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 Posted: Tue May 07, 2013 5:04 pm
 The midday sun found the brightly-colored Fae at the lake's edge, setting up what appeared to be a picnic on the beach for two. It was nothing fancy, simply a blanket spread on the sands, with some fresh fruit, salad, and recently-grilled fish still steaming from the heat. The small cooking fire already snuffed out, drowned, and buried, the Fae was left to wait for his company to arrive. He wasn't waiting long.
The waters of the lake stirred as a similarly brightly-colored form emerged with a fluttering of fin-like wings. The Water Fae scanned the beach before locking onto a familiar figure and raising a hand to wave. Greeting returned, he rose to hover over the water briefly, shaking off the excess water before fluttering over the sands to join his father. "Hey, Dad," Amitola smiled, sinking to the blanket with his tail curled behind him, fancy fins out of the way. "Glad you could make it."
Cabel nodded to his son with a smile, reaching out to hand him a wooden cup already filled with cool, drinking water. Even if the boy didn't dry out as quickly as most Naiads, better to be comfortable for their visit. "I managed to find time in my busy schedule," he chuckled, taking a seat and leaning back on his arms. He took a moment to watch his son out of the corner of his eye. It seemed like only yesterday, the boy was crawling about the sands as only a little tot, seeking out every new discovery with bubbling enthusiasm. Maybe it was because he didn't see the boy every day, so that when he did, the changes and growth seemed all the more obvious. Already, he seemed nearly grown, his lithe teenage form starting the subtle changes that would champion his rise to adulthood. With equally-mixed pride and perhaps a bit of sadness, Cabel reached out to tousle the teen's wet hair. "Alright, you, I waited long enough. The fish are going to get cold."
Amitola grinned in response, attempting to duck away, then shaking out his long locks and throwing water in all directions. "Hard to tell the time of day underwater," he shot back, accepting a wooden plate from his father. "Still, looks good," he complimented as the pair started to divy up lunch. Food had become the primary concern for the moment, and all else could wait until after they'd sated their appetites. The fish was still hot, flaky, and delicious, the salad refreshing, and the fruit juicy and sweet. It was a simple meal, but satisfying.
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Posted: Tue May 07, 2013 5:05 pm
Only when their plates were empty and their stomachs full did any other thoughts cross their minds. Cabel leaned back, his legs stretched out towards the water, his torso propped up on his elbows. Amitola had taken a similar reclining position nearby, tail fin stretched off the blanket and flipping lightly at the sand. The Faerie shot his son a look out of the corner of his eye before deciding to break the peaceful silence. "So...now that we've had lunch, how about you tell me what you wanted to see me about?"
Amitola rolled onto his side, leaning on his elbow and shooting his father an indignant look that fell a bit flat. "What? Can't a son just want to see his father and share a lunch?" It would be nice if that's all it was, but he couldn't help the normal teenage inclination to be difficult.
Cabel's look softened and he shook his head. "Of course you can. That's not what I meant and you know it. You're always welcome to visit." It wasn't quite as easy for him to do the same. Though he'd heard that there was some magic to the temple in the center of the lake that allowed land Pae to descend to its depths, as he understood it, that was restricted to the temple, and he wasn't sure his son spent much time there anyway. It wouldn't help him visit the boy elsewhere in the lake. "Besides, I got the feeling that you had a particular reason for wanting to meet today," he continued with a pointed look.
The Water Fae hesitated, reaching up to rub his neck awkwardly. "Err...sorry, yeah. I did, but...sometimes I just miss you too," he frowned. "Mom's great and all, but...I wish we could all be together, you know? It's just not fair! WHY can't we all be together? We're one family, right?!?" In his mind, he knew why they couldn't all be together all the time. It was just too difficult, given their individual needs. But, that didn't stop him from wishing for it, and even irrationally blaming his parents for not finding a way to make it work.
