#npc: river johansen

[menodoramoon]

Perhonen-Butterfly-Johansen... Fam. Whoever gave them all different last names should be fought (it was me).

@stellabfly

[stellabfly]

Happy Birthday, Star || Butterfly-Johansen family

January 1st, 2025 — River and Moon visit Stella for her birthday. It goes as well as you'd expect. TW: Blood, Injury, Flame CW: Discussions of Divorce.

Stella Butterfly

The thing she’d come to realize about her birthday being New Year’s day was that she was expected to be awake and functioning. Perhaps she shouldn’t have downed as many drinks in such a short time as she had, but, hey, she was having fun. Wasn’t that what New Year’s Eve was for?

Still, though, it meant she woke up with the worst headache and two missed calls from her father. Listening to the voicemails he’d left let her know that he (and presumably her mother) wanted to do something with her for her birthday. So, she sent him a text inviting them over to her place for lunch. It wasn’t until after she hit send that she realized her mother would be coming to her home again, and the mess that had been there Christmas was still there. 

That knot in her stomach was back. She could pretend it was the alcohol all she wanted, but as she paced around making sure things were as clean as they could get—mostly she was shoving things into closets and her bedroom because there was no reason for her parents to go in there—wondering and worrying about what her mother could say about her living situation or her housekeeping skills, she realized it probably wasn’t. 

Finally, she got herself and her home in a tidy enough state, and just in time to hear a knock on her door. Star froze, looking at the door, afraid to move. She felt nauseous. From the alcohol, she told herself, forcing herself to walk to the door and open it with a smile.

“Hi,” she greeted her parents, eyes mostly on her father. But things even felt weird with him after their walk. “Happy New Year. Um, come in, I guess?”

[READ THE REST HERE]

@menodoramoon

[Track post for River's 2024 visit]

[menodoramoon]

Year's End, or Moon's Annual Review

Characters Menodora Perhonen (Butterfly-Johansen), River Johansen [NPC] & ----- Mentioned: Stella Butterfly

Summary Late-September, 2024. Moon and River have to discuss Moon’s time in Swynlake, though it is mainly the fallout from the Fall Carnival.

Read Here (Docs).

Related: Letters from Mjaunie:

Menodora’s Letter to Cassandra (Sept 2024)

River’s Letter to Cass (Sept 2024)

River’s Letter to Stella (Sept 2024)

[menodoramoon]

moon just separated from her husband! how are we feelin folks?

Honestly, a month ago I struggled so much with this answer because it was still... 'happening.' I think the ability to look back at it is still a bit painful but better for answering.

[menodoramoon]

A Missing Fragment from River's Visit | Self Para

Backdated. December 31st. 2024. Almost Midnight.

They lay in bed together, her hands in his. He brushes her thumb with his own, the pad of it running lightly against her knuckle. It's so gentle that she almost wants to cry.

He's never been a malicious person. Any harshness he voices is for justice, not hurt. She wishes she could be that way. She wonders where she's learned her cruelty from.

River kisses her forehead, but not her lips. She's grateful for it. He's never been the type to overstep.

"Will you call her in the morning?" Menodora asks, quietly. She figures Stella understandably has no want to talk to her.

"I will," River assures, bringing their hands up and kissing the back of her left hand.

He'd seen her without her ring when he'd gotten home. He hadn't said a word about it, but she knew. Of course, she knew.

"I'm sorry," Menodora begins, "that this visit couldn't have been a peaceful one."

He shakes his head slightly, hindered by the pillows and way that they're laying.

"What do you mean?" He asks.

If this were anyone else, she might have wondered what trap she's stumbled in on. What does she mean? Their Christmas with Stella, fraught with tension? The way they danced around each other in her apartment, as if she were avoiding his touch? The way she'd asked him for a separation only hours ago?

River's not that way, though. He would never trap her or corner her... he would never do that to her.

"Only, that nothing ever seems peaceful in your presence. Whatever discord there is... it's never your fault. I'm sorry for that." She evades his gaze, focusing on her stray strands of hair, their lightness barely visible against the tone of the sheets. "I just wish you could have some peace and quiet."

He pauses... then laughs. She's surprised by that. Raises her eyes to look at him and all his good-natured-ness.

She sees him much like she always has. With love. And pain.

"My love," he says, taking her face in his hands, thumb now brushing at her cheek, "Don't worry about me. When our house was peaceful, it was never quiet. It will get better. Rest, please."

Menodora nods, burrowing under the blankets just a little more.

"Happy New Year, River."

"Happy New Year, Mena."

[menodoramoon]

River and Moon and a Few Harsh Truths || MoonRiver, Self Para

January 1, 2025 — River and Moon look for Stella. The conversation veers off.  TW: Mention of blood and injury. CW: Discussions of Divorce.

It's painful. It's awkward. Moon holds herself tightly, everything pained and strained. She feels a collapsing ache in her chest.

