Alright, this is a chapter from my fic ‘The Five Traitors’, the first one in fact. It is about what would have happened if one of the siblings joined Narinder’s rebellion, what would have led them to it and what would come out of it.
I will post this here and the rest when I am done with them all. But I will also add a link to the Ao3 down there if you all wanna read it there instead.
I hope you all enjoy this one (:
His temple was silent. Only wind spoke through it for there were none within. All his once whimsical critters waited outside, orderly assembled and ready, all awaiting their Lord. He tried to laugh, something he hadn’t done in a while, at the irony of it all. He was to lead and order an army. He, Lord of Chaos, was to order his army to fight alongside that of his siblings. An army he had assembled at the order’s of his sibling. However he couldn’t, not even a mirthless chuckle punch through the bottomless perfect melancholy.
No, no he just sat there. A silent lord for a silent temple, neither which were ever so before. Not before their eldest came to him and the rest of his siblings, telling them of the supposed treachery of their brother. Not before they gave the order to form an army to bring him to justice. Not before they took command of each of their cults to train and supply them, to mold them into the same zealots they bred. not before they brought order to his chaos.
Treachery, he thought. He was thinking the way his soon to be punished brother was thinking. He was asking questions where he was to obey, he was trying to reason where he was supposed to show fealty, he was showing chaos where he needed to prove his order. To betray to self to conform.
He ran his fingers through his face, avoiding his eyes from the sharpness of his claws as he drew in a breath. It was the smell of the pines, the ancient stone and the smell of ichor that ran through his eyes that greeted him.
‘’That explains the wet hands’’ he murmured to himself, as he looked down on his hand to see his tear soaked hand. All crimson like the blood of his followers but with an undeniable dark tinge that betrayed its true nature.
He ran his thumb over the rest of his fingers as he felt the sticky liquid of the holy void. As the droplets fell to the stone of his temple, there came new life. Blades of grass with many odd flowers, all in the colours of the stars birthed them all amidst the lifeless stone. But Just as they came to be, they died. All returning back to his brother's domain.
To oblivion, Narinder’s domain. He smiled as he thought of him, the one they were to march to meet in battle today. His smile fell just as quickly as he remembered where he stood in this conflict, this schism. He would be in the ranks of his sister Heket, the Lady of Famine; his brother Kalamar, the Lord of Disease; his sibling Shamura, the Master of War.
All four leaders of the Old Faith would march against their brother Narinder, Lord of Death.
He was to march together with the one who would ridicule him for his very nature, chastise him for the very thing he was gifted to this world to do. The one who would cast all blame for the things she failed to realize in this world as uncertain. The one whose logic would shatter at the mere mention of his chaos.
He was to march alongside a coward. One who he knew for certain would stab them all in the back if they were to fail in the upcoming madness. He who would cast disease amidst them all if it would give him one more moment to escape his fate.
He was to march alongside a sibling he barely knew. One who he had only met a few times before they were taken by their duty, away from him. Sibling who has accused their brother of treachery on a mere premonition, one that rested on an old mind that had been rotting for a milenia. The one who has brought ugly order to his beautiful domain of chaos. The one that has tried to replace his very nature with their own.
He was to march against his brother. The one that had been by his side since his coming to this earth. The one that has teached him all he knew and all that he wished to know till this very moment. The one that cradled him to his chest in the nights where he found no respite amidst the order of the world. The one he seeked mere days ago, to see if they still carried the same faith for each other deep within them. The one that indeed has, proven by his cold but yet warm embrace that carried no pulse but a true heart that sang with his own. In the days before this one, where he stood in his temple as a brother rather than an enemy as he showed him the true beauty of his nature. No ridicule for what he is, no fear for what he was and no portent for what he will be.
He remembered his erratic heart matching his dead one, as they embraced as if he didn’t know they were to attack his domain soon. He held no contempt for him even then. Just acceptance, as was expected from the kind guide to the afterlife, the shepherd of beyond.
Sounds of water splashing on the hallowed ground shook him away from these holy heretical thoughts. ‘Was that the rain?’ he thought as he looked down on the ground through a haze to see more flowers. He was lucky that his cloak was black he thought as he wiped away the ichor off his face.
He got up, standing tall amidst the silent temple he no longer recognized. Amidst soldiers that were no longer his whimsical cohort. Amidst the sanctified gates of his brother's temple. Amidst the quartet of traitors he dared not call siblings.
Shamura spoke first ‘’Narinder, please understand wh-’’ They were cut by a laugh that reverberated across the defiled temple of his brother. Narinder shook his head as he brought his hand to his face to run it across.
He looked back slowly as his hand went back limb to his side ‘’Please spare us all that, we all know how this is going to go’’ Heket took a step forward with her axe firmly within their hands. He looked at her out of curiosity, to see if she held anything other than contempt. He was given but a moment too be disappointed as Shamura stopped her in her tracks with just one claw.
