Penumbral

Chapter 30: Healing Solitude

Alimur and Mufam pulled the anchor together, the crew thanked them for their help and went back to their duties.

-So what happened?- The lion was full of curiosity but cautious of the answer.

-She's... in doubt- The Human responded somberly.

-Hmmm...-

-She asked for time to think-

-I see... well, I'm sorry I can't help-

-It's alright Mufam, I think she needs to do it on her own time-

-Why don't you tell me about Mia?-

Alimur sternly looked at the Beastkin and sighed.

-She was a lost soul, her parents cast her out for straying to far from Iarin... when she came back they didn't want to have anything to do with a wanderlusted daughter... I saw them scream with her, harsh words, physical punishment... I followed her, she had wrapped herself around the port's support pillar, she never said it to me but I was sure she was gonna drown herself... I'm glad she didn't kill herself, but was it right to get together with her after that?-

The Gaisgeach breathed deeply before continuing his story.

-She clinged to me... I was her love, her savior, her way to see the world... her reason to live... luckily the feeling of me being her obsession had diluted a bit for the few years we traveled together, she learned how to fight properly, always eager for the next training session, then her obsession blossomed into genuine love and care... I cared for her too...- Alimur looked down and shook his head -Aurora is still a bit of a mistery to me... I don't know how to deal with her yet... In a way she reminds of Mia, but..... I don't know-

Mufam placed his paw on Alimur's shoulder and gave it a shake.

-You're a great warrior, and never in my life has a great warrior been weak of heart and mind... no matter what happens I know you can deal with it-

-What if she leaves?-

-Then you move on... but I know that won't happen- Mufam sighed and smiled -Now, you're gonna make me, what do you call it?... Best man in your wedding?-

Alimur lightly punched the Beastkin's stomach and smirked, the lion backed away and raised his fists, the Human summoned his shadow arm and got into a battle ready stance, Mufam smirked, a circle formed around the two.

-Alright you two want to play?! Whoever loses is gonna make lunch!- Edna shouted from the quarterdeck in a half angry manner.

Aurora grasped the sheets and bit down her arm, her tear stained face rested on the pillow, she sat up and hugged her legs, the Demi-Human didn't know what happened but solitude was bound to bring the answer... she went over her life, her relaxed childhood brought confort in doubt, but her memories flash, her only friend dead, her father painted himself a merciless guardian his flames burned the innocent and guilty of Huia, with that seared into her memory, why did she still love him? Despite his misguided protection he was still her father... "Who was to blame?".

Her mother came in a wave of uncertainty, "She trained me to protect myself" "against what?" the Seles despise direct conflict, their white scales are ne'er to be stained with dirt or blood... the Demi-Human however did not know a thing about her ancestors "Mother is a Seles... an important name" Aurora scratched her arms desperately "I need to get to Raito" the woman thought she wouldn't get an answer from her mother who had protected her for years, was Rosaria tired? Or was she sure her sweeting was ready for the world?

Hours passed and the Demi-Human barely noticed, a knock distracted her from any further thoughts.

-Aurora, you haven't eaten today- Alimur's voice pierced the wooden door, concerned.