08-05-2016, 10:07 AM
When he says my name, I can feel my face flush with warmth, and a tiny smile playing at the corner of my lips. My head ducks a little all on its own, and when I glance over at him that little smile grows bigger. I like the way he says it, like it’s something lovely and special and novel. “It’s nice to meet you, Clark,” I reply, trying out his name like he tried mine. Oh, his is cute, too, and I like the sound of it hanging in the air. Clark.
“Oh, that sounds lonely, not having anywhere to call home!” I step closer, so used to cuddling when someone’s maybe feeling sad that it takes a step or two before I catch myself and remember that he’s a stranger and might not actually appreciate being comforted like that just yet. That perhaps it would be more awkward and uncomfortable than reassuring. But he looks so sad. So I gently nudge his shoulder and give him an encouraging smile, even if I’d rather wrap him up in a hug.
Oh, and then he’s asking about my dads, and I could talk about my family forever! My eyes light up with enthusiasm, and I can’t even pretend to help the huge grin on my face. “Yeah, I have two! My Grandmas helped make me from both of them, just like Grams and my uncle Pazuzu helped make my three little sisters from both of them. It’s kind of funny, I’ve got two dads and no mom, and Dad has two moms and no dad, on account of his moms are both shapeshifters. Well, had. One of them died a long time ago now, but anyhow they were both shifters. Not me though, I’m pretty normal, just your basic average girl.”
Or, at least I’m just your basic average girl here. I’m fine with being nothing particularly special here, just a girl with a darker version of my late grandmother’s coloring and her golden eyes. No fancy abilities, no rainbow colors, just a girl, with a huge family watching out for her, and a whole lot of curiosity about the land of her ancestors. There’s nothing self-deprecating in the comment, or in the smile that accompanies it, just uncomplicated honesty.
“What about you? I know you said you don’t have a home, but do you have family? People who love you and have your back?” God, I’d be so lonely without my dads, my grandma, my sisters, my aunt and uncle, my cousin. Without being surrounded by people I love, always having someone to talk to or spend time with. The idea of being all alone, with no one to love and no place to call home…? Oh, I’d be a wreck. But I’ve been lucky my whole life, never without at least a couple of people to cuddle up with and tell all about my day, or to hold me close and comfort me when I’m feeling sad. I’ve never known anything else. Maybe being without it isn’t as lonely as it sounds?
“Oh, that sounds lonely, not having anywhere to call home!” I step closer, so used to cuddling when someone’s maybe feeling sad that it takes a step or two before I catch myself and remember that he’s a stranger and might not actually appreciate being comforted like that just yet. That perhaps it would be more awkward and uncomfortable than reassuring. But he looks so sad. So I gently nudge his shoulder and give him an encouraging smile, even if I’d rather wrap him up in a hug.
Oh, and then he’s asking about my dads, and I could talk about my family forever! My eyes light up with enthusiasm, and I can’t even pretend to help the huge grin on my face. “Yeah, I have two! My Grandmas helped make me from both of them, just like Grams and my uncle Pazuzu helped make my three little sisters from both of them. It’s kind of funny, I’ve got two dads and no mom, and Dad has two moms and no dad, on account of his moms are both shapeshifters. Well, had. One of them died a long time ago now, but anyhow they were both shifters. Not me though, I’m pretty normal, just your basic average girl.”
Or, at least I’m just your basic average girl here. I’m fine with being nothing particularly special here, just a girl with a darker version of my late grandmother’s coloring and her golden eyes. No fancy abilities, no rainbow colors, just a girl, with a huge family watching out for her, and a whole lot of curiosity about the land of her ancestors. There’s nothing self-deprecating in the comment, or in the smile that accompanies it, just uncomplicated honesty.
“What about you? I know you said you don’t have a home, but do you have family? People who love you and have your back?” God, I’d be so lonely without my dads, my grandma, my sisters, my aunt and uncle, my cousin. Without being surrounded by people I love, always having someone to talk to or spend time with. The idea of being all alone, with no one to love and no place to call home…? Oh, I’d be a wreck. But I’ve been lucky my whole life, never without at least a couple of people to cuddle up with and tell all about my day, or to hold me close and comfort me when I’m feeling sad. I’ve never known anything else. Maybe being without it isn’t as lonely as it sounds?