The boy nodded thoughtfully though he had to bite his tongue at the funny way the stranger talked. “But why?” he said, asking a question he had thought of so many times and never received an answer to. But now that he was face-to-face with someone who could do what he could… maybe, he hoped he could finally know.
He wasn't scared by the insectile parts the stranger had but was just as curious about them as he was about what they could do. He had heard stories, as all children did, about the dangers of the forest… but this stranger didn't seem dangerous to him now. He was the only one he had been able to speak to about the shadows. No one else ever wanted talk about that.
“That be something I am uncertain can be answered. Sometimes, we are as we are, simply by nature. Some are born to live ordinary lives, and some are not. ‘Tis something beyond our control,”he said.
He wished his words weren’t true, but he had long ago discovered that they were the greatest of truths. No one could change their inborn nature, they could only figure out a way to either use it or endure it. Even if it destroyed everything and everyone in one’s life.
The smell of the boy’s curiosity kept De’Tearion from sinking too deep into his thoughts. It intrigued him that he wasn’t scared at all. Sure, the answer was obvious, considering the boy’s shadow magic, but it still fascinated him.
“You know I am a Forestfolk, aye?”he guessed.
The boy nodded at the explanation. It was honest and even though it didn't give him a real answer, it was more than he ever got from anyone else. So he would accept it.
He didn't know what else to say after that, and just looked down at his feet, swinging them back and forth since they didn't even touch the floor. But when the stranger spoke up again, the boy looked back at him and nodded. “Thought so. Didn't know.” he admitted with a slight shrug.
De’Tearion nodded,”‘Tis a good thing you knew not, I suppose. Most Forestfolk are hostile to humans, even the unique ones.”
De’Tearion sensed the conversation was waning, and that was when he realized that he had yet to ask for the boy’s name. He wasn’t sure how to feel about his forgetfulness. He was usually so good at keeping up with formalities. Well… used to be.
“What be your name, youngling?”
“You're not.” the boy pointed out simply. This stranger had been nicer to him than most people in the village. That had to mean he wasn't hostile.
“I’m Peter but everyone calls me Pip or Pipsqueak.” he answered shyly. “What’s your name?”
De’Tearion gave a clicking chuckle.
“Aye. I used to be, though. Until I realized that humans treated me better than my own kin,”he said.
Though his words were true, it was a drastically simplified version of the truth. Only specific humans had treated De’Tearion better, and it was the best years of his life. Until they threw him aside when he rightfully avenged the death of his sister.
“My name be Ákle-Ikli De’Tearion, yet simply call me De’Tearion. Why does everyone call you by those other names instead of your true name?”he couldn’t help asking.
Pip tilted his head curiously at the sound but smiled a little at it.
Though he looked confused by the comment. How could humans treat a Forestfolk better than they treated another human? Even an odd one?
“Maybe we have that in common too.” the boy mumbled, mostly to himself before looking up as De’Tearion introduced himself. But he chuckled at the question and slid off the bed and stood to his full, diminutive, height. “Cause I'm so short.” he chirped with a slight smirk.
De’Tearion wasn’t quite sure what to make of Pip’s lingering fascination with him. It was certainly refreshing though, for someone to not be afraid of him. To not instantly believe that he was a demon or a traitor to his kind.
De’Tearion heard Pip’s mumble and couldn’t help a small smile. He then watched the boy stand, noting his answer. With a thoughtful hum, he crouched down as low as he could.
“In my experience, the shortest are often among the strongest,”he cooed.
“Really?” Pip asked eagerly at the information. Could he really be strong? He was so small and skinny that he was often ignored by the other kids. Unless someone wanted to point out how much he didn't belong here because of what he could do and how wrong it was.
His thumb stroked the little toy mouse, a nervous habit that gave him something to do when he wasn't putting some random knickknacks together. And it helped distract him from the more negative thoughts about his life. But De’Tearion also helped. He was nice and seemed to understand and was just so big. The boy just wanted to stay up all night with him.
De’Tearion chuckled at Pip’s question.
“Indeed. I once knew someone who was quite short among my kin. She was the fiercest warrior I had ever met, and she feared not showing it. Yet, she was strong in other ways as well. As are you. Strength can be found in many different ways,”he cooed.
He watched Pip caressing the wood rodent, growing more and more curious about it. He wasn’t sure if it was a rat or mouse, but De’Tearion was actually quite fond of mice. He liked catching them just so he could pet them, and he once watched the activities of a nest for half a night while his sister teased him about it.
