn’t going to be easy for either of them, but the peace of mind would be worth it. At least Aoife hoped it would be. ”Of course it’s not too much.” The woman said firmly, pulling her gaze from the roses to rest upon her cousin. ”You’re not a burden at all.” It was the truth. ”Besides, this may be good for me, I’m not a soldier, I’m not a lady… It would be nice to actually do something again.” As she spoke, Aoife visibly softened. As though the tensions that seemed ever present in her muscles lessened somewhat.
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Magpie
23
Noble
L.I.W to Princess Cera
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Post by Rosemary McIntyre on Jun 14, 2020 11:05:03 GMT -5
Rosemary brightened when Aoife assured her she was not a burden. She actually seemed like she might enjoy having someone to teach, which was the final nudge needed to solidify her decision. Alright, she would learn to protect herself, and Aoife would teach her. It would be good for both of them, to help them move past the troubles of their pasts. Suddenly, she was eager to begin, and wished she had a knife already so that the two of them could jump straight in. She had a letter opener, and a pair of pruning shears...but neither of those was quite right. She nearly laughed at the image of herself trying to fight with her dirty old shears.
It was good to be laughing again. She felt safe here, in her greenhouse, and safer still with Aoife at her side. It was peaceful, in some ways, just the two of them against the world.
Rosemary pulled her cousin into a hug, this one a bit more emotional than the last. She held her tightly for a moment, then drew back to look into her piercing eyes, with her hands resting on Aoife's shoulders. "You are a lady and a soldier, dear Aoife, and I am extremely grateful for you. You are an amazing woman. Thank you, for listening, and for wanting help. It means a lot, to have someone I can trust."
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Pyxis
27
Increasingly complicated
Ex-soldier
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Post by Aoife Lee Frye on Jun 15, 2020 16:18:02 GMT -5
She was relieved to see her cousin brighten, to see some glimmer of happiness return to her. The relief, as usual, was accompanied by the wave of guilt. Aoife would never quite forgive herself for becoming so consumed by her own grief that she had let her family fall by the wayside, forgotten in the midst of her own weakness. Rosemary had been through so much whilst Aoife had locked herself away, and had she been there… perhaps things would have been different. Perhaps her cousin would not be so anxious and drawn within herself. Perhaps she would not carry those scars… it was a lot of perhaps, a lot of questions neither of them would ever truly know the answers two, a lot of things Aoife would never forgive herself for.
And then they were hugging again. Though this time the older woman didn’t take quite so long to reciprocate, gently wrapping her arms around Rosemary. ”I appreciate the sentiment, but I am ill equipped for court and no longer hold a commission… so I’m not quite either.” She shrugged then, ”But you’re welcome little cousin… I’m just sorry I did not come sooner.” Her voice broke a little as the apology came to her, as though the words were difficult to form and more so to speak aloud.
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Magpie
23
Noble
L.I.W to Princess Cera
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Post by Rosemary McIntyre on Jun 17, 2020 17:15:23 GMT -5
What? Apologizing for being away? Rosemary's face turned stern in an instant, and she gave Aoife her very best 'mother look.' "Aoife, you are not allowed to apologize for that in the least. You had your own troubles to get through. What's done is done, but we will go forward together." Her face softened.
"Things may not be exactly as either of us would wish at the moment, but I think we'll find our places in due time. Or at least...I hope we will." She smiled and ducked her head as she tucked her hair back behind her ears.
"Now then, seeing as you're going to be my weapons tutor, I shall pay you in flowers and fruit. It's only fair, after all, and I'll have fun doing it." She declared, taking her hands from Aoife's shoulders to clap them lightly in front of her. She brought her fingertips to her mouth as she considered the garden around her, lightly tapping them against her lips and chin. "Let's see..." she murmured, "Roses, certainly, perhaps a rooted cutting for your mother, the apple tree simply refuses to flower..." She snagged a basket from under a workbench nearby along with a pair of scissors, muttering to herself as she snipped sprigs of spices and a few long-stemmed roses for her cousin. She cut an extra chunk of the plain stem from the rose bush as well and held it up to Aoife.
