Stone Circle c

For @Valette & Arlette only, please and thankya (takes place right after this one)

Years ago, the north lost one of its own to the irresistible pull of an adventure. Grandparents had to watch the boy they’d doted after go off on his own, as did siblings that’d grown alongside him and guided him through some truly heart-wrenching times. Various relatives had wished him luck in his travels, and perhaps it was that very same luck that had, eventually, led him to Scarlett—a monster she was deemed but most certainly was not, whose smile alone had captivated his heart with ease.

But luck, just like with anything, could run out, often at the worst of times.

Children were born and then a family divided, three young girls following their mother whilst a boy remained with his father. Words were spoken that could not be taken back, fueled by rage that was backed by heartbreak—heartbreak that had been avoidable, had only he’d not been so inexplicably stupid. But he had been, he’d made so many mistakes, and then came the final nail in the coffin that drove them apart.

He was to blame for that, for everything, and that blame weighed heavily upon his shoulders as he walked along with his granddaughter. It slowed him down—or was that the age?—and made him wonder if he should even be there. How would Desna react? Their past reunions had been anything but ideal, he remembered, so what would be different about this one? What had changed?

Before he could backtrack and find a reason to leave, they were there along the outskirts of his daughter’s pack. Again, he considered finding a reason that might drive himself away but, after taking a single glance at Arlette, he was suddenly unable to flee the scene. Rather, he raised his head and let out a low howl for his daughter, realising now that avoidance was not the same as giving space, and that neither would solve any one of the problems that he’d created for himself.