#responsish

Lula had been watching Lorena with amusement ever since they had returned to the apartment after the premier and events to celebrate it.  She could tell that Lory was deeply lost in thought and was staring at a certain picture on the bookcase again. Lula also suspected at some point what someone got for Lory to drink wasn’t completely non-alcoholic either. 

Elowen watched as their latest customer leave. She was a little saddened, but she likely understood. If he was a fellow exile, like she felt, then he was likely playing things safe. It was likely part of why he had not looked at them in the eyes.  None of them could say for sure if they were still being hunted down or not. Or by who or what they may do, if they were. They could never be certain of who they could truly trust. “I wish you luck...” she murmured quietly as she lightly placed a hand over her heart.

While Aldrich could sleep, and unknowingly have his lingering worries slightly eased by his dear wife, Karlene could not. She sat on the edge of her bed awake and slightly restless for the second night in a row. Whether it was from excitement, anxiousness, a mix of the two or something else entirely...she could not say.

Perhaps when they were all moved she would be alright. 

“Stubborn papa...“ she said quietly to herself with a huff as she began to comb through her hair with her fingers. Their arguments and discussions on the matter had been frustrating and cyclical. She was being equally stubborn, and even though she had her own lingering regrets and apprehensions, she could see that it was time for a change for the family. 

It will always bother her that she could not save Crystal, and that she has not been able to do anything to help Azure from crumbling apart. She will miss her friend Domita and the Northern Lands she has called her home most of her life but...

They had to move forward.

They needed a better place to flourish, and grow even more. Her little brothers needed someplace where they could really explore their own curiosity. Her parents could use the change as well. Her twin...could likely learn many new things or could get new ideas for her oils. And herself? 

Diamond drew her cloak close to her as she continued deeper into the forest she had reached now. She was alive and well, thanks to her patron’s help, but it took awhile for her to get her bearings. Unfortunately the hidden place Ana had teleported her to was further from where she wanted to go than she thought. 

She could not complain, however, since she was free from her brothers’ poison and the death it was brining her towards. Dia turned the pool of water that had saved her into a very quick, and slightly unstable, means of communication between her and her black mirror that Carnelian carried. She had to let her know that she was alright but it would take her longer to get to the Shadowed Kingdom than she originally planned.

It was all she really had time to say before the connection was lost. But it was enough. She just wanted to keep Carny from storming back to their old home to confront Magnus herself. 

Diamond sighed softly to herself. Even though she had made sure Mangus could not sense her anymore, it was hard to say the same for Amber or Beryl. They could still come after her and drag her back. Or even Rai and Theo. She shuddered at the thought of those two. Of what they did to her under their eldest brother’s order. Of what Magnus did to them.

Just more reason Magnus had to pay.

She pushed those thoughts down, however, and kept moving. She was getting tired again, but she could not stop. Not yet. She was too close now. She wasn’t sure how long it has been since that fateful day, but she was close to that other way into the Shadowed Kingdom. 

One step closer to reuniting with Carnelian, Silvester, and Aileene. And once she does she would honestly think about grabbing Carny and heading to the spa to have some drinks. She missed the atmosphere there, she missed seeing the twin receptionists, and she was also missing Payton. Again she was so grateful that Magnus had no clue about him or the spa in general. It was also bittersweet. She could not be a more frequent patron yet, not until her war with Magnus was done.

Not until she could guarantee that her going there would not jeopardize the spa or the workers she gets to know or have intimate occasions with. She doubts she would be able to live with herself if something bad happened to the place, or Payton, because of her.

Soon her thoughts changed once more. She could see the curious floating and dancing lights that indicated she reached her destination. They were various colors and sizes, and were completely harmless. Yet no matter how much light they gave off, there was this patch of deep darkness in the center of the small clearing.

That patch was her way into the Shadowed Kingdom. “We’ll be together again soon,” she murmured softly as she quickly made her way over to it. “It’s just a matter of finding you once I get there...und that won’t be too hard,” she continued and then jumped into the portal. 