"Watch this," She whispered and pressed the stem between her palms, leaving a cupped space as if her hands were filled with water. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and the stem began to grow new shoots and a few small leaves, the fresh green of new life sprouting up from between Rosemary's thumbs. All told, the process took perhaps two minutes. When Rosemary opened her hands again, the space between them had been filled with tiny white roots that sprouted from the chunk of the stem that had started it all. Rosemary beamed proudly at her cousin. "I've been practicing. It only works with plants that would have grown from cuttings anyway, but I can encourage them quite a bit now. You'd want to plant this shortly, but it should grow quite happily into a new rosebush."
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Pyxis
27
Increasingly complicated
Ex-soldier
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Post by Aoife Lee Frye on Jul 15, 2020 8:24:54 GMT -5
The look on her little cousin’s face was stern, almost motherly, not that it had the intended effect on Aoife in that moment- who instead felt her features soften somewhat in response to Rosemary’s sternness. ”In that case, I will hold my tongue should I feel the need to apologise again.” The woman said with a slight bow of her head, as though she was nodding her agreement to the words spoken by Rosemary. What’s done is done. The words echoed in Aoife’s thoughts for a moment. She hated that she could not change either of their pasts. Could not alter what had happened. But even then, Aoife was not certain she herself was ready to go forward just yet, not quite ready to leave the past behind her. These thoughts, however, the woman kept to herself. Grey eyes blinked the world back into focus as the found Rosemary once again.
”And if we cannot find our places, we shall make them.” Aoife said, perhaps a little more firmly than she had initially intended.
Released from her cousin’s hold, Aoife suddenly found her hands idle. Unsure of what to do with them, the woman settled upon planting them on her hips as she watched Rosemary muse upon how to pay for her cousin’s services as weapons tutor. They remained there as Rosemary moved around the greenhouse, busying herself with all manner of flowers, fruits, and other plants. A smile came unbidden to her lips then, observing her younger cousin in her natural environment. Busy like this, Rosemary seemed truly happy for the first time since Aoife had arrived. Now the conversation had long drifted from men and fiancés, from palaces and duties, and from the past and its memories. Aoife refrained from adding a comment to her cousin’s musings as she busied herself around the greenhouse taking cuttings of roses and spices the older woman did not quite recognise.
For two minutes or so, Aoife watched the plant grow in her cousin’s palms with a mixture of pride, wonder, and concern upon her features. Most, if not all, of their family was blessed with some gift on another. But such magic was banned, punishable by death, should the wrong souls find out Rosemary could do this… she would be hunted down as a nobleman would chase a hare for sport. ”Rosemary…” Aoife began carefully, caution colouring her tone. ”…Who have you told of this? Does the Princess know?”
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Magpie
23
Noble
L.I.W to Princess Cera
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Post by Rosemary McIntyre on Jul 16, 2020 18:55:01 GMT -5
Rosemary's face fell when her cousin's first reaction was to make sure she hadn't sentenced herself to death. She appreciated that Aoife cared for her and wanted her to be safe, but it was a little disheartening to get that and not excitement in response to a skill she'd been working so hard on. Her cousin had good reason to be frightened, of course Rosemary understood, she just...wished things could be different. People like her had been hunted since she was a small child, and it had always been made clear that magic was something forbidden and dangerous. Ripples of gossip ran under the usual court life and news, every so often, bringing tales of strange events and disappearances. But even knowing that, she couldn't help feeling that such a simplistic view of something so powerful was limiting and wrong. Her magic was a part of her, something that sprung naturally from her heart. She couldn't use it to do harm, only to help things grow. How could such a thing be evil?
She shook her head rapidly despite her protesting heart, wanting to reassure her cousin as quickly as possible.
