Cold Hands, Warm Soul

…

-sighs, but with a smile- You know, I would think that, too, if I were you. It’s in our nature to be protective after what everybody in our little hodge-podge family has been through.

You wanna see her… tomorrow, or something? The sooner, the more likely you’ll gradually warm up, right?

She knows a lot about me! We talk on the phone a bunch.

She’s thought it through a lot and I’ve already asked her if it’s what she actually wants. She’s sure about it

Will you try and have at least a little hope for her? Please? For me?

-bites his lip, sighs-

-sighs, but with a smile- You know, I would think that, too, if I were you. It's in our nature to be protective after what everybody in our little hodge-podge family has been through.

Well… not in WITH me, but she’s moving to the same town as me and Dad. So she can be closer.

I don’t know her situation for a job yet, after summer? She was a teacher but she hasn’t talked much about it since the school year ended.

She's thought it through a lot and I've already asked her if it's what she actually wants. She's sure about it

That’s awesome!

Hey, I’ll give you the address to her current house, and we can go see her soon! I’m sure she’d love to start meeting people in my new life. We just gotta make sure we don’t come around when she’s got work or anything, heh. She’s got a summer job and she’s going around trying to deal with moving.

Heh. I know all about moving, and summer jobs….

-Smiles- Trust me, I’ve learned plenty of lessons about not being used and being more cautious by now. Neva’s really nice. I wish you could meet her.

…hey! What do you say you come and meet her sometime? You can see for yourself how nice she is. Or judge for yourself, I guess. Make sure she passes your Tumb Quality Test.

That’s… an odd thing to say. But I don’t think so, no. I think she’s honest. We’ve been talking a lot. She’s planning to move to the same town I live at with Dad, just, um, not on the outskirts like him. I just think stuff’s happened to her to change her heart.

And… honestly, I’m ready to start giving people more chances than just being hurt forever. I’m gonna be hurt forever by Merhib, no chance on changing that. But I got a chance with my mom, and she’s trying and I’m trying. I think that’s a good start. I haven’t told really anyone but Moirin about Neva being around again, though. You and her are the only ones. I’m kinda waiting until it’s right to tell others.

I just– 

Listen, Beth, I– 

-sighs- My birth parents tried to take me back. I didn’t want to cause a fuss at the time because it was– it was right after gay marriage was legalized, right? And I didn’t want to put a damper on everyone’s parade. Least of all my own. 

But they tried to take me back. And it was just a power move, you know? They didn’t want to be the bad family on the block who disowned their gay son, now that being gay was suddenly cool. 

I told them to go fuck themselves. -sighs again, pulls his sleeves as far down as they go- I know I don’t trust easily and my go-to mode is assuming everyone’s out to get you, but…. that’s just what I do, you know? As your big brother it’s my job to worry about you. That’s what I do. -smiles- 

…y…yes?

Neva Arazel? You know, the lady I get my last name from? In theory, the lady who HAD to be with Merhib in order to, uh… make me?

She, uh, had me at sixteen. Gave me up for adoption after I was born and she and I talked last like, two years ago and left everything on a bad note. But now we’re making up.

I guess I never really pictures you as the type to have a mom. I mean – the rest of us are all one big patchwork of family and none of us are actually related, so I thought – I don’t k now what I thought. It was stupid. 

Huh? Oh, nonono, I wasn’t talking to Moirin about it! Heh, I was talking to Neva about it. Um, my biological mom? You met her, right? I thought you did… but I could be wrong. She was only around for a little while before but she’s back around to make amends.

…………

….

Neva Arazel? You know, the lady I get my last name from? In theory, the lady who HAD to be with Merhib in order to, uh... make me?

I have life responsibilities now! Being a good big sister, finishing my princess education, take care of my family at home, participating in royal duties where I can now… I’ve got plenty going on already. But I still manage to have fun!

The only thing that would lower all of that is if I had kids, and my mom and I both have agreed to not let that happen any time soon.

What? Oh, hey, I don’t think of myself as a “boring old slob”, or anyone else. I’ll still have parties as queen. Hell, my first day as queen starts with a huge festival and ends with a huge ball. My birthday is combined as another coronation. And you had fun at my coronation as princess, right?

Huh? Oh, uh, hopefully not. I don’t like killing. A-and that wasn’t even me, who did that, i-if we’re speaking technically?

But I’m good! Really. I’ve just been busy with all this princess stuff. The older I get, more gets piled on. You know, it’s only three more years until I’m crowned queen? I mean, on my birthday it’ll be exactly three years. But it’s getting close.

Sure, sure. I’m just pulling your leg, you know that.

-Giggles- Sure, sure.

-Leads him up a spiral staircase from the Hall to the main foyer of the palace- Here we are! Super spacious. The grand stair case in the middle leads to a bunch of bedrooms and chambers where the staff here live. My room is like, one of the first. It’s not super decorated since I live with Dad, but it is very… what’s the word? Fancy, I guess? And we got paintings and tapestries and art, like, in every hall. Some were of Merhib. We’re, uh, in the process of putting those away.

 -turns in a circle, taking in everything with an appreciative whistle- Wow. Like I said. Big and rich. 

Rich? Huh. I didn’t really consider that I’m rich. I more was focused on the, ‘holy crap, I’m in charge of a kingdom and command a bunch of stuff’. I mean, I’ve never even really… considered money since everything gets done for me around here.

…

Holy crap that does mean I’m rich.

Anyway! This is the lower area of the palace. Back upstairs is the main palace. Follow me. I’ve got a main hall, a ballroom, giant dining room, several studies, a parlor room, a huge library, -aside- and several smaller ones, a garden, aaaaaaand the part I’m sure you’ll like: a giant kitchen staffed with people to make me whatever I want even though I don’t need to eat.

They know people I invite over normally need to eat, heh. And most demons don’t need to eat either but do just ‘cuz.

You mean you knew you had servants doing all this stuff for you, and you never even considered the pile of gold you have to be sitting on to make that happen? -he laughs, not unkindly- And here I am, lucky if Terny remembered to stock the fridge with food I can eat. Or any food at all. 

Mm, part of it. I’ve got all kinds of stuff I’m having to learn and work on. This is just one part.

I don’t think I’ve shown you much of the palace before, have I? It’s been so long I don’t totally remember who’s seen what. If you haven’t seen any of it, I’d be happy to show you around!

I’d love to see around! Give me a tour of the house!

...

Holy crap that does mean I'm rich.

Anyway! This is the lower area of the palace. Back upstairs is the main palace. Follow me. I've got a main hall, a ballroom, giant dining room, several studies, a parlor room, a huge library, -aside- and several smaller ones, a garden, aaaaaaand the part I'm sure you'll like: a giant kitchen staffed with people to make me whatever I want even though I don't need to eat.

-Shutting off a device, smiling and gives Tumb a big hug- Hey! I’ve missed you, heh!

-Gestures to the room around them- Welcome to the Hall of Realms. New place Mabuz has started teaching me about. It’s got gateways to like, every Lost Realm here and has this Gateway device that opens portals anywhere. You’re the first one I’ve tried it out with! Cool, huh?

[txt] can u like. send a portal here? or do i have 2 walk 2 one like a fckn pleb

-steps through, looking for Beth, a huge grin spreading across his face when he sees her-