River isn't talking to her. They'd rewrapped his hand but it wasn't serious enough to need a hospital. She could rewrap it when they got home.

Neither of them had a key to Stella’s so Menodora used a small locking spell with the tangling reagents. She hates what's become of all of them.

She hates the state they leave Stella’s home in. All that bad energy still lingering. Maybe if they left, it would dissipate? But, if it didn't… Stella would have to face it alone. 

Finally, half way across Main Street, River asks, “why?”

[ Read the Rest Here ]

---

Track list for River Visit 2024

[menodoramoon]

[ text message sent - 1 Jan 2025 at 12am ]

River Johansen: Happy Birthday, Stellebelle!!! 🎂🎉🌟 River Johansen: Love you to the Stars and Back. Sorry we didn't see the acorn drop with you, but we'll make it up to you. River Johansen: I hope you sleep well. Goodnight, Stellabird. @stellabfly

[menodoramoon]

River & Moon by the Lake || MoonRiver

Characters: Menodora Butterfly-Johansen, River Johansen December 31, 2024 — River and Moon take a date night walk. They come to a serious half-conclusion. TW: none CW: Discussions of Divorce.

[ READ HERE ]

--

Plot Tracker: River Visits Swynlake, or "River Visit 2024"

[menodoramoon]

River at the Lucky Cat || River & Cass

Characters: River Johansen, Cass Hamada ( @auntcass-hamada ) December 23, 2024 — River makes a Visit to the Lucky Cat to meet Cass. TW: none

[ READ HERE ]

--

Plot Tracker: River Visits Swynlake, or "River Visit 2024"

[stellabfly]

River and Stella Talk it Out || River Visit 2024

When: Dec 26, 2024 River and Stella take an unfortunate walk. @menodoramoon

[READ HERE]

Read the other parts here

River Visits Swynlake/River Visit 2024 post tracker

[menodoramoon]

River Visits Swynlake, or "River Visit 2024"

PLOT

River takes Mjaunie's Winter Recess as an opportunity to visit Stella and Menodora in Swynlake. Takes Place Dec 20, 2024-Jan 4, 2025.

CHARACTERS

Stella "Star" Butterfly, @stellabfly / Menodora "Moon" Butterfly-Johansen, @menodoramoon / River Johansen, NPC / Oswald "Oz" Marks, @oswaldxmarks / Cass Hamada, @auntcass-hamada

THREADS

A Voicemail from River Johansen - River leaves Moon a voicemail, regarding his possible plans to visit

River & The Stellabird - River surprises Stella as he arrives in Swynlake for winter recess.

River at Castle Suites - River visits Menodora at Castle Suites and ends up meeting her neighbor, Oswald Marks, in the process.

River at The Lucky Cat - River makes a Visit to the Lucky Cat to meet Cass.

River and Stella Take a Walk - River and Stella take an unfortunate walk.

Moon and Oswald Make Some Choices - Moon and Oswald have a difficult conversation.

River & Moon by the Lake - River and Moon take a date night walk. They come to a serious half-conclusion.

A Musing by Menodora Perhonen - Moon walks home alone

Happy Birthday, Star - River and Moon visit Stella for her birthday. It goes as well as you'd expect.

Lille Monstrøse Pige - Stella flees her home after lashing out at her parents. Has a moment of self reflection.

River and Moon and a Few Harsh Truths - River and Moon look for Stella. The conversation veers off.

STATUS

Complete!

[menodoramoon]

River at Castle Suites || MoonRiver & Oswald

Characters: River Johansen, Menodora Butterfly-Johansen, Oswald Marks ( @oswaldxmarks ) December 20, 2024 — After River visits Stella Plot: River Visit 2024 TW: Bug/Insect Mentions River visits Menodora at Castle Suites and ends up meeting her neighbor, Oswald Marks, in the process.

[ READ HERE ]

--

Previously:

A Voicemail from River Johansen - River leaves Moon a voicemail, regarding his possible plans to visit

River & The Stellabird - River surprises Stella as he arrives in Swynlake for winter recess.

Additional Context:

The One Where Moon is Extra Unwell - Following her argument with Cass at the Date Auction, Menodora texts Oswald for company. This thread contains: two rounds of poker, at least four shots of vodka, one mental breakdown, and a messy fallout.

[stellabfly]

River & the Stellabird || River Visit 2024

When: December 20, 2024 River surprises Stella as he arrives in Swynlake for winter recess. @menodoramoon

[READ HERE]

[menodoramoon]

a voicemail from river johansen

Hiii, you've reached Menodora. I'm so sorry that I missed your call. If you could leave me you name, a short message, and a callback number, I'll return your call as soon as I can. Thank you!

Hey Moonpie,

It's River again. Just checking in again. I--uh--miss you. I hope you're doing okay. I'm just worried, I know you're a big girl and you can take care of yourself I just -- uh -- I love you. Sorry, I'm uh… I don't know what to say. I was wondering how you'd feel if I came and visited sometime? You and Stella, of course. The Council's taking their Winter Recess and I just -- um -- miss you. I miss the sound of your voice. Love you, Menodora. Uh, bye.

