One Short Day in Captial City [Closed]

[FlyingPanther]

[OOC: Oi...here we go...and I'm so addicted to Wicked...it's rediculous *points at title for other Wicked people*. Also...Vyn...don't worry about making your reply this long ; In fact, I'd like it if you kept it shorter if you could manage XD. We seem to get alot more rping done if it's on the shorter side <3.]

Silvanus tapped on the dining room table subconsciously as he waited for Ophelia and the children to appear. He sat at the table, drinking some nice warm pomegrante tea, attempting to sooth his nerves. He looked down into the white cup, the crimson reflection of his worry staring back at him. This would be the children's first visit to his home in the Capital City, and he knew how much of a handful they could be already. Ophelia had been keeping them in Corvistowne, and he had been visiting rather regularly as he had promised the day that he had found out she was pregnant, despite how uncomfortible it made him feel. He was grateful that for once they were coming to him, instead of him having to visit...that place.

Well, he really couldn't express much dislike for it now. He had become used to the ways of the town thanks to multiple visits, and had slowly become urban savvy. Not to mention the fact that Ophelia lived on the outskirts, which allowed him to not have to venture very far into the city at all. Despite all his prejudice, he was finding a certain beauty about the town. That, or he really just enjoyed being around Ophelia and the children.

But now they were coming to visit him. He had bought the house from his friend, whose extended out of town vacation had lead him to find a beautiful woman he wanted to settle down with in her home region. His friend practically gave the house to him in his ecstacy. Boy did Silvanus wish that his life was going that well. He had no time to meet other ladies, however, as now he had the job of supporting himself in this house, as well as sending things to Igal and Astyana....though Igal hardly wanted anything to do with him anymore. It was understandible, more then understandible. He had done them both a great disservice. Igal was adiment about keeping him out of their lives, and he didn't push. He had no right, and he had other things to worry about.

He looked at the clock on the wall, hoping nothing bad had happened to the 5 travelers, as the clock read that they were late.

---

Severus trudged along after his mothers and siblings, grumbling the entire way. He was certainly not going to make this trip easy on his mother, as only a little child could, but he couldn't help himself. He much prefered the small house that he had been born in, the region he had been born in, and the place that he had slowly begun to adore. He wanted his mother to go on more about genetics, as he absolutely loved the lessons she gave him from time to time. More often then not though, he realized his mother got easily exhausted by his utter ambition to learn more, of which he was beginning to grow resentful, despite his slight understanding of how demanding he could be compared to his siblings.

Vertumnus was on the opposite side of the scale, and was definately the most excited child of the group. Finally he was going to visit daddy's home! He had always enjoyed his fathers trips to Corvistowne, and often cried when it was time for him to leave. He so enjoyed his fathers company, it made him feel like he belonged somewhere. Back at Corvistowne, everyone was so strange. Even his mother, for whom he loved, was strange like them, and he was the only Avington of his siblings, leaving him to feel almost outcasted. He didn't belong there, and it was very easy to see that he was enjoying this atmosphere much more.

He looked back to see Severus trailing behind, again. "Hey Snevillus! Why don't you walk a little faster? Or can you're nancy little legs not carry you any faster?" he teased. Of all his sibllings, he liked Severus the least, and he had a feeling that the feelings were reciprocated. He was just so strange. So were his other siblings, but there was something especially strange about Severus. Vertumnus never told anyone, but he had a distinct feeling that Severus was actually...evil. It was just something about him. How could he not like his own father, who was always so kind to all of them? He pushed his siblings away from their mother so he could have private tutoring sessions with her. Not that he cared for chemistry like his siblings, but didn't they also have the right to learn everything he was learning? Didn't they also have the right to have just as much attention from their mother?

Severus nearly snarled at his brother. He HATED when Vertumnus called him that. It was bad enough that he had such an odd body shape, and that he was alot weaker then his siblings thanks to his serpentine lankyness, but he certainly didn't want to be reminded by his own sibling! He gave a deathstare, "Mind your own buisness, NUMNUTS." he retorted back. He could have looked to his mother for help, but he had inherited his mother's pride, and never sought for anyone's help in such matters, despite his inner insecurities and his wish to be protected from people that proded at his weakpoints.

[Vyn]

Ophelia closed her eyes as she walked, listened to her children bicker as she let out a low breath. Who would've imagined that they'd all be so...diverse? How was it that they could quarrel so over such simple things as walking? Why on earth had she let herself get into this mess alone!? With that heavy exhale but without looking back, she spoke up.

