a mother's touch | harmony

[idele venn vector]

━ i move so far in time ━

mid-july 2028

BEING TOLD SHE NEEDED TO spend more time at home only resulted in a groan from the youngest Vector. Telling Nova that same morning that she would need to leave a little early than usual of course resulted with concerning questions but also understanding. She had an exciting morning no less, helping out with baking cookies and measurements by Nova and Decima's side, getting slightly messy with flour and mixtures.

Though, unbeknownst to the Vector, flour settled on Idele's collar and hem of her shirt, with a small amount on her cheek also. Pushing the doors open to her family home, Idele's eyes rolled the moment she was welcomed by Midge. Midge had been around since the youngest Vector was even a child, and most times she was...perfectly fine.

But the more the Vector grew, the more irritable she became from even the slightest things. Unfortunately Midge's actions contributed to that. "Where is she?" Idele questioned, knowing that the first thing she had to do upon arriving home was 'report' to her mother. "Study? Garden? Kitchen?"

| Harmony Vector |

[Harmony Vector]

killer queen.

july 2028

THE CHARMED OIL PAINTS SEEMED TO HAVE A life of their very own. Harmony watched the sharp orange meld with cold silver, the half-finished horizon seeming more like an ocean on fire than an abstract landscape. She hummed over her pallet knife, eyes narrowing as she thought of all the ways it might be more beautiful, more precise. Harmony rarely painted for fun nowadays. She did commissions at great monetary gain, with the occasional passion piece for high society 'friends'. Currently, she was working on a piece for a new part-Veela living in Antibes. She had asked for something luxurious, but modernly abstract. Harmony had agreed, due to the cheque that had been deposited into her Gringotts vault, but she despised the term 'abstract'.

The sound of Midge's footsteps pulled Harmony from her reverie. She checked the simple gold watch at her wrist and sighed. On its face were five golden hands. Two for hour and minute. An additional three were embossed each with the initials of her children. When they were in proximity, they pointed to the 12, indicating that they were near 'home'. For Harmony. home was within walking distance, never something as simple as four plain walls. The hands pointed at the six when 'danger' was suspected, but this was merely precautionary.

Setting her pallet knife down, Harmony backed away from her canvas to face Midge in the doorway of her studio. "Mistresses rust-haired girl child has arrived." Midge bowed low for Harmony, hands clasped in front. "She's is refusing to give Midge her jacket and take off her filthy, rotten old shoes, Mistress!" Midge practically wailed, her nose almost touching the fine polished floor. Harmony tutted, but stayed silent as she allowed Midge a moment to collect herself. She really was a stickler for her chores, but she supposed that was how Harmony liked it. She wouldn't be wrong. Harmony pulled a silver Sickle from the breast pocket of her starched white shirt and handed it to Midge as she passed.

"I'll deal with Idele, Midge." She declared without looking down. "In the meantime, you could fetch us some iced fruit tea and perhaps something light to go along with it..." As Midge disappeared eagerly out of the hall with a pop, Harmony could already hear her daughter's trundling footsteps marching from the front parlor. She moved to meet her, pulling her wand from the bun in her hair and vanishing any trace of paint from her hands and person. Idele's outrageously unbrushed hair was the first thing Harmony noticed, wrinkling her nose at her unkempt appearance.

"Ah, I see I've found your blast zone." Harmony greeted Idele with a sharp cheer, closing the space between them and very delicately hooking both of her hands into the loose collar of that awful brown coat. She pulled it away from Idele's shoulders and down her arms in an almost practised maneuver. It was off before Idele could take another step, Harmony shaking it out with a disgusted sniff. Midge appeared with a pop, snatching the coat when it was offered and disappearing in a single breath. "I presume I don't have to assist you in taking off those atrocious boots?" Harmony inquired, looking down at her flour dusted daughter with a fond exasperation. "I will if I have to." She crossed her arms and pursed her mouth. 

idele venn vector

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[idele venn vector]

━ i move so far in time ━

WATCHING AS MIDGE SCURRIED OFF, probably to announce her arrival to her mother, Idele couldn't help but roll her eyes at the high-toned pitch that emerged from the elf. Midge claimed that Idele was refusing to hand over her jacket and shoes when in actuality, Midge hadn't even asked for them. "God I hate Midge.." The youngest Vector mumbled, before feeling rather tense from her mother's presence.

