between the shadows and the soul - birthing, any

[Rodrik]

Family had always meant something to the creature of the night when he was just a young colt in the jungle. He loved his parents and siblings with a strength that could never be destroyed. It was such a destructive nature for Rodrik that it nearly costed him his life when his parents passed away. Rodrik recalls the depression and ruling a kingdom - a bitter memory to some degree. It was a moment he wishes to not dwell on when he thinks of his ruling as one of the Chamber's kings. Yet, he knows he played a vital role in bringing something good out of the Chamber. Mistakes were made - personal issues - but in the end there had been success and the desires of the Chamber had been answered with sacrifices. The idea of a family when he was king seemed plausible. Rodrik could've loved his first born daughter, somehow he thinks he could've; however, the events of what he planned had ended up differently. There was no love for the girl, not a fatherly love. He could say he was proud of the girl and what she has become, but Rodrik doesn't admit to such confessions easily. The devil does not take lightly to having been thrown aside when she became a queen. And that is when he had slumped into the darkness when he was taken to the Valley. The call of the dark world won him over and he has become what he is now - the devil. Yet, he clings to the light. Just a little bit of the light to feel something of what he used to be. It is the idea of family that does. And somewhere in his dark twisted mind, cold and manipulative heart, he wants to make it work this time. He had failed with Straia, Oksana, and Lucrezia. Maybe he wouldn't with his newly born granddaughter. Straia is not overly friendly in her greeting towards him, but he has never expected it when it came to how their relationship turned out. Eventually, it seemed they came to just accept what they were and tolerant of it. Rodrik isn't here for his daughter, his eyes are only for the two colored filly – unfortunately, his daughter's offspring. He watches Weaver as she struggles to get up. Straia letting her figure out the whole ordeal herself. He remembers when his mother encouraged him with love and a gentle push. Straia would be an entirely different mother than what her grandmother was. And he wonders how Weaver will turn out with that sort of parenting she is doing now. Will she love the child or will it be another relationship just as his is with Straia? He isn't sure yet. And maybe he will be the one to love her, spoil her in ways that her mother might not. After all he was the grandfather and able to do so. The familiar scent of his brother drifts his attention away from Weaver as she struggles to work her way to stand. A smile manages to cover his features, as much as any undead and soul hungry devil could. “Kavi, so good to see you.” He looks over his younger brother for a moment. Old age has surely caught up with Kavi and he wonders how much time he has left. Has it really been that long since they were children? Rodrik still feels young, but he knows that he isn't so young as he used to be. Maybe being immortal gave him that benefit of feeling such. However, he knows it is a gift from the darkness since he is the devil himself. And death surely never dies. “Even the most hideous of things can be quite charming, little brother.” He replies back to the coat illusionist brother of his. Rodrik pretends to bite at him angrily when he blows warm air towards him, but a playful grin crosses over his lips. It is a familiar manner of play that Rodrik does with his brother, one from their childhood when they played games in the Amazons. The once blood king watches as his daughter and little brother interact. Their relationship is vastly different than his with Straia. He does not feel jealous for it at all, but perhaps it is had done Straia some good to have someone around for like Kavi. Kavi never seemed to have a dark spot in his soul, and most of the time was quite peppy. His brother’s sparkling personality had even brought some happy moments to Rodrik after their parents died. Rodrik’s hollowed eyes, with a hint of nutmeg coloring, focus back onto the two toned filly. He smiles proudly when he sees the girl stand up on her own feet and then makes her way curiously around Kavi and him. The devil doesn’t let his eyes drift away from Weaver, but he feels the weight of Straia’s gaze on him. Rodrik would love to comment on a couple things about Straia being so overbearing. Maybe his daughter has a couple things to worry about, but not for her daughter. He would never do anything to hurt his own family. It has always been to lift them up in life, and maybe for selfish reasons as well, but he has always thought of their well-being in the end. As Weaver circles around him, he lowers his head and sticks out his decaying muzzle to her. He doesn’t touch the girl. “Hello Weaver,” his raspy voice erupts from his throat when she finishes examining him. Rodrik didn’t want to frighten her away. Indeed, he was a hideous mess to look upon but the thing with Weaver is that she was newly born. She did not yet have an idea of the world – its wicked and happy ways – and what it was filled of. In time she would, Straia would fill her mind with ideas and maybe a couple others would, but Weaver ultimately would draw her own path. At least he hopes he will. He is skeptical of where Straia may draw the line, especially involving his relationship with his granddaughter. Weaver then returns to her mother. Rodrik’s eyes then finally glance up to look at Straia. Naturally, his ear flickers in her direction when she makes a comment to Kavi. “You have always been full of jokes, Straia.” He says with a snort and then a small grin. The grin does not remain long though. He has never been one to hold a smile for more than a second on his lips with his first daughter. Truly, Rodrik has been uncertain of her and it has not changed since he was taken as a prisoner to the Valley (maybe not a prisoner but when you are taken from a home and your kingdom it truly feels like it). “We are quite the family, aren’t we?” He says with a malicious grin in a rather playful manner.

Rodrik

angels banished from heaven have no choice but to become devils

character info: here | character reference: here | image © uribaani