I walked down the coast, stalling as long as possible. Mother had
some big dinner going on, and I wanted no part of it. Let my elder step-
sisters handle the responsibilities. I was planning on going back before
everyone left though. Granpap Benn was supposed to be there, and he was my
second favorite relative. My favorite, of course, wasn't going to be
there. Aunt Siranaught was off studying something that was probably
important.
The sun was beautiful, but didn't exactly affect anything as far away as Umbriel was. I snapped some pictures for beauty's sake when something caught my eye. Not that this is rare, mind you. Shiny things just stand out like white sand in Orwid's room to me.
It was a feather, silver. I lifted it gently, praying for it not to dissolve into dust or such. It didn't. A black splotch stood out in the middle, almost like a bird. It was stunning.
"Morrighan?" The peace shattered like a thousand pieces of glass. My not-sister, Kitya, walked towards me from the house. "Mother wants to you back to the house now."
"Well, Mother can wait." I pocketed the feather in my cloak. "I don't want to go in yet."
"Nearly everyone is gone." Kitya stood next to me, eyes narrowed. She was one of the Adeni, with fair skin and light eyes. I suppose she looked like her mother, for she had none of her father's physical qualities. "Father wants you back at the house also."
"Well, he can stuff his mouth with a cream ball." Saying I disliked my new 'father' was putting it lightly. He could rot alive and I wouldn't care.
Oh, he was nice enough to us poor 'orphans' when he first arrived. Tried to be the perfect father-figure and all. But neither of my brothers or I bought it, so he resorted to being strict and distant. His own children were all spoiled rotten too.
"That's not nice Morrighan." Kitya chided me. "Sevri Benn has also requested your presence, though I don't think he believes you're even alive anymore."
"Oh, of course he does. Granpap is just far too prideful to admit it that he knows the only reason I'd even come so late to this is because he's there. It gives him a fuzzy."
"A what?" As a basic premise, most Uranusians have no sense of humor.
"Never mind. Tell Granpap I'll be in before he goes to bed. He'll understand."
"And what should I tell everyone else?"
"To suck on it." I turned away and started walking to the edge.
Kitya left. I am aware I confuse her as much as she confuses me. Deals with the two ideologies of our separate cultures. Adeni are well cultured, patient, and nurturing, especially their females. On the other hand, Denye prize perception and intelligence, as well as individuality. Mother doesn't even bother to reign me in, because she acted similar to me as she grew up. Well, not similar. But she understands me far better then my not-ever father. She does not understand any of her other daughters, however. Utterly cultured and patient, and boring as a piece of slate in a black room. I mean, come on.
I sat on the beachside and reviewed my pictures. None of them were up to professional standards, in my opinion. The hag that teaches my photo- lessons can compliment me all she wants. I know where I need to go, and I'm definitely not there yet. Doubt I ever will be.
"Not safe for a little lady to be out here alone." My not-brother, Orwid. I clenched my teeth. Do none of my relatives know what privacy means?
"Not safe for an Adeni to offend a Denye. What do you want?"
"Father sent me after you turned away Kitya. What did you say to her anyway?"
"Nothing to offend her. Her precious father, on the other hand…"
"He's your father too."
I scowled even deeper. "He is not my father. He will never be my father." I have one, and to him I hold true. Even if he is dead.
"What is it with you people? Grieve and get over with your bio- father! He deserted your mother, what's honorable about that?"
"All you know him by is reputation and what's in history books." I retorted. "He didn't just desert us, he left for a reason."
"And what's that reason?"
"How should I know? He did not divulge his secrets with anyone." Much less to his baby daughter. "I know it wasn't because of some petty reason, like a mistress or because he was a criminal. Maybe the Stardogs made him."
Orwid sneered. I knew he had a low opinion of Stardogs, only fueled by Zaesean joining up with them. Apparently, all Stardogs are freaks and deserters.
I did not know that before he came. Note the sarcasm in my voice.
"I wish Mother would stop inviting Sevri Benn. He just ruins the mood of everything."
"Mother is fond of Granpap, as I am." I replied coldly. "Your father ruins the mood faster then Granpap ever could." And he always does.
Not that the dimwitted Oriwed could see that. "You better come in now, before Father drags you in by the hair. And he will, you know it." It happened before. That was not an experience I relish. Mother nearly whipped him when she found out.
"He wouldn't dare. Not only would Mother beat him, Granpap would smoke him like a Nuwishin."
Oriwed laughed. "Shall we put it to the test then? Wouldn't it be embarrassing, to be dragged in by your hair? Any self-respecting Adeni would snap to attention at that punishment."
