Ariana Moore (startmeup) wrote in nevermore_logs, @ 2012-07-25 02:29:00 |
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Entry tags: | raiden nakashima, thetis, triton |
Who: Raiden Nakashima, Thetis and Triton
What: Triton meets his new little sister, Thetis comes along. Coffee date!
When: Tuesday afternoon
Where: Coffee shop
Warnings: None
Raiden had never had any siblings. She was happily beaming at meeting her brother, the excitement written all over her face while she and Thetis waited in the coffe shop. She'd taken her coffee just as the rest of her family, dark and strong. While it cooled between her hands she took small sips, demure like the little Japanese girl she was. She'd chatted with Thetis the entire afternoon as they walked to the shop, carrying on about the stories her mother had fed her.
She was in for a rude awakening when Poseidon proved to be nothing like the man she'd been told so much about.
wreathed_horn
2011-09-13 10:38 pm (local) (link)
Triton wondered when exactly he'd become the 'welcome to the family, Father is an asshole' speech guy. It hadn't happened in the past. Then his half siblings had known his father, and how he was.
Now it was different. This young girl was innocent to the ways of Poseidon, and he knew how his father took that. It was almost an invitation for him to come ruin her life.
Triton wouldn't have that.
He'd persuaded Mel to cover for him at work, explained he had a sister to meet and went off. He arrived soon enough and smiled at his Aunt. He could hardly imagine any sibling of his to have as much energy as the girl was giving off. He hoped it would not be ruined.
When he came to the table he took Thetis' hand and kissed her knuckles, bowing his head as was proper. "Aunt. It is good to see you." He lowered her hand before turning to the girl, wondering if he put her and Mel in the same room all the world's ills would be vanquished by their combined cheer. "Hello," smiling he extended his hand, "Pleasure to meet you."
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argyropeza
2011-09-13 10:46 pm (local) (link)
Thetis felt in her bones that this meeting was going to end with Raiden's dreams about Poseidon crushed. She knew the girl was excited to meet her father, but how was she going to react when she found out what he was really like.
But at least it was Triton, her favorite nephew, and possibly the most level-headed of all of Poseidon's children. She beamed at him as he kissed her hand and replied, "Hello, Triton. Good to see you too. Please, join us." She sipped her tea and waited while the two of them got acquainted.
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emerald_odyssey
2011-09-13 10:54 pm (local) (link)
She was more akin to a child of Poseidon that it would seem at the moment. She had bouts of depression she couldn't understand the reasoning toward, a strong attachment to the sea and a determination. Part of her enthusiasm was due to her mother's lies. The woman had seen Poseidon for what he really was and wished to protect her daughter from that heartbreak. She didn't realize at the time how much it actually would cripple her.
Raiden looked at Triton's outstretched hand and gently took it. She wasn't used to shaking hands, and bowed out of habit before giving the proper greeting. Then when that strange surge of energy hit she had to refrain from hugging him tightly.
"Raiden Nakashima," she replied sweetly.
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wreathed_horn
2011-09-13 11:33 pm (local) (link)
Smiling he shook her hand and sat down beside his Aunt, far enough away yet still close enough. He waved for some coffee, and hoped this would end in the girl getting some answers.
"Raiden, curious." He mentally calculated her age for a moment before giving another smile, "Triton, or Celano. Whatever you prefer. I answer to both. I imagine you know why we hide."
He gave her a long look before setting his hands on the table. "I want you to keep being who you are Raiden, but I imagine the next few hours will be...illuminating." He spared a glance to his Aunt. Best to get this over with. "How do you see our father?"
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argyropeza
2011-09-14 12:42 am (local) (link)
Thetis sipped her tea again, grateful that Triton was here to help ease Raiden into this.
"If we don't, it usually results in being carted off to asylums, or people thinking we can destroy their enemies," she said wryly. "Staying incognito definitely helps."
She waited with bated breath for her answer to Triton's question as to how she saw Poseidon. She held Triton's gaze for a moment, knowing that the answer couldn't be anything good.
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emerald_odyssey
2011-09-14 08:39 am (local) (link)
"Okaasan said it was a strong name," she beamed. Suddenly this conversation felt off, and she looked at them confused. She listened carefully to what was asked of her, so she spoke without hesitation. "That he's strong, powerful, and just." She was so serious, but she felt that same feeling of being laughed at like her peers had done all these years. "Mother said he loved her but couldn't stay," the biggest lie a mother could have told her daughter, concealing the truth.
She waited for a moment, just silence hovering. "I know he doesn't know about me, but I think he'd be...." she paused trying to find the word, "joyful?"
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wreathed_horn
2011-09-14 12:56 pm (local) (link)
Oh dear. He managed not to snort, but just gave her an incredulous look. Her mother had not done her any good by lying like this. And now it was up to him to shatter her dreams, before his father did it for her.
And he knew Poseidon. It would be done with glee.
"Raiden," he sounded almost sad, "you're so far from the truth. He's strong and powerful, but never just. He didn't stay because he would have forgotten about your mother the second he was done with her. It's why he never came looking for you. The age of heroes is past, so you don't matter anymore. That, and you are a girl." He gave his aunt an apologetic look, "sorry aunt. You know father."
