Finding A Way|Second Hope, Firegem Isles
Nov 22, 2009 17:03:34 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2009 17:03:34 GMT -5
Erika had been quiet all through breakfast, eating her breakfast slowly and looking rather pensive. Locke finally put his coffee down and scratched behind her ears, coaxing a reluctant purr from her. "What's wrong, sweet?" he inquired.
The Mind-cat looked at her food. ~Locke, are children s'posed to do everything their parents say?~
The scholar was surprised. "No," he said, shaking his head. "If children did that, they wouldn't be able to grow as people, or be happier. If I had done what my family asked, I'd be an archivist in Thuoth's temple in Mentis, and I'd never have met you, or gained as much world experience as I have. I'd be a scatterbrained person who always longed to see the outside world, but stayed in order to please everyone." He scratched under Erika's chin.
~But it's not good to make parents unhappy, is it?~ Erika persisted, stretching her neck so her person had a better reach.
"No, it's not always a good thing," Locke agreed. "But part of a parent's job is to know when to stop imposing their wishes on their children and let them go while still loving them. Why are you asking this?"
~Mama visited me last night. She's not happy with how I'm helping you perform, or how I'm treating you. She says I have to be more serious and dignified and subtle.~
"Last night?"
~It was Spirit Night.~
"Ohhh." Locke had forgotten that time was coming; he'd lost track of the days. "Well, if you're that worried about pleasing Faith, then you should try to think of a compromise." He picked Erika up and cuddled her against his chest. "But I do hope you don't become too serious. You're a very sweet, fun girl, and you make me smile when you perform with me, or sit in my lap and just purr; sometimes you even make me happy when you get sassy and talk back. I like your charisma and adventurous spirit, and I think you're brave to have traveled so much with me. I think Faith did a fine job of raising you."
Erika closed her eyes and pressed her head against Locke's chin. ~What if I can't find a compromise?~
"Do you really want to?"
~I think so.~
"Then we'll think of something together, if you decide you really do want to. In the meantime, we can skip a couple of performances, I think. That should placate Faith a little."
~I knew you'd be the right person to talk to.~ Erika purred a little louder. ~You may be foolish sometimes, but I picked the right guy.~
Locke smiled, turning his head so his cheek rubbed against his cat's forehead. "Choosing me is one of the best things you ever did, and I'm thankful."
~You're welcome.~ Erika gave a kitty grin. ~So now that I'm here, what're your other two wishes?~
Locke cracked up.
The Mind-cat looked at her food. ~Locke, are children s'posed to do everything their parents say?~
The scholar was surprised. "No," he said, shaking his head. "If children did that, they wouldn't be able to grow as people, or be happier. If I had done what my family asked, I'd be an archivist in Thuoth's temple in Mentis, and I'd never have met you, or gained as much world experience as I have. I'd be a scatterbrained person who always longed to see the outside world, but stayed in order to please everyone." He scratched under Erika's chin.
~But it's not good to make parents unhappy, is it?~ Erika persisted, stretching her neck so her person had a better reach.
"No, it's not always a good thing," Locke agreed. "But part of a parent's job is to know when to stop imposing their wishes on their children and let them go while still loving them. Why are you asking this?"
~Mama visited me last night. She's not happy with how I'm helping you perform, or how I'm treating you. She says I have to be more serious and dignified and subtle.~
"Last night?"
~It was Spirit Night.~
"Ohhh." Locke had forgotten that time was coming; he'd lost track of the days. "Well, if you're that worried about pleasing Faith, then you should try to think of a compromise." He picked Erika up and cuddled her against his chest. "But I do hope you don't become too serious. You're a very sweet, fun girl, and you make me smile when you perform with me, or sit in my lap and just purr; sometimes you even make me happy when you get sassy and talk back. I like your charisma and adventurous spirit, and I think you're brave to have traveled so much with me. I think Faith did a fine job of raising you."
Erika closed her eyes and pressed her head against Locke's chin. ~What if I can't find a compromise?~
"Do you really want to?"
~I think so.~
"Then we'll think of something together, if you decide you really do want to. In the meantime, we can skip a couple of performances, I think. That should placate Faith a little."
~I knew you'd be the right person to talk to.~ Erika purred a little louder. ~You may be foolish sometimes, but I picked the right guy.~
Locke smiled, turning his head so his cheek rubbed against his cat's forehead. "Choosing me is one of the best things you ever did, and I'm thankful."
~You're welcome.~ Erika gave a kitty grin. ~So now that I'm here, what're your other two wishes?~
Locke cracked up.