[center][h1]Sylann’s Woes[/h1][/center] [hr] The knock came at the door. Again. Althea listened, staring blankly up at her dark ceiling. She told herself she was comfortable in her bed. Under cold sheets that never seemed to warm. She didn't feel like getting up or maybe it was because she didn't know if she could at that moment. So she remained silent and listened to the knocking. They became louder and louder until her walls quaked, threatening to come down before the door would give in. She didn't really care if they did. Maybe they would crush her. Then blessed silence came and she shut her eyes out of mere exhaustion. Yet, she really didn't want to sleep. She knew what waited in unconsciousness. Nothing was ever restful anymore. Vaesna’s slurred speech broke the silence, “Altheaaaa,” she called, her voice muffled through the door and the emptiness between them. “I knowww you're inthere. Come,” a quick pause, “Come on out pleaseeee.” Her friend cooed. How long had it been since this routine of theirs had started? In the early days she would open the door, they would talk, even go out to a few taverns. But as time went on, Vaesna indulged in too much drink and Althea… Althea stopped caring. Now Vaesna would visit at least once a night, sometimes more, sometimes every other day. She wasn’t sure anymore. She had lost the notion of the days passing in that dark, cold room. Her talks with Vaesna had become terse- brief and when her friend started showing up drunk, Althea began to ignore her. For no other reason then she couldn’t be bothered to deal with it and she knew that was wrong of her. She knew and yet Vaesna still came. She was stubborn. They both were. Althea knew why she came. She knew it wasn't out of annoyance but out of some sort of misguided love. But the Syllianth also knew she was quite unlovable. Still she came and Althea knew she was terrible for just laying there. Not even making the effort. But what was the point? Drink didn't comfort her. She wasn't worthy of companionship. If she had given any sort of a damn, she'd get up and tell Vaesna to her face that she was better off without her. She could go drown herself in drink and Althea could just be left alone. It would be better that way. She wrapped her sheets tighter around her thin frame. “Come on Althy… You can’t,” another pause, “We can’t- Can’t go on liek this.” Althea heard a soft slump against her door. “I miss you. Let’s just talk? Please?” The words washed over Althea and she opened her eyes to stare at the ceiling again. If there was but one person she could blame for all of this, it would be herself. She knew she had to get up. She knew it deep down. She began to move with sluggish intent. No sunlight and hardly any food would do that to any Syllianth. She had just gotten to a sitting position on the bed when Vaesna’s voice began again, “Fine. Don’t Answher me!” She shouted, “Why do you- doyou hate me?” Vaesna cried. “I don’t…” Althea said in a hoarse, quiet voice as Vaesna’s footsteps carried off. Away. Yes. She only hated herself as she laid back down on her bed. [hr] Vaesna didn’t return the next day. Or the day after that. When her friend hadn’t come back to her door on the fourth day, Althea knew something was wrong. It was her fault of course, she should have gotten up. Should have tried harder. Projected her voice. She had just let her walk away when the only thing Vaesna had ever done was try. So on that fifth day, Althea had gotten out of bed. Had found some clean clothes. Had even opened her curtains just a tad, for the sunlight- When there came a knock at the door. She found in herself the strength to walk over and fling it open before the knocks could even stop. “Vaesna, I-” She began but stopped as soon as she saw who it was. Ophelia, hand poised to knock and mouth open as if she was going to say something. Her nimble and rather regal looking friend lowered her hand and put it over her other hand down at her waist. She wore a cream colored dress with green ribbons. Her green hair was held in a bun, with several strands streaming down her neck and cheeks. Her small face held such sadness and her bright green eyes were red ringed, as if she had been crying. “What’s… What’s wrong?” Althea asked. In truth she had barely seen Ophelia since the siege and a part of her felt regret at that. She had just been so busy and then, that slow spiral into the dark. Ophelia cleared her throat. “I’ve been trying to find you, Althea. I didn’t know where to look. You didn’t tell anyone where you were moving too and you moved so far away.’ She blurted all at once, shifting uncomfortably on her feet. ‘And then I began to look around these parts and some small gobbo told me he saw- he saw- he knew some Syllianth lived here and should try this building and-” Althea cut her off, “Ophelia. What’s wrong?” Ophelia looked away from her, large tears brimming her eyes. “Vaesna has departed this life.” “W-What?” “I’m so sorry, Althea.” Ophelia moved closer to her but she took a step back, shaking her head. “No. No. That’s not possible. We don’t- She was just here. Just the other day. She’s alive.” “Althea…” She pushed past Ophelia and into the dim hall. “Vaesna!” She called. “Vaesna, come out now. I-I’m here! I don’t hate you!” She felt her knees buckle as the world grew so dark. “Please.” she said, as the tears came. Two warm arms wrapped around her. “It’s okay. It’s alright.” Ophelia said, moving a hand to stroke her hair. “It’s not okay. It’s not alright.” her voice broke as she cried. “I should have tried. I should have-” she choked out. Why didn’t she try? Ophelia just held her, stroking her hair with gentle fingers. She was so undeserving of it. But that selfish part of her, it craved that touch. It needed it. So she leaned into it, pressing herself tight against Ophelia’s chest. After some time, she asked, “Do you think, when we die, Allianthé forgives us?” “Do you seek her forgiveness?” Ophelia asked in return. “I don’t know. She instilled within us that life is precious. That we should not take it. That we needed to protect it. But, how could we have protected life during that… time, without taking it? I have felt like my heart was being cloven in two and now Vaesna is gone, and I fear it has shattered irreversibly.” she breathed, waiting for the reprimand. Waiting for Ophelia to cast her away. Sometimes you couldn't fix a broken thing. Ophelia did not say anything for a moment and then she said, “Althea, those were monsters. You saved lives by fighting them. If the Goddess deems you a sinner for that, then she is not worthy of our worship. You must not blame yourself. For any of it. Now come. I am going to make you a meal and you will come live with me and my family. No arguments.” Althea did not disagree, even if she felt like she should. Like she should protest and tell Ophelia she was the monster. That Manda might be alive if she had acted differently. That she should have died and Vaesna. Oh gods, Vaesna was dead. When Ophelia at last grabbed her hand and pulled, she almost resisted. Almost but she let herself be led away from the dark. She knew there would be more to say, even if what was said threatened to have her join Vaesna, wherever she had gone. She didn’t know what she was going to do but when she took that first step out into the sunshine, perhaps a small part of her wanted to heal. Perhaps. [hider=Summary] Wherein we see our heroes of Sylann’s siege in the throes of depression. Mainly from Althea’s PoV. [/hider]