forget to remember...

[silverdust]

Sunlight gravitated toward her, it seemed, even through the thick treetops it filtered down to play over her pale figure. She glowed softly in the play of bright and shadow, her slender hands deftly stringing together crystalline beads and thin wire. Iedaene found it easier to work at her craft while human, their elegant fingers useful for her delicate works. Today, a necklace on string so thin that the beads seemed to hang in mid-air, glittering transluscent gold and yellow. A gift, for her son. His brother's had already been made, and lay in the grass by her side.

Teluhdasca watched her work. He had inherited his father's bright curiosity and had always been fascinated with his mother's art. It seemed she could take but a few spare odds and ends and spin something wonderful from nothing. It was a skill he could only dream to posess, but she was an Artisan, and he was destined to be a Chief. Still, the lightness of her fingers reminisced in him, though he could never attain her ability, he still had the eye and vague skill. She showed him what she could, always smiling, gentle, silent. It was the silence that fascinated him as well. Mother had never spoken to him, father, or his brother, she had laughed and cried with them, but she had never said a word.

The boy stretched back, lithe and slender in his human form, as pale as she but with an ivory sheen attained from his father's golden coat. His hair was not as light as hers either, but still a sun-bleached blond that could blaze white-silver in the summer light, shot with a single streak of olive green. His light, white clothes did nothing to hide the golden blazes that flashed on his skin and darted about his face. His pale eyes scanned the trees, over the small brook that babbled before them.

"Where are Dad and Banteiro...?" he mused to himself, his voice a silken song, echoing his mother's laughter. He was used to filling the silence when they were together. Mother was busy at her work, she did not see him speak, and he never needed her to. She would know when he needed her, when they needed her. That empathic care made her.

[tigs]

A little more energetic and boyish than his brother, Banteiro also had a fairly opposite bodyform. With a golden tan spread across his skin, much like his father, his muscled frame was easily noticeable. He'd been hunting and climbing trees all day with his father, and by himself. His winning smile held the beauty of his mother, her smile was something that dad loved dearly. Sprinting in at a slow trot, he calmed and found a spot next to his brother, sitting down with a small 'oomph' and outward breath of air.

"Miss me?" He asked, fluttering his eyes and grinning that impossible 'I know I'm being an idiot' smile. Pausing in his antics, he noticed that Iedaene was at work with her crafts, and wished he had the patience to sit still and watch her. It would be a nice skill to lean, but like his brother, he was detined to be a Cheif himself. The things she made were so beautiful though...

Following closely behind, Dantevie stood silhouetted in the sunlight, golden rays shimmering all about him, giving him an ethereally angelic look. His skin positively glowed, chestnut hair falling around his face, tinted with the crystalline colour of clear summer water. Making a much calmer entrance than his son, he moved swiftly towards the glowing figure of his love. "You've been busy today. Such beautiful things you've made." He sighed against her hair, wrapping his arms around her for a moment and then sitting back, so as not to disturb her too much.

Banteiro's eyes snapped up to the scene of warm affection in front of him, it was nice to be reminded of how wonderful love could be. Though he had no use of such a thing at this age, he knew his day would come eventually, too. Caught in the light, one could see the mixing colour in those curious eyes, a pastel mixture of blue and green, his eyes were almost painful to look into, because of the bright hues and richness of colour. Atop his bronze tan were swirls of green, and blocks of white, one solid line moving down his chest and stomach, and two more on his arms. "Teluh, have you been in here all day? I'm going back out later, I might camp out somewhere if dad's okay with it, if you want to come that would be awesome." He piped up, enthusiastically.

[silverdust]

And there he was. Teluh gave a light smile, a bit impish, he lacked the bile to make it truly caustic. "No, I was enjoying the quiet, for once."

He did prefer it, the reason he watched his mother so, but his brother was a constant spark. He enjoyes his antics, enjoyed the time they spent together. Honestly, he couldn't imagine a whole day without once hearing the boisterous voice. His eyes flicked a silent greeting toward his father, shining at the tenderness between his parents. It was something that he relished as well, and hoped one day he might find. They seemed so perfect.

