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Cella - Palladium - Haven The cella is quiet in the morning, a new black statue having been added it seems. Knelt before the Great Kronian, a familiar black cloaked figure is still as any of the other figures in the room, his head bowed and long silver hair making trails over the cloth like spilt milk... The soft rustle of feathers against marble heralds the entrance of a second, the domina's wings brushing against a column as they settle at her back. A quiet morning is what she had been hoping for as well, but the figure of another gives her pause just inside the doorway, especially with the kneeling Empyrean before her beloved Kronian. The scuff against the stone floor betrays further entrance as she comes up behind Julius, the cloak recognizable. "Ave cousin," she says quietly, hoping not to disturb him too much with her greeting. Julius's instincts kick in before his own reason, your voice startling him out of any silent prayers or reflection, nearly losing his balance in the process. His head snaps around, looking up with only a moment's terror before his feature relax back into a semblance of composure. "A-ave, D.. cousin." he says in his whispery voice. Taking a deep breath, he gets to his feet... Her hand goes to his shoulder to prevent him from rising, instead she sinks to kneel at his side, before the image of the father of their house. With the other hand she sets down a small silk wrapped bundle. "Please, cousin, you need fear nothing here," she comforts, hoping a few years to block out years of agony. "I am sorry, I did not mean to interrupt your prayers, I only hope you will not mind if I join you in them." Julius keeps his position at your touch, looking down for a moment as he curses his skittishness. "No, no...," he says quickly, "not at all..." his shoulders relax as the momentary rush of adrenalin eases out of his system, his face tilting momentarily to the visage of the Kronian... Selene gently pats her cousin's shoulder, her comforting smile never wavers, even as her hand loses contact with him. Slender fingers make easy work of the knot in the silk, revealing a small incence burner, a golden bowl decorated with small diamonds and sapphires. A nearby candle does well to light the burner, sending up a light scent of jasmine in a soft puff of smoke. "Have you been making yourself at home?" she asks, turning her head just in time to escape the plume of smoke that instead drifts into her hair. Julius watches your action as if he were to be tested on them later. Pulled away as you speak, he lifts his head back up to nod in reply. "Yes.. as much as I am able... getting used to living is harder than it would seem." he offers a small smile to his words as much an offering as your incense. The ritual of her prayers complete, Selene sinks back onto her heels to regard the stone figure that looks impassively over their heads. "If you need of anything cousin, you need only but to ask," she offers after a long moment of silence. Her wings unfurl and then relax behind her, the feathers careful of Julius' back. "I do not like to see family having to go without, Julius. So, if there is anything..." Her words drift to nothingness, chastising herself for speaking when she had only just asked to pray at his side. Julius takes a moment to consider your words, eyes moving the their ancestor's impassive visage to the floor with thought. The cloak's strange hump shifts with a slow movement as he does so, as if a thing it's own. Having collected his thought, he looks to you again with a sincere expression, "Honestly cousin.. I-i have never dreamt of more than what I have now." His bright blue eyes look up to the stone figure as child would an overwatching parent, "I am truly grateful to return," then back to you, "... home for it is far more than my memories... My only regrets come from my own ... inadequacy. There is so much I have to learn and relearn..." his gaze as drifted back down to the floor again as he speaks, wondering if he's said to much to disturb you and what might have been the answer you were looking for. His shoulders roll a bit forward as his hands rest in his lap, wrists together and fingers curled into his palms... Sapphire eyes cannot help but go to the hump hidden beneath the length of black over his back, hiding the injury come at the hands of those ... creatures. "The house library and the scribes are at your disposal should you wish to read or be instructed." Her eyes flit back to her cousin's face, the smile re-appearing. "And I will help in any way that I am able, you need never feel out of place Julius, not when the answers to any question lies so close at hand." The further the point she reaches over and takes his hand in hers. "You have my word on that." Julius looks at your hand that has now taken his, then up to you. The depth of his clear blue eyes speak far more than the simple words he speaks. "Thank you." A squeeze of the hand responds to the look in his eyes, understanding completely. "What sort of cousin would I be," She steals a glance up to Kronian, "or daughter to Kronian, if I ignored my own family." Her eyes fall back to his and she cannot help but lean over for a gentle hug. "You belong to Jove, Julius, never forget that." Julius nods slowly. "I.. will not." The embrace ends and Selene returns to her original position of sitting on her heels. Another small cube is added to her burner, sending up another puff of smoke accompanied by a soft hissing. Her eyes remain on the soft plume following it as it drifts upward to circle the Kronian's stone visage. She remains silent, sending a prayer toward the image of Zeus, a trace of a smile pulls her lips. Julius looks at his lap for a silent moment, eyes flickering to your ministrations for a moment with a bit of curiosity. They close shortly after, head bowing once more before his ancestor in quiet repose. No incense, no ritual, just earnest gratitude. A few more long moments of complete silence before Selene slowly gets to her feet, using outspread wings for balance. Laying a hand again on her cousin's shoulder she reminds him, "You need only come find me Julius if you need anything. But if you will excuse me, I fear even prayers cannot keep me from my tasks. Fair winds cousin." Julius's head turns to look back up at you, "Thank you, Selene." His voice holds a bit more strength, less fear than honest sincerity, a glimpse of the Empyrean citizen, noble Jovian and strong man is should become. But... his retracted nature and fearful posture returns like an fog before him." I d-do not mean to keep you from your business. Fair winds to you." Her smile grows as she nods, "Fret not, cousin, the few extra moments are well worth it. I shall leave you to your prayers." With that, her hand withdraws and she retreats, leaving the burner at the feet of Zeus Jupiter. *fin*
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