"Vertmunus. Severus. No more quarreling, we're almost there."

As usual, Ophelia was a strong hand but didn't scold more than necessary. The boys would learn, in time, the value of family...or they would not. She had once learned first hand how hard it was to hold a family together when it did not want to be united. It caused resentment more than love and respect, she would not force such a thing upon her own.

Besides, for everything she didn't say, Xylia would pick up for her and, as if on cue, the little doe did just that.

Her soft voice was a picture of her father, light and proper...a perfect little lady. Despite, of course, that she was actually purely of the Corvistowne region. Her appearance showed nothing of her father except his mane, but from voice to action she was his mimic. For now, at least, she showed only his most outward traits. Those hints of racism, his distrust of others, was squashed from her sweet mind by her naive youth. It was a refreshing contrast from the three others.

"Tumnus! What would Father think of you acting like that? It's unbecoming of a gentleman! And Seve, you shouldn't lower yourself to returning his jibes..."

"You're all so noisy... It hurts my head."

That final voice was like death itself: cold, calculating, cynical. For a child no older than any of her siblings, Mephitisia seemed to lack the natural joy for life that most child had, or should've had. Then again, it might've made more sense to Ophelia if she realized that what the doe was going through day in and day out.

The migraines never ceased.

She had tried everything. Natural remedies and...unnatural ones as well as unnatural ones...and always nothing seemed to work. From time to time, Opium was her savior, but even then it failed her more often than not. She would have to learn someday, to live with her agony. To expect that it would never end.

Mephit just wanted this long trip to end, she wanted out of the sunlight were her throbbing migraine at least wasn't agitated every waking moment.

[FlyingPanther]

Vertumnus looked like he wanted to start something with the insult that Severus had given him, but instead his sister stopped anything he might have been thinking of doing. Sure his mother's word held sway, but his sister at the moment had brought up a more convincing argument. They were almost there, and he didn't want to get roughed up, or rough someone else up and disappoint his father. No, despite Vertumnus seeing that his father had a particular favoritism towards himself, he would not approve of such behavior. Another time...Snevillus was not off the hook. He managed to swallow whatever pride he might have had and was happy with just giving his brother a look before turning and with his tail erect in the air, clopped up in front of his mother, eager to get to his father's house.

Severus snorted and looked at the ground. Why was it that Xylia was always the voice of reason? It was true, he should have just let whatever Tumnus said slide off his back, but he never seemed to be able to. There was just something about that boy that riled him up. Maybe it was because Tumnus was convinced that he was an evil person, why he wasn't sure. Severus didn't know what the future had in store for him, but right now...Severus didn't feel evil or good...he was to young to already be choosing sides. Were there really even any sides to choose? He didn't know.

It was not long before they reached the house. And Silvanus heard a knock, from what he predicted was a small and eager Tumnus. Finally, they had arrived, and he could feel a small bit of worry completely vanish from within his heart. He stood, screeching the chair he was sitting in along the floor, leaving his tea behind him as he went to answer the door. Lo and behold, there was little Tumnus, his tail wagging with happyness as he looked up into his father's equally blue eyes from his small height. "Hey Dad!" he exclaimed rushing into the house to begin exploring, after all he had never been here before, and it was a chance to learn a little more about his dad. Severus only entered after everyone else, and said nothing, clearly unhappy to be here, but Silvanus ignored the signs of his son's hatred like the plague and instead gave them all a smile.

"So good to see you all safely here. I was going to start looking for you." he said smiling at Ophelia, though he was speaking to everyone who had now entered. He gave Ophelia a goodnatured lick on the cheak, as he felt that it was needed. Ophelia was a good enough friend to him now that such a gesture was not weird, or insinuated anything, and he thought it would be good for the kids to see some affection between their parents, even if they werent together.

[Vyn]

Xylia was a bounce and skip behind Tumnus, grinning gleefully as she brushed along her father's thigh in greeting.

"Hi Dad!"

And suddenly she was off within the house, pursuing Tumnus in his decision to explore the world of their father. O! This was so exciting! From within another room, her cheerful voice would be heard from time to time. "Oo", "What's this?", and the like would drift up from time to time but considering there was no sounds of breakage in her wake there was little to worry about.