"None but you and my siblings. I haven't even told father, although I think he suspects." She gestured to the flourishing plants around them. "I tell people I just have a green thumb, but...it's not a particularly hard leap to make if you know the family heritage." She smiled ruefully and offered the flower to her cousin again. "Do you still want the rose plant? I haven't really done anything unnatural to it, I only sped up the process. I don't think anyone would give it a second glance."
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Pyxis
27
Increasingly complicated
Ex-soldier
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Post by Aoife Lee Frye on Jul 18, 2020 17:03:45 GMT -5
Aoife tried to keep her expression stoic, to not look at her little cousin with a mixture of sympathy and concern as Rosemary’s face fell. She had been the same once, so proud of the grammyre that blessed their family, running to show her mother the flame she had captured in her palm for the very first time. She remembered the horror on her mother’s face, remembered how quickly she had carried her back to her chambers, remembered how the elder Lee Frye had made her promise never to show this magic to anyone else. Ever. Now she was doing the same to Rosemary, keeping her safe- but hurting the younger woman in the process.
”I know its exciting, especially when you’ve achieved this all on your own, but-“ Aoife cut off, biting on her lower lip as she considered what to say next. Had it been anyone else, a stranger in the street, her brothers, or even another cousin- the woman would probably have not been so gentle with them. She couldn’t tell Rosemary what little she knew of the wardens- the fragmentary details Aoife had drawn from Alastair and the even sparser scraps she has found through her own investigations. ”I am sorry, Rosemary. But it is dangerous… more so than you could imagine. If anyone were to find out, if word were to get out, you just have to be careful.”
She sighed then, slender fingers massaging her forehead as though she was fighting off an oncoming headache. ”Just be careful, for my sanity if nothing else?”. Aoife tried to inject some humour into her tone then, to lighten the mood somewhat. ”I would love the rose plant, of course I would, and so will mother. Thank you Rosemary.”
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Magpie
23
Noble
L.I.W to Princess Cera
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Post by Rosemary McIntyre on Jul 22, 2020 17:48:25 GMT -5
Rosemary nodded solemnly in agreement. Of course, she would be careful--she always was.
She brightened immediately as Aoife agreed to take the rose plant. "Lovely! I'll fetch you a little pot to put it in." She whisked away in an instant, bustling around the greenhouse as if nothing had happened. She soon had the little plant happily housed in a terracotta pot the size of a teacup and tucked into the basket with the other items. If she really had time, and she knew they'd be well cared for, she'd grow snippets of other things for Aoife to start growing at home, but she didn't think she had enough time or information to really do that.
Deciding to be satisfied with this, for now, she turned back to her cousin and offered her the basket. "Here you are!" she declared, then looked thoughtful for a moment. "You know, I do take this seriously, I hope you know. I won't do anything frivolous and get myself into trouble. I just...I don't know, I suppose I wanted to share a nice secret, after...well, the rest." She smiled ruefully. "I'm a bit worried I'll be pulling you into a disaster zone."
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Pyxis
27
Increasingly complicated
Ex-soldier
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Post by Aoife Lee Frye on Jul 28, 2020 16:57:25 GMT -5
Aoife watched her cousin with mixed feelings and an unreadable expression. Concern came through the strongest, concern not just for Rosemary but for their entire family- the grammyre was strong in their blood, it always had been, long before this war on the mystics had begun. Then was the guilt again, for being the voice of caution and cutting the joy out of what should have been a proud moment for them both. Fear was there as well, a new kind that made her heart race a little faster than it should have. Then there was pride, a glowing behind her breastbone- some warmth amongst the doubt, Aoife was proud her cousin had found her gift. Not only had she found it, but she had nurtured it along with the plants in the greenhouse in which they stood. ”Thank you-“. The older woman said at last, after what had probably been far too long a pause. She would send the plant home to her mother, where it had some chance of surviving the month- neither Aoife or her father had much of a green thumb afterall.
”I know, Rosemary.” Aoife said with a small sigh, hooking the basket in the crook of her elbow. ”I know… and I really do wish things were different and we didn’t have to be so secretive.” He free hand found her hair then, slim fingers running through its length as their owner paused to think for a moment. ”But with you being so close to the princess, you have to be more careful than most- otherwise you will be pulling me into a disaster zone.” She smiled a little then, softening visibly at her own joke.
