[VIDEO]; UN: [USERNAME NOT SET]

[demonicbeauty]

((ooc: CW for a brief mention of recreational drugs.))

[For two months, more or less, she's been in mourning. She hasn't shown her face much. And there's been a lot of crying.

But sentimental though Ariadne can be, she's also practical. Which means she recognizes when it's time to try moving forward.

So behold. Not Padmé, not Jane. Just a sad Ariadne, her hair in a loose braid, with a few tendrils curling around her face.]

I've decided it's time to clean through the rubble that was the Winchester cottage. The ground needs to be cleared so someone else can build there. And I'm sure a few things survived the fire which need to be sorted and placed.

I guess...I mean, I'll do it myself. But if anyone would like to help I would...appreciate it. I can pay you in fruit or herbs from the orchard.

[Her face is like porcelain. She's not letting a single crack show, even though it still hurts.]

I'll be there for the next week or so. Please let me know if you'd be willing to join me. At the very least, I think some of his--some of Dean's--marijuana plants survived. I'd like to try to replant them in my garden.

I can pay you with that, if you like.

Comments

[demonicbeauty]

You're right. We should.

[But that isn't always the case, unfortunately.]

But, I'm not complaining. I don't mean to sound like I have regrets. I don't. Really.

[unphase]

Yes. I think so. [a pause] I hope so.

[if only it meant other young women being able to escape what her mother did to her]

All right. But. I have regrets. I'm willing to talk about mine with you. [hastily] No pressure, none at all! Just that I have regrets.

[demonicbeauty]

Oh!

[She tilts her head, like a little sparrow.]

Well, of course! If you want to talk! I'm only too happy to listen. Princess.

[unphase]

--oh! I want you to feel free to. Not that you have to. My own situation is...so far removed with the exception of our son, it almost feels unreal. But I don't want you to feel the same constriction in feelings.

[demonicbeauty]

[Wait. What?]

Son?

[private]

[unphase]

...I have a husband. And a son. My husband was mind-controlled by a telepath who only thought of her own satisfaction. But our son is an innocent..

[she looks like she regrets bringing up her husband and son]

[demonicbeauty]

[Ariadne's eyes brim over with sympathy.

Sometimes, she forgets. It's easier for her to be taken from home than others.]

Oh, I'm so sorry. It must be impossible, being separated from them.

[unphase]

[sympathy is better than pity. it seemed like all of the Legionnaires knew what happened to her husband and knew their marriage was under strain, and felt sorry for her. she can't stand pity.

but she still loves her husband. that's the worst part of it all]

It's...not easy. From what I've heard, when people leave and come back, they can try to---to---I don't know. Fix what was broken?

[demonicbeauty]

I wouldn't know. I've never been here and back. Never had a mate, either but...

[She shrugs.]

My people? We cannot abide being separated from the ones we choose to bond with. I...I can only imagine.

[unphase]

...when I was on the Other world, I left and came back. It wasn't pleasant. And Jo, I love him...but I think I'm probably polyamorous because I loved people on the Other world, too.

[which is true. there had been those she had loved very much without it diminishing her love for her husband one bit. and there's a young woman here she loves. also not diminishing her love for her husband]

It's...I guess it's helped that I've spent more time on other worlds than I've spent married. Maybe I'm almost used to it in the worst way possible?

[demonicbeauty]

Poly...amorous?

[She frowns thoughtfully.]

I've never heard that word before. It means...loving more than one person?

[unphase]

[Tinya smiles] That's exactly what it means. It's easier than it sounds. At least it is for me.

[demonicbeauty]

The kings of Catalan used to take as many as twelve wives.

[She shakes her head.]

I never understood how it worked. How they could make time for each wife. And how the wives didn't get jealous.

But, of course, most of them were arranged marriages, so I suppose it's not the same.

[unphase]

Twelve! Sweet Mistress, how did he keep up with them? And if I were one of the brides, I know I'd get jealous if he paid more favor to one wife than he did to me.

Arranged marriages...we have them on Bgztl, too. Daughters of High Society virtually auctioned off for what they can do for their husband's house. Especially when they bear a daughter to carry their new house to greater strength. Daughters mean power.

[demonicbeauty]

Never was I so glad to be low-born.

[Ariadne shudders.]

An arranged marriage is not for me. Nor is sharing a husband.

[unphase]

[a mixture of conspiratory and understanding]

Nor I. That's why I first tried escape to the Paris Opera Ballet, then to the Legion. She may think she has power over me. I know she does. But I hide myself in the inner corners of my mind and keep my freedom there.

[demonicbeauty]

...she?

[Ariadne leans in closer to the camera, as if ready to whisper secrets.]

Who's she?

[unphase]

[quietly and regretful] My mother.

[demonicbeauty]

Oh.

[A pause.]

Oh!

[unphase]

Yes. Oh.

While we remain in power on our home world, that power wanes. When others considered whom mother married. And even more so, whom I married and bore the child of. [she signs miserably] It's a mess. Either I can make my mother and our homeworld happy, or I can make myself happy.

Put that way, making myself happy seems terribly selfish. Don't you think?

[demonicbeauty]

I'm not sure I can answer that question. Besides the fact that I don't have a right to.

[She shrugs.]

If you were from my world, though. Well. I would say no. It wasn't selfish at all.

[unphase]

[she smiles ruefully] I know. Sometimes it helps to sort out problems with a listening ear.

[she nods]

That's what I think, too. Though, my husband and I are currently estranged and I honestly don't know what he wants. But I know I need a daughter to carry on the family line.

[demonicbeauty]

I...sort of understand.

I mean, it's impossible for my family line to continue. But if it were possible, I'd feel...conflicted, I guess.

[unphase]

Really? [she sounds relieved]

That's a good word for it. Conflicted. I don't want to let over five thousand years' worth of legacy to go up in smoke, not if I can help it. But. May I ask why yours can't? Feel free to tell me off if that's too personal.

[demonicbeauty]

[She laughs.]

It's not too personal. Although I will tell you, it makes some of the men in Trench very uncomfortable.

[Yes, she's looking at you Maul and Savage.]

In my race, it's the males who give birth.