Private Tales Family Therapy

[Eilerias]

It was only a week after the reunion, but the Raven Club was still seeing the effects of the events which took place within her. Shards of glass and broken wood from tables and chairs were scattered about, left in place. With Isak leaving for some business with Ogden and Lidia immediately after the reunion, there was no time to replace what was lost.

Eilerias spent much of the morning cleaning up the glass and blood, however she left much of the furniture swept to the side. That was a problem for someone with more muscle to deal with on any other day. She had bigger problems on her plate- she had invited both Gwendolyn and Charity to come and spend some time with her. Neither knew the other was invited, and Eilerias hoped to keep it that way until they arrived as they had some issues that had to be dealt with urgently. She knew Gwen was not exactly happy with what Eilerias had done to herself and lied about, but she didn't know exactly what happened between Gwen and Charity. She only knew they weren't exactly speaking to one another. Not kindly, at least.


It still looked like complete shit, but she was trying her best.

After setting up a table near the fireplace she quickly went upstairs and threw on a loose, pale blue dress. She stared at herself in the mirror briefly, noticing she had started to look a little thinner from her morning sickness and she had dark circles from being unable to sleep. Thankfully, she had been feeling a little better today due to Urchin's tea he brought by regularly. Good enough to last through some tea and snacks with her (now) sister and mother.

She made her way back downstairs, bringing out cups for tea and some finger foods before taking out a mug in case Charity wasn't a tea drinker. She knew Gwendolyn was, but she had never seen Charity consume anything non-alcoholic since meeting as far as she knew. Better to be prepared in any case!

She watched as the time for the party got closer and put the kettle on the fire to boil before sitting down at the table, waiting eagerly to see who would arrive first.

Charity Briarthorne | Gwendolyn Vollmund

 

[Gwendolyn Vollmund]

Gwen woke up stuck to the ceiling....No wait.. She further woke to find she had simply fallen upside down in her sleep. Her body half hanging off the bed. Her years of combat training and reflexes honed to a razor edge began to engage halted by a throbbing pain in her side.

Thus, they could not save her from the fall that followed. Cleo ducked in to find her boss in a sprawled heap mere inches from the bed. “Ah..Your awake I see..” Cleo commented dryly raising an eyebrow a Gwen quickly righted herself.

“It’s the wound..” The information broker grumbled defensively.

“A wound you should let Elirias look at while your there. It-“ “Would be foolish to let your stubbornness be your downfall. They miss you. Let them help you. Please..” Gwen finished for her with a roll of her eyes at the display of demon indigence that followed.

“I wasn’t completely comatose the first 2 times you said it. I’m going aren’t I. Leave me be.” Gwen snipped a bit harsher than she meant.

The demon frowned but as usual her eyes showed nothing as she simply bowed and left to continue cleaning. The broker groaned as she finally rose.

After a quick shower she dried off.

A door revealed itself and held in its depths her closet. The door sliding shut behind her as she entered.

The elf emerged a few minutes later dressed. Her tattoos covered by their usual cloth wraps and her new necessary bandages covered by a casual dress a woman of her stature would think appropriate for such an outing.

A simple dress with slender straps running over her shoulders.

With a snap of her fingers a pair of black shoes formed around her feet and another snap seemed to add a iridescent sheen to her dress leaving it shimmering like a white pearl.

A slender sliver chain clasped a small soft blue gently glowing crystal. Her grey eyes looked hazier than usual but there was little she could do about that. A final snap fixed her hair with a quick swoosh.

Leaving it a cascading waterfall of silvery blonde locks. She seemed to glide through the next room leaving the archives.

She stopped at the entrance.

“Cleo..” She said turning as a rush of wind came from the back of the massive under ground crypt. The demon rushed from the darkness coming to a direct halt infront of the woman.

“Yes ma’am?” She asked folding her hands in front of her attentively. “Get a shower. You smell like you slept in a pile of corpses last night..” Gwen said dryly. The demons shoulders falling crestfallen. “Then take a personal day. Relax.” She said.

“Wait!? Really!” The demons frown switched to her usual some what cold smile. “ Than-.” before Gwen left shutting the door in her face.

Gwen walked the streets with a calm grace that seemed to cause more than a few to stop and stare. She didn’t mind. Most people around this area knew her by first name. Every web of information had its center.

And one didn’t get good information about what’s happening closetest to them by being a rude neighbor. Many simply had never seen her out so early without an escort and entourage of seedy businessmen and merchants she kept in line and protected them from.

Some waved and greeted her as she neared the club. Gwen returned with a gentle smile and wave. She paused before she entered.

It had been a few days but was she ready to see Elirias again..Even after forgiving her Gwen still had not seen her or made an effort to.

Charity as well.

The reclusive woman simply didn’t know how to even begin to build things back.

She crushed opposition in her life with logic and information. Neither very useful in this trial of the heart she found herself mired in currently..

”Oh well..One at a time I suppose..” Gwen muttered softly.

Entering to find the club being in a state of repair even now..Gwen felt a sprang of guilt. She should be helping. Had she stepped in this place would have been back to its former glory in 2 days...

Gwen glanced about.

seeing Elirias at a table by the fireplace. The tea smelled amazing wafting from the kettle and the white haired woman looked truly gorgeous in her blue dress finger foods littered the table as Gwendolyn slowly walked to her seat before sitting elegantly.

“Hello daughter..” She said some what awkwardly. “I see the repairs are coming along..” She finished lamely. It was truly painful to witness. Why had she listened to Cleo about going..

She could be home right now angry and depressed. Why did a woman of her status and position need to be subjugated to such tortures as working out problems in relationships..

It was humiliating.

Both in the position it placed her in and her in sheer inability to properly handle it. People begged her for their lives, talked about her in hushed tones, and yet here she sat unable to make conversation with her own newly adopted daughter.

Pitiful.

 

[Eilerias]

As the minutes ticked by, her eagerness turned to nervousness. She was unsure of what to expect when two people with very strong opinions were upset with one another. Should she expect more furniture to clean up or would they be civil? She wasn't sure nor was she really prepared for anything.

Lost in her own uncharacteristically gloomy mood, she didn't hear Gwen when she entered and was only alerted to her presence when she sat down beside her.

"Oh, hello!" She chimed, putting on a smile that didn't quite match how she felt. "Oh yes, I'm trying my best to get things cleaned up on my own. I can't get all the broken tables and chairs out on my own, but it's a lot better than it was. Isak had business somewhere else and he took Lidia and Ogden." She sighed. "Its been quite lonely here, but I was deemed 'too sick to travel' so they left me by myself for a week or so." She rolled her eyes, making air quotes as she chuckled.

"How have you been?" Her face showed her concern now as she thought of the incident at the reunion. Unfortunately she missed any mention of Gwen being injured or even attacked while she was 'resting'. "I do hope you've been alright. What have you been up to for the past week?" She tried to make small talk as the kettle started whistling.

She stood from her chair, heading over to the kettle as an awkward silence took over. She couldn't explain it, she didn't know how. She still wanted to apologize for everything she had done, though Gwen said she forgave her. She couldn't see how, though, and she felt guilty all the time.

 

[Charity Briarthorne]

The morning sun shone brightly through the window as Charity slowly opened her eyes. She sat up and slowly stretched looking around the large room. Charity had no clue what time it was but Urchin was already gone, so it couldn't have been that early.

Charity grumbled tiredly as she got out of bed and stomped over to the bath. She lazily washed herself and sat in the water until it got too cold. Drying off she walked over to her dresser. Charity spent a few moments rummaging through the drawers before giving up. She took her time as she put on a soft oversized grey sweater, white knee high socks, and a pair of black shorts. A pair of black boots were added before exiting the room.

She pushed her way through the crowded streets and entered the Raven Club. Upon seeing the messy state the club was still in, a small smile formed on Charity's lips. She giggled to herself remembering the chaos of that night. For better or worse, something had changed in her during the reunion. Still, she felt a touch guilty for not helping clean up, knowing that Eilerias was there all alone.

"Hiya Angel!" Charity called over the sound of the whistling kettle as she approached the table. She walked past Gwendolyn as if she weren't even there.

Damn it Eile... Charity thought with mild annoyance. Leave it to her to set something like this up. Cleo had barred her from the archives and told her Gwen wanted nothing more to do with her. That was fine with Charity. If that was how Gwen was going to act after one silly argument, Charity didn't want anything to do with her either.

"How're ya doin' sis? Been feeling okay?" Charity asked wrapping her arms around her sister's waist and kissing the top of her head. After a short chat with Eilerias, Charity sat at the table.

She noticed how the other two women were dressed and looked down at her own clothes feeling like she was underdressed for the occasion. They both looked beautiful in their dresses which made her a bit jealous. Maybe Eilerias could give her some pointers on how to dress less like a man. But that was a matter for another time.

"Oh... Hello Mother," Charity said curtly, pretending to only now have noticed Gwen as she sat across from her. "Eile didn't tell me we were having such a distinguished guest at our little tea party. How very nice to see you." she said glaring at Gwen.

 

[Eilerias]

"Charity!" Eilerias called back, pouring the tea before Charity rushed over to her. "Hello to you, too! You came!"