Shamura wore a tired face, one laced with guilt and shame. He wanted to laugh at that but just like before he couldn’t find enough humor in that. They were the one who has driven them into this, to this very moment. Yet they stood there ashamed, he would ask why if they were so pained could they have just not brought them here?
His hands tightened on the helm of his warhammer as he tried to contain the indignity within his capricious heart. He felt the traitorous tears try to force their way off all five of his eyes, but no. No, he would not shed a single one.
The cry of war took his mind away from his thoughts as the Queen of Anura broke away from the grasp of her sibling’s claw. Away to war she rose, her axe swung over Narinder who swatted it away. Blow for blow they came to each other, strike to strike they tried to best one another. Witnessing the call of battle he tried to move but he couldn’t, he stood there with his hammer still in his hands as both his siblings tried to rip each other to pieces.
Then came the cry of Kallamar who joined the fray. adding his own to the fight that saw siblings spill the blood of one another. With much skill he still swung his swords, each cutting fabric and nothing more as he tried and failed to match their brother’s grace. He tried to look away from the awe inspiring battle that was unfolding in front of him. He couldn’t bear it for he knew, he knew the two would lose.
He looked away to the one hope they still held, to the old spider. He looked at them with scorn he had not felt before, he wanted to shout at them to ask them is this what they have wanted. But more so he wanted them to join so their siblings at least stood a chance against the whirlwind of destruction their brother had always been.
But he was disappointed yet again, for they stood still. As the carnage took place all around they stood still as the pillars of stone around. Looking at the fight with cold dead pity. He felt his claws puncture his hands as he clutched his hammer more firm as he marched into the fray too.
He swung his hammer, not to his brother nor to his siblings, but to all of them at once. For he was chaos, he bore no allegiance that could last with obedience alone. He struck the earth where Heket stood for he was chaos, he cared not for safe logic. He casted bolts of lighting almost at random that were dodged by Kallamar for he was chaos, for he was untamable.
All became a haze as the fight grew to an odd free for all, the chaos in which he thrived. Alliances were formed; where one struck, where the other deflected just to switch. Where one who came to kill, fought alongside the one they came to kill. Where one protected just to stab in the back, where one howled in rage just to bellow a laughter, where all blended together with the ichor of all. All in the colours of the night sky, as they danced together, against; for, spite; with, without one another.
Through each strike he stood true however, he never stayed with an ‘ally’ for long. Always switching at a whim, one moment he saw the teary eyes of Kallamar to then just see the enraged snarl of Heket. Then at the last moment he saw Narinder fighting with a grace he had never seen from another being, be they God or mortal. In that moment he understood, as they carved the ears off of Kallamar, as they tore his sister’s throat. Only he and himself were true to themselves, not to the faith or to their siblings but to themselves. Only he and Narinder stood true as they pummeled and were pelted, striked as they were slashed, dodge as they blocked. He as the harbinger of chaos and his brother as the reaper of souls. True Gods of their domain, not just some bishop to a rigid Faith made by a coward.
Here he stood, facing his brother as the two of his siblings stayed imobile on the ground, both spilling their holy ichor to the temple meant for the true lord of death. He stared down his ally, his enemy, his Lord and his servant. He saw his smile as he held onto his scythe, his smile bloomed into a laugh that warmed him from within.
As he stood with his broken arm, no doubt a gift he himself had given him just a moment ago. He beckoned him with open arms, one lowered slightly from the pain no doubt. He moved to meet him even with his slashed leg, leaking rot and ichor, a gift in kind given to him by his dearest.
It was cold and silent, his fur covered in ichor that smelled of disease, rot and much much more. His heart was quiet but it felt like it beat with fervor they both held for each other, he smiled into his fur as his hands moved to the back of his head. Each of his bony fingers combed against his leaves. There was no need for words as his deep purr talked where words would have failed. He was accepted, just as he accepted him. Chaos and Death held each other as Gods amidst bled.
It was not to last, as it was the nature of both chaos and death. A cry of war came from its master, one that bellowed across the temple, reverberated across the halls just to echo right back at them.
Both took their spots as the dance began again. They were met with grace that made Narinder look like a beetle amidst butterflies. They danced and danced, two beetles trying to outfly a butterfly as it carved them apart. This butterfly wore a mask of anger and indignation however, one that did a poor job of masking their anguish. This butterfly called them ‘traitors’ and ‘heretics’ but they themselves were a traitor to their very nature, a reluctant warrior that carried the crown of war.
They were tired, they were injured, they were losing. It was just a simple fact really, they were going to lose. Narinder blocked a strike just to get cut by the other, his ichor wetting the holy stone. He slashed in return, for it to not bother their sibling. It was like a dance between a blooming rose and a butterfly; so futile, so meaningless, so chaotic and so, so beautiful.
