All This Time [Mysa Snowstrider]

[Thyrian Hearthfire]

Aboard the Phoenix
En Route to Midvinter

They were now a family of three; him, Kära and Mysa. Their extended family included his brother, Thurion, and his family consisting of Coci, Nina and Théo. All of them were connected now, for better or worse, and only the Force knew where they would go from here. Along with many newfound feelings catching up to him, Thyrian for the first time in his life was beginning to experience happiness. Not that anyone would be able to notice with his stoic persona still intact which revealed nothing of his thoughts and feelings. Kära knew, however; she'd read him like an open book from the day they met.

The night prior had been spent in lover's embrace for the very first time, cementing their bond as soulmates both spiritually and physically. So much had changed in such a small amount of time, the Ashborn mused as he sat in the Captain's chair aboard the old ship gifted to him by Kära after she was given possession of the Judgement by her father, Dranok. Nestled in his lap was little Mysa, curiosly and eagerly watching as they prepared to exit hyperspace. At his side in the co-pilot's seat sat Kära, the light of his life. On more than occasions he'd found himself staring at her, unable to look away.

"Exiting hyperspace... now."

Once more the vastness of space appeared before them, only this time it paled in comparison to the mighty world of ice now on full display. "Midvinter..." he uttered softly, almost in a whisper. Keeping one hand on the controls, the other wrapped itself around Mysa while resting his chin upon her head. "So this is where you've been hiding all this time, old man."

[member="Mysa Snowstrider"]​

 

[Lief]

Space was cold. Sometimes Mysa forgot just how much, especially when she was aboard a larger vessel with more people and more body heat like the Judgement. But now on the Phoenix the child found herself shivering and cold. She had been restless, nervous, she still wasn't entirely comfortable around her Creator. Though she had awoken to find an antlered crown of white which radiated at the foot of her bed, and though she knew it was from Kära herself, Mysa had been too afraid to so much as touch it. Instead it remained within her cabin on the ship... That was not to say she didn't like it, in fact she loved it; Mysa simply did not wish to get her hopes up.

At some point during the journey, the tiny child had wormed her way onto the Ashborn's lap. He was warm, her Father, heat emitted from the core of his being. But it was more than just a physical warmth. His adoration for both mother and daughter filled her with a sense of belonging and love that only the Heavenshields had managed to instill in her previously. She may have been dubious toward Kära, but not to Thyrian.

Curled up there, quite literally, the little girl had her head against his chest. Her eyes were closed, fingers curling at the neck of his shirt as if the very cloth itself was a lifeline. But as she felt the journey draw to an end she sat up a little more readily, peeking over the controls in order to discern Midvinter. A gasp escaped her lips, as ever. It was mesmerizing to behold.

"Home" she murmured. She was home.

[member="Thyrian Ashborn"]

 

[Lief]

Kära's gaze was fixated on the stars which flickered by so fast that they seemed to be more silken string than anything else. She was curled up on the seat, not too unlike the daughter at her side, though she was very much awake and aware. Hyperaware.

She was afraid of upsetting Mysa. Afraid of causing the girl more harm. So much so that she sat there with a permanent frown of worry upon her lips.

Every so often her eyes would flicker their way; her heart melted at how well the pair had come to terms with one another's existence. Thyrian was a natural Father, he always had been, not like Kära. The Snowy Lady was not much of a Mother at all.

"I'm sorry" she breathed, to the child who could not hear her. Her gaze became fixated on the tiny Umbaran for the latter part of the journey, she longed to reach out and brush her fingers through the strands of white hair, she longed to make amends, but she couldn't. So she kept her hand to herself.

Kära didn't even notice the world come into view until Thyrian spoke. Her Phoenix, her fire. She looked toward it, truly it was beautiful.

