forum Opportunistic Omnivore: Scavenging the Remains of the Divine || OxO || Closed || 18+

Started March 15, 2023 by @ElderGod-kirky group

tune

The prince’s words registered softly in his subconscious, the bond tucking them away and keeping them there for safe keeping like it would never hear them again. Even though Eurion didn’t hear, some part of him did, and it was enough. For now, it would be enough, at least, to keep him peaceful, to move his head from where it was tilted towards Cara in Sláine’s general direction, to have an arm wrapping around Solise. Moves that would have, from the outside, meant nothing, but subtle enough to show that their bond was still intact and urging them together, even now.

By the time morning came Cara was the first to wake, fluttering softly and untucking herself from her perch on the assassins shoulder. She noted the arm around Solise and tried to not be jealous. Eurion was her friend first, it was entirely unfair that they got to cuddle like that. But, with a soft puff of her chest she paddled away, only shifting back once she was around the curtain. She stretched, yawned, and lazily got to making tea for their guests for when they eventually rose.

Cara was well aware that they all probably wouldn’t be awake for some time. From the ordeals that occurred yesterday she had no doubt that Adelphia would practically demand they have another day of rest with them. It was more for Eurion and Sláine’s sake than anything else because the two needed time. Sláine to emotionally recover some what more, to ask any questions he may have about his mate and the deal between the gods, and Eurion for more physical recovery. Adelphia would be able to use more of her magic again to assist the process. Now she had rested it would be easier to continue to heal her friend without fear of passing out or him dying on her.

Movement woke Solise, a soft fluttering of feathers that could only be one of the bird shifters. She cracked open an eye just long enough for her to see Cara trotting off with a huff. The spirit couldn't help but be a little smug at the jealousy radiating off of the shifter. The source was presumably the arm wrapped around her, which she shifted so that she could snuggle into its warmth even more. Eurion was still asleep, still so far removed from the waking world, but even she could feel the bond desperately trying to pull the two together. Before she went back to sleep, she sent out feelers to find the other two, and found Caoimhe and Aideen passed out in a guest room.

Beside her and Eurion, the prince didn't so much as stir. His night had been free of nightmares, a blessing all things considered. But after spending multiple nights wrapped up in Eurion's embrace and presence, he couldn't get quite as comfortable as the night wore on. Sláine had curled up sometime during the night, burrowed under the blankets, and huddled into his nest as if trying to simulate the feeling of having his mate surrounding him in his sleep. A single hand poked out in the direction of the sleeping assassin.

It would never quite be the same, but they were close enough that he was peaceful. Calm. The emotional turmoil had done a number on him in addition to the magical and physical punishments he had ignored. His body was thoroughly worn out and needed the rest, so Sláine remained dead to the world, unaware of Cara making tea or even having woken up. He didn't know of Eurion turning to face him, or of him snuggling with Solise. Just dreams and memories that were good and happy.

With most of the house still asleep Cara was quiet with her movements. The tea was brewed and divided into the clean mugs that she had available, using a little of her own magic to make sure they stayed hot for whenever the others decided to wake. The smell of the herbal teas wafted around the space. It was always a quiet, peaceful morning in the home. With just the shifter and the witch, and Adelphia prone to sleeping in some, Cara had always enjoyed her time awake when no one else did.

Maybe it was because she was half bird and the sing-song voices of those like her woke up her at the crack of dawn, or maybe it was simply because the morning was just… quiet. With the sunbeams dancing through the windows into the living space, and the rustle of the small breeze outside stirring the birds and the wildlife, it was comfortable. The fact that she had managed to convince her partner to move with her into the little cottage all those years ago had been a feat in itself. Cara had been in turn with the world around her since she was born, Addie, on the other hand, was more inclined and in turn with people. Cara was glad that, in the end, the move had paid off, because the two had a life that was - mostly - peaceful.

The only real events that caused such a stir were the ones involving the assassin. Eurion had unintentionally made himself two friends those first few nights they had met and even though he was away for months at a time, he made sure to visit when he was in the area. Cara would probably kill him if he didn't. Maybe it was why the shifter made sure to place the mugs that were slightly larger to one side for her girlfriend and best friend.

Birds of a feather must be true, because it didn't take long for Aideen to stir in the face of a new day. She has Caoimhe sleeping on top of her, arms wrapped around her body and his head pillowed on her stomach. He didn't wake when she combed her fingers through his hair, nor when she ran a knuckle over his horns. With her efforts to wake the prince wasted, she simply shifted into the magpie, let him fall into the mattress, and shift back by her discarded bag to grab a pair of clothes. She grabbed one of the prince's shirts, then a pair of fitted cotton pants, and headed towards the scent of tea once she was decent enough.

Cara was the only one awake, or the only one that Aideen was aware of. She went past the tiny woman to check on her other prince and found him predictably still there, but curled up and fast asleep. Solise too. Aideen felt sorry for her friend, not able to understand just how torn apart he had to be, but a hot spike of disbelief still coursed through her. He had been able to talk to the Gods, to pick a fight with them, just like that. Sláine didn't just get to do that without explaining to her what they were like, if he had any useful information on them. She wouldn't ask now, mostly became she knew she'd get clocked upside the head by Caoimhe—and quite possibly Adelphia too—so she let them be and went back to the kitchen.

"He's still sleeping," she murmured, coming up beside Cara to curiously inspect the mugs. "Both of them. They look peaceful at least." Sláine wasn't visibly struggling with nightmares, and Eurion didn't seem to be either. She took those signs as good ones, even though she knew the prince would need to wake soon if he wanted to beat Eurion and get away before the assassin woke as well.