[menodoramoon]

Assorted Scenes of the Butterfly-Johansens

Characters: Stella Butterfly, Menodora Perhonen, River Johansen (NPC) When: Various Times between 1999 and 2023 Summary Dedication: For the River Support Alliance. I'm sorry for what I put him through, so have some debatably happier memories.

Read: On Ellipsus, or Under the Cut

Menodora had been tense. River had been terse. Menodora can't help but feel like she deserves it. River never confirms such a thing.

Breakfast had been a nightmare.

Stella had been gone some days by now. Her mother had waved from a distance as Stella became little more than a disappearing speck at the airport. She'd turned some corner under those harsh lights, or perhaps vanished into the crowd. Moon doesn't actually know how they would have lost sight of her, in honesty. She had stopped looking, feeling something tug at her heart.

They hadn't spoken much. Well, her and Star hadn't spoken at all. But the person she wishes would talk to her was River, who simply couldn't look at her for long.

Why was it that Moon wanted nothing more than to be alone together again.

She reaches absentmindedly for a pastry. He does to. She doesn't notice until their fingers brush and she looks up. Technically, she didn't need reading glasses, but they did help. A little. She sees him over the frame, and he looks at her with such clarity that it hurt.

It hurt to know that River could see her so clearly and Moon could barely read him any better than she could the morning paper.

…

In the months after Stella's birth, people whispered about Moon. Did she not like being a mother, she is always so sad.

That's not true! Moon wanted to yell. Or say. Or even whisper. But what could she do when she barely wanted to even think?

Paperwork had to be done, she had to smile and wave and speak with officials… but so much of her did not even want to get out of bed. Her chest felt heavy, the only things alleviating it being holding Stella and River taking her hands gently, telling her about some nonsense that Moon couldn't help but find endearing.

It was when they were alone together that Moon couldn't help but feel that weight lift off of her, even for a moment. It didn't heal her, or cure her. But it did make it manageable. He held out a hand for her, and she took it gratefully. A step at a time, until gravity felt normal again, and she could drift once more about her life without that weight.

They'd been younger then, Moon's melancholy excusable to a degree by her age and inexperience. Now, though, was she simply so weak that the absence of a wildfire komtesse was too much to bear?

…

He's always been a better texter than her. Moon's rather bad at it.

River types a few short words. Puts down his mobile. Chirp. Repeat.

"Tell her I say hi."

River does.

Chirp.

River doesn't relay a message back.

"Tell her I love her."

River does.

Silence.

Moon wouldn't know what Stella had said, or if she'd even responded.

Moon's own phone remains silent at nearly all times. Stella's the only contact that is an exception to her perpetual 'Do Not Disturb.'

…

He takes her hair gently, brushing it. Moon's sitting on the edge of the bed, River standing adjacent at the corner. He's taking locks of her hair, brushing through them. Moon has always found it calming.

"I'm sorry," Moon says, softly.

She'd fallen into the habit of constant apology. River, for his part, did his best to tell her that she would be okay.

The things he did say: That they would be alright. That everything would be okay. That he loved her.

The things he didn't say: That Moon was forgiven.

River leans over, kisses the her temple.

He'd always come across 'brute-ish' to some members of The Commission, who had hoped Moon would pick someone else to marry. Moon couldn't see it. Sure, he was excitable and enthusiastic, but there was the matter of his kindness as well. And how gently her touched her heart.

People did not understand that about him.

She's just so sorry she's broken his heart over and over again.

…

Her fingers drum on his chest. The lights are off, but there's enough moonlight to light their bedroom. Is it a full moon? What night was it?

"How is she?" Moon asks, quietly. They try not to talk about Star as much. Or, rather, Moon tries not to bring it up. Loudly. Or in front of anyone.

River respects it. If anyone speaks of Star, he does. Star. Stella. She prefers Stella in the way that Menodora prefers Moon. Even opposites in that, it seems. Orbits that rarely intersect, and yet, when they do, it's always some sort of crash.

A collision course of celestial proportions.

"Fine," River says, softly. He takes her hand, and Moon glances at the way her illusionary magic fades away. Just stained hands held tightly by someone who has always loved her. "She finished settling in."

"Did it take her that long?" She cringes internally. Must everything be a criticism?"Sorry. I just meant—"

"I know what you meant," River says. Moon runs her thumb along the inside of her forefinger. Some soothing action. River doesn't stop her. "But I know what you want to mean. She just had trouble adjusting. She'll be okay."

She'll be okay.

Stella, on her own. Independent. Growing up. It's what everyone wanted, wasn't it? For her to grow up.

Moon feels an ache. She was missing it.

…

"Stella, don't run!" Moon yells over the crest of the heathered hill. I didn't matter. Stella barreled ahead, surely to lose her footing on the slope. "Ah, she never listens to her mother."

