A Magpie Flies Free [PK]

[MapleSunflower 1889]

The Magpie Flies Free

Spoiler

 

A painting of HIH Isabella Marie in her wedding gown.

"Get vyr thumb out for vyr mouth, Bella! That is disgusting!"

 

It was Isabella's first memory. Her brother Josef would hold her close as she sucked on the thumb in her mouth. He bullied her, her sister Natalya ridiculed her. The scrutiny still haunted her for years to come.

 

"You wanna play sticks?"

"What do you want, toad-breath?"

"You're a stupid toad-breath. Come on though, I'm bored."

 

Her first friend, Katherina Tsecsar, ward of the Galbraiths. The girl lived under the stairs, but the two spent countless hours playing with cards in her room. Many injuries were given and taken daily. The tomboyish girls couldn't be without at least one round of sticks a day - training to be soldiers. Female knights.

 

"I love your dress, the white really makes your black hair stand out."

 

Isabella beamed at the compliment, her cheeks turning a flushed pink at her first compliment from someone non-family! Eager to impress further, the girl held onto her flowering skirt as she ran down the stairs. The layers of the white gown did flow around her as they caught air, raven-colored curls bouncing with each step. Just mere steps from the bottom... she slipped. 

And soon after her fell George Maximillian, who had made the dash after her.

 

Fated friends. That's how it all began.

 

They fought together. George just wanted to take a nap with the lovely and revered Oracle sheep of the Orenian Kid-Kingdom... To which the duo were promptly banished. But they fought long and hard, and even made their own kid-kingdom - Helsreach. It was their own little world within the walls of the Augustine Palace to share with their friends.

Decades went by. George and Isabella became more than best friends; they were now husband and wife. They bore 4 beautiful children together; Annabelle Augusta, Catherine Marie, John Aurelian, and Diana Amadea.

Isabella became reclusive in her older years, only leaving the confinement of Huntshill to attend balls and banquets at the behest of her husband. In her times of solitude, it was her husband who truly gave her peace. Some say the Countess was simply fitting into the stereotypical Ruthern personality. Those who were unfortunate enough to spend any length of time with the Princess would know the real reasons - and perhaps those first people were just a smidge correct on their assumption.

Soon enough, their children began to have children of their own. To Isabella, their names were unknown. She always had a stoic demeanor about her, simply turning a cheek to all the grandchildren... all except one.

Her darling Leopold Edwin. Her Raven.

 

 

George was always a peculiarly sick one. Any cut or scrape would cause the Prince to fall into illness. The pale complexion of anemia. Any cut was a danger to George's life and he spent one too many days and nights on bedrest.

Unfortunately, birds took a liking to him. Birds with letters to deliver, to be exact. They'd swoop down onto the Prince, sometimes dive-bombing him in the head if they had a good aim. George since had a terrible fear of letters.

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

The Coalition War had come and gone.

The Civil War had come and gone.

 

The children and grandchildren of Huntshill moved into the safety of Fort Imperium, leaving Isabella to care for Huntshill. Break-ins were frequent during the Civil War. Usually the Countess was hidden from the burglars, while others came face-to-face with the raven-haired Princess. Many were kind to her, simply taking things and leaving... But there would be one who was not as forgiving.

 

A dagger given to her by her father.

 

It was taken from her. The dagger that had once been stopped from being held to her stomach by her own hand was now the very weapon used to kill Isabella. How ironic.

It would be mere hours before Isabella would be found. Blood-slicked carpet squashed under George's shoes, staining the knees of his pantlegs as he held his dear wife within his arms.

 

George Maximillian and Isabella Marie, Count and Countess-consort, Prince and Princess of the Holy Orenian Empire, were found dead within the upstairs hallway of the Huntshill estate, just outside of their bedroom. 

 

They had died together. A stab to the gut and a broken heart. Flesh was broken broken, but their arms embracing one another were not.

 

Letters would be found on a table within the bedroom. Upon their deaths, they would be distributed.

 

Catherine

Spoiler

Catherine,

 

My jewelry shall be given to you. With that, I also give to you my tiara, the last ever from Joseph d’Azor’s handiwork. Wear it proudly. My dagger is also intended to be yours as a reminder of this illness we both possess given to us by my father. This dagger is a gift from him. When it is time to pass it down, should one of your children contract this disease, it is for them to have.

 

There’s an assortment of items my father gave to me when he passed which include: a bottle, multiple weapons made by his hand, and his collection of eyes. 

 

I don’t care what you do with those things listed. Whatever is Leopold’s will be in his letter -  confer with him what he gets in his letter and let him take what he desires. Please distribute these items accordingly.

 

Signed,

Isabella.

 

Leopold

Spoiler

My darling Leo, my raven.

 

Should you ever find this letter, I am deeply sorry. I hope that I was able to tell you goodbye and just how much I love you. Thank you for being the curiosity and joy in my life. You are a dashing young boy, and very smart and strong too. Do great things, Raven. I will be protecting you through all things.

 

I’ve allowed Hunter to live with you and protect you in these trying times. He is getting old, though - a gift from my father when I first married your Grandpa. Take good care of him. 

 

There is a sword I would like you to have tagged “A Father’s Fulfillment.” There is a matching sword to it that is your Grandfather’s. I’m not sure where he put it, but as long as you wield that sword, I can pass on happy. Stay strong, my Knight. I love you dearly.

 

Love,

Grandma

George

Spoiler

Georgie, my love.

