Princeling

Maybe he was a bit too clever for anyone's liking. He puffed out almost defiantly before deflating. "I'm sorry, Mama!" He almost wailed, his plan backfiring. Imp rushed at his mother, wrapping his tiny paws around her muzzle and face. He didn't want to upset her. He wanted to make her happy! "I know...! Kali is gone...! I thought... you'd wanna visit her. I wanted to visit her. Put something there. Even if we can't talk to her, like... can't she hear us?" He wiggled his bottom lip a bit.

"What if you and Papa went away? Would you be able to hear us if we talked to you?" Death was a natural thing, but the thought of an afterlife was new and scary to Imp. His voice almost rose before he forgot himself. He was a prince, damn it! He... He shouldn't cry like a little puppy! Even if he was one. "I don't want Kali to be alone" he added, a few watery tears protesting but clear as day in his eyes "I don't want Mama to feel alone either!"

Because he was here, right? He was here. She could talk to him!

"he speaks"