Placeholder The Lost Daughter [Pt IV] - Losing Fire

[Firenze]

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Sighing she moved the items in the cupboard around, they didn’t have much left and Fire didn’t really want to go back out into the heat to get more. Her cooking wasn’t really up to par… she’d probably burn the water. Moving to the pitcher on the table, the cup she’d drank from previously next to it. Grabbing the handle she poured more into the glass, the water reflecting the heavy rays streaming in through the window. It made her yearn to be in a cool creek in the wild, or even just swimming in the bay.

Glancing out the window, heat waves danced up off of the sill, giving the illusion that the city was underwater. Watching for a moment a few gulls swooped over the bay, men hollered on the docks, while others moved wares onto their ships to be transported. The people of the city still managed despite the heat. Grabbing a loaf of bread and the block of cheese she set to slicing pieces off. The moldy end of the cheese where it had been exposed to the air she tossed to the side, wondering if it would entice out a mouse.

The two women had been out for only about a half bell and she had still yet to find much to put together. Arranging the slices on a plate she could hear excited chatter outside the door. Had they already returned? So soon?

As she placed the plate on the table the knob to the door turned. Both of the women came rushing into the room in a flurry. “We have news!” Melody gushed as soon as the door flew wide. Her cheeks were flushed, Fire couldn’t tell if it was from the heat of the day or if it was from the apparent excitement. She turned to face Melody as the woman came running into the room and threw her arms around her. Eyes flew wide and she slowly put her arms around the woman and patted her back, eyes flicking to the older woman, who was gingerly closing the door, with questions flooding them.

Misha shrugged and moved toward the bed, sitting and beginning to kick her shoes off, “we did find some news, yes.” Melody moved around the room in a flurry, pacing. Firenze’s eyes moved with her, ticking back and forth as if watching the hands of a clock waiting in anticipation for what they’d discovered. Thankful that they had a breakthrough in the search.

“We went to find the man you’d talked about,” hands were being rung in front of her, “and he was there… but so was another man. It was the man Misha had given Genovieve to! Can you imagine that?!” The question coming out on a screech, emphasizing the nerves in her voice. Fire continued to wait for the rest of the story next to the table as Melody stopped sharply, turned and sat on her bed, golden eyes turning up toward her own. “He said he’d been keeping an eye on her for us while he ran his routes,” tears had begun to form in Melody’s eyes, in turn Fire began to tear in almost a sympathetic fashion.

A few ticks past with Melody opening and closing her mouth. “Did he know where she was?” Fire questioned, wiping at a lone tear that gathered enough mass to fall onto her cheek. Melody nodded and she just stared up at Fire. Again she jumped from the bed and threw her arms around Fire. Looking back to Misha, truly and utterly confused, but the older woman just sat and stared as well, nodding her head.

“You found her!?” This time it was her turn to scream with excitement, all the work had finally paid off. This was the day they’d been waiting for. After so many weeks Fire had begun to grow attached to the women and in turn attached to the young child that she had yet to meet, almost as though she were her own. Her own arms encircled Melody excitedly and they moved to her shoulders to lean her back so she could get the rest of the answers.

“Where is she?” This time it wasn’t a few softly falling tears Melody’s face was streaked with heavy tears but also adorned with a wide grin.

“She’s here.”

“What do you mean? She’s in Zeiltiva?” Eyes shot back and forth between the women, trying to piece everything together, “How did she get here? Where is she? Did they know? Do you?”

Silence passed between the three for a long while, feeling as though it stretched on for bells of anticipation and worry.

“She’s you.”

Golden eyes looked back at her own, brimmed with tears, a bright smile shining. What did she mean? She was the girl?

Wait.

SHE was the GIRL?

Eyes widening the pieces clicked together as she realized what they were telling her. Now it was Firenze’s turn to stare at the women, a million thoughts, memories and questions running through her mind.

Others | Firenze | Thoughts

[Firenze]

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Tears filled her eyes as the realization that the people she’d been spending this whole time with was her family. Her real family.

