09-09-2021, 07:55 PM
sickle
Sickle manages a small smile when Asterope touches her knee, appreciating the comfort that the touch provides. It is in the iridescent girl’s nature to find solace in the touches of others. Her mom had held her when she had returned from Hyaline and that was how she had known that things would be okay.
Two sisters her friend tells her and Sickle can already feel her heart breaking. Twice the loss.
Who held Asterope when she was sad?
Her friend invites her to share her grief, so Sickle does. “He was stolen. Our dad is…” But no words Sickle can use to describe her father feel accurate. A monster might be too strong because she knew the curse wasn't his fault and ‘not too nice’ is putting things mildly. He scared her, made her feel younger than she was. “He lives in another kingdom across the world. He took me away there when I was younger but gave me back... and then he took Malik instead.” Sickle inhales a shaky breath, and her eyes shift to the floating flowers as she crumbles and her voice grows quieter as she continues, telling Asterope her truth. “Sometimes I wonder if I had been stronger or better, our dad would’ve kept me and then Malik would still be safe in the jungle.”
Her head droops until it rests on the edge of the pond again and she lets this failure of hers wash over her.
In the near-silence of this spot in the forest, she returns the invitation to share grief. “Where are your sisters, Asterope?” Sickle asks in a voice so small it barely disturbs the surface of the water where she has rested her head - her eyes shining with tears but remaining focused on her friend.
Two sisters her friend tells her and Sickle can already feel her heart breaking. Twice the loss.
Who held Asterope when she was sad?
Her friend invites her to share her grief, so Sickle does. “He was stolen. Our dad is…” But no words Sickle can use to describe her father feel accurate. A monster might be too strong because she knew the curse wasn't his fault and ‘not too nice’ is putting things mildly. He scared her, made her feel younger than she was. “He lives in another kingdom across the world. He took me away there when I was younger but gave me back... and then he took Malik instead.” Sickle inhales a shaky breath, and her eyes shift to the floating flowers as she crumbles and her voice grows quieter as she continues, telling Asterope her truth. “Sometimes I wonder if I had been stronger or better, our dad would’ve kept me and then Malik would still be safe in the jungle.”
Her head droops until it rests on the edge of the pond again and she lets this failure of hers wash over her.
In the near-silence of this spot in the forest, she returns the invitation to share grief. “Where are your sisters, Asterope?” Sickle asks in a voice so small it barely disturbs the surface of the water where she has rested her head - her eyes shining with tears but remaining focused on her friend.