She pulled herself from Charity's tight hug, laughing as the silence was finally broken. "I've been better, but I've been worse as well. I suppose I'll be alright. Oh! I put out some ale for you as well. I didn't know if you liked tea, so I tried to be prepared in either case."

She noticed Charity stare at her dress and shifted uncomfortably in her spot before she moved her attention toward Gwen. She could have sworn she was starting to get a bump already and it only made her more self-conscious than she already was with all the other mildly horrifying changes. She chose the loose dress in hopes she could mask it and feel more normal for the time being.

The thought of drawing attention to the pregnancy only made her uncomfortable in front of them. It was only incredibly embarrassing to be in this situation in front of the two women who always warned her the dangers of falling for a man. Of course, she didn't quite understand what about men could be so dangerous until it was too late- the true Eilerias way. She was at least fortunate enough to not have either woman suspect her of sharing slightly less intimate moments with anyone other than Isak. Had either known, the men likely would be subjects of torture, rather than recipients of a swift death from a collapsing warehouse. Even as cruel as they were, Eilerias wouldn't have wanted them to face Gwen's or Charity's (newfound) wrath.

"Charity, please tone down the sarcasm." Eilerias demanded as she carefully balanced the cups and brought them over to the table, placing one in front of each of them. "You actually arrived at a perfect time. I was just asking about what Gwen has been up to over the past week. Of course, I'd love to know what you've been up to as well." She took a seat with them.

"Go on both of you, talk. Tell me what's new with you guys." She stirred her tea as she looked from one of their faces to the other, trying her best to ignore how painfully hostile their dynamic was while she waited for one of them to speak.

 

[Gwendolyn Vollmund]

Gwendolyn offered warm silence instead of a response. Her own guilt twisting as Elirias admitted the repairs were slow. She looked tired..But not unhappy.

That satisfied the elf.

Her ears twitched as Charity entered.

She frowned as the girl ignored her only to suddenly decide to sarcastically address her. Elirias for her part tried to placate both parties.

Gwen ignored her.

"Eile didn't tell me we were having such a distinguished guest at our little tea party. How very nice to see you."

The archive keeper could tolerate a lot but disrespect was a whole different matter.

“Clearly.” She said pointedly raising an eyebrow at her daughters wardrobe choices.

"Charity, please tone down the sarcasm." Eilerias demanded as she carefully balanced the cups and brought them over to the table, placing one in front of each of them. "You actually arrived at a perfect time. I was just asking about what Gwen has been up to over the past week. Of course, I'd love to know what you've been up to as well." She took a seat with them.

Gwen simply sighed. Taking a sip of the offered tea with nodded thanks before setting the teacup down gently.

"Go on both of you, talk. Tell me what's new with you guys."

Gwen simply sat quietly and looked to Charity.

Only the slightest twitch of her left eye disrupted her cool, calm demeanor.

In reality Gwen had quite a few things to say.

The only hurdle?

She had accidentally bumped her wounded side into her chairs armrest, and it was at present taking everything inside being to keep from openly weeping.

Her magic was impressive, but Gwen had been running her self ragged fleeing the guilt that riddled her idle time.

Adopted or not she missed her daughters..

Her children..Girls lost in the mire of the swamps of life..She had nurtured them..

Protected them..trained them..But..Had it done any of them any favors? Possibly..They both seemed happy..It was her self that was the problem.

No matter how she tried to deny it..She was a tool after all. Always had been. Useful for a time until ultimately placed aside.

Out grown.

So was the nature of motherhood. Watching your children slowly no longer need you.

As a Greywood she was a “mother.” to many children. All lost to hidden blades and treacherous bloodshed long ago..but These girls..

They were not the same in her heart.

As the pain eased she let out another halting sigh before taking another sip.

She looked across the table at Charity. The girl that had played with the lightening in her hair.

That begged to read fantasy novels late..
cold, angry, look.
The same way Angelica had...

And Elirias.

So scared of the woman that had protected and laughed with her..

She wouldn’t even look her in the eye most times they spoke.

Every conversation felt strained like she was walking a plank at the point of a sword and every sentence was a step closer to its edge..

The same way Angelica had..

The broker simply sat quietly..Her eyes never leaving Charity’s save to glance at Elirias. For the moment her daughters had their mothers full and silent attention..

Free of charge.

 

[Eilerias]

Eilerias squirmed in her seat, trying to give the two of them her attention. A sudden pain of unknown origin in her side, however distracted her. She looked at both of them, trying to assess whether either was injured. Surely Charity would tell her if something was injured. Gwen however...

Eilerias noticed the twitching of her eye.

Why had Gwen not mentioned something ailing her? Certainly she knew Eilerias had the unfortunate gift of feeling and taking others' pain. Why did she hide what was so easily fixable? Was it her pride that got in the way?

No. Maybe not pride, maybe she just liked to keep things from her...from both of them. What a hypocrite. How was it fair to punish Charity and herself for keeping parts of their life private when her entire life, aside from what she wanted them to see, was private. Did she really know anything about Gwendolyn?

"Mother?" Her voice mimicked Charity's coldness. "Are you sure, you're alright?" Her eyes narrowed as she studied the elf's body language. There was no indication that she was in pain aside from her eyes.

Her face returned to a cheerful expression. "Tell me, mother, why must we tell you everything in our lives? Why are we not allowed secrets from you when you cannot return the favor?" She leaned over and gently poked at Gwen's side, making it a point that she knew she was in pain and was not going to heal her until she was done with whatever she had to say.

"Forgive me, but I never understood why you won't let me in. You are a mother to me. I tell you almost everything in my life. The few times I have not, you blow up and treat me like I had intentionally done it to hurt you." Her voice cracked slightly. "Why can you not do that for me? I have had so many questions, but never answers. What happened to your side?"

The priestess sighed, turning towards the fire for a moment to compose herself, though it did not help. She was unable to keep her mouth shut.

"Maybe you never considered me to be as perceptive as the others. Maybe you thought I was simple with nothing but faith on me. Gwen, I remember you coming back late at night, wounded. You told me you were okay and told me to go back to sleep. I could feel how weak you were. I heard you collapsing in your room before Cleo came in." She turned back. "The nights you told me you were playing games with people? Having fun? I remember their screams after you shut the doors in my face. You lied to me Gwen!"

Tears formed in her eyes. "We killed that little girl and framed it so it looked like I had died. We didn't have to do that did we? How would the guards know I fled to Alliria? Would you at least tell me why that was necessary?"

There were so many other moments with Gwen she wanted to bring up, but she didn't have the energy. She sat down once again as the pain in her side subsided. "There are things I don't want to tell you, like maybe the fact that I don't know who the father of my child is or that I met and killed my father, but I wouldn't hide half of my life from you in some attempt to scare you into submission or whatever it was you were trying to do to me." Her words spilled out fast and uncontrollably as she found herself unable to stop.

"I feel like I don't actually know the woman who I wanted so desperately to be my mother."

Maybe I'm afraid of her.

 

[Gwendolyn Vollmund]

Gwendolyn had began to think her daughters would simply crush her with silence. It felt so wrong..Anything..She would take anything but this.

Then Elirias surprisingly seemed to be looking her over. Gwen cursed herself. Of course the young healer would feel her pain. For the first time in years their eyes met and it was Gwen that broke it first glancing away.

"Mother?" Her voice mimicked Charity's coldness.

“Yes young one?” Gwen asked cautiously.. Her youngest “daughter.” Very often did not speak to her so coldly.

"Are you sure, you're alright?" Her eyes narrowed as she studied the elf's body language.

“I’m fine.” She said in her usual almost sleepily calm demeanor. The tea is excellent..” She said with her usual soft smile. Sure that that would be the end of it Gwen took another sip of tea enjoying the flavor and aroma.

Her face returned to a cheerful expression. "Tell me, mother, why must we tell you everything in our lives? Why are we not allowed secrets from you when you cannot return the favor?" She leaned over and gently poked at Gwen's side, making it a point that she knew she was in pain and was not going to heal her until she was done with whatever she had to say.

Gwen slightly relaxed as Elirias expression and tone changed. Taking another small sip before responding.

She regretted the action almost immediately. A gentle poke in her side leaving the warm tea leaking from her nose slightly as she tensed like a sprung steel trap.

Her teeth clenched and her eyes shut tight as she held in the moan of pain ready to escape. Her hand flying to her side she calmed herself. Letting the white haired youngest air her ire.

"Forgive me, but I never understood why you won't let me in. You are a mother to me. I tell you almost everything in my life. The few times I have not, you blow up and treat me like I had intentionally done it to hurt you." Her voice cracked slightly. "Why can you not do that for me? I have had so many questions, but never answers. What happened to your side?"

“It is not your place to question and worry for me.” Gwen said slightly more firm than she meant.

“I have wisdom to share with you on the events in your life. The only thing you would gain to learn of me and my past does you no good service..”
She sighed..

“But as for my side..”
“The archives were breached.” She admitted. “Something that hasn’t happened in centuries..I fell in the escape and bruised my side pretty badly. I nudged it against the arm of the chair just now. Nothing to concern yourself with young one..” She said dismissively.

