“Children of the Dark” (OxO, Mature, Closed)

De’Tearion gave a clicking chuckle.

“Aye. I used to be, though. Until I realized that humans treated me better than my own kin,”he said.

Though his words were true, it was a drastically simplified version of the truth. Only specific humans had treated De’Tearion better, and it was the best years of his life. Until they threw him aside when he rightfully avenged the death of his sister.

“My name be Ákle-Ikli De’Tearion, yet simply call me De’Tearion. Why does everyone call you by those other names instead of your true name?”he couldn’t help asking.

De’Tearion wasn’t quite sure what to make of Pip’s lingering fascination with him. It was certainly refreshing though, for someone to not be afraid of him. To not instantly believe that he was a demon or a traitor to his kind.

De’Tearion heard Pip’s mumble and couldn’t help a small smile. He then watched the boy stand, noting his answer. With a thoughtful hum, he crouched down as low as he could.

“In my experience, the shortest are often among the strongest,”he cooed.

De’Tearion chuckled at Pip’s question.

“Indeed. I once knew someone who was quite short among my kin. She was the fiercest warrior I had ever met, and she feared not showing it. Yet, she was strong in other ways as well. As are you. Strength can be found in many different ways,”he cooed.

He watched Pip caressing the wood rodent, growing more and more curious about it. He wasn’t sure if it was a rat or mouse, but De’Tearion was actually quite fond of mice. He liked catching them just so he could pet them, and he once watched the activities of a nest for half a night while his sister teased him about it.

“What be the carving you have? Be it a mouse?”he asked softly.

“The shadows be likely one of your strengths. Given time to embrace and train those shadows, you could easily become a great sorcerer, if you wished to be,”he answered.

De’Tearion smiled thoughtfully at the mouse and Pip’s explanation. He could see why Pip’s father chose a mouse to carve for the boy, and he barely knew the kid.

“Mice are indeed fast and intelligent. As are you, I am sure,”he said with a soft smile.

“If I may, where be your father? And, what of the rest of your family?”he asked gently.

It pleased De’Tearion that Pip was clearly willing to embrace his power. It would be such a shame to waste such potential, after all. But, when Pip asked him to be his mentor, it caught De’Tearion completely off his guard.

De’Tearion hid his surprise with practiced ease, but it was still a shocking idea. He hadn’t taught anyone magic in decades or more. He also only knew combat-based spells. He’d never really had the chance to explore any shadow magic outside of combat. Until now…

“Aye, I can,”he answered softly.

His smile grew at Pip’s giggle. However, the moment Pip’s demeanor changed, De’Tearion became concerned. The news that Pip was all alone nearly brought tears to his eyes and he unconsciously grabbed and rubbed the pendant of his amulet.

“I understand. I am the last of my family as well,”he said quietly.

De’Tearion nodded,”Aye. Yet, we would have to leave this village for me to properly teach you.”

He doubted that the villagers would take kindly to Pip being mentored by a Forestfolk of all things. It would be a death sentence for himself, and possibly nearly so for Pip. De’Tearion didn’t plan to die anytime soon, and he didn’t want to scare Pip with the sheer brutality of his fighting skills. He would spare Pip from seeing that as long as he possibly could.

“Aye, I am,”he answered, his voice cracking. A black tear slid down his face and De’Tearion quickly wiped it away. A smile appeared when the boy offered his condolences, but it was short-lived.

It was a little surprising how quickly Pip accepted De’Tearion’s forewarning. Though, the more he thought about it, the more it made sense. Pip had no reason to stay, regardless of whether he truly understood the risks of leaving to roam.

De’Tearion nodded without saying anything. He didn’t need to, after all. Pip was willing to leave, simple as that.

He flinched a bit when Pip touched him, but he didn’t push the kid away. It wasn’t often that someone, anyone, offered him comfort, and he was extremely touch-starved as well. So, after a second to let his nerves settle a bit, he gently wrapped Pip’s small hand with his own long-fingered one.

“Thank you,”he said softly.

Without realizing it, De’Tearion was thinking the same thing that Pip was about their hands. He hadn’t interacted with a child in centuries, and it was a sharp contrast from what he was used to. The boy’s hands were so tiny compared to his, but it wasn’t in a bad way. Oddly, it was even more comforting.

For a brief time, he had considered the prospect of being a father, continuing his bloodline and such. A brief time. Until everything went wrong…

Pip’s question brought De’Tearion out of his darkening thoughts and he hummed in contemplation. He noted the drowsiness both on Pip’s face and in his scent, and decided that they didn’t have to immediately leave. Besides, De’Tearion still needed to attempt eating.

“I suppose we could leave at dawn, or, alternatively, tomorrow night. You get some sleep for now though. I shall linger outside of the village to avoid conflict. I will be watching though, and if you need help, I will come,”De’Tearion said.

De’Tearion sensed Pip growing more and more drowsy. He glanced at the window in preparation of leaving, until he saw the shadows of the room getting darker. He looked back at Pip, picking up on the shadow’s reaction to his mood. It reminded him of the subtle gestures his sister, Agatha, would give him when they were just younglings, her silent pleas for him to stay and hold her.

“If you wish, I can stay until you fall asleep,”he offered softly.

How many times had he said the exact same thing to Agatha? How many times had he held her in his arms, rocking her to sleep? How many times had he fallen asleep soon after, comforted by her presence as much as she was by his? He had lost count long ago. He missed that so much.

De’Tearion nodded at Pip’s plea, then watched the boy glance at the bed. An idea came to his head, one that he immediately questioned, but he couldn’t help doing it anyway.

With the gentlest of movements, De’Tearion picked up Pip and carried him to the bed. He sat Pip down in the middle of the bed, sitting next to him.

“Fight sleep not. It will leave you more tired later, and you will need all the rest you can have. We have a new journey ahead of us, one that will hopefully be far brighter than our pasts,”he cooed, giving Pip a small, encouraging smile.

De’Tearion couldn’t help a small smile at the squeak, remembering when Agatha would have similar reactions to his grasp. She’d then chide him for startling her. It was always humorous.

De’Tearion didn’t mind as Pip leaned into him. Sure, it made it more difficult to leave so he could hunt, but this was the first time in a long while that he’d actually spent time with anyone. Particularly someone with kindred magic.

He curled an arm around Pip, cradling him against his side. He was so small, but De’Tearion didn’t mind that either.

He leaned back against the wall, watching the swirling shadows. Minutes passed, and De’Tearion found himself dozing off.

De’Tearion’s lingering smile grew as Pip snuggled up to him. Once again, it reminded him of the countless times he had cradled Agatha in his arms, rocking her to sleep. Such sweet moments.

De’Tearion woke after a couple minutes of dozing, looking around again. He listened closely to his surroundings, checking for intruders or potential prey. He also listened to Pip’s heartbeat, which was steadily lulling him back into another doze. The music of a sleeping heartbeat was so soothing. He could never resist it.

(Do you have anything in mind to happen next, or do you just want to timeskip to them waking in the morning? I’m casual either way)

(Alrighty. Give me just a second)

De’Tearion woke from the first dreamless sleep he’d had in ages. The room appeared slightly brighter than it had before, so he supposed it was near dawn. Had he really slept through the rest of the night? How long had it been since he’d slept longer than an hour at a time?

Regardless, he listened for any possible intruders again. Then, once he was sure no one was approaching, he glanced down at Pip, checking on the boy.

(My bad. Life has been very hectic lately, so that’s why I’ve only been responding to basically just one of our rps at the moment. I’ll see about doing this one next though)