In a quiet, dumpy house in the Forest of Certain Death lie the once proud family Avarius, sleeping and preparing for another day of misery in their broken household. From the bedroom above, one noise breaks the silence. It is the loud noise of a fat, washed up old man snoring. Drool rolls down his beak and into his double chin as he lays. His heart is playing Russian Roulette with a heart attack due to his poor health.
Beside him lays his wife, a thin woman with one eye gawking straight at the ceiling. It is not her husband's snoring that is keeping her awake, as she had learned to tune that out many years ago. It's stress. For weeks she'd been unable to sleep. At first, it was easy, for she had no place for agony in her heart, as it was left with a hole that had been filled with anger over her son's betrayal of the family. Getting kicked out of your own castle, told never to return by your own son, cast out by a bunch of punks and thugs, it was enough to make her blood boil. For the longest time, she felt the same as her husband, and for a bit, she thought she had actually held the same level of disdain for Ludo as he did. But as time moves along, she had been given time to think, and to reflect. Lady Avarius mostly spends her time as the quiet and submissive wife to her husband's demands. This is just as Lord Brudo believes it should be in the House of Avarius.
But in time. Lady Avarius begun to feel difference come over her. Motherly instincts were kicking in, and in time she found herself, no matter how angry, wanting nothing more than for her child to come home. Lord Brudo could never know of this, for his will is iron, and it is highly unlikely that a proud, arrogant man like Brudo would ever drop his ego to bare so much as a sliver of remorse for his son. He had figures "good riddance" and thinks not a word more of it.
Her eye stings from staring at the ceiling. She looks over to Brudo, who is fast asleep, almost like he had not a care in the world. She somewhat envies his ability to be so indifferent. She wants to sneak away, so she lifts up the covers, sliding her foot onto the floor, not making even a peep as she slides out of bed. But just as she does so, Lord Brudo starts to roll over. She slides out of the way of his arm as he wraps his large wings around the pillow once beneath her, mistaking it for her, and talking in his sleep. "There's my beautiful queen", he slurs as he kisses the pillow, soaking it before burying his face in it and resuming snoring. Lady Avarius just stands there in utter silence, eye wide and hands over her beak. Her heart is beating rapidly.
Daintily, she sneaks out of the room, closing the creaky bedroom door behind her as quietly as the door would allow her to. Once shut, she lets out a small sigh of relief. Navigating the hallway to go downstairs is like a maze. Handcrafted toys by the younguns litter the floor. She treads over all of them as best as she can, and manages to refrain from letting out any pained yowls when she steps on them. Downstairs is even worse, as she has to navigate a small army of birds, her other children, sleeping in bags on the floor, and some without.
A big, strong bird is sprawled out on a ratty couch, with a tiny baby sister coiled up on his chest. His big wing is covering her whole body and keeping her warm with his feathers. As she makes it to the door, she closes it and walks out into the chilly night. She stands on the porch, rubbing her hands up and down her bare, feathered arms. She feels slightly chilly, even with feathers, as all she is wearing is a long, thin, silky, white nightgown. She looks back at the house before turning and jolting into the sky in flight.
In the story above, another Avarius could not sleep. Dennis had been sitting in the window, staring outside for a while, thinking about his brother as well. He notices a white glimmer. "Huh?" he says as he notices his mother flying away. He pushes open the window and pursues her, staying far enough away so that she won't know she is being followed. She flies a few miles away, descending upon a spot that is nothing but rubble, where Castle Avarius once tortured the skies with its wicked black spires. She just stands there. Dennis lands behind her and she turns around.
Lady Avarius: Dennis! What are you doing here? You should be in bed!
Dennis: I couldn't sleep. I was looking out the window when I saw you leaving and I got curious and a little worried, that's all.
She stares at the site where the castle once stood.
Lady Avarius: This is all his fault. He should have just listened to me and everything would be okay.
Dennis didn't know what she meant but he just stood there and listened.
Lady Avarius: He just wouldn't listen. I begged him to just stop and he wouldn't listen. He never listens.
She looks at Dennis.
Lady Avarius: Dennis, go home. You saw nothing. Neither of us were here. Do you understand me?
Dennis says nothing.
Lady Avarius: Well?
Dennis: I miss him too.
Lady Avarius: Go, or I'll tell your father you were out in the middle of the night and he'll wonder where you were and I know you don't want that! Nobody wants that!
Dennis: He's gonna wonder where you were too.
Lady Avarius: Do you honestly think I would go and deliberately anger him?
She swings at Dennis and he grabs her hands, letting her vent.
Lady Avarius: Do you have any idea what it's like having to go day after day like this, like I'm supposed to be this obedient, apathetic zombie woman?
