let's hang together, Kushiel & Namaah

[Kushiel]

Summoning up his trademark scowl became harder and harder. Authority, it would seem, was not necessarily in the cards. Kushiel found that it didn’t bother him too much. There were worst things than being ruled by your mother and baby sister. Surely, nobody could hold it against him. There were those who would say that he was simply doing his duty to his family.

Then there were others who would say he was a total weenie.

Even that thought couldn’t summon the scowl. Those people probably already thought that, and his most recent antics weren’t likely to convince anyone of his masculine superiority. Battling with his mother, and being chased all over the Deserts by their ridiculous pet dog. The stallion sighed. Life was hard. Still, despite any familial differences they may have, Kushiel and Gallows agreed on this one thing. No Gryffen.

“Aye, no Gryffen and just a little fire. I hear you loud and clear, Ma.” His eyes twinkled a little. He wouldn’t let her touch the fire, but they could still play with it. Besides, fire safety was important. If Namaah was going to visit the Chamber she would need to know some fire safety. They did have a perpetually burning tree after all.

Already his sister was a girl after his own heart. She wanted to learn his tricks, and the stallion grinned widely. Naturally, it didn’t really matter if they waited until Ma wasn’t around. She would know anyways, but it was more fun to pretend like they were getting away with something. He nodded along and winked conspiratorially.

“We’ll wait until she’s distracted.” He dropped his voice down to a whisper.

“But, in the mean time, if you pull on horse’s tails they make really funny sounds.” Granted, Kushiel had lit those tails on fire when he was a kid. But, pulling them out would have somewhat of the same affect. Plus, there was the added bonus of a sneak attack. When Namaah could fly she could drop down on them from above. They would need to perfect the move.

Her next words caused a bark of laughter that was quickly stifled into a pleased grin. There, mission accomplished. Now, for a while at least, all the disparaging things that could be said about him would sounds like compliments. Still, that could quickly get awkward if his little sister went around telling everyone he was ridiculous. For now at least, it was was adorable. He nuzzled the little girl’s check affectionately.

“Yes, I am most certainly all yours, my ridiculous little sister. Your very own knight in shinning armor.” He grinned and shot a proud look at Gallows. Anyone who overheard their use of “ridiculous” as a family term of endearment would have a lot to gossip about. More the better. He considered her question for a moment.


“Well, we could visit my home. But, if we go you have to promise not to touch the tree and to say ‘back off buttface’ to any creepy men that approach you.” Again, Kushiel nodded proudly. Problem solved! Creepy men usually responded well to clear boundaries, and besides, if they didn’t, Kushiel could just set them on fire.