justsomeshrimp:
“Well, perhaps we can all go some day.” It was a big maybe, and in truth even if they were allowed that one freedom Lobco would never take any of them to her home–only the nearest shore at best. Roc knew that she of course came from the ocean, but she was not going to ever give him any more hints than she already had as to where exactly her home was located.
He was already using Chlomaki and her fellow familiars as a leverage against her, she did not want her parents and Aom to be put in danger either.
His question was not one that Lobco could have ever prepared herself for. That he would even think to ask a question in itself was telling of how much he understood of her situation, and that was upsetting for a multitude of reasons, most prominently because Licorice was but a child. He shouldn’t be able to understand any of this. He should actually be allowed to be a child. How should she answer that? Straight out lying wouldn’t really do much other than show to Licorice she thought he could be fooled. Yet she didn’t want him to worry after her, he already had enough on his plate with his mother.
“Protect me? I’m a familiar, Licorice, remember? I’m the one who is suppose to protect.” And a load of good she was at that, considering she had put her in direct harm’s way by being too stupid to see through Roc’s act.
There really wasn’t anything anyone could do. Roc was a big enough threat on his own, but the risk of Satanick getting involved if anyone attempted to harm his fourth ranked subordinate was much too high. If that happened anyone, and everyone who tried to aid her would die. There was no way around it, and so, Lobco told no one. She wasn’t going to get anyone killed because of her sorry ass.
“As long as my witch is safe, I’m fine too. Please don’t worry about me.”
The one who’s supposed to protect... Licorice can relate to that. That’s how he views his entire purpose in life. To protect his mother is all he lives for. He’d have no right to exist if he didn’t protect him. Still, no matter how hard he tries, he never seems to be able to change much. Even as he talks with Lobco now, his mother is suffering, and Licorice is here, unable to stop it.
He can feel the familiar tightness in his chest that warns he’s on the verge of changing forms, and tries to push it aside.
No matter what Lobco’s answer was, Licorice can’t actually see any way to help her. He pities her, relating her situation with his mother’s, but he has no time or energy to spare for helping her, too. Everything he is, his whole life gets poured into trying to mitigate Ivlis’ suffering. There’s just not enough of him left over for anyone else.
That doesn’t mean he’s heartless, though. Not yet, anyway.
❝ ... I understand,❞ he says, unhappily.
❝ I’ll be happy, too, if I can protect Mama. ❞













