[ P ] Fade

Is ait an mac an saol -
Life is strange.

”Bidh faiceallach, leanabh.” Feminine tones were low and weary as she cautioned – be careful, child. The young pup was a ball of energy today, too restless to remain still as Blythe kept a watchful eye. Soon, all of that enthusiasm and energy would be well-spent. Soon, the boy would be going home – wherever that may be. Blythe was not certain what came next for Tybalt, nor was it really her business what Tiberius did with him after claiming him. The pup looked back at her sweetly, answering in the woman’s native tongue, earning little more than a sharp look from the wolfess: ”Bidh faiceallach.” Don’t worry.

Soon, Blythe would not have to worry about the boy. As the delegated day was soon approaching – the day the child would no longer need her – the time seemed to be hurrying by. Blythe was mostly grateful to soon be rid of him, with a hint of sadness that was easily overlooked as she watched the boy play. So much like her beloved sons… But he was not them. Tybalt was not hers, and Blythe hoped that once he was gone, she would never have to see the dark-masked child again.

She regarded him again in quieted words: ”Gille,” – boy. ”You are leaving soon. Bheir t'athair air falbh thu.” – Your father will take you away. This remark seemed to confuse the pup, whose dark brows knit together in confusion. He gave a soft whine. ”Carson…?” He questioned: why? She had not anticipated that this change would be distressing to the boy… and her heart threatened to betray her…

No. This was all part of the bargain. And she would keep her word. A life for a life. With a stern expression, she shook her head. ”That is for you to learn someday, gille.” Little eyes welled with tears. ”Chan eil feum sam bith ann an caoineadh,” she warned: There is no use in crying.

As if on cue, a familiar scent reached her senses before she saw the man. Her posture stiffened, amber sights turning away from the confused pup. ”Tha d’ athair an seo.” – Your father is here.”

For a minute there
I lost myself, I lost myself

@Tiberius

K

nowing that his days as a single bachelor with nobody to care for were coming to an end, Tiberius was feeling both excited and overwhelmed with the idea. What did he know about children? Little to nothing. But they can't be that hard, right? Like he was a child once, a long long time ago. Tiberius had spent the morning trying to mentally prepare himself. He decided to hunt a small prey item, but he wasn't sure exactly what kind the kid would like. He was eating meat, had been, or so he thought he was. Maybe he wasn't? So many concerns fell onto his shoulders and he was wondering which were true, and which were not. He finally found a young deer and ended its life quickly. He ate some of it to lighten the load before taking it to where the pup would be found. He had only seen the pup a few times, maybe three since he was born. It was not good on his part.

"You can do this," he said to himself as he carried the deer to where the white female would be with his child. Tiberius found the pair rather easily and dropped the food to the ground. "Please help yourselves." He said to them as he watched the pup playing. Blythe did not look happy to see him, but that was to be expected. She had a sour disposition and he had a feeling that she was always this way. There could be nothing he could do to change that. "Tybalt," he called out to his son, "come eat some of this. I got it just for you."

@Blythe

code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck