𝕭𝖑𝖔𝖔𝖉 𝖘𝖔 𝖇𝖔𝖑𝖉

Stopping at a stall with houseplants should be nice, he's always loved plants. The chantry garden was always his little sanctuary away from everything and everyone, the only place he could take a moment to himself. So why was it now that he couldn't focus? The feeling of eyes burning into his back setting him on edge, most people would make a scene if they wanted something from him, so who was this? Taking a breath as he stands up from his hunched position getting a closer to one of the flowering pots, mumbling that he would be back later in the night, it's only a second before he's facing the source- a second that feels like an eternity.

Mara...

Swallowing harshly as his eyes fall on the woman, didn't matter how long he was away, even before leaving the order, it was impossible to not know his sister when he saw her. Part of him should be happy, seeing that she was doing well, all grown up, healthy and presumably happy before catching sight of him, but it's hard to push the dread out of the way to even think about that. A feeling of ice entering his body as she gestures to him to follow her. Who knew his baby sister would be so fear-inducing? His legs heavy as he finally moves to meet her, trying to steel himself once more as he turns the corner to a small quiet spot.

❝Sor-❞

Word cutoff and dying in his throat.

❝Don't.❞

It's harsh, harsh but quiet as she holds up a hand to stop him.

❝We're not family anymore, Rosario. I never even knew you.❞

Not a fault of his own for once, he was gone to the chantry before her second nameday. Silently nodding as hazel eyes try to find anywhere else to look. Trying his best not to get lost in the rapid thoughts going about his mind as he waits a moment, just a moment, before turning back. Was he to look at her? Was he to look away? Alternate between the two seemed the only answer that made sense.

❝We'll always be family Mara, I will always be your older brother.❞

Not a denial of things that had happened, not of his outcasting and disowning, never could deny that. No, offered only in hopes of letting her know that no matter what, he would always be there for her. What little reassurance that must be though, mentally shaking his head at the thought, who wanted someone like him in their corner for them?

❝Even now, this... wall between us means nothing in the end to me.❞

Hopefully a sentiment that would be shared one day. Not today, not tomorrow, but one day. One that he isn't surprised to get a shake of the head over, really he expected to be cursed and called worthless or something along those lines, so it went over smoother than he thought it would after it spilled out of his mouth!

❝I just wanted to see who you've become.❞ Arms crossing over her chest as a stare pierces him once more. ❝Can't say I'm surprised that you haven't become anyone.❞

A shade really. That's who he was in her eyes. A ghost haunting her family, an unsightly speck of dirt upon their name and reputation, no one worth knowing as her older brother was already dead to the family. Words that hang in the air even as she walks away, that sit with him even when she's gone out of sight. A silent nod to himself- it's what he should've expected. No reason to get any kind of hope up that maybe, just maybe, one day he could have some semblance of family.