pyrighteous | [OOC] Folkmore IC Inbox

Well - I mean - my uncle wanted a very specific kind of person. And I tried to be that person as much as I could. I BECAME that person after he died.

[ He rubs idly at his face, full of scars as it is. ]

It cost a lot. I thought important things like that SHOULD cost a lot.

[ Here he hunches his shoulders. It's hard admitting anything close to this, but ... well, Casey's put in the legwork already, and here's Rue offering their kind ear. It's a one-two punch. ]

But... I think my uncle was wrong about some things. And if that's true, maybe he was wrong about who he wanted me to be, too.

[Thank goodness for their wingspan because it means that Rue does not have to scoot very much to lay a soft, feathery wing across the boy's shoulders as he recalls what must be incredibly difficult memories. The owlbear has not heard a great deal about his uncle, but what they've heard already is quite vile.]

And who do you want to be, dearest? When you think of your future, if you were to stay here with us in this realm, what is that future version of yourself like? What would make you happy?

Edited 2023-11-13 00:54 (UTC)

I ...

[ His hand drops to his neck, and he leans into that wing a little. ]

I guess I like the version of me that has friends. And thinks about decorating apartments. A-and doesn't have to be alone all the time, and doesn't think about what my uncle would say.

That's very brave of you to say, Hunter.

[And Rue tips in close, conspiratorially to him, soft voice lowering even further.]

May I tell you something?

[ He looks up at them. ]

Sure, uh. Go ahead.

[This close, it's all too easy to give the teen a gentle, playful nudge of their shoulder against his.]

I quite like the Hunter that I've gotten to know here so far too. And I know Casey does as well.

R. Really?

[ Hunter goes rather pink. ]

You're sure? You think Casey does?

Absolutely.

And I know for a fact that the both of us would like to continue getting to know you as you are now. It feels nicer this way, doesn't it? With friends? With the permission to do fun things and keep discovering new things to enjoy?

[ He nods, still pink out to his ears. ]

Y-yeah. It's ... been amazing? The best part of my life so far.

I just feel bad about it.

[He goes pink almost as often as sweet Peter does. Rue adores it.]

Because of your Uncle?

[ Look, sometimes you're unnaturally pale for a really good/terrible reason. ]

Yeah. He'd HATE all of this. And you. And especially Casey.

[Hm. How best to approach this-]

Hunter, dear, may I ask you a personal question? You can always say no to me.

Oh - uh - sure, go head. I guess I've asked you a lot already, so that's fair.

[Rue just needs to test the waters first.]

If your Uncle arrived right now and wished to take you back with him, would you prefer to stay here with Casey and I in Folkmore or to return with him?

[ That's one HECK of a question. Hunter freezes - and the fact that he can't answer right away is an answer all by itself. ]

I - I - if he came here I wouldn't have a choice. I'd HAVE to go back with him.

[For all of the pause that Hunter gives, Rue's answer is immediate.]

We would protect you.

[Though their voice stays soft as ever, there is a curl of authority around every word, a promise in what they are saying. Whatever it took, Rue would keep him safe away from Belos.]

You wouldn't have to return with him unless you wanted to. But if you allowed us, dearest, we would keep you safely here with us. We would give you the choice to choose what you wanted to do.

-- You can't!

[ Hunter's head snaps up in alarm. ]

You don't understand. He's the strongest witch in the Isles and it's not even close. He'd kill you if you got in his way.

Hunter -

[The arm around him slips away so that Rue can sweep up one of his hands into their paw again, the other paw dropping tenderly over it. Just cocooned in a bed of soft feathers.]

I swear to you, we would not let him touch you. We can and will keep you safe.

[ They're such nice feathers. So soft as Hunter shakes under them. ]

I - but - how do you know that for sure?

[For all of his shaking, Rue's touch is strong and steady.]

Because we both care about you. And we would do anything to see you happy.

[the power of love, hunter]

I do not know how much Casey has told you of the rest of our family, but they are quite the formidable team. And more than even them, I know any of our friends here in this realm would step in to help too. All of us could keep you safe. If that is what you want, Hunter, we would make sure you never have to return to that man again.

[ What a thought that is. Never go back, never talk to his uncle again. There's a flicker of hope in his face, covered up swiftly by guilt. ]

He's dead anyway.

[oh thank god]

I did not realize. I'm very sorry for your loss, dear.

[A squeeze of their paws over his hand.]

Forgive me for getting so impassioned. I was just struck by the idea of you being taken against your will back to a life you were not ready to return to. But you are still here with us, and the promise to keep you safe remains. You are one of ours now.

[ Hunter just nods, slumping over a bit. He feels so bad for being this relieved, but ... Rue is right. He can't be dragged back to Belos, at least. And he's finally realized he doesn't want to go back at all.

He stifles a sniffle. ]

Just like that?

Just like that.

[It is a promise. Folkmore has been kind to them so far, but if the trials become as difficult as Rue has heard they can be, Hunter always has a safe space with Rue.]

Would you like a hug, little one?

[ Hunter nods at that; he can't talk or he'll wind up sobbing a little. ]

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