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[Athlon]

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Athlon chose his words carefully, "Brudder, I don't like bein' away from you, but I can't stand stayin' home all the time. When will you come out with me again? You can't stay home forever. Bad nuff Rella has to! But you can walk and talk, Ariz, you gist can't see. But you hears real good. Come with me, let's go find some fun."

"Atlawn, I want to, but I am scared. Mama keeps the floors clear and I can count the steps to get around here. You an Rella are helping me to learn to feel where things are. But walking out there? And I can't see where people are, WHO they are. I better stay home", Auris replied with a heavy sigh. "You go on without me this time."

"Fine! Be that way! But you better get Da or someone to get you out of here `fore you scare youself into becomin' a hermit!", Athlon shouted behind him as he headed out the kitchen door.

Auris spent the rest of the day working hard. His twins words had gotten to him in a way no one else had been able to. His body had healed but his sight had yet to return. Arella lay on the rug and made an apple roll to him. Each time he concentrated on hearing the slight sound it made to catch it before it hit his body, then roll it back towards her. He had gotten fairly good at the task when he heard his fathers boots on the stairs. "Papa?" Isk smiled, "Yes son, it's me." Auris smiled and made his way over to climb into his father's lap. Each discussed their day, Isk praising him on his hard work with the apple.

When Auris finally asked to be taken out, Isk was more than happy to oblige him. Auris asking repeatedly if he was sufficiently covered. Isk reassured him and took him to Magincia, leading him by the arm around the isle. Auris enjoying the familiar smells and finding he could differentiate between them much better.
Isk asking him a few times if he knew where in town they were. The child able to figure it out rather well, having grown up playing in Magincia.

After a walk on the docks Auris had one more request. "Papa, would you take me to Mister Poet's Garden?
I have to go back sometime and I want to face my fears with you with me." Isk was grateful he did not have to hide his eyes from the child. The emotion of feeling so important to the lad, and being so proud of him at the same time, overwhelming. Isk guided Auris' finger to the right button in his travel book.

For the first time in the excursion Auris panicked when he reached the Garden and he was alone for a few moments. He could hear voices but not his father's. Holding his hands out in front of him and sliding his feet on the ground as he called out, "Papa! Papa!" Isk arriving only moments later, called out calmly, "I am here, son, right behind you". Auris turned and reached for his arm asking with a quivering voice, "Who is here? Are they skullies?" Isk told him it was only Lady Lia and a few friends of hers and led him upstairs, assuring him the Ebon Skull members were no where in sight.

They found the tavern empty, which seemed to suit the pair just fine. Auris tried to get accustomed to the feel of things again. Isk telling him of minor changes that had been made in the decor. In a short time a stranger arrived, followed not long after by Mallory and a few friends. Auris asking his father nervously each time he heard the teleporter announce the arrival of another, "Who is that?" When he heard his friend Mallory was there he called out to her, but she did not respond. Isk told him that Mallory appeared to be a bit injured but her friends were taking care of her and it was time to go home.

As he lay in bed that night Auris wondered, "Had Mallory not spoken because she couldn't? Maybe she did not recognize me? I bet I look strange. Maybe I scared her." At the end of his long day, thanks to the well placed words of his brother, and the loving security of his father's hand, he had faced his fears, but would he ever feel safe again, roaming freely as Athlon did?
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One day Papa will make us fancy pictures for our posts too *pouts*