the big lie I was told as a child [Closed/Complete]
Characters: Cassandra & Polyxena
Date/Time: After this.
Location: Cassandra's place.
Rating: PG
Warnings: None!
Summary: Tea and sisterly talks.
Cassandra picked up the two mugs of tea and blew on them to cool them off as she walked back to the living room. She handed her sister her mug and curled back up on the couch, hugging her cup to her chest. "So, how was your break sister? Did it help settle you a bit?" She sipped her tea as she waited for an answer.
Did it help her settle a bit? No, if anything it did the opposite- regardless, Polyxena forced herself to smile at her sister, holding the mug in both of her hands. Her hair was currently pulled back neatly and she was still wearing the school uniform from after-class, "I suppose, it was nice to be away from here for a bit."
"What about you, Cassandra? I have been worried about you. Helenus too, but with Helen at his side- I do not think there are any words I can say that will reach him in regards to her."
"I doubt he will listen to anyone but her now. I'm glad they are happy, but..." Tucking her hair behind her ear, she answered slowly, "I've...been better then I was in the past. I am happy about something that happened, incredibly so, but it may have been one of the stupidest things I have ever done." Cassandra placed her mug on the coffee table next to the couch and lay her head on the back with a sigh escaping her. She probably shouldn't tell anyone about this, but it was her sister. Not Artemis. She had only said she wouldn't tell Artemis.
Gods, what had she gotten herself into?
Polyxena frowned a little before taking a sip of her tea. It was a nice flavour, she pressed her lips together and swallowed before moving to set the mug back on the table. Then very slowly she curled back up, mirroring her sister's position slightly, arms wrapped around her legs. Her feet were bare- it seemed something she enjoyed and did when she was comfortable. "What happened, Cassandra?"
That her sister was not quite sane? Yes, she knew that but this still worried Polyxena, something stupid? That was never good. Not that she had room to talk about those things...
Cassandra slid her foot out so it poked lightly at her sister's feet. She sometimes forgot that Polyxena was so young, but when she curled up like this, Cassandra remembered. The urge to protect her sister was coming back, though it wouldn't stop her from telling her what she had done.
"You can't tell anyone this, sister. Please." She paused and smiled slightly. "I slept with Apollo."
Of course not, you have my word." It was also hard for her to remember that yes, Cassandra was older than her. Polyxena felt rather protective of all her siblings, like there was a need of her to take charge of things. In reply to the foot poke, she smiled and nudged back. No, Polyxena was fine. She was fine.
The next words made Polyxena recoil visibly.
"You. With Lord Apollo?" She asked as if she dare not believe it and despite the smile on Cassandra's face, Polyxena knew it was a bad idea. It was high up there on 'what not to do'. However, Polyxena didn't reproach her, she merely shook her head, trying to let the words sink in.
"Why?"
Cassandra forced her foot between Polyxena's and basically hooked her foot around Polyxena's. That way they were snuggling without moving. She lost her smile once Polyxena recoiled. She knew her sister wouldn't have approved, she knew it was a bad idea, but still...she couldn't bring herself to regret her choice. It had been something she wanted for too long to regret it.
"Yes." Cassandra sighed. "When I rejected him in the past, it wasn't because I didn't love him. I did it because I didn't want to be thrown to the side when he grew bored. After Zeus shot me, I realized I didn't want to lose this chance to be with him, no matter the consequences. I love him. I always have and likely always will."
Polyxena seemed sad for a moment, mulling her words over. "Cassandra, you know my nature is not deceptive, and you know that when I speak, I speak only with your best interests in mind." She sat up a little, unsure. What could she say that Cassandra didn't know already? "I am afraid he will break your heart, even here, even now." That was true, "It is a risk you are willing to take now, but the curse for your previous rejection of him. I... I would find it difficult to forgive that and love again." But... had she not loved Achilles against all reason and council?
"However," One hand was lifted to show that disapproval had been expressed but there was more, "I know what it is like to love an enemy of sorts, and Lord Apollo is the patron of our city. I worry and lament for you, but I also rejoice if this is what you want and what makes you happy."
