[Indi]

Content Warning;; May contain mentions of slavery, assault, and violence.

Was there any worse, more helpless feeling for a parent than the knowledge that you could not protect your own children? Willow certainly struggled to imagine anything worse. Bad enough the failures in the past. But now… what she had to witness day in and day out… it was more than any mother would wish to endure. Especially when that endurance was accompanied by the utterly helpless feeling of knowing there was absolutely nothing she could do to change things. Maybe once, long ago. Before the foolish boy’s attempt to rescue her ended so horribly. She had not even known for sure if he had lived, except she had seen him later when she had briefly been stolen by a mare by the name of Caoimhe. Maribeth had been in control at the time, unfortunately. Leaving Willow to listen in frustrated helplessness as the demon used her voice to hurl such venomously awful words at the poor, foolish boy. While much of her suffering had been a direct result of his actions, Willow did not blame him. Young as he was, no doubt he could hardly be expected to anticipate just how horrendously wrong things could go. He’d had truly noble intentions. It was merely the method he had chosen had resulted in… well, everything that had followed.

Thus it was that rather than enjoying any kind of freedom — even what little scraps there might be found in a nightmare realm such as she’d been forced to dwell in for more years than she cared to think about — that could be scrounged up, she had to endure knowing that her son and daughter both had to grow up in that vile place. Worse, thanks to the wretched demon she had to share her body with, too often it was their monstrous sire they turned to for comfort and affection. Maribeth could never be bothered to deal with them — though Allyria in particular was a direct result of the demon’s actions — preferring to pour all of her time, effort, and energy into Charm alone. Especially when she was in control. Of course, when she was not, she fought hard to regain control. The only times Willow could gain even the smallest reprieve from having to constantly battle the demon for control of her own body were those desperate occasions when she was forced to make a deal with the aforementioned demon. Such as the time she had needed to find Mabus when her poor son had gotten himself lost outside the boundaries of Charm’s land. Much as she had longed for her son to be free of the nightmare realm they lived in… she had feared for his safety out on his own, young as he had been at the time. Especially given that he could not speak.

At this stage… she worried for her precious son. He was so rapidly approaching adulthood and had been surrounded most of his life by the worst kinds of examples. Try as she might, Willow knew her own efforts to be the right sort of example for her son — and now also for her daughter — had more than likely been sabotaged by Maribeth. She could not even be sure whether her children knew how much she loved them or if Maribeth had sabotaged even that. It was the worst kind of wretched feeling, such helplessness…

There was no doubt she cursed the day she had encountered Charm and bitterly hated herself for ever having believed his lies.

Perhaps some part of her blamed Cai and Edward as well. If they hadn’t disappeared… if she hadn’t felt compelled to look for them…

A light tug to her forelock pulled Willow from gloomy contemplation, meeting the cheerful Prussian blue gaze of her youngest. Though… she could not quite suppress the bitter musing that it was tremendously unfair that both her children had been born with the blue of the demon’s eyes, rather than her own natural brown. Still, she managed a soft smile for her daughter, despite the bitter turmoil of her mind. It was frustrating indeed that she could not enjoy these outings away from the oppressive atmosphere of The Whore House without her mind constantly weighed down with thoughts she could not escape. Just as she could not escape Maribeth, who even now was hassling her mind, the demon trying to claw her way back into control and turning their steps homeward. Despite the fact that they had only just arrived.

Character;; Willow & Allyria
Tagged;; fleabittengray w/Mabus
Notes;; Present-time thread for the family <3 (Willow doesn't count Charm... lol)
Timeline;; Willow is 13 years old, Allyria is 6 months

[fleabittengray]

fear makes us stronger

Growing up all of his life in The Whore House was... interesting, to say the least. Traumatic, some might say, but Mabus didn't think that he was traumatized. His greatest fear was disappointing his father, sure, and he was downright terrified of the Shire one day growing tired of his anxiety and sticking him with the whores used for the brothel once he came of age... but that wasn't trauma, right? Everyone was at least a little bit afraid of something, or someone, right? He was even a little afraid of his mother, or at least, one of the women that his mother was... It was complicated. His mother was Willow. Sometimes she was Maribeth, the demon. Right now, she was just plain old Willow. Mabus still didn't understand it. Was Maribeth really a demon, or was she just a different side of Willow, the true side of Willow, and she used the excuse of her being a demon to treat himself and his younger sister, Allyria, poorly? It was... complicated. Everything about his life was complicated. Confusing. Stressful. Add on the fact that he had been born entirely mute, unable to express himself with anything other than body language... Unable to scream... unable to do anything other than pin his ears and cry. He felt worthless. Useless. And Charm did not tolerate useless bodies in his home. Even if Mabus was his own son, the yearling knew that when adulthood came... if he couldn't prove himself to be useful... it was into the brothel for him.

He shuddered subtly at the thought, hoping not to alarm his mother and trying not to sigh too deeply as he looked around the surrounding area. His anxiety made him super observant, especially when his mother and sister were involved. Well... Willow, at least. He didn't care much for Maribeth, just as the mare cared not for him or Allyria. Even now, with Willow, he was skeptical. Would his mother, or the demon, or whoever she really was always be so confusing? He watched the interaction between Willow and Allyria before turning his attention back toward their surroundings, ears swiveling upon his head. He dared not allow anyone to sneak up on them. To harm his twisted little family. It would be very bad if he let anything happen to Charm's favorite, after all...