It was always curious going through this particular portal. It had a different magical feeling than the other she had been through before and her own she makes thanks to her black mirror. It was more...whimsical? Dia did not have a proper way of describing just yet, but that was the closest she could think of this time. 

However, she was soon adjusting her eyes to the unique lighting of the kingdom and the tall buildings that were all around. She lowered the hood of her cloak and made a slight cut on her neck that was just enough to draw blood. “Analania, please lead me to my dear ones,” she murmured softly. 

Lula could laugh for days about the jealously of men and women if she did not have better things to do most of the time. Oh how some of women she’s encountered on her errands want to have the title of Mrs. Reinhardt for themselves. She swears some of them can’t even have the decency to hide their drooling wanton looks at her husband when they are both out together. 

And oh the petty things they try to say. The lies they try to weave...Lula just shrugs it off. Or laughs and continues on her way. Some of them must truly think she is just some dumb blonde who’s only good quality is her looks. That she is just a trophy wife. Ha! Shows how little they know. 

Sometimes, however, Lula has to admit she has to do something subtle or unexpected to throw them off guard. Give them something to think and ponder about, something to confuse them for awhile. Just for a little more amusement, and a little satisfaction. 

She is Lula Reinhardt after all, and Silva Reinhardt will be her dear husband till death do they part. No one can change that but Silva himself and she is pretty certain that he is forever devoted to her as she is to him.

Oh but how the males she encounters wishes that was not the case. They drool after her, try to flirt with her, badly she might add, and of course, try to lie as well. Sometimes it is amusing, but somethimes she has to roll her eyes. Don’t they realize how lacking they are compared to her Silva? Their charm and wit, and often times lack of them, could never compare to her dear husband’s. Nothing they could do, or give her, could sway her love for her beloved or their family.

Then there are those from her and his past that try to tell her that she and him should not be together. She would laugh and tell them that obviously they were not the right ones for them, or else things would be different now. Then she would simply bid them a good day and continue on her way. 

Funny how they could think she would change her mind about the man that holds her heart. 

How could she ever leave someone so caring and thoughtful? That knows so much about her and can catch when she looks at something with interest and possibly considering wanting it? She couldn’t and it was preposterous that they could think so. And additionally preposterous that they would try to make her leave him.

“Benito Iolite Vosmus,“ the queen began as she lightly crossed her arms, “I did not expect this from you. Siring children before you are even married? Have you even proposed to her yet? And you did not even tell me of your intentions beforehand,“ the Vosmus queen sighed and turned her back to her son. “You did not even take precautions and now...“ she trailed off as the realization of what that nagging feeling that had been driving this came to her.

“I was planning on proposing to her today. That was part of why I came to you. It took me some time to find the right...wait,” Benito interrupted himself as he fully registered what his mother was saying. The Vosmus heir went wide eyed. “C-children? Mother what do you mean? Trishna’s not...”

“Can you not sense a change in her?“ Crystalia asked as she turned back around and raised a brow at her son. “You are going to be a father Benito. To how many, I can not discern yet, but I can tell it is more than one child she is going to bring into this world,“ she said. “I am uncertain to where she is now, but you should not leave her alone for too long and keep her from exerting herself too much,“ she added and then turned once more, this time to leave. “Danger is always lurking...“

Benito was experiencing a multitude of feelings right now and he could hardly express any of them at the moment. “M-mother, where are you going?“ was all he could manage to ask at the moment. 

“I remembered that I need to draft a response to your uncles. You know they expect prompt replies,“ she answered simply and continued on her way towards one of the studies. The truth of the matter was that she needed to send them a message to ask for their advice on this situation. Sensing Trishna’s pregnancy reminded her that despite everything Benito was still part demon. That any children he may have has the potential to inherit those traits and aura. She could have done something to mitigate that had her son told her he intended to become more intimate with Trishna, or that he indeed intended on making her his bride. 

Though Lula was tired, her mind would not quiet down just yet. It had been that way for the last several nights really. So she should not have been surprised that tonight would be no different. She had noticed Wes’s actions towards his wife out of the corner of her eye, but she wasn’t really paying them no mind. If anything her almost sleep self was more focused on the chronicler in training resting in one of the more flowered corners of the library. 

