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Happy Holidays!!!
"It feels strange to walk this area again." Aoife said with a sigh. "Like a lifetime ago..."
"And now Thorun and the other Aoife are here?! Did all of you just follow me?" Aoife asked as she crossed her arms. "I'm starting to wonder if something else is going on here." She muttered to herself. "What are you two doing here? Isn't that dangerous?"
We're not done yet?: Aoife rolled her eyes when Cobhlaith said not to turn her hatred against Dubhara. From were she stood her hatred never left Dubhara, thus it couldn't be turn back to it. "I don't give a s!+@ about the grand scheme of anything." Aoife said bluntly. "I only cared about Fintan and my home. I don't have that any more." She shrugged. "And no, I left after we had to tend to him to ensure he wouldn't die from drinking too much. Couldn't say the whole night else I would of had to kill Dubhara. That b&&!# would have screamed to all if she'd found me in Largay after dawn." She answered.
"No, I've a long trip ahead of me." Aoife said. "I need to find remaining heir of the O’Gallagher of Lifford as he has my f+~!ing cloak and he is going to give it back or I'm going to end that line forever! I'm done being at the bottom, and no one is taking what is mine ever again."
Oh really?: "I would have suffered it all my life for him!" Aoife snapped back in her answer. "I would have taken it, every word and action till that b#&@* got caught. Or, I'd of killed her if it went far enough... The only thing that kept my blade from her to begin with was the very fact that she is Fintan's mother. However if she tried to move against me it would have cost her her son, and in turn her life. You think she will let up now that I am free? Of course not! Fintan told everyone I was his sister. He acknowledged it! The only greater insult to her would have been my father acknowledging me." Aoife pointed out as she crossed her arms. "I've nothing to offer anyone nor is there a place I could go that would put me above her." Aoife said with a sigh. "I still want to know how she got the whole household after my father's death. But in the end that doesn't matter. I could become Queen of Ireland and she would still try to act against me and keep me from Largay and from Fintan. She is a spiteful evil b$%+* and will never change. I'm waiting for the day she dies, so I can laugh and dance on her grave." She told him. "I don't see why you care Daire. It isn't you she's after, you're safe from her. Why would you risk the wrath of her?"
Why did you have to push?: "His mother may have been behind the choice but it was Fintan who agreed to it." Aoife pointed out. "He chose to cast me out. He could have commanded his mother to release me, yes more difficult I'll grant you, but he didn't. He chose to try and please everyone and guess what? You can't do that! It isn't freedom if you can't go were you wish! You just changed were the cell walls are!" Aoife explained. "I don't hate Fintan. I haven't turned from him. I told him should he ever need me to send for me. But I can be and am very pissed off at him! And if you can't understand why, then it's because you've never been cast out by the only family you have left to please the person who has made your life a living Hell! Who has hated you since the moment you were born for doing the one thing you can't control in this life!" Aoife was on the brink of yelling at this point. When she finished to took a deep breath.
"The sword doesn't define me, it makes me useful." Aoife said. "For all my skill I still was useless to you all. Nothing I did ever seemed to work and lead to worse and worse outcomes. Or have you forgotten?" Aoife asked as she lifted her shirt to show the scar that should have claimed her life. "And frankly, from were I stand there are two different paths. God, and the church. These are not one and the same. So, knowing that present company and that of Brother O'Maille is excluded, f!$* the church!" Aoife stated very bluntly as she put her shirt down. "They, all of it, have long since lost their way. From the lowest priest to the highest among you, lie. They lie to those who come to them for guidance, because they read a book that who knows how many times has been altered and changed since it was first written? They don't know the truth and instead of saying that, they came up with something to control their followers. I'm starting to understand why they call us sheep." She said. "Because they know, we'll believe anything they tell us. We have to. Because we can't read those books, and even if we could, no one save kings are wealthy enough to buy one!" Aoife sighed as she shook her head and stood up. "I thank you for worrying about be Coblaith. I do. But this isn't something you would understand. You've never been a slave, you've never been cast out by the only thing you have left in this world. And to never be useful till now." She said. It was rather obvious now, that Sister Coblaith has found the nerve, the one which Aoife had been guarding by saying she was fine but they just kept pushing... "And no Daire I can't. Or haven't you been listening? My ties to my home have been cut! Anything I do will help nor harm anyone unless they're with me. When Fintan cast me out he turned me into an outcast. Which means that he as the King of Largay has washed his hands of me. I am no longer Aoife FitzStephen of Largay. I'm just Aoife FitzStephen. I've no home, no family, and very very few friends. Most of which I will rarely see because, they live at Largay!!!" She reminded him. "Have I left anything out?!" Aoife asked on the verge of tears. However if they were from rage or sorrow, who could know?