Words were easy, words and knowing what to do. The right thing to do, a brief moment of clarity before the pain- "I will not do anything but support you on this choice, Cassandra."
"He most likely will break my heart," Cassandra acknowledged. "And...I have accepted that. However, I have gone to my death twice already not allowing myself to have what I truly want. I have been raped and used by mortal men. I have seen our home fall despite the warnings I gave."
She paused and reached out to rest a reassuring hand on her sister's knee. "After all of this, I want to allow myself to be happy for even a brief moment of time, despite any consequences it may have." She squeezed Polyxena's knee. "Thank you though, Polyxena."
"You deserve happiness as well. We have both survived too much to not have it."
Polyxena laughed softly and patted Cassandra's hand. "I understand well what you mean, and that is why I will not say anything more against it. You are old enough to make your own decisions too, sister." And while most of her family considered Cassandra to be crazy- Polyxena included- she did not feel the right to stomp down on her sister's happiness. Especially after dying twice before.
"This route- again, may not be one I agree with- but I accept your decision, and if he can make you happy- all I can do is pray that he does not break your heart." Her sister deserved more than that. The rape comment made Polyxena a little unsettled, yes, she had known what happened and counted herself lucky. To die rather than be raped.
Still, it was difficult to know someone you loved had gone through all that.
A laugh escaped Cassandra. "So few remember that, but I am old enough. Thank you." She reached with her free hand and took a sip of her tea before she turned back to her sister. "Now, tell me what is going on with you. Please."
"There's nothing going on with me." Polyxena smiled at her sister and turned to her tea. "Other than getting used to living with Neoptolemus and having Jason around. Deidamia is very nice too, you'll like her I think." She took a sip of tea and wriggled her toes.
"Tell me about me about Jason," Cassandra said. She poked her sister with her toes in revenge for tickling her with her toes. "I noticed you talked to him some."
Polyxena laughed, "What about Jason? He's a special case. A good friend, he says I am part of his crew. Can you believe that? A female, Trojan, Argonaut. I daresay mother would be very upset if she saw me like this." Or talking to Achilles. That would make Hecuba furious.
Lips pressed together she laughed a little more and shook her head. "There's nothing to tell, Cassandra, you with your sight probably know him better than I ever could."
A grin grew again on her face. "You should accept his offer. Being an Argonaut, even if just in name, is amazing. You're a hero, sister," she teased. "Mother...can deal with it. When we listened to her opinions we were all cranky. So let's live without any adult supervision."
Cassandra stuck her tongue out. "My sight is of the future only, not of the friends my sister has." And usually they weren't good ones, but she wasn't going to share that.
"Oh, don't be silly, Cassandra. I am no such thing." She laughed, but she sobered up at the mention of Hecuba, "And you know I would never do that. I have to listen to mother. It is important to her." Adult supervision... Polyxena laughed softly.
"He's been very kind to me, that is all. Though I suppose there are a lot of motives for that, that have to do with bedding me." Polyxena shrugged. "He can give sound advice and all."
"Oh really? It appears that you are." Cassandra frowned for a minute. "Your being happy should be more important then you listening to her. And mother isn't always right." She hadn't wanted Cassandra to become a priestess, but it had proven to be one of the smartest choices she had made, despite her curse.
She snorted. "Most men want to bed women. But I am glad he is giving you advice. Is it helping?"
Polyxena looked mildly concerned for a moment, "Yes, but now I am wary he'll be one to hurt me soon in future." She placed the cup down and rose to her feet, stepping away from Cassandra and then back again. Pacing in thought. "Oh it's really not important at all, why are you even asking me this?" She managed to smile widely.
"What are you going to do with Lord Apollo?"
"I want to make sure you are alright, Polyxena. We all tend to be too caught up in ourselves to be with you like we should," Cassandra answered, letting the topic drop. Pushing her wouldn't solve anything and had the chance of making it worse. She still hoped Jason didn't hurt her though.
"I don't know yet. Apollo...may be a bit angry at me now, but it should be fine soon. We'll see."
