tying a wildcat down

by reminiscent-afterthought

[AU] Elspeth Gordie is an odd girl. And Maruman is an odd cat. Jes figures he must be odd too, to have dragged the pair of them along with him when he could have had a decent life instead.

4. Men of the Household

tying a wildcat down
4. Men of the Household

A long time ago, Jes made a promise to his parents to never leave Elspeth behind. Elspeth, as far as he knows, has made no such promise, but she honours it all the same. When she sneaks away some nights, she lets him know beforehand… And then he pretends he knows nothing when Madam Vega yells.

It's not that hard to run away from Kinraide. It's just… where will they go? No-one will take two orphans off the street and, somehow, he's sure Maruman at least will tag along. Sometimes though, it sounds appealing. No chores except what they need themselves. No listening to adults who don't have their best interests at heart. No being bound by anything else, except each other –

And, really, they'll always be bound to each other.

Still, options will be limited without a family, even if it's not ideal. There aren't that many jobs. Essentially hard labour for him, prostitution for her. He needs to protect her from that as well, but Elspeth is a free spirit. She's always been. She won't be the petite little lady-like figure families come looking for.

There are stories of children living with beasts, in wildlands. He can imagine her as one of those: the jungle boy, the girl of the forests.

It's Elspeth's fault, for raising the idea of running away with Maruman and Gahltha.

But when she turns twelve and Madam Vega starts talking about brothels, Jes wonders why he can't entertain her flighty idea as well.