He looked his brother in the eyes, one of the few who could do it without a wince. "Sure, you need someone to protect you from the dark."

His laugh was light, quiet as his mother's.

Iedaene looked up as her family appeared, the smile breaking on her face dawn over water. As he embraced her, she clasped his arms tight before letting them go, leaning into his warmth. It was amazing how well their bodies could fit, like key and lock, sun and star. Could she remember anytime she felt as safe, as needed and loved?...Yes...But that was only a memory...

She reached and brushed a hand over Teluhdasca's silken hair, slipping the necklace easily over his head. It sparkled bright against his shirt and he smiled and said words she couldn't hear, but that didn't matter for she could see the meaning in his eyes. The same with Bantei. These were her children, her perfect paradise she made with the man she loved. Such love, such perfect bliss. Something in her heart tugged.

How could it not shatter so?

--



He would be lying if he said it didn't hurt to see her again, but he'd be lying too if he said he hadn't wanted it for her. It was part of the reason he ran after all, because she needed that. And not him, no matter how hard she had believed it. He had watched her search all these years, wtached her because he needed her never to find him. And it was such a strange, twisted feeling, such a paradox that he had never thought that he would have to go through. Emotions had never had any grip upon his life, he couldn't afford it. He made one slip, and paid hell.

Hell was watching her again. He had heard news that she had gotten a family. It was a numb feeling, not necessarily rage nor sadness, he couldn't place a finger on it. Why was he here anyways? Just to see her, to make sure it wasn't just a stray rumour? Whatever, it shouldn't matter. The damned thing was it did. Two kids, a husband. Chieftain by the look, she had done good for herself.

Her hands hadn't changed, not in their quickness nor their lightness. He had watched those slender fingers dart about, stringing beads of light onto wind. She still wore those bracelets, because she still remembered him or out of habit. He almost didn't want to know. What did it matter anyways, he had seen her for the last time and this was goodbye. Better she just forget him anyways, it's why he left her. Shit.

He turned to go, roughly and lacking in grace in his sudden emotion. A twig cracked under his foot. He hissed out a curse, but it was too late for him to hide any longer. Too late to remain a memory.

[tigs]

[He's hawt. I want his kids XD]

Banteiro cuffed his brother lightly, careful of his strength, because Dantevi had taught him early on about the downsides to being so active and obtaining strength through his activities. "Don't give me that! You're always canned up in here, geeze, you think you'd be grateful for any sound of life." His eyes widened immediately, hands clasping over his mouth. He turned towards Iedaene and knew that she'd heard what he'd said. She always did. "I'm sorry mom, I didn't mean like... well, you know..." He blushed profusely, feeling bad for not having thought before he spoke.

Dantevi let his hands idly caress a lock of bright hair, twirling it around and toying with it as he studied, and admired the lovely lady before him. At Banterio's words however, he turned his head and shook it, smiling lightly. Kids wold be kids, and he knew Iedaene better than to think she'd get upset at a silly slip of the tongue. He hadn't meant to offend her, and he hoped she'd become more confident in herself than to think her silence was a bad thing. True, he always longed to hear her voice, but it was what she wanted, and that came before all else in his heart.

"Calm down, it looks like you have a present..." He said, smiling his equally as boyish smile. Dantevi had aged a fair bit, more mentally than physically, and yet that youthful charm always remained.

Perking his head, he smiled gratefully as the necklace was slipped over his head, sparkling in the light. "It's beautiful, thank you." He said quietly, lost in admiration of the talent and skill of the item. He grinned at his brother full-out, happy to see that they both had a symbol of being their mothers children. Not many families had such close bonding as theirs, it was a mystery even to him how things worked so perfectly, but... they just did.

