He couldn't have dreamt a more beautiful courtyard, because he had dreamt this one.
But, for now, the lush greenery and mosaiced stone held no fascination, no appreciation. Mewt kept his eyes to his boots, which moved far slower than his racing heart.
Babus glanced back to the Prince as he padded toward the sentries, but said nothing until he reached the hulking Bangaa, who hissed respect to them through their polished mythril helms.
"His Highness wishes time alone here. Go to your quarters, should you wish. I will fetch you when you are needed again."
Mewt shuddered a breath as they saluted and stiffly marched past. Babus watched as well, until the tall doors opened and closed once more.
"My Prince....when you are ready to speak, I am ready to listen." he ventured gently. Inwardly, he raged anew, laying a thousand curses on Marche Radiuju for possessing this sweet child so. He looked about the flowering splendor, seeing it no more than Mewt did, hoping the lad would feel more at ease without his scrutiny.
Mewt stepped a few paces away, clutching his arms.
//How could he tell him....? Babus, you aren't real? You're just....everything I wished a friend to be? You believe me, no matter what I do.....listen to whatever I say....because that's all you're supposed to do...?
....and Mama....
"Mama? MAMA???"
The terrified cries of both son and father brought a code blue to the small recovery room in an instant. One moment, Mama was telling him not to worry about the new classes, and the bullies. The next...she just stopped, wide eyes no longer seeing him....
The infection had done something to her heart, they said. Be strong for her, they said, sending the clergywoman to recite what she'd probably told dozens of others. It was the barest echo in the chasm of loss, unheard over the helpless howls.//
The memory of her last blank stare wrenched a sob from his unwilling throat. Immediately a soft white paw supported him, and his eyes met a reflection of his own pain in his....friend's. His friend....
....the only one he has. The only one he ever will.
"My Prince....is there no one you can share this burden with...?" The Nu Mou's voice was pleading now, his tail coiling with the desperation he struggled not to show.
There was nothing to tell him.
"....it isn't important, Babus. Really. Just....thank you....for being here for me. That's all I need."
Friends....and Mama.
But, for now, the lush greenery and mosaiced stone held no fascination, no appreciation. Mewt kept his eyes to his boots, which moved far slower than his racing heart.
Babus glanced back to the Prince as he padded toward the sentries, but said nothing until he reached the hulking Bangaa, who hissed respect to them through their polished mythril helms.
"His Highness wishes time alone here. Go to your quarters, should you wish. I will fetch you when you are needed again."
Mewt shuddered a breath as they saluted and stiffly marched past. Babus watched as well, until the tall doors opened and closed once more.
"My Prince....when you are ready to speak, I am ready to listen." he ventured gently. Inwardly, he raged anew, laying a thousand curses on Marche Radiuju for possessing this sweet child so. He looked about the flowering splendor, seeing it no more than Mewt did, hoping the lad would feel more at ease without his scrutiny.
Mewt stepped a few paces away, clutching his arms.
//How could he tell him....? Babus, you aren't real? You're just....everything I wished a friend to be? You believe me, no matter what I do.....listen to whatever I say....because that's all you're supposed to do...?
....and Mama....
"Mama? MAMA???"
The terrified cries of both son and father brought a code blue to the small recovery room in an instant. One moment, Mama was telling him not to worry about the new classes, and the bullies. The next...she just stopped, wide eyes no longer seeing him....
The infection had done something to her heart, they said. Be strong for her, they said, sending the clergywoman to recite what she'd probably told dozens of others. It was the barest echo in the chasm of loss, unheard over the helpless howls.//
The memory of her last blank stare wrenched a sob from his unwilling throat. Immediately a soft white paw supported him, and his eyes met a reflection of his own pain in his....friend's. His friend....
....the only one he has. The only one he ever will.
"My Prince....is there no one you can share this burden with...?" The Nu Mou's voice was pleading now, his tail coiling with the desperation he struggled not to show.
There was nothing to tell him.
"....it isn't important, Babus. Really. Just....thank you....for being here for me. That's all I need."
Friends....and Mama.