Cara picked up one of the mugs, holding it out for Aideen with a small flicker of her magic to take away the warming spell, “After what happened yesterday they need as much sleep as they can get.” It wouldn’t be fair to wake them. It especially wouldn’t be fair to wake Sláine.

They both knew that the prince wouldn’t want to be around Eurion when the assassin woke. The only reason he’d only managed to be around him through the night was because he was in too deep a sleep to wake at his presence, to know he was there and wake up and try and tell him to leave. Cara was more worried than she let on. She had trust in her friend but couldn’t help but be concerned about his mate. As much as Cara and Adelphia were aware of the royals and who they were, their nature wasn’t known beyond the basics. She knew that Eurion would come around on his own, eventually, but Cara didn’t know if Sláine would be able to do what Addie had asked of him, if the prince could manage to make an effort on his part.

It showed in the soft frown on her delicate features if not explicitly said. It was in her nature to worry about people, even more so when it was who she considered her best friend. Adelphia had always told Cara to stop worrying about Eurion, but it didn’t help when the man tended to rock up at their door bloodied and nearly dying every time he returned for a visit. He’d always got an earful from her every time he did so, “So… Aideen, right? Did you sleep okay? Is there anything I can do for you? Food? Water? Anything between us birds?”

Aideen accepted the mug with a nod of thanks, and propped her backside against the counter to drink and think. Solise was there, presumably giving Eurion the comfort that was minimally needed by the assassin from the prince. But if the spirit was there, then that meant Sláine had reached out to the Middle. Caoimhe should do the same, get advice from his spirit as well. But even beyond that, at least the two lovebirds had her, and Sláine wasn't completely out of the picture for Eurion's recovery. If the cuddling was anything to go by.

Cara's concerned frown wasn't lost on Aideen, and she had a feeling she knew what it was about, but the guard was relatively certain that Sláine would recover. If not completely, then enough that the prince would be able to function and live through the days until all the shit got sorted out. With a soft sigh and tug of a smile, Aideen hunched down to lean on her elbows. "Plenty of sleep with a thousand pound weighted blanket," she said. Not that she was complaining. "I'll do food when everyone else is awake. No need to make everyone wake up at once because food is cooking." She could faintly hear Caoimhe's constance chastise in her ear. Manners. A bit belatedly, she added, "Thank you, though."

Probably best to address the mystery spirit before their hosts got concerned. Aideen gestured towards the curtain with her mug, then took a sip. "Don't mind Solise, she's just a spirit. Connected with Sláine, so she might be good for Eurion if he can't stand him at the moment." She didn't know Cara's earlier jealousy, or the shared cuddles that had eventually transferred to just the one. "Didn't want you guys thinking we had a malicious stowaway while you housed us."

Cara took her own mug in her hands, flicking a strand of white hair out her face with the movement before taking a sip, "Don't mention it," She said in regard to the shifter's first comment about food. Probably best to wait, anyway, but she knew what she was like in the morning so it was only polite to ask just in case Aideen was the same. Her thoughts, however, were quick to shift to the curtain and to Solise, "The only thing malicious about her is she's stealing my best friend." She grumbled, more to herself than to Aideen.

She wasn't going to let it go. Eurion would be hearing about the fact that he had been cuddling with another spirit and she had barely even met her quota for the visit. Cara was aware she had to give him a bit of slack, considering he had been dying upon arrival yesterday, but when they had returned from the gods realm he had been aware enough. Had accepted her cuddles and told her to play nice with Solise before wrapping an arm around her. Totally unfair, bringing a prince-boyfriend-mate whatever they were and picking the spirit that was connected with him over her. Cara huffed a little, pushing her chest out as she had done with Solise in her other form last night with a prominent pout.

"Eurion won't be able to talk to Sláine for a while, I doubt he'll be okay with Caoimhe, either, considering they share a face," Cara knew they were different people, different personalities and the eldest prince wasn't connected to Eurion like his younger brother was. But sharing a face, seeing the similarities when he was still afraid of the other probably wouldn't be helpful in the long run, "You might have to be the one to try and help to," She motioned with her mug vaguely, "Bridge the gap so they can talk and be okay."

She couldn't help but snort at Cara's pouting and puffed out chest. So very bird-like, so very jealous. Considering their relationship, Aideen couldn't imagine Eurion having a friend like Cara or even being the type to have someone upset that he was being stolen from them. He was grumpy, closed off, and had only shown slivers of softness and affection towards the prince in the time they've traveled together. His temper was quick, and he didn't seem the type to be overly fond of someone wanting physical affection from him. But, even when snickering together, Aideen had to respond. "I don't think she's stealing anyone. But she might give Sláine her attention when Eurion wakes up, you can swoop in then to take your best friend back from an oh so vicious ball of fluff."

But that then brought her to the thought of Eurion, and Cara's musings. No, Caoimhe would be the last person to make a positive impact, no matter the kinship her lover had so desperately wanted to forge in the time they had spent talking in the clearing while Sláine rested. They were identical, and Eurion was terrified of one of them. Facing the other would be no better. However—

Aideen barked a laugh, then quickly smothered it by taking a sip of her tea. Her body still shook with her silent amusement. "I'm not the person he wants to see," she said. "We are far from friends, and he'll want nothing of what I have to say, if I even had anything to say." They clashed too often, to hard, for her to make any impact on the injured and terrified assassin. He wouldn't want anything to do with her, even if she was the best option of the three of them. Aideen fluttered a hand in Cara's direction. "You're his best friend. I'm sure you can pull some strings."