“And that hurt. I’m not as young as I used to be Elirias. Don’t be so rough with me.”! She joked.

“Now about the tea..” She tried to shift focus yet again but the young priestess was having none of it.

"Maybe you never considered me to be as perceptive as the others. Maybe you thought I was simple with nothing but faith on me. Gwen, I remember you coming back late at night, wounded. You told me you were okay and told me to go back to sleep. I could feel how weak you were. I heard you collapsing in your room before Cleo came in." She turned back. "The nights you told me you were playing games with people? Having fun? I remember their screams after you shut the doors in my face. You lied to me Gwen!"

“What was I to tell you..That...I..I chose..” Gwen muttered completely taken aback by the venom in the usually mild and kind priestess’s words.

"We killed that little girl and framed it so it looked like I had died. We didn't have to do that did we? How would the guards know I fled to Alliria? Would you at least tell me why that was necessary?"

“Enough!” Gwen halted her for a moment as the handle of the mug she was holding snapped in her shaking grip.

“I did what I needed to to keep you both sheltered and safe. I do not hide my past from you I protect you from it!” She hissed rising from her chair with her own glare meeting Elirias.

“And both of you have done nothing but hate me for it!” She spat before going slightly pale. She sat back down quickly as her wound ached. The pain clearing her mind of anger.

“I..Oh..” She said softly noticing the broken tea cup. The tea still inside spreading across the table cloth. “I’m sorry..” She muttered as the tea slowly flowed back into the teacup as it slowly repaired itself before hovering into her hand. She placed it back on its saucer gently.

"I feel like I don't actually know the woman who I wanted so desperately to be my mother."

Spilled out breaking the brief silence that had followed both women’s outbursts.

“There will come a time when you will understand that to be a good thing..” She said sadly looking down into her tea cup.

Unable to meet her daughters eyes once more. Even in her finery and glamour she looked beaten. Not in a physical way though she was injured.

But in her expression.

The pain in her eyes.

 

[Charity Briarthorne]

Charity listened quietly as Eilerias confronted Gwen. She agreed with many of the things her sister said. Gwendolyn Vollmund was really nothing more than a name to them. They knew who she was, and that she ran the archives, but not much more than that. She had never bothered, or maybe thought it was unnecessary, to tell the two young women who considered her a mother, anything personal about herself.

"So..." Charity said casually as the conversation lulled and she inspected her empty teacup. "Do all those times I spent with you while Daddy was away on business mean nothing to you? All the times we snuggled and I begged you for one more story before bed?"

"What about the times I ran away from home after a fight with my father? And who did I run to? You. The woman who was always sympathetic and understanding, no matter how silly the argument with my father might have been. I felt safe with you and shared every detail of life with you, insignificant or not. I wanted you to know and was excited to tell you what was going on in my life. Yet you refused to do the same for me!" Charity's voice gradually increased in volume and intensity as she spoke, and tiny sparks jumped through her hair.

"Then the woman who I've come to call 'Mother' suddenly decides that she doesn't want anything to do with me and kicks me out of her life! Its as if you were just fucking with me and leading me on, letting me believe that you cared and wanted me around. When in reality, you would've been more than happy to discard me at the first sign of resistance!"

Charity angrily pushed her chair back and put her feet on the table. With a frustrated growl, she hurled the teacup across the room. Picking up the ale, she took a long drink before continuing.

"Oh don't give us that bullshit about keeping us sheltered and safe." she spat waving the mug. "My father is Gilgamesh Briarthorne! The most wanted man in Alliria! Growing up I saw shit no child should ever see! Do you have any idea how traumatizing it is for a child to see their father constantly under attack? To see their father murdered numerous times in cold blood?"

"And why don't you just tell Angel that Angelica broke into the archives and stabbed you? How the hell is she supposed to help you if you can't even be truthful about you injuries?"

"Speaking of Angelica, were you ever going to tell us about her? A 'By the way you have an evil sister who might try to kill you one day' would've been nice! We all probably would've wound up dead if Daddy wasn't there and had Cleo transform to look like you!"

"Urchin was dying in my arms because of that fucking bitch and her goons! That was the worst feeling I have ever experienced! But what would you know about loved ones dying? I don't think you've ever loved anybody! People are just a tool to you! They only exist to be used and tossed to the side like trash when you're done with them!"

Charity was nearly screaming at this point. She slammed her mug onto the table and her eyes flashed red before slowly fading back to blue. Crossing her arms, she turned away from Gwen and glared at the wall.

 

[Eilerias]

"Please Gwen..."Eilerias' voice wavered as she collapsed back in her chair. "Let the time you tell us be now. I'm tired. I'm tired of secrets. I'm so incredibly tired of everything. I am completely exhausted. I can't sleep. I don't wish to be lectured, what good has it done me thus far? Just tell me the truth you try so hard to hide from us." She stared at Gwen, looking for some answer, but after she averted her gaze, her eyes shut and she leaned her head back. It was time for Charity to vent.

She kept her eyes closed, trying to calm down as the girl next to her shouted. She had never known much of the relationship Charity and Gwen had, beyond it being one she was jealous of. Eilerias felt like she was a failure compared to Charity. Gwen never took her to learn how to fight or do anything useful. Perhaps it was because she knew Eilerias had no interested in learning how to fight. It would have been nice to have it as an option rather than the constant lecturing on her overly trusting nature anyway.

Crash!

So much for trying to clean the place.

Eilerias reopened her eyes, looking over to the shattered ceramic and hot tea now dripping down the wall. She tuned back into the conversation, hearing many things that confused her now.

Gilgamesh had been murdered? Multiple times? But she had just seen him only a week ago. He was very much alive then, right?

"Angelica..." She whispered, still trying to put the pieces of that night back together. She had only silent snippets of what happened. Memories all out of order. Angelica must have been the girl who looked like Gwen. Of course she was....but why was she so angry with the two women in front of her?

Once again, more questions than answers.

"So did Angelica stab you or did you bruise yourself? Those seem like two very different injuries..." Eilerias looked back at Gwen, her voice much more calm. "Why didn't you come here or send Cleo to get me? Would you rather die of some easily fixable wound than ask for help from someone you raised? I don't mean to offend you, but that is pretty cowardly. You have a daughter who's only skill in life is healing and time and time again you refuse to ask for help. Can you not be vulnerable like a normal person?" She paused, looking back and forth between the two. "I have found you too many nights in your archives, hiding your pain and fatigue. I don't understand why."

"Who is this Angelica anyway?" She looked at both of them, still confused about this daughter. Her gaze lingered on Gwen's face, her eyes narrowed. "Don't lie to me. I want the truth."

 

[Gwendolyn Vollmund]

"So..." Charity said casually as the conversation lulled and she inspected her empty teacup. "Do all those times I spent with you while Daddy was away on business mean nothing to you? All the times we snuggled and I begged you for one more story before bed?"

“Child those nights mean everything to me..I..” Gwen tried to respond.

"Then the woman who I've come to call 'Mother' suddenly decides that she doesn't want anything to do with me and kicks me out of her life! Its as if you were just fucking with me and leading me on, letting me believe that you cared and wanted me around. When in reality, you would've been more than happy to discard me at the first sign of resistance!"

Her hands clenched at that. “I do not use people.” She growled. “That is a trait you got from your father not me.” Both women were getting angry now.

Charity angrily pushed her chair back and put her feet on the table. With a frustrated growl, she hurled the teacup across the room. Picking up the ale, she took a long drink before continuing.

"Oh don't give us that bullshit about keeping us sheltered and safe." she spat waving the mug. "My father is Gilgamesh Briarthorne! The most wanted man in Alliria! Growing up I saw shit no child should ever see! Do you have any idea how traumatizing it is for a child to see their father constantly under attack? To see their father murdered numerous times in cold blood?"

Gwen simply swallowed. “I am aware. I spent many nights...”

"And why don't you just tell Angel that Angelica broke into the archives and stabbed you? How the hell is she supposed to help you if you can't even be truthful about you injuries?"

"Speaking of Angelica, were you ever going to tell us about her? A 'By the way you have an evil sister who might try to kill you one day' would've been nice! We all probably would've wound up dead if Daddy wasn't there and had Cleo transform to look like you!"

“Child..”

"Urchin was dying in my arms because of that fucking bitch and her goons! That was the worst feeling I have ever experienced! But what would you know about loved ones dying? I don't think you've ever loved anybody! People are just a tool to you! They only exist to be used and tossed to the side like trash when you're done with them!"

“Charity!” Gwen jumped from her chair ignoring her pain. Her eyes glowing a deep black to match her daughters red. “HowLighting danced between their hair as she confronted the girl almost nose to nose.

“You only had to deal with this for a fraction of the time I have walked this earth.” She said dangerously it was a tone that spoke of calm before an incredible storm.

A bone chilling anger that left the words that sank under the skin.

Charity had finally gotten under their mother’s skin.

Charity tried to turn away but Gwen would have none of it. Turning her to face her she would lock eyes with her daughter. The black unfading in her eyes unlike charity’s red.

