warnings: blood and dark themes.
~castigate~
-verb | to inflict severe punishment for wrongdoing-
{Pie}
I can feel perspiration run down my temple. It is not pleasant and definitely not earned. My heart, beating against my chest quicker than I wish, makes me tense.
He is staring at me, though I dare not look at him. Even so, my mind can perfectly envision his disapproving, cold eyes glaring at me.
I deserve it.
I'm a fool.
My own father is the general of Iawei. I should be the strongest of warriors beneath him. I should set an example to my younger comrades.
But I am not a strong warrior, nor am I a good example.
I'm a fool.
I am now 14. Almost old enough to start a family, but instead I chose to follow my father's footsteps as a faithful soldier under Deep Blue-sama's cause.
So, why did I disobey him?
I risk a glance at my brothers. Quiche and Tart, only children, are giving me fearful looks as if they know what to expect.
They don't know why this must be done.
It is all for Deep Blue-sama's glory, I remember.
"Zakanen." I mutter the Iaweian word for father with clenched teeth. "I am prepared to be disciplined … for Deep Blue-sama's sake … and for the sake of our people."
The saliva on my tongue, growing with every word I say, feels more and more like thick blood with my nervousness.
I shouldn't, but I look up at my father, waiting for the strike.
Perhaps I am imagining it, but he looks remorseful.
I look back down quickly.
I should not imagine such things. It is illogical.
"... For Deep Blue-sama's sake," I hear him say slowly.
A strike.
My back arches in pain. I cannot feel my vocal chords, but I can hear a shrill cry leave my lips. It sounds nothing like my voice.
I can see Quiche and Tart watching in horror through my own tears.
I squeeze my eyes closed.
For Deep Blue-sama.
Another strike.
I can feel warm blood ooze down my back. It grows colder as the cold air catches it.
Agony.
I must prove myself. I can overcome this and become my father's ...
No ...
Deep Blue-sama's greatest warrior. I will save my people if it costs me my life.
Thank you, Zakanen.
A/N:
Some headcanons sprinkled in. Oh yeah, this is (in my fanon) two years before Pie joins Quiche on Earth.
On Iawei, you're basically considered an adult at age 15.
Minor spoilers for Sympathetic Logic: chapter 1 touches upon that.
Gee, I'm so so close to being done with chapter 1.
I just wanna say, Pie's father is not abusive. He's following the law. Similar to his son's struggle with Deep Blue in the last few episodes, Pie's father is struggling with doing something so terrible to his son.
Yeah, Pie's a lot like his dad.