forum Find a Sister, Steal a Heart ((Private Sequel rp w/ my b))

Started June 24, 2020 by @ElderGod-kirky group

tune

Time for Carsyn to melt that Viking heart :D
@crocs-to-a-knife-fight

jkjfhjdfjh i love the name very much.

I was trying to do a clever sequel play on words lmao

ghdsdg it worked, dw

how would we even start this one? the arrival? by what methods are they traveling, how long did it take, and are they going straight to the farmhouse or just to like a station and meeting up. also lily will cry bcs hc that all theyve done is correspond through letters til now

Hm. I think it'd be good to kinda start at like a sort of hotel the day before they arrive? So that we can kinda set everything up, establish their relationships, and have Lily panicking and Carsyn and Rhydar comforting her

alright!!

Lily was going to see her family.

She had been aware of this fact, of course, for quite a while now. She had spoken to Daisy, first, through letters, then slowly the rest of her sisters and mother as they all realized the other was who they claimed to be. She had set this meeting up, with Cinthia's prompting. And when she had proposed the idea, had asked them to come with her, Carsyn and Rhydar had been more than willing. Her best friend, and her fiance.

But now it was hitting her. Here, in the hotel they had been staying at, Carsyn in a joint room. Here, in the city close to where her family had moved after-after you'd been kidnapped.

She didn't register her hands barely finding purchase on the bathroom counter. The way her knees went weak and her mind couldn't stop flipping through horrible thoughts.

What if they didn't want her back? What if she didn't fit into their new lives, didn't keep enough of old Lily for them to even bother? She was so different now, what if that was too much for them? She had strayed so far, there was no way they could want her back at this point. Right?

Watching Lily throughout this entire process has been a rollercoaster for his poor heart. Rhydar didn't know how she dealt with it, the ups and downs, the tugging towards the past, the anxiety.

He had known what position he was putting himself into when he first asked Cinthia and Demitri to track down the Song sisters. Had known that if things went wrong, he just might be the one she pushed away from in her grief. Had known that if they were found, that he'd still be pushed off to the side, a nock down her priority list, beaten by the sisters.

Had been okay with that, because it was Lily's happiness and smile that pushed him to be better every day.

But tonight, as he finished the meticulous process of putting his piercings back in while standing in front of the bedroom mirror, he felt something…off. Rhydar glanced to the side and saw a crumbling Lily through the crack of the bathroom door. He hardly thought twice before he was striding over to the room and coming up behind her.

His arms slowly slipped around her waist and his lips gently pressed against the back of her neck. "It's going to be okay, Lily darling," he murmured against her skin, arms holding her to his chest and keeping her from buckling under her own thoughts. "I'm here for you, and so is Carsyn. You'll be okay."

Lily didn't flinch anymore, when Rhydar touched her. When he snuck up, she still found her heart picking up the pace, but he was good at making himself known to her. But he wasn't the only one, anymore, who could touch her. Carsyn's touch had never felt threatening. Cinthia often greeted her with a quick hug, one that Lily could return now. Lily even found herself seeking out hugs from her friends, Kora when she came to visit, Wolf when they had their little get togethers. Von had left, just at the start of the change, but Lily had managed a hug for her too, bidding her farewell and good luck with her criminal of a boyfriend–slightly ironic, considering.

She didn't flinch. Instead, she sunk into him, eyes locked on her own in the bathroom mirror as her lip trembled, eyes burning with unshed tears. "They aren't going to want me back. I knew that, when I left, I-" Words left her, briefly, before she could manage to speak again. "I'm not the daughter, or the sister they knew. Whatever I am, is born of necessity and survival. What am I going to do if they don't want me?"

The answer was there, holding her in his arms. Her new family. Her old one had been lost, but this new one knew her, as she was now and nothing else. They welcomed her with open arms, celebrated her engagement to Rhydar, treated her like her scars were just that. Scars and nothing more. But even if she knew they would be there, part of her still hoped that her sisters, her mother, that they would welcome her the same her new family had. Hope was dangerous, but sweet.

Rhydar kissed the back of her neck again, sweet but soft, even if the chill of the metal from his lip ring nipped at her skin. The arms around her tightened only slightly, but more to keep her standing upright than to crush her into his chest. Watching Lily grow ever since he's known her was like watching magic flourish over a shriveling forest, bringing blooming flowers and lush leaves to an otherwise shy ecosystem. From not standing to be near him, or anyone, to coaxing hugs out of Cinthia and exchanging more hugs with his other siblings and her friends. The thieving prince was so proud of his precious flower.

