Siobhan Meets the Boys
Kidverse, SilMil; Siobhan's story.
Siobhan, Tuon, Nascha, Karan
Siobhan was nervous, but she was desperately trying not to let that show. Zoisite had warned her that this part would not be easy, that the boys might not accept her at first. The King had told him not to ease the transition, and Siobhan wondered what it would take to make them accept her and tried not to think about what would happen if they didn’t.
She followed Zoisite to the set of rooms that she would be sharing with the four boys that she did not know. As she walked, she forced herself not to pull at the unfamiliar fabric. It was not a bad uniform, though it did not fit perfectly, but the material was unlike anything her mother had ever made, stiff and coarse, and an almost dreary dark grey.
The woman who had picked out the best fitting pieces and taken her measurements for a set of her own had been Siobhan’s first real glimpse of the difficulties that lay before her.
Siobhan stood very still as the matronly woman ran a measuring tape up her legs and around her waist. “It isn’t right. Such a thing as yourself, with those blonde curls and green eyes should be being fitted for dresses and learning how to be a proper lady. Leave all the nonsense of fighting to the men, should be.”
“And what, going to be raised the rest of the way with four boys. They say they’ll be brothers, but a girl in a bachelor house can only bring one thing, no matter how good a girl she is.” The woman shook her head, mumbling to herself as if Siobhan could not hear her.
“It won’t even be your fault. Nor will it matter if you turn down their advances. They’ll fight amongst themselves for your favor, just you wait.” Her plump hands moved to measure her chest, “And these uniforms are simply not made to accommodate a woman! And who will teach you woman lure? All the things you’ll need to know as you grow. No, this just isn’t right. Not right at all.”
Siobhan, confused as to what the woman was talking about, was about to ask her if she knew that she wasn’t deaf. However, she was prevented from asking the question by Lord Zoisite entering the room.
“Maeve, that’s enough. She does not need you planting doubt into her head.” His voice was stern, though Siobhan noticed that he had not lost any of the warmth.
“I’m not poisoning the girl, milord. But you know, as well as I do, that it just isn’t right.” The woman stood and squared her shoulders, and Siobhan wondered who exactly this woman was that she had the right to challenge a king.
“I know no such thing, Maeve. If you think you can do a better job at selecting a prince than Gaia, then I suppose that you are more than free to argue with her choice. Otherwise, I’d suggest that you give the girl a chance before you pass any judgments.” Siobhan looked closely at Lord Zoisite and frowned slightly. There was amusement in his face and eyes, despite the fact that he had promised her that this would be difficult.
Maeve sighed, apparently defeated, and moved over to pick out a few pieces of clothing from a pile. “You’re sure Gaia chose her?”
“I am, Maeve.” The steel was back in his voice again, “I’m not so old or senile that I could be mistaken about this. Theseus will confirm it when he meets her.”
“Well, in that case… she can have some of Tuon’s castoffs until I can get a few sets made for her.” She turned her attention to Siobhan, as if noticing that she was there and alert for the first time, “I know these will be a bit big, dear, but I’ll have you a couple of sets of your own in a couple of days. If Tuon gives you a hard time about it still being edged in Blue, remind him he’d had to wear Rust the first week himself.”
Siobhan nodded, thinking that was the first bit of helpful advice on how to deal with the other boys she’d gotten, and from a woman who did not seem to approve. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, girl.” The woman smiled to her. “Good luck to you.”
“All right, lass, we’re here. I’m not allowed to help you, and the king is right in that, but I will say this to you. Just be yourself.” Zoisite
smiled and ruffled her hair a bit before opening the door.
“Gentlemen!”
The three boys lounging inside the common room snapped to attention, fists raising to hearts, and Siobhan saw that they weren’t that much older than herself. Yet they already instinctively came to attention. She wondered, not for the first time, what exactly the training would be like.