She would have chuckled at the scene if it would not disturb the others who were resting or distract Wes from his departure to...have a good time with his wife. However, Lula had watched Cecania fall asleep while trying to finish the book she had seemed interested in. The book now laid in her lap and her head rested against the corner next to one of the flowers. At just the right angle it could be perceived as being in the budding chronicler’s hair. 

Lula sighed inwardly, however, and glanced away from her. She did not want to admit it but, occasionally teasing Cecania just to see her reactions, as well as observing her, was part of the reason she was staying in the library for now.

The other reason?

She was doubting this...trying to be good thing again. Or rather if she could really be good. This time Lula did tsk quietly and ran a hand through her hair. Why was she thinking so much about it? Why couldn’t she go out there and, you know, be good?

Also was it odd that she preferred the mentee rather than the mentor?

Sure Cecania’s mentor was good looking, and seemed quite knowledgeable, but for some reason the orange haired cutie was the one that piqued her curiosity more. Or...was Lula just being slightly avoidant of men right now? Well any man that’s not Wes. That was also a possibility if she let herself truly think about it. 

Lula groaned inwardly at herself and rested her head on the table she was at. If it wasn’t likely midnight and people weren’t sleep she would have let her head just fall on the table. She missed her wings and the freedom of following her whims they had provided. If she still had them she could just go outside now and soar through the sky until all her thoughts melted away. 

If it had not been for his twin believing in him, and his little sisters being the two lights he had left...Alvara was not sure how he would be now. Or if he would even still be here. 

Ed, Frei, and Sofie.

They seemed to be the only ones who could truly keep his inner darkness at bay. The ones whose words and actions could keep him from straying too far from the path their dear mother tried to keep them on. That would actually get through to him even if he did not always show it. 

Alvara was certain they still worry about him, especially after the time he ended up cracking a mirror after punching it in anger. He did not mean to lose himself like that. But...

Why couldn’t he see his mother in himself when he looked at himself in the mirror? Why could he only see how he looked similar to his father and eldest brothers? He looked too similar to them. He hated it! He couldn’t stand it! Why did he have to look like the three people he hated the most in the world? Why did it hurt so much that he couldn’t see his mama in himself, that he couldn’t see light in himself?

It had been too much in the moment and the next thing he knew he had cracked the mirror and two of his knuckles were bleeding slightly. He could only walk backwards until his back hit the wall and cover his face with his hands. The rest of that day is a blur to him. 

But that day was the catalyst for him growing his hair out. He would outright refuse and actively fuss if anyone even suggested he cut his hair again. He refused to look like them again, to see them in the mirror when he looks at himself. And yet, even as his hair got longer, and longer...he still couldn’t see his mama in himself. 

At least...he no longer considered himself the ‘dark artist’. He was more of a ‘grey artist’ now. Still troubled, but continually trying to be good and stay good. Alvara sighed to himself as he continued to paint his current project, a painting of his twin, their sisters, and himself. His sisters were so grown now, and Frei...even though she hates the comparison now, looks so much like their mother. Sometimes that was a comfort to him, but he left it unsaid. And at least with his own twin he could only see their mother’s traces. 

But how hard it was for him if he saw people who almost resembled their father. He couldn’t look at them directly, barely speak to them. In part because he was afraid he may become blind to the reality because of his hatred for the one they looked like, and say or do something he may instantly regret. So male doctors were a hit or miss for him as well.

Alvara set his brush down and undid the sunflower yellow ribbon in his hair. It splayed out behind him a moment, now that it was free again, before settling down. He pulled some of it over his shoulder, careful not to let it get into his paints, and rand his fingers through it. Honestly, even in spite of his reasons for letting it grow this much, he was surprised with how comfortable he felt with having it reach the middle of his back. No matter what any of his peers may have said, he was overall happy with this choice he made for himself. 

Although he did wonder if his mama would be...happy to see how he is now.