The First Daughter

Things look bad now, but we're not down and out yet.

Go on, General, entertain your sovereign with details of your plan. Although, strategy is not subject just for my entertainment.

True greatness cannot be witnessed when whoever you seek to destroy is dead. You don't belong here.

I never thought of it that way. I know for a fact that you would step up for yourself if you could, so you don't need to worry about that, Auntie. I know my father as well as I know myself, and while I don't wish for it to come to any sort of argument or fight between the two of us, I know that it needs to be me. Anyone else and it will seem like a personal attack– I don't exist to him yet. I don't have a past working against me with him, and I have a chance to get through to him where others might not. I'll do my best to bring him back to you, because when it's all said and done... I miss him, too.

And it's coming from someone who never imagined finally having a sister too. Neither of us want to see the disagreement snowball into a fight, but we both know Rhys well and his default letting the anger loose through violence. An issue evident since our childhood if his irritation training coven members for combat can boldly display. Being from a different timeline and holding no personal connection actually works well in your benefit. I see a lot of my brother in you, Finn, the person he was before I died. I see Uriel's temperament in you too, but you care so deeply for your family the way I know he does despite his anger at me. Never forget you are the best parts of Rhys as much as El.

You're damn straight, sweetie– someone has to be the glamorous one in my field. Other than brightening my world while you sit here with me, not much until I actually go hunting down these ingredients.

None are so glamourous as you, so keep up the good work. Always are too kind a wonderfully close friend, Isabel, but how about we split the list of ingredients between us? I can track down the less perilous until you have everything you need.

No one ever sees the less glamorous side of being a healer, which is making an exhaustive list of ingredients I need for whatever bullshit war is around the corner.

You make the less glamourous side more glamourous anyway, Isabel. How can I help?

You sound like Helena right now, but no. I won't fall into the same cycle as those before me. My father is an adult, and I will treat him as one, even though he is an especially misbehaving adult. While the you of my timeline existed within the coven after leaving Hell in the hands of Pride, I know that family should not make you feel as though you cannot exist in both worlds. I hope that if all else fails, I will at least talk some sense into my father to not throw away the relationship he could have with you after years of loss.

It's both a blessing and a curse to be at the bottom of the pecking order when it comes to crises. I know nothing about anything until I'm ordered to do something.

So, you're saying you live in an oblivious little bubble until Death pops it? That's not a bad life.

What isn't a point of contention with Rhys? He's about as easy to get along with at the moment as a cactus at the moment. Uh... well– I think we've always been a 'thing', but it really only came to light what feelings we held for each other when his brother showed up and ruined our party like sore sport. Knowing that his father is here and is trying to rip him from me was the push, I guess.

None so true and so wise as the words to describe my bad-mannered brother. Clearly...sharing the same apartment and everything in it as a couple would does scream a 'thing'. Dangerous circumstances opens eyes to what we cannot see until the threat of watching loved ones potentially die unmasks true feelings. I knew you two were bound to be together like a beautiful destiny. Perhaps, one day, I could drag Wrath along and we can...participate in a double-date as every normal couple does.

I try as ever to be the champion of my children. No apologies are needed, my mini-me. While you are not ruling the coven, I know from watching your mother how tiresome it can be to work as hard as you are while carrying twins. Though the weight could be both physical and mental. Is that the case?

Thanks, Auntie Les. I... didn't expect to have to put all my training into action so quickly, but I couldn't leave it as it was. Especially with how one of my fathers clearly is refusing to step up. I would never give up on our coven– it's still my home even if it has a different face.

My mother did the best thing for the coven by leaving it at your mercy. Rhys, of course, the conundrum of my twin's temperamental refusals. I can hear El's fear as we speak about not rocking the boat, but don't make the mistake my parents have and treat him with kiddie gloves. He'll jump the defensive, insult, try hitting you where it hurts, do not let him. It does cut through like a knife when I breathe most days knowing he's driving this wedge between us, but my crown comes first as it would if we were ruling the coven. It's still my home, but Hell is too.

I would never trade my crown for the world, but unfortunately, my reign as the Queen of Hell is a point of contention with your cousin. If you keep growing, you'll be as tall as my father and Rhys. I've missed your boundless wit, humor, and top-notch listening skills. However, it's my turn to listen. When did you and Robin become a thing, hm?

You're in luck that your father is here to help you back to your feet; however, selfishly, I would let you stay just so I get to spend a little extra time with you.

Sleepless nights, countless tribunals, and tracking down errant council members lead to a barely functioning coven, but it's functioning.

You could not have settled into your role as leader better, Finn. Thank you for not giving up on the coven.

Although I fear I will struggle getting back up, tea sounds most refreshing.

She'd burn the world if anyone tried.

No wonder she and my mother are sisters.

I would be embarrassed by the fact that my mother swooped in the moment I got a little upset if I didn't miss her.

Nothing could keep a mother away from her son, much less, your mother.

There will always be more things coming around the corner; there is never any true peace, my niece, only what you take for yourself. I cannot justify your brother's actions, and I don't necessarily agree with them, but centuries of anger are hard to work through when faced with what you perceive as the sole crux of it. The only thing you can do is keep yourself and your little part of the family safe, and if he doesn't come around... then there's nothing more you can do.

Rhys and I were so close, inseparable as the moon to my sun, yet it is as if I do not know him anymore. Uriel tells me my mother is attempting the 'walking on eggshells' approach, but I fear it's not helping. My twin's mind and his anger are quite delicate, Auntie, I can't help someone who doesn't wish for my help. My children, my husband, and all of Hell depend on a Queen who doesn't drown herself in complicated sibling matters. I hope Rhys comes around for his sanity and happiness, tetya, shall he realize the cost of this behavior.