"They're your family," he murmured, slowly running circles over her side with his thumb, "From everything you've told me of them, they'll just be happy that you're safe and back with them. They'd understand." Understand what she went through. Understand why she was the way she was now. Understand that there were still nightmares that haunted her mind, ones that even Rhydar couldn't soothe. Understand that, while their sister and daughter was back, the one that they knew was gone, but that was alright.

He met her eyes in the mirror, emerald green meeting a beautiful kaleidoscope mix of colors. He moved just enough to kiss her cheek, then let his chin settle on her shoulder. "No matter what, they'll always love you if they're a good family, and I'm pretty sure they are if you grew up with them." Rhydar offered a soft smile, still looking at her through the mirror and silently hoping that she wouldn't completely break down.

They'll understand.

There was something about Rhydar's surety in his assurances that always managed to reach inside the chaos of anxiety in her mind. Sometimes, he was the only one who could draw her out. When even she could do no more than wait out the storm. Lily found herself calming somewhat, sinking just a little bit further into Rhydar while making sure not to put too much weight onto him.

"You think so?" She whispered, taking solace in and comfort from the familiar sight of his emerald green eyes. A new favorite color of hers. "And you don't think that now is a bad time to announce our engagement? Should I have done that through the letters instead of waiting?" So many worries. Sometimes, Wolf joked that she would worry herself to death without the others there to keep her from doing so.

Another kiss to her cheek. Fingers hooked around a delicate wrist. "Lily darling, you're going to wear out those beautiful gears inside your head if you keep going," Rhydar lightly teased, knowing that her concerns were very much real and valid. "I know. If you want me to contact Wolf and have him cheat by looking into the future to prove it, just ask. A third kiss to her cheek and a soft lowering of his voice. "And if you're worried about announcing our engagement to them, then we can simply hold off on that until you think they're ready. I don't mind."

Rhydar had momentarily forgotten another way he could help calm his fiance from her racing worries. It's been so long since he's lost them, he constantly forgets that he even has them. But the thought struck him just them, a heavy blow to his mind—nearly as heavy as the limbs neatly tucked against his back and poking out just above his head in the mirror. So as a last-ditch move to ease the anxiety from Lily's mind, the dethroned prince wrapped his midnight black, reclaimed wings around her in a feathery hug. The golden accents, stark against the black, shimmered slightly in the light of the bathroom.

The wing-hug, along with his offer to cheat using Wolf, drew a small giggle from her. Lily loved his wings. It had been hell, knowing how broken and useless he felt without them, but she had done everything she could to help him find them. And in return, she got hugs like these when she herself felt useless.

"We don't need to bother Wolf. Whatever comes, I will live through it. I always do, and I know with you and Carsyn by my side, nothing could break me quite the way it used to." She spoke softly, though her voice had strengthened from the panicked tone earlier. Even if she was fighting to convince herself, a part of her knew it was true. After everything, every high and low, she could make it. "I think I'll wait to announce it, though. Until everything has settled. Should they welcome me openly, then it'll only be a matter of time."

After a little while, she shifted, knowing Rhydar would release her enough for her to straighten. She did so, turning to place a gentle kiss on his cheek. "We should go find Carsyn. It's about time to head out, don't you think? I'm sure the staff here has someone else waiting for a room." Lily grabbed his hand, guiding him out of the bathroom and into their room. "I'm sorry, for distracting you from getting ready."

That giggle single-handedly brightened his day tenfold. Rhydar grinned, so very happy that Lily's mood lifted enough to allow a laugh to be coaxed out. His Lily. Every day that passed he still couldn't believe that she had chose him, had said yes, had given him the wonderful privilage of letting him stay by her side and be happy with being hers. He stayed silent, though his attention never left the woman in his arms as she spoke. Rhydar didn't mind holding off on announcing their engagement to her family. They were engaged, and she was seeing her family after so many years—there wasn't anything he could be mad about.

As she shifted, he did indeed loosen his grasp so that she could have the room and movement to straighten and turn. His smile softened at that gentle kiss, as it always did whenever Lily kissed his cheek—or him, really. It always reminded him of the progess she's made since the first time he met her. He followed without complaint, his wings fluttering somewhat as he smiled in soft amusement at her apology. He hummed in acknowledgement of her suggestion, but focused on her apology instead.

He pulled her close to the bed, but stopped her before either one of them could sit down, and loosely looped his arms around Lily's waist. "It's fine, Lily darling." He smiled and kissed her forehead while they both got enveloped by a bubble of sifting and silky feathers. A kiss to her nose. "I love you."

Lily only tensed briefly, more to brace herself in case he had decided to pull them onto the bed, than anything. As soon as she was wrapped up in his arms, though, she melted into the hug, smiling softly. "I love you too," She whispered softly. Love. Just a year ago, it had seemed so foreign a thing. Something lacking both in her ability to give and to receive. She had been told so many times that, brothel worker or not, she was too unworthy of it, and her past just made it all the more unlikely to find her.