None of them were immaculate in their dress or appearance, but Zoisite did not seem concerned with that. Their eyes, however, were all fixed firmly on the eldest of the Shitennou. He, however, spoke to Siobhan, “As you can see, in your own quarters--both shared and private--certain requirements are relaxed. In these rooms, uniforms do not have to be perfect, hair can be lose, shoes left off. In these rooms, you are allowed, to a certain degree, to be the children that you are.”
Siobhan took a moment, while Zoisite held the other three at attention, to examine them. The youngest, only a few months older than her if she were any judge, had short blonde hair, and of his uniform, he wore only the pants with a blue shirt. He was only a touch bigger than her, and she could tell by the way his hand twitched that he was desperate to be allowed to see who it was that Zoisite had brought.
Beside him was a tall boy with long white hair and grey eyes. His grey-trimmed uniform was on, but the jacket hung casually open. His posture betrayed little curiosity, but there was a muscle in his jaw that twitched, and she had to keep from laughing. He might have more control than the other, but he was just as curious.
The last of the boys was the same height as the second, perhaps half an inch shorter, and close to the same age. His hair was also
long, but a brown color that almost matched the rust of the uniform jacket that lay over the back of the couch and the pants that were rolled up to his knees. She could see that the corners of his lips refused to stay down as he tried not to express his own feelings.
“All right, gentlemen. That’s enough exercise in self-control for the time being. Tuon, I’ll be speaking to Lord Jadeite about your hands. You need to learn more subtlety if you have to express yourself when at attention.” Lord Zoisite smirked, “At ease.”
The three boys relaxed. Actually, two of the boys relaxed. If the white-haired one did, Siobhan could not tell.
“Gentlemen, I’d like for you to meet Siobhan, prince of the North.” He smiled and stepped aside so that they could focus on the newest of their number.
“Siobhan, this is Tuon, prince of the East; Karan, prince of the South; and Nascha; prince of the West.” He grinned, curious to see how things would play out, but knowing full well that his presence would hinder that. “I leave you all to get acquainted. Karan, I trust that you’ll introduce Siobhan to Endymion.”
Karan nodded, “Aye, sir.”
“Good day then.”
Zoisite turned to leave the room when he heard Tuon exclaim, “She can’t be the prince of the North! She’s a girl!”
He looked over his shoulder, “Glad to see you have basic observational skills, Tuon.” With a smirk he strode out of the room and shut the door behind him.
Siobhan tried to emulate Karan. She was nervous, but was not entirely sure that she wanted the boys to know that.
The moment the door was closed, Tuon was stalking around her. “A girl? They’ve got to be kidding.” He rolled his eyes and poked her shoulder, “Look, there’s a lot of stuff we get judged on as a group. You better be able to keep up. Girl or not.”
He got in her face, his eyes narrowing as he studied her. “And of course now we’re all going to get girl cooties… ugh.” He moved back to the chair where his own jacket was slung, “Come on, Nascha, I was in the middle of kicking your butt in stones.”
Nascha had watched quietly as Tuon “examined” her. “Tuon, you held us back for two months, and still sometimes do. That’s part of the point of group work, idiot.” He rolled his eyes and thwapped the blonde on the head as he moved over to Siobhan.
“He’s an idiot. The only one of us who is actually heir to his own father. It gives him a big head, but he’s a good guy. An idiot though.”
“Hey!” Tuon glared at Nascha, who simply shrugged.
“Anyway, welcome. Your room…” He gestured to the door with the symbol of the north, a green Telwas, a simple arrow pointing up, on the door. “We don’t go into each other’s rooms unless invited. This is the common area. We eat most of our meals in here.” He gestured to a door opposite the one she’d come in, “Our gardens. Their private, just for our use. We sometimes train on our own out there, but it’s really more for recreation.”
Siobhan nodded and smiled, “Thanks.”
“Ugh, Nascha, don’t you even care that she’s a giiirl?!” Tuon’s voice sounded slightly whiny, and Siobhan bit her lip as she undid her jacket.
“Gaia chose her, so what does it matter?” Nascha shrugged and moved back to the couch.