Cabel tried to hide the pain in his eyes by looking away from his son's outburst. Yes, to be honest, this was a situation he'd never planned for, nor had he known how to accept for some time. Children, with a virtual stranger, when he still was trying to find a way to get over his lost love; it had seemed like some horrible nightmare at first. He'd had trouble grasping the situation or how he'd wound up inside it at first. Perhaps he hadn't coped well initially, but...he hadn't been a horrible person either. It had been the final straw that prompted him to make some much needed changes in his life. He had been unable to spend much time in the old home that they'd shared in the forest for some seasons now. He'd packed up a few simple belongings, then left the dwelling to Eudora. It was the only home she'd ever known, and she'd been gracious and understanding about the whole thing, promising to take care of the place now that it was her own. The old home left to his daughter, Cabel had made the move to the beach. Even if he couldn't be with them all the time, he would be closer to the water if case his children or their mother did need him for anything.
It wasn't an entirely selfless move. He'd always felt more at home on the beach, or at least by the water. The only reason he'd ever moved to the home nestled deeply in the tree roots of Loka Nei had been because that's where his love had made her home. The home she welcomed him into. The home they'd shared together for seasons, even after Eudora had found her way into their lives. He had memories...so many memories there. And that...was why he had to leave. He was a different Pae now than he was back then. Now, all he needed was the simple shack he'd built just inside the treeline at the edge of the beach. The trees provided support for the structure, but the wide open sands stretched out as far as he could see beside the water's edge.
"It's complicated, Ami," he said with a resigned sigh, feeling he'd had this conversation many times before. "You know that." He turned back to the teen, frowning. "I'm doing my best. I'm here for you when you need me. You, your brother, or your mom. But I can't live in the lake with you any more than you can all live up here on the land with me all the time." He wasn't sure about the boys, honestly, but he knew Zinerva couldn't stay on land indefinitely. He could only assume their sons had to be similar; he wasn't willing to test theories, of course. He wasn't even sure where they stood exactly. He hadn't been looking for a relationship, let alone a new family...and yet, here he was. He wasn't sure he wanted to pursue a relationship with Zinerva, as bad as that might sound. Not romantically anyway. She was a good Naiad, a sweet person and a loving mother to his boys. He just...wasn't sure he was ready for another relationship, not after what had happened before.
Just because he was learning to cope and move on didn't mean he was ready to try and repeat the experience.
They would always be friends, and he'd do anything for her or the boys, but he wasn't sure if they'd ever be anything more.
Then again, life had thrown plenty of curve balls his way already.
Amitola hesitated, hearing distressed tones creeping into his father's voice. He felt guilty all of a sudden, his gut seeming to drop to the sands. This was his fault for making his father feel this way. He already must be worrying about them all, living where he couldn't see them most of the time. But now, Amitola had to go and dump another guilt trip on him? Why had he not realized this sooner? "Dad, I--I'm sorry..." He hung his head, ashamed. "I know you can't help it any more than we can. I shouldn't have said that. I just..." he glanced aside. "I just get so frustrated sometimes. Being caught in the middle. It's either this or that, there's no in-between, no middle ground, make your choice, one or the other!" He finished his tirade, sitting up and crossing his arms in frustration. Even his wings were twitching in agitation.
Cabel sat up as well, frowning at the boy before wrapping an arm around his shoulders and pulling him into his side. Amitola seemed surprised at first, tensing; then he calmed, relaxing again with his eyes still focused down at the sand. "Aw, kid...I'm sorry too. It's a shitty situation for all involved." The teen raised an eyebrow, never having heard his father use such language before, but said nothing, allowing the Fae to keep speaking uninterrupted. "If it helps, you can blame your mom and me for not thinking things through. It's our fault you wound up in such a rough situation; definitely not yours." He would never, ever imply to his children that they were a mistake...but this was as close as he'd ever gotten to admitting the truth about where they'd come from, and why their parents weren't mates like most other Paes'.
Amitola wasn't sure what to make of his father's statement. There was something he still wasn't telling him, but what? Did he even want to know? He wasn't sure...so he didn't push it. He simply shook his head. "Nah, it's fine. I mean...I was just being a jerk, I don't know why. I'm sorry."