[member="Mysa Snowstrider"] [member="Thyrian Ashborn"]

 

[Thyrian Hearthfire]

All three were mesmerized by the world before them, with Mysa noticably more than a little eager to return to her first real home. Her reaction to seeing Midvinter again caused the faintest of smiles upon the Ashborn's lips, only to be extinguished when his eyes settled on Kära at his side. She looked so sad, and had barely spoken a word the entire trip. He reached for her hand to hold in his, gently caressing it with his thumb. "Now we live," he uttered softly, repeating her own words before placing a tender kiss in Mysa's white hair.

The Phoenix broke through atmosphere as it descended upon the planet. Great mountain ranges came into view, forests covering large areas and a number of frozen lakes, all covered in pure-white snow. There was not much in the way of settlements other what appeared to be small villages, until the mighty city of Tháinbroek showed up on their scanners. "There. That's where we're headed."

Soon their ship touched down outside the city limits, not far from the main gate. The Ashborn was surprised to find there seemed to be very little in the way of advanced technology in use. Perhaps they did not yet possess long-distance communications? The family of three then made for the exit where they would dress appropriately for the weather. Thyrian did not bother wrapping himself in warm clothing, instead just throwing on his black hooded cloak. He had been to cold worlds before and knew the fire in his veins would keep him warm. Instead he made extra sure that Mysa and Kära both were ready to face the immense cold.

As soon as the ramp was lowered they were greeted by freezing winds, able to chill even Thyrian's bones. Taking both Mysa and Kära in either hand, the three walked down the ramp to set foot on Midvinter soil. Tiny snowflakes whirled around in the howling winds, constantly finding new ways to get into every nook and cranny of his dark robes. "Lead the way, little Snowflake," he told Mysa while always making sure the two stayed warm, sending waves of his inherent heat via their handholding.

[member="Mysa Snowstrider"]​

 

[Lief]

Mysa, even at the delicate age she was, could sense the self depreciation which ran rampant through her Creat--- her Mother. But she was too afraid to say anything which might cause it to lessen. She knew this woman was not the same as she had once been, but somewhere in her mind she couldn't fully differentiate between the two. So she said nothing, clutching at the Ashborn and keeping her gaze locked upon the stars and the icy planet below.

It wasn't long before the three of them were upon the world. Her hand held Thyrians, who in turn held Kära's. They looked like a Family. But Mysa still had her doubts. She wanted her family more than anything else in the Galaxy. She wanted to be accepted. By the Heavenshields, by Thyrian and Kära, by Grandpa Thrand. She had never had anything alike it before, and now she was reluctant to let it go, like a child starved of attention she clutched onto Thyrian and walked at his side.

There was no doubt in her mind that he was her Father.

In fact, the funny thing was it was Kära she was having the harder time picturing.

She practically beamed when he referred to her as Little Snowflake and with a gentle tug of her hand she led him through the City toward the Great Hall. It was a large structure, which dominated the surroundings... Yet it remained humble all the same. Built from the same materials as all the others, it looked as if it belonged with the very foundations of the world.

A tiny knot worked its way into her belly.

She hadn't been alone with Thrand in a very long time; she knew that she was not alone with him now, if they got to see him, but Thyrian and Kära were practically strangers to the man - even if they were related. Mysa was the only known link.

"Come on" she said, tugging all the same, she had missed her Grandpa, the one man in the Galaxy who had given her a chance in the start. Not because he had to, but because he wanted to.

[member="Thyrian Ashborn"]

 

[Thyrian Hearthfire]

The City of Tháinbroek was proved far more spacious than Thyrian would've thought, and when he first laid eyes on a Valkyri guardsman dressed in armour he couldn't believe the sheer size of them. In fact, most if not all of the adults they passed on their way towards the Great Hall were around his height, only much broader and thicker, as if their limbs were made from tree trunks. Their culture seemed severely lacking in technology; their warriors all carrying weapons of steel rather than blasters or energy weapons of any kind, clad in bulky armour a huge shields. All buildings were made of either wood or stone, or a combination of both. There were no droids walking about, no speeders swishing by over their heads.

