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Helena, the capital city of the Holy Orenian Empire, provides the housing for Imperial citizens like Adalene and her father, Cadmus. Her mother died when she was born, and perhaps her father found disgust with his daughter after losing his beloved. Or maybe he was always so cold? A doctor, a busy one at that considering the army and the troubles of war. Adalene was usually home alone, not allowed to leave, or go anywhere with anyone, but to stay and read or study on her own while her father worked at the clinic beneath their little home.
Loneliness. As a child growing up alone, it felt as if the world was always unfair or unjust, and Adalene didn't want to bother her father with her troubles so she'd hide them and cry to herself. "You look too much like your mother." he'd say drunkenly, reaching to push her or grab and tug at her wild red hair, "Why'd you fuckin' have to be born.." She'd murmur in a sluggish tone, burping, hiccuping, turning away. Adalene took care of the home as best as she could, cleaning, cooking, gardening so that they could have good meals-- Cadmus made enough coin but where did it all go ever?
Perhaps it went to his gambling addiction, or to the tavern he so often frequented during his later shifts working at the hospital. Eventually, Adalene found use as a nurse, helping those in need for little to nothing. She wanted to get out of the house, and to find a reason to be around her father but even then, he would blatantly change her shifts to be opposite of his. He hated her so-- or, that's what Adalene felt. When she came home, she'd find a dark house with nothing to eat and no one to talk to. Her father was already in bed, nursing down a bottle. She would cook a light meal and go to bed right after.
Life was this way for a long time, and eventually, she decided it best to leave. And so, she packed up her goods and prepared her voyage. Where would she go with the little coin she saved? Anywhere. Helena was a beautiful, large city but she wanted to be away from this all. The same routine. The same people she begged for help. Nothing changed. So, she went north toward the Kingdom of Norland and toward the highlanders.
Would life change away from the father that never loved her? Would it be difficult to find friendship? The anxious Adalene prayed for a life changing experience-- for something more than just ... this. A worthless life, for a worthless lass. "I didn't kill my mother.." She'd murmur to herself with a furrow of her brow, "I .. I am living for her." She insists as she steps into the snows with a soft crunch. "I will be worth more. I will be more." She murmurs with a quivering lip and a hopeful grin.
Quote"If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain." - Emily Dickinson
"What.. what brings me here?" Adalene stutters out with a nervous inflection in her tone. Hazel hues follow over the well-dressed gentleman as she clears her throat, "Erm.. " She waits for his many questions and then she shakes her head, "Yes! Adventure, wealth, a sense of.. of purpose." She adds in with a gentle movement to her toes, "I want to .. find work primarily, and then save up to.. continue onto my travels. There is a lot that I've not experienced." She offers him a genuine smile and glance away.
"Do you know of any places hiring? I-I can cook and clean and.. " She stammers on and on until the man finds a way to slip from her nervous mouth vomit!
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