#ttics

[qelizhus]

tyren:

do you remember when cora picked you as the heir? i was jealous, so jealous; i couldn’t believe my luck, for it was always you i lost to. i would redo that day over, if i could. this weight does not belong on my shoulders. 

- the things i could say, and the things i could not / vii. 

[qelizhus]

tyren: 

do you remember the night i slept over? cora thought it was too dangerous—i never did sleep peacefully—and too crowded, but it was fun. comforting. 

- the things i could say, and the things i could not / vi. 

[qelizhus]

tyren: 

i am sorry. i am sorry, perhaps, for not listening to you as children; i am sorry for pettiness and backhanded efforts to gain cora’s favour; i am sorry for not treasuring you as i should have. i am sorry, most of all, for not saving you nor holding your hand as you died. 

- the things i could say, and the things i could not / v. 

[qelizhus]

tyren:

do you think bendaïora is dead?

- the things i could say, and the things i could not / iv

[qelizhus]

tyren: 

they look to me for counsel, but i do not know what to say. it should be you standing here. it should be you guiding them. i am not who they claim me to be. 

- the things i could say, and the things i could not / iii.

[qelizhus]

tyren:

a god gave you its hands, and i spat on them. there is no point to an apology; i swear i will do right by you.

- the things i could say, and the things i could not / ii

[qelizhus]

tyren:

i have loved you from the day i first set aside that toy truck. i have always loved you. 

- the things i could say, and the things i could not / i.