[ P ] lonely boy

Ahkoris Tiamat

He could tell by her face that the news he gave was much better than what she had been expecting. ”People do what they have to do to survive. And they deserve protection too." She sounded sincere, and he loosed a breath of relief. He was not sure what he would have done if she had refused him, or if she had pressed him for answers he was unwilling to give. Her immediate acceptance, swift and unthinking, meant more to him than she could know. Is it possible that she still trusted him, her brother from before?

”You don’t have to betray anyone. I wouldn’t ask you to. And I won’t betray you either." For the first time since seeing her, he smiled -- truly smiled, one saturated with relief. "Okay," he breathed. "Thank you." He would not be giving up those who had allowed him to live this day. She would keep his secrets. And he knew he would keep hers, whatever they were, whenever he found out. His sister, Xandria.

"I have...no belongings. Nothing I need." He felt a twinge of shame as he said it. Was it possible he had truly lived like a ghost for all these years? "It will be a long journey. But..." His eyes were, for the first time, hopeful. "I think we will have much to talk about on the way. Will you tell me about our family? Our home? I want to know everything. Maybe it will..." Make me remember. But it seemed too unlucky to say it out loud, so he let it trail. Whatever happened now, though, he knew one thing: he would be safe with her.

exit Ahkoris

"We are all young and naive still."

code & art by claerie

His smile, so warm and genuine, was enough to ease the sting of their forgotten experiences. It was new and young, but there was a bond between them that was strong and secure. Xandria trusted him, her stranger brother, because deep down at his centre he was still her big brother, Ahki. She gave him a nod, sun bright eyes warm with affection for the brother she had grieved so dearly. Having him back was a gift even if he didn’t know her yet. She believed that he would because he wanted to so desperately. ”You should have everything you need at home, but if I can help I’ll be there too,” she promised him, knowing their mother would have kept all his belongings in his chambers just how he’d left them.

Xandria considered how she should describe their family to him. Honesty was the best policy, even if grandma dearest wouldn’t like it. ”Well there’s the Matriarch, our grandmother, Ankh Tiamat. I’ve felt more warmth from the snow personally. Smile and be respectful and you’ll be fine,” she explained, unable to stop the wrinkle from forming between her eyes. She did not like that old hag. ”Our mother is her heir, Nassar Tiamat, she’s fierce like a bear and hugs like one too. You’ll love her. She’s the best mother,” she hoped that would give him a good idea of how their mother was.

”Then there’s Cairo, our sister and your littermate, she’s a tough warrior, firm in her beliefs and very loyal to our family,” she said, sadness filling her gaze for a brief moment. The two sisters were not as close as they once had been because of Xandria’s vengeance. ”My littermate is Sethos. He’s more reserved with his thoughts and feelings than I am. Calmer and more patient too. I always envied that,” she laughed and then rolled her shoulders as if to say ‘what can you do?’. ”We have two baby sisters too. They’re little sparks of fire, both of them. Bast and Lyra,” she had a fond grin on her face as she spoke of the two little Tiamat terrors.

”Our cousin Ismailia is also staying with us. Sadly, I don't know her very well, but she’s been through a lot so try to be kind. Her father Khepri, our uncle, is kind of a sore subject at home.” she added finally. Then she began to tell him all about their home, all the hidden places where he could avoid their grandmother and the best places with a view.

-Exit Xandria

code & art by claerie