Ophelia and her shadows came next. Severus at her back, Mephit to her side...both sullen. It was always sad for Ophelia to see her children in such a mopey state but she didn't know what to do in the least. Mephit never seemed happy with anything, and Severus was much like her in that he was his happiest at work in the lab. Yet even Ophelia liked outings more than he.

"I'm sorry to let you worry, Silvanus. They're not used to the traveling..."

They, of course, being Severus and Mephitisia.


Mephit glanced up only once as she passed her father, a dark look in her eyes that could positively kill. There was simply something unusual about her, no one could deny it. That cold voice which hissed from her youthful features only added to it. It was like an old woman in a child's body.

"Hello Silvanus."

Ophelia twitched as she listened to her daughter's cold retort, not that it was Silvanus in particular she disliked. It seemed she turned the cold shoulder to Ophelia just the same. Once, upon convincing the girl to speak up, she had been met with a disturbing comment that had left her head spinning: "Mothers and Fathers are beyond me, but until I no longer need you care, I will play the part of a daughter."

She left Ophelia staring slack-jawed with that retort but there was nothing the worried Chemist could do. Mephit would not accept help from anyone.

[FlyingPanther]

Everynow and again they could hear in the distance Tumnus giggling with his sister. Whatever part in the house they were in, they were obviously having a fun time exploring. Silvanus let them with no problems, he heard no smashs or falls or anything that could alarm him, so saw no problem in allowing them to wander around the house. This would, after all, be a new home to them, and if they felt like getting familiar with it that was probably a good sign.

Silvanus looked back into the general dirrection of the brother and sister who were adventuring through the house with a smile before turning to watch the last two children trot in with Ophelia. Silvanus' smile faltered only slightly as Mephi greeted him strangely. He was not quite sure why the majority of his children seemed to dislike him, or well, half, but he was determinded to show them that there was nothing for them to dislike, even if they did make him feel a bit uncomfortible. "Ah, Mephitisia! Good to see you and Severus as well." he said with a smile, not expecting to recieve one in return...or even a kind remark. Severus seemed intent on getting to the couch and sitting there until they had to leave, at least thats what it looked like as he sat his haunch down without a word to anyone.

Silvanus looked back to Ophelia, a little disgruntled, but he supposed one day either Severus would grow to like him...or he would learn to accept that his children disliked him for some reason. "Oh really...not a problem at all Ophelia. I know their little legs must not be used to such a long bit of travel. Maybe it might be best for you all to stay the night at least? You could all go home tomarrow if you would like, or you could continue your stay, and we could do something all together? Whatever is more comfortible for all of you."

Severus sighed slightly, as if he had heard the worst news in his entire life. He hoped his mother would demand to go back home tonight, even if it would be to much for his 'little legs' to handle.

[Vyn]

As Silvanus spoke, Mephit paused and peered up at her 'Father' with curiously hollow eyes. She was judging him, there was no other way to explain that harsh and calculating look in her cold eyes, but slowly her posture eased as if to say he'd done well enough to warrant her kindness for the evening. Or, perhaps, it was just exhaustion dulling the usual sharpness of her attitude.

"Thank you, Silvanus... It is good to see you well." And that would be all Silvanus was likely to hear from the withdrawn female for the rest of the evening.

It wasn't that she hated her 'Father', it was simply that she didn't like anyone at all. However, Silvanus and Ophelia gave her food and shelter; cared for her needs while she was mostly incapable. It was enough to warrant a little respect.


Ophelia smiled sweetly as Silvanus offered to have them stay, stepping into the house behind Mephitisia and offering the buck a warm lick on her way through. It was definitely a wonderful invitation, especially considering that Mephit had apparently taken very kindly to it.

"Staying overnight would be wonderful. I'm sure they'd all appreciate a little time to recover and relax."

Even if Severus wouldn't admit it, Ophelia was sure his legs could use the rest if nothing else. Even she could acknowledge he was frail of body even if he was strong of mind and will.

It was Xylia and Vertumnus, however, that Ophelia assumed would truly enjoy the situation being laid out. Especially once Xylia burst into the room with her tail swishing from side to side. She'd heard nothing but her mom's comment but 'overnight' was all she needed.

"Are we staying overnight with Papa?!"