"Am I Adeni? That punishment is painful and stupid. And not half painful enough, by the way. Even I know Mother's punishments are far worse then that hack can think up. I'd tell him to choke on his brain, but I doubt he couldn even see it to eat it."
Oriwed smacked me. On the ear, no less. Now it was ringing irritatingly. I glared at him, close to zapping him. He more then deserved it! "Do not speak of your father like that."
"He's not my father!" I nearly screamed back, standing up. Oriwed also stood, looking oddly uptight. "You aren't my brother, and your sisters aren't mine!"
"Good. We don't want to be related to you anyway."
I stared at him, right into his icy brown eyes. They looked sick, like he was diseased. After a reasonable time had passed, I turned sharply and ran the way opposite of the house.
He didn't follow. I doubled behind a large tree and watched him run back to the house, probably straight to Kurvew. I ran behind our house and climbed up another tree and through a tall window.
"Sweet Corvus! Giving your Granpap a scare and hoping he will die? You aren't that lucky, little Neocrillex!"
I nodded. "Hullo Granpap. How was dinner?"
"Horrible, utterly. Your mother spoils it by inviting all her (mistress)'s relatives and we all have to listen to them chat the whole time. And I didn't get to see any of my kin-children." Granpap sat down on his bed and patted the spot next to him. "Sit down and talk. Should be the first intelligent conversation I'll hear all day."
I all but bounced to the spot next to him. "Sorry about that, but I can't stand those dinners either. Secretly, I don't think Mother can any more then you. Pity she spends most her time catering to Kurvew."
"Pity indeed. Not that I blame her for all of it. Why my dunce of a son had to up and leave like he did, never did have a grain of sense in that head of his. More sense then this Kurvew, however. What kind of name is that?"
"Adeni, I'm assuming. No ring, no rhythm. Harsh."
Granpap shook his head. "Better be Adeni. What's going on in your life? Going off to the Stardogs like 'Sean?"
"Not planning on it currently. I will if it's the only way to get away from this family, that is. Wish Obbie was here; Orwid is getting cocky. Threatened to pull me in by my hair."
"He what?" Granpap sounded shocked.
"Kurvew did it once. Apparently, it's very embarrassing and no kid wants it to happen."
"Kurvew pulled your hair?! What kind of punishment is that?"
"Stupid. He did it because I smarted off at him. Mother nearly whipped him."
Granpap actually laughed. "That's my Allthelia. So, not Stardog material, eh? Good. What are you planning on doing then?"
"I dunno. Taking pictures?"
"Better chose soon. Your fifteenth birthday is coming up, is it not?"
I snorted. "Fourteenth, Granpap, not fifteenth. Still have a year to chose."
"Get it done as soon as possible, girl. Don't wait until three days beforehand."
"Wasn't planning on it."
The door opened. "I'm sorry Benn, it doesn't seem like – oh, Morri'. When did you get in?" Mother asked, shutting the door behind her.
"A few moments after Orwid went back inside. I'm sorry Mother; I just didn't feel like any big disputes tonight."
"That makes two of us." Mother fell onto the bed behind Ganpap and me. "I'm bushed."
I laid down too, resting my head on her stomach. "Then stop having these dinners. They're not worth it."
"And the food's bad." Granpap added. "Tasteless, and what's not tasteless is too soupy and sour."
"Thanks for the review Benn. Everyone else seemed to like it."
I turned towards her face. "Why do you think I run away?"
She tapped my antennae impatiently. "You hush. I might reconsider not telling Kurvew you're in here. He's watching your room, waiting for you to arrive."
"Good thing I decided to go here first. He'll probably rip out my hair and we can't have that." I felt Benn settle next to us on the bed, but didn't feel like moving my head. "But where am I going to sleep?"
"Obbie's room. You do know the passwords, don't you?"
I nodded. "He gave them to me before he left for training. And there is no way anyone else could get in." Oberon is an engineer and created his own locks for his room. Brilliant, but I'm lost beyond the 'how to work it' theories.
"Don't doubt it. Has anyone tried?" Granpap asked.
"I don't think so." Mother sat up and ruffled my hair fondly. "I better get to bed before I fall asleep in here. You should do the same."
"Yeah." I struggled to sit up, then looked at Granpap. He had already fallen asleep! Mother just shook her head and covered him with a blanket.
Obbie's rooms were easy to get into. For me, that is. Anyone else would have problems with the eye-scan and passwords. It looked the same as I last saw it, maybe a bit barer. I jumped onto his bed and nearly giggled. It was the softest of all our beds and covered in a silky red comforter that felt like spun spider webs. This was my womb; the place I always went when I had nightmares and wanted comfort. Granted, it was a bit empty without my brother. My favorite memories of sleeping like a pile of furries with both my brothers after a nightmare.
