to smile at Arelstin when he leaves the boys and rejoins me in the den, we do the brotherly embrace, making the sign of first-cast angels.
“He did brilliantly,” smiles Arelstin.
Offering him a goblet of hormone enriched blood, he takes it, and we toast, “To Seithe.”
Clanging the metal, we down our victory drink.
Strolling to the wall length fish tank, I stare at sea horses bobbing with the speed of infinity. They look like they're standing still because of it.
Speaking with my back to him, pride swells in my chest, “He faced the death of himself. Reborn as one of us, he has our hair.”
“Why are you so hard on him? He's a sterling young man, he never backs down from a challenge, his instincts are impeccable.”
Pivoting, I look at my brethren splayed on the white settee, relaxed and tranquil, “We have the most powerful vampyres born to this world as our charges. You have Ellindt, I have Seithe. We can't be easy on them because the weight of our fate is on their young shoulders.”
“He's lost. He's in mourning. Grief clings to him like dark mist, that's why this landscape is currently covered in it. He's projecting into the atmosphere and saturating this place with the past, with the sadness and gloom inside him. Show him some compassion, Venix. Give him some sign that you're proud of him. He's so much stronger than he realizes. He's manifesting his emotions into a physical phenomenon and this country can't cope with the pain he will unearth onto its shores.”
Sitting opposite him, I nod, “We are alone in this world. Approval mustn't be searched for outside of himself. He must come to peace with himself on the inside. He must be confident enough that he fears no one and never needs outside approval. Only then will this world leave him unscarred. People who look for accolades and praise are more often left drifting and disappointed. They have no strong foundation on which to build a future because they themselves are not their own anchor. No one will treasure your life or happiness more than you will. When they grow up they'll need that sturdy inner confidence.”
Arelstin leans forward, supporting his elbows on his knees, “You're wrong. The complete lack of love you show them now makes them bitter and brittle. I can see disaster headed our way unless you step up and be his mentor. You need to be his rock because he's not yet mature enough to weather these storms without your strength to guide him.”
Changing the subject, avoiding the issue, I smile my pleasure again, “Seithe did it. He's the first in a very long time to get a halo from the ningen.”
Arelstin narrows his eyelids, giving me a heated glare, “Yes. He has the white hair of the resurrected. He went down there because he was angry. Anger makes quick and foolhardy choices. He should have done it when he was at peace, instead he called up a storm vicious enough to realign the tectonic plates. You have to stop Venix, or I will have you replaced.”
Reminded who is the superior here, I nod acquiescence to my kin, “Alright. I'll try.”
“Try isn't good enough, if this doesn't change we'll have a mutiny on our hands. You offer comfort and support, or someone else will.” He stands, making the symbol of peace and rank, vanishing from my brother's home.
I'm the Jowendrhan of my generation. The youngest brother, the one without the strength of character or might of his powerful siblings. My oldest brother gave the planet his children, and it's my duty to care for them. The only one I wish to help is Jowendrhan, I have an affinity for him. I understand how hard it is to be the youngest of the Almighty and never quite managing to fill their shoes.
Chapter 15
Seithe:
Stepping outside, we look at each other. It's another edge to edge gray day, complete with drizzle. The cloud on our side of the mountain is so low it billows specters between us and the trees surrounding the secluded garden.
The ghostly breath
“He did brilliantly,” smiles Arelstin.
Offering him a goblet of hormone enriched blood, he takes it, and we toast, “To Seithe.”
Clanging the metal, we down our victory drink.
Strolling to the wall length fish tank, I stare at sea horses bobbing with the speed of infinity. They look like they're standing still because of it.
Speaking with my back to him, pride swells in my chest, “He faced the death of himself. Reborn as one of us, he has our hair.”
“Why are you so hard on him? He's a sterling young man, he never backs down from a challenge, his instincts are impeccable.”
Pivoting, I look at my brethren splayed on the white settee, relaxed and tranquil, “We have the most powerful vampyres born to this world as our charges. You have Ellindt, I have Seithe. We can't be easy on them because the weight of our fate is on their young shoulders.”
“He's lost. He's in mourning. Grief clings to him like dark mist, that's why this landscape is currently covered in it. He's projecting into the atmosphere and saturating this place with the past, with the sadness and gloom inside him. Show him some compassion, Venix. Give him some sign that you're proud of him. He's so much stronger than he realizes. He's manifesting his emotions into a physical phenomenon and this country can't cope with the pain he will unearth onto its shores.”
Sitting opposite him, I nod, “We are alone in this world. Approval mustn't be searched for outside of himself. He must come to peace with himself on the inside. He must be confident enough that he fears no one and never needs outside approval. Only then will this world leave him unscarred. People who look for accolades and praise are more often left drifting and disappointed. They have no strong foundation on which to build a future because they themselves are not their own anchor. No one will treasure your life or happiness more than you will. When they grow up they'll need that sturdy inner confidence.”
Arelstin leans forward, supporting his elbows on his knees, “You're wrong. The complete lack of love you show them now makes them bitter and brittle. I can see disaster headed our way unless you step up and be his mentor. You need to be his rock because he's not yet mature enough to weather these storms without your strength to guide him.”
Changing the subject, avoiding the issue, I smile my pleasure again, “Seithe did it. He's the first in a very long time to get a halo from the ningen.”
Arelstin narrows his eyelids, giving me a heated glare, “Yes. He has the white hair of the resurrected. He went down there because he was angry. Anger makes quick and foolhardy choices. He should have done it when he was at peace, instead he called up a storm vicious enough to realign the tectonic plates. You have to stop Venix, or I will have you replaced.”
Reminded who is the superior here, I nod acquiescence to my kin, “Alright. I'll try.”
“Try isn't good enough, if this doesn't change we'll have a mutiny on our hands. You offer comfort and support, or someone else will.” He stands, making the symbol of peace and rank, vanishing from my brother's home.
I'm the Jowendrhan of my generation. The youngest brother, the one without the strength of character or might of his powerful siblings. My oldest brother gave the planet his children, and it's my duty to care for them. The only one I wish to help is Jowendrhan, I have an affinity for him. I understand how hard it is to be the youngest of the Almighty and never quite managing to fill their shoes.
Chapter 15
Seithe:
Stepping outside, we look at each other. It's another edge to edge gray day, complete with drizzle. The cloud on our side of the mountain is so low it billows specters between us and the trees surrounding the secluded garden.
The ghostly breath
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