[FlyingPanther]

Silvanus gave another smile to his retreating daughter before reciving a small lick from Ophelia. This made his smile wider. He was glad to have a friend like Ophelia in his life...when all other relationships seemed to have failed horribly. He wondered what Ophelia would think if he told her about the event between Astyana, Igal and himself. Would she still be there for him? Would she still want to have contact? Would she even let him see his children? He supposed they wouldn't mind horribly...half the children didn't particularly care for him if not hate him. He hated that his secrets tended to build. As if it wasn't enough that he already had one terrible one. One that Ophelia alone knew a little about. He wondered what she would think about him if he told her? There would be no way she would want to keep in touch with him if he did. Who would?

Severus nearly died when his mother confirmed their overnight stay. He really didn't want to be here, and being the pill he was, he would make sure everyone knew about it. Silvanus was so fake...the whole relationship between his mother and him was fake. He had little time to spend with fake people and their attempts to be his friend, or father in the case of Silvanus. He had things to do, books to read, genetics to learn...and more importantly start investigating potions alot more then he had been. He had taken a shining to that line of research more recently...between his sisters love of poisons, chemistry in general, and his mother's encourgagement to also become magically sound as well as intellectually. Severus wasn't much for magic...though he did see his mothers point. Maybe he would grow to like it more in his study of potions. But he couldn't do anything here. He snorted, sulking visibly.

Vertumnus also burst out from whatever room he was in with Xylia. Xylia was the most tolerable of his siblings...though Tumnus had to admit that he didn't really like them....because he always felt the odd man out in everything. He just...wasn't interested in learning anything his mother had to offer....he wanted to explore like his father had! Though the idea of an overnight stay nearly had him in tears of ecstacy! More then a couple hours with his dad was like a dream come to. "Are we really!!!" he nearly screamed in his excitement, causing Severus to cringe with distaste.

"Yes! Of course, I offered, and it sounds like your mother would like to stay. Will give you guys some time to rest before your big trip back home. That would be nice wouldn't it!" he smiled at his excited children. Well at least some of his children liked him. "I will be making a nice dinner for us in celebration. And you kids can sleep in the guestroom. I'll read you something even if you would like. How about that?" Vertumnus was truely happy with the situation at hand. Severus nearly puked...but that was his way. He hated being called a child...and mother never read them bedtime stories...why should he have to be subjected to such nonsence here?

[Vyn]

Once Xylia and Vertumnus had settled down from their sporadic glee of getting to spend the night with their father, the majority of the family was able to sit down and enjoy dinner. It was a nice occasion, Ophelia felt, for all of them to be together regardless of how Severus might sulk. Chances like these were better than he'd ever realize at this age, but once time had wizened him a bit he would understand.

After dinner, Ophelia pulled the little 10 aside and gave him a reassuring kiss on the top of his head. She was well aware of how disgruntled he was to be in such a situation, but she had one gift for him that she thought might ease his distress at the situation: the book he was currently devouring at home. Knowingly she'd brought two of the books she knew he'd been interested in and hoped that at very least would placate him until it was time to leave.

Mephitisia seemed as thrilled as Severus, but she was also far more easily entertained. The brooding femme was used to avoiding her family and did so now with the greatest of ease. Half the time she was in a room that no one else was in, exploring or just staring thoughtfully out the window at the city beyond. Ophelia would say she was plotting, but honestly she did not want to think of such a thing.

Xylia and Vertumnus, meanwhile, were so busy harassing Silvanus that Ophelia would not truly get a chance to see him until after all the little ones had been tucked away into bed.


At last the true serenity of the quiet night descended upon the house, no sounds disrupting the piece as Silvanus and Ophelia slumped into bed with one another. It had been a long day for Ophelia and her exhaustion shone clearly upon her features as she laid beside her friend, but it was also quite clear that she wasn't ready to just drift off to sleep.

"Silvanus," she piped up lightly, her green eyes searching him "how is Igal? I had figured to see him today."

She and Igal had never been exceptionally close, but they had been close enough for Ophelia to notice there was something unusual about his absence.


Meanwhile, in the bedroom the four children had been tucked into, one little figure was stirring from a mock slumber. If Mephitisia was going to have to be here, then she wasn't going to spend all of her time sleeping. Might as well get out while the streets were safely shadowed and do a bit of exploring. The Court of Hearts wasn't far from here and the little doe was longing to get herself a proper peek of it.

Alas, as much as she attempted to quietly escape the room without detection she was quick to find she wouldn't be getting anywhere 'quietly'. Her hooves tapped on the floor regardless of what she did, causing enough muffled clatter to wake Xylia with a sleepy start.

