[ For a moment, Eirwen doesn't say anything. She doesn't even move. But soon enough, her shoulders curl inward, and she clings a little tighter to Ardea. She still says nothing.... but her shoulders shake, and she is crying. ]
[Ardea starts crying as well, holding Eirwen tightly.
It was awful, painful, and the guilt over thinking her parents could do something horrible ate at her... yet the relief she felt about finally telling Eirwen her fears made the pain lessen.
[ It still hurts, yes. But... but it's a little bit easier. A little. Having Ardea here helps more than Eirwen could ever describe. Holding her like this, being the one to cry on Ardea's shoulder... it's a new situation, and sort of scary.
Yet.... she feels a little calmer, somehow. After a moment, Eirwen pulls away, wiping her eyes and laughing a little breathlessly. ]
[ She lets out another little laugh, this time a little steadier. ]
If only a certain little sister hadn't bragged about how her older sister is a queen... [ Eirwen's definitely feeling a little better. There's a note of affectionate teasing there. ]
... We really can be anything we want here, can't we?
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I... I feel terrible thinking that way, Ardea...
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[Hesitantly she pulls her sister into a hug.]
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It was awful, painful, and the guilt over thinking her parents could do something horrible ate at her... yet the relief she felt about finally telling Eirwen her fears made the pain lessen.
Now all she had to do was help her sister cope.]
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Yet.... she feels a little calmer, somehow. After a moment, Eirwen pulls away, wiping her eyes and laughing a little breathlessly. ]
My... what behavior for a queen, honestly!
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You know, you're not a queen here... you can act however you want to.
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If only a certain little sister hadn't bragged about how her older sister is a queen... [ Eirwen's definitely feeling a little better. There's a note of affectionate teasing there. ]
... We really can be anything we want here, can't we?
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[Ardea nods.] Yes. I'm a gardener, you're a librarian... isn't it nice not to always be a queen and a princess?
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[ Her chest feels less tight now. Eirwen rests her forehead against her sister's. Talking like this... ]
Nicer than I ever thought I deserved, really. In even my wildest dreams, I was never not a queen.
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[Ardea gives her sister a soft smile.]
I like not being a princess. We're just like everyone else here. No more bowing, courtesies, having to practice manners all the time. It's so nice.
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[ But she returns the smile, tucking a strand of hair behind her sister's ear. ]
You get to be free.
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[Let's be free together.]
thread end?
No more closed doors--for real this time.
Yes!
Good. I'm glad.