“What be the carving you have? Be it a mouse?”he asked softly.
Pip's eyes widened at the story and his face showed nothing but awe and hope. "I'm strong? Is it because of the shadows?" he asked, his voice not going back down. It was the only way he could think of that could count as being strong. But it didn't seem like a bad thing.
He nodded at the question and opened his hand so the toy mouse was resting in his palm. "My dad carved it. Said they were small but smart and quick." he explained, gently stroking the top of it with his thumb. "Means a lot to me."
“The shadows be likely one of your strengths. Given time to embrace and train those shadows, you could easily become a great sorcerer, if you wished to be,”he answered.
De’Tearion smiled thoughtfully at the mouse and Pip’s explanation. He could see why Pip’s father chose a mouse to carve for the boy, and he barely knew the kid.
“Mice are indeed fast and intelligent. As are you, I am sure,”he said with a soft smile.
“If I may, where be your father? And, what of the rest of your family?”he asked gently.
Pip’s eyes lit up at the confirmation about his shadows being a strength. But the idea of being a sorcerer had never even crossed his mind before. He knew that it would involve a lot of practice and learning… that he didn't think he would ever get. He knew no one here would teach him. Partly because they didn't know and partly because they didn't like him. But… “Would you teach me?” he asked shyly, his voice dropping back down to a near whisper. In his mind, De’Tearion was the only one who could teach him and was nice enough.
The boy giggled a little when De’Tearion agreed with his father's opinion on mice and how he was like one too. But his expression faded at the question and he looked down, shuffling his feet and holding the mouse close to himself again. “Gone. No family.” he shook his head. “Not anymore.”
It pleased De’Tearion that Pip was clearly willing to embrace his power. It would be such a shame to waste such potential, after all. But, when Pip asked him to be his mentor, it caught De’Tearion completely off his guard.
De’Tearion hid his surprise with practiced ease, but it was still a shocking idea. He hadn’t taught anyone magic in decades or more. He also only knew combat-based spells. He’d never really had the chance to explore any shadow magic outside of combat. Until now…
“Aye, I can,”he answered softly.
His smile grew at Pip’s giggle. However, the moment Pip’s demeanor changed, De’Tearion became concerned. The news that Pip was all alone nearly brought tears to his eyes and he unconsciously grabbed and rubbed the pendant of his amulet.
“I understand. I am the last of my family as well,”he said quietly.
Pip waited nervously for an answer, a part of him already bracing for De'Tearion to reject him. It wouldn't be the first time, but he was kicking himself for getting his hopes up. His eyes closed tightly as he waited to hear the answer he was expecting. So much so that he was preparing to apologize for even asking when he finally realized what De'Tearion had actually said. "R-really? You would?" he stammered in shock as he looked up at the Forestfolk.
"You are?" he asked, sniffling a bit to keep from crying before wiping his sleeve across his face. It was sad that they had this in common too but maybe things could still work out for them. "I'm sorry."
De’Tearion nodded,”Aye. Yet, we would have to leave this village for me to properly teach you.”
He doubted that the villagers would take kindly to Pip being mentored by a Forestfolk of all things. It would be a death sentence for himself, and possibly nearly so for Pip. De’Tearion didn’t plan to die anytime soon, and he didn’t want to scare Pip with the sheer brutality of his fighting skills. He would spare Pip from seeing that as long as he possibly could.
“Aye, I am,”he answered, his voice cracking. A black tear slid down his face and De’Tearion quickly wiped it away. A smile appeared when the boy offered his condolences, but it was short-lived.
“Ok.” Pip nodded, not seeming to mind the idea of leaving the village. Since he was alone there was nothing really to keep him here. Besides De’Tearion had been the nicest to him out of almost everyone in the village. He felt safe with him and now knew he could learn a lot from him. The boy didn't see any drawbacks to going with him.
The boy carefully put his small hand on De’Tearion’s after he wiped away his tear. “It's ok.” he tried to comfort but knew he could never manage to wrap his arms around the giant Forestfolk. And he didn't know how he would react to a hug.
It was a little surprising how quickly Pip accepted De’Tearion’s forewarning. Though, the more he thought about it, the more it made sense. Pip had no reason to stay, regardless of whether he truly understood the risks of leaving to roam.
