hope v. reality[Serena]

[Serena De Lorme]

"Touchy..." she murmured, not wanting to deal with her anymore. How she and Brone were related, she could not understand. They were nothing at all alike, and even the whole "not liking to see a family member hurt" thing didn't even compare on the same level. This girl was haughty, vain, and out for all she could get if it got her further along in life. Brone actually cared about others and the well being of his nation. Part of the reason she was so attracted to him in the first place. And his caring made her fall in love with him. But all the same, her presence wasn't at all liked anymore. And hell, if she was going to die in a few nights, what did she care about how she spoke to her in the first place? Wasn't as if she was shown any respect to begin with. And the laughter wasn't at all pleasant either.

"Do not pity my child, which is just that, mine, and none of your concern." The shimmer in the corner of her eye made her turn her head to look at the young princess, fully in view now. It was her turn to laugh softly, harshly, but laugh all the same. She truly was vain, with all the lavishness of her makeup and jewelery. Her eyes had turned away before the glare could be sent her way over the little slip of the tongue, but she wasn't going to say anything about it anyway. She wasn't that pitiful.

"You know, even if I weren't pregnant, Brone would have found a way to see me despite your father doing everything he could to prevent him. And only Brone was kind enough to at least attempt to bring me blood for his troubles." Turning to face her again, she pulled her knees up as close as she was going to get with her large stomach, and placed her hands in plain view, especially the one with the engagement ring she still managed to keep. "If I do get out of here on pardon, I'm not leaving, princess. He asked me twice and I said yes. Whether its now or in a few years, your brother wants to marry me."

[Mina Van Estra]

“Haven‘t you got a single clue by now, I care about my family. Despite whatever you might think of me I really could not care any more for you other then whatever magic you hold over my brother and the child.” Mina really did care about her family, it was probably the only thing that she would ever sacrifice for.

Mina wanted to scream at her with her silent arrogance, like she held something over her with a ring, Mina had hundreds, thousands more just a wonderful and lavish. It seemed so pointless to show her that, but she couldn’t see a significance in a ring. A ring, a piece of jewellery or objects never held her heart, no one did, and for Serena she had only that and memories to cling to while she waited for an uncertain fate, something Mina couldn’t understand in this current situation. A ring represented love, but to Mina it was just another pretty thing.

“If they don‘t kill you, pardon your life, what makes you think they won‘t want you gone?” She probably was going to say something about Brone, or their love, or blah blah blah. Really, like love was going to stop the anger? Going to undo years of war, hate, ignorance on both sides. It couldn’t.

Her brow furrowed together, why was this woman so damn insistent? “But like I‘ve said, I care about my family. And if my brother and family is unharmed, and if you make it out, then I will accept whatever Brone decides. If that‘s being married to you then so be it.” Besides, if he got bored of marriage in a few lifetimes she could be replaced. And really, did she want to deal with him moping around the entire time? Hell no.

[ooc- so I kind of wanted them [or at least mina] to not hate her when she finally has to go, so she‘s going to be all nice now, mina nice, not normal person nice haha, that last paragraph was her nice mode!]

[Serena De Lorme]

"For the last time, I have not cast any spell over anyone. I did not find out about the magic I possessed until days, weeks even, after the second attack. And your brother proposed to me before then. There is absolutely no reason whatsoever for me to even want to consider putting a magical influence over anyone when dark magic nearly killed me. I'm sorry to disappoint you, princess, but you really need to get off your high horse and accept the simple fact that what's between Brone and I is real. No strings attached."

Serena sighed from her comment, obviously exasperated by it all. When was the ignorance going to end. "Haven't you learned anything about me yet? They don't matter to me. The only person that matters is Brone and I will still want him to be with him for as long as he wants me in return. If you change that, and I'm pretty sure that you will try, then I will take my child and leave. Simple as that." All of this arguing was putting a major strain on her body and she laid down on the cold stone thing, her energy depleting. She didn't even bother making a comment to whatever the girl said after that. It just didn't matter at that point. All she wanted was blood and to be left alone so she can die.

ooc: wow that was Mina nice? lol

[Mina Van Estra]

The answer was the same Mina had come to expect of her. She glared in her direction, “What happened to showing a little respect?” she asked. Serena reminded her of one of the peasants that littered the town whenever she would go through. Constantly moaning or complaining to her, or worse when one would get the idea they were more important than her and develop an attitude. “I know because your with Brone you think we are equal, and I can assure you we are far from it.” she said, she was surprised the girl hadn’t been thrown in there much sooner with the way she talked. If Mina had met her under any other circumstance she wouldn’t have hesitated to throw her in there, if only to teach her some manners.