It was paradise.

Of course there was the weather, but it hardly affected the Ashborn who immediately began to see the city and its inhabitants in a new light. The children were all still the usual height, which made him wonder when their evidently massive growth spurt would take hold. Always keeping a firm hold of his two lovely white-haired ladies accompanying him, he put an arm around Kära to keep her warm and close while holding Mysa in his remaining hand. "This is incredible," he uttered amazed at what he was seeing. Life here seemed so simple, so pure, and for someone who had just begun to really live, their lifestyle greatly appealed to him. "Just like his stories..."

With Mysa tugging for him to follow, they soon reached the enormous entrance to the Great Hall. The twin doors were lavishly adorned with faded inscriptions and depictions of people and animals alike, with one of the two doors thrown wide open. Not much in the way of security, he thought. Considering Midvinter's remote location, however, perhaps it was that trouble seldom sought them out. Making sure to keep hidden beneath his hood, Thyrian entered, again at Mysa's eager bidding. Only once he stepped inside did he take notice of how cold he'd actually been just a minute ago.

The entrance itself acting as an antechamber for the main hall, they stepped through another set of doors before finding themselves in the throne room. To their sides as they entered stood rows of long tables and accompanying benches to sit on, and at the far end stood a lonely throne, upon which a lonely crown sat. Not far from the throne, at one of tables, sat an equally lonely-looking figure, his back turned to them. At first, a mane of greying hair was the only discernable feature the large man possessed. Upon stepping closer Mysa seemed to intentionally steer towards the lone figure, which could only mean one thing.

Thyrian let out an audible *gulp*, suddenly gripping Mysa even tighter.

[member="Mysa Snowstrider"]​

 

[Lief]

The Lady in White remained silent.

She walked alongside her beloved Phoenix, her hand clutching his like a lifeline. It was as if she was a child again, the lost little girl who had stumbled into that scientific facility and found a man-on-fire in need of her help. Her eyes cast around the snowy world with uncertainty.

It had been so long since she had been to a place of peace. A place where the whims of the Galaxy could not reach. It felt freeing, it felt terrifying.

For a moment she did not want to press onward, though. This was not right of her, was it? To interfere with yet another meeting? This was between Father and Son. This was of importance. She should not gatecrash it.

"Maybe I should wait outside" she whispered, but Thyrian's hand tugged at hers and thus she was led into the Great Hall. There was place enough for everyone inside, long tables lining the main room. It felt humbling, like a true community and not just a government.

She kept close to Thyrian, her eyes lingering down to the child who held his other hand.

Her child.

 

[Lief]

It would be safe to assume that Mysa was nowhere near as tentative about approaching her King and Grandpa as the others. Quite the contrary, though Thyrian tried to pull her back the little girl was propelled forward with sheer joy.

"Grandpa Thrand!"

Her voice echoed throughout the high vaulted room, a beaming grin upon her face. She loved the man so dearly, he had been the very first person to care about her, to give her warmth, and nothing would ever change that. Nothing would ever quench the feeling of love and admiration she held for him.

Mysa tugged as hard as she could on Thyrian, until her hand slipped from his and she landed with a heavy thud against the floor, having tripped over a stray stool.

Well, that wasn't the best of first impressions, after months away.

Still, the little girl soldiered on and stood to her feet. "C'mon, Thyrian" she said, as she rushed forward from the spot and ran toward Thrand. She had always been rather tentative around him, especially when the Heavenshields were present, as she didn't want to infringe. But the pair shared a special bond, and right now she needed that.

Everything had been turned upon its head, but Thrand? Thrand would always be that one steady constant in her life.

[member="Thyrian Ashborn"]

 

[Thyrian Hearthfire]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wUafUWy0oU​

His body tensed up as Mysa called out to the lone figure, only to become alarmed when the little one fell over in all her excitement. He was about to come to her aid, but she was quicker on the draw and got back up in no time, having not even sustained a scratch. She then mentioned him by name, which again caused him to freeze in place - ironic when you consider it. Still, at Mysa's urging he stepped toward the large man, who by now had turned around to see what all the fuss was about. The elder's eyes immediately found the white-haired girl wrapped in the same furs he'd once given her, and a beaming smile appeared across his face.

