tempestuously-lysander

[tempestuously-lysander]

Sounds like your version of me was to you what my friend Jasper was to me, though I didn't meet him until much later in my life. The only thing I'm grateful for when my, our, father exiled me.

I never spoke much with Uncle Greed, and he wasn't married to anyone, as far as I'm aware. Then again, most of Father's brothers stayed far away, so I was out of the loop on some things. You can count on me, then. The situation is already rough as it is without making it worse for yourself without at least talking it through with someone first.

From the beginning, it was always just us. I could always count on you had I ever felt what we were dealing with was too much.

They did it as some bullshit protective measure when the war between the witches and demons really kickstarted. No, it wasn't Uncle Envy, we were adopted by King Greed and Queen Alexia before they had our sisters. I don't know why I'm apologizing, honestly. I'm not your Aemon either, but I really could use my moral compass mouthpiece of a twin brother right about now. You were always around to make certain I never did anything stupid.

[tempestuously-lysander]

It's hard for me to compare either of their atrocities to whoever made them, since my parents were the only ones I ever knew. Losing Aemon was a pain that never quite healed, just managed to scar over and bleed underneath. My mother's goal was to strip my father of any and all heirs born to her. I may be alive in every context, but I'm nothing but a mortal. Live and die by usual human standards, no demonic or witch abilities to speak of. Deemed nothing but a weak speck in the eyes of my father.

You know, a side of me cannot possibly believe my daughter and a man who has grown as close to me as a son would torment their own children, but I am learning different timelines come different versions of the people I love. It's merely proof even Celeste can share my worst attributes. I am sorry you lost your twin, Lysander, I have seen the damage it can cause for myself. You spoke of a sacrificial curse, though? Tell me, dear, what were the stipulations? The consequence?

[tempestuously-lysander]

Then they're fools.

It's not my misery that I'm worried about; that ship has sailed for me. Anything to protect a version of me that shouldn't have to go through what I did, even if it means I never am born. I know you're not her, especially with every moment that passes that you're willing to converse with me, but I'm also aware of how easy it would be for you to turn into her. I'll look for assistance elsewhere.

Those brothers are determined to yield to Wrath, Lysander.

Becoming a mother would have been the greatest gift of all for me, I had hoped to begin that chapter the same way your Grandmother did, but I would try closing it since it's showered you in misery. I'm sorry you cannot find it in yourself to trust me, Lys, but I know the reasons. You see the cold-blooded Queen who was your mother.

[tempestuously-lysander]

Seeing how wild your dads and your family can be, I don't think anyone can feel the same way, Jas.

I never know what I'm going to find when visiting family. Wonder if anyone else feels the same sometimes.

[tempestuously-lysander]

We don't have to talk about anything, but I don't think that you should be alone.

I'm not really in the mood for company. Just leave me alone.

[tempestuously-lysander]

"Just know it was never my intention to limit your options with other people just because we aren't together," Lysander spoke softly. The Prince listened intently to the hellhound, a part of him that wanted to interject and say that she could very much find someone who loves her as much as he did his version warring with the part of him that wanted that someone to be him. That's why the true intention of Abbadon's request only made Lys pause for a moment before he stepped closer, both of his hands framing her face to tilt her head back gently before he bent forward and pressed his lips to hers. How could it be considered strange when it felt so right?

I used to believe the act of jealousy itself holds a great power of manipulation for mortals, but I cannot be with someone else while knowing you are out there somewhere yearning for what I had with another. The truth is, I am never going to be with someone who has loved me the way that you do even if it's a different Abbadon you fell for. So, I'm going to ask for something that will sound very strange, Lys.

Kiss me. And then maybe by something neither of us will understand, I could grow to love you just as much as she did.

[tempestuously-lysander]

He has brothers. Surely one of them can and will take the throne.

Then ensure that you don't have them, have us. We deserved better– my brother deserved to live, even if it was a life of loneliness and solitude like mine, and you stole it. Growing up without my twin was the worst pain I have ever endured. I'm sorry, but I can't trust you– I'd rather remain cursed than accept your help.

I will do my best to ease your concerns, Lysander, but whether I or Wrath sits on the throne is out of my hands. Hell needs a King and quickly.