“My parents died in my arms. My friends are but dirt packed on dirt of endless graves. Enemies, working with enemies. Protecting your father day and night. Every death not knowing if I had failed.” She was having trouble standing on her own power.

She clutched her side but continued to speak. “I knew no peace. I knew no rest.” She hissed. “I was raised for this life. My parents shielded me from nothing.” She raved.

“Waist deep in corpses as soon as I was old enough to follow them into the archives. No stories. No games. Occasional affections, harsh lessons, and pain.” She finally let go of her side for a moment to stand at her full height. “I knew I couldn’t protect you from the harshness of the reality of your own life..But I..I tried to make sure..” Her voice caught.

The emotion being too much for a moment

“You both got to be children. To have things to be excited to tell me. How badly does anyone want to talk to mommy while she’s cutting up someone else’s.” She spat.

“So I hid it from both of you..It was wrong..I just wanted.....to be better... for you both..”Watching both of her daughters turn their backs to her. The pain of standing at her full height brought her back to her chair as she sighed.

Elirias said her piece as well and Gwen only looked further beaten.

Once again, more questions than answers.

"So did Angelica stab you or did you bruise yourself? Those seem like two very different injuries..." Eilerias looked back at Gwen, her voice much more calm. "Why didn't you come here or send Cleo to get me? Would you rather die of some easily fixable wound than ask for help from someone you raised? I don't mean to offend you, but that is pretty cowardly. You have a daughter who's only skill in life is healing and time and time again you refuse to ask for help." She paused, looking back and forth between the two. "I have found you too many nights in your archives, hiding your pain and fatigue. I don't understand why."

"Who is this Angelica anyway?" She looked at both of them, still confused about this daughter. Her gaze lingered on Gwen's face. "Don't lie to me. I want the truth."

“Dont lie to me. I want the truth.” Angelica said standing before her. Blood faking her hands. Rain soaking her body as it poured around them. “Yes.” She whispered then..As she did now..

“Yes..” She muttered as the howling wind and rain faded and she found herself no longer mired in memories past. “Yes..child I was stabbed by Angelica..one of my other daughters..” She sighed once more. “You both had so much going on in your lives..I felt having someone to lean on with out ever worrying if it was too much..I..” She searched for the way to explain herself.

“I was wrong..” She looked down at the floor as she spoke.

“And I will tell you both whatever you wish to know.” She finally relented. Like a man tortured for days finally caving in to his interrogators. “The truth..as I know it..” She finished. “Or if you wish me to leave I will not protest.” She said finally. The last word catching in her throat

 

[Eilerias]

She got up as Gwen began to respond to Charity, making her way over to the shattered cup and scooping up the ceramic pieces. She wanted to stay out of the conflict. So typically Eilerias to run and ignore any problem as soon as it arises.

She was filled with guilt. She invited the girls to spend time and repair their relationship. Only, she found herself making it worse with each venom filled word she directed at the woman who raised her.

She hated herself for thinking this, but she truly believed Gwen deserved the hostility she was receiving from both girls. It was obvious they both had similar feelings about Gwen's inability to allow them some insight on her life, which made her feel better. She assumed Charity knew everything. She perceived her to be Gwen's favorite and had always thought she knew as much as Cleo, maybe more.

Eilerias winced as Gwen stood up, the pain radiating in her side once again. Gwen might have been able to ignore it, but she couldn't. She gripped her side, shutting her eyes tightly as she waited for it to die down. It didn't die down as she listened to the two of them bickering.

It got worse, the more heated Gwen got. It must have been a really bad wound if it was still this painful.

She tried to pick herself off the floor, leaving the teacup pieces in a slightly more organized pile in the puddle of tea as she crawled back to her chair, pulling herself in it eventually. Her skin was clammy and pale as she leaned back, listening to Gwen's final response.

"Please..." Eilerias groaned. "Could you stop moving?" She begged the elf.

She had received plenty of answers to questions she had, but she still refused to heal Gwendolyn. She wasn't done answering yet, and she certainly wasn't leaving yet.

Not until she answered what had been bothering Eilerias since the night before the heist.

"Do you remember when I came to you months ago?" She asked, "I came to visit you. You were unwell and you still did not ask for help until well after I had arrived. I wanted to know if you had ever been in love."

She stared at Gwendolyn, her harsh expression turned more to curiosity. "You only told me it didn't end well, but I want to know what happened and if that's why you were so upset with me."

Her eyes lowered to the cup in front of her. "Why couldn't you be happy for me after I finally met someone?"

 

[Charity Briarthorne]

“Charity!” Gwen jumped from her chair ignoring her pain. Her eyes glowing a deep black to match her daughters red. “HowLighting danced between their hair as she confronted the girl almost nose to nose.

“You only had to deal with this for a fraction of the time I have walked this earth.” She said dangerously it was a tone that spoke of calm before an incredible storm.

Charity's eyes opened wide with surprise, though her expression didn't change. It was rare to hear her mother raise her voice. Especially to her. She struggled to free herself as Gwen firmly took hold of her face and forced her to make eye contact.

The anger in Charity's face was gradually replaced sadness as Gwen finally told them about her early life. "...I'm sorry..." she said softly. "I've always seen you as a powerful woman who had everything she could've wanted out of life. To hear that your life has been so difficult, just..." Charity's voice trailed off as she became unable to voice her thoughts.

“I knew I couldn’t protect you from the harshness of the reality of your own life..But I..I tried to make sure..” Her voice caught.

The emotion being too much for a moment

“You both got to be children. To have things to be excited to tell me. How badly does anyone want to talk to mommy while she’s cutting up someone else’s.” She spat.

“So I hid it from both of you..It was wrong..I just wanted.....to be better... for you both..”

"You've done an amazing job as our mother, and I wouldn't have wanted my childhood to go any other way! Its wonderful that you allowed us to just be children and tried to give us a better childhood than you had. I just wish you hadn't hidden details about yourself from us. We wouldn't have thought any less of you..." Charity looked down at the table as Gwen finally released her.

Charity stared down into the mug she held in her hands as Eilerias questioned Gwen. She knew small bits and pieces of why Gwen being in love didn't end well from her discussion with her father, but wanted to hear the whole story from Gwen.

She thought back to when Gwen had found out Eilerias had been seeing Isak. Charity couldn't remember a time when she had seen Gwen so upset and livid. Feeling slightly nervous thinking of how Gwen might react, Charity made a vow to herself to never fall in love.

"Just how many daughters do you have?" Charity asked curiously, once Eilerias had finished her questions. The question had been burning in her mind since meeting Angelica. "And why was Angelica hunting me?" she asked after a moment's thought. "It's not like I'm the strongest or most skilled of your daughters. Hell, Jexa could probably easily kill me if she wanted to so why didn't Angelica go after her? Is she jealous that I'm Daddy's favorite?" Charity joked.

 

[Gwendolyn Vollmund]

"...I'm sorry..." she said softly. "I've always seen you as a powerful woman who had everything she could've wanted out of life. To hear that your life has been so difficult, just..."

“I did not wish for you to hear it and think less of me..” Gwen would say giving her a hug after the own darkness left her eyes and the lightening died between them.

"You've done an amazing job as our mother, and I wouldn't have wanted my childhood to go any other way! Its wonderful that you allowed us to just be children and tried to give us a better childhood than you had. I just wish you hadn't hidden details about yourself from us. We wouldn't have thought any less of you..."

“Thank you.” Gwen said giving her daughter another small squeeze pulling her close. “And you don’t dress like a boy sweet heart. Your just dressing how you like.” She whispered as the closeness brought her mouth close to her daughters ear. Before releasing her.

"Do you remember when I came to you months ago?" She asked, "I came to visit you. You were unwell and you still did not ask for help until well after I had arrived. I wanted to know if you had ever been in love."

She stared at Gwendolyn, her harsh expression turned more to curiosity. "You only told me it didn't end well, but I want to know what happened and if that's why you were so upset with me."

Her eyes lowered to the cup in front of her. "Why couldn't you be happy for me after I finally met someone?"

“I was young..In my early 90’s..and headstrong. My family dealt in information. The archives were always ours to keep..and scholars of different ages and creeds often visited. But I wanted more...” Gwen kept her head low. “I met..Him..In a tavern. He was speaking with the owner. I ordered a drink from the bar and simply enjoyed the night life. I was a bit more..bold..Than I am now..But it was all very quaint...”
......................

“Hey! Shit head!” The hired guard would land in heaps at Gilgamesh’s feet. “You’ve got a couple of young boys thinking their men following you around. Spilt my drink trying to grab my ti..” Her eyes met his. He never said a word.

“But now that I’ve shown you how badly your protection needs changing why don’t you buy me a replacement drink and we can talk further..” She whispered in a sultry tone. “And oh look. A job opening!” She whispered once more as one of the guards recovered enough to lunge at her.

He tackled her to the ground and drove a blade into her chest in a simple smooth motion.

Gwen gurgled for a second before she melted like sand washed away by the tide. His head slid off his shoulders before he could even curse. “Though I hope I’m not getting a-head of myself...”