Karan had been quiet, but when Siobhan glanced at him, she noticed that his eyebrow had steadily climbed. Finally, he spoke, though it was to Nascha not her. “You knew.”
Nascha looked up and shrugged again, “Yeah.”
Shaking his head, Karan looked to Siobhan, “We’re not going to go easy on you. Prove yourself worthy of the uniform and the rune of a warrior, and then you can call yourself one of us.”
With grace that Siobhan thought unnatural, the tall boy lowered himself onto the other end of the couch, picking up the book he must have been reading when Zoisite had brought her.
“Wait?!” Tuon’s voice was no longer a whine, but rather indignant. “You knew! You knew our final brother would be a sister, and you didn’t tell us?!” He slammed his fist down on the table, disturbing the stones that sat on the board.
Looking up, Nascha shook his head, “You’re just mad that you’re loosing. Yes, I knew. Yes, I kept my own council. Deal with it.”
“Deal with it! You deal with it!” Tuon stood and moved around the table, getting in Nascha’s face. Siobhan glanced over to see Karan sigh and set his book down, ready to intervene if necessary. “We’re a team, remember. You don’t keep things like that to yourself!”
Rolling his eyes, Nascha pushed Tuon onto his ass, “It would not have changed anything, asshole. She’d still be here, and you’d still be being an idiot about it.”
“Because it’s not right! We’re supposed to be brothers, boys! Hello. Don’t they teach you anything in your tribe, dumbass?” Tuon had stood back up and tried, Siobhan noticed inefficiently, to push Nascha back, but the taller boy was sitting and not moved.
Instead, he simply pushed Tuon onto his butt again, “You’re pressing your luck, Tuon.”
“He does have a point. He’s not making it well, but he does have a point.” Karan’s voice was even, and Siobhan realized that she cared much more about his opinion than Tuon’s, and even perhaps, a bit more than Nascha’s despite the fact that he seemed to be on her side.
“It would not have changed anything. And I cannot tell you everything the stars tell me.” He shrugged, his glare turning from Tuon to Karan, changing as he turned from anger to stubborn determination.
“Perhaps, but forewarned is forearmed.” Karan simply shook his head as Tuon stood a third time.
“Forearmed about what?” A bright voice entered the conversation, and Siobhan turned to see a black haired boy with deep blue eyes enter the room. Logic told her this was Endymion, but she was pretty sure she’d have known that regardless. There was an energy that radiated from him, similar to what she’d felt when his father had helped her control the power of the Zoisite.
“Your final guardian, Endymion.” Karan stood and gestured to Siobhan.
Tuon spat the words out, “A girl.”
“Siobhan.” Siobhan saluted the boy, dropping to one knee.
Endymion laughed, “Oh, gods, I hate that. Stand up. Seriously, none of you dolts told her not to do that?” He shook his head and moved to her, holding his hand out, “I’m Endymion, though I guess you know that. I’m glad you’re here. Though now I understand why there’s a feast tonight! Oh yeah, I was told to tell you all, formal wear.” He turned to look at Siobhan, “You don’t even have your own uniform yet though…”
Nascha chuckled, “Formal wear was the first thing each of us received, Endymion. I’m sure Maeve will be by with her black uniform soon enough.”
“I bet it’s a skirt…” Tuon sneered, looking smug with his comment.
“I doubt it, Tuon. Maeve is far more intelligent than that.” Karan’s voice betrayed just the slightest amount of annoyance, though Siobhan was sure that had more to do with Tuon’s attitude than any acceptance of her.
Deflated, Tuon slouched back into the chair he’d previously vacated to attack Nascha, “I don’t see why we’re having a feast for her. She’s just a girl.”
Endymion frowned, “We had a feast for each of you… why wouldn’t we have one for Siobhan? And then there’s a second one tomorrow night to celebrate that all four of you are here! Two feasts in a row!” Siobhan could not help but smile. Regardless of what the other three thought, it was clear that the Prince accepted her.
