Seeking a sister

[Ophelia Harrington]

Ophelia had, for all intent and purpose, dropped off the face of Arith and had been travelling the high seas on whichever vessel had decided to take her. Sometimes, she worked for trade vessels, pirates and she had even bolstered the ranks upon a warship or two. Her songs were well appreciated no matter where she was because of her direct link to the ocean and although she did not have enough spells to be considered a ships mage, she pulled her weight in lieu of one.

The only times she had set foot upon land was when she visited her two delightful twins at their school in Bryony and whilst it was often, she felt the same pit of sadness in her stomach every time she had to say goodbye. They were learning the ways of their blood, the mixture of nymph and dragonborn, which was something new to the teachers at the Magic Academy. Ophelia was concerned that there might have been an explosion of magic from them both that she would be unable to handle. So, she had made the decision that an education in magic, where they could learn to understand who they were and what they could do, was the best course of action. It helped that the twins enjoyed it all immensely and had their grandparents close by.

Ophelia had decided that this time she would spend an extended time upon land and after visiting the children, she made her way to Viola’s cottage in hopes of catching her sister. She had missed her younger sibling, and often felt bad for abandoning her to the dangers of the Heart but she was sure that Viola was having the time of her life. For once, Ophelia was dressed in somewhat normal attire and instead of a skirt, was wearing a pair of black slacks; coupled with a black corset the chest of which had a design of real raven feathers; and a poncho to cover her shoulders. Her bag, which held her flute and violin were placed upon the ground next to Sage, while she tapped against the door to find out if Viola was there. “I really hope she’s home, Sage… I’ve missed her!” The purret answered by sniffing its paw, and licking it.

[Head Moderator]

Viola was out in the back of the cottage, tending to the garden that had once been merely a kitchen garden and now expanded into the woods around the cottage. She felt Phe's energy even before she heard her voice. She rose, dusting off her hands and knees, and bounded around the side of the house with her arms held out wide.

"Is it really you?"

She grinned, and making sure she did not step on Sage who was probably glad to see Phe as well, she tugged her into a big hug and kissed her cheek. Then she stepped aside and grabbed Ophelia's bag carefully, and opened the front door into her home. Not much had changed, although with the coming spring around Navahla, there was a profusion of blooms everywhere. There was also a rather large painting above her hearth that would be new to Ophelia. It looked rather old, and magic emanated from it, so that when you gazed at the mermaids, coral, undersea fish and sea fronds it almost seemed as if every now and again they moved and the scent of the sea ebbed and waned in the room.

"Have a seat, let me fix you a cup of tea. I've got a fine lavender tea if that suits you?"

Having her sister as company made her smile brightly. Truth be told, Viola had been lonely as of late. She had ensconced herself in her home and her business, and really didn't get out much nor did people visit her. She knew it was her own fault, and she was always incredibly happy but there was a tiredness behind her eyes that only one that knew her well would see. She put her bag down on a table and waited for the yea or nay for tea.

"How long are you staying? Should I put the stew pot on?"

[Ophelia Harrington]

“Who else would it be?” She grinned lightly, casting a hand over her shoulder to shift her long, white curled hair. It was not as wispy as it once was, nor was she as slight and childlike. It was as if being upon the sea had given her a new lease of life, and blossomed her whole appearance. The bag was relinquished to her sister and she followed her inside the cottage, she had always enjoyed the pleasant aroma of the bloom Viola kept. “It is nice to be on land…” She murmured to both her sister and to Sage, who had followed them in; the picture caught her gaze though, and she tipped her head to the side. “That is beautiful, yours?”

She had heard the question about the tea but first, she settled herself down in one of the chairs and lounged, quite happily. “I will be here for a while, if that’s okay?” She didn’t think it wouldn’t be okay, but it was polite to ask, just in case. “Lavender tea is perfect, thank you. I will need to visit the children, of course. I’ve just come from there but I already miss them, would you like to come with me?” A brow arched against her forehead, “We can stay with mum and dad, and do all sorts of stuff together…” She had no idea what but it was the thought that counts. She didn’t like leaving her sister behind, but she wasn’t sure whether a life on the sea, as opposed to under it, was the life for her. “How is Ellis?” She enquired, curiously – weren’t they an item, the last she’d been around?

[Head Moderator]

Viola beamed as her sister noticed her new acquisition. "I did some work for a painter, so in exchange he painted this scene for me with paint I'd enchanted with elements of the sea, the salty air, and even bits of the sand of the beach. I do love the forest, but I need to have something of the sea nearby I've realized. In our blood, correct?"

She grinned and skipped her way to the little kitchen area so she could pull the pot of hot water off of the hearth and begin to make two cups of lavender tea for them. Once she had the tea in the water, out she came with the tea service and sat it on a table nearby so the tea could steep for just a few minutes before they did as they wished with the tea. She had honey and cream available, as well as some fresh lemons.

"You know you are welcome here as long as you wish, anytime you wish. So stay as long as you want, Phe. And I would love to go with you to Bryony! When are you leaving?" Once she finished putting the tea service down, she headed into the kitchen again quickly just to push the arm holding the stewpot over towards the fire to warm it up. She'd made it earlier in the day and was planning on just eating the leftovers for dinner. But it did need warmed.

She headed back out and took a seat, then reached for her cup to give it a stir and see how the tea was faring. "Last I saw him, he was doing well. Haven't really seen him all that much to be honest. He's got a thriving business, and plenty of other things to do, and people to see besides me."