Forever changed and bound: "I was forever changed by the first time I left this place. When I moved through time. So going into the land of the dead... it didn't bother me as much." Aoife said. However that didn't seem to be the case.
"You all can still help Fintan. I'm banished. Or have you forgotten?" Aoife said with a raised eyebrow. "Till that b@**! dies I can never go home." She stated very bluntly. "I'd gladly put a end to her if it wasn't for the fact that she is Fintan's mother. Tis the only thing that guards her from me. But, this does disconnect me from Fintan politically. Which helps me greatly, as I am leaving today to get my cloak back. Also I'm thinking of visiting Boho, just to speak with Nial for a moment before heading on."
And another...: "Daire? What are you doing here?" Aoife asked, obviously confused as to why the man had found his way here. "I mean I understand why Sister Coblaith is here, but you're an odd surprise."
"I'll... try." Aoife muttered as she gave a smile to her brother as he left. Can one answer that?: Aoife rubbed her eyes and waved to Sister Cobhlaith when she saw her.
"Oh, well... thank you." Aoife said as she settled down to break fast with Sister Coblaith. "That isn't an easy question to answer." She began, slowly she took a few nuts, eating them one at a time. "I've been banished by my brother, no real place to call home, and unsure of were to go from here." Aoife explained before she took a drink of ale. Taking a moment to settle and continued "Fintan thinks it is a bad idea that I have Claíomh Solais. I could tell that much. But it was the only way I was able to get us out of that place, to be useful. So I cannot part with it. Also I need it to get my cloak back... I haven't felt whole since it was taken."
Aoife shook her head as Sister Cobhlaith lead the other Aoife away. "I'm starting to think I need to change my name." She muttered, mostly to herself. "The matter of Ailbe is something we'll need to focus on, we've no where to start. As for the English, if they are on our shores before winter then they'll be stuck till spring. No one does war during the winter. It is too hard to move through and keep your men fed... However she didn't answer the question on why she is here. I suggest focusing upon that first. I have to leave soon Fintan. If I don't your mother will raise hell itself over it. I need to go find my cloak anyways." Aoife told him, almost simply.
Future is not the past:
"Fintan, I can no longer remain with them. They will continue to serve you, here, while I no longer can. I also trust them enough that if they wanted the blade for themselves or had a different plan for it they would have said so." Aoife pointed out. "Besides it-" Aoife's words froze in her throat when she saw Thorun. She stepped in and knelt next to him. She was worried, obviously, yet when Sister Cobhlaith pointed out the servant she had seen before and who she really was, Aoife couldn't help but sigh annoyed. "Why do they always find their way here?" She muttered as she stood. "I knew you weren't a servant or slave. You didn't act the part and it gave you away. If I noticed others have as well I'm sure." She muttered before going on, "Why are you here?" Aoife questioned her. "Why did you not know where else to go?"
Hold that thought: Aoife shook her head. "Why would I need to discuss it with them? Our paths no longer join ways." She stated before she pointed the way the girl just left. "Fintan, who was that?" She asked. I know I've been gone for a year yet she didn't seem that of a normal servant or slave." She pointed out with a raised eyebrow. "She didn't even bow before she left or even apologize for interrupting us. Did you notice that?"