In the end he fell to his knees, and as he watched their sibling sob as they reddied their claws to make their brother meet their end. He could only chuckle. It was not painful, not really. Their sibling’s claws tore his eyes, all two perfect orderly slashes that cut through his eyes meant to gut their brother. He didn’t know how he ran that fast, or how he got up from the ground with his slashed legs. But he did know what he saw in his brother's eyes as he saw him taking the hit for him. Anger and much anguish.
Opposed to their sibling's cut, Narinder’s cuts were haphazard. Many smaller ones riddled their now perished sibling’s body. He kept on cutting it, cursing it as he continued his onslaught.
For eternity it felt like it continued, slash after slash but eventually he returned to him, Like he always would. Cradling his body to their own, his cold fur soothing the pain as he truly laughed for the first time in a long time at the irony of the God of Death healing him. Taking him away further from his own domain as he whispered ‘'I am here little leaf’' soft lips found their way to his forehead as he continued ‘'I am with you’'
https://archiveofourown.org/works/44580424/chapters/112140313
Hello there! Another chapter another day of Ramadan. Hope it has been going well for you all this year. Oh and Happy Ramadan! Just adding it to here
Also, kind of a short chapter unfortunately I kind of get dizzy when I look at the screen cause of the whole Ramadan thing. But I will try to write more when I can :)
Heh, I can remember my own first chapter, all the excitement, all the plans for the future.
Anyhow, glad to hear you want to write more of it! I shall readddd em as you writttte em.
I finally did it!! I can't believe I wrote this by myself, honestly. I'm still new to writing stuff so I'm not sure of this text is enough readable but I already like the beginning of the story.
Also, I was planning to make it...bigger. Like, a lot bigger. But I guess that this chapter wasn't in need of too much details
Firstly, you can tag me as you wish, you do not have to worry about it. Secondly AMAZING, SIMPLY AMAZING. I love the contrast between them both with their horns and their eyyyyyes, its so cuuuute.
And yeah, this is about how it would have gone honestly. Seeing the crown up close is an experience and a half.
Another sketch for @t-inbound!! (Sorry for sudden tagging)
I was thinking about Lamb from my AU (I finally decided that yeeeah) and Lambert from "Two becomes Five" sitting in the middle of nowhere and talking about their worlds and many other stuff
«Is this...?»
«Yes, little one. It's the Red Crown. Not the one your Lord wears now. This one belongs to me and Narinder from my world.»
Farmmming, soothes the soul.
Finally I can post this sketch haha... Actually I was going to make a full art but my schedule said: "no, you're not"
Also....no pattern on the shirt because my little brain can't process patterns so I could draw them
ANYWAYS HAHA
Here's a sketch for @lammydrawsthings and their CoTL x SDV crossover AU!
Hope you'll like this little doodle :3
Alright, I am not sure if this is how I am supposed to be doing this but who cares. I wish for prompts to write about. I am not sure how many of them I can make a story out of or how long the said stories would be, (it all sort of depends on the prompt I guess) but I will do my best to deliver something good out of the ones I can make a story out of.
To send them just use the ask box thingy, it should be in working condition so it should be fine.
Alright my fellow tumblr people, I have survived the ilness which has taken hold of me and I stand victorious over it. Other than that there is not much to say, I hope you all enjoy this chapter. I will try to be faster in the new episodes now that I don’t feel terrible but I still got a uni to worry about so... yeah
Um,, hello,-
I was reading your work on Ao3 recently (Two becomes Five) and one exact idea can't get out of my mind. I wanted to see Lamber comforting Aym so badly (maybe making him a flower crown or just comforting him in a way a sibling would do). This may or may not be related to the work itself, it's just a little thought of mine
(Thank you for your works, they're amazing<3)
Firstly thank you for your prompt, it was really nice and it gave me ideas for the future stuff I want to add to TBF (Two Becomes Five) Also I am sorry if I took a little long to post, I wanted it to be good and needed to spend time on it to make sure it was. Unfortunately my uni and the bus system had other plans.
Anyhow Feel free to ask more stuff like this, I really like writing on this stuff. This goes for all of my readers by the way, if you have a prompt you can just post it. You don’t have to be shy, I am willing to listen. Warnings: Blood, swearing WC: 2083 Rating: T+
His bleeding arm wasn’t really a problem. Really it was not even a real wound in comparison to what he used to go through. Still it hurt like oblivion and made him wanna go back there and kick those drunkards in the ribs one more time.
He sighed as he realized this was just not his day. How had he even gotten himself into this mess in the first place? He recounted all the stuff that led to this moment. He was doing his ‘thing’ until he heard a glass shatter down in the street and a woman crying, so far simple. Then he dropped down onto the alleyway to see what was going on, still simple. Then he was trying to fight off a bunch of drunkards without trying to squash them both into paste, all the while keeping his identity a secret. because apparently killing followers was not really seen as the right thing to do, even when the said followers were tormenting some poor woman. Now it was not so simple.