Best friend or not Cara didn't know the slightest thing about Sláine and his nature other than what she could tell from the time they had been around one another over the last evening. She wasn't in a good place to help, either, "I know nothing of the prince's nature unlike yourself," She gave Aideen a pointed look, "There is no one else here who is capable. You know Sláine, just because you and Eurion clash doesn't mean he won't listen if you try."

As much as Cara wanted nothing more than to help her friend, she couldn't. There wasn't anything that she could do or say that would help. Aideen knew the prince, had been around him for a while and knew his character. She had seen the two interact and it put her in the most primed position to help Eurion and Sláine overcome their difficulties. Cara didn't know why or how Eurion had ended up as part of the group. It only sparked her jealous streak more considering that they were spending time with him and she wasn't. But regardless, Eurion wasn't someone who went around hanging out with people he didn't know unless he had a reason to. Something was going on, she could only presume it was with the gods, and there was only so much she could do to help. Especially when it came to this.

"I can't pull strings about someone I don't know. You've seen them interact, you know the prince, and Caoimhe isn't going to do shit and so you're the only person left in a position to help. Whether you like it or not you're going to have to do it." And for the sake of Cara's sanity as well as Eurion making amends with his mate.

Aideen gestured at the air in front of her, as if that would do anything to conjure the words that she was trying to find to say that no, she wasn't an option. The shifter floundered with a pinched face of frustration for a good few seconds, her hands moving like she was talking but without the words to hear. Finally, she found enough words to start half-assing her way through an argument. "Yes, I know Sláine. But I don't know Eurion. And I definitely don't know them together. We just found out about their relationship, even if Caoimhe and I had suspicions just recently."

She wouldn't be able to remind the assassin of instances where Sláine had been a good partner, or had been sweet on him, or anything of the sort. Aideen didn't know them as a couple besides the fact that clearly the prince was emotionally invested enough to try and fight the goddamn Gods on behalf of his partner. She sighed and rubbed at the bridge of her nose, thinking things through. She didn't know them as a couple, Caoimhe had a bad face, and Cara didn't know the prince well enough to change the assassin's mind on being terrified of him. Great. Adelphia likely wouldn't have a clue either.

But Eurion did. He knew everything. If Aideen could con him into answering questions about Sláine without freaking out, then that would do her job for her. She could do that, and it might work in her favor. She might break the assassin even more, though, but that was someone else's problem to deal with. "Fine," she sighed. "Fine. I'll try. But I'm not taking responsibility if he gets worse. I told you he doesn't like me. I'm making that a warning right here and now." And speaking of getting worse—Aideen leaned over to eye the curtain, just barely getting a glimpse of the bundle of blankets and pillows that was the youngest prince. She should wake him soon. At the very least, wake him up to move, and if he wanted to go back to sleep, he could elsewhere. "How long you think we have until dead man walking wakes up?" she asked.

Whether or not Eurion got worse wasn't on Aideen, Cara could admit that. She could only try and she was the best option out of everyone here that would help the couple the most. There wasn't a choice, as much as Aideen didn't want to help she was going to have to, for the sake of her friend, and the sake of Cara's.

The shifter did, however, bat at Aideen with a soft huff, "Just because you don't like him doesn't mean you have to call him names." She rolled her eyes. Not under her roof, at least, would anyone but her and Addie be able to call Eurion anything other than his own name. A privilege that came with being his best friend and one that Aideen had clearly not earned the right to. She might be smaller than the other but she could defend Eurion as much as she could. No one picked on him but Cara, it was in her rights as his best friend.

"Anyway, Eurion will probably wake up in an hour or so, maybe sooner. I doubt he'll sleep for much longer, he'll need some more painkillers soon." Because whatever Adelphia had given him last night along with her magic would have faded by now. Any minute the assassin was going to wake up and be in serious pain and it would only make things worse if Sláine was there. They both didn't need that confrontation this early in the morning, not before someone spoke to Eurion, before Aideen spoke to him about the Gods and whatever happened between him and the prince.

"Don't have to—but want to." Aideen had no qualms with calling the assassin names, and her amusement at doing so only heightened by the shorter woman batting at her as if that would do something. Aideen stood at least a foot taller than Cara, and though she knew she was a little on the taller side, that was entirely too excessive for her to be at all intimidated by a puffed up dove. Aideen waved Cara off and pushed off the counter. "Besides, I'm sure he'd love nothing more than to call me names. I'm just making it even."

She didn't bother with letting Cara have the last say, and set off to wake the prince before Eurion beat her to it. As she did so, Caoimhe groggily stumbled his way out of the bedroom, still fighting with his shirt as it got caught on his horns, but still followed the scent of tea. The eldest prince mumbled a slurred good morning, his accent the heaviest the tiny shifter had ever heard it, to the point the words were hardly comprehensible.

Aideen crouched down by Sláine and thought about the best way to wake him without either getting punched in the face, scaring him half to death, or waking the assassin up in the process. But, she grimly realized, if they truly had a strong bond and simply being near each other was helpful, then Eurion might still subconsciously feel the prince's violent reaction to being startled awake. She didn't like the possibility, and it was hard to avoid it, but she shrugged it off and got into a least-punchable position. "Rise and shine," she whispered, then used the cold skin of the back of her hand to press against his neck.

