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Leana, in the corner with Nathair, pulled back just enough to look at Nathair’s face, tears still in her eyes. “You don’t have to stay a snake.”

–

Ohel glowered when Alessio tried to shield him from these people and cover his words. If those words were disrespectful, yeah, I meant them. Ohel was about to shove Alessio away but the boy already fluttered on. *Original child Ohel would never have shoved anybody, and might… have acted more like Alessio just had, honestly*

Nithel’s heart warmed as Alessio hid under an arm, but also ached. The seriousness of everything started crashing back down on him. Nithel squeezed Alessio close, and almost smiled when the boy fingered his hair, almost. Is it really that interesting? He remembered his babies, his wife… *memories* Nithel glanced toward Leana, to make sure she was alright, before looking back down at Alessio. Love burned in his heart. But… also pain. So many unknowns.

“Do you know where my parents are?” The child Nithel had dragged into the pool whispered, shy. “Is that a spider?” He pointed at the floor at a strange fuzzy black dot with legs everywhere, face sparking with curiousity.

Nithel’s nose flared with disgust, but his shoulders eased when the woman stomped on it. But. It just. Came back to life. Chills ran up Nithel’s arms. Alessio pulled away from him, and started toward it. Nithel stuttered, as he was tugged along behind. No. Nithel crawled, not wanting to attempt walking, yet… and gave marginal resistance.

“Can I keep him?” The child who first noticed the spider.

No. Nithel’s eyes widened, then narrowed. He looked at the boy incredulously. Why-?! Alessio looked back at Nithel, eyes glowing with excitment. Somehow, Nithel’s eyes widened even more. WHAT?

“What is it?” Alessio blurted “What’s it eat? Can I hold it?”

NO. Nithel still struggled to make his tongue do what he told it to.

“No. And it doesn’t matter!” Ohel squeak-growled and desperately scrambled for a large book. You’re just a bunch of children… “It could be poisonous and kill us.”

Nithel shook his head, holding up the hand Alessio wasn’t clutching, and staring pointedly at younger Ohel. “But if you smash it, it may just come back again. Larger.” Perhaps we should drop it out the window. Or drown it. 

And please, He gave Alessio and the other boy an equally if not more-pointed look, whisper-hissing. “Do not test that.” Having a son, he knew- Having a son. He pressed his eyes closed, but a moment, before looking at the two boys again. Please. “Don’t.”

———-

@this-is-not-an-alien @hannahrenner @ragnarok