After taking down my hair and cleaning my face, I returned to Obbie's bed and curled under the comforter. I doubt even a moment passed before I fell straight asleep.
The sun was beautiful, but didn't exactly affect anything as far away as Umbriel was. I snapped some pictures for beauty's sake when something caught my eye. Not that this is rare, mind you. Shiny things just stand out like white sand in Orwid's room to me.
It was a feather, silver. I lifted it gently, praying for it not to dissolve into dust or such. It didn't. A black splotch stood out in the middle, almost like a bird. It was stunning.
"Morrighan?" The peace shattered like a thousand pieces of glass. My not-sister, Kitya, walked towards me from the house. "Mother wants to you back to the house now."
"Well, Mother can wait." I pocketed the feather in my cloak. "I don't want to go in yet."
"Nearly everyone is gone." Kitya stood next to me, eyes narrowed. She was one of the Adeni, with fair skin and light eyes. I suppose she looked like her mother, for she had none of her father's physical qualities. "Father wants you back at the house also."
"Well, he can stuff his mouth with a cream ball." Saying I disliked my new 'father' was putting it lightly. He could rot alive and I wouldn't care.
Oh, he was nice enough to us poor 'orphans' when he first arrived. Tried to be the perfect father-figure and all. But neither of my brothers or I bought it, so he resorted to being strict and distant. His own children were all spoiled rotten too.
"That's not nice Morrighan." Kitya chided me. "Sevri Benn has also requested your presence, though I don't think he believes you're even alive anymore."
"Oh, of course he does. Granpap is just far too prideful to admit it that he knows the only reason I'd even come so late to this is because he's there. It gives him a fuzzy."
"A what?" As a basic premise, most Uranusians have no sense of humor.
"Never mind. Tell Granpap I'll be in before he goes to bed. He'll understand."
"And what should I tell everyone else?"
"To suck on it." I turned away and started walking to the edge.
Kitya left. I am aware I confuse her as much as she confuses me. Deals with the two ideologies of our separate cultures. Adeni are well cultured, patient, and nurturing, especially their females. On the other hand, Denye prize perception and intelligence, as well as individuality. Mother doesn't even bother to reign me in, because she acted similar to me as she grew up. Well, not similar. But she understands me far better then my not-ever father. She does not understand any of her other daughters, however. Utterly cultured and patient, and boring as a piece of slate in a black room. I mean, come on.
I sat on the beachside and reviewed my pictures. None of them were up to professional standards, in my opinion. The hag that teaches my photo- lessons can compliment me all she wants. I know where I need to go, and I'm definitely not there yet. Doubt I ever will be.
"Not safe for a little lady to be out here alone." My not-brother, Orwid. I clenched my teeth. Do none of my relatives know what privacy means?
"Not safe for an Adeni to offend a Denye. What do you want?"
"Father sent me after you turned away Kitya. What did you say to her anyway?"
"Nothing to offend her. Her precious father, on the other hand…"
"He's your father too."
I scowled even deeper. "He is not my father. He will never be my father." I have one, and to him I hold true. Even if he is dead.
"What is it with you people? Grieve and get over with your bio- father! He deserted your mother, what's honorable about that?"
"All you know him by is reputation and what's in history books." I retorted. "He didn't just desert us, he left for a reason."
"And what's that reason?"
"How should I know? He did not divulge his secrets with anyone." Much less to his baby daughter. "I know it wasn't because of some petty reason, like a mistress or because he was a criminal. Maybe the Stardogs made him."
Orwid sneered. I knew he had a low opinion of Stardogs, only fueled by Zaesean joining up with them. Apparently, all Stardogs are freaks and deserters.
I did not know that before he came. Note the sarcasm in my voice.
"I wish Mother would stop inviting Sevri Benn. He just ruins the mood of everything."
"Mother is fond of Granpap, as I am." I replied coldly. "Your father ruins the mood faster then Granpap ever could." And he always does.
Not that the dimwitted Oriwed could see that. "You better come in now, before Father drags you in by the hair. And he will, you know it." It happened before. That was not an experience I relish. Mother nearly whipped him when she found out.
"He wouldn't dare. Not only would Mother beat him, Granpap would smoke him like a Nuwishin."
Oriwed laughed. "Shall we put it to the test then? Wouldn't it be embarrassing, to be dragged in by your hair? Any self-respecting Adeni would snap to attention at that punishment."
"Am I Adeni? That punishment is painful and stupid. And not half painful enough, by the way. Even I know Mother's punishments are far worse then that hack can think up. I'd tell him to choke on his brain, but I doubt he couldn even see it to eat it."