She hugged Melody, her mother, again and glanced over to the older woman sitting on the bed who was watching her apprehensively. Waving her over Fire held her arm out wanting to embrace her. Misha smiled and came over, wrapping her daughter and granddaughter in her arms.

Fire smiled and sniffed, snuggling her face against Misha’s chest her nose against Melody’s head, breathing in her scent.

Once they released their hold on each other Firenze sat on the chair behind her next to the table. Melody at the one across from her and Misha on the end of Melody’s bed so they were all facing each other. “Oh, do you guys want something to drink?” Fire jumped back up, wiping at her cheeks and busying herself with filling up the cups with some water and handing them to the women.

Once they were settled again she decided to break the silence with some questions, hoping that they would have some answers, “So, did he have any other information?” Sipping on the water, she waited. Her mother moved, crossing one leg over the other. “He told us that he’d meant to drop her off… er, you, off here in Zeltiva but by the time they’d loaded the caravan for Sunberth and left they realized they’d forgotten to take you to the Orphanage. So instead he’d taken you to the Orphanage in Sunberth. He said he would check on you whenever he stopped to make his deliveries at the city,” tears welled up in her eyes again as she spoke, the last words coming out hoarse.

Fire chewed on that bit of information for a moment. Had she noticed anyone doing that? She couldn’t remember. It had her mind wandering, searching the sea of faces she’d seen thus far in her life. Trying to place a face with the information, she couldn’t think of one. Her mind came up with what she’d thought he might look like. It touched her that he would’ve done such a gesture. It was lucky for them that he had.

Others | Firenze | Thoughts

[Firenze]

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“Could I meet him?” her eyes flicked between the two. It was Misha that spoke this time as Melody wiped at her face with a soft sniffle. “He was getting ready to leave for Sunberth but his route has him coming back through Zeltiva from what we understood. Perhaps we could all get together and share information.”

The corner of Fire’s mouth tipped up, “That would be really nice.” She chewed on her lip again sorting through the mass of questions that swirled in her mind, trying to decide which would be best to ask. She was sure they all had a million questions. “We could try to piece what we have together?”

Blue eyes that were red rimmed looked up, “That sounds like a wonderful idea.” Melodies hand reached out and laid on top of the one that she had resting on the table. It was a strange feeling. The two women that she’d spent most of her time with, outside of working, were her family. She felt familiar with them but not as though she truly knew or understood them. It gave her hope that they could now be together and learn each other and from each other.

“I…,” a pause with a soft sigh, “was wondering… why? I mean, why did you send me away?” It was as though a vise had begun to squeeze and tug in her chest. It was reminisce of when her bond had broken with Dor’gen, not something that was enjoyable by any means. Waiting patiently she took another sip from her mug, her other hand still under Melody’s. She noticed Melody glance down to their joined hands. It appeared as though she were struggling with the words. Misha began to speak first and Fire looked to her to receive the reasoning for them sending her away.

Others | Firenze | Thoughts

[Firenze]

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“Genovieve. Yes, that’s your name, I’m going to call you by it because that is my grand-babies name and you are her. We didn’t want to get rid of you, we loved - still love - you. The circumstances that were going on at the time was not good, especially for you.” her eyes looked to her daughter, a deep sadness set within them, the dark brown pools reflecting the light as memories stirred behind them. When they glanced back to Firenze they had steeled.

“The man your mother is married to is not a very nice man. He did a lot of very bad things to her and we were not exactly in a position to change that at the time. After things had become progressively worse we found that Melody was pregnant with you… and your brother.”

Excitement ran through at the thought that she might have a sibling somewhere in the world but it fizzled just as fast as it came because the tone that Misha had taken when she’d mentioned her brother, a twin brother, was rather sad and ominous. There was more that she hadn’t mentioned. Melody stood and turned away, resting her hands on the table against the wall, her back to Firenze and Misha.

“Where is he?” the words slipped tentatively from her lips, worry struck in her heart, brows furrowed.