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Magpie
23
Noble
L.I.W to Princess Cera
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Post by Rosemary McIntyre on Jul 28, 2020 19:45:02 GMT -5
Rosemary laughed softly. "Too late for that! You're in it already, just by knowing me. I seem to trail insanity wherever I go, somehow."
She sighed and turned to the rosebush she'd clipped, pressing her finger to the cut surface where it was dripping sap. She closed her eyes for a few seconds, and when she withdrew, the cut had healed over.
"Plants are much simpler than people," she murmured, "They don't hold grudges or judge...they just want to live, to grow... Sometimes I'd like to leave--just go somewhere out in the wilderness where no one knows my name and live with just me and a garden. Maybe then I'd have some peace. Maybe everyone else would too." She trailed her fingers down the roses' stem absently, and barely blinked when a thorn pierced her finger. She just lifted it up to watch the blood well from the pinprick the same way the sap had where she trimmed the bush. Her eyes were distant as she imagined what her cottage would be like. Her family would be upset at first, perhaps they'd try to find her, but at least Magnus would be gone, and her family wouldn't be in danger from him or from the wardens any more--at least not because of her.
But that was just wishful thinking.
She shook herself slightly and turned back to Aoife with an apologetic smile. "Sorry, that's not helping things at all. I'm alright, just...sometimes it's exhausting. I work awfully hard to be something I'm not, and I'm not getting anywhere at all."
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Pyxis
27
Increasingly complicated
Ex-soldier
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Post by Aoife Lee Frye on Jul 30, 2020 9:28:13 GMT -5
”I think you may have got that from our side of the family.” Aoife said with the slightest of smiles, some softness returning to her countenance. ”Though, I’ve found peace to be overrated really.” She laughed at that.
The easy smile lasted but a moment, concern once again commandeering the mystic’s features as she watched Rosemary heal the plant. Though she didn’t voice her thoughts aloud to her cousin, Aoife’s thoughts were practically written onto her face. It was such a harmless gift, a life bringing gift, but Rosemary could still be executed for it. It was wrong.
”Plants are easier to kill.” She had spent most of her life learning how to kill men, how to make sure they stayed dead. Killing plants had come naturally. Without effort or training. It just happened. ”Perhaps you could try it for a while, the world is bigger than Teronna after all.” Aoife’s voice had softened then, as though she was trying to persuade herself as much as Rosemary. She pondered over it for a moment or two, watching Rosemary with a distant look in her grey eyes. There were enough ghosts in Teronna to haunt them both- though, granted, the man who haunted her cousin still lived and breathed. Shaking her head as though to literally shake the thoughts, Aoife shrugged. ”It was just a thought, don’t pay me any mind.” She could never leave, Teronna was home, it was all that was familiar to her these days. ”Then stop? Stop trying to force it. You have the princess’s favour after all, you may have more freedom than you think Rosemary.”
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Magpie
23
Noble
L.I.W to Princess Cera
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Post by Rosemary McIntyre on Aug 2, 2020 15:57:43 GMT -5
Aoife may have told her not to "pay any mind" but the seed had already been planted in the back of Rosemary's mind. After all, if Aoife didn't think the idea of her going off somewhere to try and lead a quiet life was completely unreasonable, maybe it wasn't. She'd just taken it for granted that she was too weak and too silly to do anything on her own, and that she wouldn't be able to escape the long arm of her responsibilities here. Perhaps she should investigate a little bit further.
But the rest made her jolt her head back towards Aoife, an expression of absolute shock rounding her mouth into an 'o.' "Really? You think so?" she asked uselessly as she tried to wrap her mind around the suggestion. "Mama is constantly telling me I need to be more charming and outgoing, that I need to dance every song and meet every noble so that people will see and know me. She even goes through my wardrobe when she visits the castle and takes anything she thinks is unsuitable." Rosemary made a face like she was gagging and stuck out her tongue. "She's insufferable. It's the one benefit of staying in the castle most of the time--I do get a bit of freedom to be alone, sometimes."