Her mother's nose wrinkled, automatically signifying a bad sign, that Idele was so looking forward to. "Blast zone?.." Idele muttered, slightly holding her breath as the space closed between her mother and her. With her coat pried from her in literal seconds, the youngest Vector stood rather shocked. She knew she couldn't say anything to protest, nor even point out such a thing as she knew her mother would complain and critique as a response.

"N-No." She stuttered, lifting one leg to her chest to take the shoe off before doing the same with the other. She wasn't typically afraid of her mother, but since spending more time with Nova and Decima during the summer, Harmony Vector always found something to complain about every time Idele came home. Handing over the dusted shoes to Midge, Idele stood, her thin socks feeling the coldness of their rather expensive flooring.

| Harmony Vector |

[Harmony Vector]

killer queen.

july 2028

FREE OF THE BULKY BROWN COAT, HARMONY took a moment to inspect her daughter from all angles. Doing a short, deliberate circle of her person as she stood glumly in the parlour. Her face sour, but unblemished. Her hair was tangled, and Harmony mentally made a note to contact the new hair stylist on Horizont to make an appointment for the following weekend. She would let Idele choose how she might take advantage of said appointment, but a trim would be expected at the very minimum. She snagged a loose, tangled strand as she came to a stop, her manicured fingernail catching in a knot. She tutted audibly and let go, knowing if she did not that Idele would surely snatch her head away and tear the entire lock free out of spite.

"Smart girl," Harmony commented with a fond little smile. Watching Idele hop in place as she pried her dirty big boots from her feet to reveal socks that bunched around her ankles unattractively and where horrifically odd. With Midge's final, irritated little 'pop', the shoes were gone and Idele looked rather lost as she hovered in place. It was strange, and it ached somewhere in Harmony's chest, but lately Harmony did not know quite what to make of her precious daughter.

"Must you look so ill at ease?" Harmony asked with a lift of her brows. She clasped a hand around Idele's shoulder and turned her in front of her, urging her along the hallway with a soft press of her finger and thumb and toward the front room. She leaned down as she did, matching her daughter's slow pace. "You look as if you've been torn from the pages of a sad little fable, ma petit." She unclasped her hand to reach down and poke a teasing finger into Idele's side. Just as she might have done to a much smaller, much easier version of her daughter. "I've asked Midge to bring us cake." She straightened, smoothing a hand down Idele's crown in a way that almost comforted herself more than anybody else. She was here, she could be touched. She was safe. 

idele venn vector

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[idele venn vector]

━ i move so far in time ━

AS HER MOTHER CIRCLED AROUND her, Idele simply feared the worst. Her mother was analytical in the worst of ways, and was far from afraid to let the subject at hand know why they were seen as a failure. Her mother had always reminded her that her appearance was just as important as academics, as the way one composes themselves or presents themselves to others held just as much value.

Feeling her mother tug a little at her hair, the youngest Vector held back the whine that fought to leave her lips. She knew any form of complaint from her mother's inspection would've probably resulted in an unnecessary argument. And Idele didn't need anything of the sort. Especially when she was barely being held on a freedom leash anyway. One small complaint and the right to see Nova and their aunt would be stripped away.

So instead she stood simply, her expression sour but lips thin. With her mother's hand raising and resting on her shoulder, the youngest Vector took the hint and began walking down the hallway, towards the front room. "I'm sorry.." She muttered, unsure of what else to say.

Feeling a finger poke into her side, Idele let a quiet giggle slip before her lips thinned out again. She didn't want to give her mother the satisfaction, to know she still enjoyed the childish things she used to endure. "Cake?" She questioned, feeling herself lean into her mother's touch.

"Should I change then?..I feel a little..underdressed for it." Considering she was still in the slightly older clothes she had chosen for labour at the bakery, there was the odd speck of flour here and there also. "Unless its not for a cause of celebration..?" She couldn't recall the last time she had an odd slice of cake with her mother. Or even sat idly with her unless there was a purpose for it.

| Harmony Vector |

[Harmony Vector]

killer queen.

july 2028

THE APOLOGY WAS PERFUNCTORY, A REHEARSE of a full sentence that fell from dull, lazy lips. It stung somewhere under Harmony's perfectly manicured layers of 'motherhood', where a selfish lonesome Veela made its nest. She couldn't scream at her children, couldn't throw a fit when they didn't perform as she wished. That wasn't the mother she had wanted to be, so instead she took the cool, dry palm of her hand and let it cup around Idele's stubborn little cheek. Appreciated the way it almost mirrored Harmony's own. She rubbed a smudge of dirt from Idele's freckled cheekbone and tutted three times in a row.