The sharp contrast jolted him awake, his heart racing from the scare, and he flailed on an instant to instinctually grab whoever was near. Aideen clamped a hand over his mouth and another over his horn to restrain him. "It's me, dumbass," she hissed, and Sláine narrowed his eyes up at her. "You gotta go." Aideen released him, and he grumpily gathered the blankets and pillows to flee the scene, no matter how much his soul ached the further he got away from Eurion.

With the movement of Sláine and Aideen beside him, Eurion stirred. He didn’t wake but he did shift, almost wrapping an arm closer around Solise both in an attempt to stay comfortable and keep a part of the prince close. The absence of the other was felt, especially when the prince woke with such a start, and it was the reason as to why the assassin groaned as if he were about to wake. He settled, however, but his discomfort was as clear as day. Now that he was beginning to wake he was starting to feel the pain once more. Feel the subtle burning and aching in his chest from where the blast hit him, the painful loss of his magic, too. As much as the shadows were beginning to return, until he was at full health Eurion’s heart would feel uncomfortable and saddened without the feeling of his magic, but there wasn’t much he could do to heal that hole inside.

Cara was ready to protest Aideen’s comments about her friend although Caoimhe was grumbling into the room and muttering his good mornings. At least that’s what she figured he was saying considering she could t quite understand the man and his thick accent. But, her fluttery personality returned and she was quick to offer the man a mug of tea, once again removing her charm as she held it out with her own soft, “Good morning.”

Adelphia would wake soon enough. With the rest of the house awake it wouldn’t be long before the witch rose. She’d be able to hear the grumblings of the others, probably feel the discomfort of the assassin and her nature would kick in before she knew what she was doing or what the time was.

Solise also woke up in reaction to the prince's violent start, though she was so used to it at this point from experience that she nearly went back to sleep. But Eurion reacted as well, groaning and pulling her closer, and she had a feeling it was because of both the noise and their bond. The spirit uncurled and sprawled herself out over the assassin, covering more of him and taking up a lot more space, as if that would trick the assassin's subconscious into thinking there was more of Sláine to cuddle. But she also cuddled closer into the man's hand and arm, headbutting her way beneath his hand until her ears were flattened against her self from being burrowed beneath the limb.

The prince watched through their magic, as his concern had spiked the moment Eurion made a noise of discomfort, and he was relieved that Solise had reacted instantly to comfort his assassin. If Sláine couldn't be the one to do it, as much as he loathed that hindrance, then she was the next best thing. It helped that she loved being cuddled and pampered so much, even if he ignored the implications of that particular personality trait. After a few seconds, when Solise had settled down, the prince reluctantly turned back towards where his brother and Cara were, and he offered a tired smile to the tiny shifter. "Good morning."

Caoimhe pointed at him, as if echoing the statement more legibly, and took the offered mug with a matching smile. He did manage to say the next word and be understood. "Thanks." Probably because Sláine gave him a pointed glare that meant 'im not speaking for you.' The youngest was feeling better, all around, though he was now burying the severity of his feelings towards the temporary loss of Eurion. It still felt like a brutal knife slicing through him again and again anytime he thought about it, but it was internalized and smoothed over before his face could give him away. Aideen came up behind him and slid through to get to Caoimhe's side. She sighed and started fixing her prince's shirt, which was all sorts of fucked, then also his hair as his horns had held quite a few curls hostage, while Sláine just shook his head to get most of his untangled.

Eurion settled down when Solise cuddled herself further across his body, the assassin now wrapping both arms around the spirit. It wasn't exactly comfortable, but it would do. It was more for the comfort of his soul than his actual body because Adelphia was going to have to help ease the pain that was rising with every passing moment. For now, Eurion was okay enough with the spirit on his chest. As much as his heart ached for his mate, that wouldn't happen, not today. They needed the time apart, needed at least some time so Eurion could talk through what he saw, what he was feeling, with someone. Fuck, he'd take Aideen at this point. Little did he know that that was exactly what he was going to get when he eventually woke up.

Cara nodded in response to the thank you's and the good morning from the youngest prince. She was glad to see Sláine a little less dishevelled than he had been last night although it was clear he was tired, they all were. The emotional toll on the prince and the assassin would be a lot, plus the fight for the others and the worry from the shifter and the healer, they all seemed to be in a similar boat. But, to distract herself from the worry of her friend, she began making breakfast for the group - fresh fruits and pastries along with more tea for whoever wanted some.

Adelphia was up not longer after, drawn out of bed with the fresh smell of food being wafted through the cottage, "Good morning," She said, her voice softer than it had been the entire time the group had been in her home, "I hope you all managed to get some sleep." Her look was pointed more toward Sláine as she came up beside her small girlfriend and gave her a kiss on the head in greeting.

Sláine was settled comfortably off to the side by the time Adelphia woke up, in the process of braiding his own hair to keep himself busy. He went with a familiar style, one that took a while but he knew by heart that it wouldn't take too long. On each side of his face, he made four small braids, then braided them together. They then got incorporated partway down the thick plait he made down the back of his head that rested on untouched curls. More small braids were twisted all around, most left to just get lost in the thicket of curls and the rest styled to wrap around the base of his horns. Many blended into one another to make a sort of headdress type look.