"Ha, I've spent more nights on my own than you ever will!" He teased, smirking in fake superiority. Dante had warned him many times about the dangers of staying out too far from the family, and Teiro was always careful.

A sound from outside startled the blissful silence, and as Teiro made a move to stand, Dante put his hand up and slid, with surprising grace, to the entrance of their foresty shelter. It wasn't a house by any means, just a small gathering of tree brances, leaves, and trunks which helped keep out the wind, and let in the sun, as it wasn't a densely tree-filled forest, and so sunlight shone in every which way. The staff which he usually kept for walking was lifted with an expert ease, and he quickly moved into the open light outside, facing the direction in which the sound had come from.

"You! Why are you stalking around our home? Choose your answer wisely." The staff was held firmly, but not overthreatening. He knew better than to get cocky, simply because of his rank. He also preferred reasoning and understanding over charging out and beating the crap out of someone. There were many innocent reasons why this stranger could be prowling so close.

[silverdust]

((*hugs her smexy boy* If only you were an Euclides so I could pimp you...XD))

Teluhdasca's eyes narrowed lightly at his brother's words, but he didn't hold the anger very long. If his mother was not offended, then he wouldn't be either. Banteiro's tongue slipped sometimes, as did his, and mother would only smile and rest her hand on their heads, nothing amiss. The same as she did now, touching her fingers to her lips before placing them on his brother's cheek. A sign of forgiveness and gratitude.

He rolled his eyes at his brother's playful indignation, and was about to retort before the single crack. He too leapt to his feet, feeling the magic tingle to his fingers. He couldn't do much with it, but hopefully enough to scare off the intruder. But that was more his father's job, regal and strong standing stiff with his staff before him. He was their protector, and he trusted him completely. His mother did too, she didn't even bother to rise, only lifting her eyes to the direction of the supposed sound.

It had been calm and then activity. She hadn't heard the snap, but something in her heart gave a wrench and she looked to where they were standing. She would fight tooth and nail for her family, that was no doubt, and her hands brushed lightly over her bangles. Please, give me strenght and a reason not to use it...

--

The Chief was fast, the children ready. It mirrorred her quick movements and he wasn't surprised. But he couldn't run now, no matter how much he damned well wanted to. He stepped from the shadows into the clearing, a living blot on the brightness. He couldn't look at her yet, and instead gazed coolly into the Chief's eyes.

He wasn't as tall as Dantevi, but his body held a lithe, liquid slenderness that made him seem taller. He was paler skinned that him, an ivory marked in smoky green, his eyes a shadowed hazel. The black clothes were dusted and tattered about the edges, the hat worn low over the straight cascade of jet colored hair. The Dreamcatcher hung over his chest, and at a glance held a delicate artistry that would be too easy to recognize for them. He crossed his arms but he couldn't find any words to say, that wouldn't seem wrong.

But she spoke for him.

--

...her heart did something like shatter.

"Obsydien," she breathed, softly, loudly she couldn't hear anyways. The word was spoken without hesitation, her mouth knowing the vowels spoken so many times before. The first words in years.

She stood in a simple glide, she moved by instinct, not even aware. She could see his eyes flick to her, she knew he remembered. But he didn't move. Why in god's name didn't he do something? Years and years she had torn herself looking for him and he was here now and didn't even...didn't even...

"Why?!" was it a scream, a strangled cry? It only felt like the words were ripping from her throat. All she could see were those eyes staring at her, with something like pain. What could he know of pain? After all these years he would come back, now when she had thought she was happy...

"Why..."

And she ran to him because she could do no more. More than her anguish, more than her rage, more than anything was her love. It had always been like this. She could try to hate him, try to forget him, but there would always bet his horrible love that tore at her heart. Her arms were around his neck and she cried and hoped he was happy now. She knew that they were all watching her, but there was nothing she could do. Could they understand? What did it matter? This was here and now, and she was shattering their lives and all she wanted to know was why. All she wanted was for him never to leave again.

