11-09-2018, 03:24 PM
[align=center][div style="borderwidth=0px; width: 55%; line-height:115%; text-align: justify;font-family: calibri;"]// he's,, taking a long nap
Lirim themselves was exhausted; physically it didn't show, their eternally youthful features elegant and hauntingly sublime, but mentally they carried a burden that spanned six long years full of ache. There were good parts, of course, their entire life wasn't horrid... but there was a reason the void took such long breaks from mortality, returning to their true form only on occasion when important things caught their attention. For now, that was Sol, but how long they would remain in the living world was anyone's guess. Sometimes they were just too tired by the affairs of creatures that Lirim simply couldn't empathize with, unable to understand the petty conflicts that occasionally erupted. Their life was long and tedious, and it put a lot into perspective. Most didn't have that yet.
Sol surely didn't. His entire disposition was that expected of the youth, mostly carefree with a typical benevolence. It had rubbed off on him from his father, who (despite his harsher life) had done all he could to make it work. Sol was just as tenacious as Desperado... just younger, and much less tired than most of them were. Even Pip, only around a month older than Sol himself, was emotionally exhausted with what life had left them all.
Lirim knew they couldn't keep Sol happy for long, but they could try. His very name represented that which they all one day hoped for: peace. It was a beautiful name, Lirim had to praise their son for his choice, but it was so ironic given just how hard such peace was possible to achieve. But maybe Sol would be the one thing this world needed. He was an adventurous, altruistic soul, someone Lirim would follow if they could. He was too still too young to command respect, or to even expect it… perhaps he never even would. Perhaps he would grow up to be even more like Desperado, who didn’t demand anything but decency where it was due.
Lirim didn’t say anything when the child inquired innocently about his father. They were unaware that Sol already knew what death was, and as such found it difficult to explain where Desperado was. Even if they were, they wouldn’t have told the truth. No child should know that their parents were dead. No child should have to see their father’s dead body, broken and bloody and battered beyond recognition.
Des had died doing what he loved. He had fought for those who couldn’t fight for themselves till his dying breath. The regrets had only seemed to pile up the closer the duo got to the border of the Typhoon, until they were unable to feel anything else but the guilt clawing up their throat. They should have done better, or at least something. They used to be apathetic to a fault, and now they were paying for it.
It was the chime of the bell that ripped Lirim out of their thoughts and a grunt from out of their throat, pale gaze settling on Sol, who had successfully managed to get himself up on the rock and ring it. A few seconds passed, the sound fading away into nothing more than a memory, and then with a content rumble they moved forward to pick the child up and gently place him on the floor.
”I said to be careful,” they huffed, but the words lacked any bite to them, instead filled with affectionate amusement. They pressed one lick to his head before the sound of paws on the sand caught their attention. Their entire demeanor seemed to change in an instant. It was a mix of both habit and the fact that they held a life in their paws yet again that sent tension through their entire body, shoulders ceasing up and a deep warning growl reverberating through their chest. Their gaze was quick to shift and morph from the liquid gold it had just been into a black darker than the night, staring down at Cleo the moment she arrived. The look in their eyes was obvious - hurt one hair on his body, and you’re dead.
She didn’t seem as aggressive as others Lirim had met, but they knew that looks meant little in reality. She could have been just as dangerous as a dragon, and if they weren’t careful then the small bundle of fur that was moving around near their paws would suffer more than they would. They could come back and continue existing like nothing happened. If Sol came back… they couldn’t promise he’d be the same. Lirim didn’t want to chance that.
”Lirim Break. This-“ they lifted a paw and waved it at the child ”- is Sol. I wish to keep him here for the time being. This was… the last place we’ve seen his father, Desperado,” the warning came back, this time even sharper than last time. The message was just as clear, however. If she knew anything about the canine’s death, it would be better for her if she kept it to herself.
They were calmer when Peppino arrived, however, as more arrived and seemed just as young as Sol. They still didn’t trust him, not completely, and the dark warning in their gaze didn’t fade just because he arrived. Children could be just as vile, but the chances were far lower, and this one in particular seemed kind enough for Lirim to not fear their influence. They watched as he set down two kits in front of them, dipping their head down in thanks before licking Sol once more and finally leaning back up in one smooth motion. ”Thank you. Soba - what do we say to be polite?” They glanced firmly at the child under their guard, urging him to follow in their footsteps. They wanted him to grow up good. It’s what their son would have wanted, and he was already too kind for such benevolence to go to waste as a result of negligence on the part of those who could help nurture it.