That night turned into many more and soon Gwen was killing for Amadeus. Living to protect. Loving every minute..Then that day..

“The reason I angry is because you don’t know that there are men and women in this world that will love you truly and deeply that are not drenched in blood and pain. Where you and your child will not be under constant threat.” She spoke honestly but gently.

“It’s bad enough you had me as a mother, I can protect you from them as I have for years. I just don’t enjoy the idea of you “doubling down.” So to speak.” She finished.

“As for Isak. I’m furious at him for being a perverted bastard.” She added dabbing her mouth with a napkin.

"Just how many daughters do you have?" Charity asked curiously, once Eilerias had finished her questions. The question had been burning in her mind since meeting Angelica. "And why was Angelica hunting me?" she asked after a moment's thought. "It's not like I'm the strongest or most skilled of your daughters. Hell, Jexa could probably easily kill me if she wanted to so why didn't Angelica go after her? Is she jealous that I'm Daddy's favorite?"

“I have had many in my life time but currently?” Gwen said with a slight grin. “13..Well..7..Angelica had her way with many of them I’ve come to find..” Gwen muttered her voice going slightly gravelly.

Her rouge daughter had been at the front of her mind sense making herself known. She wasn’t smart though..

Well by Gwendolyn’s lofty standards...

Some one or something was pulling her strings..But who? Gwen was shaken from her thoughts.

“Jexa is one..But Angelica chose you not because of who you are, or if your father favors you...Though I’m sure it doesn’t do you any favors..” She added after a brief pause. “But because of who you WILL be.” It felt good to speak with her daughters again even if the subject matter was a bit dark.

 

[Eilerias]

Eilerias listened intently as Gwendolyn began to dive into the details of her love life. For a moment, she worried there would be a repeat of the events in her office, but she was pleasantly surprised when the walls didn't turn to black and oily like last time. She sighed in relief.

Gilgamesh? So she really was with Charity's father...but who was this Amadeus and why would her love story turn to an employment opportunity for a different person? She wondered.

"I see...." She said quietly. "Gwen, have you got any living family? I don't mean us. I mean like blood relatives." She tilted her head to the side, waiting for a response before she continued with more questions she really shouldn't be asking.

"By Gilgamesh you mean that Gilgamesh, right?" She looked to Charity and back towards Gwen. "I never imagined it was Gilgamesh. I didn't realize he was as old as you!" Her laughter broke through her unusually gloomy mood as she stuffed some of the now cold foods in her mouth. "He never looked like he had any elf in him, so I just assumed he was some sort of human! Who's this Amadeus, though? Is he Gilgamesh's boss?"

Of course, Gwen's response wasn't what she was expecting. "But...he loves me. I know he does!" She looked frustrated as she tried to convince Gwendolyn, but her expression changed back to a soft smile as she placed a hand on Gwendolyn's side. Her hand glowed softly as she healed the elf, taking her pain.

"You've been a very good mother to me but I can't ask you to protect me anymore. That wouldn't be fair of me, would it? It's not your responsibility." Gwendolyn's final comment bothered Eilerias, but she continued her job. "I don't understand why you'd call him a perverted bastard. It was my choice, too you know...well maybe not the first time, but after that it was my choice."

 

[Charity Briarthorne]

Charity happily returned Gwen's hug. She was relieved to hear that Gwen didn't think she dressed like a boy but was a bit annoyed that her mother alway seemed to know what she was thinking.

She only halfway listened when her mother recounted the tale she had heard hundreds of times before. The tale of Gwen meeting her father had been her favorite story as a child, and she always laughed when her mother told her how stupid the hired guards had been.

But that wasn't the story she was after. Charity wanted to hear what had happened between Gwen and Gilgamesh that had driven them apart. She remembered asking both of them about it during her younger years, but they always avoided the question or changed the subject.

"Mother? What happened between you and Daddy? He said that you two were very close at one time. It sounded like you loved each other deeply, so what drove you apart? I asked him about it but he said it wasn't his place to tell me."

I have had many in my life time but currently?” Gwen said with a slight grin. “13..Well..7..Angelica had her way with many of them I’ve come to find..” Gwen muttered her voice going slightly gravelly.

"Really?" Charity squeaked excitedly. "Will I get to meet them? I really want to! Well the ones who aren't totally evil like Angelica at least!" she said looking at Gwen with sparkling eyes. "Do I have any brothers? Or just sisters?"

“Jexa is one..But Angelica chose you not because of who you are, or if your father favors you...Though I’m sure it doesn’t do you any favors..” She added after a brief pause. “But because of who you WILL be.”

"Because of who I WILL be!? What do you mean?" Charity demanded with a scowl. "I don't want to be anything Mother. Not now and not in the future. All I want to do is goof off with Urchin and have fun. That's all I've ever wanted to be! Somebody who enjoys life!" Per usual, Gwendolyn knew more than she was telling Charity, which greatly annoyed the young woman.

 

[Gwendolyn Vollmund]

"I see...." She said quietly. "Gwen, have you got any living family? I don't mean us. I mean like blood relatives."

It seemed like this question hurt her. A deeply rooted pain came into her eyes as she seemed to remember. “No..My bloodline died out long ago..” She said with a sadness in her ton that spoke of this being a very sore issue. “One does not try to fill voids in life where something occupies it.” She said plainly.

"By Gilgamesh you mean that Gilgamesh, right?" She looked to Charity and back towards Gwen. "I never imagined it was Gilgamesh. I didn't realize he was as old as you!" Her laughter broke through her unusually gloomy mood as she stuffed some of the now cold foods in her mouth. "He never looked like he had any elf in him, so I just assumed he was some sort of human! Who's this Amadeus, though? Is he Gilgamesh's boss?"

Gwen paled slightly seeming to realize she had said something she should not have. “Yes..” She said slowly. “Amadeus may be the only person I have ever seen Charity’s father obey without question.” She finished. Which was in all honesty the truth. At the comment about her age however Gwen seemed a bit insulted.

“I’m quiet young by my peoples standards. And I’m barely in my “early thirties.” By human standards..” She said somewhat defensively. She had a blush grace her porcelain cheeks at the thought of her daughters thinking of her as an old maid. “I have many lovers that would want my hand even as OLD as I am I’ll have you know..” She sniffed with a slight frown.

"But...he loves me. I know he does!"

“That remains to be seen..” Gwen grumbled. Obviously still unsatisfied.
“I..Ah.” Her train of thought was derailed for a moment as Elirias pressed her hand to her side. The initial pain causing the information broker to give a slight squeak of surprise. Her hand flying to the wound on instinct only to end up on top of her daughters own.

The pain would resist her healing for a moment.

Like a cat sinking it’s claws into whatever it could to not be dragged from its bed. It seemed to hurt Gwen more the closer it came to being removed. She held her pain well simply breathing as she held Elirias’s hand. Finally it relinquished her she let go with a grunt as relief filled her aching body. “Thank you child..” She gasped feeling much better.

"You've been a very good mother to me but I can't ask you to protect me anymore. That wouldn't be fair of me, would it? It's not your responsibility." Gwendolyn's final comment bothered Eilerias, but she continued her job. "I don't understand why you'd call him a perverted bastard. It was my choice, too you know...well maybe not the first time, but after that it was my choice."

“Child.” She said taking the woman’s face in her hands gently. “You will be mine to protect and aid as long as you draw breath until I rest in my grave.” She would rub her left cheek with her thumb. “That is not something you ask of me. It is simply how things are. Wether you want it or not.” She said kissing her forehead in thanks for the healing.

She raised her eyebrow at the last comment but she was so relieved to finally have her daughters talking to her once more and her wound finally not ailing her..

It wasn’t worth prying..

For now..

“I understand child. But this is not an argument between you and I. Isak and I will need to have our own discussion.” She said sternly. A motherly way of saying that the time for discussing such things was now over.

"Mother? What happened between you and Daddy? He said that you two were very close at one time. It sounded like you loved each other deeply, so what drove you apart? I asked him about it but he said it wasn't his place to tell me."

“Your father...” She said slowly.

“Was the most cunning, handsome, and most powerful man I ever knew. And I protected and served him as the mother of his children. Eventually “mother.” Became more than just a title. I fell head over heels in love with him. I dedicated my life to his safety and happiness.” She almost left it there. But she beckoned for both of her daughters to come to her. She needed a little support for this. If they did approach she would lightly place a hand on one shoulder each.

This would be one of the first times Gwen had ever genuinely asked for a little support from her daughters. “He rewarded my service by stabbing me in the back and dropping me from a cliff face.” She finished. Unable to remember more. It was too painful.

Tears formed around her eyes as she remembered falling once more. Her eyes darkened. Her power began to expand. Darkness began to pool underneath her before..She gave both of their shoulders a light squeeze. Reminding her she wasn’t facing the pain alone anymore. The darkness dissipated both from around her and from her eyes in a blink.

“I’m..I’m sure that only lends its self to more questions but in all honesty even I am blind to his reasoning. I survived. Barely..I drug myself to shore and patched up my wound as best I could. Then.. I started my own business. A spymaster for hire so to speak. Soon my influence and knowledge grew. I returned to the archives and took over the family business of knowledge. But with my new clientele...I ran things a bit differently than my ancestors would like I’m sure...but I had hard lessons growing up on my own..With no one by my side anymore I had to learn difficult lessons..”