[Tagged: Indi ]
[Words: 391]
[Character: Mabus]
[Notes: Sorry for the wait! <3]
[Timeline: 1 year 5 months, summer, mid-day]

[Indi]

Distantly, Willow was aware of other equines in the general vicinity of her small family. Other families out enjoying the sunny summer day by splashing about in the shallow waves that lapped at the shoreline of Femiet Beach. Normal families. Free individuals who could happily go about their lives without a care in the world. Live as if monsters like Carnallust the Charmer did not exist. She could feel envy twisting uncomfortably within -- even while Maribeth seemed to shriek in her head at thinking poorly of Charm, just as the demon always did. Hurriedly, she focused completely upon her children. The demon might make it impossible to live a normal life or to love and mother them as she longed to, but in this moment at least, perhaps she could manage to pretend that everything was all right. In this moment, it could just be the three of them. Out enjoying the sandy stretch of shoreline, the salty ocean waters, the breeze that seemed to at least dispel a little of the summer`s heat. A nice, normal day. If she thought it enough times, perhaps somehow, by some miracle, it could even come true.

Giving Allyria and Mabus a warm smile, she queried, 'Now... what shall we do? Is there anything either one of you want to do?'

Of course, her daughter was practically overflowing with ideas. It was obvious in the way she bounced from one hoof to the other. However, instead of immediately blurting out the entirety of her ideas, she turned first to her older brother. Bright Prussian blue gaze fixed on him, head tilting, evidently curious to see if he might have any ideas. True, he would not be able to offer a verbal answer, but she felt confident enough in her ability to read her brother's body language that his lack of a voice did not faze her in the slightest.

Characters;; Willow & Allyria
Tagged;; fleabittengray w/Mabus
Notes;; <3
Timeline;; 13 yrs & 6 months; summer, mid-day, sunny

[fleabittengray]

fear makes us stronger

Mabus did not know what a "normal" family was. To him, this was normal. Being allowed out with supervision, plodding along with Allyria and Willow along the coastline but always feeling like he had to look over his shoulder. Always feeling like he had to be alert. He could not vocally alert his mother and sister to danger and had to rely entirely on body language. He wanted to speak, but alas, he knew he never would. Snorting softly, he lowered his muzzle toward the sand and sniffed at it gently, blowing air lightly against the grains of sand. They fluttered away from him and he lifted his head, turning it to look at his mother. She was getting older, but she still had strength in her. If only she was strong enough to cast Maribeth out of her for good, instead of just in random spurts where one never knew when Maribeth was going to make an appearance. It was frustrating, never knowing when his mother was going to "switch" to the demon. He wished he knew a way to help her.

'Now... what shall we do? Is there anything either one of you want to do?' Willow was smiling at him and his sister and Mabus smiled back, but his dark blue eyes remained looking around, observing every other family around them. No one else was on high alert, but Mabus felt like he always was. He never truly relaxed. He lived in a state of perpetual anxiety, especially when by himself. He saw from the corner of his eye how Allyria was shifting and seemed eager to speak, eager to tell of her own idea for the day. As much as Mabus was silent, Allyria spoke enough for the both of them, really. He smiled more, reaching for his little sister and tugging playfully at her mane. He motioned her in a forward motion toward their mother, and then gave a shrug of his shoulders, as if to say, Go on, let's here what you have to say! Even with his anxious state, being away from home and all, he was still eager to hear what his sister had in store for them.

[Tagged: Indi ]
[Words: 366]
[Character: Mabus]
[Notes: Sorry for the wait! <3]
[Timeline: 1 year 5 months, summer, mid-day]

[Indi]

It absolutely killed Willow inside that she could not provide a normal childhood for either one of her children. True, she had not enjoyed what many would deem a “normal” childhood. Not when her father had taken his own life and her mother had been… unstable at best. If not for Telrunya and, in time, Jared, Willow did not doubt she would have had a much worse childhood than what she had ended up with. Even if what she got had involved witnessing things her mother should have protected her from. Undoubtedly such experience was one reason she hated that both her children were being exposed to vileness on a daily basis. If she could have spared them all of it… she would have done so in a heartbeat. If only she could get Mabus and Allyria far away from Charm’s grasp, where they could enjoy a good life with all the wonderful things they deserved. She knew her fate was sealed, that no escape was possible with Maribeth seemingly a permanent fixture clinging to her soul, but her children…. If only…

...please Utopia make it happen…

The tension in Mabus’ body, even here and now when the time was meant for just enjoying time together… Willow could see it and it broke her heart anew. Of course, he had good reason for such anxiety. No doubt there was the fear of getting into trouble with his father if anything happened… especially to her. Since she was the favourite. A position she loathed, yet seemed unable to escape. And, naturally, it had to be unnerving when her children could not predict when Maribeth would make an appearance. Could she reassure them that she had made a deal with the creature so they could have this time interrupted? Would they believe it? Was she able to believe it? Given Maribeth still shrieked protest at certain thoughts that were negative Charm-ward…

She was focusing on this time. Not on all the difficulties in life. The complications that, unfortunately, made it all less than what she would have wanted for her children. Suppressing a sigh, Willow hoped that her smile had not slipped as she awaited an answer from her children.

Mabus had smiled back, while Allyria vibrated with excitement. The boy’s smile grew as he reached for the filly to tug playfully at her mane. The gestures that followed aptly communicated his encouragement that Allyria go ahead and present the ideas she must obviously have.

The blue-eyed filly needed no further encouragement, grinning back at her brother before addressing their mother eagerly, ’Can we go in the ocean a little bit? And then maybe build something with the sand?’ She had seen such things going on with other families they had passed whilst meandering along the shoreline and both activities looked like fun!

Nodding permissively, Willow queried of Mabus, ’Does that sound like acceptable activities to you?’

Characters;; Willow & Allyria
Tagged;; fleabittengray w/Mabus
Notes;; Hopefully this isn't too incoherent!
Timeline;; 13 yrs & 6 months; summer, mid-day, sunny