De’Tearion nodded without saying anything. He didn’t need to, after all. Pip was willing to leave, simple as that.
He flinched a bit when Pip touched him, but he didn’t push the kid away. It wasn’t often that someone, anyone, offered him comfort, and he was extremely touch-starved as well. So, after a second to let his nerves settle a bit, he gently wrapped Pip’s small hand with his own long-fingered one.
“Thank you,”he said softly.
Pop smiled a little at the nod, a part of him actually excited to leave the village and to learn. He had been to the outskirts of the village before because no one else followed him there so it was one of the few places he could have some peace. But the way everyone else talked about what was beyond that made him think that he would get in trouble for going that far. This time, he wasn't scared. He wouldn't be alone and he would be safe. He was sure of that.
His small smile grew as De’Tearion held his hand and didn't pull away. It was strange to feel how different their hands were but it was still nice. No one did this for him anymore either, so he wasn't eager to take his hand back yet.
“When do we leave?” he asked, fighting back a yawn. It was still night and Pip was just a young boy. Even though he could play with the shadows, he still needed his rest.
Without realizing it, De’Tearion was thinking the same thing that Pip was about their hands. He hadn’t interacted with a child in centuries, and it was a sharp contrast from what he was used to. The boy’s hands were so tiny compared to his, but it wasn’t in a bad way. Oddly, it was even more comforting.
For a brief time, he had considered the prospect of being a father, continuing his bloodline and such. A brief time. Until everything went wrong…
Pip’s question brought De’Tearion out of his darkening thoughts and he hummed in contemplation. He noted the drowsiness both on Pip’s face and in his scent, and decided that they didn’t have to immediately leave. Besides, De’Tearion still needed to attempt eating.
“I suppose we could leave at dawn, or, alternatively, tomorrow night. You get some sleep for now though. I shall linger outside of the village to avoid conflict. I will be watching though, and if you need help, I will come,”De’Tearion said.
“Ok.” Pip nodded, feeling the tiredness creeping back on him. He didn't mind waiting to leave. It would give him time to get ready. He didn't have much but there were a couple of things he didn't want to leave behind. Even if he was going to be learning from De’Tearion, he still needed to do something with his hands the rest of the time, like making all the little knickknacks that were around the house.
The shadows slowly darkened slightly, reflecting the boy’s mood. He didn’t want to leave De’Tearion yet but even the promise of him being close and seeing him again soon was only a little reassuring. Though the thought that he could just call for him did make him feel better.
De’Tearion sensed Pip growing more and more drowsy. He glanced at the window in preparation of leaving, until he saw the shadows of the room getting darker. He looked back at Pip, picking up on the shadow’s reaction to his mood. It reminded him of the subtle gestures his sister, Agatha, would give him when they were just younglings, her silent pleas for him to stay and hold her.
“If you wish, I can stay until you fall asleep,”he offered softly.
How many times had he said the exact same thing to Agatha? How many times had he held her in his arms, rocking her to sleep? How many times had he fallen asleep soon after, comforted by her presence as much as she was by his? He had lost count long ago. He missed that so much.
Pip rubbed his eyes with his arm, trying to fight against the need for sleep… and failing. It was so late. But he didn't want to stop spending time with De’Tearion.
“Please?” he nodded when De’Tearion offered to stay. It had been a long time since someone had said that to him. He smiled tiredly and looked up at De’Tearion before glancing over at his bed. Maybe it was just because of how sleepy he was but his bed suddenly seemed too far away.
De’Tearion nodded at Pip’s plea, then watched the boy glance at the bed. An idea came to his head, one that he immediately questioned, but he couldn’t help doing it anyway.
With the gentlest of movements, De’Tearion picked up Pip and carried him to the bed. He sat Pip down in the middle of the bed, sitting next to him.
“Fight sleep not. It will leave you more tired later, and you will need all the rest you can have. We have a new journey ahead of us, one that will hopefully be far brighter than our pasts,”he cooed, giving Pip a small, encouraging smile.
Despite how gentle the action was, Pip squeaked when he was picked up but didn't fight as he was put on his bed. He gave a sleepy hum at the advice as his eyes drooped and his tiny body slumped against De’Tearion’s side. Though there was a slight smile on his face at the thought of things getting better.
The room slowly darkened until the shadows returned to where they had been when De’Tearion had first arrived. Pip’s breathing slowed and he nuzzled comfortably against his new friend and teacher.