"Of course I am." She tried to reassure her sister, it didn't matter what was going on inside of her. Cassandra needed her now, with regards to Apollo. She frowned as she stepped back towards Cassandra, "Why would he be angry at you?"
A half smile grew on Cassandra's face. "He asked me not to say anything to Artemis and I...refused him for a bit before I finally agreed to do as he said."
Polyxena half-facepalmed. "Why would he be worried about that? Is that why you asked me to be silent about this?" She didn't really like that. "Is there a good reason for the secrecy? I hope he does not use this to take advantage of your love and your good intentions."
"Artemis can be...fairly protective of me. Even if she will always end up forgiving Apollo. And it's part of the reason why I asked. The other is because I don't want our brothers to fly into a fit of protectiveness. I am perfectly capable of chosing for myself." Cassandra swallowed and looked to the side. "He just asked me to not tell Artemis. Anyone else I could." But if he was using it to take advantage of her? It didn't really matter. She was getting what she wanted and he was getting something he had wanted in the past, still seemed to, if his reactions to her were based on more then her looks. "He isn't taking advantage of me."
Gods were Gods, men were men. Both were fickle and unfaithful. Polyxena was surprised at the bitterness she felt over the issue for a moment before she pushed it away in favor of listening to Cassandra. "Very well, if you are sure." What place did she have to judge here? Especially when her own romantic situations were far, far messier. Still, she did not regret not having slept with... well. Yes, she knew it was the right choice. True to herself.
"And you are okay with all this? Deep down- this is what you want?"
"Polyxena," Cassandra said, her voice far more serious then she had been before. "All I ever wanted was to love him and have him care for me in return. I am happy. If he does throw me to the side-something I would fight tooth and nail against-then that is what happens. Don't worry about my heart." She smiled, a heartbreakingly sweet and happy smile.
Polyxena nodded, one hand was briefly lifted to tap Cassandra on the cheek lightly. "I am your sister, I will always worry about you and your heart." She knew better than to try and stop her, and she knew better than not to support her. Support was what Cassandra needed, not reprimanding. "The Fates will lead."
And they would follow.
"Just as they always do."
Date/Time: After this.
Location: Cassandra's place.
Rating: PG
Warnings: None!
Summary: Tea and sisterly talks.
Cassandra picked up the two mugs of tea and blew on them to cool them off as she walked back to the living room. She handed her sister her mug and curled back up on the couch, hugging her cup to her chest. "So, how was your break sister? Did it help settle you a bit?" She sipped her tea as she waited for an answer.
Did it help her settle a bit? No, if anything it did the opposite- regardless, Polyxena forced herself to smile at her sister, holding the mug in both of her hands. Her hair was currently pulled back neatly and she was still wearing the school uniform from after-class, "I suppose, it was nice to be away from here for a bit."
"What about you, Cassandra? I have been worried about you. Helenus too, but with Helen at his side- I do not think there are any words I can say that will reach him in regards to her."
"I doubt he will listen to anyone but her now. I'm glad they are happy, but..." Tucking her hair behind her ear, she answered slowly, "I've...been better then I was in the past. I am happy about something that happened, incredibly so, but it may have been one of the stupidest things I have ever done." Cassandra placed her mug on the coffee table next to the couch and lay her head on the back with a sigh escaping her. She probably shouldn't tell anyone about this, but it was her sister. Not Artemis. She had only said she wouldn't tell Artemis.
Gods, what had she gotten herself into?
Polyxena frowned a little before taking a sip of her tea. It was a nice flavour, she pressed her lips together and swallowed before moving to set the mug back on the table. Then very slowly she curled back up, mirroring her sister's position slightly, arms wrapped around her legs. Her feet were bare- it seemed something she enjoyed and did when she was comfortable. "What happened, Cassandra?"
That her sister was not quite sane? Yes, she knew that but this still worried Polyxena, something stupid? That was never good. Not that she had room to talk about those things...
Cassandra slid her foot out so it poked lightly at her sister's feet. She sometimes forgot that Polyxena was so young, but when she curled up like this, Cassandra remembered. The urge to protect her sister was coming back, though it wouldn't stop her from telling her what she had done.
