▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
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Feb 26, 2021 7:40:30 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 26, 2021 7:40:30 GMT -5
It was surprisingly easy to convince his father to take Cassian out to the carnival while they were on their trip. The man had immediately agreed, waving him out of the room with a comment about how he was to accompany the patriarch to the next business trip a couple weeks later, and his mother had simply smiled at him despite Carina's pouts, commenting about how lovely it was to see that her sons were getting along for once.
He had been giddy about this for a week, and at least a carnival wasn't something he had to drag Cassian to. The younger boy seemed excited too. He supposed there wasn't much chance for him to truly see Vela much, with their father often keeping the boy at home under tutors and training to get him to embrace his powers.
"You better behave," he gave Cass a perceptive look, "I don't want to have to go looking for you around the fair. If you get lost, you get home yourself, aight kid? Don't make me have to pick up your slack, you know I hate that." More often than not, babysitting the kid meant Cato ruled with an iron fist, but even he couldn't muster up the usual insult and bite as he usually would. His tone softened slightly with a sigh. "If you get lost, just meet at the central fountain and we'll find you, but stay close."
Cassian nodded, looking rather skeptical at Cato, as if wondering what the hell was going on in his head to sound...nice for once. "Will I–" he started, before hesitating, "am I allowed to play any of the games at the carnival?" He had heard about the carnival many times, but actually going was still new to the child.
"If you're good," he replied promptly, "don't do anything stupid and don't mention this to dad. You know how he gets if he thinks we're not representing the Rotherhithe name right."
Cassian nodded eagerly, as the carriage slowed to a stop. Stepping out of the open door, Cato glanced around, the shrieks of children and bright chatter of the people filling the air. He was supposed to meet Elise by the entrance fountain. He gestured at Cassian to follow, as he made his way through, glancing around for Elise.
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Feb 26, 2021 8:45:12 GMT -5
Post by nostalgic on Feb 26, 2021 8:45:12 GMT -5
Elise loved the carnival- she had gone every year since she was young, and it still was different every time. The fundamentals were the same- tents with games and food and activities, people milling about, small rides, performance artists. But Elise still found something new to enjoy each time. She had insisted they meet after sunset, as that was her favorite part, when the lanterns and glowing orbs that light fairies produced cast the entire carnival into warm light. It was all more exciting by night.
There she was, by the entrance fountain where she'd said she'd be. She was dressed in a plainer dress, one that was baby blue and was closer to her curves than the soft, flowing dresses she wore to formal events. It still looked great on her, with her curly hair pinned into a loose bun with tendrils framing her face.
"There you two are!" She said, moving forward with the two cotton candies she had in her hands. "This is for you," she told Cassian, smiling at him as she handed him one. "And this one is for us," she told Cato, green eyes soft as she looked up at him. "I hope you're both ready for me to beat you at every game. I'm a pro."
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▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
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Feb 26, 2021 10:19:05 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 26, 2021 10:19:05 GMT -5
Cato's grin brightened his face as he noticed Elise. "Oh hello beautiful...I'm talking about the cotton candy," he teased, as he kissed her cheek, grasping some of the cotton candy and putting it into his mouth. Cassian stared at Elise for a moment, eyes wide, before taking the cotton candy for himself.
The older boy gave him a look. "What do you say?" he prompted.
"Thank you," Cassian piped up, still shy as he looked at his brother and then at Elise, taking a bite out of his cotton candy.
"I bet I can beat you in at least half of these games," Cato chuckled. After all, most of them were probably based off things like hitting bottles off of a stack or something, right? How different was that from his usual training anyway?" His arm snaked around her waist naturally. "Where first, my lady? We should definitely ride the ferris wheel before the sun sets."
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Feb 26, 2021 10:34:08 GMT -5
Post by nostalgic on Feb 26, 2021 10:34:08 GMT -5
"Of course," Elise said, ruffling Cassian's curls. She really was fond of the shy boy- for some reason he was more interesting to her than the outgoing Carina. As for how Cato touched her, so openly and affectionately, it sent a thrill of pleasure down her back. In front of Cassian, too? There was no way he wasn't serious about being together.
"To the water guns, first," she said, kissing Cato's cheek in response. She insisted that Cassian play the first few rounds with them, letting him when it was between the two of them, and going into an incredibly competitive mode when it was her and Cato. After the games, and a funnel cake split three ways, she let him go off and do his own thing for a bit.