River laughs beside her, picnic blanket thrown over his shoulder. Stella would beat them to their picnic place, and then overshoot it. They'd likely find her in the rye fields at the rate she was going.

"You didn't need to carry everything, my love," Moon says, regarding River and his makeshift cloak.

"And if I wanted to?"

Moon shakes her head. "Then you're very noble, my lord."

They walk along the field, down the hill, her hand in his nearly the entire time. She had a nasty habit of taking a spill at once section nearly every time. River had once accused her of doing it on purpose for his attention. And then he nearly did so as well and Moon laughed as he cursed the hidden slip in the hill.

"She's gone pretty far, hasn't she?" Moon asks, once the picnic is nearly set up. Basket on the side, blanket rolled out.

Stella, 8 or so in this memory, is within sight, but barely a speck in all the stalks of flowers.

"She'll be fine. She always comes home, don't you remember?"

Even all those times she's run off and gotten lost, Moon has to admit River was right.

"You have a lot of confidence in her."

"And why shouldn't I?" River asks. "She's your daughter."

Moon laughs back. Scoffs almost, but in a playful way. Teasing. "When she acts like this, she's your daughter. Look at her. You're the one whoruns in the fields this way."

"You did too, once, Ms Perhonen," he says, smirk forming. A playful look on his face.

"River Johansen," Moon starts already standing, a warning tone in her voice, knowing exactly what he was thinking, "don't you — AH!"

And he takes off and she takes off. And by the time they reach Stella down by the creek, they're all laid haphazardly in the heather, River having both Moon and Stella in his arms.

The sun is bright. Nice. And Moon thinks she ought to remember the peace of this forever.

It's perfect. It may have been more perfect if the rain clouds hadn't threatened their picnic, but Stella's delightful yelling as they'd run back had been worth it as well. Especially when River threw the blanket around her, dripping with rain water in the front foyer.

It was a nice thought.

…

Sometimes Moon wonders if Stella always knew it was her father that held her more as a baby. It would explain their bond, Moon thinks. At least that would be easier to bear.

…

"She's speaking," River says, shaking Moon awake. It's the middle of the day, and she's groggy. Heavy. Out of it. "Moonlight, wake up, she's talking!"

It's strange. Even with the urgency, Moon rouses slowly, awareness coming back even slower.

River is excited. Happy. Smile wide.

God. It's a thousand watt smile, and Moon smiles back, if a bit weakly. She does her best to sit up, rubbing her eyes. Her hair probably looks frightful, she can tell it was a fitful sleep.

"What's happening? Who's speaking?"

"Our Starshine!"

Stella? Stella was speaking? Wasn't it too early for that? She was eleven months? The November air confirmed that to Moon, sensation returning to her.

Inside, Moon wants nothing more than to throw off the blankets and run down the hall to Stella's nursery, but her mind feels dark. Clouded. And even with the mid-day sun streaming through the windows, she can't find it in her.

What is wrong with her?

She's not always like this. Lately, she'd been happier, grown more cheerful in the daytime. Yet, now, she doesn't know what it is, but she can barely make herself rise.

"You'll miss it, she's babbling," River says, trying to pull her hand.

Moon wants to. She does. God. Gods. Couldn't she just…

What if she misses this thing, too?

"You go on. Tell me what she says," Moon says, softly.

The words echo in her like ripples, distorted water filling her senses and pulling her down.

He never blamed her.

He never told her she'd been wrong. He'd never told begrudged her her forced smiles and the way she said she was fine when she wasn't.

Moon wonders, really, what else she's missed. Stella had taken a step or two — her first ones — while Moon was entertaining guests during dinner. She remembers hearing that she'd missed it from River and part of her heart felt like splintered china.

She doesn't want to miss this, but she just. Just. Just…

Can't.

She hadn't even realized River had left.

And she hadn't realized he'd come back, thrusting Stella into her arms.

She'd looked at him wide eyed, and yet… there's nothing she can say that would do justice to her swelling heart.

Moon doesn't say anything. River doesn't either. They just watch Stella, Little Starsong, reaching for her mother's hair. Long, blonde. Curled somewhat, despite the bedhead.

'Mama.'

If her first words had been 'papa' or 'dada,' Moon wouldn't have even been mad. River deserved it. And yet, Moon can't help but burst into tears — happy ones — at the sound of Stella's affirmation.

She's a baby, she doesn't know what it is she's saying. But Moon knows. And Moon beams at that.

…

"Tell her I said hi," River says.

"I will."

"And tell her I love her," River says.

"I will."

Moon laughs. River goes in for his umpteenth hug of the morning.

"You are worrying too much, River. I promise I'll be fine and that I'll text you when I get there."

"Will you? You're terrible with a mobile."

"I will, I will. Now, you have to let me go so I can make my flight, alright?"

And that would be that, wouldn't it? Moon leaves, River stays and holds the fort in her absence. That's how it is, isn't it?

Goodbye.

