Silver Binding

Part 30: Collage

Noxsilian: Dad, I dunno If I can do this. 

Callum: *puts some more of Noxy's clothes into a suitcase* You'll love collage. 

Ethari: But dad, you're not going to be there. You and Mom both aren't going to be there. 

Callum: *looks at both of his boys* You know, *sits down* me and you're mother had our share of hardness during our "transfer phase" of life. 

Noxsilian: You mean when mom tried to kill you then you guys and uncle Ezran traveled to another country alone as teenagers?

Ethari: Yeah, you told us. 

Callum: *laughs slightly* Yep. That. Anyway, I swear you guys will thank me later for it. 

Noxsilian: Seriously, though. Mom tried to kill you. What on earth possessed you to date her? 

Callum: Erm, you know, you should talk to Nyx. You guys would get along great. 

Ethari: I just don't want to go.

Callum: *smiles slightly* You guys are 19. You don't have to go if you don't want to, but I REALLY encourage you. Collage is the first step of the real world. If you feel like that's something you want to do. KSU is the best school in Katolis. 

Ethari:  . . . We'll visit at Christmas, right. 

Callum: Oh yeah, definitely. Without you, Christmas would be super boring. 

Noxsilian: *laughs*

Ethari: *smiles*

Callum: Write home tons. We'll love to hear from you. Don't worry.

Ethari: I'm not worried about the school bit. Mr. Luis was a great tutor but won't it be weird? You know, as members of the royal family and all? 

Callum: It'll totally be awkward. But trust me, *throws hands up* it isn't as awkward as a vacation with Runaan. 

(In the other room)

Milo: *hyperventilating and tearing out hair* Mum, everyone will hate me and we'll go home early because *blinks back tears* I can't do this!

Rayla: Oh, sweetheart. *strokes her hair and hugs her* No, nothing like that. I promise you nothing like that. 

Milo: *closes eyes, hugs Rayla back and whispers* I'm just going to miss you so much. You, and dad and life here-

Rayla: This is a good step for you. You will thrive in collage. You're smart and you Noxy and Ethari will all stick together. 

Milo: I'm not smart enough. The only thing I'm good at is stupid blades. 

Rayla: 1. You are not stupid AT ALL.  2. What are you TALKING ABOUT? Me and Runaan combined have taught you the art of blades probably better than any student has received on the flippin PLANET. Don't you dare call them stupid blades 

Milo: *weak smile* I'll just miss you all so much. 

Rayla:  . . . Tell you what. *pulls away from hug and looks at her* Me and Ethari came up with our own sort of binding. *takes a lock of Milo's hair and braids it. Then braids own lock of hair* I won't take my braid out and neither will you until you come back for you're winter break which will be about 6 months. 

Milo: Should I take it out occasionally to brush it?

Rayla: Aw, screw brushing . . . I mean unless you want to. 

Milo: *grins* Nah, If I can get away with it, I'll take it. 

Rayla: *smiles* THIS is why you remind me of me so much. 

Milo: Because I don't find importance in brushing hair? *raises eyebrow* Really? 

Rayla: Eh. More or Less. 

Milo: *leans head on shoulder* Love you Mom. 

Rayla: *smiles and stokes her hair again* Love you too. 

(Later that night) 

(Rayla sitting on balcony with eyes closed. Hair blowing in night wind) 

Callum: *slides open door. Goes to sit down next to her* Hey. How are you doing?

Rayla: *opens eyes and looks sadly at Callum* I can't believe they're gone. 

Callum: I know. *cups her chin* Me neither. 

Rayla: I just- it went so fast. 19 years went by and I barely noticed. 

Callum: It's hard, isn't it. 

Rayla: Very. *leans on his shoulder* I miss them. 

Callum: I miss them too, but It won't help if you just sit out here in the cold. 

Rayla: I can't get any colder. 

Callum: Don't go all depression-y on me. You know I'll start crying.

Rayla: *laughs but eyes start watering* I-I am crying. *laughs through tears* I'm crying. 

Callum: *hugs her* We can't have that. 

Callum: I promise you, *kisses top of her head, voice goes a little higher* We'll all be fine. 

Rayla: *sits up a little* I-I know. 

Callum: *weak smile* They're okay. I know they'll be okay. *bites lip and starts silently crying*

Rayla: *nods, breathing slowly* 

Ezran: *knocks on the door and steps out onto the balcony. Silently sits down beside them* I miss them too... It's too quiet. *holds out a hand to Rayla*

Rayla: *clutches it*

Ezran: *side hugs Callum and doesn't let go.*

*Door slides open again and Claudia steps out*

Claudia: *sits crosslegged looking sadly at them all* Soren couldn't come up. He's in the courtyard, and won't come inside, he says it's not the same. *looks down at floor* It's not, I can't bare it. *looks up at Ezran, smiles softly* We're not even their parents, and it's still devastating. 

Ezran: *grim laugh* I know. 

Callum: *extends a hand to Claudia*

Claudia: *pauses, then takes it* 

*Everyone sighs, but holds each other*