"You can't tell anyone this, sister. Please." She paused and smiled slightly. "I slept with Apollo."
Of course not, you have my word." It was also hard for her to remember that yes, Cassandra was older than her. Polyxena felt rather protective of all her siblings, like there was a need of her to take charge of things. In reply to the foot poke, she smiled and nudged back. No, Polyxena was fine. She was fine.
The next words made Polyxena recoil visibly.
"You. With Lord Apollo?" She asked as if she dare not believe it and despite the smile on Cassandra's face, Polyxena knew it was a bad idea. It was high up there on 'what not to do'. However, Polyxena didn't reproach her, she merely shook her head, trying to let the words sink in.
"Why?"
Cassandra forced her foot between Polyxena's and basically hooked her foot around Polyxena's. That way they were snuggling without moving. She lost her smile once Polyxena recoiled. She knew her sister wouldn't have approved, she knew it was a bad idea, but still...she couldn't bring herself to regret her choice. It had been something she wanted for too long to regret it.
"Yes." Cassandra sighed. "When I rejected him in the past, it wasn't because I didn't love him. I did it because I didn't want to be thrown to the side when he grew bored. After Zeus shot me, I realized I didn't want to lose this chance to be with him, no matter the consequences. I love him. I always have and likely always will."
Polyxena seemed sad for a moment, mulling her words over. "Cassandra, you know my nature is not deceptive, and you know that when I speak, I speak only with your best interests in mind." She sat up a little, unsure. What could she say that Cassandra didn't know already? "I am afraid he will break your heart, even here, even now." That was true, "It is a risk you are willing to take now, but the curse for your previous rejection of him. I... I would find it difficult to forgive that and love again." But... had she not loved Achilles against all reason and council?
"However," One hand was lifted to show that disapproval had been expressed but there was more, "I know what it is like to love an enemy of sorts, and Lord Apollo is the patron of our city. I worry and lament for you, but I also rejoice if this is what you want and what makes you happy."
Words were easy, words and knowing what to do. The right thing to do, a brief moment of clarity before the pain- "I will not do anything but support you on this choice, Cassandra."
"He most likely will break my heart," Cassandra acknowledged. "And...I have accepted that. However, I have gone to my death twice already not allowing myself to have what I truly want. I have been raped and used by mortal men. I have seen our home fall despite the warnings I gave."
She paused and reached out to rest a reassuring hand on her sister's knee. "After all of this, I want to allow myself to be happy for even a brief moment of time, despite any consequences it may have." She squeezed Polyxena's knee. "Thank you though, Polyxena."
"You deserve happiness as well. We have both survived too much to not have it."
Polyxena laughed softly and patted Cassandra's hand. "I understand well what you mean, and that is why I will not say anything more against it. You are old enough to make your own decisions too, sister." And while most of her family considered Cassandra to be crazy- Polyxena included- she did not feel the right to stomp down on her sister's happiness. Especially after dying twice before.
"This route- again, may not be one I agree with- but I accept your decision, and if he can make you happy- all I can do is pray that he does not break your heart." Her sister deserved more than that. The rape comment made Polyxena a little unsettled, yes, she had known what happened and counted herself lucky. To die rather than be raped.
Still, it was difficult to know someone you loved had gone through all that.
A laugh escaped Cassandra. "So few remember that, but I am old enough. Thank you." She reached with her free hand and took a sip of her tea before she turned back to her sister. "Now, tell me what is going on with you. Please."
"There's nothing going on with me." Polyxena smiled at her sister and turned to her tea. "Other than getting used to living with Neoptolemus and having Jason around. Deidamia is very nice too, you'll like her I think." She took a sip of tea and wriggled her toes.
"Tell me about me about Jason," Cassandra said. She poked her sister with her toes in revenge for tickling her with her toes. "I noticed you talked to him some."
Polyxena laughed, "What about Jason? He's a special case. A good friend, he says I am part of his crew. Can you believe that? A female, Trojan, Argonaut. I daresay mother would be very upset if she saw me like this." Or talking to Achilles. That would make Hecuba furious.
