8 [@necromantica: video]

[burntbridges]

[Well, this is different. Letha is bristled with indignation, and the reason is somewhat obvious - her hair has turned snow-white, and her eyes are pale blue-violet with red pupils. Her skin even seems a bit paler; she's turned fully albino.]

What's going on? [Her tone is snippy, and just a little bit desperate.] My hair's looked like this since I woke up- I went out and bought hair dye and it just soaked in and disappeared! I couldn't even dye it with ink! How do I get rid of this?

[She hates how her hair looks, and keeps running her fingers through it as if that will somehow turn it back to black... and worse than that, her eyes are hideous! And she doesn't trust contacts enough to try them, especially knowing that trying to turn her hair back had done nothing. What if they melt into her eyes?]

Private to Ragnar: Audio

We need to talk about Winter. Do you have a moment?

Comments

[deathkid]

[ he opens and closes his mouth for a few seconds. he remembers how mad ivar was when letha left, remembers how much he cares for winter. seeing her around the mansion and how much ivar dotes on her has been a joy. but he also remembers that letha is her real mother and that causes some issues. ]

I, uh. Don't think he'll stay gone. And he does care about Winter a lot. But I understand wanting to be there for her since you're her mom. I wish I had something to say to help, but I've never dealt with a situation like this before.

[burntbridges]

You could have told him to leave her with me... it isn't as if I'd hurt her on purpose. And I raised her for a month before I left, it isn't as if I don't know how to handle her.

[Granted, Letha had been sick for most of that month and Winter had been cared for partly by nurses and partly by Lola, but that's not the point.]

I know it's selfish to want Ivar back, but it's my right to have Winter back. She's mine.

[deathkid]

[ in nico's estimation, there are two types of moms. those who care about everyone, like sally jackson or his mother, and those who care only about themselves. he isn't sure where letha fits into that given she left winter with ivar. it makes him wonder how much she actually cares, but he's doing his best not to judge given he doesn't know all the details. but one thing's for sure, he isn't fond of being told what to do. ]

I doubt my opinion would account for much on that front. I don't doubt you care for her, but... why did you leave?

[ he thinks of bianca and how she'd left him to join the hunters of artemis. he'd been hurt by that, and he wonders if ivar feels the same way. ]

I mean- You must've had a good reason.

[burntbridges]

[She hesitates, taking a few moments to decide exactly how to word it.]

Ivar and I... weren't very happy, after Winter was born. We argued constantly, I felt like a failure as a mother, and I felt like- if I didn't leave, Ivar would hurt me. Or I would hurt him.

[She purses her lips briefly before continuing.]

I thought it would be better if... I went away. Then Ivar could be a father, and I wouldn't have to be a mother, and maybe- we would be happy. And it seems like.. Ivar is happy, and Winter is happy, but as much as I enjoyed my time away, I still missed them so terribly, and it seems like... everything is so wonderful without me.

I want to try again to be Winter's mother, but... I can't try again if he won't let me. And that seems so stupid, because she's mine... If I can't have Ivar back I at least want Winter, she's all I have left of my family- and her father.

[She can barely remember Aristeo's face anymore, but she knows she can see hints of him in Winter. And those little hints are really all she needs, at those times when she truly misses her old life.]

[deathkid]

[ giving her a look of sympathy, he nods a little. he can understand the need to get away from a stressful situation and maybe it's for the best that she did. but that still leaves winter in ivar's care and nico isn't sure how to address that. ]

I can try talking to him, if you want. At least, when he gets back. I can't guarantee anything, but...

[burntbridges]

No... I'm sure it will be best if I sort out my own problems. He may not want to listen to me, but I don't see why he would listen to anyone else, if I asked them to plead my case. Thank you, though.

[She's quiet for a moment, mulling things over before she speaks in a softer tone.]

He isn't the only one I missed. It's nice to have my brother back.

[By which she means Nico. Now if only someone could convince her to sort out her broken sisterhood with Lola...]

[deathkid]

If you say so. [ he still looks a little worried, but nods in acknowledgement.

only to look at her with wide eyes of surprise. being called "brother"... he flushes a little and ducks his head. yes, it's been a while since he's heard someone call him that. hazel is back at camp jupiter and bianca, his real sister, has long since passed. ]

I've missed you too.