Glass Cage

Quietly he was going over everything he had been learning in his head as he mindlessly watched his mother and little brothers doing, well, he wasn’t paying enough attention to say. He was far more focused on the thought of fire, the rules that came with the power to use it and everything else the sage had to say. It was tiring how many restrictions there were. No lighting them for destructive purposes was probably the only one he found reasonable. The rest seemed like extra babble he didn’t much care for but accepted without any retorts in fear they would kick him out of the class, though he wasn’t sure if they actually would since it had been Auntie Nassar’s order to teach him pyromancy. Would they dishonor her so? He sighed and figured maybe they would if they decided he was too much of a problem and Cairo’s opinion mattered far more than a matriarch now gone. His thoughts were cut short when his father would suddenly enter the room, which he promptly hopped to his feet to greet with a nuzzle into his old man’s chest though he was displaced as another wolf was within their company. Quietly a silver head tilted at the woman then at his father who looked like he might have a heart attack any second with how finicky the man was. “You okay-” he broke off as his father started to speak with a shaky introduction. ”Lia, this is Sif, my wife and Haskell, your brother.” “Brother!?” the young boy yipped in surprise, registering what that even meant in the moment, shifting his gaze between the two as energy seemed to burst into his frame. “As in you’re my-?” his eyes beamed with intensity barely noticing his father nervously inching away from the group. ”I’ll ummm leave you to it,” And with that his dad was gone and the boy was far too focused on the other to even think about stopping him. “SISTER!! Oh my goodness I can’t believe it. I never thought I’d ever meet you but I’ve heard about you! I’m Haskell and and and you are so so tall sissy!!!” he chuckled, gaze like bright moons up at her, his nub of a tail wagging nearly too fast to even see as he didn’t hesitate to try and yank Ismailia into a hug and smother her in kisses like he did with lots of his family members and his best friend. He thought it could make up for all the lost time in not knowing her.

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Back to where she had grown.

Grown under pressure. A gaze that would scrutinize her every move. Mock her. And though the feeling had faded for her as she aged, it still did not stop the hairs on the back of her nape prickling as her paws touched the familiar routes around the place she had originally been forced to call home.

Things had gotten.. easier since Ankh's death. Nassar had tried to extend a guilt-ridden paw. To mend the bonds strained. It had lessened the grip, the vice that rested upon her shoulders.

Ramses. A blink.

As her gaze watched the stone walls slowly drifting past as she walked next to her Father- her mind was stricken with... guilt?

She had left him, left their kindling of proposal, her agreement on Nassar's terms. And had not seen or heard from him since. A frown pulled at her fire and ice twisted features. She would have to speak with him... or find out what had happened to him, soon.

And yet this was pushed to the back of her mind, as they turned a corner and into an wide-open room. Warmly decorated. Reeking of...

Brother!? Ismailia's gaze tore from her Father's, to find a small, ashen clad boy. Who's eyes sparked with embers so bright. As in you’re my-",/i> Her stomach churned, eyes briefly finding the woman in the room. Sif. Yes, Imperial Executioner.

SISTER!! Oh my goodness I can’t believe it. I never thought I’d ever meet you but I’ve heard about you! I’m Haskell and and and you are so so tall sissy!!! But before she could say- or do anything in protest or perhaps even process the well of fire that licked at her stomach in anguish, she was pulled into an embrace and adorned in puppy-like excitement.

"Oh!" Taken a'back, her body went stiff and icy eyes wide. Oh she fought with all her might- but anger did not well at first, no... shock. This was not the way, this was...

As she pulled back quickly- she met fiery eyes as bright as the moon.

A boy.

Her brother.

Tiamat ran through him, just like her.

Just a boy.

"Sorry- I uhm." A blink, clearing of throat. As she shook her head. "I'm not used to..." She trailed off, straightening, correcting, fixing."

He was just a boy.


A blink. And oh how she seethed at such surprise.

SIF ASGAUT

An ear tilted at the sound of more feet entering the room, half expecting Sheik to have found and dragged Aurora here for one reason or another, but it was a different duet that came into the chamber halls though still of matching sinew. Turning her head a bit more at her Husband’s anxious tones and a name she hadn’t been expecting, her lone orb would rest onto a vibrant fire pelt much like Badari and Ahkoris. A wayward gaze cast at the thought of one of the flames that had been extinguished from the manse less than a year ago, though it felt like even less time since he had come to check on her eldest son’s wounds. To think it wasn’t even the war that had stolen him from them, but prey continued to be a rather crude blow to the already mourning family but maybe this coming wayward light would bring them some semblance of peace.