Lips pressed together she laughed a little more and shook her head. "There's nothing to tell, Cassandra, you with your sight probably know him better than I ever could."
A grin grew again on her face. "You should accept his offer. Being an Argonaut, even if just in name, is amazing. You're a hero, sister," she teased. "Mother...can deal with it. When we listened to her opinions we were all cranky. So let's live without any adult supervision."
Cassandra stuck her tongue out. "My sight is of the future only, not of the friends my sister has." And usually they weren't good ones, but she wasn't going to share that.
"Oh, don't be silly, Cassandra. I am no such thing." She laughed, but she sobered up at the mention of Hecuba, "And you know I would never do that. I have to listen to mother. It is important to her." Adult supervision... Polyxena laughed softly.
"He's been very kind to me, that is all. Though I suppose there are a lot of motives for that, that have to do with bedding me." Polyxena shrugged. "He can give sound advice and all."
"Oh really? It appears that you are." Cassandra frowned for a minute. "Your being happy should be more important then you listening to her. And mother isn't always right." She hadn't wanted Cassandra to become a priestess, but it had proven to be one of the smartest choices she had made, despite her curse.
She snorted. "Most men want to bed women. But I am glad he is giving you advice. Is it helping?"
Polyxena looked mildly concerned for a moment, "Yes, but now I am wary he'll be one to hurt me soon in future." She placed the cup down and rose to her feet, stepping away from Cassandra and then back again. Pacing in thought. "Oh it's really not important at all, why are you even asking me this?" She managed to smile widely.
"What are you going to do with Lord Apollo?"
"I want to make sure you are alright, Polyxena. We all tend to be too caught up in ourselves to be with you like we should," Cassandra answered, letting the topic drop. Pushing her wouldn't solve anything and had the chance of making it worse. She still hoped Jason didn't hurt her though.
"I don't know yet. Apollo...may be a bit angry at me now, but it should be fine soon. We'll see."
"Of course I am." She tried to reassure her sister, it didn't matter what was going on inside of her. Cassandra needed her now, with regards to Apollo. She frowned as she stepped back towards Cassandra, "Why would he be angry at you?"
A half smile grew on Cassandra's face. "He asked me not to say anything to Artemis and I...refused him for a bit before I finally agreed to do as he said."
Polyxena half-facepalmed. "Why would he be worried about that? Is that why you asked me to be silent about this?" She didn't really like that. "Is there a good reason for the secrecy? I hope he does not use this to take advantage of your love and your good intentions."
"Artemis can be...fairly protective of me. Even if she will always end up forgiving Apollo. And it's part of the reason why I asked. The other is because I don't want our brothers to fly into a fit of protectiveness. I am perfectly capable of chosing for myself." Cassandra swallowed and looked to the side. "He just asked me to not tell Artemis. Anyone else I could." But if he was using it to take advantage of her? It didn't really matter. She was getting what she wanted and he was getting something he had wanted in the past, still seemed to, if his reactions to her were based on more then her looks. "He isn't taking advantage of me."
Gods were Gods, men were men. Both were fickle and unfaithful. Polyxena was surprised at the bitterness she felt over the issue for a moment before she pushed it away in favor of listening to Cassandra. "Very well, if you are sure." What place did she have to judge here? Especially when her own romantic situations were far, far messier. Still, she did not regret not having slept with... well. Yes, she knew it was the right choice. True to herself.
"And you are okay with all this? Deep down- this is what you want?"
"Polyxena," Cassandra said, her voice far more serious then she had been before. "All I ever wanted was to love him and have him care for me in return. I am happy. If he does throw me to the side-something I would fight tooth and nail against-then that is what happens. Don't worry about my heart." She smiled, a heartbreakingly sweet and happy smile.
Polyxena nodded, one hand was briefly lifted to tap Cassandra on the cheek lightly. "I am your sister, I will always worry about you and your heart." She knew better than to try and stop her, and she knew better than not to support her. Support was what Cassandra needed, not reprimanding. "The Fates will lead."
And they would follow.
"Just as they always do."