A realm where my hatred of your father consumed every drop of light in my soul is not a realm I would ever wish to live in and I am sorry that was your reality. I'd never ask you to justify her actions when she has stolen the life of a son who didn't have a chance. To answer your question...no. I was with child when I died, but I've certainly lost it. Lysander, if you can place your trust in me, I would like to offer you the kindness your mother never gave and help you break the curse.

[tempestuously-lysander]

I thought it would be a bad thing. With them on the throne in our timeline, it was the worst since my father waged a war on the Firsts and against the mortal realm; yet everything still stands here, and I even ran into my grandmother, alive and well. I'm not sure if we can prevent it, Jas. My mother says it's out of her hands, and I don't have the power to sway anyone away from it so quickly. Aemon... he grew up with his own Lysander, and I'm not him. It would seem a disservice to my version of him if I were to attempt to take his place.

The mysteries of my father's seer visions yet to be unraveled. So, your parents being on the throne is a bad thing according to our timeline, right? So, what if it helped if we tried preventing that from happening? And Aemon...you aren't his Lys, but you'd have your brother back.

[tempestuously-lysander]

I know she did; it's what made everything so difficult in the end, having to say goodbye. You will have someone like that someday, Abs, I know it. I admit that I will be... unjustly jealous about it if I am still stuck here in this realm, but nonetheless, I will be happy for you and whomever it ends up being. You deserve to have someone who adores you just as much as I know you'll cherish them right back.

It's okay. When you say it, I know it means something.

I had a feeling you were in love with her, Lys, and I think you know she loved you too. Enough to stay in a realm she sees no color with when her place was serving Hell's interests. You accepted asking her to stay as pure selfishness, but you have no selfish bone in your body if you relinquished happiness for saving her life. I would give anything for someone to love me the way you love her.

[tempestuously-lysander]

War is never a prosperous environment, regardless of the timeline, but living through it together makes it... easier, in a way.

They gave you up? Was it to Envy? Our Uncle Envy was the only one who really stood up for me in my timeline. Why are you apologizing? You've done no wrong, had no hand in their doing. I... know I'm not your Lysander, but at least until you find him or return home, I could be that 'moral compass mouthpiece'. Living in solitude forced me to gain a level head; it was either that or lose my mind.

We grew up together, but our life growing up in the midst of war wasn't.

My Goddess. I cannot fathom how I could ever think our parents giving us up in the care of our uncle was the worst crime they can commit, but you proved me wrong. Fucking unbelievable. Lys, I'm sorry. I am sorry our mother would rather have chosen detestation and revenge over her sons. That you were deprived of what it feels to have your twin at your side. You, my version, became this moral compass mouthpiece I needed.

[tempestuously-lysander]

I wasn't told that much, for fear of being overheard by my parents, but I had a feeling that was the case when my mother kept me alive and not my brother. Yes, Wrath waged a war and murdered everyone save for my mother, forcing her hand to be his Queen in Hell. She had twins. My mother killed Aemon in cold blood to curse me.

You must receive this compliment a lot, but you do so look like your uncle. I never thought this would be how I would meet my grandson. Your father then...Wrath killed me?

[tempestuously-lysander]

Lysander wasn't used to spilling his life story, burdening others with the ugly truth of how he came to be, weak and brotherless, with no care from his parents. Yet, his Uncle listened patiently, reminding him so much of his Uncle from his timeline that he'd missed in his time since his banishment. Lys nodded solemnly, unable to confirm what Envy had said. Envy's counterpart really did do what he could to keep Lysander safe, but in the end, it wasn't enough, and no one could stand up against his father fully without some sort of retaliation. The Prince raised a brow in surprise before nodding at the request, "I would gladly stay with you. My villa that I occupied in my timeline is no longer there, but if we're being honest, I'd pick living with you over that villa anyway. I hope you don't mind that my best friend might pop in if he doesn't stay with his fathers." Lysander paused a moment, tapping his foot on the ground anxiously, before he finally met Envy's gaze again. "Can I... call you Dad? I never got the chance before since it would have gotten both of us in trouble, but you deserve that title."

