Post by Abby/Blood Offerings on Dec 28, 2014 17:04:12 GMT -8
There were too many of them, and her position was about to be overrun. In a split second, she decided to go down with honor, on the offensive, and she stood, throwing the snow in front of her as she gave a heroic yell and charged, only to be brought down by tiny bodies that flung themselves at her, too many to fend off.
She had lost.
The fit of giggles that hit her at that moment was incongruous with the scene of battle that surrounded them, but the children joined in her laughter. These were mostly boys, and what had begun as an attack, became an outpouring of love. They did not often have these fights, and tonight she had gone all out against them, as the ones who enjoyed the quieter pursuits had their own adults to entertain them. Sari was off by a fire, telling stories to all who could sit still long enough to listen. The Sage played quiet games that had been gifted the intellectuals of the bunch. From the glimpse she'd gotten, he was happily losing to several children teaming up against him in a game of checkers. It really was unfair, but they weren't here for fair.
Nothing about the lives these children now led was fair. They were the spirits of the children killed by mountains. The dreams they would never get to have again. These moments, when she came to visit them, were the only bright points in long and sorrowful days. As always, she wished there was more she could do for them, but this was it. These moments she could steal from her own life, to bring them joy.
So tonight, they brought Christmas. Soon, they would sing songs, and perhaps even learn a few. Those who needed to, would eat, and then they would sleep. She had brought with her friends, those two others who knew of the children. Children she would keep safe in any way that she had to. This was their sanctuary.
She smiled down at the smallest of her attackers, who had climbed up her body to tuck himself under her arm, where he enjoyed spending time. The older boys were off to play with each other, but this one stayed, perhaps tired.
"Merry Christmas, little one. Would you like to go listen to the stories for a while? I find that I need a break from trying to keep up with the battle."
She had lost.
The fit of giggles that hit her at that moment was incongruous with the scene of battle that surrounded them, but the children joined in her laughter. These were mostly boys, and what had begun as an attack, became an outpouring of love. They did not often have these fights, and tonight she had gone all out against them, as the ones who enjoyed the quieter pursuits had their own adults to entertain them. Sari was off by a fire, telling stories to all who could sit still long enough to listen. The Sage played quiet games that had been gifted the intellectuals of the bunch. From the glimpse she'd gotten, he was happily losing to several children teaming up against him in a game of checkers. It really was unfair, but they weren't here for fair.
Nothing about the lives these children now led was fair. They were the spirits of the children killed by mountains. The dreams they would never get to have again. These moments, when she came to visit them, were the only bright points in long and sorrowful days. As always, she wished there was more she could do for them, but this was it. These moments she could steal from her own life, to bring them joy.
So tonight, they brought Christmas. Soon, they would sing songs, and perhaps even learn a few. Those who needed to, would eat, and then they would sleep. She had brought with her friends, those two others who knew of the children. Children she would keep safe in any way that she had to. This was their sanctuary.
She smiled down at the smallest of her attackers, who had climbed up her body to tuck himself under her arm, where he enjoyed spending time. The older boys were off to play with each other, but this one stayed, perhaps tired.
"Merry Christmas, little one. Would you like to go listen to the stories for a while? I find that I need a break from trying to keep up with the battle."