 

I am sorry to leave you. How I wish I could hold you in my arms for eternity. Please do not mourn me, but celebrate the joys we had together. Tell Leopold all the stories of our youth, of Huntshill, and how our love prevailed over all trials. Tell him how much fun we had together, how you would wear my hat and I’d wear your coat. How we each were too scared to confess to one another. 

 

I hope you are proud of what we have built together: from Helsreach, to Huntshill, to our family. I know I’m proud of you, and I hope you know that too.

 

I will love you forever. You are always my darling, George. Please take care of that illness, I can no longer care for you now that I am gone. Thank you for caring for me when I was ill, I hope I did well in doing the same. 

 

I am waiting for you. Your mother, father, brother - everyone. We will be waiting for you. It is not ‘til death do us part, but we’ll meet again in the Constellations. 

 

I love you, Georgie. 

 

Love always, 

Bella

 

Joseph and Philippa d'Azor

Spoiler

Joseph d’Azor and Philippa d’Azor

 

Uncle, Aunt. If this letter has reached you, I’ve left this realm for some relief in this horrid place. I’ve heard you were like me - confined to the prison of your estate - but for much different reasons. I simply wish you are well and safe. 

Thank you for caring for me when I was a child. It meant the world to me. Without you, I’d have probably not confessed to George sooner, but it was meant to be. Thank you for being our biggest supporters. I am truly grateful. I only wish I had gotten to see you more. I love you both.

 

Love,

Isabella

Rhys and Valentina Ruthern

Spoiler

My dear brother and sister, Rhys and Valentina Ruthern

 

I know we didn’t get to see each other much throughout our childhoods and adult lives, but never forget how much I love you. Survive past the darkness of our minds and push through into a new day of life. Lives beyond the confines of the mind, and breathe the morning air beyond the river. Death comes for us all, but live each day as if it was your last. You may never know when he will knock.

Let’s have a proper drink together when you come.

 

Love,

Isa

There was a final letter at the bottom of the pile. It was torn and stained, as if it was very old and even forgotten, In fact, when one opened it, it looked like it was written in crayon!

 

Spoiler

 

Katherina.

 

I don’t know where you are.

Please come home.

I miss you.

 

 Love,

Bella.

 

Spoiler

 

Thank you everyone to everyone I got to interact with on Isabella, whether you are a close friend of mine or just happened to meet on a whim. Special thanks to Aehkaj and Aehmi for letting me play their kid, it was truly an honor. Thanks to Fred, Saph, Azie, CanadaMatt, Imiya, and Take for being a part of the family - and what a crazy family! I know I didn't really roleplay on Isabella much, but it is always a good laugh these days.

Isabella reminds me so much of Summer 2022, especially since I started playing her around then.  But...

 

It is time to move on to the next story. :)

 

 

[Taketheshot 3834]

The Duke of Azor frowned as he read the letter, a few tears dropping from his cheeks as he thought of the time spent with his niece, the joys of younger days where he and his wife had spotted Isabella trading cloaks with her future husband. He had watched her grow, her proposal at the ball and her wedding where she truly radiated beauty. A man should never have to see a child he loves die, but so many had died in recent years. "Philippa..."

 

The man sniffled passing the letter to his wife. "Its- Its too soon...too soon." The man remarked, age having taken its toll on the man in more ways than one.

 

_________________________________________________________

 

Leopold Edwin sobbed hysterically as the news was given to him by his mother, the skirts of the woman's dress becoming damp with tears as he clutched onto the woman for dear life. That had been the scene only a few hours ago and in that time the Novellen Youth had settled.

 

Upon reading the letter however, tears began to well up again, a glass of water from his mother and several hours rest had ensured the boy had more than enough energy to continue his sobs, the young boy truly experiencing death for the first time in the most painful way. "N-No Grandmama yo- You can't be gone!!!" He cried out loud pounding his feet and fists against the wall of the palace apartment. It would be some days until Leopold could be coaxed out of his room, until that time it was just himself, the memories of his grandmother and thoughts.

 

Thoughts of what came next....

[Azie 657]

Annabelle Augusta--the eldest child and daughter of the passed Countess--welcomed her mother with open arms into the seven skies. "Mother." She'd simply utter with a wide grin tracing her lips, finally united. 

[Tigergiri 3073]

Nikita looked upon her childhood friend, a soft smile on her face. "Now I suppose we can dance again like children up here. For you do not need any more heartbreak."

[EmiliainWonderland 2309]

The sickly woman heard the news from wherever she was now. Her precious child had passed. It seemed loss became commonplace for the Halcourt woman, who lost her previous surname Halcourt-Ruthern with the loss of her husband. The Widow sobbed, knowing her sickness prevented her from being a good mother to her children and she would never stop regretting it.

 

"Is there anything left for me to live for? I have lost my will to live for spite, I have lost my will to live for friends. I have nothing left except the children who I birthed. Maybe Valentina and Valeria need their mother. Maybe they can forgive me." The frail woman coughed, blood pooling from the fingers of the hand she wheezed into.

 

"Bella, I'm so sorry." Amie began to weep, weep at last for all that she had lost including the girls whom she'd never really had a chance to speak to. "It was never your fault your maman got so sick, it wasn't." And so the Halcourt sobbed and sobbed in her sick bed, heart empty and aching for the children and friends and family and everyone she'd ever lost as it just now dawned on her, the loss would never end. 

 

"I am far too old for this, I cannot continue on like this."