WtSLB: Sapphire in Wonderland (Hiatus)

Chapter 8: Better Days

The First Vao was at his desk, his quill scratching at the parchment, his one scarlet eye focused on the letters as he wrote the fairytale. Even if his children were older and would eventually lose interest in fairytales, he still wrote them down for the rest of the Cult to use. Of course, he always worried that they were only popular because of how much the Cult idolized him.

By now, eight years had passed since Sunny's birth, and the First Vao had gotten Mono pregnant two more times after that. After learning he had a third kid on the way, he had decided to use protection from that point on - which Mono had to explain, due to the First Vao skipping health class when he was in school.

He set his quill down and let out a content sigh. He wanted to take a break. Reaching for his teacup, he had only taken a sip before his bedroom door swung open, the Lord of the Cult turning to the visitor with a raised brow. Sunny stood in the frame, the monoeye wearing a pair of black gym shorts and a white t-shirt. Expected, due to the summer heat.

"Dad! Are you busy?"

The First Vao shook his head. "No, I was just taking a break... Wot is it, Sunny?"

Sunny stepped into the room, pumping her fists. "I'm bored! Lily and Nik went with mum, so they aren't around!"

If the First Vao remembered correctly, then Mono had taken the other two shopping. Sunny beamed a tomboyish grin.

"Can you show me how to not be bored?"

The First Vao didn't really know how he was supposed to do that. "Why don't you read a book? Or play a game in the telly?" He suggested. Sunny groaned.

"I don't want to read!" She whined. "And I don't really want to play video games right now. You really suck at them."

The First Vao felt a bit wounded. It was true he wasn't the best at video games, but hearing it from his daughter was hurtful. He made a mental note to practice when he had the time so he could beat her ass at a game just to prove a point. "Then play outside. It's a nice day out."

"That's the thing! I want you to show me games that you used to play outside!" Sunny exclaimed. "Mum told me you used to be homeless when you were a kid, so you have to know something fun!"

It was true that the First Vao didn't have a place to call home growing up. Neither did his brother. They had run away from home, and the majority of their entertainment had been literally kicking rocks. The First Vao sighed, standing up. "A-alright, we can look for something," he rasped.

Sunny cheered as she followed her father outside, picking up a cool stick she found in the yard and carrying it like a sword. It brought a small smile to the First Vao's face. Sunny was a tomboy through and through. He looked down at the ground, trying to find a sizeable stone. One of the games he used to play with the First Yin aside from chess was a game with no name, and very simple rules; find a rock and throw it. Whoever throws it the farthest wins. Of course with the First Vao naturally being stronger than his brother while the First Yin was faster, the First Vao always won.

However, he stopped when he heard a buzzing around, looking up to see a hornet's nest in a tree. His face lit up. "Oh! There's something!"

Sunny followed his gaze, furrowing her brow. "A... A hornet's nest?"

The First Vao nodded. "When I was a kid, your Uncle Yin and I used to hit them with sticks and run away. It really sucks to lose, but it was exhilarating."

Sunny, like her father, wasn't very bright in terms of common sense. She was immediately on board with the terrible idea. "Okay! So whoever hits it the most wins?"

"No, if you knock it down you win," the First Vao explained. "Now we just figure out who goes first..."

They stared at each other for a moment before holding out their fists, shaking them once, twice, and thrice. Sunny had rock, and the First Vao had scissors. The First Vao pumped his fist.