Lady Avarius starts swinging at Dennis in blind anger. He has to keep dodging. He eventually manages to grab both of her arms and force her into submission.
Dennis: MOM! It's okay! You don't have to pretend anymore!
Lady Avarius feels swelling in her eyes as she starts to sob into her hands. Dennis wraps his long arms around her, consoling her. She returns the gesture, desperately craving his comfort.
Lady Avarius: I miss him so much, Dennis. You have no idea. He's so small and sensitive and special! He's not ready for this world and it scares me to death knowing my baby's out there! I just want him to come home!
Dennis: It's okay mom. He's doing fine. I'm sure.
Lady Avarius: How do you know? For all you know he could be... oh my God!
She starts to bawl even more. Dennis rolls his eyes at the mere suggestion.
Dennis: He's not dead mom!
Lady Avarius: How do you know? Have you been visiting him?
At first it was merely a sarcastic suggestion, but after a second of Dennis looking avoidant and guilty, she knew it to be true.
Lady Avarius: You ARE seeing him, aren't you? Tell me!
She start's punching Dennis' chest again.
Dennis: Oww! Mom, stop! Yes, fine, I've been seeing him okay? I know where he is.
Lady Avarius: You do? Tell me! Where?
Dennis: I... I can't.
Lady Avarius: What do you mean you can't? You're gonna tell me where he is or I'm telling your father what you've been doing and he'll make sure you NEVER see him again! So TELL ME!
Dennis: Okay fine, but, it's a bit difficult to describe. It'd be easier for me to show you.
Lady Avarius: That's even better! Dennis, is he okay? Is my baby safe?
Dennis: He's fine mom, trust me. But you might not like what you're about to see.
He takes out his inter-dimensional scissors, cutting a hole to an asteroid out in space with a bunch of junk all over the place.
Lady Avarius: My son lives... in trash?
Dennis: I told you.
From around the corner of the garbage house strolls a tiny little bird man, whistling before opening his eyes and dropping his beak in shock.
Lady Avarius: Ludo!
Lady Avarius shouts in joy as Ludo drops his drink and runs into the house, locking it and holding the door closed for dear life. She runs up to the house and knocks on the door.
Lady Avarius: Ludo, it's me. It's mom. Please let me in. I just want to talk to you.
He says nothing, pretending not to be there.
Lady Avarius: I'm not angry Ludo I just want to talk... Please?
Ludo swallows his throat, and slowly, reluctantly opens the door. It slides ajar, just enough for the tiny bird to peer around the corner.
Ludo: Hi mommy.
Lady Avarius: Hi sweetie. May I come in?
He speaks to her in a quiet, shamed tone, like a guilty puppy. Ludo looks at his trash house, and takes a deep sigh before deciding to open the door. He gestures for them to come in. She walks past him and he gives Dennis a dirty look. Dennis shrugs, washing his hands of all guilt on the situation.
Lady Avarius: This is a nice place you got here. Did you build it?
She speaks to him in a nice, almost condescending manner, but Ludo doesn't catch on.
Ludo: Yup, I built it all by myself.
He admits, proudly.
Ludo: Oh, uh, have a seat. I'll get you both some drinks.
Ludo runs into another room through an arched doorway. Lady Avarius tries to sit on the tiny chair, bending her knees until she's almost on the floor before reaching the seat. Dennis does the same. They both look very awkward, two tall birds sitting on very tiny, low chairs.
Lady Avarius observes the crudely made art on the wall of the family. While the proportions on each of the people portaited are exaggerated, she notices that Ludo can distinctly remember very subtle characteristics of the family's expressions, giving his mother a somewhat saddened look, and his father a very stern look.
Ludo: Dennis, do you like how I've rearranged the furniture since the last time you were here? It was rather ghastly before and I just needed to really move things around. You know?
Dennis: I don't know. It looks the same as last time to me.
Ludo was very poorly disguising the fact that he was so obviously ignoring the elephant in the room.
Ludo: Here you go, mother. And for you, Dennis.
Ludo makes tea using discarded tea bags he had found a while ago and the water used to make it isn't the cleanest, but he filters it as best as he can and pours it in dainty little cups and serves it to them on a small dinner tray. Dennis and Lady Avarius accept the offer and begin to sip away at the very hot tea. It is very watery, as Ludo had never bothered to make tea for others and he made it to his own preferences. They don't mind though, as neither are particularly picky anymore.
Ludo: So uhh... wow! I really wasn't expecting either of you. I'm sorry. This place is just atrocious at the moment. It's actually quite embarrassing.
Lady Avarius: It's okay. I just wanted to see you.
Ludo: Why would you want to see me, especially after what I did?