And then she had met Rhydar. From the very first day they met, something had changed. All that time ago, in the markets, he had sewn a seed of bravery in her heart, inspired her to consider the possibility of a life free of the Garden. And on the night of the ball, it had been seeing him that set everything in motion. Rhydar had been the reason. Without meeting him, without seeing him–and likely, one could include her meeting of Cinthia–she never would have freed herself. She would still be the girl draped in that sickening shade of red, blonde hair curled and sad eyes lined in enough liner she looked like a new person. A prisoner.

"Have I ever quite thanked you? For the kindness, when we were strangers, to your faith the night I first came to the palace?"

Rhydar would always know that there would be times when he, or anyone, did something that would make Lily tense or uncomfortable. Whenever those moments happened around him, because of him, he made extra sure to be careful and gentle with her afterwards, even if she was fine by then. His wings curved even more around her to keep the hug while he reached up to cradle her face in his hands, touch as soft as a feather as always, and rested his forehead against hers. All so slow and gentle, all full of happiness at those returned words he never thought he'd hear. I love you too. I love you too. I love you too.

His eyes sparkled at that, and a smile spread over his lips. "I think your 'yes' thanked me enough, Lily." When the two of them had first met, the thieving prince had been enamored by the stranger girl he ran across. Her unique multicolored eyes, her beautiful blonde hair, just the way she held herself practically took his breath away. And then again, when they formally met, he couldn't have asked for a better course of fate. It had led to this incredible moment right here, and the one before then when she had agreed to keep him by her side forever. She had said yes to the prince no one wanted, not in the way that she did.

Lily's hands flattened against Rhydar's chest, resting there to feel his heartbeat, though a small part of her wanted to play with the feathers of his wings. They were so soft, and in the evening as the two settled down for bed, Rhydar even seemed to enjoy her attention to them. Unfortunately, now was far from the time for that. They did have places to be. Sooner or later. Daisy had told her that her mother wanted to celebrate, big and loud and with decorations galore, but ocean bless her sister, who had managed to convince their mother to let things be semi normal.

Lily needed just a hint of that normal. It would make the emotional overload more bearable. She had told Daisy that if her mom decided to cook a larger-than-normal meal-and she would, Lily knew–to let her. Because this wasn't just about her either.

"Is a yes all it took?" She teased, gently bumping her nose against his, light eyes bright and happy. "Because I could give you a thousand of those. Regardless, I'll be thanking you until the end of my life. Considering you are the one who inspired me to make sure I got to live it, it's only fair. Now, how much are we betting that Carysn is currently trying to get the staff to let her help with chores and things?"

Rhydar laughed softly and bumped his nose against Lily's, copying her, then teasingly kissed her neck. He knew it always caught her off guard and got all of her attention—knew, and loved exploiting that to get a reaction out of her. Again, his touch moved from her face to her hands, an old habit keeping him from going for her waist and instead making him hook two fingers around her wrists. He's always done that, but only with her. The seemingly insignificant gesture felt special in that way, an impulse habit born from her presence.

"You know what kind of yes I'm talking about, darling," he murmured against her neck, then pecked her skin again before chuckling at her last question. "I'd bet my crown if I had it anymore. I swear, that girl never gives herself a break." Rhydar rolled his eyes, amused by Carsyn's dedication to her work but also admiring said dedication. He could never get up as early as her and be ready for work, or even going out specifically to find work he doesn't technically need to do.

Lily huffed out a small sound of surprise when his lips met her neck, still not quite able to hide her reaction. Even after all this time. And when his fingers found her wrists, she lifted her hands slightly to fully grasp his, holding onto him. He had been doing that since she had allowed him to touch her. And she still loved it, entirely.

"She's going to have to, if she's staying with my family." She said, snorting softly. "My mother will refuse as much help as possible. So unless Carsyn is suddenly a master manipulator…she'll get to sit down and relax. Well, for the most part. We do have my sisters to consider, and the ocean knows full well they'll instantly adopt her and spend half the time we are there dragging her to and fro." Lily had no doubt that Carsyn would be welcomed with open arms. She was too sweet and kind not to be, and her familiarity with the songbooks–thanks to Lily's storm-distraction lullabies–would make things even better. It didn't matter that she couldn't sing them. Her family would take that as an excuse to show her the Song family Book of Songs–irony noted–in it's entirety.

As he listened to Lily with his full attention on her, Rhydar drifted to her jaw and dotted another kiss there while lacing his fingers through hers. It could be a hundred years after marriage and he'd still feel like it's the first day Lily accepted him and took him by her side as hers. Still feel like the day of their first kiss, when he had felt so, so lucky to have the privilege of seeing her open up enough. Every kiss and touch, he'd cherish until the end of time.