He sighed as he jumped below a building. A small gasp escaped him as he felt the glass in his arm rattle from the drop. He looked back on the spot who was refusing to patch up even with his body healing the wound.
‘’Fuck’’ the curse escaped him as he realized maybe it wasn’t as simple of a wound as he thought it was. Another careful look told him that indeed, he was somewhat in deep shit. Not deep enough to drown in but just enough to sink in it up the ankle. The wound refused to close due to the shard of glass which was too deep in his arm for him to pick up without tweezers.
He now had two options. He could either go out to the temple which was now half an hour away, all the while bleeding off slowly or he could go back to the relatively close home of the ewe he had to call master. In the end it was a close decision. He would have to go back to the house.
He needed to see exactly where he was before he could go anywhere however. So he looked around for higher ground. There it was, a two story building just to his left. Without giving it too much thought he jumped up. Just to realize maybe he should have, as he screwed up his footing and almost fell all the way down. By some miracle his arm caught the side of the building at the last moment stopping him from falling.
After a heave he got himself properly up to realize maybe falling would have been a better idea as he realized the arm he used still casually had a glass shard embedded in it and was now bleeding even harder. A groan left his mouth as he looked around. He was close he could tell, it should be right around the corner.
Looking around some more he finally spotted what he was looking for, the house of the ewe. It was a small building nestled between two roads, not exactly a pinnacle of architecture by any means, but really any refuge at this point would be good enough.
It was not easy navigating himself to the window he usually used for entry, his arm was really doing its best to annoy him today. Eventually though he got to the window and opened it with a tug.
He let out a sigh of relief as he entered the building, the lamb would be asleep by this point as for his brother he would just ignore him… hopefully. He still hasn't explained to him what he was doing when he was off on his own and wasn’t really planning on it either.
Before he could enact his plan of somehow getting rid of the shard and letting his magic heal him, a little lamplight sparked into life. After a moment he could see the holder of the said lamp was Lambert herself.
He couldn’t tell what made that moment awkward, it wasn’t like he didn’t enter the home at such an hour all the time this was more or less modus operandi. Then again he didn’t usually bleed profusely onto the ground most of the time so that might have had a hand in what happened next.
She sighed as she closed her book before setting it on the arm of the couch/bed. ‘’So… how was your night?’’
Aym blinked as he took in the question. ‘’The usual’’ As soon as those words escaped him, she started to laugh. It was not really a happy laugh as much as it was a strained one. A momentary shame took hold of him as her face returned back to a neutral one.
She looked to his arm as she pulled her legs to herself. Taking it as his invitation Aym took the side of the couch now unoccupied. Sitting uncomfortably as he tried to rub at his arm again.
They sat there in silence with only the soothing sound of the flame within the lamp keeping them company. She sighed again ‘’So, were you planning on sneaking in and bleeding to dead or were you planning on telling me?’’
And here it was, the ridicule. Another groan escaped him as he readied himself for whatever she had planned on jabbing him with, alongside ‘what were you thinking?’ or ‘what were you even doing out there?’ questions. but the ridicule nor the questions never came as she just left. Taking the lamp with her.
For a second he couldn’t believe what was happening. Did she really just leave? He sat there thinking maybe he could just be left alone for once before the lamb came back with a small chest.
She made her way back to her spot and set the lamp to her side. He couldn’t tell what she was doing before she opened the little box. Taking a tweezer from within, she looked at him expectedly before offering her hand.
He blinked before a frown took over his face ‘’I don’t need your help Lambert, I assure you I can take care of myself’’
She in return just rolled her eyes ‘’I figured, big black holy cat could probably survive even more’’ she turned to her side, after a sigh she continued ‘’Just didn’t want you leave you alone’’
It took him a second to let the words sink in, for a moment he wanted to just tell her to leave him alone or just get his brother if she really wanted to help him… But he didn’t. Instead he gave her his arm.
There was a look of shock on the lamb’s face before she nodded. The tweezers entering his wound didn’t hurt him much, really it was not as painful as what those drunkards would be going through in the morning.
It wasn’t long before she took out all the shards off his arm, carefully putting each of them over on a readied cloth. The bandage she used wasn’t really great, he was sure it had been used before just to be cleaned, but it looked clean enough. Besides he wouldn’t need it anyway, now with the shards gone it would be a minute before it healed.
When she finished she turned her gaze to him, two eyes illuminated by the fire, looking intently at him. he sighed ‘’No’’
She looked confused for a moment, tilting her head quizzically.
He sighed again, this time with a touch of frustration ‘’No, I won’t explain how I got them in there’’
She just shrugged ‘’I figured’’ she snorted before adding ‘’everyone has their secrets don’t they?’’
There was an uncomfortable silence between the two as they sat across. One that stretched over for what felt like hours.