"Nnffgh?!" She gasped out from where she laid, her little head peeking up in a mess of wild green mane. "...M-Mephi? Where are you going?"

So much for that quiet escape.

[FlyingPanther]

Silvanus was glad that the day had gone by so nicely, and once Severus had gotten his beloved book from his mother, his mood changed and he turned more agreeable. Silvanus was glad for this. It was hard to appease children he found, let alone try to make happy one who so hated him. Or at least, seemed to greatly dislike his presence. When the night finally came to its last legs, he read the children a story before tucking them all in (with a bit of protest from the two mixed siblings), and heading toward his room.

Silvanus had offered to share his bed with Ophelia. Something deep down, told him that he should really sleep on the couch, but there was a part of him that still wanted to feign for the children's sake that there was something between their mother and him. It wasn't working, but still...it was all the children knew...and he didn't suddenly want to change the way he behaved with their mother in front of them. Vertumnus at the very least...seemed to believe their romance. Little did he know that he would probably be sleeping on the couch anyway that night.

Ophelia asked about Igal, as he knew she eventually would. He lay in bed next to her, though not touching her, fearing she would get the wrong idea. Ophelia was his friend, and nothing more. It wasn't exactly strange for him to be sleeping in the same bed with her...as they had shared a much more intimate time together before, but none the less he didn't want her to get the wrong idea. He felt secure next to her somehow...like this. Like two young friends unaware of anything but their friendship...and longing to be close to one another. With the question came a need for consoling...though he knew when he told her the truth...she would probably do anything but.

He sat up in bed with a sigh, looking at her with sad eyes. "I'm decidedly a terrible person Ophelia....I never thought I was capable of such things that I have done. I've always strived to be a good person. I want to be a good person...but I'm just....not." he began. It was never a good sign when someone answered a question that way. He couldn't find the words to say more, hoping she would be happy with what he had said...and just let it go, but knowing deep down that she wouldn't be.

---

Meanwhile, unknown to the two parents, their children stirred. Xylia's gorgy awakening as well as Mephi's footsteps woke Severus up first, being the light sleeper that he was. At first he met them both with a snarl for waking him up. "Well, hell...why don't you just sound trumpets and dance around while your at it! What are you both doing awake. he wondered mildly why Mephi was up and out of bed. Surely she wasn't about to go wake their parents up. He knew her feelings about the both of them, coupled with the fact that she knew as well as he that they might be....doing adult things in there...and probably scar her in ways she had not yet been scared. Not that she needed MORE...she appeared to have something going on with her at any rate that was unnatural...though she had never spoken with Severus about it.

Vertumnus meanwhile slept soundly...even snoring slightly. Severus sighed....knowing his brother would probably be able to sleep though a riot. Well....it didn't matter that he was awake now. Vertumnus' snoring would have woke him up eventually he was sure.

[Vyn]

No, such a response was never a good way to start things off... Silvanus had judged that quite right. Ophelia met his words with a blank stare, remaining laying although there was suddenly a very trouble sensation fluttering in her stomach and making her head cloudy. Already she knew something was wrong, and apparently severely so.

Tight-lipped, the Corvistownian spoke up once more but her tone gave away nothing of her budding discontent. "You didn't answer my question, Silvanus... Why wasn't Igal here today?"

Silvanus was also very much accurate in believing he'd most likely get very little in the department of comfort. Ophelia was, in fact, surprise she'd stayed in place throughout his 'terrible person' speak, but then again she also wanted to hear the full story before jumping into any conclusions. Especially into he awful ones he seemed to be suggesting.

---

"Bloody..."

Mephitisia nearly cursed aloud at the muttering interference of her siblings, but instead she merely stared hard at the both of them. Xylia was sitting up, struggling toward the end of the bed toward her idolized sister even as Severus snapped at Mephitisia.

"I was going to go for a walk."

She snapped back in response, eyes narrowed and her voice that ever consistent tone of cold disinterest. There was no denying that she was in no need of further scarring, her secret was terrible enough to endure. In fact, it was those very scars that Mephit didn't need any more of which had inspired her walk.

Unbeknownst to either of those who had raised her, and usually to her siblings as well, Mephitisia was conflicted with not just growing pains (which Xylia experienced as well) but nightmares enough to wake her up with her own screaming.

"Why don't you two just go back to bed?"