While he was focused on twisting a particularly tiny braid down the length of his hair, he felt the pointed stare of Adelphia. Sláine looked up, met her look, and made sure his face was unflinching as he went back to braiding. "Slept like a baby," he said. A slight exaggeration, but he had slept just fine in the grand scheme of things. Uncomfortable by the lack of Eurion being pressed against him or within grabbing range, but free of nightmares, so he was taking it as a win. When the final braid was done, and he tied it off with a conjured tiny little band, the prince moved back over to the crowd to inspect the food being prepared. "We can help, if you want," he offered. It felt rude making the two women house and feed them, even if it was just for a night, without lifting a finger or even offering to help around the house.

Aideen, however, knew as much about cooking as she did braiding. The most she had learned was how to survive, not make a meal. So she smoothed down Caoimhe's shirt now that she got it and his hair situated nicely, then lifted on her toes to catch a kiss from him. "Cara and I were talking," she said, and her grin was wicked as she looked back at the other shifter. "We've agreed that Caoimhe has a horrible face." The twins simultaneously pinched the bridges of their noses and sighed. They knew her antics. Chances were, the context was severely lacking and what was actually said made more sense. Caoimhe clicked his teeth in a threat to bite her, and Sláine's sigh turned into a snicker.

Even Adelphia wasn’t helping the tiny shifter prepare the food, and every time the witch tries she was batted away by Cara. The healer held her hands up in defeat and took her own tea in her hands. Once Cara was set on something nothing was going to change her mind, and she liked being busy, liked taking care of people in the non-magical sense. She left that for her partner, but food healed all in her mind and she wasn’t going to let anyone touch it.

Her thoughts were drawn to Aideen when she spoke and she gave the other shifter a displeased look, pointed the spoon she had been using to mix the quick batter for the pastries to point at her, “That is not what we said,” She huffed with a small shake of her head, “Aideen and I were talking about the best course of action to help Eurion when it came to remember that Sláine isn’t someone he needs to be terrified of,” She elaborated, only glancing up to the two bothers occasionally as she mixed the batter before laying them out on a small tray.

“We said that because Caoimhe and Sláine share a face it would not be helpful for Caoimhe to talk with Eurion right now. If he’s scared of one of you he’ll be scared of the other,” Expertly, Cara twisted the batter into delicate designs before her magic shimmered over the finished product, projecting a cast of heat to help them cook quicker than anything else, “Addie and I don’t know Sláine’s nature well enough to help and reassure Eurion, and so we decided that Aideen is going to be the one to talk to him.” Cara left out the part where she nearly had to force the other shifter into agreeing since Aideen had been adamant about not doing so, but it didn’t matter now that she had agreed.

Sláine caught the hint pretty quickly that Cara was in the groove and wouldn't take help from anyone, so he backed away to be out of her space. Humor danced in his expression, though, when the tiny little shifter gave Aideen a dirty look and the battered spoon. He was right—the statement was severely out of context. "That makes sense," he said, even if there was that pang of distraught at Eurion being scared of him. His face remained neutral. Sláine was more able to keep his emotions in check at the moment, better than he had been the night before, so he had no outward reaction to the reminder of the state of his relationship.

His brother, on the other hand, pouted. "Still rude. I like him, I thought we had a good thing going." Clearly not as good a thing as his twin had with the assassin, but having Eurion as a friend was something he wanted, and the eldest prince thought that they had managed to connect on some level.

Aideen patted his stomach in sympathy, then stuck her tongue out at Cara. "Sorry buddy, better luck next time. Maybe if you fixed your face, you'd be more approachable." Another snap of his teeth, and the guard cackled while dancing out of his reach.

Ignoring the two, Sláine pointedly avoided looking in the direction of the curtain and instead leaned on the counter with folded arms, watching the food being made so that he could get his and leave Eurion's proximity without incident—for both their sakes. "I think he should talk to someone," the prince said, soft concern seeping into his voice and expression. "Doesn't matter who, so long as he talks about it so it doesn't fester." Talking from experience, and being a hypocrite. He knew just how bad not talking about nightmares could be, and the toll they could take on someone's mind if not unburdened, or if gone unnoticed by people. Eurion would've been the first person to know about them in their full capacity, had the fire witch not shown up and caused all of this. Sláine had been prepared to trust his assassin with that vulnerability.

But if Aideen could get Eurion to even get the littlest of details out, to unload that burden into the world, then it would help. It might even help him sort through what he saw, and go through it in a better light. Maybe. It was just a guess, as the prince had no idea what Eurion was like when incidents like this hit. It made him feel all the more guilty for causing even more anguish within the sweet assassin.

Cara left her hands hovering over the pastries as they cooked under them, the batter crisping up as they puffed up in a similar fashion to how her chest did when she was mad. Soft on the inside, beautiful on the outside. Addie licked the spoon that her girlfriend had left to one side and received a glare in response, only to be met with a cheeky smile from Adelphia.

This time it was the healers turn to talk, although slightly muffled from the batter in her mouth, “Once Eurion is fine with one of you he’ll be fine with both of you,” She said in response to Caoimhe, “Either way, you’re all welcome to stay as long as you need to recover. It’s been too long since we’ve had guests, it’s a nice change even under these circumstances.”

“Too long since Eurion visited.” Cara muttered. It had been months since the assassin had dropped by and in her mind it was far too long and entirely unfair for her to go that long without seeing her friend. And then he had to go and nearly die on her when he did show up again. Adelphia couldn’t help the snort that left her at Cara’s comment.

“Once he’s awake and not in pain then Aideen can talk to him for however long she needs.” Addie continued, placing the spoon down to one side and grabbing some mismatched plates from a nearby cupboard.