A part of him wanted to talk to her, explain to her what he went through today. He couldn’t really tell for what reason however, it wasn't like they were friends. She was just his temporary master for the time. On top of that It wasn’t like he needed someone to vent to, he was fine just pushing these aside. ‘Though it would be nice’ he thought, to have someone to talk to other than his brother.
Before he was too lost in thought he looked over to her, to see her bending paper? He raised a brow as he looked at what she was doing closer. It was strange, she was bending the paper into a shape and then doing it some other way. Why was she even doing this? What was the point?
Somehow sensing his confusion she answered him ‘’It’s called origami’’ after one more bend she revealed a paper crown ‘’A friend once showed me how to make them’’ There was a smile on her lips as she said it.
He blinked before tilting his head quizzically. Before he could say anything however she reached out to him and placed the crown on his head. For a moment he looked at her dumbfounded as he couldn’t form any words. The crown just sat on his head as she withdrew to her side.
The smile on her lips grew as she no doubt was amused by his reaction. But for some reason instead of getting angry at the indignation, a smile formed in his lips too. It took them both a second before they both started to laugh. Unlike the last time her laugh was more cheery and felt more natural. As for him, his laughter wasn't as bright as her's but it didn't seem like it stopped her from laughing alongside him.
It took them a moment before they both calmed down enough, both looking at each other now with smiles of their own.
After calming down for a second he sighed. This was going to ruin the moment somewhat, but it somehow felt fine in that moment. ‘’I fought off a bunch of drunkards from harassing a lady’’ He pointed at his arm. ‘’This was their parting gift’’ There was a moment of relief that blossomed inside him as he got that out of his chest. It was a small thing that didn’t even really explain his nightly outings, just what happened to him today. However it felt nice to get it out his chest for once rather than sweeping it aside.
She for her part just listened to him without the ridicule his brother usually gave him. After a moment she just smiled ‘’Well, did you at least kick their asses?’’
He let out another laughter ‘’Bet your wooly butt, lambchops. None of those bozos will be doing that again’’ And there it was, another laughter from her. ‘How can someone have such a kind laugh and laugh more often?’ He thought for a second, well maybe she just didn’t have much reason to do so. Before he could let that feeling blossom he felt himself wrapped around by two arms.
He didn’t fight the arms, but nor did he answer in kind. Though he couldn’t stop one of his hands on stopping on her head to ruffle her wool. They stayed that way for a minute, neither side uttering a word as the flame that kept them company continued on. Time passed ever so slowly, but it felt comforting at that moment rather than awkward like the silence before.
Eventually she let go of him to look at him, there was still no contempt within those eyes, just acceptance and worry. Swallowing the guilt he continued to meet her eyes. He could understand her even without a word spoken.
He sighed ‘’I will be more careful’’ after a moment he added ‘’I promise’’
A smile formed in her lips again that stayed even when he moved away from the couch, now fully up he moved back to the window. He needed to go back to his ‘thing’. She didn’t stop her, she just looked on as he climbed out the window.
Before he left completely, without turning back he said ‘’Thanks Lambert’’ He didn’t know whether he thanked her for the medical aid or just comforting him. He didn’t really care either way, he also doubted she did either.
Now fully outside he took off the crown. It was a simple thing made of paper, but it was made well and with reason. He stashed it in his cloak before he went back into the night.
The closest I have come to tearing up was in Valiant Hearts: The great war honestly. I swear the ending just broke my heart.
Just some sketches I have been working on, I do not like how some of em turned out but really, it had been a long time since I had done any really drawing so I say it is fine... Ish.
Anyhow I was thinking of chess when I was making these and yes Narinder is the King while Lamb is the pawn. I thought it was fitting with how Narinder means "king of man" and how pawns are always underestimated until they reach the end of their journey.
Hi-hii :3
I was writing an essay and ine little thought crossed my mind. It is simple but...
While I was re-reading Two Becomes Five I actually thought of Lamb and Cats(Aym and Baal obviously) hanging out together. Maybe Aym and Baal would know more about current situation in the cult, see some of bright sides of it? Or maybe they could go on a little adventure? I'm not really sire what exactly they would do... I just wanted to see the three of them finally getting along so they could comfort each other ;v;
Firstly, as promised HAPPY BIRTHDAY! and sorry for being a little late on the story. My finals are a bit annoying and you know how it is, but yeah I hope you enjoy the story :)
What More?
Sunlight shimmering amidst the mountain tops, a visage so usual for him. A visage he became familiar with over the course of his long life, a life spent in the halls of their marble home atop the highest peaks.
After all of the years he has spent up here, he had little to complain about their home. Marble halls with followers all around, tending and attending as they came and went and that was that he liked it. In the lands rivaling the clouds, cold but never cold enough to freeze at least for him, the earth around never muddy to be miserable like the lands below.
It was simply a perfect place to live, an idea that most shared alongside his new and really only friend. The friend which was taking entirely too long preparing the picnic basket. Really, how could it even take this long? Also why was she even packing food for him and his brother? It was not like either of them really needed it.
