The wind blew low against the plains, shaking the scanty grass at their feet in unision, making the plain look like it was made of brown water, with rustling, rolling waves. It was all dying, all of it. Yet even as it died, the grass was as stubborn as they were, each blade reaching upward for one last chance at glory.
And just like they, the Illithid, the dying grass moved in unision, swayed but not broken by the wind.
They were just children, playing in the field. They held hands, because it was expected of them. They climbed the hills with weapons in their hands, because it was expected of them. They stayed together, because it was
expected of them. But as soon as they reached the crest of that hill, and disappeared out of sight, Riley ripped her little hand away from Andeon's, and ran, crowing in happiness. Her hands lifted up into the air, and her eyes closed as she tore through the grass, expressing her childish freedom in a joyful cry. She heard the soft footfalls coming closer, and then-
The grass felt soft against her skin when she slammed down into it, and they rolled together down the other side of the hill, tangled in a mess of tentacles and limbs and claws. She settled her mouthhole against his bicep and bit - he screamed and kicked her in the face. They separated and tumbled, until the valley brought them to a slow stop, and they curled into little purple balls at it's base, catching their breath. There was a moment of silence, and then twin bursts of laughter bubbling up as they unfurled and spread eagled on the ground.
She heard the shifting of a body in the dirt, and opened her eyes when the pumpkin sun was shadowed by his head. She blinked up, and saw her mirror image, but with the subtle changes that made him,
him. The little things that only she noticed, because he was Andeon, and that made him special. She reached up and tweaked one of his dinky little mouth tentacles, and giggled.
"Are you done acting like a brat, or do you need me to shove you deeper into the ground?" His voice came out in a hiss, but his eyes were filled with mirth. She smacked him right on the cheek, and kept pushing until he got off of her.
"Andy, I am NOT a brat." She yelped out brattily as she sat up, brushing herself off. "Why are you so mean to me. You're my bestest warrior, but you treat me like your little sister."
"Any little sister of mine would be twice as smart as you." He teased. "And she wouldn't be such a BRAT."
Riley stumbled up onto her feet, and started clumsily running towards Andeon, claws extended and tentacles at the ready. He caught her just as she tripped on a rock, a moment before sinking her claws into him. Instead, she faceplanted into his leather chestguard, and whined.
"
Waele dalhar," He groaned, as he put her back on her feet. "Why the hell are you acting like a scareling? You're almost nine, Annie. It's time to grow up."
Riley dropped back to the ground, landing on her rear and glaring up at him as she sat there stubbornly. "I AM grown up. I already have seven loyal-"
"That's not what I mean, brat." He growled, pressing his hand against her forehead and smacking her down to the ground. "You could have an entire fleet, and you'll still ******** it all up with that.. that.."
She crossed her arms, and waited for him to elaborate.
"THAT." He waved his arms at her stubborn demeanor. "You really don't get it, do you?" Riley shook her head, and still she waited. It made him slap his forehead in annoyance. "Why do you have to rail against the machine, Annie? Why is it so important to be
different? Don't you know different's going to get you killed, one day?"
All of her tentacles rose up away from her face, so that her teeth were visible, and she gave him a frightening, toothy grin. "Different's not going to get me killed, Andy. Different's why I'm going to
win."
His brow furrowed as he stared at the little ghoul, trying not to believe in her. Trying so hard to just.. discredit the things she said. Terrible, blasphemous things, that made his heart stutter with excitement. She would be the death of him, and he hated how he welcomed the thought.
"Pick up your weapon, you little s**t." He moved to grab the stick that had fallen when they tumbled. "I need to beat that smile off your face."
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