Only he catches her hand and Moon's heart flutters for a moment. She turns. There's that expression of his. That truly earnest and kind one.

"Just so we're clear, I'm not letting you go. I love you too much for that."

Moon gives a hum of an exhale. "Technically, you are 'letting me go'—" But she stops with that look he gives her.

"You know what I mean."

She rolls her eyes. "I know what you mean."

He kisses her again.

"Public displays of affection are not a Butterfly Virtue," Moon states, plainly, as a response. But that false seriousness melts away just as quickly as it starts. "Alright, I really have to go or I'll be late. I love you."

"I love you too," he says, giving her hand a last squeeze. "I mean it, give her a hug for me."

"I will."

"And look after yourself?"

"I will."

"And know that we'll be okay."

"We will?"

"We will."

[menodoramoon]

Worn Threads || Stellaluna

Characters: Stella Butterfly, Menodora Perhonen, River Johansen When: Sometime in Spring, 2021 Summary: One of the last arguments between Stella and Menodora.

ft. @stellabfly

Read: Doc, or Read Below

🌙 Menodora Perhonen

—

[The Halls of the Perhonen Estate. Some years ago.]

"We are not discussing this anymore, Stella," Moon says, doing her best to ignore whatever excuse her daughter had planned. Her training was off-course, her magic was erratic. She was far too much a wild child than a proper candidate for countess. Moon's patience is thinner today than normal. "And if you must sulk, can you not do so like a ghost in every room? It's unbecoming."

Which truly is the best thing that Moon can say, isn't it?

Stella needed to stop being so emotional about such things. Travelling! Isn't it exciting? Shouldn't she be excited to have been encouraged this way.

'Baby' -- the nickname for her godmother -- had even helped Moon find suitable housing for Stella. A real house. And sure, it would be no estate, but Stella should be happy!

"Oh, don't give me that look," Moon says, attempting to soften. "You ought to be packing, getting ready for your grand adventure!"

🌟 Stella Butterfly

—

Was she perhaps too old to be throwing a tantrum? Yes. But she was also too old to be treated like a child. So if that’s what her mother saw her as—a petulant baby with a bad attitude—that’s how she would act.

“I don’t think we’ve even discussed it! It’s just been you telling me what to do, over and over again like all you ever do!” She retorts, stamping her foot.

She leans against the wall, folding her arms. “it’s unbecoming,” she mimics in a high voice, quietly. But still loud enough for her mother to hear.

She pouts, her nose scrunching at her nostrils. Her brow furrowed grumpily.

Packing. Adventure. Like this was all some wonderful getaway. She knows what it is. She’s being sent away for not being good enough. She wasn’t countess material so they were getting rid of her until she was.

“If it’s so grand of an adventure, you go on it,” Stella snaps, rolling her eyes. “It’s not fair; you never got sent away for training!” What’s so wrong with her that she has to be sent away?

🌙 Menodora Perhonen

—

Moon tries to indulge listening to Stella's complaints, but it all goes awry when Star mimics her and Moon turns sharply, and gives Stella a warning glare. It's wordless, but clear.

Her own mother had only worn that expression once or twice in Moon's entire life that Moon could remember.

They're standing in the hall, outside one of the studies. Moon's cheeks flush as Stella snaps at her and Moon would normally not even tolerate this level of impertinence but, sure, Stella was angry and Moon did understand it. Still, her face flushes and she has to will those pink diamonds from appearing on her cheeks.

Don't, not now…

"Sometimes things aren't fair, Stella. And sometimes you just don't recognize an opportunity when it's right in front of you," Moon says, trying to level her voice. In earnest, she wasn't -- usually -- easily upset. Somehow, fights with Star shortened the wick significantly. "And my circumstances were much different, Stella, and you know it."

She says it but doesn't elaborate. Sure, Stella knew her mother became Countess at sixteen, the youngest countess in generations. The circumstances surrounding that, however, were something Moon did her best to obscure. Still, Star's words stung harshly. "I really don't appreciate this tone from you, young lady. You really should--"

Moon doesn't get the chance to finish, and she's glad of it. Her voice had risen and it would truly be unbecoming of her.

River opens the door of the study, and Moon turns away from him, still flustered. "What's going on out here," he asks, looking between his daughter and wife. "Are you two... Okay?"

🌟 Stella Butterfly

—

Her mother shoots her a look, but Star remains unmoved by it. Perhaps there was a time where it would have shut her up and shut her down. But right now, she’s too hurt to be compelled into submission. She was not going to take this lying down. She was not going to be kicked out of her home for nothing without a fight.

She just glares back at her mother. Not as hardened or intimidating, but it was a clear mirror.

“This isn’t an opportunity!! This is you all being mad that I’m not little miss perfect like you! So you’re getting rid of me!” She responds, her voice growing a little louder.

And she doesn’t know. She doesn’t know anything about that, not really. Because everything was kept so secret from her! How was she expected to learn and grow if they didn’t even trust her with her family’s history?