“He…he,” she cleared her throat, "he died not too long after you were born. They told us his heart was too weak, but there is no way for us to really know.”

“You were both beautiful,” the soft voice of Melody came from the other side of the room, “I wanted to keep you both. I’d just lost him and then we had to send you away not too long after. It felt like I’d lost both of you.”

“Her husband threatened to kill you… as I said he’s not a very nice man,” a frown formed on Misha’s lips, the wrinkles around her mouth becoming more pronounced.

“Why would my own father try to kill me though?” It didn’t make senses to her. The pieces of the puzzle weren’t fitting together and she couldn’t seem to get them to match up in her mind.

“He’s not your father,” the cold words came from Melody. It surprised her, brows raising toward her hairline as she looked between the two women. She’d never heard her speak like that. To top it off, the man that her mother was married to… wasn’t her father?

“Who is?” It felt as though she’d been pummeling them with questions since they’d returned but she had to know. She was finding a part of herself she never knew she’d lost.

“His name is Faolan, it was only one night, but sometimes that’s all it takes. It wasn’t a mistake though. I love him - still do - he is my bondmate,” that was the only explanation Fire needed. The feeling of losing your bondmate was something that she knew well. Hers had broken and she hoped it wasn’t the same case for her mother and father.

Holding her hand up, “I understand,” she wanted to let the other woman know that she didn’t need to talk about it. The pain was clear on her face and Fire didn’t want to have her rehash through the loss. Standing, feet moved over to where Melody was and her arms wrapped around her shoulders. “We’re here now. That’s all that matters.”

Others | Firenze | Thoughts

[Firenze]

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Sobs wracked through Melody as she turned and tucked her face into Fire’s shoulder. She was considerably taller that her mother, but it didn’t matter. Misha moved over to them and they all hugged together, smiles wide across their faces as happy tears rolled down cheeks.

As they all stepped back and wiped the tears Melody clapped her hands together, “Why don’t we get some proper food and have a nice dinner together?” Her smile widened, eyes bright. Fire nodded, “I think that sounds great. Here,” she dug into her pocket and pulled out some Mizas, “you get whatever you need. I wouldn’t have a clue what we could cook, never really learned how. I’ll stay, clean and get things together,” dropping the coin into the older woman’s hand, wrapping her fingers around it.

“You don’t have to, we have our own coin,” she placed the opposite hand on her pocket.

“I know, but I want to,” she smiled and then waved at them to get going so they could start making dinner together and discuss more of their lives over their meal. Excitement bubbled back again at the thought. She couldn’t have stopped the grin on her face even if she wanted to.

Hugging both of the women, the smell of lavender wafting off their skin, she gave them a small wave and watched them leave to go to the Market.

“Hurry back!” She called out as Misha closed the door behind them.

Once they’d left she set out to the task of opening the window further, a soft breeze had picked up and stirred the air within the room. Grabbing the piece of cloth on the table she used the pitcher to pour a little water on part of it. The rag quickly became dusty as she wiped off the table they had been sitting at, the small ledge above the hearth and anything that had a surface could be cleaned.

After finishing with the dusting she looked around the room. It felt a little better but there was something missing. Moving to the beds she ran her hands over the blankets, smoothing the surface out from the imprints of where the women had sat. Glancing around again she tried to see if that had fixed the issue but it was still there. A thin finger tapped on her lips as golden orbs shifted, taking in the room.

Flowers. Perhaps that would make the room feel better? With a nod she slipped on her boots and made her way to the door. Pulling it open the soft breeze was felt stronger and cooled her warm skin. Syna’s rays were still beating down harshly but the wind aided in keeping the stifling heat off her sweat slicked skin. Feet moved toward the outskirts of the city as she searched for a few flowers that could be picked.

Others | Firenze | Thoughts

[Firenze]

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Her mind turned toward her own residence. It had been a blessing in disguise that she’d gone to live with Pulren. He’d taught her quite a few things while living there. One being to lock up the residence so that ill willed couldn’t enter, despite the city having the Wave Guard. It did make her feel better that she’d gone and bought her own lock for her new house. She didn’t have much but what was at the house was everything that she owned.