Sláine watched the two witches interact, feeling a pang of pity for Cara and Addie. Clearly Eurion didn't visit often, at least not often enough for Cara. And this time wasn't really a voluntary visit, but rather an emergency pop-in that was necessary because of the assassin's status as dying. And he hated to be the one to ruin her friend's visit even further, but he had to. "You're far too kind," the prince said, lowering his head in a sign of thanks and respect. "But unfortunately I don't think we'll be staying long, just until Eurion is feeling better. We were on a schedule, and had already been delayed." One particular scheduled item was likely off the table now, but Sláine's mind was far off from that at the moment. His main concern lied with Eurion's well-being and health. So if they needed to stay longer, they would, but he wasn't sure what that would mean for their schedule in the long run.

Nevertheless, he shook his head pulled his gaze away from the curtain, not knowing when it had drifted. "I'm sorry he's only here under not so good circumstances. I would've loved meeting you two under a different context." That being said… The prince looked to Addie, his face a little pinched. "We should talk, though. Either while Aideen is with Eurion, or after, either is fine with me."

"Oh yeah." Aideen hovered over the pastries, thieving fingers itching to grab them the moment they were ready for consumption. "Once I get food, I'll go and sit by him, so then we can talk asap. Get this hell done and over with." Sláine glared at her, and she retracted that statement. "I mean, the sooner we get him calmed down and feeling better, the better it is for everyone." The prince still wasn't totally happy, but he didn't push it. He knew the two of them didn't get along, and having Aideen as their only option was a bit infuriating, but she would have to do.

“We can talk while Eurion is occupied, it puts a little more distance between the two of you for the time being.” Adelphia nodded towards Sláine. She was more than aware that he would have questions about her friend and the agreement he was involved in. Whatever Sláine wanted to know that Adelphia was more than happy to oblige. She loved Eurion, and as much as the stubborn bastard wouldn’t admit it, he loved them, too, it showed the the care he took towards them whenever he was around, far too soft and gentle. If Adelphia could help, then she would. They both deserved it. As much as she didn’t know much about Sláine’s situation when it came to romance one thing she knew was that he deserved as good as love as anyone else, as Eurion. The pair weren’t bonded for no reason.

Cara wanted to bat Aideen away but the pastries were crisp and golden brown. Her magic shimmered away and she took a small step backwards, “Alright fiends, help yourselves but make sure to have some fruit too!” The small woman was quick to lay out some spreads for them all to chose from to add to the pastries, setting a knife with each before she was fully satisfied with her work.

If almost on cue at the smell of food, Eurion woke. He groaned at the crick in his neck and the pain that settled in his chest and hear. He was sure Addie knew he had woken, and with the commotion in the kitchen that he could hear in his half groggy state he was always aware breakfast was made. Adelphia moved towards the curtains “I’ll be back in a moment.” She said, disappearing away so she could tend to her friend.

Sláine nodded in thanks to Addie, relieved that he wouldn't have to come up with an excuse to hide. But he was also grateful that he could talk to her about just what Eurion got himself into with the Gods, and maybe even what he was like. Because as much as he was confident he knew his assassin decently well in terms of how they were when alone together, he didn't know much. Not in the ways that also mattered. He wouldn't pry for too much, because he didn't want to have all the answers from the mouth of someone else, but just enough. Just enough to get a sense for how others viewed him, the people who were his friends for a lot longer than Sláine.

At Cara's allowance, the two vultures swooped in to get their food. Caoimhe at the very least gave compliments to the chef and flashed a pleased grin, while Aideen simply snatched her food and got out of the way as if someone was going to steal the pastry and fruits away from her. Sláine hovered nearby until she was gone, then calmly grabbed some food as well. Caoimhe knocked their horns together in greeting, but also as a way to check in with his twin. Sláine squeezed Caoimhe's arm in response. He'd be okay, because he had to be. The prince didn't want everyone fussing over him like he was going to break down again. He desperately wanted to avoid being seen like that.

At the arrival of Addie, and Eurion being awake, Solise stirred and slid off of the assassin's chest. Adelphia needed as much room for her magic as possible, and there was that chance of Eurion being coherent enough to realize she was a strange creature taking a nap on him. But she didn't move far, and in fact sat next to his shoulder to look over him like a guardian, her tail moving around to curl over her toes and rest on the floor.

Eurion pushed himself up onto his hands slowly, wincing at the pain that shot through him at the movement, “Morning,” He grumbled when he noted Adelphia who shot the assassin a soft frown in response to him moving. He looked over his shoulder and down to Solise, soft confusing marring his own features. He didn’t know what she was, but she’d been comforting enough last night, “Morning to you, too.” The presence was the same familiarity to the one he had felt at the inn the other day, the one hiding in the shadows just out of view. Watching over him and Sláine and the others.

Adelphia crouched down in front of the assassin, holding out an apple that she’d snatched off the counter, “Eat and stay as still as you can.” Eurion rolled his eyes but obliged as his friends magic washed over him once more, curling around his chest like a warm blanket. It felt nice to have the comfort of the magic and the pain relieved. The assassin didn’t say much, letting Adelphia work. He didn’t know what to say, anyway, unusual when it came to the other. He was still reeling from last night, from what he saw. It made his heart race thinking about Sláine tearing about that witch, erasing them, just as he’d seen the Gods do.

Finally, Adelphia’s magic faded away, “Aideen is going to come and talk to you about what happened. I figured you wouldn’t want either of the twins.” She said.

Eurion swallowed, “Why can’t Cara or you stay for a bit?”

