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In the real North, it was not unheard of for a widower to take a new wife
rather quickly for logistical reasons. He could not sustain the rest of the
family without help, even with older children. Gia thought that Ronan was
giving her a gift when he took her and her child in, but she was giving him
just as much back. She didn’t just stay for one day and do a few chores. She
made a meaningful contribution to that day’s needs, and the next day, she
did it again. In only a few weeks, it made sense for them to make it
official. They would not have done it in the outside world, but marriage was
expected of them here. The NPCs would not have liked it any other way. The
marriage was quick and simple, but they danced, they drank, and they were
merry. That was not exactly how it would have been done back on Earth, but
it’s the way it has to be. Neither of them has any extended family. They
could have signed up for that scenario, but chose a different lifestyle so
they wouldn’t have to rely on anyone else, or too much infrastructure.
They are the founders of a brand new clan, or at least that’s what they hope. They
don’t know what’s going to happen in the future, but it’s the plan. Ronan
was originally going to do this with Mayumi, but that doesn’t mean things
have to change. Gia is a wonderful woman, and since the small wedding, he
has grown to love her too. Is it as much as his love for Mayumi? Who’s to
say? But it’s real. Ronan loves Isavet as well, and Gia loves Vith and
little Talus. They have become great siblings together. They can be wild and
mischievous, but Ronan knows that they would never do anything bad. Talus is
old enough now that he should be getting some of his memories back. He
should be starting to become who he always was.
Ronan hasn’t been pushing him. He’s just letting Talus be a kid. It’s a
very delicate situation, the way his brain is right now. He could start to
be very confused with the cognitive dissonance of growing up on a spaceship
originally, and also growing up in a world where they could never even dream
of such wondrous technologies. Maybe this was a bad idea. Maybe it’s the
least ethical decision they ever could have made. No. They talked about it a
lot, and it can’t be undone anyway. If the original Talus is gone, and this
new Talus is a completely different person, then that’s going to be okay.
He’s still a very good boy, and that’s what matters. It’s what he wanted for
himself; a new life.
Gia is in the house now with Isavet. Ronan believes that they are washing
clothes. Talus is nowhere to be found, but that’s not unheard of. It’s not
entirely out of character for how Talus was before, but it’s not entirely
like him either. Young Talus does this all the time. He always comes back
home safe and sound. They let him do whatever he feels he needs to. The
world is dangerous, but it will make him a man to learn to be self-reliant.
He is allowed to exert as much independence as he feels he must. But it’s
been a couple days longer than usual, and Ronan and Vith are worried.
They’re walking through the woods, following the signs Talus has made. Vith
kneels down, and carefully moves some leaves out of the way. “Blood,” he
whispers.
Now Ronan is very worried. They follow this new trail until they come across
an alcove. It’s a horrific scene. They see cave drawings on the wall, which
depict violent acts from stick figures, but it is all drawn in blood. Ronan
reaches up towards one, but doesn’t touch it. “The lines are too narrow to
have been made by a grown man’s fingers.”
“The rabbits, father,” they hear Talus’ voice behind them. “There is
something wrong with them. They don’t squeal, and they don’t have any
hearts.”
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