Dragoncrest Cliffs Cordelia

this was a sorry state of affairs. val’s solemn gaze traveled to each, measuring their reception of suzu’s news. 

val had no delusions when it came to the nature of his gender. while he’d traveled plenty when he was suzu’s age, and met his fair share of kind men, he did not fault mireille — or sapphique — for her view. there was unequivocal truth to it: world’s back was saddled by men’s sorrows — and often, women fell to the blade too.

he stayed silent, appreciating suzu’s dislike for hearing his gender castigated. he also understood mireille’s words of caution too. both could be right, it was not a situation of either or.

his only reassurance now was that etienne would be there to keep his sister safe. there was irony in thinking this, for it supported the notion women needed protection from other men, to protect them from men — what was the common denominator?

he hoped the road would be kind to them, but he knew many corners of this earth were darkened by malice. may the road never take them there, val thought to himself.

finally, he spoke — reaching first to hug suzu, then etienne — repeating the oft said mantra of sapphique. you two come back to visit in one piece, you hear? i wont be having nieces and nephews that don’t know their uncle.