Speaking of his brother, who at the moment was preoccupied looking over the skies from the window of their mutual friend's house.
Looking over the skies with a paw closed to shield his only working eye ‘’The sun is almost up lambchops, it's gonna get too warm in a bit, come on.’’
The ewe he was referring to gave him a roll of the eye before ‘’Aren’t we sheep supposed to rise with the sun, not you divine cats or whatever? Also why do you care if it’s gonna get warm?’’
His brother took only a moment to retort ‘’Ever had a picnic with the sun right above your head lambchops?’’ Without giving enough time for a reply ‘’it ain’t really pleasant.’’
He was sure Lambert would retort back with something, which his brother followed with one of his own. It would go on until they both would get tired of it, and as exciting as that sounded to watch, he decided to just focus on much more interesting things such as the cloudless skies.
Really though, it was slightly strange how clear the skies were for their home. It was an odd occurrence that for some odd reason bothered him, or perhaps what bothered him more was his brother’s insistence of going outside for a picnic today. He couldn’t stop the sigh that forced his way out of him as he gazed at his brother who was currently having an argument/shouting match with Lambert on what constitutes as ‘early hours’ or ‘the correct time to go on a picnic’ was. Really though, why was he so adamant about all this? Going out in the middle of summer for an activity that for all intents and purposes was meaningless to all of them. Lambert didn’t seem to care too deeply where they spent time as long as they were together, he didn’t really care about food so that only really left his brother. Just what pushed him into rousing him from his meditation that early in the morning and got Lambert to prepare for a day out with all the critters and lack of shelter or really any civilization was beyond him. Well there was a reason in mind but… He was almost sure he rose above that sort of childish thing, or really he hoped he moved on from that sort of thinking. He would ask to confirm all this but he looked too busy trying to hoist Lambert on the bookshelf, who for her part was doing a good job resisting him by holding onto his ears while shouting about how she didn’t wanna get stranded up there like last time.
As amusing as their antics were, he really wanted to get this over with as soon as possible so he could maybe salvage the rest of the day and perhaps get some meditation done. Hiding his smirk he made his way out of the door, without looking back ‘’Come on you two. We got things to do after we are done with all this’’ before either of them could retort he added ‘’We can just hunt a pigeon for Aym and you can just chow down on the grass’’ He didn’t bother to look back to see either of their incredulous faces before he made his way out. Most of the paths leading out of their home on the mountains were long and as would be expected, arduous. His brother’s chosen path was no different. Stepping over another sharp rock he wondered, why did he have to choose such a far away place instead of a rooftop or something? He would try to ask that alongside his previous question, if either of his companions would stop their bickering for a moment. ‘’Do I really have to carry you?’’ Came a voice from his brother. He was answered by Lambert who was still holding onto his ears, almost instantaneously ‘’Yes’’ Incredulous ‘’You have two functional legs on top of having hoofs, you should be fine climbing down a little bit’’ Ewe ever the retortful, lifted her left leg while pointing at it with her right arm ‘’Well I would be fine, if ‘someone’ didn’t hurt my hoof earlier’’ Rolling his eyes ‘’that isn’t even the right hoof and I already apologized.’’ Almost pleadingly ‘’So, please?’’ At his words Lambert took a moment to pause in thought, rubbing at her chin before suddenly ‘’No, you gotta carry me.’’ The groan his brother let out could have triggered an avalanche if it wasn’t for the fact that there was no snow at this time of year.
So it was, the three of them, well more like two of them walking along the path his brother set out for them. On a path to a place he didn’t understand why they needed to travel, under the burning sun, all the while wondering what his brother was going with all this. He almost wished their master would call them back for a full temple cleanup or something. Step after step, one over the other. It was slow as it was boring, just seeing the mountain pass grow narrow before widening a moment later. After a moment of thought, he wouldn’t call it boring, not really. It was just monotonous, cliffs leading to stacked stones to more cliffs. Trying to escape from the monotony he tried to focus on his brother and Lambert, maybe they had gone back to their shenanigans that didn’t fail to entertain him. Looking over to their side he saw something he was not really expecting, his brother was pointing at something off in the distance all the while Lambert was just sort of listening? She was still situated on his shoulders but that didn’t seem like it was bothering Aym all too well either. Speaking of his brother, he seemed happy if not at least just more interested than usual? His brother was one for brooding and complaining rather than smiles and laughter like now most of the time. In a way it seemed off, almost like seeing a congregation of priests not shouting over each other in their endless quest to find out which one of them could misinterpret their lord’s message the most. But even though it was odd, it was not unpleasant. His interest felt fresh… It almost reminded him of the back in the days. Shaking the odd decrepit memories away he focused on the sun that seemed like it was oblivion bent on trying to melt him away, all the while trying to ignore an ancient call of the past once so sweet.
