Ophelia
we're just two ghosts
swimming in a glass half empty
swimming in a glass half empty
Ophelia sits enraptured and fully attentive as Maea begins to open up, their pale eyes unblinking in a way that could definitely be considered unnerving even when considering their sincerity. Conversing with anyone is still novel to them even after years of freedom. The Ascended had been few in number, and the war preparation had already progressed far enough that even fewer had time to spare for the likes of Ophelia.
The anti-Abandoned sentiment is not unfamiliar to Ophelia, and a soft hum of understanding comes from their throat. "Are you still sick?" Concern immediately creases Ophelia's face, a tinge of panic that would be endearing if it were not strange given how recently they met.
The concern is shared in kind, and Ophelia's eyes go a bit distant even as their neutral half-smile returns. Perhaps their constant dreamlike state is a defense mechanism, but when they speak, it's lilted and unaffected. "My parents blamed my brother for our misfortune, as he was Abandoned. After my mother disappeared and never returned, and feeding the family became difficult, my father killed him." Their eyes don't move from the spot in the corner where they've found themselves for a long while after that, though eventually they meet eyes with Maea once more. "It still did not appease the gods. Our animals still died, and our land grew less and less wheat. He was a fool, as all who believe magic to be a sin are." Ophelia is not very opinionated, but there is something sharp in their fang-filled smile at this declaration.
"He beat me often. But eventually, it was just us two, and he took his own life in his misery. I took our last horse and left that night. That's where Aamu found me!" They end on a bright note, hands splaying wide in a showy 'ta-da!' And with that, they move on swiftly to the idea of living with this new sister they have found, eyes brightening ever further. "I want to be close to nature! I like to garden and it makes hunting easier." Their tail thwacks against the wooden pew once more, good mood returned.
The anti-Abandoned sentiment is not unfamiliar to Ophelia, and a soft hum of understanding comes from their throat. "Are you still sick?" Concern immediately creases Ophelia's face, a tinge of panic that would be endearing if it were not strange given how recently they met.
The concern is shared in kind, and Ophelia's eyes go a bit distant even as their neutral half-smile returns. Perhaps their constant dreamlike state is a defense mechanism, but when they speak, it's lilted and unaffected. "My parents blamed my brother for our misfortune, as he was Abandoned. After my mother disappeared and never returned, and feeding the family became difficult, my father killed him." Their eyes don't move from the spot in the corner where they've found themselves for a long while after that, though eventually they meet eyes with Maea once more. "It still did not appease the gods. Our animals still died, and our land grew less and less wheat. He was a fool, as all who believe magic to be a sin are." Ophelia is not very opinionated, but there is something sharp in their fang-filled smile at this declaration.
"He beat me often. But eventually, it was just us two, and he took his own life in his misery. I took our last horse and left that night. That's where Aamu found me!" They end on a bright note, hands splaying wide in a showy 'ta-da!' And with that, they move on swiftly to the idea of living with this new sister they have found, eyes brightening ever further. "I want to be close to nature! I like to garden and it makes hunting easier." Their tail thwacks against the wooden pew once more, good mood returned.
trying vainly to forget
the pain that came with heartbeats
the pain that came with heartbeats