...............................................

“Should have known better knife ear.”
The armed men had Gwen tied up. Her information scroll she had been hired to put together for this gang sat on a crate they were using as a table in their hide out. “You really expect us to pay 40 gold for paper? With information that we don’t even know is good? And when we refuse...” He smirked.

“You..threatened us?” He laughed undoing his pants. “Good thing we’re in such good moods. So we’ll let you leave. But in exchange we’re keeping the scroll and your body. Lucky for you an old bitch like you is still pretty.” He laugh maliciously as more of the men began to disrobe.

“Spin her around and get those clothes off her.” He crowed walking up to her. Thrusting. She cried out. This continued for about 5 seconds. Gwen simply taking what was given her mouth simply opening and closing silently. Her eyes dead to anything. The gangster continued to thrust as his eyes saw her mouth. He halted for a second. “What are you doing? Praying? No god is going to save you bitch!” He spat as he almost began to thrust again he heard what she was muttering. “4, 3, 2,” “Huh...Aaaaaaahhh!!” A confused grunt followed by a scream.

A barrier of light had suddenly appeared blocking Gwen from the man. Severing his manhood In the process. The man paused as Gwen kicked him backwards screaming towards the crate. The scroll exploded in a fire ball. Gwens barrier protecting her as flames swirled around her rendering everyone ash.

The walls of the hideout crumbled as the building collapsed in on itself. Gwen left. A massive coin purse bouncing in her hand. “Should have paid up scumbag..” She would whisper taking the long walk back to the archives.... Where he was waiting..

.........................
She blinked away the memory. Those had been hard days..It was days like that she had wanted to protect her children from. She had failed it seemed.

"Really?" Charity squeaked excitedly. "Will I get to meet them? I really want to! Well the ones who aren't totally evil like Angelica at least!" she said looking at Gwen with sparkling eyes. "Do I have any brothers? Or just sisters?"

“Farlyn, Faust, Rose, Virtue, and Heticate are still around I believe. Trinity, Dream, and Greta are helping their father in the blight lands.” Gwen thought for a moment.

“Faust is the youngest she might be able to stop by some time when the..Inn..I helped her set up isn’t busy. She enjoys people.”

Gwen said taking another sip of her tea and selected a few of the foods that had steadily grown colder. She took a bite and chewed thoughtfully. Nodding at the flavors. It was quite good.

"Because of who I WILL be!? What do you mean?" Charity demanded with a scowl. "I don't want to be anything Mother. Not now and not in the future. All I want to do is goof off with Urchin and have fun. That's all I've ever wanted to be! Somebody who enjoys life!" Per usual, Gwendolyn knew more than she was telling Charity, which greatly annoyed the young woman.

“I understand..” Gwen said with a nod. “When I was young I wanted to run my own..” A blush played across her pale cheeks once more as she stopped herself, but looking between her two daughters she sighed relenting..”To..To run a flower shop..” She finally admitted.

“That doesn’t leave this table. Understood?” She said in a deadly serious tone before continuing. “But there were other things that my birth right placed on my shoulders.” She stopped for a moment.

“Perhaps Angelica thought you would become something you wish not to..” Gwen left it at that. There was more..But not much. In all reality much of angelicas thought process was a mystery to the old archive keeper..

 

[Eilerias]

Gwen paled slightly seeming to realize she had said something she should not have. “Yes..” She said slowly. “Amadeus may be the only person I have ever seen Charity’s father obey without question.” She finished. Which was in all honesty the truth. At the comment about her age however Gwen seemed a bit insulted.

“I’m quiet young by my peoples standards. And I’m barely in my “early thirties.” By human standards..” She said somewhat defensively. She had a blush grace her porcelain cheeks at the thought of her daughters thinking of her as an old maid. “I have many lovers that would want my hand even as OLD as I am I’ll have you know..” She sniffed with a slight frown.

"I can't imagine Gilgamesh obeying anyone," She commented. "He must be pretty scary if Gilgamesh follows his orders. Will we ever meet him?"

"I'm sorry Gwen, I didn't mean to insult you!" She tried backtracking. "I just meant, well, I guess... I don't mean you're old! I just mean we live longer than humans and if you've known Gilgamesh for a very long time...is he not a human?"

She giggled when Gwen brought up her lovers. "I'm sure anyone would be delighted to have such a beautiful and smart young woman in their life."

“Child.” She said taking the woman’s face in her hands gently. “You will be mine to protect and aid as long as you draw breath until I rest in my grave.” She would rub her left cheek with her thumb. “That is not something you ask of me. It is simply how things are. Wether you want it or not.” She said kissing her forehead in thanks for the healing.


“I understand child. But this is not an argument between you and I. Isak and I will need to have our own discussion.” She said sternly. A motherly way of saying that the time for discussing such things was now over.

Eilerias ignored Gwen's doubts as she healed her. There was no use trying to convince her of something she had no reason to believe. Gwen had only seen her and Isak together, as far as Eilerias knew, at the Raven Club working for the Cherry Rose. Perhaps if she had spent time with the both of them outside of work, she would understand. Maybe she would believe Eilerias....or not.

She briefly glanced at Gwen's eyes before looking down as she held on to her face. She felt guilty as Gwen spoke. It wasn't fair to involve her in her own troubles, but it seemed like Gwen was serious. "Thank you." She continued to avoid eye contact.

She nodded, accepting the end of their conversation.

She listened as Gwen went on to share more details of her relationship with Gilgamesh and her history. "So he was the one you showed me in the archives." She mumbled quietly, hugging Gwen tightly around her waist as she used the two girls for support.

“Faust is the youngest she might be able to stop by some time when the..Inn..I helped her set up isn’t busy. She enjoys people.”

"Mother, could we visit her? It would be nice to get away for a few days..." She looked around at the destroyed lobby. "Maybe we could do this every few weeks as well. I've been dreadfully lonely with everyone taking on more business. It's been nice to have company."

“I understand..” Gwen said with a nod. “When I was young I wanted to run my own..” A blush played across her pale cheeks once more as she stopped herself, but looking between her two daughters she sighed relenting..”To..To run a flower shop..” She finally admitted.

“That doesn’t leave this table. Understood?” She said in a deadly serious tone before continuing. “But there were other things that my birth right placed on my shoulders.” She stopped for a moment.

Eilerias tried to hide her smile. "You...a...flower shop? Why not open one now? I'm sure its not too late to have a side business, right?" She asked before being sworn to secrecy.

She looked to Charity, her smile vanishing. Poor girl...She thought. Eilerias felt lucky, from her upbringing for once. She wouldn't have to worry about things like birthright or siblings like Angelica, who likely didn't know of or care for her existence. After all, she had nothing to offer her. She was only a healer.

 

[Charity Briarthorne]

Gwen paled slightly seeming to realize she had said something she should not have. “Yes..” She said slowly. “Amadeus may be the only person I have ever seen Charity’s father obey without question.” She finished. Which was in all honesty the truth.

"But Mother... I was always told that Daddy was the boss..." Charity looked at Gwen in confusion. Who was this "Amadeus" and why hadn't Gilgamesh ever mentioned him? She had never seen or met Amadeus and Gilgamesh was the only man she had known to give orders. Charity added all of this to her rapidly growing mental list of questions to ask her father.

“Your father...” She said slowly.

“Was the most cunning, handsome, and most powerful man I ever knew. And I protected and served him as the mother of his children. Eventually “mother.” Became more than just a title. I fell head over heels in love with him. I dedicated my life to his safety and happiness.”

Charity nodded her head in agreement as Gwen described Gilgamesh. She thought the world of her father and was glad to hear Gwen did too. At Gwen's request for support, Charity moved closer. She wrapped her arms around her mother and leaned her head against her.

“He rewarded my service by stabbing me in the back and dropping me from a cliff face.” She finished. Unable to remember more. It was too painful.

"Wait.... WHAT?!" Charity shouted, suddenly angry. "Why the hell would he do that to you after you'd served him so well?" Forget all the other questions she had. This was what Charity needed to ask Gilgamesh about. Why had Gilgamesh felt it necessary to keep so many things hidden from her?

“I’m..I’m sure that only lends its self to more questions but in all honesty even I am blind to his reasoning. I survived. Barely..I drug myself to shore and patched up my wound as best I could.

Even Gwen, the woman who knew everything, didn't know the reasoning behind his betrayal. "So that's why you find it difficult to trust people... And why you felt like Eile and I had betrayed you like my father did at the reunion? Is that why you were so upset?"

“Farlyn, Faust, Rose, Virtue, and Heticate are still around I believe. Trinity, Dream, and Greta are helping their father in the blight lands.” Gwen thought for a moment.

“Faust is the youngest she might be able to stop by some time when the..Inn..I helped her set up isn’t busy. She enjoys people.”

"Wow! That's so many!" Charity gasped gleefully. "Do most of them live here in Alliria? Why didn't Daddy tell me that I had so many sisters? Before the reunion, I only knew of Jexa, and she wasn't much of a sister..."

