Truth Shining Bright

“With all due respect, part of the reason I agreed to come here and took this job is because I knew your reputation. I thought it would be good, safer, to be amongst allies. They were right to take me in but I didn’t tell them anything. Atticus and his friends broke us out before they could question me.” She said, firm and looked the woman in the eye, “Not that I would have told them anything anyway.” She looked away after that, back at her notes to make sure she had everything.

“You might not want to go that way, dear. There is a large hole on the way, you could twist your ankle; or worse.”

“Thank you for the warning, I would hate to twist my ankle.”

Clara took a sip of water when it was delivered and took a deep breath. “Stand please.” She said and stood herself, taking her measuring tape and a piece of paper to write on. She took measurements quietly for a few minutes before she paused. “I should tell you, my Lady, that I was detained in the palace dungeons for a short time. Not arrested, just held for questioning, in connection with a known Titan.” She knew the rumors about the Dowell’s so she wasn’t very nervous about telling the woman but she felt she should know. “I thought you should know, before you connect yourself with me.”

@natalieshonesty

Natalie was delighted to receive a message from her queen. She walked towards the wood, making sure she wasn’t followed. Finding the spot with ease, she smiled as she spotted her friend. 

The butler took her bag and Clara looked at him rather surprised, “Oh… Yes, already.” She muttered and followed Lady Dowell into the next room. She still held onto her sewing kit, like it was a lifeline. “Some water, if you can, please.”

“Why must we all strive to marry ourselves off to someone and give them oaths we cannot follow? Marriage is a sham, a hoax. You can run along and tell that to the holy men who sees it as part of a woman’s duty and honor.”

“But it can also be quite pleasant. If you pick your partner right, I should say. I was fortunate to wind up with someone who both respects me and understands me. It doesn’t have to be a hoax if it is real and if there is understanding between the two parties. A woman doesn’t have to lose her freedom and her sense of self once she marries, regardless of what the Church says. The Church is wrong. Marriage can even help a woman achieve a sense of higher self.”

Clara smiled, “Thank you, madame. I would be happy to do anything you need me to do. I am at your service.” She set her bag down and pulled out a booklet of designs and a small sewing box. “I don’t suppose you want a resume. I was making Lady Helena’s wedding dress before the…events that stalled her wedding. And after that I gave up my shop and went to work for the undertaker, doing…Just about everything for him that didn’t involve the actual undertaking.”

Clara was a little intimidated, standing there in the parlor with a Lady in front of her and a butler behind her. She suddenly felt like she should have picked a different dress.

“And you are a liar, but have it your way then.” Theia snapped. “I shall leave you to your thoughts then, little witch.”

i walk the line | Clara & Natalie

Natalie had little to do with her life, so she’s decided to help whomever she could in whichever way - hiring a seamstress, another cook, a couple of maids, anything and anyone who was willing to work. When the girl she’s sent for knocked on the door, lady Dowell was pleased to see the woman was in time. 

Hecate knew well enough what Theia could do and she internally cursed herself for thinking she could lie to her. However, she still pretended she didn’t know what was the titaness talking about. “You are delusional, Theia.”

“As fine as I can be, but I don’t complain much. How are your children and Hyperion?”

“And you do not find that here in the gardens?”

Hecate noticed the change in Theia and her gaze darkened in return. “I made my choice and so did they. I have no other family but Zeus, now.” It pained her deeply to say it, but she thought Theia would back down and leave her be, leave her to eat herself alive with guilt and her moral. “I doubt I would. There is no better king than him.” Hecate replied sternly, but she did began doubting it. He saw his cruelty and wondered if Theia was perhaps right, after all.