Siobhan, Tuon, Nascha, Karan
Siobhan was nervous, but she was desperately trying not to let that show. Zoisite had warned her that this part would not be easy, that the boys might not accept her at first. The King had told him not to ease the transition, and Siobhan wondered what it would take to make them accept her and tried not to think about what would happen if they didn’t.
She followed Zoisite to the set of rooms that she would be sharing with the four boys that she did not know. As she walked, she forced herself not to pull at the unfamiliar fabric. It was not a bad uniform, though it did not fit perfectly, but the material was unlike anything her mother had ever made, stiff and coarse, and an almost dreary dark grey.
The woman who had picked out the best fitting pieces and taken her measurements for a set of her own had been Siobhan’s first real glimpse of the difficulties that lay before her.
Siobhan stood very still as the matronly woman ran a measuring tape up her legs and around her waist. “It isn’t right. Such a thing as yourself, with those blonde curls and green eyes should be being fitted for dresses and learning how to be a proper lady. Leave all the nonsense of fighting to the men, should be.”
“And what, going to be raised the rest of the way with four boys. They say they’ll be brothers, but a girl in a bachelor house can only bring one thing, no matter how good a girl she is.” The woman shook her head, mumbling to herself as if Siobhan could not hear her.
“It won’t even be your fault. Nor will it matter if you turn down their advances. They’ll fight amongst themselves for your favor, just you wait.” Her plump hands moved to measure her chest, “And these uniforms are simply not made to accommodate a woman! And who will teach you woman lure? All the things you’ll need to know as you grow. No, this just isn’t right. Not right at all.”
Siobhan, confused as to what the woman was talking about, was about to ask her if she knew that she wasn’t deaf. However, she was prevented from asking the question by Lord Zoisite entering the room.
“Maeve, that’s enough. She does not need you planting doubt into her head.” His voice was stern, though Siobhan noticed that he had not lost any of the warmth.
“I’m not poisoning the girl, milord. But you know, as well as I do, that it just isn’t right.” The woman stood and squared her shoulders, and Siobhan wondered who exactly this woman was that she had the right to challenge a king.
“I know no such thing, Maeve. If you think you can do a better job at selecting a prince than Gaia, then I suppose that you are more than free to argue with her choice. Otherwise, I’d suggest that you give the girl a chance before you pass any judgments.” Siobhan looked closely at Lord Zoisite and frowned slightly. There was amusement in his face and eyes, despite the fact that he had promised her that this would be difficult.
Maeve sighed, apparently defeated, and moved over to pick out a few pieces of clothing from a pile. “You’re sure Gaia chose her?”
“I am, Maeve.” The steel was back in his voice again, “I’m not so old or senile that I could be mistaken about this. Theseus will confirm it when he meets her.”
“Well, in that case… she can have some of Tuon’s castoffs until I can get a few sets made for her.” She turned her attention to Siobhan, as if noticing that she was there and alert for the first time, “I know these will be a bit big, dear, but I’ll have you a couple of sets of your own in a couple of days. If Tuon gives you a hard time about it still being edged in Blue, remind him he’d had to wear Rust the first week himself.”
Siobhan nodded, thinking that was the first bit of helpful advice on how to deal with the other boys she’d gotten, and from a woman who did not seem to approve. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, girl.” The woman smiled to her. “Good luck to you.”
“All right, lass, we’re here. I’m not allowed to help you, and the king is right in that, but I will say this to you. Just be yourself.” Zoisite
smiled and ruffled her hair a bit before opening the door.
“Gentlemen!”
The three boys lounging inside the common room snapped to attention, fists raising to hearts, and Siobhan saw that they weren’t that much older than herself. Yet they already instinctively came to attention. She wondered, not for the first time, what exactly the training would be like.
