The rain was a familiar sound. The tapping of the droplets upon the stone and the distant rumble of thunder created a somber tone that surrounded the city of Magnolia. While the day had begun bright and sunny, the late afternoon brought with it dark clouds and a torrential downpour. Most people were making their way back to their homes or businesses, taking shelter from the sudden gloomy weather as the grey veil covered the sky above the city. The streets quickly becoming silent, save for the constant hail of rain and the occasional crack of lightning. However, despite the abysmal storm that had rolled in a single figure appeared unaffected. Walking across the cobblestone and huddled within a dark cloak a dark haired woman made her way through the streets. The water pelted her hood relentlessly, though it seemed she paid little mind. The cloak she wore stretched down to her legs, concealing nearly her entire body, including the girl’s arms. Periodically the hooded woman would glance downwards, using one arm to peek inside her cloak at the contents she had been safeguarding. A small frown on her lips.
Despite the heavy rain the hooded girl continued onwards throughout the streets. By this point they had been mostly cleared out, with a few stragglers hanging about who didn’t appear to mind the downpour. She largely ignored these strangers, her mind fixated on one goal, and that lay a short distance ahead. Painful memories tugged at the girl’s being as her mismatched gaze made contact with that house. Beautiful, but painful. Just another reminder as to why she had come in the first place. There was a small hint of hesitation when she came closer to the entrance, the woman finally halting her trudge through the rain in the middle of the road just beyond the doorway. She observed its structure, its make, red and gold eyes examining every inch. She remembered it all in nearly perfect detail, and that’s what made this so much harder. He didn’t deserve this. He didn’t deserve any of this. Yet what other choice did she have? Tell him the truth? No, he had been through enough, she didn’t need to add the weight of the dead to his conscious… Not when the living would still need his help.
And yet she continued to hesitate. As if locked in some sort of trance the cloaked figure just stood there, staring at the house as the rain dripped from her clothing. She knew better than anyone that time was of the essence, but for some unseen reason she could not bring herself to make that final step. That was until finally the gentle cooing of an infant broke her stare, bringing her mind back to reality. The woman opened her cloak slightly to see the two curled children resting between her arm and waist, wrapped in protective cloth and shielded from the elements within the dark coat.
Mythica had been hiding these young ones from the world for some time now, not understanding exactly what to do with them. Never had she imagined herself a mother, at least not in the traditional sense. She had fostered creations before, but most were malevolent and vicious. Children were decidedly.. Less so. What could she hope to do with these twins aside from lead them on a bloody path that would shatter their father’s spirit? His son and daughter needed to be shielded from that. The curse still ran through their veins, but Mythica had hoped their infancy would delay its activation. Still, she prepared a note to warn their caretaker to avoid letting them taste blood. Inuki always hungers. The last thing Mythica wanted was to invite the Blood Wolf any further than she had.
Finally the girl stepped forwards, dropping to one knee and carefully placing the twins at the door, just underneath the portico. The kinds were still sleeping, but were already beginning to stir from the sudden movement. She knew she couldn’t linger long. Still, the chronomancer had a hard time taking her attention away from the little ones. The girl had locks and eyes that closely resembled her father, deep brown in color. While the boy looked uncomfortably similar to herself, with raven hair and a crimson shade upon his eyes. At least he didn’t have the same clock mutation she did. Mura could be spared that reminder.
“Be still, little ones. A better life awaits you just beyond.” She said as the children began instinctively feel their mother pull away, their sniffles being nearly drowned out by the heavy rain around them. “I have nothing to give but blood and pain, I will not risk that upon you.” She said aloud and in a soft tone. “You both deserve better than I.” The words sounded strange coming out of her mouth. Mythica could not remember the last time she felt this strongly about anything or anyone, aside from Mura. Yet when her eyes looked upon them the witch desired to see them thrive. That would not be possible with her. Still, the guilt weighed heavily as she chose to leave them in the care of their father. He was in the middle of a brutal conflict, was dropping this kind of responsibility on him selfish? Maybe, but she knew her husband would thank her one day for avoiding the alternative. Mythica was no caretaker, and danger stalked her travels. Perhaps they would give him something to fight for…
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