"You're a teenager. You're supposed to be a jerk. Don't worry, it's not permanent."
At that, the teen turned his head to shoot his father a look. "Hey!" He caught sight of an honest smile for a moment, which made him grin in turn. "You sure about that, Dad?" he asked pointedly.
The Fae pulled him in again, holding him tight and giving the kid a light noogie before he could squirm free. "You callin' your dad a jerk, boy?" He smirked as the kid tried to fix his newly-mussed hair again. "Hmm, yeah, you might have a point there."
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Posted: Tue May 07, 2013 5:06 pm
The pair had eventually fallen silent once more, though the tension had dissipated. The sun beat down, warming the sands and the two bodies that lounged below. Then tension between them may have eased, but Amitola still seemed troubled by something. "Hey Dad?" he spoke up after some time, unable to simply relax and enjoy the day until he'd cleared the air as to why he'd insisted on seeing his father today. "Could we talk for a minute?"
"Of course," came the automatic reply, the Fae lifting a hand to shield his eyes from the sun before daring open them again. He'd figured the boy had something to say, but that he'd get to saying it when he felt ready. Guess he was ready now. He was always welcome to visits from his boys, but the particular insistence with which Amitola had set up this picnic with him, and only him, without his brother or mother, well...Cabel had to assume there was something personal he wanted to talk about.
Amitola sat up, drawing up his tail to tuck his ornate fins behind him self-consciously. "Well...I've been doing some thinking...and talking to Mom...and then some more thinking...and I'd like to hear your thoughts as well," he admitted, his hands having suddenly become the most fascinating things he'd ever seen. Cabel sat upright as well, paying attention, but not saying anything just yet. He only nodded, encouraging his son to continue.
"It's just...what I said earlier about feeling caught in the middle," he continued, one hand rubbing his upper arm awkwardly. "There's been talk in the lake about more activity around the castle. Mom's never been comfortable about letting us go there much. I think she's worried what the rest would think of us," he said quietly, looking down at his odd fins and thinking of the wings he sported as well. "But, there's word that dangerous things are coming. That Naiad should unite to protect the lake and those within it. They've been calling others to the temple, having ceremonies, granting special powers in the name of protecting the lake and loved ones."
He paused, glancing out over the water. "I don't come out of the lake that often, except when I come to see you," he admitted. "But, I have heard talk in the lake about the land dwellers doing the same lately. Angels, demons, even Fae," he said, cutting his eyes towards his father, "all swearing fealty to these 'Guardians' and swearing to protect them and their families in exchange for powers and unity." He continued to stare at his father, looking for a reaction maybe? Some clue of what he was thinking.
By now, Cabel had learned to temper the dark thoughts that crossed his mind when someone mentioned the Guardians. He'd moved past blaming them for his troubles and loss. He couldn't keep assuming that these supposed all-powerful beings had nothing better to do than to destroy his happiness. Maybe...they simply didn't exist at all. That certainly threw a wrench into his plans of hating them for what circumstance may have done to his life instead. It would certainly explain why they did not answer one's calls for help in times of trouble. Not beings of vendictive nature; just that one could not receive help from figments of imagination.
It still hurt, if to a lesser degree, feeling betrayed by the blind faith he'd been led to accept. He'd lost much...but, he'd also gained much on his own since then. Perhaps he could blame no one but himself for the circumstances of life, and perhaps, in the long run, he wasn't doing terribly at least. He had a couple of good boys, a sweet daughter, a good friend... How long since he'd last thought of the rest of his family? It had been seasons...years, since he'd seen them. Cripes...he was a horrible son. He'd been so selfishly wrapped up in his own business, his depression, feeling sorry for himself, then setting out on a hopeless quest...he'd let so much time slip by.
