08-16-2015, 02:15 PM
That everything good is happening somewhere else?
I am late. Again and again, over and over, repeat.
I am absent. Not forever but for long enough.
I am perhaps not a failure, but no longer suited to the task set before me.
She calls, I come. Not first – never first – but I am there nonetheless, drifting in the background as Her Majesty speaks. It’s been strange having my niece rule over me, though only in theory. In truth, she is patient. Too patient. I have been found wanting, and instead of pushing me away Straia has accepted my ultimatum: family comes first. This alone is why I am still a member of the Chamber, as this is where a small part of my family resides. As miniscule gray hairs creep into the sooty end of my nose, however, I come to realize that all I am good for now is just that: a member. There are others who deserve this empathy far more than me.
I listen attentively to all that is said, and while some makes me cringe, most is simply business. Gryffen slips into silence, and in the wake of his words, I raise my voice (which bears for the last time an important note).
“I would call on everyone to remember that not only has the magical playing field been levelled, the stigmas of light, neutral and dark have been as well. We do not have to commit evil acts to live up to our name anymore – we are what we make of ourselves.”
Looking solely to Straia now – who radiates a mixture of impatience and disappointment – I lower my Arabian head humbly. “While I am thrilled to have this Empathy bestowed upon me, I find myself unable to fulfil the role of Governor. It is with a heavy heart that I step down from the position, and relinquish this Empathy…” My amber eyes flicker towards the general direction of the flaming tree, though the glance does not last. “I would be honoured to remain as a member of the Chamber, and serve when I may. This is my home, and as of late, I have found a fascination in the Tree.”
The empathy drains from me slowly, and suddenly I am only aware of how ashamed I am of myself. Yet with a step into the background, I remind myself that at least I stepped down with dignity. Throughout the rest of the meeting, I listen, but my eyes remain fixed on what I image to be a flame off in the distance.