Who: Amphitrite and Rhode When: Shortly after this conversation, May 18, 2012 Where: Rhode's place, then elsewhere Warnings: None Note: Request by another
It was true that with pregnancy came a less social Amphitrite. One who didn't like to go out as often as before and simply relax at home Poseidon's. It wasn't always easy for her to leave anyhow, considering how possessive the Sea king could be. But when the Queen wanted something she damn well got it. So with her daughter's distress came the protective mother who refused to let anyone keep her from her child. The fact that she was pregnant and hormonal didn't help with keeping those emotions at bay.
She arrived at Rhode's place shortly after that conversation, because it was more important than anything else currently happening in that place Poseidon called home. She rang the doorbell once. Waiting right now was not easy since she was feeling very anxious about this whole thing. She hated seeing her children distressed; it made her feel as though she was failing as a mother, but she really had absolutely no control over this particular situation.
Amphitrite stood, ignoring everything else going on around her. She was now in her sixth month, belly growing ever larger and unbeknownst to Poseidon, she knew whether or not Poseidon would be gaining another son or daughter. It was information she had yet to inform him. It was out of pure stubbornness that she hadn't told him yet.
Rhode opened the door almost before the noise from the bell had died away, extraordinarily glad to see her mother on the other side. Rhode was a mess, her long hair unkempt, and the shadows under her eyes were almost purple. But her eyes were dry, more because she'd run out of tears than anything else. She knew, deep down, that she was stronger than this, but right now, she was tired of simply being strong amd pretending everything just rolled off her back.
"Hey Mom," she said softly. "Come on inside. Thanks for coming."
Amphitrite greeted her daughter with a smile. Before she stepped inside she gave Rhode a tight yet awkward hug (her stomach made things very difficult at times). After going inside she turned to look her daughter over, shaking her head with quiet disappointment. Rhode was beautiful. She was the daughter of Amphitrite. She was not meant to be sad and she certainly wasn't meant to look it. The days her daughter held a smile on her face were she days she felt happiest. That went for all her children, so it was safe to say she wasn't happy very often because of the moronic things that would happen to them... usually because of their own fathers selfishness. But right now she would focus on her child.
"My darling," she said, gently taking Rhode's face in her hands. "We will figure this out. I will help you."
Rhode let herself bury her head in her mother's shoulder just for a moment, like she was a child again, and Amphitrite could fix everything. Just having her there, standing in her apartment, it was already starting to help, like an anchor to reality. She was looking forward to telling stories like this to her new little brother or sister.
She looked up at Amphitrite, eyes huge and sad, but still free of tears. "I know," she said softly. "I know, and I'm so glad that you're here. Things just started to look so hopeless."
For a moment Amphitrite felt truly comfortable. Memories of holding Rhode when she was small came flooding back and for a moment she missed those days. They seemed easier. More bearable.
Amphitrite smiled gently and nodded, tucking some of Rhode's hair behind her ears, "I know, sweetheart. I understand." She just looked at her daughter for a moment and then with a feeling of finality said, "Well, we'd better get you cleaned up. I'm taking you to lunch and shopping and whatever else you want to do. Maybe a swim. You need to get out and stretch."
Rhode managed a shaky smile and straightened up a bit more. "Triton said the same thing. I haven't been swimming in much too long, and I'm starting to feel like I'm going through withdrawal. Let me just change my clothes and find my purse and swimsuit." She went into her room and brushed her hair, pulling it back with an elastic band. She changed into some jeans, flats, and a camisole, pulling a button up shirt on over it. She tucked an old swimsuit into her oversized purse, brushed a bit of makeup on her face, and came back out.
"It's amazing how much better clean clothes make you feel," she said, feeling better for the first time in days. "And I could definitely eat."
"Your brother is right. We sea folk need to swim more often than we do nowadays," she said in agreement. Amphitrite hadn't been much in the last few months, but she remembered how soothing it was when she carried her unborn children before. She would do the same for this little one. And partly for herself.
When Rhode returned she smiled a little more brightly as she looked her daughter over, nodding in approval, "Much better. Now," she said, putting her arm around Rhode and shuffling her out the door, "Let's eat. I'm starving, and I know right now you need food to keep up your energy."
"We really do," she agreed, fishing her keys out of the bowl next to the door. "The city is finally warm enough to not make we want to shrivel up into a ball when I go in the water."
She brightened a bit at her mother's approving look and said, "That sounds like a really good plan. I feel like I could eat a sandwich the size of my head. I've just been sort of picking at things when I feel like it." She locked the door behind them and started off down the hallway. "So where are we going?"