Lia. The name without any face for years and a ghost of a past lover Khepri had lost. She had lost all expectations to meet this daughter when Nassar seemed so eager to bring her into the Tiamat flock and a belly ripe with children could not wait on blessings from one missing. One Khepri had been pretty set on believing hated him and would disapprove of the engagement that was over a year ago now. She watched as he fidgeted, drifting and churning by Lia’s side, unable to keep his head on straight long enough to do any proper introductions. It caused her own ears to splay but Haskell’s normal enthusiasm would cancel such concern from remaining heavy on her crown.

It was clear the girl was as awkward as her father as Sif rose to her feet, hushing her two smallest as untucked them from her side. “Haskell,” she called his name firmly, causing the boy to stumble back and look her way. “Give her some space, love, I’m sure this is a lot to take in for her. Give her some time to settle in before wetting her ears,” the words calm, as she walked closer to the two, nudging his shoulder with gentle persuasion and a small chuckle. “Why don’t you watch Rune and Nasirye for me?” she instructed, causing Haskell to look between them and offered his sister a big smile before uttering a “Yes mama.” then prancing over to the two puppies before they could get a chance to hobble after her.

-exit Haskell via staying in the room-

Her single ember fell back onto the girl, still finding it hard to believe she was finally here. She silently offered for Lia to join her to walk outside of the room and more toward the manse’s courtyard where they would not be so cornered by the other. “I’m sorry all this has likely been brought on you with no time to process any of it but first things first. You don’t have to call me anything you don’t wish to, Ismailia. I don’t force any of your cousins to call me Aunt. Though, it sure doesn’t stop Sethos from teasing me with it, probably because he much prefers being able to bug me with little consequence, over listening to my orders from back when I was his abrasive Captain in the army,” she huffed with a small shake of her head, remembering how he was so much more manageable as her subordinate over her nephew. She didn’t want Lia to think that she was a replacement for her real mother, and she rather get it out in the open first and foremost.

“Also, welcome home.” she offered with a subtle warm smile. It was a small sentiment but one she wouldn’t be surprised Khepri might have forgotten to say with how stressed out he looked when dropping her off or rather throwing her their way and fleeing. Not that she could blame him based off his stories about their relationship after his first wife died.

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Those of the Military acted with poise and grace, but were firm and fair.

“Give her some space, love, I’m sure this is a lot to take in for her. Give her some time to settle in before wetting her ears,” Her icy gaze widened with raised icy brows. Relief flooded her stance, offering a forced smile to the boy that was ushered away. Warm. Caring. Youthful.

Dare the fire in her heart crackle and ache.

It was what she never had.

And yet, dare she say she could breathe, as she was guided to the courtyard. Ismailia silently drank in the cooler evening's air, calming the flames that sparked within her chest.

I’m sorry all this has likely been brought on you with no time to process any of it but first things first. You don’t have to call me anything you don’t wish to, Ismailia. I don’t force any of your cousins to call me Aunt. Though, it sure doesn’t stop Sethos from teasing me with it, probably because he much prefers being able to bug me with little consequence, over listening to my orders from back when I was his abrasive Captain in the army,” Ismailia's icy gaze settled upon the woman, noting the absence of an eye. "I did hear of such before my departure." A dark-rimmed ear swivelled back as they walked, deciding to gaze upon the bountiful flowers that decorated the sides of the Manse, the spider-plants crawling up and eating into the stonework. "Thank you." She offered after a moment's pause. "I'm not used to kin..."

A grimace pulled her dark lips into an awkward smile. "Being nice." Dare she force a chuckle to rumble from her icy jaws.

Also, welcome home. A bittersweet symphony sung within her heart. An aching sting. She offered no words of thank you, but her expression softened. No longer the stern Lieutenant with the weight of the world on her shoulders.

Simply a lost woman, trying to find her place back home.

"I wish to return actively to the war-effort." Ever the pragmatic, Ismaila defaulted to the only thing she knew they had in common. Her features set back to the ever loyal solider. "I know not of Colonel Kvothe's fate... would you mind filling me in?"

So much, she had missed.

And what for?

SIF ASGAUT

The woman had become so accustomed to everyone else over explaining things to her that she realized she had done the same toward Lia, as if she needed to know any of that bit about Sethos. Life was easier back when she gave only a few word responses to everyone, like this girl before had been doing so far. She had never been great at reading expressions, uncertain if the other was upset she had yapped a little too much or if she was indifferent to her rambling. Though as the topic was hit upon and she could feel her socket being evaluated, she let out a breath wondering just how much others had told her and from whom. Xandria was who she had been closest to, but she didn’t take her for much gossip, same with Cairo whom she had served alongside. Perhaps it was Khepri himself that had uttered such things or no one within the Tiamat home at all. She supposed it didn’t matter any which way and dwelling on it wouldn’t do anyone any good.

