I can see Taboo begin to relax a little as I speak. I have that kind of effect on people. I’m quite disarming, mainly because I am, a lot of the time, an utter fool. A loveable fool, but a fool all the same. Even my ego can cope with that one. I am the least threatening creature on the planet, aside from maybe a bunny. I tried fighting, I really, really did not care for it, and I shall never be doing it again. I’ll stick to the lurving, not the fighting. Apart from anything else it is a much bigger hit with the ladies –metaphorical eyebrow wiggle-. I point a hind toe and let my hips swing casually sideways so I too am in a truly relaxed pose, grinning contentedly.
Ah, don’t sweat it. I healed it all up nicely so I’m as handsome as ever.
I wink, my unusually yellow-flecked eyes glinting mischievously. I have never hidden my vanity and I don’t intend on starting now. I look back over my shoulder at the debris as he does… and my smile slips. It does not happen often, but whenever my mother is mentioned… well… she is a sore subject. How truly embarrassing my mother can be while also being shit scary and totally heartless. I look around at all the damage. I knew dear little Virikins would have a shit fit about Scythia… but I didn’t think she would do this. This is so… emotional. And she just isn’t. How very out of character. She must be pissed. Or she has finally gone off her rocker, like her mother. I always thought she would at some point. I look back to Taboo, my eyes less mischievous and more apologetic now.
Oh Shit. I am so, so sorry. She has these… uh… control issues. If she isn’t all-powerful and calling the shots she gets a bit temperamental. Seriously… you should have seen her face when she first saw me. She had Paramour, her perfect little daughter, Valkyrie princess and the ideal piece in whatever master plan she had in place. And then there was me… almost identical in every way, apart from the really crucial one. See, balls are of no use to a Valkyrie heir. And she only needed the one kid. I was… an anomaly. And thank fuck for that eh… if I was in any way like her I’d have had to kill myself. The last thing the world needs is a Viri clone.
I roll my eyes. Physically there are several similarities between my mother and me. I’m an inch shorter and noticeably finer built. My fur is also a few shades darker. But our face shape is pretty much the same, and my eyes are the same pitch black, save for the fact mine have yellow splashed over the lenses like paint. Mine are also a good deal more expressive and alive than hers. We look different enough that you wouldn’t guess the family link, but equally when you know its there, its easy to see how we could share blood. I wish I were like my baby sister V. She is almost identical in build to mummy dearest, but she is brilliant blonde, and for that reason alone looks nothing like her. Still, I am epic handsome as I am, so I suppose I should not wish any changes upon myself. If it aint broken, don’t fix it.
I am grateful for a topic change, and instantly put my mother out of my thoughts. My smile returns, and I find that my muscles relax again. I wasn’t even aware I had tensed up. And finally we are to the reason I am here. I give a small nod and continue on in far less serious tones. Back to my usual self in a matter of seconds.
Yeah… I came because I would like to be of use. I grew up in the Valks… I know a load of them, and Sasha was like… my aunt or something. And before Scythia I was in the Rajputs. I was not as helpful as I might have been… but that was mostly because I was friendly with the Valks and they were supposed to be our enemies… and I really did not want to steal them and make them sad. I like the idea of us all together much better. And I am very likeable! I am sure I can charm maaaany new members into our ranks. I’ll do anything I can to be of use… as long as I never, ever have to set foot in the Ridges again.
Charon Out In The Styx |