That had to of been a lot of ale: "He did what-" However Aoife stopped herself and sighed. "Of course he did... The journey was very hard upon him." She explained. "Go and fetch Brother O'Maille and Sister Coblaith. They can tend to him." Aoife told the servant girl. "Swiftly now, else he may pass before they get to him."
Aoife looked as Fintan as she moved to the door, assuming the servant did as she was told. "Shall we go see how bad this is? Along they way you can say what was on your mind before she burst in."
Be mindful: "Yes." Aoife answered. "In that realm... at first it was Thorun who wielded it... yet when he came crashing down, there were few choices. So I picked Claíomh Solais up. I almost died again, but Claíomh Solais saw me through it. Then there was when we had to fight a cyclops... Please don't ask... But each time I wielded Claíomh Solais it felt like... it knew where to strike. So I listened."
GM: "I almost was." Aoife spoke as she shifted from the fire to face him. "This sword saved my life. It is quiet a useful blade, even has a mind of its own I think."
You had to make a choice Fintan, and they're never easy. Especially with that creature you call mother. Though I would like to know how she was able to inherit his household. That isn't the way the law works. My guess would be he exchanged it long ago for my and my mother's safety. After all he would have freed us himself is he could have... He said it wasn't that simple to me once.... She loved him, and he loved her. But he never loved your mother."[b] Aoife said as she leaned against the wall, looking at her right hand which now had the ring which was once her mother's upon it. [b]"and she couldn't handle that. I can't say I don't understand where she is coming from. This world is unkind to all yet most unkind to us women. I was greatly lucky. Even though I was a slave I was never harmed, never touched, yet your mother had to live with a man she didn't love and who didn't love her. Watching him be happy with someone while she never could be." It seemed that Aoife had been thinking on this fact the whole time through the party. "I understand why she is this way, but I don't believe it excuses her behavior. Even more so when it has been such a hindrance on us. But it is over now. I will never have to deal with her again and she no longer has power over me." Letting out a long sigh she looked back to the fire. "First I'm going to Boho, to rest and recover. That world... It took a great deal out of me Fintan... I'm not the woman I was when we last spoke a year ago." Aoife admitted. "I am proud of you though, you'll be a good King." She looked back at him and offered a small smile, a hint of the Aoife she was when they were younger and training and chores were all they worried about. "Dad wouldn't say it, he was a stubborn old fool, but he'd be proud of you. I'm proud of you too Fintan, I'd of liked to stand by your side through all the years, but it seems that won't be able to happen... But know that I love you brother, and I'll always be at your call. So never hesitate to call me home. When you feel the walls are closing in, and you're backed as far as you can be, when you fear your strength will fail, your spirit will waver, and all around you is enemies, call me home. Deal or no, I will always return to you Fintan, and if she b%~!$es I'll put a blade through her too. You, are all that matters to me. No matter where I go, or where I end up, this I promise you." Aoife then moved and hugged her brother. "I love you, and I know you'll do great things, but do something for me too? Be happy. Find someone to love, have children, and be happy"
Merry Christmas!!!
At first the news that she wouldn't have to fight for her freedom like she had planned was the sweetest sound she'd ever heard, but when Fintan told her the conditions, her smile fell. She looked at him, disbelief and betrayal colored her face, however it was soon gone when she got an idea. "Then I ask something of my brother, of my friend. I ask that the conditions of this so called freedom be altered only slightly. I asked to be allowed in Largay but one day a year. From the moment the sun rises to its last rays on the anniversary of my mother's death, I ask to be allowed to return to honor my mother, for the gift of life she gave to me. To place flowers upon her grave and to be gone before night has fallen, I will not enter this Hall unless asked to by the King and I shall do all I can to remain far from your... mother. Will you allow me this boon?" Aoife asked of him, though one could feel she had wanted to use a different word than mother however restrained herself.
