CW:
Uncomfortable family reunions
BIG chappy
Deadnaming of a past character (not Ina)
In the final hours of our journey, I’d decided to sit with Kque and Jevita in the back area of the carriage. This way I could see the entirety of the landscape of the lake as we rode up the winding paths of the mountain at the center. The sight was mesmerizing, and from this vantage we got to enjoy a wonderful view of the gemstone tundra.
We didn’t talk much, just cuddled and snuggled, both for the warmth and for the comfort in it. The past few days… they’d honestly been such a stressful time for all of us. And I’d… I actually kinda wanted to take some time after my Hetaera work was over with each of my lovers.
Privately if they preferred, or all together if they wanted. I’d avoided drinking too much of their Amwella for so long that I just… UGH I loved them and it felt horrible to need to go to others so often! I want to spoil my lovers with the world they've gifted to me!
Then we’re passing though some giant twisting stone arches, and I find myself floored again by the… just… fucking overwhelming nature of this place!
Academy is such a poor word for this place. It’s… it's a wonderland of tall twisting towers of stone and gemstones and plants infested with every color you could imagine! It’s also absolutely packed with people! Many like Delphian with a variety of skin, and hair colors! Some even have horns or other wondrous additional alterations! They’re mostly women, but I…
Oh…
Plenty of Monsters and Parasites move about the winding streets as our carriage pulls us along. That almost ruins it as the Weaver’s command pokes at my mind. But I choose to ignore them. Find myself awestruck by the sheer size of the city as we continue to climb the final paths to the very top.
Apparently the Academy of Erudition is basically just… like… a big fucking city. Study and trade here is very entwined. Research is done, sure, but The Art of Cultivation is the heart of Arudian wealth. The Doyens are a small council of women that run things here, but… at least from what Jevita told me, they're kinda a set of… well regulators that keep everything running smoothly so the five families can make as much profit as possible.
Research is often approved and funded based not on how useful it might be to Arudia at large, but how it will affect coin flow. This doesn’t stop private endeavors, but the costs could be extraordinary without the discounts and connections approvals got you.
That did stunt some enthusiasm I had, but she also said that despite that, this was still the heart of magical study. Even without direct permissions almost every oddity and art even partially related to magic was studied here, including Lyttoral Alchemy when they could get their hands on sealed and pure water from the Dune Wall.
“Yrelia, dear, please don’t make me force this issue.” Lady Ophrit huffs at my lover as we stand outside the tavern they’ll be staying in. “Your protégé has already refused too much of our care, at least let us ensure your stay here is–”
I reach out and lay a hand on the Lady’s arm. “We already discussed this, my lovers have other business they’d like to conduct while here. Business they cannot conduct from either of your homes.”
She purses her lips, then Delphian interjects. “They let us pay for their rooms, beloved. And Ina and I have so much work that hasn’t even started!”
Lady Ophrit looks like she’s going to argue more, but then huffs with a smile and moves toward the carriage and Delphian. “Fine! Say your goodbyes and we’ll be off.”
Then, with big hugs and long kisses with each of my lovers, and dropping off Lady Ophrit at her own family home, we leave to stop to visit the Matron of the house of Rell.
** ** **
Oh… OH fuck! It’s even bigger than their other homes!!! Like… easily twice the size of Zin’s. But more than that, I catch my first glimpse of the Academy itself a few block away.
Unlike the rest of the city, the spiraling towers are not jutting out from the top of the mountain, but its side. Like… like it’s some great bird perched on a branch, about to drop off and into a dive. And sitting about it are the other five largest homes in the city. All owned and lived in by the five families of old Arudia.
I can’t help but freeze and stare in awe.
“Okay, so…” Delphian says, obvious nervousness dripping from her voice as she steps up next to me. “As you’ve insisted, if anyone asks, you are who?”
I reach up to touch my freshly pierced ears, and the heavy rings The ladies had procured at our insistence. “Hetaera Inamatorii, here as your companion with hopes to study and enter into the Academy as a student.”
She nods. “As long as no money exchanges hands in certain ways we should be fine, even if someone discovers that you're still in training. The guild might get hussy but won’t be able to point to anything other than you wearing fake rings and lying. Neither of which can get you blacklisted.”
I can’t help a smirk. This was Lady Ophrit’s idea. She didn’t know of mine and Yrelia’s falsehoods. But, this was the easiest way to explain why Delphian wanted to keep me close. It might be a bit… crude to bring a Hetaera with you into the halls of the Academy. But apparently the Doyans did that and worse.