*** Sheep wool is something that tends to be soft, perhaps even fluffy if you want to get sweet with it. And as for someone who had a friend who happens to be an ewe, who also happens to have been on top of his shoulders for the better part of a day he was starting to doubt the validity of that claim. Now, in order to break this great misconception he had many options. One, he could ask Lambchops what she thought. Which she would be just confirming the validity of the claim, but since she happens to be a sheep it didn’t seem like her input would be clear of bias.
Two, he could ask his brother who also happens to be friends with a sheep. Then again he would also be pretty biased considering his friendship and a lack of shoulders crushed under an ewe.
This only left him the third option, which is to pick a sheep who might or might not so happen to sit on him and yeet her into the soft grass. Thus testing the softness by comparing the two against one another all the while giving a well deserved comeuppance.
Needlessly to say, the bleat that came out of Lambchops would be worth all the piggyback rides she would demand of him in the near future.
while at it, why not just test how fluffy cat fur tends to be.
The moment he met the grass he knew he was right to choose this place, the grass so soft growing in a patch without any stone. Laying down on the even ground looking up to see the infinite clear blue skies unsullied by the clouds with the grand golden sun peeking just on the side. Closing his eyes and breathing in the fresh air slowly, he could feel peace but just in a moment course through his very being.
Though the peace was not meant for long as he was assaulted by a very aggravated ewe who didn’t seem to like his little test and decided that the best way to get revenge is through throwing herself on his chest before trying to pin him to the ground. He should be trying to stop the angry ball of fluff currently trying to choke him out but really after seeing her ruffled pelt, it was just too much for him to bear without laughing. Still trying to choke him out ‘’You ass! Do you know how much time it took to make up my fur?!’’ Fighting away the laughter ‘’About an hour’’ wiping away a tear ‘’the exact reason why we got here late’’ Incredulous ‘’That's why you throw me into the grass!’’ punching at his chest ‘’You jerk.’’ With the last of the laughter finally making its way out of him ‘’Nah, it was because your rump had gotten my shoulders all sore fluffy butt’’ With one last punch to the chest she moved away from him and begun to walk towards the grass around them, huffing and puffing all the way. It was his brother that spoke first ‘’You done it now’’ Arriving from the side before sitting down on the grass next to him. Calling out to where she was headed to ‘’Come on Lambchops no need to sulk, I was just horsing around’’ She was still moving away, not wanting to see her get lost in the tall grass he knew he had to go that route. With a groan before clearing his throat ‘’Alright I’m sorry Lambchops I’m such a meanie. really a Horrible no good friend and-’’ Stopping on her tracks ‘’Rude and a sore loser at table games'’ His brother butting in before he could refute the last claim which was just slander ‘’Terribly noisy on top of being rather silly’’ With another groan ‘’Alright you two, get it out of your systems all the while little ol’ me suffers this abuse’’ Closing his eyes before putting a paw on his unbeating heart, putting as much theatrics as he could to his fake cries. With a sigh the ewe turned back ‘’I am still angry and you are still a jerk’’
‘’Alright how about a trade’’ He continued as Lambert gave him a look that said keep going ‘’I will carry you back home too, where if you want you can continue to be mad at me, but for now we can just enjoy the picnic’’ It took her a moment, a moment that almost made him think he might need to offer few more trips to make up with her before she sighed again ‘’Fine, I guess I can look past your transgression until home’’ Giving her a smile he set out to take off the bag he was carrying, she sat down to do the same with her back as they set out their little picnic spot. His brother taking off the plates while he handled the picnic blanket, corner of his eyes he saw Lambert and the food she brought for them. He was still iffy on the whole eating food thing, but he knew arguing with Lambchops was futile. So here, they had a picnic. In the sight of the great ocean which was seen stretching across the horizon from one side to the other, with land of the old four encompassing that of their masters. The aerie but yet grand dark forest adding the dark green along the plains of west, to the swamps of Anura adding the hues of yellow on the east with their mysterious yet oddly welcoming splendor. His eye drifted across the land near the ocean after that as his sibling and Lambchops talked of faith and prayer, to the half land and sea of Anchordeep adding the aqua with a touch of turquoise and also its terrifying yet calming aura. All across this land and beneath the lands of Silk Cradle did his ‘home’ encompass, a land and ‘home’ that was all the land in between and perhaps one day even the ones all across the endless ocean. And there it was, the pang. One of guilt and shame with a spark of sadness and hope hidden within. The lands all around, grand and wide and duty called him here to this one he was so used to. Lost in the thought he almost didn’t hear his brother ‘’So Aym, why have thee brought us here?’’ Looking over he saw his brother, sitting down almost in meditation while he lay down with Lambchops somewhere in between. Raising a brow ‘’For the picnic?’’ Rolling his eyes ‘’Why did you pick here for it, that is what I ask brother’’
