It's a rainy, stormy, night, the wind is blowing, the fireplace is crackling, and the rain is drumming on the roof. They relax in the home with a cup of coffee, lean back, pet the furry animal sleeping peacefully at their side, and pick up their book to read. -- Anon Guest
Home is where, Da often said, you get to be yourself. Benevolence Bastion Felbourne Whitekeep (first of the name) had never understood it. According to Mama, Da had used to say that home is where, when one has to go there, they have to take one in. Then again, Da had always been weird. He insisted on things like this.
Sitting comfortably near the fireside. Reading for fun. Reading to each other or just reading for themselves. Mama and Da and his twin brother Kormwind Ten. The babies were asleep in the nursery and the business of the Earldom was done for the day.
Benevolence had been five when he worked out that Da was also this Earl Kormwind Nine that other people kept talking about. Which explained many, many things.
The winter winds were howling up the mountains, and tomorrow the rooftops of Whitekeep would be glistening with icy stalagmites. Tonight, there were hot beverages for each of them. A good book in every pair of hands. And for Benevolence, there was Fisk.
Fisk was a castle cat, allegedly kept in the budget for pest control. This patchwork cat had, in kittenhood, decided that Benevolence was her person. She followed him everywhere, and every effort to scare her off failed absolutely. She even came when they tried to hiss and spit at her. Which is how she got the name Fisk.
Da hadn't wanted her, in the beginning. So he said. A patent lie belied by the fact that he frequently scritched her ears and shoulders in passing and petted her when he thought nobody was looking. Or sneaked her treats off his plate, or kept investing in cushions, cubbies, and scratching posts for her use. Or even derailed the Court by talking to her.
Fisk was sprawled over Benevolence's legs. One paw keeping place in his book as he sipped his warm, spiced honey milk. One chapter before bed, Mama had said. Therefore both Benevolence and Kormwind Ten conspired to make that chapter last as long as possible.
The latest passage was confounding, so Benevolence read it out loud. "Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colours. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving."
"Wisdom," said Da.
Benevolence used one of Da's phrases. "Was in der stoff?"
"One day, I will teach you the rest of the words." Da sighed and put down both book and drink and squirmed out of his embrace with Mama. "They're very wise words, kleiner. I would not be the same person if I had been allowed to stay in Whitekeep all my life. I may not have known what the sun was, for example."
Benevolence rolled his glowing eyes at that. Da and Grandfather had the weirdest relationship. If anyone could call it that. How anyone could hate Tieflings for existing was beyond him. Da, on the other hand, was too used to it.
He contemplated the passage again. "You said that Korm-ten and I should go adventuring. So we know what the world is like."
"In good time, in good time," said Da. "You should go. Not as nobles, but as people. See every walk of life. Understand people. Learn what it's like to be two coppers away from starvation."
Mama sighed and said, "Dear..." in a warning tone.
"Not tomorrow, Haschen. In good time. Give them some training. Hone their gifts. Send them out to see, and hope they see without prejudice."
"When do I get new colours? Do I have to change colour? I like being blue like you."
That was when Da muttered about tutors and paying them too much, before launching into an explanation of what metaphors were.
It seemed impossible, here and now, that he would crave quiet evenings like this. Da, who had had more than his fair share of excitement, told him that he would learn.
In good time.
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / Rodrusoleg]
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