Tale as Old As Time [Finished]

[CalamityJade]

"Most toddlers wouldn't have the means to in the first place, even on accident."

[yamikuronue]

"Surely after one death they'd realize what was happening and stop?"

[CalamityJade]

"As long as they knew it wasn't a death and weren't half confused and half scared trying to run away and find somewhere safe."

[yamikuronue]

Lance starts to object, but the memory forces its way into his mind, unbidden.

It was dark, and everything hurt;  he'd been feverish for so long he wasn't sure what was real and what was a dream anymore. The smell of blood, the sickly-sweet smell of fresh food, assaulted his nostrils, but it came with a myriad of other smells, confusing smells, smells he had no name for. He had to get away, get outside where the world made sense, but something was holding him back, so he struggled, claws finding purchase, and the resistance stopped.

Lance doubles over, clutching his stomach, a strangled cry escaping from his lips.

[CalamityJade]

Obsidian moved to Lance's side. "Hey kid! You alright?"

[accalia]

Bitch, who had been sticking next to lance during this exchange, nuzzles Lance gently, licking the tears from his cheeks.

"sad.... dark...bad...."

[yamikuronue]

Lance gives a whine, his scent starting to mingle with Wolf's. "Hurts..."

[accalia]

"hurt, yes. not forever. Joy again soon." Bitch comments.

[yamikuronue]

"Joy," he says, bitterly, jaw tense. "Have you ever lost someone you love? Can you even love?"

[accalia]

"she lost mate. was sad. remember her still... we feel together, joy and sorrow, love and hate.... understand love....know loss...."

Bitch is uncharacteristically somber in her reply, her words in conflict with her continued efforts to wash Lance's face clear of tears.

[yamikuronue]

Lance chokes a little, trying to force back his tears and failing. "I killed them," he whispers. "How can there ever be joy?"

[CalamityJade]

Obsidian gave a long sigh. "There can be...eventually. You're gonna have to get past this...this block you have about what happened. REalize that it was a horrible accident, but that's what it was. An accident."

[accalia]

"as did we. different reason... she went feral... but same result.... we recovered.... eventually."

[yamikuronue]

"An accident," mumbles Lance, taking a deep, slow breath. The scent of Wolf fades, slowly.

[CalamityJade]

"And one that you have to stop blaming Wolf or yourself for. He didn't know what he was doing and you didn't want them dead."