Finally Home

[Cygnus de Trevalion]

I had written to my sisters days before so that they would know I would be arriving. It was one that had not been scheduled, but in lieu of the death of the Queen, it was easy to ignore such a small regulation. I had longed to go straight home, though I was instantly put on patrol a minute within my arrival, so a day or so after I was finally able to make my way back to where they had been staying, a home in North Borough. I eyed the crumpled paper in my hand with the address, my duffel bag on one shoulder. I was still dressed in entire military garb, which was not something I wanted to greet them with, but I had no choice. I was too eager to get home to see them, to hug them and kiss them. My dearest sisters. It had been too long since the last time and the last had been so brief. Finally, I would be here for an actual stay and my heart could only sigh in relief.

I opened the door with a key Victoire had fashioned me and tucked into my letter. Dropping my duffel bag in the hallway, I cleared my throat.

"Hello, hello? Anyone home?" I was grinning from ear to ear. As much as I loved being in the military, I felt like I was missing so many years of their life and Noemi... I had left when she was shy of eleven and now she had to be a grown woman. The idea of that made my heart ache, but here I was, home and I wanted to catch up on everything.

[Noemi de Trevalion]

The weather was nice today so I'd decided to go into the garden for a few minutes. With all of the recent tragedy there were a lot of things to think over and even fewer answers one way or the other. No one knew why this had happened still, and even though the funeral had gone well enough nothing was really 'better'. Christien was still sick, no one knew what would become of him, and Coretta was still going to have to become Queen while grieving her older sister. What would I have been like in that situation? Probably nowhere near as strong as she was, but I knew she'd get through. From the little I knew of her already I was sure of it. And hopefully Christien will get better too. He doesn't deserve to die.

Picking up my little orange furrball of a kitten I started to head back inside- there was only so long I could brood without moving- and as I closed the door to the garden the sound of loud footsteps caught my attention. I was never suspicious, only curious, so I held Leo in one arm as I walked around the corner into the foyer to look. It was my brother, I knew that, even though I hadn't seen him in years. Sometimes you just know your family and don't have to hesitate at all. "I'm home," I told him in a cheerfully eager tone as I ran over to him and gave him a hug, my earlier, more pensive thoughts forgotten and a bright smile crossing my face. "How are you? When did you get here? Are you staying? You look well!"

[Cygnus de Trevalion]

At first I was greeted with silence, just a few seconds before I saw her rounding the corner and my smile broadened as she ran and hugged me. I instantly picked her up with hesitation into my arms and spun her around, not letting her down until we got into the foyer. "I have missed you so," I said, kissing her on the forehead as I smoothed down her hair. She had grown, as I had thought, into a fine young woman. "Let me get a good look at you," I said, ignoring her questions for now as I stepped back. "My, my, my what have I missed?" I laughed, shaking my head. Too much. Maybe father was right in telling me not to join the military at sixteen. Maybe I should have waited. But no, I did not regret those years in the service.

"I got year two days prior, I am sorry that I could not come any sooner, I had duties to attend to the moment I arrived or I would have slipped out. And yes, I am staying. Not certain how long but definitely longer than any time before," I said, loosening the buttons on my coat. "I'm a bit parched would you mind getting me a drink?" I asked, following her. I had missed her so. "As for how I am... well," I flexed, before laughing, unable to do what James did with such... grace. "I have been good, I have learned a lot. And yourself? Have you kept yourself busy, what have you been doing these days? Are boys lining up at your doorstep to court you?" I chuckled.

[Noemi de Trevalion]

"I missed you too," I assured my brother warmly, laughing as I was spun around and then looked over and cocking my head to take him in. He was different now, but that was probably to be expected after so many years, and I could still see what I remembered about my older brother in him. "And I think you look fantastic! Come on into the kitchen, I'll make us some tea." There was always wine that was a bit easier to get to but I was a little too nervous about it ever since the news of what had happened. Not that I thought anyone had designs on my family, Azza forbid, but it seemed like a silly risk to take until someone knew exactly what had happened.