A sudden ache had begun in his chest, and he had to struggle to push it aside for now. He had a son to answer to; then he could answer to his own crimes against the rest of his family later. Slate-grey eyes lifted to meet the teen's. "Caught in the middle, hmm? When everyone's picking sides?"
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Posted: Tue May 07, 2013 5:07 pm
Amitola nodded, wondering briefly why his father had paused so long before answering. He'd wondered if he'd said something wrong, but couldn't be sure what it was, if so. "I mean...I guess it'd make sense...what with living in the water primarily and all, but...I..." he paused, looking back. "I thought maybe you'd want to convince me to join these Guardians on land instead. I mean, I'm sorta' in the middle and all, so trying to weigh both sides, but...I dunno...just trying to be fair..."
"Life isn't always fair though," Cabel interrupted, shaking his head. He didn't explain further, only looked back sadly. "Son, I...I'm not sure I'm the best one to ask about something like this."
"But you're my dad. You're exactly who I need to ask."
"...heh. If you say so. Still...it's a long, complicated story and not one I'm ready to go into today. Just...don't expect me to try to steer you towards siding with the Guardians." He ignored the puzzled look on the Water Fae's face, looking down at his hands instead. "Your dad's not the most devout individual. Not anymore. But I'm not trying to influence your decision one way or the other. This is a decision you have to make for yourself, one you make with your heart, if...you really feel that you need to make a decision at all?" he finished questioningly.
"I do," he answered immediately, then looked down again. "I mean...I feel like I have to. If something bad is gonna' happen, I don't wanna' be off trying to hide somewhere. Not if there's some good I can do to help someone instead. Mom didn't want me to rush into anything either, and I'm not! But, I think it's more that she's afraid of the ceremony with the Naiads, cause I'd have to go before the Queen and I think she's afraid of what she and the Court might think of...of hybrids like me," he finished quietly. "There's been some rumors...about land Pae attacking Naiads. I don't know how much is true though..."
Cabel listened quietly, his heart swelling with pride at his son's reasons for making such an important decision in his life. Because he wanted to help others. Without hesitation, he reached out and pulled his son to his side for the second time that day. It'd been a long time since he'd been so open with affection, but perhaps it was a sign that he was climbing back from the dark, depressive place that he'd slipped into so long ago, that had tried to swallow him whole. "I'm not so blind as I was in my younger years," Cabel muttered, shaking his head. "There are some dark things in this world. Evil things; those who wish harm to good people. It's no use pretending that they don't exist, because they're not just going to go away if we do. The only way to face them is to draw them out and acknowledge that they exist, rather than trying to shove them into the shadows and pretend that they don't. That only helps them."
"As for this Queen and Court," he continued, shaking his head. "I can't pretend to know anything of their ways, as I've not met any of them. I know nothing of this Court. Heck, I've only ever met two or three Naiads in my life, your mother being one of those," he commented, moving on before he could linger on the thought. "But, I can say this. If she's a good leader, then she'll know that one's parentage is no grounds to judge an individual's merits. That is done through your own actions," he said pointedly, meeting his son's gaze. "And if she gives you any trouble with that, then Queen or not, I'll just have to have a talk with her on the matter," he teased, the utmost serious expression he could muster plastered over his face.
Amitola wasn't sure whether to laugh or cr--no, he was nearly grown. Men didn't cry. So, he laughed, chuckling and shaking his head at his father. "Thanks, Dad, but I think I'll handle this one. Don't need my Dad fighting my battles," he teased back, though...he couldn't deny the brief warm feeling he'd felt in his chest to know that the offer had been there beneath the joking exchange.
"So," Cabel continued softly, squeezing his son's shoulder. "My son, joining the Naiad Court then?"
Amitola nodded slowly. "Yeah, I guess so. I mean, I might wait a while to be sure, but...that's what I'm thinking. It makes the most sense, I suppose. Hopefully, they've got something useful I can do."
Cabel chuckled softly. "Well, if they decide to knight you or something, invite your old man to the ceremony, would you?"
Amitola chuckled in response, making no move to escape from his father's side. "Deal."
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