“Because as much as we love you dumbass, we’re not exactly in the best position to help.” Adelphia ruffled his hair and Eurion frowned at her but didn’t protest further. He wasn’t going to win the argument no matter how hard he tried so he didn’t bother.

Solise's ears stood up high, pointed towards Eurion, as she chirruped in greeting. For now, she knew that he was likely overwhelmed by everything going on, especially the nearly dying part, so she saved him from the added confusion over what she was by tacking on her ability to speak telepathically. Her wings stretched out some in a soft flap to stretch them out, feathers puffed, then resettled back into place as she tucked them back in. The spirit would be there for the future conversation, then she would tend to her witch. They both needed comfort, but Eurion needed someone while Sláine had his twin, and the assassin couldn't turn to his friends in this particular situation due to the nature of everything happening.

As if summoned, Aideen finished her food and headed over to the curtain to see Eurion and Adelphia talking, the assassin seemingly coherent enough for a conversation. She noted the spirit a second later, and sat on the floor next to Eurion while offering a small nod of greeting to them both. "Hello, Solise. I'm glad you've joined us." Caoimhe's spirit was still unaccounted for, most likely due to the prince not calling for him, and it not being the time or place for that kind of spirit. Solise was small and easily portable, while Anim… was not. Aideen made a mental note to have Caoimhe summon his spirit for a little bit of extra insight into what was going on, but for now, her focus was on Eurion.

She let Adelphia finish tending to her friend, and simply sat with her legs crossed while inspecting the jewelry she had taken from Caoimhe. Aideen didn't know where to start, what to ask or how to prompt the assassin to talk. They weren't exactly on the buddy level that it was normal for him to spill his deepest fears, or for her to pull him out of them. But, she decided to try and go at it from the angle of her helping Sláine, by way of helping Eurion. Maybe that mindset would make her a little less klutzy with the conversation.

Adelphia left the two alone not long after, Eurion chewing the apple a little more aggressively than he had been to show his distaste for the situation. He knew that he had to talk to someone, simply avoiding the issue was going to make this so much worse. Whether he wanted to be around Sláine or not right now didn’t matter because he had to be. Talking about it might be good for him, at least Aideen knew Sláine, better than he did, at least. But it was more the fact that out of everyone there it was Aideen he was being forced to talk to.

They didn’t get along, as much as they had had a small truce going on that didn’t make them anywhere near remotely being friends. The only time they had spoken was when Caoimhe was there to buffer, or even Sláine, and their first few conversations had gone far from well. Eurion pretended like his apple was more interesting than Aideen was, although he did mumble a soft, “Hi.” As a greeting.

Adelphia headed back out into the living room, grabbing herself a couple of the left over pastries that hasn’t been devoured by the princes or her partner. She wouldn’t lie, she was worried about how that conversation was going to go. It was clear that they didn’t like each other and Adelphia knew her friend. It would be a hard conversation, most likely with a bunch of swearing and glaring on his end. She had a feeling Aideen was the same, probably why the butted heads.

For now, she turned her attention back to the youngest prince, “Whenever you’re up for a chat I am more than ready.” She said, munching on her pastry.

Aideen tossed a ring up in the air like it was a coin, watching it go up and down with each flick of her thumb. They wouldn't get anywhere like this, the stubborn silence of two people who didn't like one another. "Hi," she greeted back, reluctant to be civil but needing to be. This was going to be a long conversation. As if her mere presence could act as a way to cool their tempers, Solise hopped into Eurion's lap and head-butted his stomach, much like a cat. What Eurion didn't see was the sharp stare she sent the shifter's way, and Aideen winced a little in response. Fine, okay, she'd start them off.

"Look," the witch said, catching the ring and spinning it between her fingers. Paused. Where did she even start? "Look, I don't know what all the Gods did to you." Mostly because Sláine was stubbornly tight-lipped about the whole ordeal. "And I know you don't like me, but it's not entirely an out there idea to talk about it with someone." She shrugged and flipped the ring again into the air. "Maybe we can sort things out. I can't—" Bad word choice. She tried again. "Sláine's an asshole, I'll be the first to say that. I'm curious to know why you think he sucks."

Said prince winced at what little he heard coming from Aideen, and turned to Adelphia. "Now would be good." Now, before he tortured himself by listening in on the conversation. Before he had to listen to what Eurion thought of him. And so that his assassin didn't close up, just in case Eurion could still feel him there and didn't want to talk while the prince was in the vicinity. Sláine grabbed himself one more pastry, then moved closer to Adelphia and indicated that he would follow her lead. Caoimhe stuck to the kitchen to be moral support for his lover, and entertained himself by conjuring a ball to bounce back and forth.

Eurion looked down to the spirit in his lap, Solise, and was grateful for the being acting as a buffer even if she wasn’t speaking. Solise was comforting in a similar way that Sláine was. Even though they were different, and as much as his brain was foggy, the assassin took a gamble and guesses the spirit and the witch were connected and that was why he felt comfortable with the unknown creature.

He frowned a little at Aideen’s words, “Sláine isn’t an asshole,” He said, petting Solise with soft hands. The prince wasn’t an ass, and Eurion didn’t lie when he said it. He may be scared of him, of what the prince had done, but that didn’t warrant the name calling, no matter what his brain screamed at him to try and believe, “The Gods showed me what- what Sláine did, to the witch,” He took a glance up at Aideen although didn’t want to make eye contact for the time being, “How he just- just tore them apart like that and his magic?” He shook his head, “He acted like one of the Gods, I don’t get how he could just kill them that way and the screams?” It had reminded him too much of Xirus.

