forum Reflection in the Dark (closed)

Started August 19, 2019 by @ElderGodSwimwithGamers group

tune

Scipio went pale, stepping back a bit with his heart pounding. That was certainly the voice he remembered, though far more cheerful. They looked exactly alike.

"Well, m-mother, something happened, and… well, Scipio came through…" Richard blushed.
"Does Merlin know?" His mother asked. Richard nodded his head. His mother turned to Scipio. Quietly, she simply walked up to him and wrapped him up in a large hug.
"I'm so sorry," She said.

Scipio froze. He was trembling slightly and he seemed unsure what to do. He was sure that Richard's mother could feel his heart racing.

Finally, after what would seem like an eternity, Richard's mother pulled away, holding Scipio's shoulder as she looked him over.
"Richard says you've led quite the life," she commented.

"Uh… y-yeah…" Scipio was still very tense and his anxiety was starting to become visible. He figured it was probably strange for her in the way it was strange for him. He looked exactly like her son, but he was far different; far worse.

She gave a smile as she took her hands off of him.
"Well, boys, why don't we head inside?" Richard nodded; he wasn't sure how much more Scipio could take of his mother, and was even more concerned for how Scipio would react to Richard's father.

Scipio hesitated before following Richard inside. He was thinking about his father too. Surely, Richard's father was probably lovely, but he still looked exactly like Scipio's father.

Richard turned to Scipio as soon as they were inside.
"You sure you'll be okay? And not, you know, try to murder anyone?"
Richard's mother moved to the kitchen.
"Would you boys like something to drink?" She asked.

"I don't think I'll be killing anyone today…" Scipio replied quietly, glancing around. He seemed almost… scared. Even just from seeing Richard's mother. He had always been more afraid of his parents than actually being in a war, for some reason. Probably since the fear at home was constant, and at war it only spiked in life or death situations.

Richard put his hand on Scipio's shoulder. He knew what Scipio was thinking without having to ask. You get to know a person like that, when you're a reflection.
"You'll be fine, Scipio."

"I am fine." Scipio shrugged him off, looking away. "This is just kinda weird for me."

"Okay, whatever you say." Richard's mother came out with two glasses of water, handing one to each of them as she led them into the living room.

Scipio just held the glass of water quietly, staring blankly at the floor. Saying thank you wasn't in his nature, so he stayed silent. He knew he couldn't lie to Richard for long. Not that he felt bad, but Richard was there when he was five years old, sitting on the bathroom counter as he cried. He knew why Scipio was anxious about being here.

Richard knew this, yes, and that's why he hadn't really liked the idea of bringing Scipio here.
"Just… Tell me if you want to leave, okay?" He asked as he followed his mother into the living room.

Scipio nodded and walked after them. After listening to his surroundings for a bit, he figured Richard's father wasn't home. He didn't relax, though, as he could come back at any moment.

Richard's mother sat down on the chair, leaving Richard and Scipio the couch.
"You've let quite the life, Scipio." Richard sat down as his mother spoke.
"I'm just sorry your parents were to blind to see how wonderful you are."

"Yeah… wonderful…" Scipio fidgeted with his glass, figuring that Richard must not have told her all the horrible things he'd done. "Just out of curiosity, what all do you know about me? I figure Richard probably talked about it a lot when we were kids…"

"Well…" She said, "I know you went off to war, and that you prefer animals to people, and… I know about your murdering." She sighed, shrugging.
"Mother and I don't really talk about it that much, though," Richard clarified.

Scipio nodded. "Yeah, I guessed as much… You seem to be aware of my family situation as well."

Richard's mother pursed her lips and nodded. Richard, folding his left leg over his right, sighed.
"We, the reflections, hate it. We wish we could do something about it, but…"

"Obviously, you're not supposed to interact with me…" Scipio hummed. "Also, I never killed anyone outside the army. Figured that might important to tell you."

Richard's mother nodded.
"You're not as bad as you think you are," Richard said.

Scipio nodded stiffly. He jumped when he heard Richard's father enter the house, seeming nervous. He slowly got to his feet.

Richard put his hand on Scipio's arm.
"You'll be okay with this, understood? You're stronger than that."

Scipio took a few steps backward, not responding to Richard. Despite what he'd said about hating his father, he seemed far more afraid than angry or murderous.