August 19, 2009

In Which Octavius Learns What Life Is

August 23, 1160

Maybe it was just time to give up. All Octavius had were his two wonderful children, and they were probably the only reason he had no desire to throw himself from the tower window. Other than that, he had a mad wife who was a danger to his family and herself, and who had hated every fiber of his being before going insane anyway. He had been separated from the vast majority of his family for almost six years now, and he had just learned that his oldest brother was dead.

When had he seen Primus last? Cambrin's wedding, was that right? That was three and a half years ago. If he'd known that that would be the last time he'd ever see his brother alive, he might have thought of some more profound parting word than "Goodbye".

Someone knocked on the door--however, it was not Florian's impatient tapping, nor was it low enough on the door to be Sparron or Jeda. Octavius sighed.

"I told Florian that there is only one adult I'm willing to see right now," he called to whoever it was.

"I know," replied a familiar voice he had most certainly not been expecting to hear. "He told me to go on in."

He almost felt like smiling. "Please do."

He briefly looked up to see Holladrin open the door and enter the study, all white linen and dark velvet, golden hair and satin skin. "I'm sorry about your brother," she told him, simply and truthfully. "He was a good man."

"That he was," Octavius agreed with a sigh. "Please... sit down."

Nodding, she did as she was told, gliding across the wooden floor and delicately lowering herself to the cushion beside him. "I met your children briefly," she told him, "in the front room. They're very sweet, and positively adorable."

Octavius removed his hand from his forehead and straightened. "Indeed, they are. Thank God for my children; oftentimes, I feel they are the only ones keeping me sane."

They sat in silence for a moment or two, the very air around him noticeably more comforting than it had been not long before. Then--

"Laralita told me about your wife. Roderick didn't want me to know, but she figured I would find out soon enough anyway."

"How much did she tell you?" he inquired after a rather slow breath.

"That she went mad, and that you have to keep her locked up for the children's sake."

"You know everything, then."

There was a marked sadness in her eyes as she listened to his reply. He almost wished that Laralita had not told her anything; the news, it seemed, had disheartened her. And why shouldn't it? Medea was her cousin, as well as the sister of Oswald's wife Athalia, her best friend. At this point, it almost made sense that she was more shaken up about the ordeal than he himself was--and yet, there was still a certain sympathy about her, as if her primary concern was his suffering as opposed to her own.

"Holladrin?"

Carefully, he slung his arm over her shoulders, pulling her nearer. "It's fine. I... I've made peace with it," he insisted. "Just now. Seeing you here... I've accepted it. Thank you."

She smiled; if she was beautiful in her misery, then there were no words to describe her in happiness. "I'm glad you feel that way. It's difficult sometimes--moving on."

"It is," he confirmed, "but I suppose in the end, that's what life is, dear Holladrin--moving on."

NEXT CHAPTER:

13 comments:

Van said...

Next batch of grow-ups can be found here.

Phoenix said...

*SQUEE*

Those two together!!!? Awwwww!!

And his epiphany is right on point. Life is a series of moving on moments!

And just what is going on in that teaser pic? O_o

Van said...

Well, they're not that kind of together. While Medea's still around, they really can't be without risking Holladrin's honor. Medieval relationship rules are laaaaaame, but that's how it was at the time, unfortunately :(

eclectictsunami said...

Yay for Octavius and Holladrin!! Even though they're not TOGETHER together, this was still adorable. :)

Van said...

Thanks Cassie :)

Penelope said...

Uhh... I don't know about this one. Is it just a sense of honor that's keeping them from ripping off each other's clothes here? Because really, it would seem like taking advantage of an extraordinarily bad situation. Like, "Wife's gone mad. Now I can finally touch your boobs before you croak." If Holladrin were to allow that, all societal norms aside, I'd lose all respect for both of them.

Van said...

Who said anything about boob touching? Man, I must have done something seriously wrong with this chapter if everyone thinks these two are hooking up.

What I meant by his moving on is that he's just come to realize that he can't change it, might as well accept it. That's all--no boobies.

Penelope said...

hehe, It's probably just that cuddle animation- And the fact that we know these two are attracted to each other- AND the moment where he thinks about how beautiful she is that's doing it.

Van said...

Maybe these two are worthy of a rant on my LiveJournal. You see... the thing about Octavius and Holladrin is this: Octavius likes Holladrin, and Holladrin likes Octavius, but neither of them knows for certain that their feelings are reciprocated. No moves until that comes out in the open... and I doubt moves will come from either party while Medea is still alive, and even then only if Holladrin's health starts improving.

Penelope said...

Ah ha! An impasse. I wonder what it would take to bring them together. Medea's death aside.

Van said...

I imagine one of them would have to 'fess up about their feelings, either to the other or to some third party who can play matchmaker. Hmmm...

cheripye said...

Utterly romantic,

Just what Hollodrin and Octavious (sorry I probably spelled wrong) Need! Eachother, each other parties adoration and affection to get past the bull that is messing on their lifes lawn. 80)

Van said...

They do both definitely need something. Unfortunately, the circumstances aren't ideal for them... currently.