forum A Promise of Fire (closed)

Started April 06, 2023 by @ElderGod-yellowqueen

tune

Ariella had taken lunch in her room, pouring iver books that just told her the things she already knew. She was growing frustrated. She switched to learning Sinta's politics and laws. She wanted to make sure she knew everything she would need to be a proper advisor. She dined with Hades and Persephone, keeping the conversation light. She didn't really feel like talking. And as the sun fell and the moon shone, she knocked on Amyntas' door. "It's me, Ariella, will you let me in please."

He sighs, “No…”

"Amyntas, I will pick the lock if you don't let me in." Ariella knew how to do it. She wasn't above it either. It wouldn't be hard to find the tools she needed.

Amyntas scoffs, “Good luck with pushing the door open…”

"Then I'll climb onto your balcony and get in that way." She wouldn't be happy about it and it would certainly take longer but she could do it.

Amyntas hums, “Can’t either.”

"Stop being stubborn."

Amyntas huffs, “Says you.”

"Excatly. Takes one to know one. And I'm doing this for your health." Amelia knocked on the door again. "I'll stay out here all night if I have too."

Amyntas sighs. “Have fun then…”

Ariella glared at the door, huffing. She slid down the door, propping her back against it.

Amyntas goes quiet, then closes his eyes.

Ariella leaned her head back against the wood. She was quiet for a moment before she started to speak. "Do you know what I love about the circus?"

Amyntas stays silent, listening.

Ariella continued speaking. "I love that everyday is different. No act is the same, no place. We're always moving, always seeing different places. It's freeing in a way. I can do what I when I want. I had the freedom over my body and money. As long as I did what I need to do, I was free."

Amyntas pauses, then sighs.

"They found me, bloody and half alive. No questions were asked. They took me in, healed me, never asked about how I came to be that way or my past. Everyone there has something to hide. They knew better than to ask." She was rambling now. It was better than the silence. "But it was also tiring. I had no roots, no place to call home. No place I could stay and sleep in and will the world away for just a few days. I'm always working, always moving. There's no rest."

Amyntas sighs, keeping quiet.

"And gods does it hurt when the people around me are lying. No one can hide anything from me. I know everything. Lie after lie it burns through me. I know everyone's secretes. And while it might be exciting to think about, about knowing everything about everyone, I hate it. I wish I didn't have it. It hurts so much. It never stops. I just want to be around someone who is honest to me just so I don't have to feel the pain." There was a crack in her voice. She was so tired. Tried of the lies, the pain. She just wanted to be happy. She just wanted to be free of pain.

Amyntas whimpers, trying to muffle his sobs.

"All I want in life is to live somewhere calm, somewhere peaceful. Maybe a beachfront cottage. Somewhere no one else lives. Somewhere no one bothers me. I'll have a little garden and grow my own food. Maybe have some livestock so I'll truly be independent. I can live alone and love the rest of my life in peace." Ariella closed her eyes as she tried to picture it. "But fate has decided otherwise. I am what I am and my mother will never stop hunting me until I am found. I was born with magic so that it can be used. My life is destined to be in pain. I have a purpose on life, even if I don't know what that is yet. And so do you. You can get passed this. Don't let a curse corrupt your life. You deserve happiness and you should be fighting with everything you have to get it. Help fight with me, and maybe we can have that little beach cottage and we can go there when the world doesn't need us."

Amyntas keeps silently sobbing, shaking slightly. He couldn’t. He’d been fighting for so long, now he was tired. So tired…He gives an audible sob, then whimpers. I can’t… He thinks. I can’t…it’s too hard…

"We can do it, you and me. I think we can do it. But I need you to trust me. I need you to let me hold your hand and let me support you. Let me help you, please." She was begging now, something she never thought she would do. "Just hang in there a little bit longer. Don't get up hope just yet."

Amyntas starts sobbing, gasping for breath. He couldn’t help it now. In all his years, he’d never think that someone cared so much. This girl must have want something. No one was going to be this kind and not want something from him. That had to be impossible. He didn’t even trust his parents at this point. They haven’t done anything wrong…but he had been so hurt before by others. He felt like he had no one to go to.

"Please, just let me. Let's me make you some food. Just some soup. Then let's go to bed. We'll take it one day at a time, I promise. Just let me in."

Amyntas sobs harder. “I can’t…I can’t even keep food down…I tried so hard! Even if I want to eat! I’m tired!” He had never broke down like this before. What was even happening? He had no idea.