Also, apparently their earliest times together were enamored in the closed off and shy Delphian being smitten and swept up by her eventual bound beloved’s… eh… well charms and insistence in pulling the cute bookish younger woman into all kinds of crazy nighttime things.
My being on her arm, even in her studies, will be waived off as Lady Ophrit pushing her to mix pleasure with work.
“I still don’t understand why you want to keep your true nature hidden,” Delphian sighs. “Zin is… well he’s right that you’ll be safe here. More than safe if you–”
This had been their only real resistance to our plan. When we’d shown up rearing and ready to go to the Academy as soon as possible, they’d simply assumed I meant to announce myself. And when I told them I still intended to keep myself hidden, and very permanently if possible, Delphian had gotten quite… annoyed.
I sigh. “I’d appreciate it if we can avoid this discussion again.”
Why waste a trip now, so soon and when the place will be swarming for the upcoming celebrations!?! We should have just waited! But since we’re half-way there why not just… enjoy the ease and attention it will bring? The more people see and are aware of you the safer you will be! And our allies will swarm to your side when you speak your mind on the nature of the ancient treaties and your intentions to alter them! A Sun Spoken standing up and changing these things will do wonders to ensure immediate and smooth changes!
And on and on and on... It got exhausting very quickly. Especially since the true reason for our secrecy currently hung around my neck and haunted the edges of my dreams. The Weaver is a horrible cunt who’d rather me murder every monster and parasite in your academy than help them. And while we worked to find the magic needed to do this, my lovers would seek a permanent solution to our problem.
She sighs, glares at the house. “I… apologize.”
That… ugh, it's not her fault.
“No, your… your arguments are sound.” I touch her shoulder. “I just… I’m not as… as comfortable with attention as your Beloved. I’d rather be in and out with as little fuss as possible.”
“Weirdly enough, L– I mean Hetaera Inamatorii, That’s what got me the most worried over this.”
“Um… huh? I’m not sure I follow?”
She gestures at the mansion. “Your presence, as our Hetaera will… well it will deflect all that attention onto myself.”
“Oh…” I move to step in front of her. “But… How? Exactly?”
She huffs, opens her mouth to comment, but is interrupted by a scream from the side of the house.
We both jerk back, and get to watch as a young girl, about twelve or thirteen if I had to guess, is chased by a Quelekita.
One only about… a third of her height.
I almost melt at the sight. Then the girl slips on the snow and flails face-first into a large mound of the fluff. A second later the baby Quelekita hoots and toots and leaps to follow her into the pile of white wonder.
All thoughts of the previous conversation are lost as the giggling child rolls out, little bird friend nipping at her hair and clothes excitedly, and spots us.
“Auntie Dely!!!” She shouts, picks up her friend to cradle them, and runs toward us.
She almost slips a few times, but soon is barreling into Delphian.
“Big Child!” She replies in Arudian coos. “You’ve grown again, you weren't supposed to do that! And who is this?”
The girl pulls away and presents the little Quelekita with such a smile of pride. “This is Rikita!!!”
If it wasn’t for the cane in my right hand, I don’t think I could have resisted the urge to reach out and give her little friend some scrutches! The baby trills very loudly, struggling to escape the cuddles by nipping at the girl's nose. She giggles and lets them drop free, then begins to chase. Her auntie totally forgot.
“Oh, Moon and Stars.” Delphian sighs, a mix of anxiety… but also love as she watches the child run off. “The little ones are one of the only reasons I even consider coming here.”
“Oh?”
I… I mean the girl and her Quelekita are adorable, but…
“The Rell family is… complicated. So much division of ideas and goals and… and I’m almost certain even that Quelekita is going to be some kind of statement or slight directed at someone.”
“Ah.” I shuffle. “Is… is that why Lady Ophrit decided to visit a friend before coming to find us later?”
She winces. “My grandmama… She… She expects a lot from me, and… well, let’s just say I disappointed her with my choices.”
I slide my arm through her’s. “I’m sorry. I… I know that feeling. My own mother would probably say the same thing about me.”
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
She glances over at me, a question on her expression, but politeness leaves it silent.
I smile, “I’d always rather be a disappointment to her than change who I am. I was so miserable when I tried to live that life.”
She touches my hand then, and I can feel her Amwella swell, just a little. A not entirely happy smirk curling up to cover the pain. “I… feel the same. And… Ina, I don’t–”
But we’re interrupted again as the front doors to the manor opens, and an older woman stands to watch us. Clothes are a regal mix of gemstone embellishments over a blouse and slacks of midnight hues. Her skin is oddly a very pale hue, almost a cool forest green in its tinting. Eyes a deep deep blue, with short dark hair cropped cleanly.