None of them were immaculate in their dress or appearance, but Zoisite did not seem concerned with that. Their eyes, however, were all fixed firmly on the eldest of the Shitennou. He, however, spoke to Siobhan, “As you can see, in your own quarters--both shared and private--certain requirements are relaxed. In these rooms, uniforms do not have to be perfect, hair can be lose, shoes left off. In these rooms, you are allowed, to a certain degree, to be the children that you are.”
Siobhan took a moment, while Zoisite held the other three at attention, to examine them. The youngest, only a few months older than her if she were any judge, had short blonde hair, and of his uniform, he wore only the pants with a blue shirt. He was only a touch bigger than her, and she could tell by the way his hand twitched that he was desperate to be allowed to see who it was that Zoisite had brought.
Beside him was a tall boy with long white hair and grey eyes. His grey-trimmed uniform was on, but the jacket hung casually open. His posture betrayed little curiosity, but there was a muscle in his jaw that twitched, and she had to keep from laughing. He might have more control than the other, but he was just as curious.
The last of the boys was the same height as the second, perhaps half an inch shorter, and close to the same age. His hair was also
long, but a brown color that almost matched the rust of the uniform jacket that lay over the back of the couch and the pants that were rolled up to his knees. She could see that the corners of his lips refused to stay down as he tried not to express his own feelings.
“All right, gentlemen. That’s enough exercise in self-control for the time being. Tuon, I’ll be speaking to Lord Jadeite about your hands. You need to learn more subtlety if you have to express yourself when at attention.” Lord Zoisite smirked, “At ease.”
The three boys relaxed. Actually, two of the boys relaxed. If the white-haired one did, Siobhan could not tell.
“Gentlemen, I’d like for you to meet Siobhan, prince of the North.” He smiled and stepped aside so that they could focus on the newest of their number.
“Siobhan, this is Tuon, prince of the East; Karan, prince of the South; and Nascha; prince of the West.” He grinned, curious to see how things would play out, but knowing full well that his presence would hinder that. “I leave you all to get acquainted. Karan, I trust that you’ll introduce Siobhan to Endymion.”
Karan nodded, “Aye, sir.”
“Good day then.”
Zoisite turned to leave the room when he heard Tuon exclaim, “She can’t be the prince of the North! She’s a girl!”
He looked over his shoulder, “Glad to see you have basic observational skills, Tuon.” With a smirk he strode out of the room and shut the door behind him.
Siobhan tried to emulate Karan. She was nervous, but was not entirely sure that she wanted the boys to know that.
The moment the door was closed, Tuon was stalking around her. “A girl? They’ve got to be kidding.” He rolled his eyes and poked her shoulder, “Look, there’s a lot of stuff we get judged on as a group. You better be able to keep up. Girl or not.”
He got in her face, his eyes narrowing as he studied her. “And of course now we’re all going to get girl cooties… ugh.” He moved back to the chair where his own jacket was slung, “Come on, Nascha, I was in the middle of kicking your butt in stones.”
Nascha had watched quietly as Tuon “examined” her. “Tuon, you held us back for two months, and still sometimes do. That’s part of the point of group work, idiot.” He rolled his eyes and thwapped the blonde on the head as he moved over to Siobhan.
“He’s an idiot. The only one of us who is actually heir to his own father. It gives him a big head, but he’s a good guy. An idiot though.”
“Hey!” Tuon glared at Nascha, who simply shrugged.
“Anyway, welcome. Your room…” He gestured to the door with the symbol of the north, a green Telwas, a simple arrow pointing up, on the door. “We don’t go into each other’s rooms unless invited. This is the common area. We eat most of our meals in here.” He gestured to a door opposite the one she’d come in, “Our gardens. Their private, just for our use. We sometimes train on our own out there, but it’s really more for recreation.”
Siobhan nodded and smiled, “Thanks.”
“Ugh, Nascha, don’t you even care that she’s a giiirl?!” Tuon’s voice sounded slightly whiny, and Siobhan bit her lip as she undid her jacket.
“Gaia chose her, so what does it matter?” Nascha shrugged and moved back to the couch.
