Solitude (Drabble)
Tybresa and the others had gone off to the marshes to retrieve the Nexus Crystal, leaving the half-dragon to his devices. He walked through the halls, numerous times, just to try and keep himself occupied. Yet after all the reading, walking, and piano playing, that he realized something.
Despite not being bound to a room, or the High Council, he still had no friends. He was, and still is, very much alone.
It was like a thousand hooks sinking their metal point into his heart, dragging him into some sort of depressed state that left him to rest his head against the top of the piano. He let out a soft and melancholic growl from his throat. It was becoming more of a habit to have his draconic instincts let out soft growls and chirps as a form of emotional communication.
He stayed there for a few minutes, until he caught whiff of a strong scent. His eyes widened, his head whipping towards the door as he immediately stood from his seat and bolted out the room. He followed his nose, speeding around corner after corner until his feet skid to a halt with widened eyes.
“... Father!”
The older man, veiled in a human form for others’ convenience, stood tall and proud in ragged robes. “Come Suk, we are going back to Ionia.” Was all that he said, walking forward and past him, expecting his son to obediently follow. And he almost did, Suk had turn to follow him, but reminded himself to stand firmly where he stood. His father did not hear the footsteps, and turned around instantly, letting out an exasperated sigh.
“My son, why do you continue to disobey me? I told you, there is nothing to be gained from here.” He shook his head with mild annoyance, but Suk stood his ground. “I told you father, they need me. I can’t just abandon Tybresa when there is danger coming.” He said, a hand gesturing to the halls around him.
His father let out a hearty laugh, mocking the ground where Suk stood. He stayed like that for a brief second, before a glare took form on his human visage. “And where have they gone, son?!” He says, mimicking his gesture. “They had already gone out to retrieve these nexus crystals without you! Clearly if they needed you, they would have brought you along!” He turns, taking a few steps away. “Now they’ll either die like fools, or they’ll come back perfectly unscathed. Either way they’ll just go about their work without even noticing you like they have done for the years you’ve been here cooped up like some sort of poultry!”
His words stung, that much was true. Suk didn’t want to believe the words that he had said, despite them carrying a small truth to them. They did go off without him, and they most likely didn’t need him. But what if they do and they were in danger? No, they will be safe, and will come back safe. Suk shook his head firmly, refusing to budge. “They will eventually, and when they do, I will be here!”
His father snorted, a wisp of smoke leaving his nostrils. “And what of home? Will you simply abandon your mother?” He asked, with a casual shrug as if such an action was apparently no big deal for the half-dragon. This struck a nerve with Suk, as he let out a small draconian snarl. “Oh, so now you care for her?!”
His eyes widened, as his father let out a low growl. “I have always cared for your mother! Everything I have done was for the best and to keep you both safe!”
“Then why leave?! I could have helped you! Wouldn’t that have been for the best and her safety!” Suk replied, hands out in confusion and fury. “I told you, you weren’t ready yet, and you still aren’t because you insist to parade about this place as the human’s little pet!!” He shouted hands balled up into fists as the draconian pupil’s began to narrow in fury. “You will never learn how to harness your powers and be in full control unless you live around people who have them. This is a waste of time!”
Fire formed in Suk’s hand, dispersing to reveal his glaive as he slammed the hilt into the stone floor.
“No!”
The shout echoed through the halls, the slam of metal hitting stone equally as powerful. His father was taken off guard by the sudden outburst of instinctual fury within him, as the half-dragon glared at him with narrowed slits. “I am staying. You are free to stay here and train me if you must, but if you cannot see what must be done here to ensure safety for Valoran than I will learn on my own from my own failures and successes if need be.” He growled, tail slowly moving back and forth.
His father stood where he was, letting out a disappointed scoff. “You’ll never learn-”
“No father, you’ll never learn.” Suk was quick to cut him off with a growl, his glaive pointed at his narrow-minded father, whose care only extended as far as his bloodline and pack. The robed man stood there, before turning away and walking. “If that is what you think. But do not say I told you so once you come back.” He said. They always come back to their kin, that is in the nature of a young dragon.
Suk watched his own father walk away and turn the corner, disappearing to who knows where. It was odd, to have him mope over loneliness, only to shun out the one person who would truly make sure that he was never alone. Why? He had no idea.
All he knew was that, for the time being, he was truly alone.