"An innkeeper? I just assumed all your daughters were fighters. That's good! Its nice to know at least one of my sisters probably isn't evil!" The possibility of having a kind, non-evil sister greatly excited Charity.

"Mother, could we visit her? It would be nice to get away for a few days..." She looked around at the destroyed lobby. "Maybe we could do this every few weeks as well. I've been dreadfully lonely with everyone taking on more business. It's been nice to have company."

"YES! Can we Mother? I'd really like to start meeting my other sisters as soon as I can!" Charity began stuffing food into her mouth as she daydreamed about what her other sisters might be like.

“Perhaps Angelica thought you would become something you wish not to..” Gwen left it at that.

"But Mother... That doesn't answer my question." Charity pouted at her mother's answer. "What would I become that she would try to kill me for it? And are you saying that I gained some sort of birthright when Daddy adopted me? 'Cause if I did, I don't want it!" But she knew Gwen had likely said all she was going to on the matter, and further questions were pointless.

Charity sighed and went back to stuffing her face, excitedly thinking of fun things she could do with Faust.

 

[Gwendolyn Vollmund]

Cleo appeared next to Gwen taking a note before taking her leave with a small wave to both of the women her mistress called family. Gwen simply silently enjoyed her daughters company.

“I think I would like spending my free time with both of you rouges.” Gwen said with a smirk. “And as for meeting your sisters..Faust should be here soon enough. Days like today are slow for the..Inn. I sent word.” Gwen said simply folding her hands.

. ...............

“Mrs. Greywood! Selina stole the black corset! I go out in 3 minutes!” “I need it! I have two clients that suggested it for today! I told her she can have it when I’m done!”

“You bitch!”

“Whore!”

“Ladies.”

The bickering was silenced instantly.

“Selina. I will move your appointments around. Naomi needs it for now. You’ll both get use and if it’s so popular I’ll buy a few more tomorrow. Alright?” An elf looking every inch an innkeeper stepped in between them.

She had one hazy grey eye like her mother’s, and another hidden behind a simple black eye patch.

Much like Angelica she bore a strong resemblance to Gwendolyn, but there was something different about her. A certain chill was felt in her warm smile.

Her sandy blonde hair fell in curls around her shoulders.

Just barely concealing a small set of black horns that seemed to flicker out of existence of one noticed them. A tail with a small point forming at the end would occasionally flick out but also seemed to disappear if someone noticed and looked directly at it.

Her barmaid dress was cut slightly short, and her arms bore a tapestry of tattoos some even covering her chest and neck.

On the back however. The woman had a tattoo that joined the veritable mural of her body.

The exact same one Gwen bore. Marking her a greywood.

For life.

“Fine Mrs. Faust.”

“Thank you Mrs. Faust.”

Both women said in turn before taking their leave to her basement underneath her bustling in. A long black silk curtain and a rather well built guard separated her basement from her tavern and the inn that took up the entire second floor of the rather expansive place.

The Wood Faeries Hollow.

Your average tavern and inn.

Underneath? The Dragons Fire.

Nicknamed “the steel jawed dragon.”
(Never to her face.) Faust ran all three with shrewd and indifferent professionalism.

The elf had even crossed paths with Isak on occasion. Both had thier shady dealings, but she stuck to her territory and minded her own business.

He did the same.

The few interactions they had shared had involved Isak using her taverns private room as a neutral meeting place.

He paid well for its use and even better for cleaning up the bodies after negotiations sometimes went south.

Cleo arrived and dropped off a note. Faust’s eyes narrowed for a moment before relaxing. “Cleominadenam. Rak nef. Fregsed zekmend.” She said with a nod. Speaking a younger that sounded like elvish forced through a blender of hatred. But the tone was light and welcoming.

Cleo smiled.

It was always nice to speak in her native tongue. “Mec lag dengen magseflin.” She responded with a slight bow handing her the message. Faust opened it as Cleo took her leave.

“Hmm..So..Mother will finally allow us to meet her..” Faust said with a raised eyebrow tossing the paper away. “Danni. Watch the place. I’m going out for the day.” She said to a blonde woman behind the bar.

She simply nodded acknowledgement as Faust to her leave. Vanishing in a blur as she left the inns front door. Reappearing at the Raven club of all places.

 

[Charity Briarthorne]

Charity was so busy stuffing her face that she barely noticed Cleo materialize next to Gwen and leave shortly after.

“I think I would like spending my free time with both of you rouges.” Gwen said with a smirk. “And as for meeting your sisters..Faust should be here soon enough. Days like today are slow for the..Inn. I sent word.” Gwen said simply folding her hands.

"We are a lot of fun to be around!" Charity heartily agreed. Her face lit up with excitement when she heard Faust would be visiting. "SHE WILL?! YES!! Finally!" She looked over at Eilerias and could see the shared excitement on her face.

Charity immediately began bombarding her mother with questions about her sister. "Is she nice? How much older is she? I bet Faust is super pretty! Does she look like you?"

In Charity's mind, she imagined Faust as a petite energetic woman, running around the inn and yelling at customers, but in a friendly sort of way.

The front door quietly opened and an elven woman stepped through. She was tall with curly blonde hair and an eyepatch. That couldn't be Faust. There was no way she could've gotten to the club so quickly. Gwen had only sent a message a short time ago.

A few stray sparks arced through Charity's hair as the woman approached. Who the hell did this woman think she was barging in and interuppting their family time? "Hey!" Charity snapped. "Can't ya read? Club's closed for renovations."

Halting next to the table, the woman ignored her protests and smiled at them warmly. Upon closer inspection, Charity realized this mysterious woman looked a lot like Gwen.

"...Faust?" Charity asked, the joy returning to her face. Faust nodded and Charity leapt out of her chair, wrapping her arms tightly around her sister. "Sorry for snapping at you! You just look much different than I expected!" She could feel a chilling, deadly sort of energy radiating from Faust. Charity's own power gently bubbled up in response, though hers had more of a fiery and passionate feel to it.

"C'mon! Come sit with us!" Charity eagerly tugged at Faust's hand leading her to a seat between herself and Eilerias.

 

[Eilerias]

“I think I would like spending my free time with both of you rouges.” Gwen said with a smirk. “And as for meeting your sisters..Faust should be here soon enough. Days like today are slow for the..Inn. I sent word.” Gwen said simply folding her hands.

Eilerias waved back to Cleo who seemed to appear and disappear, giving Gwen and Charity a slightly confused, but mostly excited look as Gwen shared that Faust would be joining them. She wasn't sure how she managed to send word so quickly, but wasn't too fussed about pestering her mother further. "What do you mean 'finally'? We only found out about her a few minutes ago!" She chuckled, watching Charity celebrate prior to asking Gwen for details on the girl.

Similarly to Charity, she imagined her as tiny, but mighty- like an elven version of Ogden.

"I do hope she's nice. I didn't have the pleasure of meeting Angelica, but from what I gathered she was not the nicest." She commented thoughtfully, ignoring the bell above the door jingle as it opened. Whoever it was, would likely leave after the disappointment of both the barkeeper and owner absent.

A few stray sparks arced through Charity's hair as the woman approached. Who the hell did this woman think she was barging in and interuppting their family time? "Hey!" Charity snapped. "Can't ya read? Club's closed for renovations."

Her head snapped up as Charity spoke to the stranger. "I'm sorry, she's right." She was much more calm than Charity as she addressed the woman. "We aren't open today, but if you need something I can take a note for when Isak returns. Should be sometime around the end of this week."

"...Faust?" Charity asked, the joy returning to her face. Faust nodded and Charity leapt out of her chair, wrapping her arms tightly around her sister. "Sorry for snapping at you! You just look much different than I expected!"

"Oh!" Eilerias smiled, "You're Faust! Welcome to the Raven Club! I'm Eilerias." She looked towards Gwen, raising an eyebrow as she wondered how she got there so quickly. "I apologize for the state of the place. There was a bit of an...event, I suppose, that resulted in quite a bit of damage last week. I'm working on cleaning while everyone's away on business." She remained in her seat while Charity nearly tackled the poor girl before forcing her between the two.

Eilerias shifted away slightly at the smell of the woman's perfume, or perhaps it was the combination of her employee's perfumes on her clothes that clashed with one another. She gagged at the scent before trying to hold her breath until she knew she wasn't going to throw up and ruin yet another get together with her family.

"So...Faust, tell us about yourself!" She stood up and retrieved the kettle before pouring Faust a cup of tea. "Gwen says you have an inn! Do you enjoy it?" She sat back down with the group, allowing Faust to respond and Charity to likely ask more questions than the girl could answer.

 

[Gwendolyn Vollmund]

"We are a lot of fun to be around!" Charity heartily agreed. Her face lit up with excitement when she heard Faust would be visiting. "SHE WILL?! YES!! Finally!" She looked over at Eilerias and could see the shared excitement on her face.

“Well I..” Gwen began.

"What do you mean 'finally'? We only found out about her a few minutes ago!" She chuckled, watching Charity celebrate prior to asking Gwen for details on the girl.