There it was, the moment he dreaded. He fought the groan as he tried to find a way out of this question that carried one too many traps and no good answers without lie ‘’Well I saw this place while taking a walk and thought your grumpy butt would appreciate going out for once.’’ The look from his brother told him that he didn’t really buy it ‘’I see’’ There was still a chance that this would end here and perhaps his brother could put a cork in it for once, but no luck ‘’I would ask why you are outside of our home but really, it feels like you are barely inside these days’’ The effect was almost instant as he felt the indignation rise within his words, but no. He would not have this conversation again, not here. Not when it should be just the three of them together. ‘’I mean, is it such a bad thing?’’ He almost felt his blood go cold at the words of their companion, oh no. He was gonna have this conversation here wasn’t he? ‘’You know, to just explore?’’ Almost adding more fuel to it now, he had to find a way to silence her before his brother started his tirade. Could he try throwing her again? No that would actually be mean. Maybe he could fake a stomach ache? No, that would be just dumb. Think damn it, think! ‘’Because there is no need for it Lambert’’ His brother spoke, with certainty only he and their master shared. He was facing her but really he knew who he was talking to ‘’There is no need because this is our home, everywhere else outside of our care’’ Before he could stop himself ‘’I wouldn’t be so sure’’ Damn him to oblivion, damn it all. He was doomed anyway. Why stop now? ‘’There is much to see and le-’’ ‘’What more-‘’ Breathing in deep before letting it out he waited for him to finish ‘’-do you even need? To see and learn brother of mine’’ ‘’Well I would like to see the ocean a little closer for once’’ Humour, that had to work. That had to at least get him not to say what he was surely going to say next. ‘’There are enough rivers with enough water brother.’’ with a sight so deep with a tinge of disappointment ‘’I thought master got rid of all this stupid ideas out of you back th-’’ In a moment a shout that reverberated across the mountain side ‘’Just because you wanna stay here forever like some damn critter in a cage doesn’t mean I wanna!’’ One much colder yet still a shout ‘’This is our home!’’ Now yet colder than the hardest winters of their ‘home’ ‘’I don’t think you remember how it was before all this.’’
In a moment his anger boiled and in a moment it all froze, like that of the river they found so long ago freezing that one winter ‘’Home? Is that what you see it like?’’ His voice but a whisper ‘’This prison?’’ His eye met his brothers, bearing nothing but contempt ‘’No brother, Home was with mother, and back then this whole land was our home. Not some old church on a mountain.’’ ‘’You know, it is not such a bad place’’ a voice meek but with purpose and conviction. She looked below, not meeting either of their eyes ‘’It’s not really a prison, at least not one without good within.’’ Before he could control himself ‘’And that good is?’’ She met his eyes in a moment ‘’You two for a start.’’ With a smile pained but not without warmth. Continuing with a tinge of fervor ‘’And the people are not too bad’’ looking over to the side ‘’yeah some of the priests are mean and some people are a bit zealous and perhaps misguided in their love of our Lord.’’ Her eyes met his once more ‘’But I still think there are still some good, there are priests that help feed the poor and teach the children how to pray and the people with smiles and love within.’’ taking a moment before continuing ‘’Then there is our Lord’’ He felt a moment of shame bubble within at the mention of their Master. Now looking to the horizon ‘’But, it is still beautiful out there too you know’’ Trying to meet her gaze to the infinite blue ‘’There are trees of tall, with birds of plenty dancing across the skies and on the fields’’ He saw plenty of those back then, fun chasing them around with a certain cat clad in white ‘’Rivers with ponds that stretch so far, with villages of sheep and goat’’ now almost ruefully ‘’There are many lamb and other with dreams so different to that of here’’ Now looking at his brother ‘’So I guess what I am saying is that, it is good outside too. It is worth it to see and learn’’ His brother didn’t match his eyes before a sigh ‘’I am sorry’’ It was but barely a whisper ‘’I shouldn’t have mentioned our past like that, to use that against you’’ slowly looking up to meet his eyes ‘’I shouldn’t judge you for wanting to leave even if I don’t really get why’’ Now it was his turn ‘’I am sorry too’’ It was hard making out the next words ‘’I don’t think it is a prison you know… It's just’’ a sigh before continuing ‘’It’s just so suffecting and the land outside so so damn beautiful’’
With a snort ‘’Yeah, I suppose the ocean is not so bad’’ As they sat in a more comfortable silence for a moment he smiled, Maybe the day didn’t need to be ruined just yet. Looking to meet the ewe that saved their picnic and really the whole day she saw her smile in full. A small laughter came from her lips before ‘’I believe my expert input to this discussion should be rewarded with an extra ride on your shoulders’’ He couldn’t stop the laughter that escaped him before going for a tackle hug on the ewe currently on the ground laughing alongside him and Baal ‘’You damn little ewe’’ trying to get the ewe to stop going for his ears he thought, ‘Maybe one day, maybe one day he would get to see the outside but today was fine here’