#joni }

https://x.com/mybluebirdd1/status/1847215629540987201?s=46

Hi darling. Of course. It’s in Albanian, so unless you know that language, I’m not sure what you’ll learn. Can anyone translate this video? I’d love to know!

15: Oil Lamp

this one is from @oh-no-another-idea <3 my word is SHRINK. more salt and brine bc she's on my mind this morning

the raedoran cycle

S: Silence descends on them, settling heavily over the table. Kamon inhales slowly, hyperaware of Meja's shallow breathing. Her expression hasn't twitched from that same blank meekness, but there are tears gathering in the corners of her eyes. Kamon hates himself, seeing her reduce herself until she is the woman that stood over him on the beach, shivering worse than he was, fading bruises on her face and an exhausted, battered air that hung low over her. It hangs over her again, the quiet resignation to whatever abuse will be inflicted on her, as if she is only waiting for it be over. Kamon would rather hang himself from the masts than see her like this again.

H: "Here," Kamon says gruffly, wrapping his scarf around the boy's neck. "Cover that up."

The boy stares up at him with wide eyes and he feels that same something in his chest jerk. He looks away but lets the boy take his hand.

R: "Ready for what?" Meja's voice is cracked with tears. "Please, Kamon, I'm afraid."

"I'm going to keep you and Reijka safe," he swears, pulling back so she can meet his eyes. "I need to get things ready for us and it's not safe to tell you any more here, where someone could be listening. I swear it to Bjerkja, to Nyrena, to you." He presses his lips to her knuckles. "I will protect you and our daughters. I won't let you be taken from me."

I: “It’s been an eternity since I saw you last.”

She laughs, curling her fingers around his arms. “You saw me last night, silly man.”

“As I said.” He nuzzles into her neck. “An eternity.”

N: "Nothing can come between her and her children.”

“He is not her child,” Kamon says, even as tears burn the back of his eyes. “He is—”

“You may be right,” Joni says with a shrug. “And if you are wrong, then you are condemning an innocent child to a life of pain and misery for nothing. Meja will not take that risk. She will not allow you to get in her way. It’s best you learn that now, before you lose your grip on your family.”

K: "Keep that covered," Kamon hisses, yanking the scarf up over the mark. Jack flinches a little and regret stings at him. He looks away to make it sting less. "You know what will happen if you don't."

"Yes," Jack's little voice says quietly, and regret is going to eat Kamon alive at this rate. He reminds himself that this is how all damnation starts, with good intentions.