LOREN
Loren actually let out a huff of laughter at Zariah’s long-suffering tone. ”Or maybe I’m a little bit right, and you just don’t want to admit it.” Weirdly, his voice was almost cheerful. However, he shrugged. ”What am I not understanding, though?” He tilted his head and gave her a steady look.
Sighing, he ran his free hand through his hair, the other still tangled in Astra’s fur. ”I know. And I would heal that wound if I could, though I imagine we might disagree about what constitutes healing.” His tone was certain on that front.
At his cousin’s accusations, he crossed his arms again. ”I didn’t run away due to pain, I ran away because I was sick. I brought it up because the treatment at the hands of my family lasted well into my adulthood, so it was a recent trauma for me. Until you found another way to train me. But you’re right, I cannot say you were as bad as Colbrande, and you’re right, you have changed.” He nodded his head in acknowledgement
Smiling, though it failed to reach his eyes, he took a step towards her. ”But just because you’re not as bad doesn’t mean you can’t be better. We can all be better. I certainly can be." He felt no shame in admitting that. "So yes, you have changed, and I believe you can continue changing for the better. Just as you’ve pushed me to be better in your own way.” His words were gentle and soothing, despite how confrontational she might find the contents of them.
However, his expression grew troubled. ”And what if the threat to the hatchlings comes from the mother dragon?” Lowering his arms to his side, and resting a palm on the still nervous luxere, his brow furrowed. ”And what of the love the mother should show her hatchlings?” He tensed, fully expecting Zariah to dislike that extension of her metaphor.
At her response, he smiled again, though this time was even sadder than the first. ”No one is unbreakable.” It came out in the barest of whispers. Sighing once more, he tilted his head. ”We’re not at war any more. Not under the oath. Not under any threat.” He paused, eyes searching her face. ”So why is it still so important for you to be unbreakable?”
Sighing, he ran his free hand through his hair, the other still tangled in Astra’s fur. ”I know. And I would heal that wound if I could, though I imagine we might disagree about what constitutes healing.” His tone was certain on that front.
At his cousin’s accusations, he crossed his arms again. ”I didn’t run away due to pain, I ran away because I was sick. I brought it up because the treatment at the hands of my family lasted well into my adulthood, so it was a recent trauma for me. Until you found another way to train me. But you’re right, I cannot say you were as bad as Colbrande, and you’re right, you have changed.” He nodded his head in acknowledgement
Smiling, though it failed to reach his eyes, he took a step towards her. ”But just because you’re not as bad doesn’t mean you can’t be better. We can all be better. I certainly can be." He felt no shame in admitting that. "So yes, you have changed, and I believe you can continue changing for the better. Just as you’ve pushed me to be better in your own way.” His words were gentle and soothing, despite how confrontational she might find the contents of them.
However, his expression grew troubled. ”And what if the threat to the hatchlings comes from the mother dragon?” Lowering his arms to his side, and resting a palm on the still nervous luxere, his brow furrowed. ”And what of the love the mother should show her hatchlings?” He tensed, fully expecting Zariah to dislike that extension of her metaphor.
At her response, he smiled again, though this time was even sadder than the first. ”No one is unbreakable.” It came out in the barest of whispers. Sighing once more, he tilted his head. ”We’re not at war any more. Not under the oath. Not under any threat.” He paused, eyes searching her face. ”So why is it still so important for you to be unbreakable?”
But don’t be weary if it’s broken
Families are like that—
they’re split up and always torn.