A soft and quick laugh escaped him, and Rhydar lifted his head once more to get lost in Lily's multicolored eyes. "Carsyn is many things, but a manipulator she is not. Though, I could see some people being swayed simply by looking at her if she makes that one face." He was sure they both knew what he was talking about—Rhydar had fallen victim to that very face multiple times, and he never regretted it. "Do you think you could go check on her? I would, but it's probably in everyone's best interest if I didn't." He arched a brow and smiled softly, emerald eyes sparkling with humor.

"You never know, the quiet ones have the most surprises. And Carsyn is both quiet and full of surprises." Lily said, smiling fondly at the thought of her friend. Really, her time at the palace had birthed relationships that renewed all that lost hope, all that old, old child-like sense of wonder and love for the world. Rhydar had given her back animals, so hard to come by in the city but so wonderous. Cin had returned books to her, Wolf an easy trust in men, Kora a reminder of the ocean that had so many ties to her heritage. And Carsyn had become, unknowingly, a sister she had needed.

Squeezing his hand, Lily pressed a kiss to Rhydar's cheek. "Somebody probably should. You're right, with that face, I might have to go save the poor staff from her puppy-eyes. If we leave her alone too long, she'll have taken on every job here." She huffed a small laugh, shaking her head. "You would have to let me go, first. I don't think I can do too much trapped in your arms. And I still need to put on a shirt that isn't yours, too."

Rhydar chuckled and kissed Lily's cheek in return, lightly poking her wrist before reluctantly pulling way with an exaggerated sigh. "I suppose I'll have to let you go. It saddens me, but I can't keep you as my prisoner for long." He grinned like a dork down at his fiancé, then dipped his head down for one last kiss to her soft lips. "I love you."

In another room, Carsyn, contrary to her friends' guesses, fluttered around her room and kept herself as busy as possible while she waited for the couple to finish getting ready. She couldn't help herself after years of service, and it ashamed her due to feeling like she could be seen as being impatient with the two lovebirds—she certainly was not impatient with them, they were quite adorable. She unmade, then remade her bed, unfolded then folded her clothes, then packed them into her bags and forced herself to put them off to the side to leave them alone. The mute girl sighed to herself and resorted to pacing back and forth, chewing on her thumbnail to keep herself busy.

Lily met him halfway, smiling into the kiss she pressed to his lips. As she moved away, she grabbed her clothes off of the bed, waggling her fingers in a wave as she knocked on the door to the adjoining room. "Carsyn! Are you in there, mèimei? I could use some help lacing the back of my shirt while Rhydar changes. And I have a gift for you!" She bounced slightly on the balls of her feet, the excitement in her voice a soft, open sort, that spoke to her being fully accepting of being turned down. Though, she was fairly certain that Carsyn would let her in without much thought, if she were there. Unless Carsyn was half naked, there wasn't much that would keep her from doing so. That was one thing Lily loved about what they had built. An openness, a trust with each other. They held each other's secrets like treasure, held trust and love the same way. Sisters. Gods, she's so much like a sister.

Rhydar chuckled as Lily met him halfway, and his amusement only brightened as she offered a small—and quite cute—wave while she moved to the adjoining room. He retreated into the connected bathroom to finish his morning routine and give Carsyn and Lily some privacy with just the two of them.

At the sound of that familiar and warm voice outside of her door, Carsyn perked up, mood instantly brightened. She didn't even register the gift part, only that Lily was there and asking for her. Lily, her best friend that had become a sister she never had. Oh, how she adored the sweet girl. She flitted over to the door, unlocked it, and swung it open with a bright smile, revealing her sundress-clad and shoeless self to the other woman. At the sight of Lily, both looking and sounding excited, Carsyn couldn't help but also let that bit of excitement seep into her as she slipped her fingers around Lily's wrist and lightly tugged, inviting her in before letting go. As per usual, her soft touch was a fleeting, fluttering sort. Like a butterfly's kiss, it never lasted long or gave the intention of harm.

Lily happily followed Carsyn into the room, shutting the door behind her. Still carrying that same smile, she motioned to the clothing in her hands. "Mind if I change real quick? How's your packing going?" Carsyn's response was predicted before it had even been given, and Lily moved into the bathroom, keeping the door open but offering herself just a smidge of privacy that wasn't needed, nor even actual privacy. She kept her eyes in Carsyn's direction to catch her gestures, setting the small bundle with the girl's gift in it on the counter to give her. "Are you excited to head out? I know new people are daunting–trust me, they're my family and I'm nervous–, but they're going to love you. And you're going to love the animals. One of Daisy's letters mentioned ducks!"