Elise and Cato walked towards the ferris wheel in the late evening light, navigating among the crowd. A few friends that had made it out waved to them from their spots in line for the rides. "We should ride the tunnel of love ride, too," Elise teased, as they sat down on their rickety seat and had the metal bar lowered over their laps. With a lurch, the wheel started turning, lifting them above the sprawling carnival grounds and giving them an excellent view of the sunset over the ocean.
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▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
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Feb 26, 2021 11:45:07 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 26, 2021 11:45:07 GMT -5
Water guns, huh? "Whoever loses gets soaked I guess," he teased, as they headed over to the game. It was clear that Elise had a soft spot for kids, even if they were practically a teenager at this point. She was good with them, Cato thought affectionately, like an older sister, or what his friends would call 'wifey material.' However, when it was the two of them, it was like they were children again, jabs and good-natured insults flowing from each other as they competed to win.
For Cassian, he had never really had much fun like this in his life. Most of the time, he was doing his studies or mingling with other children in a tightly controlled environment, as per his father's instructions, after all. Having fun wasn't exactly a common thing growing up, but...this genuinely made him feel carefree, as if he didn't have to worry about anything else. Even Cato was being nice today, he thought. Whoever this girl was, he liked her, Cassian decided. When she was here, his brother wasn't as much of an asshole, that was for sure. It was clear that the younger boy was starting to come out of his shell a little bit, laughing as he beat Elise in a round of games.
The funnel cake was delicious. It felt perfect for this kind of carnival day, and as they met up with their friends, it seemed as if Cassian had found a couple of kids he knew somehow. "Nine at the fountain!" he had called after the younger boy, as he was finally released from his babysitting duty, at least for a little bit.
"Sounds good," he grinned, "do I get to force you to sit through all the kiddy rides next?"
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Feb 26, 2021 12:02:39 GMT -5
Post by nostalgic on Feb 26, 2021 12:02:39 GMT -5
"If you want to," Elise said, leaning her head on his shoulder as the ferris wheel went slowly up. "I'm a kid at heart, so I'll probably enjoy it. Though I'm sure you didn't enjoy when I served your ass to you on a silver platter at the bottle shooting game."
He had been good, she'd give him that. He'd even won a round or two. But Elise had spent many a summer night at this particular carnival, and was a long standing pro at the games, as she'd said. Every time she'd won, she spun to him with a grin, that competitive side of her satiated for a bit.
"Do you like the carnival so far?" She asked, closing her eyes as the gentle breeze moved the tendrils of her hair. "It's the best one so far for me, out of all the years I've come. Probably because of the great company."
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▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
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Feb 26, 2021 13:25:35 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 26, 2021 13:25:35 GMT -5
"Yeah yeah," he rolled his eyes with a laugh, "all these games are rigged. You just know the system better than I do." He had been an accurate shot, but being an accurate shot didn't seem to be enough for these sort of games. There were often more than one challenge to them, and well, he was inexperienced. What could he say?
"It's a lot of fun," he agreed, "I forget how big of a thing it is around here. I mean, I sort of wish I had more time as a kid to enjoy myself out there, to be honest. If we ever have kids, we're definitely bringing them to the carnival." He said his words absentmindedly, only just revealing that he had been thinking of this before. Elise would make a great mother, after all, and it wasn't like this was the first time he thought it either. She had been so good with his siblings, and the past few weekends had felt so natural that it almost felt like they had been doing this forever.
"I feel like I'd enjoy the carnival if I won a few more games," he teased, "but I'm definitely winning one of those giant stuffed animals by the end of the night."
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Feb 26, 2021 14:17:49 GMT -5
Post by nostalgic on Feb 26, 2021 14:17:49 GMT -5
If they had kids. Elise bit back a smile, snuggling just a little closer. "If we have kids, they'll still beat you. What did that lady say? Resourceful like their mother? So they'll definitely get my carnival game talents." She did hope they could have kids, one day. Would they look like her or him? Either way, they'd be smart and good-looking and talented.
"You can't win one unless you promise to give it to me," Elise said, absent-mindedly linking their bracelets as they reached the top of the ferris wheel and stopped. For a bit, they didn't need to talk, kissing at the top of the world in the golden sunset, with the upbeat music of the carnival below. It was everything Elise could have asked for.