"Is that [member="Mysa Snowstrider"] I hear? By all the gods, come here, you little bundle of joy!" Thrand's voice boomed joyously, and for a split-second Thyrian flashed back to his youth when a younger Thrand would take him in his arms as he came home from work. His knees were about to give out, but he managed to catch himself by placing a hand upon a nearby table for support. His heart began to ache, and slowly he inched ever closer until he finally got a good enough look at the elder's face. It contained more wrinkles than he remembered, and his eyes had lost their sapphire splendour his brother had inherited, but it was him. Without a doubt, this was his father.

Watching Thrand wrap his arms around Mysa so readily only made things worse for him, and once their embrace came to an end he knew what would come next. "You didn't come here on your own, did you, Snowflake? Where's your father," he asked, referring to Thurion.

"Here," Thyrian answered by stepping forward, almost defiantly while removing his hood. His eyes burned bright as their gazes met, with the elder taken aback at the sight. "I'm her father, old man." His voice remained even throughout, giving no hints to what he was feeling at the time. Without saying a word in response, Thrand too stepped forward, rising to his full height and easily dwarfing Thyrian. His expression turned from joyful to stern, only to turn into hopeful curiosity as he drew near.

A hand reached out and found Thyrian's scarred cheek, exploring the rough edges of his face so similar to his own. The Ashborn did nothing to stop him, but kept his determined gaze fixed on him as Thrand slowly came to the realisation. "M-my boy...! What have they done to you?" As soon as his father spoke to him directly, however, Thyrian's defenses were rendered useless as his face contorted to hold back the tears. "Father," he cried out as he lunged into an embrace. Tears now streamed own his cheeks as he buried his face in the fabrics of Thrand's shirt.

 

[Lief]

Mysa ran as fast as she could into the waiting arms of Thrand, and nestled into his furs with a satisfied murmur. "Grandpa Thrand!" she exclaimed, peering up with a great big smile. "Grandpa Thrand, I brought someone for y--- oh..."

She saw the looks exchanged as Thyrian stepped forward and revealed himself. The young girl shied off, stepping away from them as tension rose within the air.

What was going on?

Peering between the both of them, Mysa's brows furrowed as she tugged on Thyrian's sleeve. He looked about ready to pummel him.

And then, without warning, the pair were locked in an embrace the likes of which she had never before seen. Mysa looked to Kära, perhaps for the first time since the trio had set off together, and saw her wariness. She had seen it too, then?

"Come here, little Snowflake" Kära said, extending a hand out to the child.

Surprisingly, Mysa did just that, walking over to where her mother stood, and watching from afar. They needed this reunion, it seemed. Though Mysa was still rather worried. Did Thyrian not like Thrand? Did Thrand not like Thyrian?

[member="Thyrian Ashborn"]

 

[Thyrian Hearthfire]

Their embrace lasted for what felt like an eternity, until finally it ended and father and son were at last able to look upon one another, both of them alternating between worry and joy. "I can't believe you're still alive, after all these years..." Thyrian spoke first while not trying to sound like he's disappointed. He was truly happy to find his father alive and well. "And this place, these people," he gestured around him. "Everything you told me is real. I thought they were just stories you made up!" His eyes went wide with child-like wonder at the things he'd seen in such a small amount of time.

"As if I have the imagination to make up all of this," Thrand happily replied before his attention was again caught by his oldest son's appearance. "Thyrian, you... You look so different. Your eyes..." When trying to get a closer at them Thyrian looked away as if ashamed. "They are not my mother's," he finished his father's thought. "Much have happened, old man. Too much than I care to recount." He looked to Kära and Mysa standing off to the side, seeking comfort in their presence and finding it. Thrand meanwhile placed both hands upon his son's shoulders and made him face him once more.