Still smiling I walked into the kitchen and heard him following me, set down Leo on one of the empty chairs and then grabbed a couple of teacups and some of the loose leaves, and asked one of the servants to set up some water to boil. "Alright, alright, questions time, I understand," I replied in a playfully annoyed tone, a complete jest since I knew I'd bombarded him with them just a moment before. "I always try to stay busy, I still dance and rescue lots of animals that Victoire ends up tripping over and I play a lot of games or visit with my friends. And no boys lining up yet- which is probably a blessing in some ways," I said with a wink. "What about you, brother? Any girls I should put in a good word for you with?"

[Cygnus de Trevalion]

"Tea sounds wonderful," I said, leaning against the counter. "Gods above, I don't even know if I remember what tea tastes like. It seems all we drink is liquor and water," I said with a laugh and shook my head. "Rescuing animals?" I asked with curiosity. I knew my sister had a good heart and yet it was such a marvel to get these snippets of her life, of what she had been doing. I would never have imagined. "No boys yet?" I asked with false surprise, "But what about that line I had to fight my way through just to see you?" I jested, chuckling as I leaned in. "Yes, there is someone I need you to put in a good word for me."

I paused for effect and whispered, "Your sister." I burst out laughing, taking in a deep breath. "Oh it is so good to be home... and father, how is he?" I asked. I had not seen him in so long either, but I did need to do that whenever I had time. "Maybe if I am lucky I can be stationed here for awhile after the Queen's death... it'd be nice to actually be a part of your life, as well as Victoire's."

[Noemi de Trevalion]

Grinning happily I picked up the kettle of hot water and poured it carefully into the two cups, managing not to slosh any over the sides, and then set the kettle back where it could stay warm. "I'm glad you like tea, it's most of what we drink around here these days." There didn't seem to be any point in mentioning why- after all it was a pretty recent event. "And there's no line of boys, I think someone would have noticed from the noise or the mess," I teased. "It may have been a long time ago, big brother, but I remember how you used to leave things everywhere. And yes, my pets. I always find at least a few. Right now it's only a couple of kittens though, they generally like to stay in the garden."

The idea of needing a good word for him with Victoire made me laugh as I carefully slid his cup over to a chair before sitting in one across from it, curling a leg under me comfortably. "Vic will be ecstatic to see you, she won't need me to remind her of that," I told him sincerely. "I know I missed you, and it'll be great to have you around to catch up on things." I meant that too, though I tried to avoid mentioning the Queen's death for now. It wasn't as though he was leaving in ten minutes and I couldn't ask him later. This was a happy time and I didn't want to bring up other unhappy things.

[Cygnus de Trevalion]

"Boys will be boys," I said, raising up my tea cup to her, though I was still allowing the leaves to settle in so did not drink it just yet. I had not had it in so long and I wanted to be good, even if that meant being patient. "And hey, I'm not that messy anymore," I said with a slight pout. "I learned a few things in the military..." But Elua, could I remember taking off my shirt after a long run and just throwing it on the stairs. I had two sisters to pick up after me and hardly any repercussions from them so it definitely had spoiled me. "Maybe they're all just military men, so they are waiting patiently and cleanly outside of your place," I laughed, knowing that a lot of us were anything BUT. We could be quite a rowdy crowd of men especially when not in our station.

"Well you two will have to allow me to treat you out to dinner, wherever you want," I said with a smile, finally taking a sip of my tea. I tilted her chin up a little before giving her another kiss on the forehead. "The thought of seeing you again kept me going all these years. Thank you." I wondered if she knew how many times I had scraped death but avoided it. I had scars to prove it, but I had always persevered.

[Noemi de Trevalion]

"It's good that you learned something at least," I joked as I waited for my tea to settle a bit and cool- I never liked drinking it so hot that it burned my tongue. "And if there were a line of boys I bet they'd be lining up to see Victoire anyway. She's the prettier and older Trevalion sister and a better catch." And I didn't mind people thinking that at all- it kept me from being the one likely to be caught up in some kind of marriage alliance or used for my name and title. Freedom was a nice thing and I was learning to appreciate it more and more now that I was here.