Envy settled into his chair and listened, fuck, did he listen. Lysander spun his tale of misery and woe like a tragedy only the greatest poets could have conjured while the demon could only sit there in stunned silence. This alternate Wrath's bloodlust slaughtered the First Family and forced Celeste in a marriage that twisted her badly enough to despise her own children. One child was dead, the other treated as a disappointment to the throne. And through all of that, Lysander's only saving grace was him. The notion he was a father figure for the young boy, even requesting to adopt him as his own, reversed some of the self-doubt after speaking with Ulric. "I wouldn't ever think you were blaming me for the choices my brother made. I know with what you've endured, every bit of loneliness the other me attempted to fill, he would have done absolutely anything to protect you." Envy leaned forward in his chair, resting his elbows on his knees with hands clasped together, "You weren't Wrath's son, you were mine. Now," The demon released a sigh and sat back slowly. "I know I'm not your Envy who raised you, but it's a disservice to him if I didn't continue what he started. I want you staying with me."

[tempestuously-lysander]

Seeing that the mortal realm still stands intact is a testament that the Wrath I know and the one you know are not the same. My father plowed down everything in his path, including the First Family, but took Celeste as his Queen and had twins. She killed my brother, Uncle, and placed a curse on me, which stripped me of my powers in their entirety, using my brother's life against me. I heard growing up how much I looked like my Uncle Rhys, and can't help but think if that's the only reason I was spared. I was... dismissed growing up. My mother wouldn't look at me, and when she did, it was only to be curt. My father only called me a disgrace, never allowing me to do things that a Prince should have done, since I was nothing more than mortal. I only had Abbadon and... you. When my father wasn't looking, Abbadon would help me train, but from the moment I was born, you were there teaching me everything a father should have. It got to the point where you tried to get my father to give me to you, but he saw that as me distracting you from your duty to the throne and banished me. I don't blame you, though, please don't take it that way.

Burden away if you need to unleash some pent-up trauma, I can handle it. An act of aggression that spills to their child doesn't sound like the Wrath and Celeste that I know, but I'm recently learning who you knew and I'm familiar with are not the same people. Did anyone try helping remove you from the situation? Did I? I'm not certain the circumstances of your Uncle Envy and his...strong personality.

[tempestuously-lysander]

I know her. She's my mother, in a different timeline– one that you're not a part of since my father killed you. I never got to meet you.

I am indeed related to the First Daughter, you could say I'm the reason she's even called such. I'm her mother, dear. Did you know her? I'm familiar with the faces of her friends and yours doesn't ring a bell.

[tempestuously-lysander]

I don't know you, honestly, or your circumstances, but you cannot allow yourself to sit on the throne. Or Wrath.

I was a product of your and my father's hatred for one another, as are most of the things that went wrong with my life. It's hard to justify her actions when she ripped everything away from me, as my father ripped everything from her. Have you had children yet? If you haven't... don't.

Not yet, however, that's a work in progress. No one is sitting on the throne after the previous King died.

I'm your...mother where you are from. Oh, Goddess, what a horrid parent I must have been to treat you in an awful disregarding state. No wonder you looked so much like Rhys, I am ashamed I didn't see it before. I can only imagine what you see when you look at me. I promise you, dear, that Celeste was a product of her circumstance. Your uncle and the rest of your family for that matter is still alive.

[tempestuously-lysander]

It could have been because we were from a different timeline – maybe his visions don't extend that far. The Celeste I found is from this place, though, and she's not queen yet, but it sounds like she and my father are aiming to be. Then Aemon is from a different one entirely; it's beyond my comprehension.

You too, huh? I ran into one of my dads and not even his visions gave him any clues as to who I was. That doesn't matter when yours are just as boggling, though. The Queen Celeste and Aemon. Shit. Fuck. These rifts are defying all logic and raising the dead.

[tempestuously-lysander]

I'm sorry it took this long for you to hear it.

It's not stupid, Abs. Truthfully, I cared for her more than I cared for myself. The last time we spoke, my Abbadon had said that she would stay in the mortal realm with me, and all I had to do was ask. I loved her too much to let her give up her life for my own selfishness; there would have been nowhere we could have hidden from my Father, so I made her go back.

Oh, I see. Sorry, no one has ever spoken with such kindness about me before. Not in the way you just did.

The notion is clicking in my head knowing how capable Wrath could and can be ruthless if he deemed it so. Your worth was regarded very highly by your version for placing her head on the chopping block. Do you want to hear a really strange thing, Lysander? I'm looking at you right now and I feel as if I do know you. Like I'm...supposed to? It doesn't make sense, it's stupid, and everything about this is confusing me. How much did you actually care about her? Truthfully? Because I'm getting this weird impression she was more to you than a friend.