Lady Avarius: Oh honey, I'm not mad about that anymore. I mean, your father still is but you know how he is.
Ludo: Is that why he didn't come see me too? What about the others? Surely they must be thinking of me right?
Lady Avarius: Of course they do. I'm sure of it.
They don't know what to say to each other next. There is a very long break between dialogue, almost like a Mexican standoff of words. Lady Avarius really doesn't know if the others think of Ludo. It just goes to show how totally disconnected from her children she really is. Lady Avarius does love her kids, but she's become an actress, never telling the truth, always living under the facade.
Dennis: I missed you.
They look at Dennis.
Dennis: Well, I do. Sigh, fine. I'll just shut up, pretend I don't even exist.
Ludo: And father?
Lady Avarius: He's still just as stubborn as ever.
Ludo: Oh, how did you like the gifts I sent? I had became quite the celebrity a little while ago. Well, sorta. These things wouldn't sell, so I had to get rid of them somehow.
Lady Avarius: I cherished every one. Your father did not. He threw them all away.
Ludo: What? So typical of him! Same old dad, can't do anything nice! This is why I don't do nice things for people! Nobody ever appreciates it! All anyone knows how to do is step all over anything I do! Well, guess what? No more Mr. nice bird!
Lady Avarius: You'd be better off not getting him anything, ever. Do you know what he did with the gift I got him for his birthday? I got him a girdle, so he could wear his old clothes again, because he'd never go on a diet! He accused me of calling him fat! And, yeah, he's fat, I'll admit it. But leave it to him to just... ARGH, he makes me so mad sometimes!
Ludo: You didn't come here so we could rant about father, did you?
Lady Avarius: No, I just wanted to see you, and see if you would_
Ludo: No. I'm not coming home.
Lady Avarius: What? Why not?
Ludo: It's very clear to me that I wouldn't be welcome there. I kicked you guys out for a reason. I wanted you to see how strong and independent I could be. I'm living on my own now, and I'm doing fine, as you can see.
Cue the picture frame falling off the wall.
Lady Avarius: You're right. You're doing just fine.
Ludo: Ugh! What's wrong with you mother? Do you have to just be a doormat wherever you go? Grow a spine! I'm just begging for you to tell me I'm wrong for once!
Lady Avarius: I don't understand.
Ludo: Ever since the day I was born all you ever did was side with father about me! You act like you love me one second, and then the next you pull some two-faced move and decide that whenever father says I need to do something on my own, you don't have anything to say about it! You were never, ever, even ONCE there for me! I looked to you for help! I asked you, pleaded with you to make him stop bullying me, and you never did! Well, look at me now mom, all grown up, living on my own, no army or anything! I'm strong now, stronger than you'll ever be you weak, cowardly woman!
Lady Avarius starts to sob openly in front of Ludo and Dennis.
Dennis: Ludo!
Lady Avarius: No Dennis, he's right! I'm so sorry, Ludo! I want you to know I still love you!
She runs off.
Ludo: No, mom wait! I didn't mean to_
The door slams as Lady Avarius leaves, forgetting she's stuck there without the scissors that Dennis is holding on to.
Dennis: Maybe I should go.
Ludo: Yeah, maybe you should.
Dennis looks at his brother as he heads towards the door. Ludo just stares towards the ground blankly, standing there motionless as Dennis leaves. He looks towards his mother, frustrated with herself as he closes the door behind him.
Dennis: Mom?
She raises her hand, signalling Dennis not to utter another word. He understands, and with a great amount of disappointment and sadness in his eyes, cuts open a portal. They arrive at the front door of Castle Avarius II. They sneak inside and head up to their respective rooms without saying anything to each other. Thankfully, Brudo had not awakened to find her gone. She climbs into bed next to him and looks at him angrily as he's still in the same exact position as before. She pulls at the slobber soaked pillow that will not give way to his grip, and it will not budge. She pulls harder, only to have him cling to it even harder.
At this point, something changes in her. The final thread holding her composure snaps. All the sadness towards not being able to see her son had been lifted. A hole that was once filled with despair left her empty after seeing Ludo, and upon coming home, she had filled it with something else, a furious anger towards her husband for driving the family apart, for pushing others away and taking all for himself, and for molding her beloved son into a remake of himself.
With a burst of adrenaline, she snatches the pillow from under Brudo with a deft swipe, his head lands on the bed and he jolts awake, only to be slammed in the beak by the soaking wet pillow he was sleeping on. Brudo has no idea what sparked her to do this, but he leaves the room, confused and scared. Lady Avarius goes to sleep on her slobber-soaked pillow. She is not afraid that her husband might retaliate against her, whether it be that night or the next morning. In fact, she hopes he will. Anything to give her the excuse to satiate her newfound rage.