Karan had been quiet, but when Siobhan glanced at him, she noticed that his eyebrow had steadily climbed. Finally, he spoke, though it was to Nascha not her. “You knew.”
Nascha looked up and shrugged again, “Yeah.”
Shaking his head, Karan looked to Siobhan, “We’re not going to go easy on you. Prove yourself worthy of the uniform and the rune of a warrior, and then you can call yourself one of us.”
With grace that Siobhan thought unnatural, the tall boy lowered himself onto the other end of the couch, picking up the book he must have been reading when Zoisite had brought her.
“Wait?!” Tuon’s voice was no longer a whine, but rather indignant. “You knew! You knew our final brother would be a sister, and you didn’t tell us?!” He slammed his fist down on the table, disturbing the stones that sat on the board.
Looking up, Nascha shook his head, “You’re just mad that you’re loosing. Yes, I knew. Yes, I kept my own council. Deal with it.”
“Deal with it! You deal with it!” Tuon stood and moved around the table, getting in Nascha’s face. Siobhan glanced over to see Karan sigh and set his book down, ready to intervene if necessary. “We’re a team, remember. You don’t keep things like that to yourself!”
Rolling his eyes, Nascha pushed Tuon onto his ass, “It would not have changed anything, asshole. She’d still be here, and you’d still be being an idiot about it.”
“Because it’s not right! We’re supposed to be brothers, boys! Hello. Don’t they teach you anything in your tribe, dumbass?” Tuon had stood back up and tried, Siobhan noticed inefficiently, to push Nascha back, but the taller boy was sitting and not moved.
Instead, he simply pushed Tuon onto his butt again, “You’re pressing your luck, Tuon.”
“He does have a point. He’s not making it well, but he does have a point.” Karan’s voice was even, and Siobhan realized that she cared much more about his opinion than Tuon’s, and even perhaps, a bit more than Nascha’s despite the fact that he seemed to be on her side.
“It would not have changed anything. And I cannot tell you everything the stars tell me.” He shrugged, his glare turning from Tuon to Karan, changing as he turned from anger to stubborn determination.
“Perhaps, but forewarned is forearmed.” Karan simply shook his head as Tuon stood a third time.
“Forearmed about what?” A bright voice entered the conversation, and Siobhan turned to see a black haired boy with deep blue eyes enter the room. Logic told her this was Endymion, but she was pretty sure she’d have known that regardless. There was an energy that radiated from him, similar to what she’d felt when his father had helped her control the power of the Zoisite.
“Your final guardian, Endymion.” Karan stood and gestured to Siobhan.
Tuon spat the words out, “A girl.”
“Siobhan.” Siobhan saluted the boy, dropping to one knee.
Endymion laughed, “Oh, gods, I hate that. Stand up. Seriously, none of you dolts told her not to do that?” He shook his head and moved to her, holding his hand out, “I’m Endymion, though I guess you know that. I’m glad you’re here. Though now I understand why there’s a feast tonight! Oh yeah, I was told to tell you all, formal wear.” He turned to look at Siobhan, “You don’t even have your own uniform yet though…”
Nascha chuckled, “Formal wear was the first thing each of us received, Endymion. I’m sure Maeve will be by with her black uniform soon enough.”
“I bet it’s a skirt…” Tuon sneered, looking smug with his comment.
“I doubt it, Tuon. Maeve is far more intelligent than that.” Karan’s voice betrayed just the slightest amount of annoyance, though Siobhan was sure that had more to do with Tuon’s attitude than any acceptance of her.
Deflated, Tuon slouched back into the chair he’d previously vacated to attack Nascha, “I don’t see why we’re having a feast for her. She’s just a girl.”
Endymion frowned, “We had a feast for each of you… why wouldn’t we have one for Siobhan? And then there’s a second one tomorrow night to celebrate that all four of you are here! Two feasts in a row!” Siobhan could not help but smile. Regardless of what the other three thought, it was clear that the Prince accepted her.