“I have better things to do then worry about your love life.” Mina said in an almost bitter tone. “You would be more than capable of ruining things yourself, I can see that quite clearly.” she said. Really, did she think Mina was going to sit around in a dark cellar plotting their break up? Sure, if it needed a little gentle pushing in her favoured direction… Well, no, even that was beneath her.

“You know I can‘t understand why Brone cares about you. Your not well mannered, not even very pleasant.” Must be magic. “But as I‘ve said, he can do whatever he likes, as long as that‘s not letting you almost kill him, again.” Mina said. “I really don‘t know why your so hostile, your weak and alone, and I came all the way here to see you. And what does that get me? Less than a warm reception.” she said in a blank tone of voice, pointing it out like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

But, if she were going to marry her brother, and Mina was going to have to put up with her [assuming Brone comes up with a plan already!] for a while, she wasn't going to suffer through it. "I'm going to believe you when you tell me your not using magic, so you can stop pouting. We at least have one thing in common, the people we care about, so I think we should put aside our differences, for now at least, and try to work together. Perhaps when your feeling better." she said, what good was trying to speak to someone if they were barely able to take another breath?

[ooc- yeah... lol]

[Serena De Lorme]

"I don't think we're equal. I know all too well where I stand in society..." she murmured, not bothering to fight anymore. It took too much energy, and the walking only made her pain escalate more than she cared to deal with. In all honestly, she didn't mean to be so snappy, but being in pain, starving, and being separated from Brone for so long made a horrible combination in her mind and body.

"I apologize for my behavior, but in all honestly, your highness, your first words to me were accusations. And in my current state, my... stability is questionable. Receiving you with any sense of joy and welcome to hatred and anger was out of the question. And from then on all you did was argue with me, not listening to my side of the story, thinking I would actually do to Brone what was done to me a few years ago. You say you believe me now, but I know there is nothing to truly change how you feel. And for that, I am sorry."

Sighing, Serena curled up a little, her hands on her stomach as her child calmed down now that her anger had abated. There was no reason to fight anymore. She was going to believe whatever she wanted. As for the getting better part, all she did was shake her head. "The only way I'm going to feel better is if I am in a better environment...and getting the blood I need. And that will not be until after my death day. Just take me as I am, your highness," she murmured in response before closing her eyes.

Her thoughts drifted to Brone and she wondered what he was doing at that moment. Was he able to find a way to set her free? Or would she have to escape? Had he given up by then, unable to figure out what to do? Did he even want her anymore? No... She knew he did. From the way he sang to her, and that he promised to remember her... She still hoped that there would be a way for them to be together... Or her tears will be burned away by the sun...

[Mina Van Estra]

There, that was all it took for Mina to turn into less than a monster, but not quite a human either, just some respect. Mina placed her head above everyone’s, and it was doubtful she’d ever change, sometimes she had her moments, but others she was just quite unbearable.

When she mentioned her un-stability Mina nodded slightly, the girl needed more then blood and words, the thing she really needed was Brone, and hope at least. What words could she offer her? Her mother was a marvel with words, the way she always calmed down her father, she didn’t have quite the same capacity of being reassuring as her mother, it hadn’t been a problem before, so why change? She glanced at her, Serena didn’t believe her now? “I stand by my word.” she said, and that was all she needed to say. Mina didn’t make promises arbitrarily.

“Well…” she said, stepping towards the bars a little closer. “Brone is doing something. The way he looked the night I spoke to him.” she hoped talking about him would help her somehow, maybe give her more hope? Mina really didn’t want her to die, she could tell that Serena was worth more alive than she was dead. “He cares about you, he only wants to save you, and he won‘t stop until he finds a way.” she said, except, because she was Mina and his sister she added, “I‘m sure I‘m going to have to fix whatever he messes up though.” she smiled slightly at her, “But he‘ll figure it out.”

She thought of her father, the war and ignorance and sighed, it was wrong, but what could she really do? “There has to be a way to change this, I cannot hate my father, I hope you understand that. I just cannot standby what he does.” Mina said.

[Serena De Lorme]

Serena just nodded when Mina said that her word was true and she was believed in her defense in regards to her actual magical ability. Face value was all she was going to be able to take from the princess and it looked as if that her demeanor had finally changed to something that both of them could deal with. She seemed more... alive. Or normal in any state. Either way, Serena didn't feel hostile anymore, besides being too worn out to even try.

Even though she knew Brone was going to work on something, trying to find anything that he could to possibly save her, it did help to hear from someone else's lips just how much he cared for her and how determined he was to be there for her. It even made her smile and laugh just a little when Mina acted like a sister who cared. It gave her some hope for this royal family, even though she just couldn't help but hate the one that put her there. The one who judged without knowing or understanding.

"I understand, your highness," she murmured, lifting her head a little bit. "But what will happen will happen and no matter what I'll accept my fate."