@rhysackhurst.bsky.socialSid and Lu have a brotherly competition going for a lot of things, just silly day to day stuff. Who can race their horse better, climb something faster, flirt with someone better š
Lu and his oldest sister Nit have had a serious, years-long competition over ā¬ļø
@rhysackhurst.bsky.socialHi! I'm late but Im going to catch up! I'm Rhys, I write open-door Dark Romantasy. My current WIP is #VeilOfStarlight and my favorite song right now would have to be "Rain" by Sleep Token
Bonus: Yes it's on my playlist. It's very fitting for my MC
@rhysackhurst.bsky.socialStella: Oh? Am I invited back? Though I suppose my children would all say something like "A happy life is living on some backwater farm sharing a dirt hut and we press flowers for a living" so I can't blame you for asking someone who has real ambition and motivationā¬ļø
@rhysackhurst.bsky.socialLu (25): I love spicy pickled red onions. They come from Calor and my siblings used to hide them and ration them out to me because I could eat an entire jar in one sitting. And they're *not* cheap to import. They ferment in the sand in Calor from autumn to spring ā¬ļø
@rhysackhurst.bsky.socialLu: With all the Animals around(I think you'd call them "anthros"?)I can say that Mantises are probably the rudest I've met. Not to say all Insects are rude, just Mantises. Moths are especially friendly! I think it's because they're so small... They're bigger than
@rhysackhurst.bsky.socialLu: It took me a while to figure it out, but physical touch is what I enjoy most. I'm a cuddler. And I'm glad Sorrel is too. Though I also like doing things for people I love too. I like surprising them with something nice or taking them out.
@rhysackhurst.bsky.socialStella reminds me very much of Glory from Buffy. Self-absorbed, manipulative, cunning, beautiful outside but absolutely rotten inside.
@rhysackhurst.bsky.socialThe last scene of that chapter. I hope you can see why I want this chapter specifically š
There's also a lot of moments that show the Velum Siblings' dynamics that are lighthearted and fun.
@rhysackhurst.bsky.socialLu and Sid's oldest sister Nit is having a panic attack and they're trying to help her calm down.
(Her size is mentioned being a factor in why they can't carry her, she's a foot taller than Lu, 4 inches taller that Sid, and outweighs them both.)
@rhysackhurst.bsky.socialSo I'm tempted to say Sid is the funniest. He's really good at making jokes that appeal to most people (he's the Bard of the group), but Sorrel is really good at making Lu laugh specifically
Sorrel has a good bedside manner though, while Sid makes jokes to easeā¬ļø
@rhysackhurst.bsky.social(Lu and Sorrel sitting silently on the floor surrounded by neat piles of particleboard, tiny wooden pegs, and metal pieces)
Nebula (whispers): What...? What are they doing?
Sid: Building a dresser.
Lu (following instructions from Sorrel): Sid's not allowed to help
@rhysackhurst.bsky.socialDepending on his age, Lu would either run to his brother Sid, his boyfriend Sorrel, or if it was *really* dire, his mother Stella. But only because of the political power she has, or if someone else was in danger too.
He knows Sorrel and Sid would do whatever
@rhysackhurst.bsky.socialI don't know if I've mentioned it, but Lu's older sister Lux is the only one of their siblings who hasn't shortened her birth name for locals to pronounce better.
Her name is so similar to what Lu prefers on accident. Stella actually hates that her children use nicknames.
@rhysackhurst.bsky.socialLu (19): I don't want to presume anything... I don't really have friends, so it would be my brother, sisters, and Sorrel. Wait. Please don't ask them-!
Sid: Stubborn, a pain in my ass--
Lu: That's not an ad--
Sid: Too forgiving for his own good. ā¬ļø
@rhysackhurst.bsky.socialLu (25): I seek out some quiet when I need it to clear my head. But sometimes being in my head is too much, even when I'm around someone else. I don't always make the best decisions to cope with that.
One upside to military life is that the most destructive ā¬ļø
@rhysackhurst.bsky.socialLu and his siblings were given tutors and educated with children in the castle (castle staff children are included in formal education and apprenticeships) his oldest sister Nit was eventually dropped since she couldn't read, though she has one hell of a memory
@rhysackhurst.bsky.socialLu (19): I cant sleep the night before a trip like that. I'd probably have made sure I was there a day early so I don't miss whatever transportation Im taking. If we're running late, its probably my brother Sid's fault. He gets anxious about trips but then oversleeps
@rhysackhurst.bsky.socialStella: I know Helena thinks I have a temper, but that's kind of expected when your body and magic are literally fire.
Lu (25): Be honest.
Stella: Oh lovely, you're back. How about *you* be honest, Mr. Perfect?
Lu: I trust the wrong people and--
@rhysackhurst.bsky.socialLu (19): I... I don't know? I try to treat other people like I want to be treated, but--
Stella: That makes you soft, little love. But that is why people like you. Soft, sweet, and smart! There. Three things.
Lu (25): Hi. Can I step in? *moves Stella* Lu. You are
@rhysackhurst.bsky.socialBoth Sid and Lu regret this conversation. Lu doesn't usually get angry or confrontational, but he definitely knows what will hurt the most to hear.