He sighed, "father is a misogynist of the highest order. Women can be used and abused to him. They aren't good for anything else. I have a full sister, and I am constantly surprised he even remembers her name. That's the kind of being father is. As for joyful? Hardly. Maybe when he's killing someone."
He set his hands on the table, "Raiden you have to understand me. He will hurt you. For sport. To break you. And mother left, and he blames you. You don't know him the way I do. He will want to take that out on you. The fact that you're blood means nothing to him. He studied her eyes, "Raiden, I am his heir do you understand that? I will never get his throne, thank all the gods for that, but I am his standard bearer, messenger, and I soothe his rages. I am his eldest son. By all accounts he should treat me the best?"
He didn't want to say all this, but the girl had to understand." I'm not like him. He wants to make me like him. Do you know how he tried that the last time?" He leaned closer, "he took me girlfriend aside and beat her. He frightened her half to death and had she not asked for mother's protection, he would have taken her. Now, this is what he's done to me. Try and imagine what he'll do to you."
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argyropeza
2011-09-14 08:11 pm (local) (link)
Thetis sighed, a weary sound, and waved off the apology. "Don't be, Triton. I do know him, and better you tell her now than have him tell her with his fists or his sharp tongue."
She couldn't help but snort in agreement when Triton said his father was a misogynist. It was just so completely true, although she remembered a time when he hadn't always been that way. Before Demeter, before Amphitrite...but there was no point in dwelling on the past.
She listened as her nephew explained the myriad of reasons why Poseidon was not the ideal father she'd been brought up to believe he was. If his own children with his wife were treated like nothing, what chance did this girl have?
"He doesn't tell you this to hurt you," she said softly. "But you need to know, and not knowing could get you hurt, or worse. The Olympians are still as prideful as they were so long ago, and if he thinks hurting you or denying you're his will get you back in my sister's good graces, then he'll do it."
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emerald_odyssey
2011-09-14 08:43 pm (local) (link)
Raiden's eyes became wide, listening with her mouth slightly agape. She couldn't believe it, though she nodded with softly glazed eyes. She could feel tears prick but refused to let them fall. What they spoke of was horrible, she didn't want to believe that her mother had lied to her all these years. Why would she?
"My mother wouldn't lie to me," she shook her head, though the look on her face was confused. Her brows knitted, those beautiful sea-colored eyes in shock.
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wreathed_horn
2011-09-14 08:52 pm (local) (link)
"Clearly, she has." Perhaps he was being a bit hard on her, but it was this, or she'd end up as lunch for his father. "For whatever reason. Maybe to make herself feel better. Maybe to make you feel better. The case remains that she lied none the less. I know she's your mother but I am his son. I know him better then most."
He took the coffee once it arrived and sipped from it, giving her a long look. "Ask Medusa if you think your mother lied to you. Even our youngest brother is aware of the fickle nature of our father. He's spared some of it because he is young, and a boy. You're neither."
He set the cup down, "I've placed you under my protection. He can still hurt you, but I'll talk to someone to see if they can make sure you can't be found for a bit. In all honesty, it does not matter what you believe Raiden. The truth won't change, and I'll do what I can to keep you safe. A word of warning? If you should meet father, turn away. Don't talk to him, and especially don't talk to him alone. Have someone with you, at all times." He glanced to his Aunt, "can I count on you Aunt?"
Then he looked to his sibling, "and if you see him speaking to a blonde, stay away from the water. He employs a mermaid. Gods know what he can ask of her."
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argyropeza
2011-09-14 09:13 pm (local) (link)
"I know a thing or two about lying to protect your child," Thetis said wistfully, signalling for another tea. "Perhaps it was done with the best intentions, but it usually ends up ending badly for everyone involved."
"I can keep an eye on her," Thetis answered. "For some unfathomable reason, I can sometimes get through to him and make him listen when I talk. If he wants to get to her, and you're not around, he'll have to go through me. And Amphitrite won't like it if he lays hands on me, so round and round we go. Gods that man gives me a headache sometimes."
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emerald_odyssey
2011-09-14 09:41 pm (local) (link)
She wasn't sure what hurt worse. The lies or the fact that even despite what they said she still wanted to meet him. She'd grown up so log with her own images, her delusioned stories, no matter how off they may have been, she needed to see it for herself. She had Poseidon's determination if nothing else.
She looked back and forth between Triton and Thetis, eyes heavy, nearer to tears than she'd been before. She nodded again, looking down at her hands in her lap, hair covering her face. When she looked back up, she gave a curt nod and half smile.
"I understand." She spoke in a quiet voice, "I still want to meet him." she'd waited this long to just say no in the face of fear.
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wreathed_horn
2011-09-14 09:48 pm (local) (link)
He gave a smile to Thetis, "Welcome to my life. And I have to do this. But thank you Aunt, and do give my hellos to my cousin."
He sighed at Raiden, "stubborn. Family trait." he gave a faint smile, "but not without me. I will set it up so I can keep you safe. You won't see him without one of us there. Those are my conditions."