Another thing she’d noticed while she was with him was that he kept his purse under lock and key so that he didn’t have to carry everything around with him. She wasn’t much for education but that in itself was something smart to do and being taught that was something she was grateful for. There was a lot that he had shown her in their time together and that stirred the fondness for him within her chest.

Bending at the waist she plucked a few daisies, gathering them in the other hand. Once she had a fair amount in her grasp she made the trek back toward the inn where her family was staying. Her family. Her heart swelled at the thought that she now had a family, and knew who they were.

Once she’d reached the door of the room they were staying in she paused just outside. Something felt off. Reaching for her dagger, hand resting on the handle she stared at the door, left ajar. She knew that she had closed it and the other women wouldn’t have left it open. All their own belongings were inside and leaving a door open was just begging for someone to come in and steal their things.

Slowly she moved, her footsteps light as she pressed the tips of her fingers against the hardwood. Silence was her goal. The door shifted inward as she pushed. She couldn’t see anything through the widening crack. As the door opened the breeze from the window on the other side of the room could be felt. Eyes shifted around the room, trying to see if anything was out of place but everything appeared normal.

Heart racing she stepped slowly into the room, checking every nook and cranny that she could see. A heavy sigh escaped between her lips as she tried to shake the feeling of foreboding. It was strange, she could have sworn she’d closed the door. Why had it been open?

Moving back to the door she glanced to the latch, it didn’t appear broken. Closing it she inspected the room closer. The bed was untouched, nothing moved from the table and the cupboards and chest were still closed. A hum came from her throat as she moved her hand from the dagger and took a cup from the cupboard. Filling it with water from the pitcher she placed it in the center of the table. Syna’s light made the blooms appear as though they were glowing.

As she turned to place the pitcher back in it’s place her ears caught the sound of the door opening. It wasn’t that the door was opening that bothered her, because she expected her mother and grandmother to be back soon. It was that it was opening slowly and the latch hadn’t made it’s usual clacking noise as though it had been depressed quietly on purpose.

Quickly shifting she placed the pitcher down and reached for her dagger. The handle was comforting in her palm. The door pushed wider and a man was standing in the frame. Eyes roved over him. His hair was dark and curly, eyes just as dark. His clothes had stains on the front and hands were covered with fingerless gloves. A lit cigarette hung between the digits.

Others | Firenze | Thoughts

[Firenze]

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“Can I help you?” a brow cocked up at the man who had unceremoniously entered into her mother’s living quarters. Bloodshot eyes narrowed as he returned the inspection of her.

“Where is Melody?” His question came out on with a low growl, a hint of one too many smokes. There was a stench coming from him that had her nose wrinkling from the other side of the room. A smell of stale liquor and slight body odor.

“There is no one here by that name. You need to leave.” It was spoken almost with a growl. After her time living in Sunberth, even with the Wave Guard in Zeltiva, the feeling of being on alert came back full force. The hairs rose on the back of her neck and her mind screamed at her that she need to figure out a way to get out.

A breeze wafted in from the window gently and reminded her that it was to her back. Could she jump out quick enough? Her hand stayed on her weapon as he pushed his way into the room, pulling a long drag off the hand rolled cigarette.

“She’s my wife. I have a right to know where she is. I paid good money to find this room, so I know she’s livin’ here,” he spat on the floor and narrowed dark eyes at her. He blocked the way to the door, his arm outstretched across the frame as though holding himself up. She wasn’t sure what to do. One thing she was sure of was that Melody and Misha were coming and she needed to warn them.

Slowly she shifted her weight to the side, trying to get a better angle toward the window so once she got the chance she could try to escape through it and get to her mother. They had to be down at the Market or possibly the General Store. Her eyes flicked over to see how far she might be to the window and back to the man, afraid to take her eyes off him too long.