“Eh, We should probably stop stalling.” Delphian murmurs.
“Is… Is that–” I begin to ask, a little intimidated by the grim stare she’s leveling at us.
“Hm? Oh no, that's just the first servant. Elpherin.” But Delphian still stiffens as she begins to lead us forward.
“Hello Lady Elpherin.” Delphian greets as we reach the door.
“You weren’t expected.” The older woman says, stepping aside and motioning us to enter. Not… not rudely, but… not kindly either. “And I don’t recognize your companion.”
“Manners, please!” Delphian huffs as we enter. “This is Hetaera Inamatorii, a treasured friend. Ina, this is Lady Elpherin.”
The entry hall of the manor is bigger than most inns, including their stables. Large stairs twist and wind up into what must be a massive back area, and even without turning my head I can see a large dining room to my right and… a… well just a big gorgeous domed room to our left.
“Ah, And where is your Bound Beloved?”
“Lady Ophrit is busy.” Delphian’s voice is growing more agitated. “Is Grandmama available?”
Elpherin shuts the door, moves to take our coats. “You gave no notice of your arrival. It is the eve of celebration. To assume she would just… drop everything and–”
“First servant.” Lady Delphian finally snaps, pulls her shoulder to the side to avoid the older woman’s touch. “Please signal to the Matron of the house of Rell that her Granddaughter, Delphian Rell, would love to speak with her if she can spare me the time. And be sure to give her my sincerest fucking apologies that I didn't think to send a message ahead.”
I flinch at her fire, can’t help but place a placating gesture on her hand to try and calm her.
Elpherin doesn’t even twitch back, only… moves past us. Nods. “Of course. I trust you can find comfortable accommodations while I relay your message?”
Delphian snorts, annoyed. “All too well. But we’ll wait here. Be quick please. We don’t wish to waste any of Her time.”
The older woman nods, not even a hint of anger or annoyance or… anything. I’m honestly kinda shocked by the lack of emotion. Then she turns and takes the stairs to venture deeper into the house.
Delphian glares after her.
“Hey,” I whisper. “Are… are you okay?”
“No, Ina. No, I am not.”
I shuffle, adjust my cane and pat her hand again. “She um… Well Yrelia would call her quite the fucking cunt?”
She lets out a huff of air, snorts a laugh. “Yes, she… She and my grandmama are very close. She… she’s known as her closest friend, if my grandmother is capable of having those, and… and more.”
“Oh… OH!” I almost whisper. “So… kinda…”
“Yes, basically my second grandmama in many ways. We’ve… we’ve not been on good terms for a long while. She's very loyal and protective of her house, even if she doesn’t bear the name. Has seen me as a constant disappointment since I was very little.”
“Fuck.” I whisper.
“Yes.”
“Was… Was this why you wanted me to just… announce myself?”
“I… Ina that’s…” She winces, careful to keep her eyes ahead. “Um… Yes. Yes it very much was.”
“I’m not angry, if… if anything I’m relieved!” I let out a real breath of relief at the admission. “I was worried you just realized how fucking stu… I mean how my plans are not very intelligent.”
“Ina you’re not–” She tries to counter my self-deprecation. But… I can see the worry in her at my understanding.
“You were hoping to impress them.” I smile at her. “It’s honestly very flattering that you thought I would be enough for something like that.”
She’s a bit flustered now, caught between worry and annoyance and stress and… and I just want to… to… help this cute lady! I think she might be putting herself in way more uncomfortable situations than I realized to accommodate my lies.
“Delphian, you are so much more impressive than I’ll probably ever be.” I motion to one of her horns, which Lady Ophrit swooned endlessly about how she grew them herself. “Your Beloved Bound couldn’t help but mention you anytime she got the chance during our… um… earlier encounters. Preening about how you’ve basically mastered multiple Cultivation Fractals and are pursuing research all on your own. Talked endlessly about your passion and intelligence.”
This is all mostly true, but I can’t help but embellish a little. She deserves it, and her family sure as fuck isn’t doing their job in supporting and praising her it seems! Zin is horrible, and as far as what’s been mentioned no one else from the House of Rell even visits them.
She blushes then, and it’s such a wondrous shade of deep purples on her skin that make her green sparkles glimmer. “Ina… You… you flatter me but–”
Her Amwella swells, and I can’t stop. “Lady Delphian, if your grandmama doesn’t treasure who you choose to be, then she is unworthy of you.”
A tear bubbles and falls down one cheek. That… oh I think I went too far there. Fuck.