She tilted her head slightly to the side as she considered the idea. The Princess was certainly more important and influential than her own mother, but was she really in Cera's favor enough that it would be safe to relax? Perhaps she could be allowed to keep plants in her room, or better yet, to have some small place on the grounds where she could grow things of her own. And perhaps she could be allowed into the palace library for new books from time to time...she'd just assumed from the beginning that she should do, wear, and say what was fashionable as best she could, and try not to cause a disruption. "You don't think people will be upset with me for being myself?"
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Pyxis
27
Increasingly complicated
Ex-soldier
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Post by Aoife Lee Frye on Aug 5, 2020 17:04:22 GMT -5
The world was wide, but Teronna was big enough, more than even, for Aoife. She could count the ships she had set foot on with one hand, and the thought of being upon the open sea again made her stomach flip. Why anyone would willingly suffer through that, even to see the world and all its wonders, was beyond her. Rosemary, however, seemed to be at least entertaining the thought- but Aoife did not say anything to try and dissuade the younger woman, at least not yet.
Brows furrowed as she took in Rosemary’s expression. Had she said something wrong? Crossed a line? But then the younger woman spoke and Aoife felt the tension leave her shoulders. ”Yes?” She said with a short bark of laughter, as though it was the simplest fact in the world. Granted, Aoife had been a disappointment as a lady since childhood- she had years of missing her mother’s expectations and her mother had long become accustomed to it by now. Rosemary and Emilia, however, had yet to cross that bridge let alone burn it. ”Well, looks like you have three options…” Leaning against one of the counters, Aoife languidly crossed her arms over her chest as grey eyes levelled on her cousin. ”One, get married- but then your husband will just take over from your mother. Two, run away to the wilderness and hope your brother, father, or one of your cousins doesn’t manage to track you down and bring you back. Or three, just tell your mother no?” That one was the most difficult, but Aoife didn’t consider it impossible.
Mirroring her cousin, Aoife canted her head to one side as she watched Rosemary toying with the concept- patiently waiting for the train of thought to conclude. ”And so what if they are?” She shrugged. Granted, it was easier said than done. Especially for women of their standing. But that hadn’t stopped Aoife doing exactly as she pleased exactly when she wished to; and the woman did not see why Rosemary could not do the same. ”All they’re going to do is talk, and they won’t do that for long if I catch them.” It was easy to be overprotective of Rosemary McIntyre , there was something of the sister Aoife had never had in her, and she would be damned if someone so much as thought of hurting her.
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Magpie
23
Noble
L.I.W to Princess Cera
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Post by Rosemary McIntyre on Aug 11, 2020 21:38:39 GMT -5
Rosemary listened eagerly to her three options.
One: get married and let her husband take over miromanaging. She grimaced at that one. It didn't sound very pleasant, the way Aoife put it.
Two: run away into the woods and hide from everyone. Probably not very effective, because her family was tenacious, and if Father were the first one to find her... She shuddered. Definitely a no.
Three: Tell mother no.
That seemed the simplest option, and yet also the most complicated. Could she really just tell Mother to leave her alone? She always went on and on about Rosemary's duty to the family and the kingdom, to be flawless. But all she had become was stiff, and sad, and lonely. Maybe Aoife was right...maybe she should start trying to do what she felt was right, even if it was a frightening prospect.
She giggled at Aoife's hinted threat about not letting people gossip about her. "I appreciate it, Aoife, but they can talk if they want. They already talk about me as it is. Maybe they'll at least have something interesting to say if I start to show a real personality." She glanced around the greenhouse, already plotting which things she could take snippets of when the weather started to warm, and grow little potted versions in her room. That would brighten things significantly... She caught herself daydreaming and looked back to Aoife with an open smile.
"I'm very glad you came to see me today, Aoife. Things seem a bit brighter, now."
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