"Now you listen here, boy. Whatever has happened to you over the years doesn't matter. You are my son, and you always will be. No amount of scars or... otherworldly events could ever change that," he told him, almost berating in tone. "I thought you were lost, as well," he continued as his voice softened considerably. "Your brother told me of what happened. Of the fire which consumed you..." Both palms now found his son's face, cupping it as he looked him the eye. "The fire which now resides in you, isn't that right, boy?"

Thyrian calmly broke free of his father's grip, defiance written on his face. "I am not a boy, Thrand, and nothing of what happened to me and Thurion back on Pelagon would have happened had you been there to take care of us." He turned and stepped away from his father, eyes landing on the empty throne. "You mourned our mother's death, I know that. But so did I!" Again he turned to face his father, anger taking hold of him. "Us! Your own children! You abandoned us--"

"Don't take tone with me, Thyrian," the elder suddenly spoke, his voice far louder and booming as it filled the mighty hall. "You never knew your mother as I did! Do not presume to know what it's like losing the only woman you've ever loved!" Thrand rose his full height, imposing and far greater than the Ashborn could ever have imagined. Rather than respond to his father's words right away, his gaze instead fell upon the face of Kära once more, a frown forming on his lips. "I do know," he simply said before turning to leave the Great Hall, and his father, behind.

[member="Mysa Snowstrider"]​

 

[Lief]

Mysa, in all her ignorance concerning Thyrian's history, was more than a little confused. Her tiny hand wormed its way into Kära's and together the Umbaran's watched with trepidation. At any moment it seemed as though sparks were ready to fly. But they didn't. Still, Kära took a slight step forward as the men's tempers seemed to peak, and Mysa's brows once again furrowed in disdain.

This was not going to plan at all!

It seemed as if there was a lot of history between the pair, which had been suppressed over the years. Kära understood of course, she knew Thyrian's story as well as her own... But little Mysa was not so fortunate.

So it was that when Thyrian turned to stride from the room, Kära was quick to follow - reaching out to gently grasp his arm. "My Phoenix" she whispered, quietly, "Do not part on such terms..."

Mysa, however, was more than a little aghast.

"Stop it!"

Her voice was raised, louder than it had ever been before. She had even taken to standing on one of the benches, her arms crossed and a frown set into her expression.

"Stop it, now! You're family."

Her voice broke with distress, eyes drifting between the both of them. All at once she leaped down from the bench and ran toward Thyrian, dragging him by the sleeve as if she could honestly move him so much as an inch. Still, the attempt was there.

"You're both blinded by your past. I know that parents aren't always the best..." Her gaze set on Kära for a moment, before her expression softened. "And children can be just as bad... But you have to look past that sometimes. I'm sure Grandpa Thrand loathes whatever he did to upset you, and I know that you don't want to walk away from this, Papa."

The word left her before she could stop it.

"Please... Please try. I only just got my family back together. Don't tear it apart..."

Her voice broke, and Mysa's eyes began to flood with tears. She tugged and tugged Thyrian's sleeve until she was red in the face, expression pleading with him.

[member="Thyrian Ashborn"]

 

[Thyrian Hearthfire]

When his beloved Kära urged him not to leave so rashly, Thyrian stopped and looked her in the eye. On his face there would be little else other than the pain his father had once caused him by leaving in a similar fashion. Her words resonated within him as she spoke them, and despite he knew her to be right he had yet to be deterred from going through with his intentions. "I can't, Kära..." Before he could find the right words the otherwise soft voice of Mysa lit up the hall, stealing his attention.