--

A slap would've made it easier. A slap he could deal with, anger he could deal with. He couldn't deal with her, not like this. He was killing himself just holding her again. Damn, she had grown. Damn.

He didn't run his fingers thorugh her hair or kiss her or do anything stupid like the romance novels. That would make it worse. She had always been emotional, and when so did stupid things. Like leaving her home to look for him. She had a family, that she needed, and he was not about to let her lose it. He was not going to let her know how much she hurt him right now. Just let her cry and leave, that was what he would do.

He didn't bother to speak, she wouldn't be able to read it, not like this. He glanced at the Chief, at the boys, and wondered how they would ever be the same again.

[tigs]

Not a brother, nor family that he could see, this stranger meant something more to her than the family bonds that he knew and understood. Standing to the side, it took him what seemed like hours, to process the events slowly, trying to understand. Nothing came to his mind, except for a blank emptyness. To allow anything more would be to sacrifice his behaviour. He didn't trust himself with words any more than he trusted himself with actions.

Those pastel eyes seemed to dim and darken, like storm clouds covering the blinding sun. So many emotions came to surface, he didn't know who was at fault, but he knew that someone was. This was wrong, he didn't need to be an adult and to know love, to know how his father must feel. But he could never understand how his father felt, for all that Banteiro was, he would never know such an empty nothingness. "Ah!" He mouthed as she cried out, lunging into the arms of the stranger. A hand hung, dejectedly in the air, useless, pointless.

"Teluhdasca!" He cried in helplessness, as if his brother had all the answers to give him. He knew he did not, but what more could he do. In his childish innocence, he knew enough to know that bothering his father would be a bad idea, but he couldn't charge over there himself. He didn't even know what would happen if he did, would the stranger retaliate?
...Would she?

Scenes ran through his mind now, he'd only been able to hold off so long. So many times had he just wanted a laugh, she'd never even said 'I love you'... something that was supposed to mean so much. It was important, in a way, he's always needed to hear it, though he got past it, the longing was always there. She couldn't tell him she loved him... but she could say the name of this stranger? What cruel love was this? Was it even love at all? He felt such a fool... For thinking such vile thoughts. There had to be something more that he didn't know.

"I'd appreciate it if someone decided to talk, fast. And now that I know you're both more than capable..." His eyes only flickered to the ground a moment, no weakness would he let her see. Though surely those innocent, loving eyes held openly the signs of something near to betrayal, he still tried to pretend he was calm and centered in that perfect blank inbetween.

"Dad... I'm here." Not knowing how to help, but being keen on sensing emotion, Teiro knew that Dante needed someone now, more than he would ever let show. He was strong, but everyone had their limits. Clenching his father's hand, he was alarmed at receiving no response, but stood back instead, nodding his head in understanding. A simple dangerous look was sent towards this 'Obsydien'. One that clearly spoke 'You hurt my family in Any way, and I'll kill you'. Not having experience in killing another Defore, he didn't know how many years it would take to seek his revenge, but if in fact there was revenge worth seeking, he knew in that moment that he would have to change greatly in the upcoming years, and he would have it.

What of his brother? He was almost afraid to look, how would this affect him? Much more connected to their mother than he was, he could only imagine...

[silverdust]

Teluhdasca registered something like shock, then something like...numb. He began thinking painfully clearly, emotions locked away for some vague reason as his mind scrambled to rationale the scene. Banteiro's cry, he heard, and he flicked a sidelong glance, apologetic that no, he couldn't explain. Mother never spoke to him either, and the first words, indeed, besides laughs and hums. The first words, this stranger's name.

'He must be important to her,' his mind intoned, calmly. 'We can't hurt him, she would be sad. But isn't she sad now? That is besides the point, or is it?'

His father's words startled him and again he glanced sidelong, this time in mild disapproval. Of course, he couldn't understand exactly the emotions behind his words. Were as Banteiro was becoming emotional, he was becoming surprisingly cold and clear-thinking. How...strange? He supposed it was shock. Like some great lightning bolt had hit him. It wasn't that he didn't expect it. He had played with his magic, had made things grow and no matter how perfect he had tried to craft a wildflower, it never was. It had shattered.