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argyropeza
2011-09-14 10:12 pm (local) (link)
"I will," she said with a small smile. "And it's really no problem, she's already my TA, I can keep an eye on her during classes and walk her home if need be."
She gave a little half-smile. "It really is. Stubborn streak a mile wide." She nodded then. "That's a smart plan. Having someone there to play referee and shield if things get out of hand."
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emerald_odyssey
2011-09-14 11:57 pm (local) (link)
"Mmm," she nodded in agreement. "I'm sorry, I have see things for myself." She'd grown up with her father there her whole life, at least the image her mother painted her. She wasn't sure how to take all this or what the outcome would be, she just hoped. She wasn't going to show that already she felt somewhat crushed by the new revelations.
Perhaps they were right. She wasn't a son, she wasn't a full-blood of whatever this was, she would be something special. She would always be, and no lies would cover that up. She was prepared to take her own steps and any consequences that would follow. She wouldn't let her broken heart show on the surface.
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wreathed_horn
2011-09-15 12:04 am (local) (link)
"you're going to be disappointed," but he knew he wouldn't be able to sell that idea here. The girl had an image in mind and she needed it confirmed or denied by her own eyes. He felt sorry for her for that.
But he smiled, "Any answers I can give about me, or this world? I'm sure my Aunt can answer similar questions."
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argyropeza
2011-09-15 05:32 am (local) (link)
"I can't help but agree with Triton on that point," Thetis added. "That's why I said what I did in your journal, I'd just hate for you to build him up in your mind and then be let down by him in person." Which was all but guaranteed to happen, but she didn't mention that part.
"Now in that respect, I can be helpful," she said, brightening. "I've known Poseidon since before Triton was born, which ought to tell you something about how old I am." She laughed. "But yes, anything in particular you'd like to know?"
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emerald_odyssey
2011-09-15 04:46 pm (local) (link)
"I understand," Raiden said as politely as possible, "but I need to make my own decision. I need to see for myself." She wasn't vindictive like her father, but she would stand up for what she wanted. She may be scared now, upset, but she had the better side of him that would stay surfaced.
She gave Thetis a small smile, pulling the hair behind heresrs and thinking of any questions she had. "You knewhim before," she started, "what was he like then?" The girl wad curious to who he was before.
To Triton she asked about the wife Poseidon had not left. To ask what she was like.
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wreathed_horn
2011-09-15 05:02 pm (local) (link)
He frowned, "mother is...sad." He didn't know how to explain it any other way. "Father's never been loyal and it hurts her. He spend years trying to get closer to her, trying to win her. Then when he did, he just kind of left her behind." He frowned, "do you know the moment of the tide where it's just coming in and going out? Where you can feel a peace, and everything feels soothing? That's my mother." He smiled to the memory, "she raised me, thank the gods for that. I didn't even meet Father until I was grown and I had to do my duties. That was fun."
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argyropeza
2011-09-16 03:19 pm (local) (link)
"She didn't use to be," Thetis added wistfully. "She was bright and joyous and loved nothing more than being in the sea with her family. Then things...changed." She trailed off, looking out the window, remembering.
She considered Raiden's question for a moment before answering. "He was...not so harsh," she said at last. "More willing to ask permission than seek forgiveness, if you'll forgive me butchering the saying. He was a good King. And even now, though we have arguments that mostly devolve into shouting matches, he listens, if only occasionally. He felt jilted after lots were cast for kingdoms, and I don't think he's ever really gotten over that. He's capricious and scary at times." She shrugged. "He's Poseidon. It's hard to describe him fully, especially since I've seen him change over the centuries."
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emerald_odyssey
2011-09-16 05:03 pm (local) (link)
She listened carefully, it was a lot to take in all at once when she'd had nineteen years of stories to wade through. She felt her heart break a little, but still kept her tears away.
She waited before asking her next question, wondering what they'd have to tell her, or if she was just too optimistic. "Is he beyond love? Beyond kindness?"
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wreathed_horn
2011-09-16 05:13 pm (local) (link)
He set a hand on his Aunt's shoulder, unsure how to comfort her. He'd seen how his mother had changed over the last few weeks and had no idea how to soothe her either. It didn't make him feel right.
He looked to Raiden and sighed, "I don't know. I think so. It's just been too long. He loves my mother in a fashion, but not enough. I'm useful so he cares about me in some twisted way, but love? No I've never seen him show that. Very light affection is the best he can do."
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argyropeza
2011-09-16 05:46 pm (local) (link)
She squeezed Triton's hand lightly. The Amphitrite of now was so different from the one she'd grown up with, and some days it was sad how much she'd changed. How much all of them had changed, and more often than not it wasn't for the better.
She chimed in, "I want to say he isn't, but I just...don't know. He used to love her more than he does now, I remember it. I stand up to him and talk back where few others would, and I think he respects that, in his own way. But I honestly don't know."
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emerald_odyssey
2011-09-16 06:13 pm (local) (link)
Raiden still seemed able to share a radiant smile, though her eyes told a totally different story. "Mmm. I understand." She placed her coffee cup onto the table feeling oddly out of place at the moment. She didn't know whether to leave or stay.