In silence he stood as the little girl defiantly made her voice heard, presumably in an attempt to get through those thick skulls of both him and his father. A trait they had long shared. When she then jumped down from atop the bench to instead tug at his sleeve, Thyrian watched her do so for a time without moving an inch. His eyes then sought those of his father, who by now had taken a seat upon the steps beneath the throne to compose himself. A frown found his lips as he then bent the knee before Mysa to take her in his arms. "Shh, little one. It's alright." To know he'd caused such tears to trail down her cheeks pained him greatly, which only caused him to hug her tighter. "I'm sorry," he whispered past her ear.

Slowly he got back up, taking Mysa with him as their embrace would not end. Carrying her on one arm, he took Kära by the hand and together they wandered up to Thrand. Only now did he notice the tears in his father's eyes. "P-papa," he uttered softly as if back to being a child. He was about to say something else, but the words escaped him and instead he moved to sit beside the old man, Mysa now sat in his lap. Rather than say anything else Thyrian lowered his head to rest against his father's shoulder, eyes closed. Thrand meanwhile placed a hand upon his shoulder and in turn rested his head upon Thyrian's. "Don't make my mistake, son. When the world crumbles around us, family is all we have left."

[member="Mysa Snowstrider"]​

 

[Lief]

He would not budge.

Mysa's face crumpled in distress, the only other experience which had goaded such a response from her had been during the reclamation of Midvinter where she'd taken her first life. Despite the fact he wasn't moving, she kept at it, tugging as if her very life depended on it, her face red and her breathing ragged.

"Please, Papa" she whimpered again, drawing out each syllable. It was almost a whine, something Mysa had never before lowered herself to do.

And finally he responded. He settled to a knee, arms around her, and Mysa instantly buried her face into the crook of his neck, sniffling. For a second she was afraid he was going to pick her up and simply leave without another word to Thrand, but when he did rise, holding her in one arm and taking Kära's hand in the other, she was relieved to find him approaching her Grandpa.

Mysa said nothing during their exchange, her fingers trailing against Thyrian's beard and her face lost against his chest. She felt exhausted, what had supposed to be a lovely day had turned sour almost immediately.

[member="Thyrian Ashborn"]

 

[Thyrian Hearthfire]

Though there were still old wounds in need of mending on either side, father and son had been reunited after over three decades apart, both believing the other lost forever. It was a tremendously odd feeling for the Ashborn, to gaze upon the face he admired so in his youth and still be experiencing the same sensations. All his life - across all three of his lifetimes - his sole intent had been the protection of those he hold dear. Now, in the presence of his old man, it was he who for once felt strangely safe. Like he could just let go of all his worries and urge to see to everyone else's needs, and take time for himself. Part of him felt selfish upon realising this, but perhaps being selfish once in a while is not such a bad thing.

Now sat around a simple wooden table in the large-yet-cosy kitchen of the keep, Thrand had kindly asked the staff to leave early for the evening. Thyrian sat with Mysa in his lap, an arm wrapped around her tiny form while burying the lower part of his face in her white hair. His other hand sought Kära's just to feel her hand rest in his, still amazed at finally being able to show her such adorations.

Opposite of his sat the old king, his face framed with silvery locks and sipping from a tankard of sweet-tasting mead. There was a perculiar smile on his lips as his faded eyes darted between his son and the woman beside him. "So... are you going to introduce us, or would you rather keep this lovely lady a secret?" His fingers drummed lightly against the table, and it seemed his question managed to catch Thyrian off-guard by the way he snapped out of his daze to look at Kära, then back to his father. "Father, this is Kära Vi'dreya. She is Nina's older half-sister, and Mysa's... mother." He wasn't sure either Mysa or Kära had made their peace with the thought, but it was the simplest explanation he could offer.

"Kära, this is Thrand Dawnbringer. My father." The last part he uttered with a sense of pride, which did not come naturally to him. Thrand then rose from his seat and reached for Kära's hand, placing a soft kiss upon it. "My Lady Kära, it is a pleasure to meet you. It seems both my sons inherited my great taste in women," he chuckled, to which Thyrian did not seem to react. Thrand didn't mind, however, and took another swig from his drink.

[member="Mysa Snowstrider"]​