When they got back down and disembarked, Elise dragged him back to a tent she'd seen earlier. "We have to get our portraits done!" She said, pointing at the camera and backdrop. "We can each keep a copy, so when you miss my gorgeous face you can pull it out and look at it."
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▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
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Feb 26, 2021 17:18:41 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 26, 2021 17:18:41 GMT -5
He laughed. "If we have kids, I'm going to train them to play pranks on you," he smirked, "they can be mischievous like their father instead." His arm was across her shoulders now as the continued to wander the bright lights and attractions that littered the square. He was musing at all the prizes. After all, he had to find one with a perfect stuffed animal to win anyway.
"Of course," he chuckled, "I think a giant teddy bear would look out of place in my room. Your room however? You can use it as a couch."
The ferris wheel was next, and it was just absolutely picturesque. The sun turned the sky pink and pale blue, like the cotton candy that they had shared earlier. When he leaned in to kiss her, it seemed like the world was awash in warm colors, her skin was glowing gold as the sky and the sea turned shades of pink and and ochre, and gods, life had never felt as beautiful as now.
He hadn't even noticed when they landed, still feeling hazy and dazed when she was pulling him towards a photo booth. A photograph. A memory to keep forever. "Only if you let me make funny faces," he laughed, as they headed towards the photo booth. He handed the photographer a couple of coins, enough for two images, as he practically grabbed Elise by the waist, pulling her towards the background painted like the colors of the carnival. Their first image was just of them smiling, laughing, carefree, as he pressed a kiss to Elise's cheek. The second, of course, was Cato making a weird face towards the camera, totally ruining the photograph of any type of romantic notion that had been in the first photo.
The man handed them the two little images and he shook them both to get them to reveal the images faster. "Which one do you want," he laughed, "or should we just randomly pick one?"
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Feb 26, 2021 17:29:15 GMT -5
Post by nostalgic on Feb 26, 2021 17:29:15 GMT -5
"I want your funny face," Elise said, taking that photo and grinning once more at his expression. "We'll always be back to take photos again, so we can get more next time." She looked down at the picture for a long moment, before smiling up at him again. "I love you."
She never got sick of that phrase, or of hearing him say it. It was different each time, a different inflection and a different facet of love expressed. Right now, she loved his humor and the sparkle in his eyes and the way he tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.
"Now go win me a prize." She pushed his chest lightly, playfully, kissing the tip of his nose. "I want the grandest stuffed animal of them all."
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▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
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Feb 27, 2021 9:57:05 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 27, 2021 9:57:05 GMT -5
Cato chuckled, taking the other one. It was cute, and he was certain this would go in one of the frames he kept by his bed. He grinned, tucking her hair behind her ear and kissing her on the cheek once more, as they headed back to the booths.
"You never told me what your favourite animal is," he laughed, "how am I supposed to win you the best stuffed animal if I don't even know what your favourite is?"
He looked around. "That tiger's cute," he hummed, "or the bear...you know, classic. How about that....to be honest I have no idea what it is. Lizard? What are those pink things on its neck?"
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Feb 27, 2021 13:44:32 GMT -5
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Post by nostalgic on Feb 27, 2021 13:44:32 GMT -5
“I’m not sure either,” Elise laughed. “And my favorite animals are penguins, but I haven’t seen any plushies of those. I’ll settle for a stuffed tiger. Those are cute. Of course, anything you get me will be perfect.”
She reached out, taking his hand and squeezing it. “I was worried I wouldn’t be able to come today,” she said, looking around at the dusk and the pretty lantern lights as they walked through the crowd. “I felt a little sick when I woke up, but I’m fine now. It must have been something I ate. I’m only hoping all the funnel cake we’re eating won’t give me another stomachache.”
If she hadn’t been able to come, that would have been a sore disappointment. The evening had been perfect, a date straight out of a romance novel, and she didn’t doubt that the rest of their days would play out the same way.
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▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
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Feb 27, 2021 20:22:46 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 27, 2021 20:22:46 GMT -5
"Penguins?" he grinned, "well, one day we definitely need to see those up in Guivre." Cato looked up to the stuffed tiger. That was his favourite. He was already about to head to the booth when a squeeze of his hand caught his attention. He turned back to Elise, brows raised as if asking her what was up. When she explained, his expression changed to one of concern.