The same as now, his mind said matter-of-factly. So shattered things must be put back together, it will turn out alright. Everyone just has to play the right parts and it's going to be okay. Too bad you are the only one aware, but just do what you think is right, and it's okay. It's going to be okay...

He looked at the stranger, looked him in the eyes. Not anger, something in him had snapped beyond that. Please, help me fix this...

--

He read the looks, heard the threats. Nothing new there. Everywhere he went he was hated. He had looked into the eyes of hating children as he shot their parents through the head. The man who had shot him, nearly killed him on that day, it was because he had murdered his wife, just for the band on her finger. Hate was nothing new to him. The white one, pretty boy, he was something else. That was some creepy thing he didn't care to look into...

He didn't respond to the Chief's question voluntarily. All these years, she hadn't spoken to him, he supposed. And the first thing she went and did and scream and wail at him. Great job, Light, just great. You're killing everything I ever wanted you to have. He pushed her away, grasping her shoulders lightly and shaking her. "Light, stop it, now, gods damn you're really fucking this up."

She was looking at him and her eyes were impossibly wide and shining with tears. She looked like a kid again, with an emotion she had never shown to him before. She had always been laughing, she cried with discreet control, but this? Her lip was quivering, she understood.

Smack!

Good, there was the slap. Now she was getting a grip, and she had improved her strength too. But what pained him still was the care he could still see in her eyes. Shit, what a mess. He looked over her head, needed a distraction for her, something to remind her that she was here, now. His eyes met the creepy one. Hey, kid, some help here?

Teluhdasca moved over smoothly, hugging his mother around the waist. She trembled, and lay a tentative hand over his head. She was ashamed, he could see it on her face. Shit. He hadn't of wanted to do this. Just see that she made a life for herself so he could finally stop worrying about her chasing him around. Just to see that she was happy. Just...shit. Well, at least it would be easier to talk to the Chief without holding his wife. He looked square into those cold eyes.

"I don't know what Iedaene's told you of me or if she even has. I'm just something she's better off forgetting, nothing more."

"That's not true."

She was speaking again and the words flowed sharp and frantic. Her eyes were clenched closed and she was holding on to Teluhdasca for dear sanity. "You knew, you know that could never happen. After all you put me through Obsydien, after everything..."

Mom's fingers were running through his hair. It's going to be okay. Mother talks awfully smoothly, smoother than how she writes. She must have spoke to him before, gotten used to it. You know how self-concious she can be...

"I'm sorry Dantevi," and there was a change in her voice, a tentative, sorrowful treble. "I could explain everything to you, it's...I just....I need to know why, why you abondoned me and why you come back to me now. Why?"

A plaintive wailing note. She knew a simple sorry wasn't enough but she didn't know what she would give him if he didn't ask it of her. There had to be questions for answers. Obsydien couldn't leave her now, not like this. But he wasn't about to tell her why and ruin anything else that was already so wrong. God damn, why couldn't you have just killed me then, in that pass and then none of this would have happened...

[tigs]

But how could Dantevi expect his children to understand the pain of witnessing such an event? He'd politely asked many times, just to hear a whisper, just a word, a laugh. Without even a thought she'd given the stranger something which had mattered a surprising amount to Dantevi. It was like a lie, it was like she'd actually pretended to be mute. Of course, that wasn't it, but one couldn't help being betrayed. He knew from the look that Teluhdasca gave him that the child didn't understand the pain, and therefore why he allowed himself to speak the words he did.

Sighing in confusion, Banteiro just stood helplessly. He didn't hate the stranger, that was a far off assumption if ever there was one, for Teiro was probably incapable of hate. You didn't have to hate someone to feel rage and pain. He was afraid of change, desperately afraid of it, and he'd do anything to keep his family the way it had been- happy, complete, perfect. If it meant taking on a role he was far too young to take, then he felt he had every right.