She turns then, and stares over at me with those enchanting green eyes. I look forward, noticing the sounds of steps approaching from where the older woman disappeared. A few seconds pass, then Elpherin appears just as Delphian is wiping furiously at her eyes.
“Lady Delphian, Hetaera Inamatorii.” She announces, but doesn’t descend the stairs. “Our Matron has made time for you.”
Delphian straightens, seems… bigger. More confident. Amwella surges with new energy and fire. And… and I can’t help but smile at this cute woman as she leads us up toward a family that doesn’t deserve her.
** ** **
Oh… oh… When I was told we were meeting the Matron of House Rell, a woman of over two centuries of life and grandmother to the young woman I’m currently clinging to, I was expecting someone… someone closer to my Sangoma. Old but with a refined beauty that it seems she must battle for every day. Not… no not ugly, just… worn and weathered by the stress of managing one of the most powerful houses and families in Arudia for such a long time.
The Matron Veletross Rell, as Elpherin announced her as when we entered this private study, is none of those things.
Skin a deep charcoal that glimmers with midnight hues, hair a bundle with multiple little horns that seem suspiciously similar to Delphian’s, and her eyes… they… as they flit up to regard us then seem to glow with a dozen shifting shades before settling on a deep maroon with hints of crimson. This is only all exaggerated by a body of soft but very noticeable curves wrapped in a gown of glimmering silk.
She… she looks younger than either of us! Not but by a few years but… Just over two decades old! Delphian mentioned her grandmama was… like… hundreds of years old! How… What sort of magic has she employed to…
“My Delphian,” She purrs, voice a… a smooth Icey thing that sends tickling brumbles down my spine. “It’s so good of you to join our house for this year's festival. It’s been so long.”
Delphian moves us forward, but not close enough to sit in the two chairs that sit across from a large desk that separates us from the Matron.
“Matron Veletross,” Delphian replies stiffly, giving a small bow. “I apologize for my absence. Time has gotten away from me.”
The Matron rises, moves around her desk. “Please dear, such close family need not stand on ceremony and tradition.” Her words drip with… with such coolness and venom.
All of it horrible and cruel and… and almost mocking! So much so that I’m pretty sure she’s hissing the exact opposite of her words!
“I’d… prefer to remain polite. At all times, especially to the highest in our house.” Delphian replies. “You’ve certainly earned it.”
M… more!?! But now from… from Delphian? Much more stiff and direct, but the same ‘I’m saying the exact opposite of what I’m actually feeling’.
What the fuck!?!
The Matron smiles, all venom and predatory and… something else. “If you insist. Now…” Her eyes dance over me, flakes of purple glimmer within the two pools of red. “I doubt the Lady Ophrit has suddenly grown so young and vibrant in her later years. Who might this be?”
Delphian does a wonderful job hiding her anger at the Matron’s poke at her Beloved Bound, but I can feel her fingers tighten. I can barely stop a shudder as those eyes seem to carve through and up. Am sure I feel such… disdain as they touch on my weird bone leg and cane.
“I am Hetaera Inamatorii,” I mimic Delphian’s bow, “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
The Matron does frown then, removing a few pieces of the sweet sprinkles she’d laced her contempt with. “A Hetaera… What a surprise. A friend of Ophrit’s then?”
“Here at my request, actually.” My companion says. “An intelligent woman whom I’d love to introduce to the Academy, and the possibility of study there.”
“Truly?” The Matron raises her eyebrows lazily. “I assume you’d prefer the House of Rell to sponsor her?”
This… well I’d not expected this to be the step that causes us to stumble. Delphian hadn’t… well she mentioned that obtaining this would be an in-and-out affair. A brief bump in with family, awkward but… tolerable.
“I would.” Delphian fights so hard to keep eye contact with her grandmother.
The older woman steps forward and just… stops in front of her granddaughter. Delphian releases my hand then, all but pushes me to stand back as if some great contest will suddenly break out between them.
“How’s your cousin fairing?” She purrs through a cruel smirk. “Is Uqueta well?”
It takes me a moment to understand why Delphian’s eyes boil with a conflicted rage at the name. She’s talking about Zin… is… is using the old dead name. Even… even with Her commands about Monsters and Parasites I can’t help but bristle at her words.
“He is.” Delphian forces out, “Still a blundering fool, but… Zin is well enough. He almost came here himself.”
The Matron pauses, tilts her head slightly in… curiosity when Delphian calls him a fool. “Really? Oh how I would have loved to see my grandchild in all their splendor.”
