239 - A God, Spirited

Lin

Today, thus far, has been a mix of emotions.

My withdrawal symptoms have definitely reared their heads at me, but reiki is helping significantly.

Knowing that I've made it through the weekend both without meds or the need to call an ambulance is a huge relief.

Somehow, it feels as though I might be healing without modern medicine.

I'm excited about tonight and tomorrow.

Yet another zoom call and potentially seeing my caseworker tomorrow are probably what have gotten me through this.

Honestly, I don't know what to expect.

But I am keeping as positive an outlook as I can.

Our Zoom call went incredibly well.

Now that I've broached the idea of a group chat, it feels like people can be offered more support, including myself.

Perhaps it will also help me keep positive through all of this.

Reiki has been helping me with that, too.

Frankly, I am a bit worried.

Conversely, I know I'll most likely be ok. 

As I think about this, someone gently ruffles my hair, before draping their arms around me. I smile, taking in Terrence's cologne.

Demat, m'amoûr...

He nuzzles into me, and I giggle.

Quite affection today, aren't we?

Why wouldn't I be? You're my wife.

I raise an eyebrow, and he sighs, still smiling.

We're going to Le Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rennes today. I figured a little affection would help.

My face grows warm, and he smirks.

Well, you're getting what you wanted.

He grins.

So long as you're happy, lovely.

Taking his arm, I follow him into the cloak room, and we both get ready, alongside the rest of my family.

Which ones are you excited about?

I smicker.

You'll see.

We leave Artio's, heading into Rennes, and before we know it, we end up at the museum, lights glowing from the posters next to the entrance.

Artio smiles at us all.

Shall we?

I nod, and we all go in, searching for the Egyptian exhibit. 

We quickly find said exhibit, and I find myself tearing up.

These belonged to my lineage - the lineage of my royal ancestors.

The irony that it's most likely that Ramesses II can't roll in his grave because his grave has most likely been either dug up, pillaged, or both, at this point, is a miserable thought.

Either way, the fact that his remains and the remains of so many of my ancestors weren't left alone, is a huge insult to our legacy.

Terrence senses my distress, and places an arm around my waist.

At least we can say that being in its presence is healing for you all.

I nod. Despite these feelings of anguish, somewhere deep inside, a wound is being cleaned, and given salve. Somewhere out there, my ancestors heal, knowing where their relics are - and they can rest, knowing that they can remain in the afterlife.

Ushering me away, Terrence leads me through to the art galleries, encouraging me to look at Da Vinci and Michaelangelo's sketches, as well as the more detailed paintings. There's Picasso here, but I'm not interested in that.

What catches my eye is the mythological paintings. One particularly takes my fancy, and I approach it with a mix of sorrow and love.

Danaë.

The painting I'm referring to is of my cousin Danaë, by Alexandre Jacques Chantron. 

You remember her, right?

Terrence nods.

I do. Perseus' mother.

Ya. She was locked in a golden tomb by her father, to avoid her conceiving a child, as a prophecy foretold of Perseus killing him. Yet in doing so, he caused his own doom. Zeus bestowed a child upon her, so that she would not be alone, and married her in a heavenly ceremony, which made her father furious.

So, Danaë and Perseus were cast out to sea, to be saved by my grandfather's grace, and Perseus was raised like a God should be - which is where my Greek myth comes in.

Perseus didn't actually kill me, because he couldn't. He was under oath to Athena not to. Athena let him use the aegis to make a sculpture of my head, as Danaë and Athena didn't want me to die. So, in order to fulfil a certain king's wishes, Perseus returned with a very life like interpretation of my head.

I miss her. She was nice.

Terrence pulls me into an embrace that warms my heart.

You'll see her soon.

I nod, snuggling into him, just for a moment. When we break off the hug, he takes my hand in his, coaxing me further into the gallery. At this moment, I make a silent promise to Danaë.

I'll find you.