Even after all that had happened, and the odd terms of Vaelyn’s arranged marriage with Iseonne. Even after he had been sent to live with Iseonne’s family and learn their ways as their, to put it bluntly, purchased heir, with Silvaire as his only reminder of his family home. Even after near all of his cousins had turned on him, claiming his anger and emotion had turned him strange, and Vaelyn began to retreat within himself, one cousin still held faith in him. One still occassionally visited, and though the meetings were brief and strained she still came to see how he was doing. Ephiene Ruisane was nearly a decade older than Vaelyn, yet they had played together often and once upon a time Vaelyn looked up to her. She had held him as a swaddled babe, fascinated by the miracle of life. She took it upon herself to be more akin to an older sister to him than a cousin, Vaelyn’s only other sibling disinterested in and some would say, jealous of the little lord for daring steal any attention away from him. Vaelyn’s brother would be instrumental in finding the little lord’s future wife. It was Ephiene who encouraged Vaelyn to study magic, teaching him when he was barely three to manipulate the earth, and though impressive for a mere toddler to have any aetheric control at all, it was still child’s play shifting pebbles and dirt around. When Vaelyn had learned to read, Ephiene often brought him books, and before he could, she read them to him - studies on magic and healing, books about the faith of the Fury - she was responsible for it all. She adored him, and wanted nothing more than to help him to hone the natural talent she had fostered within him.All her praise though would feed an arrogance once Vaelyn had been sent away, the little lord disinterested in much but studying, experimenting and spending as much time with Iseonne as he was required to by her parents, though occasionally he chose to spend time with his future wife of his own volition. Still, it was clear his studies had consumed him. His bitterness and anger fueling his desire. It was the only thing he felt he had a choice in.It was on the eve of one of Ephiene’s visits that all that praise, anger, bitterness and arrogance came to a head. Sequestered in his room, Vaelyn had been reading a book of spells. Spells he had no business trying to learn yet. He was skilled for his age, yes, but there still was so much for him to learn. However, he had the confidence to fuel this folly, thinking he could master the spells so easily as he had every other technique he’d learned. By the grace that Iseonne and Ephiene were on their way to Vaelyn’s room that they heard the clatter of furniture as the little lord collapsed upon the floor, his lost control of the aether thankfully not spinning wildly and having greater consequences. Still, the consequences to Vaelyn were great. His body was wracked by sickness, the once brilliant shade of violet in his eyes faded to a pale imitation. He had cut himself across the brow and cheek in his fall, but that was minor, though the scar would always serve as a stark reminder.When Vaelyn came to several hours later, it was Ephiene by his side, while Iseonne had fallen asleep at the foot of the bed. It was Ephiene who calmed him, holding him close when all he found behind his eyes was darkness. It was Ephiene who felt such horrible guilt, as if it was all her fault for encouraging him as she did. Ephiene and Iseonne comforted each other as well, and Ephiene stayed at length this time, to care for the little lord and his betrothed.By the grace of Ishgard’s healers Vaelyn regained a minute amount of his sight, but it was Ephiene who thought to enhance glass with aether and had a pair of glasses fashioned for Vaelyn so that he could see again. It was the least she felt she could do. There was permanent damage, and Ephiene would take all that guilt upon herself.After Vaelyn had regained some of his strength Ephiene left again, kissing Iseonne fondly upon the brow and squeezing Vaelyn tightly to her chest. Neither of them realized though, that her sad smile meant something more. From that point on her already infrequent visits became more and more scarce. Ephiene would never wholly abandon Vaelyn, but she couldn’t bear the reminder of what happened. ~~~Vaelyn was sleeping, hunched over his desk in the study after pushing himself too hard to complete work that could wait until morning, when a soft knock at the door woke him. “Come in.” He called, after sparing a moment to stretch and straighten his glasses, robes smoothed down. It wasn’t Silvaire as expected, nor was it any of the wards, or strays Ulfarr had pressed upon him.It was Ephiene.It had been five years since he last saw her. Right after Marceline was born, at Iseonne’s funeral. Ephiene had held Marceline then for Vaelyn, soothing the newborn just as she had Vaelyn upon his birth.Bearing a pot of tea and two cups, Ephiene marched over to sit across from Vaelyn, setting the tray upon his desk, “It’s been a while.” She offered as she poured them each a cup of warm tea. Chammomile. It was her favourite, and by the influence of their childhood together, it had become one of Vaelyn’s favourites too. “Not since…” Vaelyn trailed off, shoulders dropping subtly. Ephiene knew his guilt. She knew what he had done; she could read it in his face, so cold and steeled to others, but not to her. She kept his secret though, bearing it too as a punishment of her own guilt. She still loved him as the little brother she’d wished she had, and always would, no matter what he did.“You’ve gained quite the household since then.” Ephiene prompted gently, setting Vaelyn’s tea before him with an all too familiar smile, touched forever by a sadness that had grown soft over the years; comfortable like an old friend.Taking the tea, Vaelyn held it close, cold fingers curling greedily around the china for warmth, “I suppose I have. Will you come for Starlight this year?”The question took Ephiene aback. Vaelyn never wanted to celebrate holidays, but now… “Maybe I will, this year.” Ephiene finally replied, hiding the bare hint of happiness on her lips behind the cup of tea, sipping at it. @volcanicsurfer @merpalert