Thanks would catch her off guard, not even sure what she was being thankful for at first until the next sentence that came out a little broken, uncertain. Even a smile. She wasn’t witnessing the overzealous child she had been told of, not by any stretch of the imagination. She had always expected resentment and discomfort even as she told Khepri his daughter, or should she say their daughter now, just needed time to come back out of her own choice. A faint smile of her own formed at such a thought, maybe there was a chance of having one last one she could call daughter in due time.

“I assume you mean your grandmother. Khepri didn’t wish to walk these halls when he returned because of her ghost and it seems she left a lasting impression on many of you in a less than pleasant way,” she was careful with how to address the old matriarch that dwelled here before she ever inched a paw within the manse. When she had a chance to attend the funeral, she had not come due to not feeling right in attending a funeral of one she never met herself just as she had been too wounded to attend Kohl’s. Nassar had been able to attend and carried the respect deserved. “Some traditions that tore the family apart are now gone. I do hope you find happiness within change, just as I have with your father,” she added. The expectations were far more lenient, none of her nor Xandria’s kids were forced to take the mantle of soldier to stay welcomed and Khepri was no longer banished as a result. It brought her ears to swivel and her gaze to drift away toward the flora the other had started to observe.

It seemed war was embedded in this one's veins as she addressed her wishes for the future.

There was one name that was but a whisper in her ears, a man that too was a ghost among the walls but not in the same sense. “He’s alive, if that is what you are asking. Though, he is scarcely here. During the war, he had thrown himself into work and I’m sure you can guess… the loss of his wife makes him all the more distant,” replied as best she could. She barely knew Kvothe, mostly having only seen him in passing from time to time. She only hoped Lia already knew of what became of Nassar or she wasn’t sure what would become of that statement.

Her focus would travel away from some bees fluttering around periwinkle hydrangeas and back to the vibrant blues that could freeze hell over. “There are tensions even among the army. Some are gravely upset with the King’s choices and only keep their mantles out of duty. Others have tossed it away and were gifted with the stain of treason. Peace has a while yet to prosper with such fresh wounds to the entire land and I feel the war isn’t over; even with the nation split in two so both kings can thrive among their own people. I fear no one will be happy until only one remains,” she warned, knowing her own allegiance wasn’t so strong for the crown anymore and that was perhaps why retirement weighed on her mind. She just wished to keep her family safe more than anything else.

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“I assume you mean your grandmother. Khepri didn’t wish to walk these halls when he returned because of her ghost and it seems she left a lasting impression on many of you in a less than pleasant way, It was hard to crack the indifferent facade. One she had trained herself to withstand. When those mocked her for Ankh's onslaught, she had always acted like she did not care. Pristine, perfect.

Her gaze faltered briefly to the blooming flowers and buzzing bees. “Some traditions that tore the family apart are now gone. I do hope you find happiness within change, just as I have with your father,” A small, silent sigh of relief lifted the weight from her chest. A curt nod was given.



"I am... glad he has found happiness." Finally admitting. Trying her best not to forced the words through her clenched jaw.


And yet, she was thankful for the change of pace. “He’s alive, if that is what you are asking. Though, he is scarcely here. During the war, he had thrown himself into work and I’m sure you can guess… the loss of his wife makes him all the more distant,” A small relief- she had thought the worst once hearing of Nassar's passing. She had found similarity in the Colonel and did not forget his words of wisdom.

"Of course... " Her icy brows furrowed. "A shock to us all." And it was, she still could not believe the news when Khepri told her. Part of her still expected Nassar to return, to maintain order and yet... she was not.

"Had I known, I would have come back sooner for the funeral." Her tone became softer, dark ears pinned to her fiery crown as her gaze cast to the stony ground before them. "Our last conversation was..." A blink. Fighting away the sadness that dared creep into her heart. "I hope that Cairo honours her legacy."

Perhaps, she would pay her cousin a visit... it had been some time since they had spoke.

SIF ASGAUT

The wave of relief she could see in the other woman made her almost chuckle despite it being such a sad truth that the girl before her must have had an equally horrible time as her father. It made her wonder if all the Tiamats had equal comfort in knowing this change, though she wasn’t about to ask them. In truth, she wasn’t sure why she was having such an easy time talking to a stranger as if she had known them for a while already. Maybe it was just the stories she had lived off of from the moment Khepri proposed, though she had been proving the man exceptionally wrong so far. There wasn’t a line of maliciousness she had yet felt as though she crossed. She seemed stoic which she could appreciate as generally not an open book herself. Though, there was a chance there was a deeper trauma that demeanor was hiding. A first meeting was hardly a time to pry.

