The Amell Legacy: Transgressions

[Haliel Lightsong]

"You are not the first person to... proposition me. The first to kiss me, yes, but not the first offer. Often for... more than kissing. Also the first I have given any consideration at all. The vast majority make me feel unclean. Sullied. Your kiss did neither." A pause. "Well. I suppose I considered the aasimar my parents suggested I sire another generation with but that was... duty. And not something I have to deal with for decades yet."

[Marian Hawke]

"You said yourself, you don't have many friends. How often has a friend asked for more?" The anger's gone out of Marian's voice, replaced with a dull acceptance. 

[Haliel Lightsong]

Lightsong squirms a little. "Just you," she admits evenly. Miss Brianne... offered as well but... Lightsong wrinkles her nose. She made it sound just the same as offering to run to the market for me. "Fine," she whispers. "I'll let it rest until I understand what's wrong with me."

[Marian Hawke]

"There's nothing wrong with you," she snaps. "I'm sure when it's time you and that aasimar will have lovely, perfect angel babies and everyone will be so fucking proud."

[Haliel Lightsong]

"Neither of us have angel blood," Lightsong says in a hurt tone. "And- and I don't... I don't know him at all. Father just wants me to breed a child- or several- because he's storied lineage. There's nothing of love or anything else in it." She sounds rather ill at the idea of it honestly.

[Marian Hawke]

"So it's an arranged marriage, like any noble has," she points out. "Like I said, you'll do fine. It's me that's the fuck-up. The throwaway daughter -- not even daughter, just the bastard. Nobody has any hope I'll breed. They rather hope I won't. Embarrassing for the family, you see."

[Haliel Lightsong]

"Not marriage. Breeding," Haliel says tightly, then tilts her head slightly. "Actually... I'm a bastard as well. My parents never bothered to marry, not seeing a point to such a... mortal concern."

[Marian Hawke]

"It's not the same," says Marian curtly. "Your parents are a life-long mated pair, companions in life as well as in the bedroom. Everyone's heard of Glory and Ben Lightsong. She even took his name -- that's basically marriage. My dad was a deadbeat who ran out on the family and never came back. My mother married well anyway despite my birth holding her back, and the twins are her daughters -- she even called Carol her eldest daughter at their birthday. I'm just nothing. Unwanted. Unnecessary."

She takes a deep breath, then, as if realizing how bitter she sounds. "I should go. Talking about this stuff is doing neither of us any good."

[Haliel Lightsong]

That is not entirely accurate. Our last name comes from Mother's father, because he was the more... religiously significant of their mortal ancestors. Lightsong shakes her head, just a little. It helps me understand you at least. A pause and she realizes she should say that out loud. "And I want to know you, more and more," she adds softly. "But... but we can change the subject if... if you need a break from this. Something lighter perhaps. 

[Marian Hawke]

"No," she says bitterly. "I need supper and time to destress. I'll see you in the morning, I guess. I start at eleven bell."

[Haliel Lightsong]

"Alright. And... and I won't bring this up again for a while. Not until I understand better," Lightsong promises. "I'm sorry that.... I'm sorry. I miss my friend."

[Marian Hawke]

"At least someone does." She sighs, then, turning to go. "See you tomorrow."

[Bethany]

Fixing the last button of her nightgown, Beth stares into the mirror. Why is this all happening to us? I know I'm not exactly the most virtuous of people but Car has never hurt a soul in her life. She winces at the thought, one hand gripping the other wrist tightly, where there isn't a scar. Except herself. 

Running a hand through her hair, she turns away with a shudder. None of that tonight. Focus on the good. Lightsong seems legitimately what she shows herself to be. So... So that might work out. Maybe. But I need to talk with Car about it. With that thought, she goes to her door and uses her second favorite spell. Now invisible, she slips out of her room to head to her twin's. 

Which... Is empty?

[Carver Amell]

The bedroom is empty, and so is their shared bathroom. The walk-in closet is likewise empty. The window is latched, which cannot be done from the outside -- Beth knows from experience. So where --

The door to the bedroom opens, and Carol enters, dressed in her nightgown and carrying a candle. For once her face shows the storm inside her, the anguish and fear. Then, as she sets the candle down and glances toward the adjoining door to Beth's room, it blanks, smoothing over into that dull, sad emptiness she usually shows. And how much of that has been a lie as well?

[Bethany]

What... What was... What was that about? Why- what was she... Without thinking it out, Beth demands, "where have you been?"