“And I don’t appreciate this tone from you—” she starts, but stops as the door opens. Stella hugs herself and looks away from both of her parents, pouting again.

Pouting made it sound so childish, though. It was hurt. It was a deep hurt that she couldn’t even begin to process. All her life she was told she was meant for one thing. And now she’s being sent away because she’s not good enough for that thing. It felt like not only was she being removed from her home, but like she was being removed entirely from the family. Being sent somewhere so they could stay here and say ‘what heir? The Butterflys have no heir.’

“Tell her I’m not going,” Stella says, still not looking at either of her parents, but clearly talking to her father. “Tell her she’s being irrational and annoying.”

🌙 Menodora Perhonen

—

"I really wish you wouldn't be so pessimistic about this," Moon says, exasperated. In a way, Moon was slightly envious. She'd never travelled. Her mother has. Star was going to. And besides that, saying what she had is an easy mask for all the other feelings she had about Star's words, roiling like acid in her heart. Little Miss Perfect... ha, Stella.

Sure. There were high expectations set for Stella, but Moon did the best she could to keep Star out of trouble and away from the Commission's scrutiny. Even with those efforts, it clearly wasn't enough. Star clearly wasn't taking any of this seriously.

It's all these caustic, lingering secrets that are corroding their relationship.

River looks at Stella, surprised. Turns to Moon with a searching look, then looks away. Towards Stella again.

"Stella, honey--," River starts, and Moon doesn't know why she does it, if something inside her has snapped, but she can't help it.

"Don't indulge her. Don't--"

"Menodora."

And it's the full name that nearly breaks her. River rarely used her full name, and especially not in that tone. She bites the inside of her lip. Raises her head, trying to maintain some amount of control in the situation.

"You're being, maybe not irrational and annoying," River says, trying to calm her, "but don't you think it's a bit harsh? This is the only home she knows."

Moon pinches the bridge of her nose, looks at Stella even if Stella's not looking back. "It's not entirely up to me, is it? You can call me cold, but the Commission was very clear about Stella's training. It's way off track. And starting fires in the rye fields and not even being able to pass some simple tests--"

She's getting worked up. She's being very Un-Countess-like. Moon takes a deep breath.

"It's decided, Stella."

"Moon, dear--"

"Don't take her side on this."

🌟 Stella Butterfly

—

So pessimistic? She wasn't being pessimistic--she knows she could have fun wherever she gets sent, it's the fact that she didn't want to leave. She didn't want to get kicked out of her own home because, what? she wasn't good enough for some stupid old traditions?

Her father tries to say something, but no. Moon wouldn't have that. That wasn't his job. His job was to support her, at least in her mother's eyes. That's how it always went when they argued. River was urged to take Moon's side. Or he took neither side. Nobody ever took Stella's side. At least that's how she felt about it all.

She doesn't like hearing her parents argue, though. She doesn't like knowing she's the cause of it.

Her mother starts to list off things Stella has done wrong. Not even being able to pass some simple tests. Stella feels her eyes well with tears. Maybe they were simple to her mother, but they weren't for her. It just didn't make sense. And the way that did make sense for her was wrong according to everyone else. It's not fair. She didn't ask for this--she didn't want any of this.

Stella pulls her wand out of her waistband, and slams her fist against the wall, the hearts on her cheeks flaring up a deep shade of red, almost glowing, as a seam in the wall spiderwebs out from where her hand made contact, something thick and shimmering like an oil spill starting to bubble out of the seam before it all dissipates, like its getting sucked back into her hand. The glow from her fades, and her grip on her wand is tight. No sign of what she had done ever there. But enough to get her mother's attention, even for a second. maybe enough to remind her that while she might not be good at the magic her mother and the commission wanted her to do, she was still pretty damn good at magic. .

"Why don't I get a say in this? Just because you didn't? That's not fair!" She doesn't care about keeping her voice down anymore. Her father's already found them arguing, and at this point, what would anyone else do? Send her away? "I'm not you! Stop trying to make me be you!"

🌙 Menodora Perhonen

—

Why couldn't Stella see this would be for her benefit? She may not like it now, but she would. Eventually. It was the change to explore new magic, and have some correspondence lessons with Glossaryck. And it wasn't like she could never come home. It was just that she would take her studies and training elsewhere. It wasn't like banishment.

Menodora's tired of this. She's ready to put this behind her, to simply walk away, but Stella's acting erratically. Slamming her fist on the wall, causing her magic to act unpredictably. This is why she has to learn control. Exactly this. These outbursts could one day hurt someone, and how is she meant to protect anyone if she wasn't able to control herself?

"Life's not always fair, Stella," Moon snaps back, again, more harsh than she means.

She knows it's harsh because River turns to her with a concerned look on his face. Don't do this, River, Moon thinks. And he does exactly what she doesn't want, which is walk up to her and take her hands. It was calming, it always had been. When he took her hands, or rested his palms on her upper arms, just trying to soothe her. She may not like to admit it, but she did have a habit of overstressing. Not just working herself up over Stella, but just over anything.