"Why, hm?" She asked her daughter, a simple request for an answer she knew she couldn't give. Her soft, rubbing thumb pulled away just before it was shunned, along with her hand. She shared a private look of disgust for the dirt on her thumb and rubbed it against her pointer finger with a cool hush of wordless magic as she spelled it away in an instant. She still felt it though, the ghost of dirt giving her an itchy, restless feeling. Her hands went deep into the pockets of her cream, cashmere shrug.

"Cake!" She declared with a pleased shrug, smiling closed mouth at her daughter as it finally made her move from her slouched little heap in her hallway. "With Midge's sour gooseberry lemonade, I suspect." She pulled her arms free to cup Idele's shoulders and lead her down the hallway toward the sunroom at the top of the townhouses stairs. "Non, non, non, ma petit." Harmony gave her daughter a gleeful little shake. "I barely see you as it is, we can look through your wardrobe after I spend some time with you, eh?" She pressed a kiss to her cheek and flounced around Idele to lead the way up the stairs and into the large, airy sunroom.

"Your brothers, they come once, twice, three times a week." She gestures with her hands, her expression forlorn. Idele, she had taken her time at secondary education as an escape, it seemed. It made Harmony feel almost feral with her desire to claw her tiny little baby back into her orbit. However, with every yank Harmony attempted towards herself, Idele seemed to dig her heels further and further into the ground, pulling away from Harmony until she barely recognised her only daughter. "They stay, they make a mess, they spend time with your mama." Harmony cast a long look over her shoulder, casting a chiding expression at Idele. "You are so busy, my time with you is precious."

Throwing the sunroom door open, the light spilled out like fresh cut beams. A room with more windows than walls, with great hanging plants of thick, green leaves and plush cream armchairs. In one corner lay a half finished easel, in the other Midge very carefully lay a silver tea tray laden with treats. "Come, come!" She clapped her hands, and held the door open for Idele to enter the room in front of her. Almost as if Harmony was afraid she'd run at the mere notion of tea in her favourite room. 

idele venn vector

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[idele venn vector]

━ i move so far in time ━

STRANGELY ENOUGH, DEEP DOWN WITHIN Idele Vector, she knew no one could make her as nervous as her mother could. But having her mothers cool hand rest against her cheek only made the youngest Vector flush, her cheeks and entire face feeling hotter than usual. It wasn't normal to feel such a thing, but Harmony Vector simply knew the best kinds of ways to make her children or people in general uncomfortable in a matter of seconds.

"Why?" She found herself repeating, eyes widening for just a moment. She didn't know how to respond or even answer the question, so simply parroting off her mother was the best choice. Noticing as her mother rubbed her fingers once, twice, and over and over again, Idele assumed there was more dirt upon her face than she simply assumed. That was something to bring up to Nova later..A charm that would help clean herself up a little better...

Being led by her mother while listening to her additions about the cake they were about to have, Idele's facial expressions soured for a moment. Midge's sour gooseberry lemonade was the one thing she couldn't stand. But complaining in Harmony Vector's household simply didn't exist, so the youngest knew she would simply have to deal with it.

As the two walked in the direction of the sunroom, it slowly began to click in Idele's mind. She was rarely seen in the sunroom as it was considered as one of her mother's favourite places to be. That meant no mess, dirt, or even foul expressions or language could even taint it either. "Look through my wardrobe?..Midge already brought new clothes last week.."

It was almost impossible for the Idele to get away with wearing the same outfit twice. Especially with Midge as their house elf. Idele kept a secret box of all of her favourite clothes simply for that reason. "They do?" Idele asked.It was rare for the youngest to even speak to her twin brothers, considering that the three of them were triplets but she was the 'odd one out'. "I'm sorry..I just want to be ready for my OWLs.."