"Are you feeling okay?" he frowned, "maybe you just ate something weird or caught a cold...I know the stomach flu's been going around. If you're still feeling sick, we can go see the doctor or something?" He was concerned of course, but stomachaches were stomachaches, and not all the seafood in Vela was always fresh, after all. There could be a million reasons for why she felt sick, hopefully it'd just pass.
"If you need to slow down or sit or something, tell me, okay?" he squeezed her hand again, "we can go back to mine early too, if you need to."
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Feb 27, 2021 21:13:29 GMT -5
Post by nostalgic on Feb 27, 2021 21:13:29 GMT -5
"I'm much better- don't be dramatic," Elise's admonishment was gentle, her smile growing wider. "I appreciate your concern, though." It was nice to be fretted over, even over something as simple as a stomachache. "I'll let you know if I need anything." Elise leaned up on her toes, kissing him for a long stretch of time. "Now, please win me that tiger." She watched, hands on his shoulder, as he knocked down bottles with small balls to compete for the prize. It took a few rounds, but the time passed quickly, filled with laughter and carnival music, and Elise reflected that the night really was perfect. It ended with her boyfriend by her side, her oversized tiger wrapped in her arms, and a pleasant carriage ride with Cassian, who seemed to be in good spirits.
( backstory) A few weekends later, Elise was back at the Rotherhithe's, as Lord Rotherhithe was gone on business again. The visit wasn't as exciting as the previous ones, since Elise had received some... news, on Thursday afternoon. She was pregnant. The nausea had not gone away, and her period had not come, and the nurse she had seen confirmed her condition and sent her home like it wasn't earth-shattering news. But she had decided to tell Cato, and they could talk it over and decide what to do together. Elise couldn't work up the nerve on Friday night. It might change everything, so she decided to just enjoy at least one night before breaking the news in the morning. Cato was a good distraction, and they had just as much fun as they had before, though Elise did not drink, claiming she didn't feel like it that weekend. The night, the last perfect one they would have, ended with the usual giggling and teasing during their romp in the sheets. The next morning, when they went downstairs to eat breakfast, Elise tried to tell him. But she chickened out. One more day. She had one more day. Elise was quieter than normal when they went for an afternoon swim, but she managed to keep the truth hidden for a while longer. On Sunday, in the late morning, they lounged around on the couch, Elise's feet in Cato's lap. They were both still clothed in their pajamas, and after a long stretch Elise opened her mouth to speak. "Cato," she said slowly, her face paler than usual. "I... I wanted to tell you. I'm-" "Cato, who is this?" The voice of his father came from the doorway. Elise looked over in alarm, noting the confusion and disapproval in the man's gaze. Servants moved past him, carrying in his luggage from his trip, which apparently had ended early. Her green gaze moved back to Cato. Her news could wait. It was sooner than they expected, but she believed that he could do. Lord Rotherhithe might not be happy that she was Cato's girlfriend, but she was convinced she could win him over eventually. Elise could be charming when she wanted to be.
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▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
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Feb 27, 2021 21:57:00 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 27, 2021 21:57:00 GMT -5
His father was supposed to be in Nyre for the weekend, something about a summer camp, or a technological issue needing to be fixed. A short trip away while his mother was supposed to be in Kama, visiting some family. It was only natural that Cato had invited Elise over once more. The weekend had gone as well as any. They had spent half of it lounging by the pool, the other half just in each other's company. He had noticed that Elise was a little more quiet than usual, but he assumed it was just her father and his constant insistence that she met suitor after suitor. It didn't matter, he knew she'd talk to him if it was important, right? He had planned on asking her later on in the evening.
He had not planned on his father arriving a day early.
Oh he was in trouble. He was already breaking so many rules. The 'no pyjamas downstairs' rule. The 'every guest must be accounted for' rule. The 'no mingling with commoners' rule. Practically jumping up from the couch, his wide eyes were full of trepidation. His father had never punished him outright, but he knew what the man was capable. Cassian practically crawling out from the basement with his clothes soiled and dirty said enough about the terror he could inflict.
"Father," he exclaimed, "I thought you were arriving tomorrow morning."
"Clearly," the man sneered, the displeasure clear on his face, "and what have I told you about dressing appropriately in the house? Are you not going to introduce me to your guest?"
