Sionnach (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"That's exactly what I'm talking about: that reaction right there," Soma told her calmly. "We don't need you to change who you are. But we do need you to communicate so we understand what's going on. If you go off and do something stupid and get mad when people ask what you were thinking, no one comes out of it better."

Soma shook his head. "You telling me that you're jealous because of our differences- that's something I needed to know. You explained where you're coming from and I can respect that, especially when we were younger and you probably didn't know what to do with that anger. That's okay. You're allowed to be angry at things going wrong and you don't understand why, or someone being treated with more understanding while you're waved away as the senseless one. I get that."

Soma reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder with absolute honesty in his gaze. "Don't change. I wouldn't forgive you if you did. But just talk to us more about how you feel. It's easier said than done... But that's the only way we'll know what's going on. You deserve to be listened to. I want you to know that I believe that. And I want to listen. Sometimes... I just need to cool down a while, just like you."

Drawing back, he sighed. "I always kind of envied you ability to express anger. I'm bad at it."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I express it too often, I know." Riley said with a shrug of her shoulders. "And I know you're not a child anymore."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You express it when it happens," Soma corrected her. "Which is good. It's just misdirected sometimes. Like that time you went raging at Andre before you two were together."

Soma glanced down to the fire. "You know, when you're not being a total ass, it's good to talk to you. When I was little I always wanted to impress you because it felt like you were the one who was always daring and fearless and it felt like you'd tried and seen everything."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Why would you ever want to impress me?” Riley asked him in a curious tone. “I’m a nobody in the scheme of things.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Oh, shut up," Soma scoffed at her like she was talking complete nonsense. "You're my sister. You're a Ghis. You're the powerhouse of our generation. Anyone bigger, faster, or stronger than you still has trouble keeping up with you because you don't quit. When I was little, I was certain you'd either be some hero someday, or do gown in history as an explorer and adventurer. Now, still as young as you are, you're a fully-fledged Rider, a Caller in training, a soldier, and yes, a hero too after what you've done for Jani and Andre when they were captured. Don't you dare call yourself a nobody in front of me." While he scolded her like she was a fool, there was real passion behind his words, not dissimilar to how Sam would sometimes scold her as a child telling her he knew she could be and do better after she did something senseless or angry.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I gave up my claim to the throne because I knew that you were the one that would put all the pieces back together when Ma and Da were ready to finally rest. You and Tati will do great things. I truly mean that." Riley said softly, letting him know that she did think of him as an equal instead of a child.

 

[KieranSoares]

Soma sighed, leaning against her shoulder. "I hope you and Andre get to do all the things you want as well. You have to keep journals like Vincenzo did, so we can see it all too."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I have to convince Ma and Da to let us get married first. She told me I wasn't ready after our blow up. Maybe she's right. Maybe I'm just not the type to get married." Riley said as she looked down at the ring on her hand. "Andre never seems to mind my moods."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Not to take sides, but she does have a point," Soma murmured. "Andre's the most easy-going person I know next to grandpa. I don't know if he'd ever get that angry at you. He'd probably just be melancholy, but that's not necessarily better. You both deserve to have a stable relationship. That's why I said it's so important to communicate."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'd never want a melancholy mate. I get enough of that from myself." Riley said with a long sigh, her head coming to rest again Soma's. "Don't settle for just anyone, little mite. Trust me on that."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm not interested at the moment, but I'll keep that in mind." He glanced off into the valley and asked quietly, "You're going to visit often when we get back to Scotland, right? I know you aren't interested in living there. But you have to come back often enough for Da and Tati."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Are you admitting that you might miss me?" Riley asked as Soma asked her to come back to Scotland from time to time for their Da and Tati. "They won't even know that I'm missing. You'll be too busy doing other things and having your own adventures."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I said nothing about me missing you," Soma reminded with a little smirk. "But we'll all definitely notice. Things will be peaceful for once," he teased.

 

[heartofcourage]

Riley wrapped her arm around Soma's head, locking him in a headlock as he smirked and teased her. "I'm not letting go until you admit that you will miss me."

 

[KieranSoares]

Soma wriggled and pulled, his size causing a bit of a challenge especially as he tried to twist away. But finally when he relented, he pushed his full weight into her and sighed heavily. "Okay, okay. I'll miss you a little. Maybe."

 

[heartofcourage]

"That's what I thought." Riley said as she released her brother and gave him a grin. "I hate to admit that I'll miss you too, little mite."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Just try not to get Andre killed while you're out gallivanting around," Soma chuckled, rising from his spot. "Let's get over to Uncle Rhett's house. I'm sure everyone's gathered by now."

 

[heartofcourage]

She slugged him in his good shoulder and then stood to follow him off towards Rhett's house for the family meal that had been promised. Tables had already been set up outside the house, piles of food and drinks as well. Rhett always outdid himself when it came to a celebratory party for his eldest niece's return to the Voya. Tati was in the middle of it all, helping Rhett to set things out while Andre put out extra chairs. The family would start to gather any moment, already a few trickling in to the old homestead.

Fiona was sound asleep and dead to the world. It wasn't until she felt the mattress dip beneath her that she stirred and made a noise. Opening her eyes, she saw Sam lying there as well, much more awake than she was.

"Is it time?" She murmured. "I didn't mean to fall asleep. Tati is probably angry with me."

 

[KieranSoares]

"She's distracted with 'er uncles," Sam muttered, reaching out to brush Fiona's hair back with a small smile. "You needed the nap. She understands."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I don't want sleep. I want to spend time with my child before she gets as big as the other two and causes me nothing but grief." Fiona murmured as she rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling with a deep sigh. "There's not enough time in the day for what I wish to do. I can't train nearly enough. I can't sleep enough. I can't spend time with my family enough."

She went silent for a long moment before she turned her head on the pillow to look at him. "I can't spend enough time with you." She reached out and gently touched his cheek, an earnest look of frustration and sorrow in her blue eyes. "Listen to me complaining about everything. It's not like I don't have a roof over my head and food in my belly. What do I have to complain about?"

 

[KieranSoares]

"Physical security isn't the only thing to life, love," Sam murmured, moving closer to wrap her up in his arms. Kissing her gently and pressing his forehead to hers, he sighed quietly. "I've been thinkin' about that too... An' I know tha' there'll never be enough time. Even when we get home. So I'm jus' tryin' to enjoy what time we do have."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You have to help raise a king. Of course there's not enough time." Fiona murmured as he wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly, his forehead pressed against her own. "We could just...hide away. Tell everyone to leave us alone. Come and collect us when the invasion is over."

She gave him a sly smile as she said that. "Let them handle that burden. We can work on expanding our family while they're gone."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You'd charge back out there a day later an' you know it," Sam muttered. "So would I, if not sooner. Let's face it, love... We're workaholics an' we're too set on seein' this family through this nonsense."

 

[heartofcourage]

“You’ve always enjoyed chasing me about with mild exasperation.” She said as she kissed him again and let out a long sigh. “We need to find you a good partner to ride. I’m not having you did when we’re this close.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"I've been thinkin' about it," he muttered. "Schaller said he'd ask Dzana, but I don't want t'do that. Probably gonna go to the haven an' see if anyone's ready there."