“Mhmmmm his smile is a wondrous thing,” she smiled faintly to herself, knowing how many times it had grounded her just to see him happy. Though he had gotten so good at it, sometimes she couldn’t tell a genuine smile apart from one hiding pain and secrets. At least he had been for the most part honest with her when he slipped and wanted to drown his sorrows in wine or drugs instead of outright risking his life for a lifelong addiction.

At the shift of conversation to the recently past matriarch of the family, her smile had long vanished, listening quietly as she looked around the courtyard, finding little to focus on. There were for once no kids playing within, for her lone eye to trail after, making sure none of them got hurt or tried running off. She missed having Mios around all the time, the quiet boy perfect company.

Her attention would relocate the other at the mention of Cairo before a chuckle came out. “If you ask Haskell, she’s doing a horrible job at it. He wants Xandria to take her place and he’s a little too vocal about it for his own health. From my understanding he yelled at Cairo that she can’t take Nassar’s place… I guess the fact he’s still in one piece says a lot about who she is now,” she mused. As embarrassing as it was to know he had such little manners despite her disciplining him plenty, she felt like it showed who Cairo was. She was still the same spitfire she served alongside of, under Kohl, but she could also be surprisingly soft now for a woman she always saw as militant. She had a feeling it might be depression or desperation that tamed her some, but everyone was healing from loss.

"May I ask what did bring you back?" she asked delicately, curious more than anything but equally fine with getting no answer.

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Mhmmmm his smile is a wondrous thing

A silent intake of breath. As if she had been stabbed. But of course- Sif meant no harm by such words. They were happy... and that was fine. She swallowed down the urge to growl, or glare. Was there such need?

But of course, old habits, that perfect percaline mask adorned her features. Hiding her torment by a soft smile.

Be happy. Let it go.

She was nice enough to welcome her into hearth and home. Nice enough to allow her to wander the halls and meet her kin. The least Ismailia could do, was try.


“If you ask Haskell, she’s doing a horrible job at it. He wants Xandria to take her place and he’s a little too vocal about it for his own health. From my understanding he yelled at Cairo that she can’t take Nassar’s place… I guess the fact he’s still in one piece says a lot about who she is now, Icy brows rose.

She had little to no interactions with Cairo, even younger- Ismailia had always avoided, sent herself off somewhere. But not to scorn the fiery youth, not to belittle or shame?

Perhaps promising.

Fires licked within her stomach, dark-rimmed ears twitched.

She would see it when she believed it.

"I see." A blink, focusing her gaze upon her paws for a breif moment. "I... must speak with her soon."

She paused for a moment, trying to fight the awkwardness that befell her.

"And.. perhaps I should make my way back home soon." She rose her gaze to meet that of Sif's.

"Thank you... for your kindness." She would, aim to turn then. If not before adding. "And for saving Khepri."

And with a flick of her tail, she would leave.

-Exit Ismailia, unless stopped.-

SIF ASGAUT

Quietly she nodded at the thought of going to see Cairo, feeling like it was a proper plan to reconnect with the new matriarch, if not who she should have gone to first. Though it was the next comment that had her ears twitching about going home. “Are you not staying in the Tiamat Manse with all of us?” the words came quickly without even a moment of thought to silence herself. Not that there was anything wrong with not staying here, having known one other that happened to be the girl’s father that didn’t want to be here either yet stayed for his children’s safety and to avoid Sif’s temper on the matter.

It seemed she wasn’t going to answer her last question either of why she returned to Rionnach now of all times, but she wouldn’t push it.

Letting out a sigh, it seemed this short meeting would remain just that, short. Ears tilted back at her calling her own father by his name, souring her mood a little. Even when Aurora was angry at her, she never shifted to calling her Sif. Maybe captain a few times in the past, though to her that still wasn’t as deep of a jab to the heart as being called by a first name. “Know you always have a home with us and if you ever need anything don’t be afraid to ask. I'll be here for you. And Lia,” a warmth was held in her lyrics, giving a smile but it would drop with the next she had to say. “Just because I do not care if you ever refer to me as mother, since I don’t wish to replace yours, doesn’t mean you should do the same with your actual father. He loves you so much and it would hurt him if he heard you calling him Khepri. Please try to give him another chance to be there for you,” she addressed, knowing it wasn’t her place to try and fix things and she wasn’t going to try to.

She wouldn’t keep her any longer, knowing she should be getting back to her sons before anything bad could happen. Truth be told, she didn’t really trust Haskell babysitting by himself, he could barely handle his own four feet most days. She'd get up, headed back to the inside, though she liked the quiet the inner courtyard had.

-exit unless this makes lia decide to talk more lol-

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