Cato had to stifle a shudder at the icy tone in the man's voice. "I'm sorry," he spoke quickly, before looking to Elise, alarm in his expression, "father this is Elise Monroe, a classmate of mine. Elise, may I present to you Lord Rotherhithe, the duke of Vela and the head of the Rotherhithe foundation and the Rotherhithe security company." His voice had shifted to the formal one used in all of the delegate meetings, a nonchalant, masked expression upon his face.
The man's expression didn't change, he simply peered at Elise with a certain disinterest, or perhaps even disgust. "What are you doing in my family's home?"
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Feb 27, 2021 22:14:22 GMT -5
Post by nostalgic on Feb 27, 2021 22:14:22 GMT -5
Elise stared at Cato, uncomprehending, for a long moment. A classmate? One introduced in such a removed and disinterested tone? What had happened to the 'I love you's', the 'If we have kids', the 'Be my girlfriend's'? Why was he introducing her like she was nothing more than a one night stand- not even that, like she was just a casual friend from school?
"I..." Elise started to say, faltering, and falling short. She looked at Cato, noticing how he wasn't even meeting her gaze, and realized she had been stupid. So, so, so stupid to fall in love with a boy who only told her lies. "I'm not sure," she said slowly.
Elise stood, staring at the floor. "I believe I've overstayed my welcome, Lord Rotherhithe," was her stilted and formal response. "I apologize. I'll be going home now."
With that, she moved to run away from this horrible nightmare. Into Cato's room, into a change of clothes she ran, and she struggled to fight back the tears as stuffed her belongings into her bag and prepared to leave this house for the final time.
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▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
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Feb 27, 2021 22:35:50 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 27, 2021 22:35:50 GMT -5
Cato knew he fucked up. Oh he fucking knew that this was something Elise was going to be angry about. Maybe if he had been a braver person, if he had been more well prepared for this, then he'd have introduced her as his girlfriend, but the look on his father's face spoke a thousand words. He held back a grimace as the girl disappeared into his room, presumably to grab her things. He was about to go after her, but his father stopped him in his steps.
"Cato, what is the meaning of this?" the man's voice was eerily calm.
"I–" he stammered, "she's a friend–actually, she's more than that, I just thought–"
"You thought wrong," the man's voice was ice, "did you think you could just invite someone over without permission? I trusted you, son, to do the right thing. You know what your duty is to this family. You are our pride and joy, and you are the one to take over the name of our house and to bring it to greater heights, are you not?"
"Yes, of course–"
"Then why are you fooling around with a common girl? Monroe, is she not the daughter of the merchant down in the city?" the man didn't even give time for Cato to respond. "She has no title, no honours, no reputation, did you think she'd make a good match for you? A Rotherhithe? You are the eldest son of the most powerful name in this city. Only lower lords marry for something as common as money, Cato."
"I–" he gritted his teeth, "it's not about money, I–"
"Then what? I don't need you having bastard children with common whores, we don't do that in this family like the other lords and ladies you hear rumours about," the man spat, his gaze flickering to the top of the stairs where he knew she would be emerging from, "you must know that everything you do reflects on all of us. It reflects on your brother and sister. It reflects on all of us."
"She's–" he tried to interject helplessly.
"Nothing more than for your amusement," his father was cold, "you must know she likes you for your name, for what you can provide her. So what if you're in love with her, do you think she shares the same sentiment? Or is this just a ploy she's using to trap you, to legitimise her claim to a title, something people like her always desire? Think, Cato!" The man's voice was raised now.
"She's not like that," he spoke weakly, "father, please...if you give her a chance..."
"You are to be married to a queen!" the man snapped, "that was what you wanted. The royal guard, the kingdom, the queen that I've introduced you to, all of that, you're willing to throw away? For some summer fling? If so, you must be more stupid than I've raised you, to throw your life away for a garden variety rat–"
He cleared his throat, once again glancing up to the stairs, before his dulcet tones returned to normal, a silky smoothness that spoke volumes in its tone. "Cato," he replied with a small smile, "you should escort Miss Monroe off our property, and I enjoyed meeting her. Please send my greetings to her father and tell him we had a good time hosting her, and that she would do well to be more careful about which gardens she visits, or...perhaps which men she allows to visit her gardens, in the future. We wouldn't want to have us a little...misstep, would we?" It was a thinly veiled threat that Cato understood.
