I can see that she is angry, that she has not used the time to calm her mind but rather to let it simmer and boil. She is no more sane than she was the day we lost our mother and this disappoints me. How can I make her see reason? How can I get my sister back?
It seems the more I talk, the less she listens. Does my voice annoy her so? I churn this over in my mind. Should I turn to silence, let her see that I have contemplated much since our last encounter? She only seems to respect violence so maybe I should turn the tables on her. Aithne has taught me much on defense and I hate the idea of hurting my own sister but maybe it's the only way I can make her see, the only way I can show her that I am her family, whether she likes it or not.
Her growls only increase with my words, as if she wished that I had died with mother and maybe she does but I can't go back and change that and I wouldn't even if I could. I don't want to die. I wonder if she sometimes wishes for our brother Solitaire, that he might still be here. Perhaps he would be the big strong brother that she probably wants, not the peacekeeper that I am.
Her words hit me to my core. As she lunges for my shoulder, I replay Aithne's words in my head. I cannot always dodge every hit but I can take the ones that count. Instead of dodging this time, I brace myself for the impact, knowing it's going to hurt. This time though, I use the pain that shoots through my shoulder to add to my own lunge as I dart my head forward, jaws parted and aimed for her own shoulder, matching marks. I speak even as I lunge.
"That's where you're wrong. I have the taste of blood in my veins. It's the same that runs through yours, Viora. I use my teeth for things that matter, for creating peace, for protecting those who can't protect themselves. Just because I don't use them to bully everyone I meet doesn't mean I don't matter. I matter and even though I don't matter to you, you still matter to me. I would still die for you because you are my sister, my family."
I growl the last words even as I aim for her shoulder, aiming to puncture and then release. I don't want to maul her, just make a point. That I can be violent, but only as a last resort. If this is the only way I can get through to her then so be it.
Tristan.male.6 years old.son of Enigma & Cobryn.brother to Solitaire & Viora.father of none.tied to none.bound by none. 35in. 160lbs.deaf in right ear.no home
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