...in a manner of speaking. I think that the soldiers have more or less stopped actively looking for me now, but it's a problem if our paths cross.
["A problem" is putting it mildly.]
But since I'm not confined to the palace anymore, I've been doing what I can. There were a lot of things going on that I never knew about, and that my father... never tried to prevent.
If I've made a difference in any of my people's lives, it's worth it.
[Aaaah, no... Chiron's being very kind to her, and that almost makes her want to cry? She rubs at her eyes.
No. Bad.]
...thank you. I'm really, really lucky to have met the people that I have, and I'm going to...
[She pauses.]
I don't remember that fire. But if I make it out of that, or if I already did and I just don't remember what happened after... I'm going to keep trying.
[Keep trying, keep fighting, keep facing whatever fate has in store for her. But he has faith, and it's why Chiron isn't worried.
... But it seems the memory bubble isn't done quite yet. There's a shift in perspective, a change in the scenery
And with the first breath of life, you are born.
Unlike the other gods, you do not enter the world fully formed. You are a babe crying on a soft bed of grass, little hands clenched as you kick all four of your legs in an appeal for comfort. The wind is cold on your skin, and you are hungry for food.
You are an infant, but you are still born of immortal blood. And so you remember everything you see, hear, smell – how the light shimmers through the leaves of a nearby tree, and how the wind feels on your skin as you continue to cry.
And you remember the face of your mother, horrified and disgusted, when she takes her first look at you.
Even in her horror, she is beautiful, you think -- her features delicate and eternal in a way you will inherit. But you still feel the weight of that hatred, and it makes you cry more in a desperate plead for love. Instead your mother recoils the louder you are, tears streaming down her cheeks as she turns away with her hands turned up at the sky. There is a shrill cry for mercy, for peace – to be taken as far away as possible from the monster she’s created.
And then her limbs harden, her legs take root in the earth, and very soon all that is left of your mother is a linden tree that has already begun to bloom soft, yellow flowers.
You continue to cry – you are an infant, after all. But this time it is because you know that there is no love for you in this world yet, not from her.]
[Okay I knew Greek myths are often sad but this is really upsetting. I am now sitting at my desk, emotionally compromised by Chiron.
Yona is also emotionally compromised by Chiron, although she's not sitting at a desk. When they come out of the memory, she can almost hear the echo of his cry in the back of her mind - it's not something she'll easily forget, having heard it now.]
Chiron...?
[Is he okay, she wonders? Such a stark reminder of a painful moment can't be pleasant.]
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dawnblushed) wrote2020-09-28 02:19 pm
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I don't think so. I met them after I left the palace.
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[Mmm.]
Even still, I am surprised someone of your station was allowed to leave without bodyguards...?
[Because apparently she's been getting into all sorts of trouble]
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[She looks like she's unsure if she should elaborate.]
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I would not force you to speak, Yona. Only what you are comfortable with sharing.
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[Well, maybe it's fine if she doesn't get into too many specifics.]
My father was assassinated... I left the palace to avoid being killed, too.
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I see.
[It's not the type of trauma that is waved away with a heartfelt apology, is there? His mouth pulls into a sad line]
You are on the run, then?
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["A problem" is putting it mildly.]
But since I'm not confined to the palace anymore, I've been doing what I can. There were a lot of things going on that I never knew about, and that my father... never tried to prevent.
If I've made a difference in any of my people's lives, it's worth it.
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Ah, the politics of humans rival even the gods]
I've no doubt you have made a difference. [...]
Fate can be very callous toward us all, but it is still a strong heart that ultimately perseveres.
[smiling at her with quiet fondness, and he reaches out to ruffle her hair]
I'm glad you have managed to make the most of what was given to you, and have people beside you as well.
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No. Bad.]
...thank you. I'm really, really lucky to have met the people that I have, and I'm going to...
[She pauses.]
I don't remember that fire. But if I make it out of that, or if I already did and I just don't remember what happened after... I'm going to keep trying.
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[Keep trying, keep fighting, keep facing whatever fate has in store for her. But he has faith, and it's why Chiron isn't worried.
... But it seems the memory bubble isn't done quite yet. There's a shift in perspective, a change in the scenery
And with the first breath of life, you are born.
Unlike the other gods, you do not enter the world fully formed. You are a babe crying on a soft bed of grass, little hands clenched as you kick all four of your legs in an appeal for comfort. The wind is cold on your skin, and you are hungry for food.
You are an infant, but you are still born of immortal blood. And so you remember everything you see, hear, smell – how the light shimmers through the leaves of a nearby tree, and how the wind feels on your skin as you continue to cry.
And you remember the face of your mother, horrified and disgusted, when she takes her first look at you.
Even in her horror, she is beautiful, you think -- her features delicate and eternal in a way you will inherit. But you still feel the weight of that hatred, and it makes you cry more in a desperate plead for love. Instead your mother recoils the louder you are, tears streaming down her cheeks as she turns away with her hands turned up at the sky. There is a shrill cry for mercy, for peace – to be taken as far away as possible from the monster she’s created.
And then her limbs harden, her legs take root in the earth, and very soon all that is left of your mother is a linden tree that has already begun to bloom soft, yellow flowers.
You continue to cry – you are an infant, after all. But this time it is because you know that there is no love for you in this world yet, not from her.]
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Yona is also emotionally compromised by Chiron, although she's not sitting at a desk. When they come out of the memory, she can almost hear the echo of his cry in the back of her mind - it's not something she'll easily forget, having heard it now.]
Chiron...?
[Is he okay, she wonders? Such a stark reminder of a painful moment can't be pleasant.]
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But perhaps the worst part of it all is that Chiron
doesn't seem that effected. His brows knit as he watches on, noting the panic and sadness of the child, but at the end of it he can only murmur...]
Ah, that was my... mother?
[...]
How strange. I had always thought I coveted those flowers of the linden tree for their medicinal abilities, but I suppose...
[it was him just clinging to her image. Rather sentimental of him]
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[hm.]
That memory seemed so clear, though... is it something the Realm took from you...?
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[... And there is a note of melancholy there, that he had forgotten the very moment of his birth in such a way]
... I know some would say it is a blessing to forget such a hatred, but... I wish I had kept it.
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[It would really be better if they weren't losing memories at all.]
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[Some of the sadness retreats and he shakes his head to clear his mind]
Well, at least for this moment, I remember now. That will have to do.
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[She reaches up and over to put her hand on his arm.]
...I'll remember it for you. Until you can remember it again for good.
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I would appreciate that.
[Selfish as it may be, he does not want to forget what he suspects to be the only memory of his mother.]
... I hope in the end, she found some peace.
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[she also hopes his mother got over her revulsion and that they were able to make nice memories but greek myths are not nice, usually.]