There were more reasons to that of course, the feeling of needing to be away and the craving thought of escaping the hell hole that was the Vector family home. But of course, Idele would never- she could never even say such a thing. Raising a hand to cover her eyes from the sudden spill of light in the sun room, Idele couldn't help but smile eventually from the view and the warmth of it all. No wonder why this was her mother's favourite place to be.

Stepping carefully inside, Idele looked around cautiously. It wasn't the first time she had been here - of course - but Idele was afraid to step out of place in most circumstances. "We're having cake..here?" She questioned, waiting for her mother to guide her further inside. "Are you sure its fine for me to be dressed like this Mother?.."

| Harmony Vector |

[Harmony Vector]

killer queen.

july 2028

HARMONY DECIDED IT WAS BEST TO SIMPLY ignore Idele's parroted question. She had a way of doing that, repeating what her mother said, as if that answered the question. Thankfully, Harmony hadn't required an answer, as her silence spoke more than any excuse ever would. Leading Idele through the polished hallways of their townhouse to the bright cheerfulness of the sunroom.

Harmony sat them both on finely made wicker chairs that were angled perfectly toward the largest windows in the room, a small table to match set around large, sloping plants that filled the air with a fresh, clean scent and shivered happily in a light breeze, though it was hardly cold in the space. Harmony neither tended, nor cared much for the plant life, she made sure Midge preened each leaf so that they gleamed like glossy emeralds.

"Incorrect," Harmony said with a pointed, manicured finger. "I bought you new clothes, Midge simply delivered them to you." It was important to Harmony that her children know that she tended to them, even when they were not in her immediate sight. She sat back in her chair, crossing one leg over the other elegantly so that she exuded a magazine quality of relaxation. "Which brings me to my next point," She said with a soft, expectant smile. "You complain you have enough new clothes, and yet..." A hand lifted, alongside a preened brow, she gestured at Idele's person. The slouchy jeans, the t-shirt that was far too big and stretched at the collar. "You come wearing this."

There was a beat of silence, where Idele seemed tense with being questioned and Harmony simply examined her daughter from where she sat. The sound of shifting daylight and birds could be heard from the cracked window. "Hm," Harmony hummed, falling into that same inscrutable silence that filled the air with an anticipation. "Have you taken up with any of the in-house tutors?" She asked while gazing out the window carefully. "You know, I've made no headway with the allowance of freelance tutors on school property." She mused with a slight wrinkle of her nose, the only sign of her deep and miserable displeasure at the situation. "They are being incredibly onerous, if you ask me."

With a crack, Midge appeared with a deep bow that sent her large ears flopping forward until they almost touched the floor. She carried a comically large tray for her little body, but appeared to struggle very little as it lifted from her hands and floated to the table set between Harmony and Idele's chair. "Miss is requesting gooseberry lemonade and sweet treats." Midge declared with a humble flourish. On the tray lay a tea stand stacked with delicate finger foods and a great crystal jug of deep red lemonade decorated with edible violets and marigolds. "Midge has delivered, yes." And then she disappeared with a pleased little snap.

"Honestly Idele, I'd much prefer if you dressed in the clothes I typically buy for you." Harmony agreed with a little huff, pulling her wand from her trouser pocket to direct the large jug to decant two glasses worth of the lemonade into twin crystal glasses that winked in the light. "Alas, I have almost made my peace with your impressive obstinance." Harmony winked at her daughter, though it was perhaps just a little too sharp to be entirely pleasant. "I just think you'd look much less... grimy in the odd tailored dress." She shrugged, lifting her glass to her lips for a dainty sip. "I've only the one daughter, you know." She said with a slight pinch to her mouth. 

idele venn vector

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[idele venn vector]

━ i move so far in time ━

UNDER PRESSURE, IDELE VECTOR BECAME nothing more than a parrot, doomed to simply repeat after her mother as if she had just been caught doing something she wasn't meant to be doing. True be told, the youngest Vector wasn't exactly meant to be helping out with her half-sister and aunt at the baked goods shoppe, but after some arguments and convincing no less, Idele was to be trusted to not bring her mess home with her. As well as to wear clothes that had no importance once her mother deemed them to be useless and thrown out immediately.

