InterNutter? What happened to their younger brother? The twins Marrimine? He was likely still a small child when they went and killed their cruel, abusive, tyrant of a father, did they take care of them in their home, or did they hand him off to a nursemaid and send him away? They seemed like very kind young men despite their cruel parent. And what happened to their mother? Did she get to keep her youngest son?
@internutter/challenge-02976-h053-go-out-with-a-song -- Anon Guest
The twins Merrimine had entered the world holding hands. Thus bringing the worst of luck upon whomever separated them... or tried to. Lord Synope had forgotten that latter part in his schemings, and paid with his life for them. The twins went everywhere together. They were sent away together, they adventured together, even though one did more adventuring than the other at the beginning.
Now, young adults, they had become victorious against the tyrant who had sired them.
And, incidentally, met up with the rest of their family. Vindication Merrimine was still of an age where sucking his thumb was something of a reflex. The younger brother of the twins hid halfway behind their mother's skirts as the far older brothers faced a woman they hadn't seen since they were ten.
In such situations, cliche becomes the cornerstone of awkward conversation.
"You've grown up so big and strong," began the Lady Duchess Pyncosorus Merrimine. "I worried for you, but your father..."
Vindication Merrimine withdrew his thumb with an audible pop, "...'r they gonna kill me next, mama?"
Apprehension Merrimine, better known as Loyalty, dropped into a crouch. "We only kill the very bad people. The people who hurt others just because those people thought others were wrong." The Tiefling twin offered a hand. "You're my baby brother, why would I hurt you?"
Vindication looked to their mother, who nodded.
"It's all right," she said. "They're family."
The little boy added his spittle-encrusted hand to Loyalty, who accepted it without being bothered at all. "Pleased to meet you. You father - our father - named me Apprehension. I like to be known as Loyalty."
"Why?" said their baby brother.
Jubilation started laughing. "Oh, I like this."
"Why Apprehension, or why Loyalty?"
"Why any of it?"
Loyalty explained. Their collective father was not a nice man. He had invoked a curse and thought he had skated past consequences when Jubilation was born. And then... the other news. Twins. Holding hands. And the other was technically a monster. The ex-Lord Synope had named the second boy after his mood, just like he had the first.
"As you can guess, Vindication," said Jubilation, "silly emotion names run in the family."
"May I?" said their mother. "May I hold you again? Both of you?"
Both twins all but fell into their mother's arms.
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / DarrenBaker]
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