"Moonbeam, honey. Be kind. Please."

To which, Moon has to consider whether or not she's right or not. No matter how much she tries to think from Star's perspective, the sight of the oil spill and Star's heart cheek marks glowing just circled her back to the exact reasoning that they were sending Star to train elsewhere. Because–

"You're right, you're not me. I wouldn't be pitching a tantrum over this! Throwing an unbecoming fit over something like this! It's training, not exile!" .

River tightens his grip on her hands, and there's something there that Moon can't place. He's not letting go and Moon can tell another conversation was waiting after this one. Internally, she groans. Neither of them understood the predicament she was in. They were in.

"Stella, I'm listening," River says, though he's not looking at her. He's looking at Moon with a serious expression. One that she understands the intent behind, all too clearly. They're listening. Moon wasn't meant to interrupt what Stella was going to say and while Moon wants to protest and tell River that he was being unreasonable, she doesn't. She inhales sharply, then tries to settle on the exhale.

Fine.

Moon looks down at River's hands holding hers. Moon figures enough resignation had registered on her face.

"Okay, we're listening," River says, "what would you like us to hear?"

🌟 Stella Butterfly

—

She wants to just scream. Words aren't forming, thoughts aren't forming, she just wants to yell and scream and maybe make something catch on fire, but she doesn't. Just tightens her grip on her wand, growing more rigid. While her cheeks aren't glowing, the hearts are definitely a dark and stormy color. Televising her anger and frustration, at least a little.

Her father tries again to get Moon to listen. Taking her hands, trying to calm her. And there's a part of her that wishes he had come to her, to hold her and comfort her.

And then her mother snaps back with something else and Star does let out a loud frustrated groan that's definitely closer to a scream. Just short. "You don't understand ANYTHING!" she snaps back, the tears in her eyes from anger, not sadness.

River promises he's listening. She doubts it. She doubts either of them were listening. They might hear her, but they weren't listening.

What would she like them to hear? Well she has a few less than professional responses that come to mind. She could just scream really loud. She could curse, that would probably make her mother faint.

"I want you to hear that I hate this plan," Stella says sternly. "That I hate that you're listening to the commission over your own daughter. I HATE that you don't even try to get to know me!! You just see me as a thing for you to control! You just see me as a worse version of yourself! And I HATE HOW EASY IT IS FOR YOU TO JUST GET RID OF ME BECAUSE YOU THINK I'M NOT GOOD ENOUGH!!" She's yelling, she's crying. Her father isn't looking at her but even if he was it wouldn't matter, because she's just glaring at her mother.

🌙 Menodora Perhonen

—

How had they devolved into this? How had Moon lost her cold so quickly, how had Stella become so hot-tempered. When she was younger, Moon used to do her hair. She would braid small sections and give her little braided crowns. Now, Moon can't imagine them being so close again.

Expectations were crushing.

Stella starts and it's like a wildfire. It burns through her, all the anger and frustration and Moon knows her hands are shaking and she knows River can feel it too. He presses them tighter, trying to stead his wife. Moon is doing her best, she really is, to be understanding. But she just doesn't understand. That's the trouble with all of this.

Her daughter burns bright like the star she's affectionately named after. Moon can't blame Stella for that, can she?

The accusations leveled: Moon doesn't even try to get to know her, that she thinks Stella is something to control, that she sees Stella as a worse version of herself... That it's easy sending her away.

Moon is ready to fire something, anything, back. Address each of those items with a similar fire. Or perhaps it would be something colder... Moon really does feel herself losing energy for this. She feels herself burning out of this conversation. Burning out of patience for Stella and her argumentative attitude.

River has always been able to read her thoughts, hadn't he? He gives her hands another squeeze before stepping back. Back towards Stella, and Moon knows she shouldn't feel so betrayed, but at this moment, most of her feelings are that of being cornered.

River throws an arm around their daughter, pulls her into a hug. "Hey, Starshine, let it out," he says. Still standing somewhat between the two of them. Moon feels chastised, even if River hasn't said a word to her. Stella can glare all she wants, but it wouldn't change a thing. She was still leaving soon. And she hadn't packed.

Maybe if Moon was thinking more clearly, she could have hugged Star and told her exactly what she was thinking. Not the angry thoughts, the other ones she buried. About why she was so protective, and where it came from. And how it warped and how it broke them over and over again.

Moon doesn't have the awareness for that, though, does she? She's the perfect Countess, how could she ever be wrong?

"You don't have to coddle her," Moon mutters, and it seems that that's the cruelty that has River mad at her. Properly mad.

"What is wrong with you?" He asks, and it's more heated than she'd heard him in a long time. Usually he was the calm one in situations like this. Sure, when things were meant to be fun, he was excitable and enthusiastic, but he rarely got mad at either of them. And if he did, he rarely spoke up like this.