Gwen shared in her daughters chuckle at Charity’s energy.

Charity immediately began bombarding her mother with questions about her sister. "Is she nice? How much older is she? I bet Faust is super pretty! Does she look like you?"

“All of my children are beautiful in my eyes child. She’s a little older than you. She’s only in her early 50’s.” And Gwen blinked realizing that to Charity most of the sister she had met had looked a bit like Gwen herself. Angelica by pure fate and coincidence.

Faust was one of the few that did because of intimacy.

The rest were a very diverse cast of rouges, femme fatales, mercenaries, bookies, and criminal heads. All working for their father.

“I suppose she does. A bit.” She said now seeming to think about it.

“Hm..” Gwen said seeming to notice her child’s arrival before the door even jingled open.

"Hey!" Charity snapped. "Can't ya read? Club's closed for renovations."

The woman would raise an eyebrow glancing between Gwen and Charity.

"I'm sorry, she's right." She was much more calm than Charity as she addressed the woman. "We aren't open today, but if you need something I can take a note for when Isak returns. Should be sometime around the end of this week."

“I don’t think I need to speak with Isak. He’s usually the one that needs to speak with me..” She said with a smirk.

“Charity..” Gwen said calmly placing a hand on her headstrong daughters shoulder. “This is..”

"...Faust?" Charity asked, the joy returning to her face. Faust nodded and Charity leapt out of her chair, wrapping her arms tightly around her sister. "Sorry for snapping at you! You just look much different than I expected!"

The elf smiled at her little sisters realization. Revealing her entire bottom row of teeth were steel sparkling in the sparse light. “That would be me..” Faust said with a nervous chuckle.

“Nice to-oof!” she would stick out her hand to shake charity’s as she came over only to be surprised by the almost tackle of an embrace. “Your a hugger I see..” She groaned slightly. Slowly returning the embrace.

Her eyes widening in slight surprise as she felt the passionate power radiate from Charity’s being. It bubbled up to meet Faust’s own aura of power and “pushed it back” a bit so to speak.

This girl truly was special....No wonder Angelica was.. Her thoughts were interrupted as Charity broke the embrace and took her hand warmly in her own and Elirias spoke up.

"I apologize for the state of the place. There was a bit of an...event, I suppose, that resulted in quite a bit of damage last week. I'm working on cleaning while everyone's away on business."

“It’s quite all right.” Faust said glancing about the place. “I was hoping he had not simply let the place go.” She said with a chuckle.

"C'mon! Come sit with us!" Charity eagerly tugged at Faust's hand leading her to a seat between herself and Eilerias.

“I-I would be delighted..” Faust said with a laugh at Charity’s friendly demeanor allowing herself to be tugged along.

It was refreshing to say the least. She sat between her new found sisters somewhat nervously. They seemed nice but seeing her mother in such a setting was slightly unsettling and highly irregular.

“M..mother..” She said with a slight aversion of her eyes. “Faustian.” Gwen responded with a small smile.
“Don’t call me that..” The woman said with a slight blush and a bit of good natured annoyance.

"So...Faust, tell us about yourself!" She stood up and retrieved the kettle before pouring Faust a cup of tea. "Gwen says you have an inn! Do you enjoy it?" She sat back down with the group, allowing Faust to respond and Charity

She accepted the cup gratefully and after a sip her shoulders finally seemed to relax. “Ah.” She said with a small smack of her lips.

“Thank you. It’s been ages since I took a personal day and had a nice cup of tea.” She said pulling out a flask and taking a deep swig. Sliding it to Charity before taking the cup and saucer in her hands she leaned back in her chair rocking on the back legs.

The tail of a demon snaking out from behind her and catching the fall allowing her to rock. She was about to place her feet on the table when Gwen softly cleared her throat stopping her in her tracks.

”This is a mardonechi Decran silk table cloth I gifted Elirias. I will take your other eye.” Gwen said with a glare that told of her seriousness.

“Fine mother..” She grumbled as she simply crossed them under her Indian style.

“An inn eh?” She said with a raised eyebrow at Gwen.

“Yes..I enjoy my inn very much. I have a tavern attached as well. Isak usually gets the harbor and west gate crowd I generally get a lot of the east gates travelers.” She said with a slight yawn.

“Most days I’m busy running things, but trouble tends to stay away from my business.” She said with a chuckle.

“I like to stay behind the bar when I can. I enjoy meeting my guests.” She said genuinely before pausing. A small concealed smile creeping into her lips as she shifted slightly throwing her arm around Charity’s shoulders.

“What about the both of you? My new found sisters!” She said with an excited grin.

Gwen simply sat back quietly watching her daughters meet was a strangely warm moment that felt like they happened far less frequently than they should.

 

[Charity Briarthorne]

“Thank you. It’s been ages since I took a personal day and had a nice cup of tea.” She said pulling out a flask and taking a deep swig. Sliding it to Charity before taking the cup and saucer in her hands she leaned back in her chair rocking on the back legs.

Charity greedily grabbed the flask with both hands and without hesitation, took a long swig. She hadn't ever tasted alcohol like that before. It was strong and bitter, but she liked it. Charity coughed and sputtered as she put the flask back on the table.

Faust had to be the coolest, toughest woman she had ever met. Charity looked at her sister in loving awe, her eyes following the paths her tattoos took around her body.

A small concealed smile creeping into her lips as she shifted slightly throwing her arm around Charity’s shoulders.

“What about the both of you? My new found sisters!” She said with an excited grin.

Charity hugged the arm that Faust threw over her shoulder. "I dont really have a set job," she admitted somewhat self-consciously. "I mean I guess I kinda do but its not as stable as being an innkeeper. I'm a thief by trade and Daddy keeps me busy with all the jobs I could want. Occasionally I'll work for Mother or Isak, but unless Daddy needs me for something, I'm pretty much free to do as I want."

"Urchin, the kid who lives with me, helps but he's still learning. Mostly we just sit here at the Raven Club playing cards and drinking!"

Charity tried to wait patiently as Eile talked to Faust. By the time Eile was done, Charity was practically bouncing in her seat. She had thought of a multitude of questions to ask her new sister.

"Faust! Faust!" Charity exclaimed excitedly tugging at her sleeve. "You look like you're super strong! Are you stronger than Jexa and Angelica? I wish I could fight you just to see how strong you really are! And how do you fight in a dress? Aren't you worried that people will see your underpants? Oh! And what happened to your teeth? I wish I had metal teeth too! Good for biting things I bet!"

Charity paused to catch her breath and looked at Faust expectantly. She had many more questions, but she didn't want to overwhelm her poor sister.

 

[Eilerias]

“I don’t think I need to speak with Isak. He’s usually the one that needs to speak with me..” She said with a smirk.

Eilerias felt her heart drop as Faust spoke. How does she know Isak? She wondered, feeling a mixture of jealousy and confusion. Is that where he always goes when he says he's on business? Why wouldn't Lidia mention him spending time with her? She looked towards Gwen again, almost searching for some explanation. Maybe I'm just overthinking things.

She turned her attention back towards Charity and Faust, Charity's excitement spreading throughout the room and pushing away her own worries momentarily as she found herself happy to meet the elf.

Charity greedily grabbed the flask with both hands and without hesitation, took a long swig. She hadn't ever tasted alcohol like that before. It was strong and bitter, but she liked it. Charity coughed and sputtered as she put the flask back on the table.

She shot Charity a disapproving glare as she watched her take the flask from Faust, but said nothing.

“Yes..I enjoy my inn very much. I have a tavern attached as well. Isak usually gets the harbor and west gate crowd I generally get a lot of the east gates travelers.” She said with a slight yawn.

"What business does Isak bring to your inn?" She asked, trying not to sound concerned, though she couldn't help it. "We are in the process of transforming the upstairs here into an inn. Perhaps you could give us some tips for success...or at least a way to keep trouble out of here. I swear I attract it like a magnet." She laughed sadly, sipping her tea and allowing Charity to share her life story with the girl.

“What about the both of you? My new found sisters!” She said with an excited grin.

"Urchin, the guy who lives with me, helps but he's still learning. Mostly we just sit here at the Raven Club playing cards and drinking!"

"At least Urchin helps me around here when he can. That child is a saint." She reached around Faust, smacking Charity on the shoulder. "Perhaps I'll cover his tab for helping me."

"I...well I'm just a healer." Eilerias shrugged, eating another chocolate. "I work in the Church of Light as a priestess, but Gwen also has me working to keep everyone here alive.....Though, I'm not sure which is more difficult with Urchin showing up every other day needing my services now."

She noticed Charity was nearly bursting with more questions and ended her comments there.

"Faust! Faust!" Charity exclaimed excitedly tugging at her sleeve. "You look like you're super strong! Are you stronger than Jexa and Angelica? I wish I could fight you just to see how strong you really are! And how do you fight in a dress? Aren't you worried that people will see your underpants?

Her eyes went wide, "Charity please don't fight in here!" She snapped. "I'm not even halfway done with the current mess! How would I explain even more broken furniture to Isak?" She slouched in her chair. "At least take it outside if you plan to fight, or you'll be cleaning the mess. I can't do it on my own."