"Here, try reading this." Ruby pointed to a single sentence on the page. Arvo rubbed his eyes, trying to comprehend what was a simple sentence to his sister, but was a complete jumble to him.
"It just looks like alphabet soup." The seven year old boy muttered. Ruby shrugged.
"I like alphabet soup."
"It's not funny Ruby." Ruby sighed, setting the book down.
"Lots of people have dyslexia Arvo, stop being so hard on yourself. I told you I would teach you to read, and I will."
"That's easy for you to say. You speedread The Deerling and the Cauldron in under a day."
"Hey, it was worth it to see that look on dad's face." Arvo shook his head.
"I don't think you can teach me." Ruby looked at him for a moment, then smiled.
"You're smart Arvo, smarter than you give yourself credit for. I think I can teach you if we take it slow."
"And what about when you turn ten in October?" Ruby pondered this for a moment.
"...I'll postpone my journey if I need too."
"Ruby-"
"Really, I don't mind. I don't have to worry about getting a starter or anything. I've already got Mawile so I can basically just leave at any time after I turn ten."
"You don't have to do all that... For me..."
"Why not?" Ruby asked, picking up the book. "I would like to think my little brother's more important than walking around in the frigid cold of Glacies."
"Ruby..."
"It's fine Arvo. Really." Arvo sighed.
"Alright. Let's just get back to reading The Odyssey."
"Arvo."
"Yeah?"
"We're reading Bambi." Arvo blinked.
"Oh... Right..." Ruby laughed.
"Silly brother. We'll try the Odyssey next if you want. Now, see if you can read this. Just try to unscramble the letters into something that makes sense..."