Menodora looks at him, incredulous. "I have no idea what you mean," she says, tersely, "it's already been decided, River. Stella's going to Swynlake, a place she chose, may I remind you."

"Even so, we can't appeal this? We can't appeal that this is a strange and possibly cruel punishment. You keep saying it's an opportunity for her, yet she doesn't want it. Anyone who can teach her magic is here. Why do you want to send her away?" Want to? Want to. "I don't!" Moon snaps, exasperated. "I don't want Stella to go, I want her to remain here and we would work something out. Unfortunately, though, my vote got overruled by the Commission, and that's where we are. Both of you. I'm sorry that we all can't make our own choices, Stella, I'm sorry you feel that this is unfair. It's what's being done, though, and I'm not going to argue with you about it anymore." .

"You can't make an exception to fight this because she's your daughter?" River argues, leaving Star's side. Standing properly between them. Maybe Moon wouldn't argue with Star, but she would argue with River. "You need to be her mother, Menodora."

"I am her mother," Moon fires back.

"You're being a Countess," he says, biting back irritation.

Moon knew that expression, she knew the way his voice shook.

"You're not thinking of Stella as your daughter, you're thinking of her as a successor," he adds, only slightly softer.

Moon puts a hand to her temple. Pressing it. Pressuring it. She can't, she really just can't handle this right now. There really could be no peace for them, could there?

🌟 Stella Butterfly

—

River puts his arms around her and for some reason, there's no comfort to it. Usually a hug from him made everything feel so much better, usually she felt safe and comforted by him. But the anger is still there. Her eyes still burn with tears, but she doesn't crumble into a sobbing mess in her dad's arms like she half expected. She barely hugs him back.

And Moon's chiding little remark feels like a knife through her heart. You don't have to coddle her.

It's not coddling! Stella wants to shout. It's actually giving a shit about you kid!

But it's River's voice that echoes through the room, and Stella almost can't breathe. And then her parents are arguing with each other, about her. She can't move in her spot.

Moon claims she doesn't want that. She claims she wants her to stay here. No you don't; you would've fought harder if you did.

But River is saying the words. This hurts more than arguing with her mother. Because her mother will hear River's words better. Because now they're arguing and it's her fault.

Anything she could've said, her father says instead, in a way where perhaps it will hit deeper into Moon, or perhaps it won't and it'll just create a rift between those two as well.

She should say something else, but she doesn't know what to say. She should do something but she can't move. She feels like she's miles away from her own body. None of this would be happening if she could've just been better. Maybe she was the problem…

Stella turns to walk away, quickly. "I have to pack," Stella's voice is sharp and burning. "Don't bother me."

🌙 Menodora Perhonen

"Stella," River calls after her, and Moon feels guilt rise up in her throat. Like bile. Like regret. But Moon couldn't be wrong. She's not wrong. This was what was right for Star. She just didn't see it yet.

River turns to her, and a switch flips. Moon looks... Upset. Not because of her actions, or exactly because of her actions. Everything that had transpired here... Was she being more Countess than mother? Isn't that what was necessary?

Someone needed to be rational. Someone needed to make sure everything kept working as it should.

"You have to go apologize to her," River says to her, and Moon looks up. Surprised.

"She just told us not to bother her," Moon replies, feeling distant.

River closes his eyes. She recognizes that steadying breath.

"Is that the only thing you heard her say, Menodora?"

She really wishes he'd stop using her full name. It feels... Weird. And altogether more serious.

"I heard her throw a tantrum over a perfectly reasonable decis--"

"Don't give me that," River snaps back. "Don't give me a diplomatic speech, I know you. I've heard you do this. You and Stella aren't always in the best of terms, but this is--... She trusted you to stand up for her, and you didn't."

"Don't you---"

"No, Moon. You can't treat her like this. Like a child and expect her to be a grown up. She's your daughter and you're so wrapped up in making sure she can handle being a Countess, you're forgetting that she's a person!"

It feels so strange for River to be saying these things.

Moon... Is at a loss for words. She's angry, yes, but she's also... She's hurt. She's hurt River didn't see the rational point of view. She's hurt he'd take Stella's side.

They'd always gotten along better than Moon and Stella had. River was the fun parent. Moon was more serious. That counted for something, yes? No. Not in matters like this.

"I'm tired," Moon says, quietly. And she really does just want to retire for the night. Their room was in the opposite direction. She's already two steps down the hall when River says something. Quiet. But she hears him. 

"I'll sleep in a guest room," he says. 

She turns back to him sharply. Not angrily. Not about this. More surprised. And the hurt keeps happening. 

"What?" 

River looks away. 

"I think we need to be honest about what happened. And I think I should give you some space."

I don't want space, River. I don't want to be alone.

"I'll check on Stella later. Even if she doesn't want to be bothered, we should. I should. I'll let you know."

Something in Moon splinters. But she nods, understanding the minimum of this. 

"Goodnight, then," she says, turning away.

She doesn't hear River move until she's around the corner.