Back in the living room Adelphia led Sláine over to the couch, taking a seat on one side and gesturing for the prince to take a seat on the other, “Ask away young man.” She would do her best, that was for certain.

Solise purred sadly and leaned her weight into Eurion's hands when he recounted what he saw. She pitied the assassin for believing the Gods, only because she knew that their torment over him had to be strong for him to believe them about his own mate without question. Aideen, however, caught the ring midair and frowned. She and Caoimhe hadn't paid too much attention to what Sláine had been doing after being told to stay with the assassin, but she knew for a fact that didn't sound right. It didn't sound like Sláine, even when angry.

"Eurion," she said slowly, "what exactly did they show you?" What truths had they bent so far into lies that they were threatening to break? Gods. Did Eurion really believe that the man he took a fucking fireball for was capable of such horrible things? Sláine had torture the witch some, she will admit, by turning their fire on themself, but she imagined it had only been revenge for the pain Eurion had been subject to. As far as she knew, anything beyond that, the erasing, had been quick and relatively painless. She couldn't remember at any point seeing them slowly ripped from the world—just there one second, and gone the next.

Sláine hovered for a second, now unsure if he should be asking these questions. It felt unfair to be knowing things that Eurion hadn't allowed to be told to him. But the prince was desperate for answers. So he sat down where Adelphia indicated and leaned his elbows on his knees. "The main thing I want to know, I guess is… why? What did the Gods offer him for him to accept it? Why has he done this for so long and endured their abuse?"

Eurion chewed on his lower lip. He didn't know if he wanted to recount what he saw, he didn't even know entirely how to describe it, either. Deep down, and from the way Aideen spoke, he doubted the Gods. They were shifty and cruel and cunning but his past ran too deep for him to differentiate between anything at the moment. Whether or not what he saw was true, Sláine had walked into the Gods realm like it was nothing and he shouldn't have been able to do that. The only reason he could was because his power was like theirs, and it was only solidified in his mind with the way he had killed the witch.

"I saw Sláine turn the witch's fire against them," He started, keeping his gaze fixed on Solise, "How he increased the strength, the heat, and burned them, slowly. How he- he bound them there and took them apart with their own magic little by little, and then used his magic to fucking erase them. Having to watch as their body disappeared and their fire and how they begged for a quick death only for him to draw it out as long as he could. Their screams were so loud they- it…" It sounded like his own, when the Gods tortured him and made it slow and painful so Eurion learnt his lesson.

Adelphia looked over to the curtain as if trying to listen in to Eurion's conversation. They were just out of earshot and with Cara cleaning up in the background for added noise she could only make guesses about what he was saying. She knew that eventually, Eurion would tell Sláine and the assassin might be pissed at her for telling him before he was ready but it was necessary, "You don't get a choice, when the Gods pick you," She started, "It's not an offer, an exchange. The moment they decide you're who they want you're bound to them. They take you to their realm, they tell you who they are and what you want and either you accept and you live, or they kill you." Because they weren't just regular Gods, the kind people worshipped. They didn't care about the land and the people they had created so long ago, they just wanted to rule and control.

"The tattoo on his back serves as the physical indication of that deal, as the reminder of who he serves. He's tried burning it off, cutting it off, fuck even I've tried but no matter what happens it heals exactly the same every time." Her face was grave as she spoke, "They threatened to kill his parents, too, when he tried to leave, but then they died and he felt he didn't have any other choice. Eurion had no one else. This was before Cara and I so, what else could he do?"

"That's not true." Aideen wasn't sure of much, but she was sure of that. Sláine hadn't taken his time. He had gone back to Eurion as quickly as possible, gone before the last speck of the witch could float away. Sláine was too soft hearted to torture someone like that, but far too smitten with Eurion to leave the assassin for too long. The most accurate part about that recounting was the fire being turned on the witch, but they had only cried out some. Everything else was a fabrication. The witch had not begged for death, not that she had heard. And Aideen… she had heard stories about how the twins could be during battle, when they had been thrust into wars needlessly. But she refused to believe that her friend could be so cruel. Brutal, maybe, but not cruel. He was never one to take his time, especially when he had someone else waiting for him. That was Caoimhe's thing, and even he had lines he didn't cross.

Before she could think about her next words, or Eurion's inevitable protest to her denial, she was talking. "When you think of Sláine," Aideen blurted, still not looking to the assassin, "when you picture him in your mind, what do you focus on first?" Solise sat up a little, intrigued by the shifter's train of thought. Even if she curled into Eurion and encouraged him to pet her more for comfort, she silently encouraged this new direction of the conversation.

A muscle feathered in Sláine's cheek from his jaw clenching. A choice. That wasn't a choice, that was cornering someone into submission. The Gods, he was quickly learning, had no interest in the people and land they had once created. They were having their own replacements killed because of competition. They wanted the power of control once again. But things were different, forces have changed. And a child of the Middle was beyond pissed with them and their treatment of his assassin. Not theirs. They didn't deserve Eurion or his abilities. If they were so weak that they needed someone of their choosing to give them their power back, then that should be telling enough.

"Chains can be broken," Sláine said, speaking to his white knuckled grip he had with his hands laced together. "A slaver is only a slaver when the chains around the neck of his servant go unchallenged. Rusted from age and strained, they are bound to snap." The prince shook his head and leaned back against the couch. "What all has he done for them?"