Oriwed smacked me. On the ear, no less. Now it was ringing irritatingly. I glared at him, close to zapping him. He more then deserved it! "Do not speak of your father like that."
"He's not my father!" I nearly screamed back, standing up. Oriwed also stood, looking oddly uptight. "You aren't my brother, and your sisters aren't mine!"
"Good. We don't want to be related to you anyway."
I stared at him, right into his icy brown eyes. They looked sick, like he was diseased. After a reasonable time had passed, I turned sharply and ran the way opposite of the house.
He didn't follow. I doubled behind a large tree and watched him run back to the house, probably straight to Kurvew. I ran behind our house and climbed up another tree and through a tall window.
"Sweet Corvus! Giving your Granpap a scare and hoping he will die? You aren't that lucky, little Neocrillex!"
I nodded. "Hullo Granpap. How was dinner?"
"Horrible, utterly. Your mother spoils it by inviting all her (mistress)'s relatives and we all have to listen to them chat the whole time. And I didn't get to see any of my kin-children." Granpap sat down on his bed and patted the spot next to him. "Sit down and talk. Should be the first intelligent conversation I'll hear all day."
I all but bounced to the spot next to him. "Sorry about that, but I can't stand those dinners either. Secretly, I don't think Mother can any more then you. Pity she spends most her time catering to Kurvew."
"Pity indeed. Not that I blame her for all of it. Why my dunce of a son had to up and leave like he did, never did have a grain of sense in that head of his. More sense then this Kurvew, however. What kind of name is that?"
"Adeni, I'm assuming. No ring, no rhythm. Harsh."
Granpap shook his head. "Better be Adeni. What's going on in your life? Going off to the Stardogs like 'Sean?"
"Not planning on it currently. I will if it's the only way to get away from this family, that is. Wish Obbie was here; Orwid is getting cocky. Threatened to pull me in by my hair."
"He what?" Granpap sounded shocked.
"Kurvew did it once. Apparently, it's very embarrassing and no kid wants it to happen."
"Kurvew pulled your hair?! What kind of punishment is that?"
"Stupid. He did it because I smarted off at him. Mother nearly whipped him."
Granpap actually laughed. "That's my Allthelia. So, not Stardog material, eh? Good. What are you planning on doing then?"
"I dunno. Taking pictures?"
"Better chose soon. Your fifteenth birthday is coming up, is it not?"
I snorted. "Fourteenth, Granpap, not fifteenth. Still have a year to chose."
"Get it done as soon as possible, girl. Don't wait until three days beforehand."
"Wasn't planning on it."
The door opened. "I'm sorry Benn, it doesn't seem like – oh, Morri'. When did you get in?" Mother asked, shutting the door behind her.
"A few moments after Orwid went back inside. I'm sorry Mother; I just didn't feel like any big disputes tonight."
"That makes two of us." Mother fell onto the bed behind Ganpap and me. "I'm bushed."
I laid down too, resting my head on her stomach. "Then stop having these dinners. They're not worth it."
"And the food's bad." Granpap added. "Tasteless, and what's not tasteless is too soupy and sour."
"Thanks for the review Benn. Everyone else seemed to like it."
I turned towards her face. "Why do you think I run away?"
She tapped my antennae impatiently. "You hush. I might reconsider not telling Kurvew you're in here. He's watching your room, waiting for you to arrive."
"Good thing I decided to go here first. He'll probably rip out my hair and we can't have that." I felt Benn settle next to us on the bed, but didn't feel like moving my head. "But where am I going to sleep?"
"Obbie's room. You do know the passwords, don't you?"
I nodded. "He gave them to me before he left for training. And there is no way anyone else could get in." Oberon is an engineer and created his own locks for his room. Brilliant, but I'm lost beyond the 'how to work it' theories.
"Don't doubt it. Has anyone tried?" Granpap asked.
"I don't think so." Mother sat up and ruffled my hair fondly. "I better get to bed before I fall asleep in here. You should do the same."
"Yeah." I struggled to sit up, then looked at Granpap. He had already fallen asleep! Mother just shook her head and covered him with a blanket.
Obbie's rooms were easy to get into. For me, that is. Anyone else would have problems with the eye-scan and passwords. It looked the same as I last saw it, maybe a bit barer. I jumped onto his bed and nearly giggled. It was the softest of all our beds and covered in a silky red comforter that felt like spun spider webs. This was my womb; the place I always went when I had nightmares and wanted comfort. Granted, it was a bit empty without my brother. My favorite memories of sleeping like a pile of furries with both my brothers after a nightmare.
After taking down my hair and cleaning my face, I returned to Obbie's bed and curled under the comforter. I doubt even a moment passed before I fell straight asleep.