I smiled happily at the kiss on my forehead and lay a quick kiss on his cheek before picking up my tea and blowing across it lightly. "Dinner sounds like a lot of fun!" I agreed eagerly. "I don't know many places around here yet so I can only guess where to go though. Maybe Vic will have a better idea." With his next statement my smile softened a bit and I cocked my head to look at my brother again. "And I'm really glad you came back safe and healthy and happy. I was worried sometimes that you wouldn't, but now you are and it's easier. Promise you won't do anything and change that?"

[Cygnus de Trevalion]

I reached over and pinched her hard on the cheek as if she were nothing more than a ten year old girl. "As your elder brother I am technically not allowed to play favorites, but I will tell you something. If men are lining up for Victoire, they will be lining up for you, definitely. If there is one thing I have learned from the army is that the tastes of men are all over the map," I said with a loud laugh. "Believe me, I know of more than three dozen men in my division who would give me favors for a year if they could only meet you..."

James of course was one of them. He would have treated me to a night of drinks just for me to introduce Noemi to him, but I did not hate anyone that much, especially not my sisters. I cupped her face in my hands, looking at that beautiful face. "Of course not, I'll be right here to protect you from any harm."

[Noemi de Trevalion]

It was like Cygnus to try and be nice and I gave him a smile at the playful pinch on my cheek. "Well, since they're not knocking on my door yet I'm going to just sit here and talk to you, brother," I told him in a playfully firm tone. "And you'll sit here and drink your tea and like it, because you don't have any other choice." My tone was still cheerful and bright, though I had to wonder how exactly my brother had gotten permission to come and stay here with everything else that was going on. As much as I loved my brother I didn't want him to get into trouble either.

When he cupped my face I smiled again and brough my hands around my brother's briefly. "Oh silly Cygnus, I'm not worried about me, or even Vic really- I just don't want you getting hurt in some battle," I told him sincerely, then pulled my hands away and took another sip of tea before I looked back at him with a hopeful expression. "If you're here does that mean everything is fixed now? Have they figured out what happened to the Queen and Christien?"

[Cygnus de Trevalion]

I held my hands up defensively as if she were pointing a rapier at me. "I'm drinking my tea and I'm liking it, I swear," I chuckled, before putting my hands on it and began to drink it, feeling my cold bones beginning to warm. Ah, this was exactly what I missed. I had never grown fond for the taste of liquor and this was just perfect. "Ah, I suppose we best enjoy this silence while we can before they come here," I chuckled, though the mirth slipped from my features when she brought her hands around me and the grimness of the situation fell upon me. I had tried not to think about it for too long, but I knew that I was of the royal bloodline as well. Would my dearest sister be targeted next, would I?

"I won't," I said softly, though I knew I had no control over the battle, I could not promise her I would never be hurt. I shook my head when she asked about the Queen, finally bringing up a heaviness that was clear in the room that I had been trying to ignore. "I... no. I was relieved from my duties temporarily, partly because I have not seen you in so long, but also because..." I did not want to scare her, but I sighed. "To comfort you, protect you. They know how close this hits, especially for my family."

[Noemi de Trevalion]

It was obvious that he couldn't really ever say he wouldn't get hurt, that's why the military was risky for him to enter, but I had a feeling that he'd be careful anyway. Here in the City it might even be easier, but considering the other things that had happened there was no guarantee of that either. The threats that had come here weren't the ones that were easy to defend against though, and that let me a little unsettled. That was why I avoided wine, because it seemed like the only thing that might make a little sense.

"Whatever the reason I'm glad you're here," I told Cygnus with complete honesty. "And I hope everything gets straightened out soon, even though I know it won't be the same again. When I got here I thought that everything was so simple. Now it's much more complicated than Serenissima was for us. Did you know that Christien was there for awhile? He spent most of his time with Victoire but he was a friend of mine as well." With that I took another sip of tea and refused to think on sad things. It didn't help anyone and it only made things seem so much more dark.