Aoife seemed unsure of her she felt about all the praise that they got while they came through the area. "This is... Strange." Aoife muttered but she kept her path to home. Though she wondered if they were actually home, and not back in that horrible place with next to no one. However upon entering the hall and seeing Fintan and Brother O'Maille a smile broke over her face. "Brother, my friend" She greeted them both as she stepped in. Obviously she didn't care about the fact she had once been banned from the Hall. "I've got stories for both of you, trust me it is something that you'll even have problem believing." Aoife told them very simply, she didn't even acknowledge Fintan's mother's exsistance. "We found what you asked for, and.." Aoife placed her hand over the pommel of the Sword of Light "Something else, but this one is mine. I am keeping it. How have things been? A year gone, I'm sure it wasn't easy for you all." She said as she looked from Fintan to Brother O'Maille and back again.
Home, yes. Aoife woke up rubbing her eyes and giving a smile to Amergin. However that smile faded when she learned it had been a year. Of course it had... They had to travel to far through the whole place to get everything. Time passed the same in both worlds it seemed. But when the goddess turned, furry in her eyes, Aoife lept into action. Placing herself between the goddess and Amergin. "A slip through time. You will not hurt him." Aoife declared. "The time of your kind against theirs is over. You both may remember it, I understand, but that is long gone."
Yeah, we'll still be here! No big
I believe you've already spoken to the one I've sent your way.Si Sapiens the player in question? Or Vrog? No the one I sent you would have PMed you.
If we stay here any longer I'm going to scream
"Then there is nothing left for us here." Aoife said as she moved to pick with woman up. "I'll carry her, come then goddess Aine, this is our portal out of here." She explained to the goddess as she motioned for her to go first with a nod.
"Can you truly blame him?" Aoife asked with a sigh. "But we cannot abandon him... However if we go to Gortnavern as told, then should he not show up we will be too far to help."
I believe you've already spoken to the one I've sent your way.
I'm fine with this!
Some choices made, for example the one chosen as Aoife's love interest. I whole heartedly disagree but a call did have to be made, I left it to you, and it wasn't like you had a lot to work with. We haven't really stayed in one place or with enough of the same characters for Aoife to have fallen for anyone. I won't lie I was curious to see what would have happened if you went with the nobody line. Like what would she have seen if she had no one, but I don't know if that would have worked...
I will not lie I have been dreading this question. Because Aoife would finish everything we've set up but as a player.... I'm so ready to be done with this part. It has been by far the worst part for me. A lot that I don't agree with, but sometimes there isn't anything you can do. Thus I'm greatly of two minds here. I could not be more ready to leave this chapter, yet as a character Aoife wouldn't leave till everything was concluded.
"That's right, I wouldn't have. Because if I wanted you harmed Abarta, I'd do it myself and it would have already happened. But I won't stay were I'm not wanted." Aoife said before she moved over to gather the pieces of the compass. "We'll gather our things and go."
"Duplicity?" Aoife questioned as she stepped up, placing the spear on her shoulder as she did so in a none threatening manor. "Hold that thought Thorun." She instructed before she continued. "We have done all you asked, and you have given us the spear as agreed upon. Thorun's statement, as poor as it was, would not have brought harm to you because I wouldn't have let it. Never once have I tried to trick you Abarta! Can you say the same to me?"
Aoife caught the spear, looking at Thorun like he was mad. "Thorun I'm not going to stab you with the spear!" Aoife proclaimed. "Abarta you don't have to hide, I'm not stabbing you or him with the spear." She said with a sigh shaking her head. "Look, I get that you want to ensure Abarta is trying to fool us, and likely you're right. After all there have been few here who have truly been trying to help us. But we can't keep going thinking everyone is going to stab us in the back... I know you thought there might have been some, trickery involved but I think that most of it has all been in our heads... I broke the compass Thorun, and Abarta has kept his word as have we. Let's finish what we have here, and go home."
