Was it a sign of their closeness, or of Haulean's developed skills as a pickpocket that he could so easily locate and produce the hidden blade? Or was it both? Likely both. In any case, Haulean's hand was trembling and unsteady as he held it pressed to his own throat. The boy flinched at the growled words, never having really been on this particular end or level of Nairn's displeasure before. When his father took hold of the blade's hilt, Haulean held fast as best he could, even pressing it a bit closer to his skin. He could feel the skin break just the slightest bit, and it stung. But it wasn't until Nairn revealed that someone had it out for him and his connections... that Haulean's meager strength left him altogether, and he put up no more resistance to Nairn's efforts to reclaim the dagger. A small bead of crimson welled up in the blade's absence, and began to roll slowly down pale skin. Haulean didn't even notice.
"Wh-who...?" he asked, weakly. The thought that someone here would... that... hurt his heart all the more. The Coterie was supposed to be family. Maybe a messed up one, at times, but still.
The little sunshine rabbit didn't have much time to ponder, though. Nairn was looming over him and had taken him by the chin again. It was tight enough to make the boy wince, but he gulped and kept his eyes on his father's, as he assumed was wanted. He never did have the heart to truly disobey Nairn. There were fresh tears there, of course, but... there was also hope. He wasn't being made to go away forever. He was going to stay with Meg and Ruth... which meant he wouldn't be alone, and he'd still see Nairn. No way he'd avoid them. "M'sorry Nairn..." he murmured softly. He hadn't meant to be bad, he was just so afraid of being alone.
When his chin was let go of, the boy shakily cuddled into the older male; a means of seeking comfort, and forgiveness at the same time. Naturally, hearing his mother's words read aloud was very emotional for the boy. Especially her confirmations of what he already now knew... and her permission to seek answers. He clung and buried his face against Nairn's shirt. She'd known his birthday was the last time she'd see him. How? And why hadn't he been smart enough to stay with her to the end?
"Wh-who...?" he asked, weakly. The thought that someone here would... that... hurt his heart all the more. The Coterie was supposed to be family. Maybe a messed up one, at times, but still.
The little sunshine rabbit didn't have much time to ponder, though. Nairn was looming over him and had taken him by the chin again. It was tight enough to make the boy wince, but he gulped and kept his eyes on his father's, as he assumed was wanted. He never did have the heart to truly disobey Nairn. There were fresh tears there, of course, but... there was also hope. He wasn't being made to go away forever. He was going to stay with Meg and Ruth... which meant he wouldn't be alone, and he'd still see Nairn. No way he'd avoid them. "M'sorry Nairn..." he murmured softly. He hadn't meant to be bad, he was just so afraid of being alone.
When his chin was let go of, the boy shakily cuddled into the older male; a means of seeking comfort, and forgiveness at the same time. Naturally, hearing his mother's words read aloud was very emotional for the boy. Especially her confirmations of what he already now knew... and her permission to seek answers. He clung and buried his face against Nairn's shirt. She'd known his birthday was the last time she'd see him. How? And why hadn't he been smart enough to stay with her to the end?
04-30-2024, 09:26 AM
