𝕭𝖔𝖔𝖐 𝕿𝖜𝖔
𝔖𝔲𝔪𝔪𝔞𝔯𝔶: From trolls to dragons to foreign princesses, Astraea Aphelion grows stronger as she
continues to navigate medieval Britain using her wit and heart, standing unshaken beside Merlin and Arthur as they face every threa...
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📍 Camelot
⏳July, 506 AD
[warning: horror scenes]
A turning-fifteen-year-old Astraea Aphelion stood in the middle of her Uncle's living room with widened eyes and an agape mouth.
Or rather, in the middle of what was previously a living room; because it had been turned into something that more closely resembled a nightclub. Or what she assumes a nightclub to look like based on the TV shows she likes to watch. She has never been to a real one, nor does she ever want to. The mere thought of that atmosphere has always been suffocating to her.
Right above Astra, mocking her, was a huge multicolour 'Happy Birthday' sign made up of blinding lights. Loud music blared from the speakers placed somewhere in the room, and the space reeked of humanity: sweat and a mix of unique odours that came off each individual, tangling into an undecipherable web of nauseating scents.
"Well? What do ya' think?" Kelly asked her with a proud grin, speaking loudly so that she could be heard over the chaotic environment.
Astra's eyes scanned the sea of people she was drowning in. Most faces she's only seen in passing, a few are slightly familiar, and one is very dear to her; for it belongs to the only person she considers a friend – Marie. However, the blonde seemed preoccupied with a tall boy that stood beside her.
"We thought we'd do somethin' different this year," Kelly added.
"It's something, all right," Astraea finally replied in a mumble while trying not to let her discontentment show too much. After all, Kelly (and, no doubt, Gustab) went through the trouble of organising a big party for her. It's not their fault that she's not wired correctly and doesn't enjoy crowds. Or loud music. Or flashing lights. Or dancing...
She's not about to be rude and ruin the event for everyone. So she forced a smile. "This is very kind of you, Aunt. Thank you."
"Aw! I'm glad ya' like it! See how many people showed up? They care about ya' n' wanna celebrate with you, dear!" Kelly replied, sending the girl a knowing look while a smirk played on her lips, as if she'd just won an argument.
Astraea snorted, knowing that everyone there only cares about partying, no matter what the cause – save for Marie... or so she would like to think. But still she nodded at her Aunt's words.
Kelly informed Astra that she'd be upstairs with her Uncle if anything came up, and then she left the room, abandoning the girl right in the middle of it.
Despite the large crowd, Astra felt utterly alone. As if she were right in the middle of the Atlantic ocean with nothing but kilometres of endless water around her threatening to swallow her whole and leave no trace. Her face began to feel hot and her lungs cried in need of fresh air, so she rushed outside.
