~

Who knew why a child went without supervision to a Shrine of a Goddess, but here they were, at a Shrine of the Goddess Rie. “I have been practicing a song that could make boo-boos feel.. not so boo-boo, but I want to give Rian too. Cassie is not lonely.. Cassie said this cousin wanted to be here, so please accept him.” 

“Well of course they don’t! It takes an incredible person to grow an incredible beard. They don’t know what they’re missing out kid!”

“Young one, my beard would give a run down to this dad of yours! Which by the way, quite reckless of him to let such a young child like yourself just wonder alone the streets like that! I should give him an earful!”

“But I don’t want no hair on my.. mouth too. Baba must reeeally be inkredble.” Orpheus was about to cry out of fear, but then..

“This is not upside down hair! It’s a magnificent beard kiddo!”

“The longer the beard the cooler the man my dear boy! Nothing to fear but fear itself…and this beard!!”

“Be..ard? But Daddy, Mommy, nor Big Cyn have hairs on their mouths..”

“!! A hairy– Now you listen to me kiddo, unless you came here to tell me I’m er wizard in a very thick accent don’t go calling me that!”

“I’ll have you know I have as much hair as Leo had oscars!”

“But the.. but the.. hair is on upside down!”

“B.. Baba!”

      “ I see… I’m glad you can feel comfortable so close to me, my child. It warms your old father’s heart. ”

   If he had one– Elric just chuckles and strokes his son’s hair gently.

      “ But is your father not scary? Do you see me as someone bad, Orpheus? ”

     “ Any child would feel happy with their mommy and daddy. They have the power to give us life, and see pretty pretty things. ”

      Orpheus blinked a few times, before shaking their head.

      Elric almost flinches, but he’s trained, he’s practiced, not to be apprehensive with physical contact. Especially with a child so young. He can only pat Orpheus’ head before giving a charismatic smile.

   “ Funny, you say? How so? What does Daddy do to be so funny? ”

Seeing his smile was enough to make the child feel that he was happy to be around, despite the tall, dark and handsome features that said otherwise. Orpheus smiled at the subtle action. 

“Okaaay.” Thaddeus doesn’t hide his bewilderment. He knows that “Daddy” isn’t a sad man at all, but Orpheus might not see it that way. He can’t say that his own heart resembles anything like a slow drum, either, but based on the limited knowledge Thaddeus has about Orpheus, it’s safe to say that they would have a very different perspective about such things. Honestly, Thaddeus can only safely guess on the first item.

“…You love sweets. Is that the lie?” Of course, Thaddeus could very well be thinking too hard about it. 

When they said the older you are, the more knowledge you had.. Orpheus was sure now, that this was a true fact. They didn’t think that Thaddeus would’ve gotten the right choice, at the same time hoped for it. For all he knew, every choice could’ve been little lies, or they could’ve been true, and yet he took that step forward and reached for the correct answer.

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll agree to that. Chilly weather is nice.” 

Thaddeus unnecessarily coughs as he kicks the ground, thinking of what else to say. He’s never gotten used to the idea that he has a literal army of siblings, and familial attachment is something that is completely lost to him. He’s not about to go give Orpheus noogies or anything like that, but he feels as though he should do something. Find common ground somehow. Come to think of it, Hadyn is the only big brother figure Thaddeus knows of, but following Hadyn’s example might not be the best course of action, either.  What Wouldn’t Hadyn Do? 

“Um, so, let’s try a game. You tell me two truths and one lie about yourself, and I try to guess the lie. How does that sound?” 

“Mhm! It lets us look like a fluuuuuuuffy bundle of clothes!”

Orpheus looked at Thaddeus with big curious eyes. They wondered if the little distance that Thaddeus was showing was a trait that was gained with age. Something was telling that it was not on a comfortable level, like a closed off space. Maybe it was the unfamiliarity, which was understandable. It led to Orpheus closing their eyes with a smile

“Oka~y, lying is very hard, so I will think of a good lie for Thaddy!” to pour emphasis, they sat with a little bear, muttering a few things and either making the bear nod or shake its head.

      …Which kid is this?

   “ Hello, my dear Orpheus. ” A light pat on the head and a smile is given, “You’re as rambunctious as ever. ”

“ Rabum..kshiss? ”

It didn’t stop the child from throwing their arms around Elric, snuggling before craning their neck to look.

@canticum-tenebris

Apparently, this is one of Thaddeus’s many, many siblings. He isn’t sure how he feels about Orpheus yet, but he feels he should at least make an effort to get to know one of his more friendly siblings. 

“So…uh. Orpheus. How’s the weather?”  Good effort. 

Now as far as what Orpheus has seen, their many big and cool siblings really do fit their label, they’re cool like stone! It was as if their mommies or daddy(ies) have told them that smiling was wrong. Oh, and Orpheus was going to make sure they learn that that is wrong.

“No, just tired Orphieus. There’s only so much you can do here you know?”

Siiiiiiiigh