forum A Promise of Fire (closed)

Started April 06, 2023 by @ElderGod-yellowqueen

tune

He sighs, “I told you…I want to protect you…” He murmurs. “What’s wrong with that? Wanting to keep you safe, for nothing in return?” He was only wanting to be kind. Besides, he had a gut feeling…oh forget it… he thought.

Aroella tugged at the covers. She wanted him to feel something, anything. Anger was better than this. "And how can you protect me like those? Hding away under your covers? Anyone coukd come and grab me and you wouldn't know. You wouldn't be able to stop it. Get. Up." She wasn't leaving until he was standing.

Amyntas sighs and gets up, looking at her. He had dark circles under his eyes. And now, it was clear that he was wearing makeup to cover it up. Makeup stained his pillow and it was smudged on his face.

Ariella grabbed his hands, trying to further pull him out of bed. "Come on. You'll feel better after you've bathed."

Amyntas grumbles, pulling away from her. “I didn’t bring you here to be a maid.” He grabs a makeup wipe and wipes away the rest of the already smudged makeup. Somehow, he had made himself look like he had plenty of sleep. But in reality, he looked like he hadn’t slept in years. His eyes were sunken and dark, and even his cheeks were sunken.

He sighs and trudges to the bathroom, closing and locking the door.

"And yet it looks like you need one," Ariella grumbled to herself once he had gotten up. She sat on the bed, waiting for him to come out. She pulled the soiled pillow sheet off and set it to the side to be washed later.

After a while, Amyntas trudges out of the bathroom, his hair still wet. He adjusts his shirt and sighs. “Alright…now will you go eat?” He looks at her, honestly looking just about done with this situation.

Ariella was satisfied, at leat for now. "Yes, if you will accompany me please." She held out her arm for him to take. Having an escort was proper anyways, even if she was just using it as an excuse to get him out of his room

He sighs and gently takes her to the dining room, pulling a chair out for her, and then sitting down. He looks at his father and mother as they walk in, surprised expressions on their faces as they see Amyntas.

Persephone gasps, “Amyntas! Oh honey!” She smiles and hugs him. She then looks to Ella and then back to Amyntas. “Oh…”

Hades chuckles, “Told you so…” He smiles at his son, then sits down. “I’m glad you finally decided to join us.”

Amyntas sighs, “I’m not hungry…I’m just here with Ella. I promised I’d protect her.”

Persephone pauses, “Oh…” She almost sounded disappointed. Honey…you should eat something…” She mutters.

Amyntas shakes his head, “I’ll be fine, mother…”

Ariella dipped into a small curtsy as they came into the dining room and stepped in front of his parents. She found her seat only after he had and got a glass of water to start with. She wasn't leaving that table until Amyntas had eaten something. He was stubborn but so was she. And she would push until she got her way.

Persephone smiles, “Well…” She looks to Ella, “It’s nice to finally meet you. What would you like me to call you?”

Hades smiles as the food is brought out and set in front of Ella. Hades looks to Amyntas and frowns when he sees him shoo away the servant as they offered food. Hades sighs, “Son…at least eat something…”

Amyntas shakes his head, “I’m fine, father…”

Ella smiled at Persephone. "Ella, I'm Ella. It's an honor to meet you." She had never been in the presence of the gods before. She wasn't sure exactly how to act.
She frowned as Amyntas dismissed the food, she was leave fmsome of her own to share with him. She just needed to push long enough and he would as she asked. "You need to eat," she leaned over, murmuring, "you need to keep up your strength. You can't do that if you don't eat anything."

Amyntas sighs, shaking his head.

Persephone smiles warmly, “Ella…beautiful choice for a name…” Persephone knew. She sits down next to Hades, looking at her son. She then starts to have a hushed conversation with Hades.

Hades looks at her and shakes his head. “I’ve tried…” He murmurs. He then looks to Ella. “Well…would you like if we…made you an ‘ambassador’?” He was speaking in code now. He gives Ella a look. “Or would you like to be a guide for Amyntas?”

Amyntas sighs, “She’s just living here, father. As a guest.”

Hades sighs, “Son…I’m sure this young lady wouldn’t want to just sit around all day.”

Amyntas rolls his eyes.

Ella smiled brightly at Persephone for the compliment. However, it faded quickly. Great, another person who her identity. The more that new the more dangerous it would be.

She pinched Amyntas' thigh under the table, looking at Hades. "What sort of guide does he need? I can act as an advisor if that's what you need. I know people, I know politics." To a point. She also knew how to kill a man on thirty seconds but that was for another conversation.

Hades smiles, “Whatever you want to do. Do whatever you think he needs.”

Amyntas scowls, swatting Ella’s hand away. “Don’t you dare touch me like that.” He snaps. Somehow, his reaction didn’t seem actually directed towards her.

Hades frowns, looking at his son.

Ariella pulled her hand back from him quickly, looking at him strangely. He had cuddled her all last night, slept next to her, had let her tug him out of bed and made him escort her to breakfast but this was too much? She only pursed her lips before slowly eating her food.

Amyntas sighs and looks away.

Persephone looks at the two, then frowns deeply. She looks to Hades, who only shakes his head.

Amyntas sighs and leans back in his chair, silent.

Ariella turned to look at Hades and Persephone, smiling. "I can be an advisor for as long as my services are needed." Once they weren't she wasn't sure what she would do. Hopefully, she could save up enough money to retire somewhere quiet and alone, out of her mother's reach. She would have to be wise with her money, then. Only spend it on essentials and nothing more.

Hades smiles and nods. “Of course.”

Amyntas scowls and stands, storming out.

Ariella turned her head in confusion as Amyntas stood and stormed out. Her mouth opened to call out to him before deciding otherwise and shutting it. "Did I do something wrong?"

Hades sighs and shakes his head, “No dear…he’s just…been through a lot…” He says softly. “I’ve made sure to not upset him.”

"Maybe it's time to stop tiptoeing around him. It's allowing him to whither away more. He needs to be pushed, not left alone." Should Ariella have cared she just criticized a god? Yes. Did she? No. The reality of it would likely set in later but for now, she was on a mission. She signaled for a maid to give her the prince's plat and she stood. "I'm going to see if I can get him to eat."

A main rushes to Ella and hands her the plate, then rushes off.

Hades sighs and nods. “Alright dear…good luck…” He stands and walks away.

Persephone sighs and follows, giving a thankful look to Ella before following after Hades.

Ariella stepped out of the dining hall with the plate of food, looking around for which way her might of gone.

A servant looks at her, then points towards Amyntas’s room. “The prince went that way.”