Taking Demeter and Carlotta to Gotland

[ostro_goth]

Teja is sitting by the door, turning the snake bracelet in his hands.

He is waiting for his friends to to turn up, so they may go visit his people together.

Comments

[wheatencrown]

"What happened?"

[ostro_goth]

"But where did the other one hide?" Adalgoth asks, amazed and fascinated.

[fiery_ring]

"In the box rooms upstairs." Carlotta says. "Of course, eventually they were both caught in the same place at the same time, and got into terrible trouble with the head."

[wheatencrown]

"I hope they found other uses to put that cleverness to."

[ostro_goth]

"Were they trying to get by paying for only one girl?" Adalgoth asks.

Such schools are probably expensive.

Little Myrtia is bouncing, and grabbing for Carlotta's hair. Valeria quietly snuggles against Demeter.

[fiery_ring]

"No, when questioned they said they thought it just seemed like a good idea at the time. The school knew they were twins but they forged a note from their mother that one of them was arriving late.

I think Miss Roberts gave them all double prep for the next week because they'd only been taking half their lessons."

[wheatencrown]

Demeter kisses the top of Valeria's head,

"It sounds like something Apollo or Artemis would have done just to see if they could."

[ostro_goth]

"The gods?" Adalgoth asks, finding it odd to have them talked about so casually.

[fiery_ring]

"I think after that everyone was so suspicious of them that they took measures to work out who was who." Carlotta says.

[wheatencrown]

"Yes, they were always up to something and still are. That was smart of your school and I'm sure they were much more careful if they did other things."

[ostro_goth]

"How did you tell them apart?" Adalgoth asks.

[fiery_ring]

"Daphne used to be a little taller than Dora." Carlotta says. "Which only worked if they were next to each other. But after a while you could just tell."

[wheatencrown]

"And I'm sure when we spend enough time around your daughters, we'll be able to tell the difference as easy as you do, Adalgoth."

[ostro_goth]

"I'm sure they will be easier to tell apart when they grow older," Adalgoth says.

He reaches out to tickle Valeria's foot.

[fiery_ring]

"They will have their own personalities too, and different interests I expect." Carlotta says.

[wheatencrown]

Demeter grins at Adalgoth,

"Oh yes and change so much in a short time becoming more and more themselves."

[ostro_goth]

"That is the loveliest thing of all," Adalgoth says, "to see them do that, like flowers unfolding. I know that many deny themselves these joys, leaving the babes with the women until they are old enough to be taught; but that is cowardice. Of course these little ones are so fragile, and might not make it to their first birthday. But oh, the joy if they do! The joy of every day that they advance and learn!"

[fiery_ring]

Carlotta glances at Teja, wondering how he takes such a speech, given his previous ideas about childrearing.

[ostro_goth]

Teja has been talking to Wachis about several ways of fixing things, but turns his head at Adalgoth's passionate pronouncement, and wanders over to where they are sitting with the babies.

"You have ever been bold, fearless and generous of heart, my Adalgoth," he says, quietly, "and never worried about what darkness that might lead you into. You are still bolder than most, and you children will thank you for it."

[wheatencrown]

"Of course they will be as children flourish when surrounded by love and they're truly loved here."

[fiery_ring]

Carlotta nods. But this sort of family life... is something she's never really known. And for a moment, she tries to imagine what it's like to grow up with a mother and father who are always there, in a house that doesn't move, with lots of siblings.

(Probably not quite as fun as travelling and performing and having access to an elephant, mind).

[ostro_goth]

"Even children surrounded by love may die," Teja says, remembering little Athalwin, son of his friend and predecessor Witichis, after whom one of Wachis' sons is named.

"You do not get what you deserve. You get what you get, and no amount of boldness, love, and determination will sway fate."

"Says the man who saved what remained of our people by just stubbornly standing in the mouth of a gorge, throwing spear after spear, and just not budging," Adalgoth chides, quietly.

Teja shrugs, and reaches out to stroke little Valeria's cheek, where she is cuddled against Demeter and looking at him with big eyes.

[wheatencrown]

"Yes, but life is part of death and love can do more than you realize. Also listen to Adalgoth who knows you,"

Demeter smirks at Teja, she will not let him find the dark here.

[fiery_ring]

"The man ever watchful of death, never feels the glory of the wind rushing through his hair as he leaps from a trapese." Carlotta says.

"The man who forgets it entirely, feels the glory of the wind rushing through his hair as he leaps from a trapese only once."

[ostro_goth]

"That is true," Teja says, "even if you know not what a trapeze might be."

Pause.

"And yes, he knows me. I often marvelled how one so bright and clear might know one of such darkness as mine so well; and I marvel still."

"People were scared of you," Adalgoth says, "even as they admired your deeds. I never was. I was never scared to look at what's inside that darkness. And I soon found it's not darkness at all. Between the dark heads of the gloomy night-woods, you can see the shimmer of far-away stars, if you but look long enough."

He sits up on the bed-bench, which he can do as he is no longer being sat on by the babies. "You seem to have all the children, ladies. I have nothing to cuddle."

Even Teja has one of Isis' kittens, asleep on his shoulder. He reaches up and hands it to Adalgoth, in the way you'd hand over a cup of water, or a tool.