It’s Delphian’s turn to smile, a… well it's not cruel but… almost confident. “Wonderful to hear that you miss them! I’ve heard such ugly rumors regarding your relationship.”
The matron rolls her eyes, the first obvious show of her real emotions since I met her. “Oh yes, I would be positively overwhelmed with glee to see my infertile grandson. Yes. What a boon they’ve been to our house.”
Then she turns, and walks back to her desk, turns and gives Delphian another studying look as she leans against it. The perfect visage of a bored jungle Cretilla.
“So, you wish for your young, probably physically inclined Hetaera, to have a run through our Academy’s treasured library is it?” She sighs, “Truly? This is why you return to us after half a decade?”
“It is.”
She gives nothing more. Just… waits impatiently while the older woman ponders over the request. Eyes still shifting through a few colors.
“The why is… probably of little concern. A passing fancy of your obviously absent Bound Beloved.” She waves her hand. “So, What do you expect me to ask of you?”
A pause, then Delphian only supplies. “I’ll not bore you with a granddaughter’s ignorance of our house's needs, Nor waste your time with them.”
The Matron smiles darkly, “But to hear the thoughts of my children's child is such a wondrous thing. I’d adore seeing how much of your shining intellect has thrived amidst your… current engagements.”
Delphian sighs, “I would hope for something of equal worth, but I know better.”
“Hm…” Her grandmother purrs, “Come now, you were always my most cunning when you simply tried. Entertain me with a few offers! Indulge an old woman. Who knows, maybe you’ll get lucky!”
Delphian finally turns her head away at that. “I’ve… Grandmama I’ve been away for too long, and I really have no idea what you could–”
Matron Veletross stands again, walks over, and reaches out to gently pull Delphian’s face back to meet her gaze. Voice goes a little softer. “I agree, it has been too long. You really should visit more.”
“I… I’ve had good fortune in my research.” The younger woman’s hand twitches at the touch, a barely restrained urge to push the hand away seems to roll through her. “You're… well as my Matron I’d love to gift you my findings and–”
The older woman pouts, “Boring dear, very boring. You're brightest when you shine outside of some cramped research lab or study.”
Delphian does push her hand away then, gentle, but firm. “So my Beloved keeps telling me, but my spirit craves the light of discovery.”
Veletross sighs, “Such a waste, but… we all have our vices…”
“Just… please. Don’t play this game with me.” Delphian flinches at the words, seems to… to brace for–
The Matron smirks. “Fine then, I’ll be direct with my desires. I want you at my side during the festivities. Attend our family's events and spend a few nights here.”
“And?”
“And what? My little Phaefoxun, can I not simply ask to spend some time with you?”
Delphian flinches at the pet name, but nods. “Fine. I accept your terms.”
The Matron giggles, such an odd sound from one so old wrapped in the skin of youth. “Terms? Dear, this is a simple exchange of gifts between family.”
Something… something makes me step back up and reclaim Delphian’s arm. A sense of brittleness touches her face. Her Amwella flickers… almost… almost in thanks.
“We’d like to get into the Academy before nighttime,” She reaches over to pat my hand absently. “So… I’d ask that we gain our Writ before leaving here.”
“Of course, but I’d like you to return after you settle your… Companion.” Eyes only just seem to remember that I am here. “I must say she seems a little young for your tastes. I thought you preferred your lovers a touch more… developed.”
“We haven’t–” Delphian starts, then has to take a deep breath and begin anew. “She really is simply a dear friend. Her training was… well…”
“Song, Art, and only just good enough for my Pleasure Ring.” I fill in for her, try to use a soft smile to smooth this venomous entangling of past grievances and current slights.
“Really?” The matron purrs, and… I really don’t think I like the way she’s looking at me. “Then we should have you join us tonight. Sing us a song or three.”
Delphian stiffens, a warning nearly screaming from her.
I… pause. “That’s… that’s wonderful of you to ask. And it would be an honor to entertain a Matron of Arudia. But… I’m still very new and barely worthy of–”
“Nonsense!” Her eyes bore into me. “I would delight in the gift of your talents. Find out what my Phaefoxun sees in you.”
Delphian almost… almost seems to shake in some anger and… and deeper things. “Please, Grandmama. Don’t… don’t involve her in this.”
“She’s already involved!” The Matron laughs, “And I’ve set my desires to this. Bring her. I would hate to discover after her enrollment that she was a talentless fool.”
She moves around the table then, pulls out a piece of paper, and begins to pen out the writ we seek. Delphian goes slowly pale and cold as the scratches of the pen strokes bathe the room in uncomfortable sounds.