visions

"I try to be, honey. I try." It was a long road coming. Even when she was a child under her father's tutelage, Bel still had to fight for her father's approval. Then her purpose became marrying Colin, and at one point, it was what she wanted. Then everything went downhill, and she lost herself so severely that there was always a threat of relapse on the corner if she didn't have her safety nets to steer her straight. "I think I will always carry the guilt of being a catalyst for Azriel and Lust's split. It was never what I intended, and now they may never have the chance." It was a depressing thought. Bel turned to the boiling water, stirring in various ingredients to make a stronger draught before turning back to the witch. "Consequences that aren't just for Azriel, I know... it's how the Foxwoods operate– they will all go down together if they let it. I don't think your father or uncle will let her die. Not if it's not her time."

"You will do well." A fact Violet knew with certainty in most timelines and in others, Isabel never received her chance opening the clinic before powers far stronger than the healer stole her life away. She never married a Prince sometimes or in particular instance, lost her life in childbirth. It was difficult keeping her visions straight when they filtered through continuously without reprieve, Nikolai helped during those instances, but Vi couldn't be around her brother right now knowing whatever he saw was hurting him. "A normal response, but I don't believe either blame you. Lust actively made the choice. He didn't have to follow your advice, but he did." She watched the woman work, remembering the Isabel from her timeline with genuine fondness. "And you can't talk any of them down when they set their minds on protecting each other. I know they'd put a stop to it, but this is also beyond an evil Azriel. Once he's gone, when he is, something is coming for us, Isabel. I'm sensing it, but I...I can't see it."

Bad Azriel. Prince Killer, demon killer, future god killer, but at a cost too great. You shouldn't be here.

"Alright, so baby elephant sleeping draughts it is– I'll whip you up a few," Isabel responded lightly as she turned to grab some ingredients, motioning for the girl to sit while she brought a pot to boil. The witch's brow rose the more that the other witch spoke. "I was talking about him... I had to drug the shit out of him a while back." Not her proudest moment. Bel crossed her arms, mulling over Violet's words. "Kai told me a little about the situation with his brother, but it sounds like there's a lot more collateral than people are thinking."

"Thanks. I know you're the best." Violet politely slid into the chair at the table, placing her palms along the cool surface while snippets of the vision surrounding the psychotic Azriel flashed by on repeat. "The exiled kidnapping from the King. That one created a schism between two Princes." Even back in her original timeline, she could see into their lives. Always watching as the gods would. Vi's gaze found the woman again and nodded her confirmation. "It's why he and Gianna are intent sending the Weaver to my uncle's realm. His madness has consequences, Isabel."

She is, but she means well– which is weird for me to say towards any maternal figure. I'm not a babysitter– babysitters really cage you to rules and tell you what not to do. I'm keeping a watchful eye, ensuring your safety.

Knowing the only example you had in your life is now dead, also just as weird. So, you're basically describing my siblings. This is the part where I say I'm capable watching my own back as everyone thinks I'm unable to, but I can't see visions of myself. I know what's coming and who, so a watchful eye isn't a bad thing.

I don't need to decode your visions to know what that's about.

You knew me well, nephew of Helena.

It doesn't, but that's easy enough to make it. Do you have a tolerance to them? I know a guy who basically needs an elephant tranquilizer to put his ass out.

I used to take them a long time ago, but the amount no longer works, so maybe a little. You mean Azriel Delacroix. Visions of him scream just as loud as the goddess. The painful unraveling is spinning faster and faster with each passing moment. Good things remembered become bad. Yet, bad is good for him.

I would like to think I'm not so dense that I could understand the substance of whatever book I pull, but I also know that this isn't really about books.

You were always too clever for your own good, but no, this isn't entirely about books.

Substance depends on the perspective of the reader. And the mistake judging a book from its cover.

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.

Does that list include sleeping drafts, by chance? I keep having nightmares seeing his face.

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

A coven on the verge of collapse again when he comes through the door. Spiked heads, bloody battlefields, a dead goddess at a high price.

The Queen Mother was overenthusiastically insistent, assassin of Sloth. To be clear, I'm not in the market for a babysitter.

So am I.

Such is one of the many downfalls of our abilities.

I'm sorry it's put a dent on your honeymoon.

I know you've figured out the motivation for my return to the city, Vi.

I would've seen such motivation if it was anyone but me, big brother.

So... a lot of people's futures are being altered in ways that are outside the gods' designs. I'm used to thinking of every outcome, every way to proceed forward to victory, but there's never a way to prepare for every single thing that could ever happen, even though I know that. Do you see why he's back?

It's not the way it should be. The resurrections, the rifts, it's breaking the realms further than what a goddess can create. I've tried burrowing deeper and claw my way toward the reason, but it's completely blank. My abilities should extend to at least see why. That only really happens when-...I'm involved. Oh, god. Beau, I think he's here because of me.

I know, you don't need to be his cheerleader. I know how hard it is to live in our family, but the fact is, Pricky Micky never even tried, and before you say that I didn't try either, you try growing up with someone who looks in your direction like he tried to digest rotted blood, and you wouldn't bother either. Take it from me, if you're more of an asshole, people tend to stay away from you instead of walking all over you– you should try it. I'll teach you all my tips and tricks during our little club meetings.

I don't need to, but I want to. I'm kind of like Switzerland in that way, on his side and yours. I wasn't pointing fingers at who's to blame for the serious lack of communication in your family, Sterling, it's difficult being nice to a sibling who stamps all over you so cruelly. A fair point...I wouldn't mind being more of an asshole. Had a few practice runs with my brother, actually, I probably should apologize for stomping around the house like a brat who didn't get her way. Then again, assholes don't apologize, do they?

I would love to switch places with anybody who throws me that sympathetic garbage and see how they fare. My brother tends to make his appearance when the city is on the cusp of mass destruction, but I usually see the reason for him coming. There's just static. You would be a lifesaver for the help, Varya, your son once spoke of your generosity. As much as I prefer wishing the voices gone, diminishing them would be best. I don't want to miss anything important if it gives me some clue how this ends.