[Cygnus de Trevalion]

“No, I didn’t know,” I said, feeling at a lost. I had, of course, lived in Serenissima with my sisters and I could only wonder how much I had missed by entering the army so early. Maybe those two or three years spent with my growing sisters would have been wiser, yet I had to continue to tell myself not to regret the years I had spent under James’ tutelage. How horrid to think so many years could have been bette spent. “Victoire must be over there now, right?” If Christien was indeed a good friend, it was just like my sister to try to be there every moment that she could. “And his condition? Any improvement?”

I doubted that there was any news, but I still felt incline to ask. I shook my head. “No more of this. War and death has been my life for nearly seven years now, let us think of brighter things,” I said with a smile. “There is too much time to grieve in this world, for a moment, let us dwell on other matters.”

[Noemi de Trevalion]

"Yes, she usually is when she's not sleeping," I admitted with a slight smile, trying to stay cheerful for my brother's sake. It's not his fault that he had to come home at a time like this and there was no reason for him to have to see the worst in all of us. "And there's nothing I've heard of any change, but then if there was I probably wouldn't be the first to know." I loved my sister dearly, and I knew that she cared about Christien a good deal, but there were times I wished she could take better care of herself right now. Being sick and tired on top of everything else wasn't going to do any good.

"You're right, I'm sorry for the way the conversation went," I said after a moment, brightening my smile a bit and cocking my head as I took another sip of tea. "You start this time. Do you have any happy stories?" He may not have, but I wanted to give him the chance just in case, and if he came up blank I knew I could find one or two about back home. It was usually my job to be the sunshine in the house, even if no one else realized that it was the job I'd given myself.

[Cygnus de Trevalion]

“Don’t apologize, it rests heavily on everyone’s mind,” I said with a shake of my head. I merely did not want to dwell on it, not this exact moment. If only I had been able to come home under different circumstances, maybe things would have panned out differently, but unfortunately I came at a time of mourning. When she asked me for any happy stories, my face brightened up. So many years in the military, it was just a blessing to be alive. “We were in Khebbel-im-Akkad and Noemi, you wouldn’t believe how scorching hot it was. It was the early of my second year in the army, I had seen a few battles, but nothing major.” I shook my head, leaning back a little.

“There were supply lines, and we were supposed to bring them over to a camp in the north east, across a river,” I said, beginning to use our tea cups to explain to her where one camp was compared to the other and took a napkin that was conveniently colored blue to act as the river. “But it was a trap,” I exclaimed, taking my teacup at the moment to finish it off before I nearly slammed it down. “We were flanked at all ends, we lost so many men that day.” I shook my head, sighing in content. “But we survived, we beat them off, James... well, he was just a colonel at the time. Oh, James, I haven’t mentioned him, have I? Well, he’s the general of the army right now, he trained me at the time. A womanizer and a complete lunatic, but he is my closest friend, I cannot even BEGIN to tell you the amount of times I got saved by him...”

I shook my head, realizing I had been talking a bit quickly without much explanation. “Well, that fight certainly promoted him. Our leader at the time was killed in battle but... ah, you would LOVE James.” And the thought of that made me frown a little. The idea of James being with any of my sisters disturbed me a bit. “Ah... well, I wouldn’t want to overwhelm you with boring war stories, but there were a thousand times I wish you could have been at my side. He dragged me to a brothel once in Caerdiccia Unitas... can you believe that?” I groaned. “Headaaaache. The man gives me a headache but I love him to death.”

[Noemi de Trevalion]

As Cygnus laid out his story I paid close attention to what he was saying and the way he moved things around. I'd never been one to read a good deal on tactics or strategy but it was good to hear my brother's voice go on about something that he obviously recalled very clearly and to let the excitement of that remembered battle wash away some of the other things that had been going through my mind. Even if the story did have a sad ending, at least from what I gathered.

When he started talking about his commander and then some of the antics that it seemed they'd gotten into I laughed lightly and my eyes went wide as I retrieved my own teacup from where it had ended up in his demonstration. "Really, a brothel?" I asked interestedly. "I imagine that was probably a lot more fun than a battlefield- not that either one may be much fun for me," I admitted. "But it's good that you and your commander got out alright, and I'm really glad you did. Are you going to bring him to the house one day?"