“Hey! I saw that bitch, don’t even think about it. Tell me where she is before you get hurt,” he snarled at her, his anger fueled by what should could only guess as liquid fire. It amazed her that he would be so bold in broad daylight with the guards walking around. Unfortunately for her they were inside and people wouldn’t be able to see the interaction.

Slowly she took in a breath and tried to prepare herself. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. You’re looking in the wrong place, this is my room and you’re trespassing. I will call the guards if you do not leave," she tried to use a firm tone, getting across the meaning that there was no way she would tell him anything.

She’d just found out not even a bell prior that she had a mother and grandmother and now it appeared that the same man they’d warned her about was standing only a few feet in front of her. Could it get any worse than this?

Shifting her weight she tensed and risked glancing at the window again. Only a foot or so away and she could get to freedom and warn the women. It felt like slow motion as she pushed off with her foot trying to jump on top of the table, her fingers reaching for the ledge of the sill. At the same time her step-father jumped toward her with a growl. His hands wrapped around the ankle of the foot that was lagging behind.

“What did I petchin' tell you!” he yelled through gritted teeth, his lit cigarette dropped to the floor in the tussle as she tried to pull against him, using the sill for leverage. Her free foot kicked out at him, striking him in the shoulder.

Others | Firenze | Thoughts

[Firenze]

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Fingernails dug into the worn wood of the sill as he climbed along her. Grimy hands took hold of soft flesh and he moved up her body. Her foot continued to kick out but it appeared as though his drunken state was in his favor, the alcohol dulling his senses. One of the cups that had been on the table fell and shattered along the floor.

“Get off me!” She screamed, her teeth gritted together as she tried to pull against him. Her body felt stretched between the tight hold and the pull from him. Elbows bent slowly as she used all the strength she could muster to escape the grasp. A shuffle was heard behind her, glancing back briefly eyes watched as he got his footing. Rough hands were wrapped around her thighs, bruising the soft flesh.

He pulled back against her, nails ripped from the sill. Whipping her body along the table she tried a different tactic, hoping that it would be better than her last. Broken nails dug into his arm that tightly held her legs together so she couldn’t kick against him any longer. If he was going to corner her then her last option was going to fight it out in anyway that she could. With that decision in mind she scratched out to any exposed piece of skin that she could. Teeth sank into his bicep trying to get him to release his hold.

The hand that wasn’t as close of reach released it’s grip on her, for a brief tick she thought she might be getting the upper hand. Only the heavy hand that had freed came down hard against the side of her head. The tick of thinking she was starting to gain the upper hand dissipating. Blackness and stars swirled in her vision, her ear ringing. His hand came down again as a fist, beating against the side of her head. A menacing growl rolled in his throat as he put all his weight behind the blows to get her to release.

“Get-” Whack.

“-the-” Smack.

“-petch-” the third fifth blow came, her teeth gave up the hold on his arm as her head spun and she lost her equilibrium. The floor felt as though it were the ceiling and the two of them were floating around the room.

“OFF.” The last blow struck, she was trying to keep conscious from the rain of hate coming down on her. Hands reached out and gripped the edge of the table, trying to pull her away from him. Her vision went completely black as she half hung off the table. Her last thoughts were only that of her mother and grandmother, hoping that they wouldn’t return. The last sounds of him breathing heavily.

Others | Firenze | Thoughts

[Net]

Firenze – Skills:
Information Gathering +1
Cleaning +1
Intimidation +1
Brawling +2

Lores:
Hearing the Truth and yet not believing it.
Family: Barely knew them yet the ties are strong
Real Name: Genovieve
Misha: Grandmother.
Melody: Mother
Biological Father: Passed away shortly after birth
Melody's Bondmate – Faolan – is a "bad man”
Faolan is not Fire's Father.
Excitement is contagious
Intimidation: Trying to sound tough and in charge
Brawling: Anything counts... Even Biting
Faolan: Abusive, Assaulting, and “courageous”-- more like cowardly

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