Lirim themselves was exhausted; physically it didn't show, their eternally youthful features elegant and hauntingly sublime, but mentally they carried a burden that spanned six long years full of ache. There were good parts, of course, their entire life wasn't horrid... but there was a reason the void took such long breaks from mortality, returning to their true form only on occasion when important things caught their attention. For now, that was Sol, but how long they would remain in the living world was anyone's guess. Sometimes they were just too tired by the affairs of creatures that Lirim simply couldn't empathize with, unable to understand the petty conflicts that occasionally erupted. Their life was long and tedious, and it put a lot into perspective. Most didn't have that yet.
Sol surely didn't. His entire disposition was that expected of the youth, mostly carefree with a typical benevolence. It had rubbed off on him from his father, who (despite his harsher life) had done all he could to make it work. Sol was just as tenacious as Desperado... just younger, and much less tired than most of them were. Even Pip, only around a month older than Sol himself, was emotionally exhausted with what life had left them all.
Lirim knew they couldn't keep Sol happy for long, but they could try. His very name represented that which they all one day hoped for: peace. It was a beautiful name, Lirim had to praise their son for his choice, but it was so ironic given just how hard such peace was possible to achieve. But maybe Sol would be the one thing this world needed. He was an adventurous, altruistic soul, someone Lirim would follow if they could. He was too still too young to command respect, or to even expect it… perhaps he never even would. Perhaps he would grow up to be even more like Desperado, who didn’t demand anything but decency where it was due.
Lirim didn’t say anything when the child inquired innocently about his father. They were unaware that Sol already knew what death was, and as such found it difficult to explain where Desperado was. Even if they were, they wouldn’t have told the truth. No child should know that their parents were dead. No child should have to see their father’s dead body, broken and bloody and battered beyond recognition.
Des had died doing what he loved. He had fought for those who couldn’t fight for themselves till his dying breath. The regrets had only seemed to pile up the closer the duo got to the border of the Typhoon, until they were unable to feel anything else but the guilt clawing up their throat. They should have done better, or at least something. They used to be apathetic to a fault, and now they were paying for it.
It was the chime of the bell that ripped Lirim out of their thoughts and a grunt from out of their throat, pale gaze settling on Sol, who had successfully managed to get himself up on the rock and ring it. A few seconds passed, the sound fading away into nothing more than a memory, and then with a content rumble they moved forward to pick the child up and gently place him on the floor.
”I said to be careful,” they huffed, but the words lacked any bite to them, instead filled with affectionate amusement. They pressed one lick to his head before the sound of paws on the sand caught their attention. Their entire demeanor seemed to change in an instant. It was a mix of both habit and the fact that they held a life in their paws yet again that sent tension through their entire body, shoulders ceasing up and a deep warning growl reverberating through their chest. Their gaze was quick to shift and morph from the liquid gold it had just been into a black darker than the night, staring down at Cleo the moment she arrived. The look in their eyes was obvious - hurt one hair on his body, and you’re dead.
She didn’t seem as aggressive as others Lirim had met, but they knew that looks meant little in reality. She could have been just as dangerous as a dragon, and if they weren’t careful then the small bundle of fur that was moving around near their paws would suffer more than they would. They could come back and continue existing like nothing happened. If Sol came back… they couldn’t promise he’d be the same. Lirim didn’t want to chance that.
”Lirim Break. This-“ they lifted a paw and waved it at the child ”- is Sol. I wish to keep him here for the time being. This was… the last place we’ve seen his father, Desperado,” the warning came back, this time even sharper than last time. The message was just as clear, however. If she knew anything about the canine’s death, it would be better for her if she kept it to herself.
They were calmer when Peppino arrived, however, as more arrived and seemed just as young as Sol. They still didn’t trust him, not completely, and the dark warning in their gaze didn’t fade just because he arrived. Children could be just as vile, but the chances were far lower, and this one in particular seemed kind enough for Lirim to not fear their influence. They watched as he set down two kits in front of them, dipping their head down in thanks before licking Sol once more and finally leaning back up in one smooth motion. ”Thank you. Soba - what do we say to be polite?” They glanced firmly at the child under their guard, urging him to follow in their footsteps. They wanted him to grow up good. It’s what their son would have wanted, and he was already too kind for such benevolence to go to waste as a result of negligence on the part of those who could help nurture it.
♔ — I want brimstone in my garden