His father would never approve. He'd never be able to be with her. If he was to choose her, he'd lose everything right here and right now. He looked up, crestfallen, to where Elise must've been standing, knowing that she probably heard every word that had been exchanged between them.
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Feb 27, 2021 22:51:46 GMT -5
Post by nostalgic on Feb 27, 2021 22:51:46 GMT -5
Elise had indeed gathered her things by then, and had paused at the landing of the stairs, internalizing every word his father said. She pressed her fist to her mouth, trying to control the tremors that threatened to wrack her body. This was how it was always going to end. She had known that.
And she had fucked up. Elise had allowed herself to believe that Cato could be hers, that he could love her more than his riches, than his title, than his father. She had started off okay, knowing this was for fun, but she had allowed herself to be deceived into believing this was a permanent thing.
Was that all she was? A common whore? Perhaps Lord Rotherhithe was right- she was pregnant with a bastard. He was right. Cato was a high ranking first son, and she was an untitled girl who had nothing to offer him. Perhaps he did love her. He had put up an attempt, however feeble, to explain things. But it was useless, in the end. They were twilight lovers, destined to end. Elise was not worth losing his future for. She knew that.
When she descended the stairs, she was composed again. There was a numbness to her features as she bowed in Lord Rotherhithe's direction, a wretched kind of silence in the way she walked out to the front gate with Cato. When they reached the exit, she nodded once in his direction, stiffly and silently, hoping he would have the good sense to let her go without trying to salvage this any further.
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▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
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Feb 28, 2021 9:03:48 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 28, 2021 9:03:48 GMT -5
He knew she had heard everything. From the look on her face, he knew there was no saving this, at least not without some type of sacrifice he'd have to make. It wasn't a decision he could make, not like this. Not here, not now. His expression was almost desperate as he turned to the girl, wishing there was some way to make it up to her. Some way to ask her for more time.
Cato didn't know what to say. The walk to the gate was silent as his father watched them leave, before closing the door behind him. What could he say, to make up for everything? To reassure her when even he didn't know what the future held? He was angry at the situation, guilty at how he couldn't say a thing, and helpless. Helpless at the fact that there was no way to truly solve what was on the table, that he had lost the chance to persuade his father to let him do what he wanted, just because he had made a mistake like this. He had thought that maybe, there had been a chance, to slowly get the man to see why he wanted this, how amazing Elise really was, how she was smart, and funny, and clever, and ambitious...everything that could help the Rotherhithe name advance forward.
Instead, he was now in the straights between scylla and charybdis, forced to choose between two poisons when he was far from ready to do so.
"Elise," even his voice sounded desperate, strained, as they arrived by the gate, "I'm so sorry. I didn't know he was going to be back today, I thought...I thought we'd have more time to persuade him. I swear, I just need more time. I...please just let me try again. I swear, I meant it when I said I love you. I just...I don't know what to do."
It was a pathetic excuse, he knew, but it was the truth. Perhaps she'd take his hesitance as a sign that he didn't love her enough, but how could he choose? When he barely knew what was out there? Would her father let him marry her if he didn't have the Rotherhithe name to his own? Would they have to run away, forever be estranged from the world they knew? What option was there?
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Feb 28, 2021 10:05:49 GMT -5
Post by nostalgic on Feb 28, 2021 10:05:49 GMT -5
"I believe that you love me," Elise said quietly, looking at the ground as she spoke. "But I don't believe any more time could help us. You can't catch twilight between your fingers when night finally arrives. We were always destined to end."
There was the issue of their child growing in her belly, but that was her burden to bear now. Elise turned to Cato, looking up at him, trying to memorize the lines of his face, the cut of his form, the look of her twilight lover. "I love you too," she whispered, the shine of tears masking her emerald eyes. "And I hope you get to marry the queen. I hope you enjoy the rest of your life." Gods knew one of them should be happy.
Elise knew she shouldn't do it, but her body moved of it's own accord. She held her wrist to his, linking their lover stones slowly and purposefully, standing on her toes to kiss him once- a quick, tear-stained kiss. When she pulled back, she wouldn't meet his gaze again. "Goodbye, Cato."
And with that she was gone, moving swiftly out of the gate and back towards her home.
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