"Time for us is at an end." Aoife told him as she began walking again. "Just give back the pieces." She said. Moving up Aoife didn't even hesitate to reach and grab the spear. And God help him if it was an illusion.
Aoife just shuddered and shook her head. "Uha... no way I could have eaten that.... nope nope nope." She said as she tried not to throw up in her mouth. Aoife stepped in to get the spear but paused and turned back to Abarta. "The compass?"
"Hold!" Aoife declared. "Abarta, I offer you a compromise. One of us makes the geas, which as you say binds the one to eat half the eye with you. So you know it will happen. When the geas is made you will hand over the spear, then the one who made the geas will split the eye to be eaten by you both. This ensures all get what they want. Thorun can look it over and ensure you're not using another illusion, and you will get one who will eat the eye." Aoife explained. "Does that sound agreeable to everyone?"
"Geas?" Aoife asked with a raised eyebrow. She wasn't even sure she was saying it correctly. "What does this geas entail?"
"Yes, courage... that is what it takes to kill that pitiful creature." Aoife said, most sarcastically. "I'm with Thorun on this one. We want to see and hold the spear, each of us, before we hand over the eye. No tricks, no illusions, no lies. We've done the dirty work, so you now have proof we're reliable. Now give us proof you are." Aoife demanded.
Aoife sighed and shook her head. "I really hate this place." She said "Can we all agree that no matter what happens, we'll get out of this?" Aoife asked the group almost begging. "I don't care, well I do care if we remain together after all of this, but I really need you guys to get through this... if not... I really believe this place will rip us all apart." Aoife told them honestly. "I can feel it all the time... She paused before telling them "I almost put Claíomh Solais through my chest last night...."
"I'm not worried about people getting hurt Thorun." Aoife said. "If that is what you got from this... I don't believe you were listening. People get hurt, I've made my peace with that, hell just look at me right now. I'm upset at myself for constantly messing up, and for believing that you all were my friends. After all you people put your ass on the line for me, which I believed meant something! Yet you made it clear a bit back that you didn't see it the same way..." She reminded him. "How many times have you and Ruadhán saved my life? Stood beside me in battle? Looked at me as a person and not a slave? Do you understand how little I've had of that?" Aoife asked, "Before now only Fintan saw me as something other than property... then a few others followed, yet each one of them have left Thorun. Padraic, Brother Ó Máille, Kassidy, Braedan... They each left. Now Ruadhán is going to leave us for his wife's soul if he's right, and Sister Cobhlaith has been hurt so badly I wouldn't be surprised if she chooses to leave because she can't do anything more for us. That leaves you, Daire, and me. If we take what you said truthfully this group doesn't mean anything to you, and Daire is here for the stories he can later tell..." She pointed out, she was getting a little light headed now, possibly from the blood she had lost or even internal damage. "I'm upset, because everything I keep trying to hold together... keeps falling apart." Aoife added, though she was getting a bit winded.
"What's wrong with me? Hell I wish I knew!! Maybe then I could change it! I got my friends thrown into a cell, robbed them of all they held, Padraic's tongue cut out because I wasn't fast enough, I then tried to console you," Aoife said as she pointed to Thorun, "And was disregard so hard I was sure you were just waiting to get away, oh and I finally was able to help my friends, or those I saw as such, when I got this sword and thought maybe things were on the up, the I broke the f$!@ing compass!!!! The last thing my brother gave me, and the main way to find the spear, shattered! Everything I touch... I destroy..." Aoife said, by the end of it she was almost shouting, and breathing heavily. "I thought.... I thought I finally found a place I... Belonged... A group I belonged to... But I was wrong... Again."
"As am I." Aoife said as she motioned to her own wounds. "I thought this group were my friends, my family, but that has been proven to be wrong. I'll be surprised if I still have any of you at my side." She added truthfully. "I'm honestly surprised none of you hate me." Aoife then moved to retrieve the eye they had come here for.
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