This wasn't right...
No not at all...
Why was she sleeping on this weird 'soft' thing? It wasn't a very good drey- though it was certainly protective the way everything encapsulated her. She wanted to make her own one out of twigs someday as high as possible... up on a tree. She glanced down protectively at her hoard. There was a small cat there- a competitor? No... it was hard to understand where she fit in on this, but she was there too. She was not part of her hoard, nor was she a threat... but for some reason, she felt important? Winter was going to approach soon, and she had to gather more nuts and berries. she knew that. But this bed was so stuffy! The strange thing that clung to her fur- pyjamas? Oh yes that's right... she had to wear those for some reason.
Maybe she could step out and sit on her tree for a little while. That would feel so nice! Vacantly and sleepily, she felt the pull of those instincts to open the window. She jumped easily to the branch, and curled up her twin tails, feeling the wind as she perfectly balanced herself..
her room was her alcove, and this branch was hers... this tree was hers... someday...
Harriet's mother waited anxiously. Her daughter was supposed to be home an hour ago. She needed a cup of tea again, as she occasionally glanced at the door. Maybe she would have to relent and give her a mobile phone. What happened to her daughter? She used to be so ... easy? Well... before she became... Artemis anyway.
"Hello," said Harriet.
Her mother dropped the teacup, shattering it on the ground "H-harriet. I didn't hear you come in." she started cleaning up the mess.
Artemis looked to her apologetically. "I- didn't mean to."
"Well... no harm done. You came here awfully late." She glanced at the time. It seemed a little earlier then she thought.
The moon child nodded delicately. "Yes. Mother had me do a lot of things today."
Ruth tried her best not to frown, but her lips trembled just a bit. "... Do you have time to do your homework?"
Artemis nodded again. "Yes. We have a big test tomorrow. Our spider teacher thinks me an' Jenny can be in a special class." It was going to be a lot of fun! But it meant they had to study really hard.
The elder woman nodded, as she finished making her cup of tea again. "I'm happy for you dear." Though she sighed a bit. This all just felt hollow. She just wasn't sure quite where things stood, now that their relationship had changed so dramatically. She didn't like change... not like this.
Artemis went up the stairs to her room and do her homework, leaving Ruth a little weary again. How in the world did Sabrina expect her to just get on with things like this? She loved her daughter so much, but she had changed so completely. She was now the daughter of the moon, and she knew that too. So, what was her place to her in all this? The honest truth was, while Harriet was gone she had contemplated going into the sunlight. The madness that had caught onto her family, made her feel like she didn't have anything to lose. Her daughter was no longer her own, and while she knew Selena would take good care of her... the loss was still there.
"Selena... come for tea. My place, and this time... and no 'tricks'." She had to say that. Otherwise, what happened before... well... it was not that it was unpleasant, but it certainly didn't feel like she was in control. Like being in the realm of the 'moon' affected a mortal in some way, to make them more... pliable? Was that the right word?
We have no power against free will dear
Ruth looked around for the voice. She couldn't see where it came from though. Perhaps the strange power was behind her. Still The elder woman had enough of playing this game... whatever these people thought they were, coming into her house taking her daughter away from her... and somehow, making it all okay in her head? She was seething with rage the more she thought about it. "You certainly had a way of 'encouraging' certain behaviour. Is this what you did to my child? What you will do to me?"
It isn't what you think Ruth Violet... Artemis means the world to me.
There was something odd about the way she said that, but Ruth let it go for the moment. "Let me see you."
Turn off the lights, and let the moonlight into your house.
Ruth did as she was asked, feeling a little concerned of the atmosphere. She couldn't see much, except the moonlight... and... her reflection on the table? She glanced down at the reflection, which was the image of the moon goddess. She frowned a little bit at the way she had revealed herself, but at least the was in control of this situation. If she wanted to get her away, all she need do is turn on the lights... perhaps this is why Selena did this. To grant her the power to push her away, if need be... smart woman.
I... apologise, for the angel. She has a way of being a little over enthusiastic on what is a very sensitive, and delicate matter. something like this really should be done in a comfortable setting as this. Not the imagined machinations Lucas tried to give.
"You took my daughter away, Selena," She said quietly. If this being were a mortal, there would be no question at all. The police would have taken her away... but this was a 'goddess'. However she felt no fear any more. This being had crossed a line in her mind, and even God Himself would fear her, for this.
She is my daughter too, Ruth the moon goddess said a little hurt.
"I gave birth to her!" The mother said snapping a bit. "And now it's like she doesn't even know me!"
but she does... I wish there was a way to make you understand. Someone in your world, had to be my daughter... I did not choose who... I wish it could have been an orphan, but it was one with a loving earthly mother...
Ruth frowned a little darkly. "So, what happens now? If I wanted you to leave my child alone?"
I... would hope you do not do that. But I will do as you wish, Said Selena sighing a little. She wished she had handled this herself from the start. It is important for Artemis-
"Harriet!"
... for her, to understand who she is now... I am the only one that can guide her. Otherwise she may become a wondering planet, with no light to shine on her... and no life... you do not want that, do you?
Ruth smacked her hand on the table, even as the moon goddess seemed to mimic the reaction. The two were at the interface of the glass, staring at each other. "No... I don't want that. Whatever Harriet is, I want her to reach her potential. But she is my daughter..."
I will not dispute that... she is. But her nature, makes her mine as much as yours...
"And what are we then?"
... sisters?
"I already have a crazy sister, thanks..." Ruth glanced up, hoping they were not making too much noise.
I know how you feel... Selina tried to say with as much empathy as she could
"You can not know." Said the woman defiantly.
because I am a goddess?
"Yes." Ruth said flatly. How could such a being possibly know of their 'mundane' concerns?
You feel as if you are in control of nothing... that Harriet's nature is now in command over you, as does my apparent domination on your lives... you wonder what my desires are to you... but I am a moon, Mrs Violet... my desires are simply to circle your wondrous lives. I have watched you grow up... I remember when you were on a farm, and wanted to hear the rooster call for the sunrise. I was about to sleep at the time, but you saw me... and we waited together... you saw me dip below the horizon, and waved goodbye to me....
Ruth gasped a bit at that. She... she remembered that. She was just a child though... it was just a childish game. Just a game... "I don't know what to believe, in all this... but... I agree Harriet must be kept happy. I will accept that she might need the guidance of a goddess, as much as a mortal mother..." It was a bitter pill to admit... but to deny what Artemis was, might be more harmful. Selena seemed... reasonable, at least. Even if she did not completely trust her just yet.
"I need some assurances... first off, no more tricks in my head..."
As I said before, we can not interfere in free will... but I will grant you a boon to know when things are not as they seem... assuming you trust such a gift of course. This was going to be 'expensive'. But it was damage control and a way to earn some trust hopefully.
Ruth shrugged. She wasn't too sure on this right now, but she had to take some charge. "Two, Harriet- or Artemis must never forget me... we stay a family. She can come back to me if she ever desires and you can never stop that..."
...Done... That didn't need any magic at all...
"Three. Never hide the truth from either me, or Artemis. No matter what it is."
That... might not always be possible... but I will do my best for you in that too...
"I guess I have no choice but to trust you." Ruth didn't really like it... but... at least with these assurances, maybe... she felt a little better.
You are tempted to expose yourself in the sunlight, aren't you sister?
"...yes." Ruth said with a little annoyance. "Everyone in my family has changed. It's just me left."
Can I suggest... Artemis, needs you as you are... please don't do anything for a time yet?
The woman sighed. "The way my luck has been, I'm not really ready to chance it."