As her mother didn't answer, the youngest triplet took that as an overall answer, as others around her had once said. Sometimes no answer is an answer. Once the two of them sat, Idele still remained cautious, knowing if she said or did anything out of line it would be an immediate mouthful from her mother - something she wasn't willing to go through considering she had a pleasant day alongside Nova.

Seated in rather comfortable chairs, Idele watched as her finger reached out, correcting her before she sat back. Her mother's relaxed state only made the youngest more tense and so she sat up with an even straighter back. "Apologies..Thank you for the new clothes.." She slightly murmured, hoping her mother wouldn't next comment about her tone. As Harmony's hand lifted, gesturing at the clothes she wore, Idele bit down on her lip, thinking of what to say without irritating the woman.

"I..knew that you would get annoyed if I wore new clothes to the bakery and got them messy..So I chose clothes that I wouldn't of minded getting flour on..But I still wear..Mummy's new clothes whenever we have a free weekend in Hogsmeade.." Saying the word 'mummy' was innocent to many, but felt wrong rolling off of Idele's tongue. She barely felt close to her parents, seeing Nova and their aunt Decima as more of a sister and motherly figure.

With sounds of chirping birds and daylight peeking in through the windows, Idele's eyes trailed up from the ground once more, peering over at her mother. "In house at Hogwarts?..Or what you have found?.." Idele felt stupid for asking such a question, especially as her mother clarified what she had meant. The Vector's expression showed this as her lips thinned out in consideration, debating if she should tell the truth or not.

Idele had mainly sought out help herself from others at Hogwarts, asking for advice from her eldest brother and even talking to the odd professor about her future. Sure, she was but a fifth-year, but she was still interested and determined to get out of her current position. Upon Midge's return, with a tray filled with treats and finger foods, Idele's eyes widened. She hadn't realised how hungry she was until her stomach let out a quiet rumble at the sight of such delicious looking goods.

"Yes mother.." She mumbled once more, watching as the large jug rose, decanting two glasses of lemonade for them both. "Obstinance?..Mother I'm not trying to be stubborn..but more so considerate of the clothes you had bought and the mess I could potentially have made.." Of course, there were charms that could clean up said mess - some that Nova had brought up in passing, but Harmony Vector would always find, even the smallest spectacle of dust or flour.

Smiling small at her mothers wink though, Idele looked back at the treats on the tray and the floating lemonade before them before reaching out to take the glass and sip upon it. As her mother pinched at her mouth, mentioning that she only had the one daughter to try on dresses and such, the youngest began to wonder. If her mother had asked her brothers to put on a frock and run around their family home - they probably would, given how much devotion they held for their mother.

"A dress?.." Harmony knew how much the youngest triplet disliked dresses, even if the weather was at its peak temperature. There had been countless arguments years before for balls and such fancy events at Hogwarts, where Idele would plead not to go before being pressured into the dress of her mother's choice anyway.

| Harmony Vector |

[Harmony Vector]

killer queen.

july 2028

THE APOLOGY IDELE OFFERED WAS FLAT AND perfunctory, but Harmony accepted it with a slight tilt of her chin. At the very least, her daughter at the manners to attempt an apology for her ungratefulness. Plus, Harmony wasn't particularly keen to rankle her daughter's fine nerves when she had barely set foot in the door. It was hard enough to convince her daughter to visit her as it was. Always an excuse, a perfectly timed obstacle that stopped her from stopping by. Harmony disliked it, so she kept her mouth shut, as best she could.

"Right," Harmony sighed heavily, her disapproval clear on her smooth face. "The 'bakery'." She echoed the word like it was a curse, her nose wrinkling slightly as she stared into the middle distance. Harmony had agreed to her daughter working at the Vector's sugar factory for no better reason than her daughter wanted to, and she was tired of trying to convey how bad an idea it was for any longer. They had butted heads about, Harmony pressing that it was an attempt to take advantage of their family, and Idele convinced it was nothing more than an attempt to 'spend time together'. A sickening insinuation that Harmony refuted.

"Good," Harmony sighed, watching Idele pander to her and enjoying it just a little bit. Idele knew how to soften Harmony, and acknowledging her as her mother was one sure fire way. Harmony felt so overwhelming protective of her children that it was borderline detrimental, but she could not see that. Couldn't fathom how her love could be anything but beneficial. Tutting softly, Harmony clarified, "In house, of course." She said, turning her nose up at the preposed tutors hired within Hogwarts. "They won't let my independent tutors work within the school." She rolled her eyes and her fingers drummed a restless beat on the arms of her chair. "Something about licensing." It seemed like a farce to her.