Shrugging his shoulders in that empty indifference, he slowly shook his head. "She hadn't mentioned a thing. She's never spoken to me before." It wasn't spiteful or aimed to hurt, it was a simple truth. Not elaborated or made to sound worse, it was just plain and straight out. What else was he supposed to say?

The apology fell on deaf ears, until he heard the story he would reserve judgement. Never in a million years had he even dreamed of so much as smiling flirtaciously at another femme, he was faithful beyond faithful. He was not an Euclides, he had no want or need of being a whore, even if it was socially excepted. So wasn't that enough to make one happy? Hadn't he made her happy enough? Why was this stranger even here? Time kept wearing on with meaningless comments, and still no knowledge had he of the situation.

Feeling utterly tired and struck by headache, he lightly, wearily, pinched his nose and gave a weak smile. "I could give you some time to talk would you require it." It was all he had to offer, and in a way, it was what he needed. Banteiro was confused and hurt, sharing the compassionate heart of his father. Tehludasca seemed to be experiencing something not in the nature of either parent, and so he would be harder to deal with.

Teiro crept up close and rubbed his face against his mother's side. "Can you please tell us what's going on? Do you still love dad? Do you want to leave with this guy?" The concern was evident in his piercing eyes, and acting as any child would do, he was lost and confused. Used to being in a role of more control, he didn't like having to sit back and have questions racing through his mind unanswered. But for now there was nothing he could do.

[silverdust]

"She's not leaving kid, I wouldn't let her."

The words sounded offhand but what could he do to condescend or apologize to any of them? She had made it unbearably difficult. Gods damn Light, and you were the empathic one. He looked at her, almost a bit of a glare. "Not a single word Light? Why the fuck did you do that for?"

Kids weren't supposed to hear words like that, but like hell if he was going to curb his mouth. Too much of a mess to save anything now. She glared back, the best she could, while another tentative hand strayed over at Teiro. "I couldn't. The words were your gift to me, and until I could return it, I couldn't use them. They would always be tainted with you, and I couldn't speak them without remembering."

"I told you to forget, dammit gods," the last part was a bit of an exasperated sigh. He looked over to the Cheif. "There's nothing she has to say or that I have to say that you can't hear. It was way before she met you, back when she was barely a woman yet."

Iedaene looked down at Teiro, fondling his hair. She couldn't answer him without it sounding ridiculously condescending. The strength of the emotions weakened their severity, and she didn't want to give words that sounded like false promises. Of course she still loved Dantevi, and no, she didn't want to leave. But what could she say to make them believe it? Only explanation, maybe.

She looked at him, begging him to explain. He read, responded without words, as they used to, only a mere glance to convey. They don't trust me, it needs to come from you. She sighed softly. "Syd was the reason I was wandering, Dantevi. I used to live by myself, away from others because of my disability. He came one day, injured. I healed him. We lived together a few years, he left, I went looking for him. Eventually I just stopped looking and wandered. That's how it was. He was the ones who made my bracelets for me, my only friend then. And he left."

The last part was accusing. Syd smirked in her direction. Given the situation he should be more sympathetic, but the coldness, the bitterness always had made him. He wouldn't be alive doing what he did if he always wore a bleeding heart. "I left because I wasn't needed anymore, Light. You grew up, and I wasn't good for you anymore. So I faded out. You were supposed to let go. That's all you need to hear."

Her eyes said, you're lying, you knew I couldn't. And wordlessly he told her that anything else he might let her know might ruin what she had. She had nothing to do with what he felt, there was nothing she had done to invoke them, besides cared, but said by him, they would take it the wrong way. He knew how jealousy worked. He knew because he had used it so many times before, and he knew because it writhed in him now.

He hoped they wouldn't need anymore explanation. The creepy kid's eyes seem to echo his sentiments. Please let there be no more questions...