That everything good is happening somewhere else?
For once in her life, her laugh is pleasant: no iron fist summons the sound, nor a cruelty I’ve never truly understood. Her laugh is pleasant, and I wish it could be more often. I wish that Straia would never have to have the worries of the crown, and no, not because she’s a woman; I might be old, but I’m not a prejudiced asshole. I wish that she could laugh pleasantly every day because then maybe there would be no wars, or hate, or devilish fathers, or dead parents.
I just wish it could always be this simple.
The lids of my amber eyes duck hastily when Straia addresses me. My smile broadens almost too much at Straia’s joking, but the chuckle that follows is genuine and very Grandpa-esque. “You’ve got time yet for that, sweetie.” Winking slyly, I snap my chocolate-grey tail in Straia’s direction.
My swings head towards Rodrik, a roguish glint in my eyes. “The only time I remember you being charming is when you sucked up to mom whenever you played too rough with me,” I retort smugly, and with a snap of my teeth towards his – our noses bump together roughly, and I chuckle, relaxing. For a split second, or maybe a heartbeat longer, I press my forehead against his, brother to brother, perhaps for the last time – and then I am disrupted.
Straightening when a tiny nose begins poking my skin, I become distracted and can only grin proudly at my courageous grand-niece. I make a star appear on my skin with every dab of her precious nose. Every child deserves to watch an amazing sunrise. I just hope she’ll remember. I just hope she’ll remember that it can always be this simple.
Of course, Weaver is nothing like me and everything like Straia. Without so much as a word, the filly flies to investigate Rodrik, absolutely fearless in the face of the devil.
Surprise, surprise.
Glancing to Rodrik at Straia’s last remark, I grin until my eyes almost shut. “He’s not so bad, you know.” If only things were always this simple.
And then he pulls the family card, and tears spring into my eyes.
“Quite the family, that’s undeniable.”
Straia’s gaze feels suddenly leaden upon me, and it is all I can do not to spill my tears when my eyes latch on to Rodrik’s. He understands.
He understands.
I am having a mope so this is why this is so mope but I really tried hard to reply Im sorry it's so late