Lifting her glass of lemonade, Harmony took a dainty sip and held the glass aloft as she watched Idele flap in defence of herself. It was quite the sight to see. "Fine," She said with a slight purse of her mouth. "If you say so." Though she appeared unconvinced, as Idele was particularly stubborn and uncomfortable whenever Harmony did manage to wrangle her into an outfit she had chosen for herself.

"You know," Harmony's smile turned almost wistful, rolling her lips together and setting her glass down as she cast her mind back to a simpler time. "You used to be so pleased when I dressed you as a child." Her smile softened. "I couldn't get a minute of peace from you." Harmony recalled a very small, red faced baby with the biggest eyes of wonder. Harmony had never really wanted a daughter, afraid of what it might mean for her given her own circumstances. But, she loved her daughter fiercely regardless. "You were my shadow."

The disgust was plain on Idele's face as she said the word 'dress' as if it were a curse word. "You used to like dresses." Harmony declared, defending her suggestion with a slight sharpening of her jaw. She took a very small macaroon from the tea tray and nibbled on one end, watching Idele's features for each flickering emotion. She used to be able to read her daughter's face like a book, but it had become harder and harder as time had gone on. "Relax," She said after a beat. "I'm not going to force you into anything with frills." And she huffed a laugh at the tension in her daughter's shoulders.

idele venn vector

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[idele venn vector]

━ i move so far in time ━

KNOWING THAT HER APOLOGY WAS acceptable, Idele wondered of her mother's reaction if she had faked her enthusiasm instead; if she had chosen the route of pleasing her mother instead of biting at the hand that fed her. Thankful that her mother didn't say anything regardless, Idele remained quiet, even as her mother began her own response, talking about the bakery.

The youngest Vector knew her mother was far from a fan regarding her siblings and aunt, but knowing that Idele's happiness tied and tethered on her freedom outside the household too, Idele felt glad that her mother sucked it up. Though things were growing increasingly difficult the more the triplets grew. The boys bonded well with their mother, but Idele couldn't help but feel like an outcast altogether. "Yes...'n since I'm sometimes using flour or overall messy things I thought it was best to go with something less..flattering.."

Looking away as her mother tutted quietly, Idele chewed at her bottom lip, thinking of how to reply. She had taken the in-house tutors into consideration, but truth be told, Archie - another one of her brothers - was more of the right fit. That or whomever he recommended, considering he was a Professor at Hogwarts. "I suppose it would be..strange if they allowed tutors that only catered to one student.." Idele trailed off then, clearing her throat a little. "But..no..I hadn't really looked into them much. Some of the LIFE students were offering their help too.."

Idele had mainly sought out help herself from others at Hogwarts, asking for advice from her eldest brother and even talking to the odd professor about her future. Sure, she was but a fifth-year, but she was still interested and determined to get out of her current position. Upon Midge's return, with a tray filled with treats and finger foods, Idele's eyes widened. She hadn't realised how hungry she was until her stomach let out a quiet rumble at the sight of such delicious looking goods.

Sipping a little more on her lemonade, the red-head then reached forward for a few of the treats, nibbling on them while her mother recalled the story of her youth. Of course, Idele didn't remember much of her younger childhood, nor recall acting like her mother's shadow, but she didn't doubt that the story was true. There was a point in the youngest Vector's life where she truly loved her mother - and her family. Just like Sammy, almost idolising the very ground Harmony Vector walked on. That was until Idele grew a little taller and a little older. Sure, she was still young, but being picked on differently by her mother as she was the only daughter in their household...it changed things.

"Used to." She repeated while she agreed. The thought of being forced into a dress now she was a little older felt like torture to her. Every time she thought of even wearing something remotely feminine, the flooding memories of being told how to stand and present herself at formal balls and events came rushing back. "But you'll try to force me into one regardless?.." She found herself asking, hoping to add to the joke of it all. There were times she felt like a dress-up doll to her mother, and being told to model dresses brought along that feeling.

| Harmony Vector |