Damaged Oddity

His eyes flashed with surprise at her touch, his body stiffening before he made a conscious effort to relax. It took a moment for him to find the words he wanted to say. “I...I fought,” he managed, his voice a hoarse whisper. "Yet... I was scared- I was weak." His green eyes flickered to meet hers, searching for answers within their emerald depths. "That badger...it was so much stronger than me. I had to fight...and fight hard. I didn’t think I would win.” He fell silent for a few moments, looking away from Absinth as the admission settled between them. His nails dug into the soft earth beneath him, his small form shaking slightly.

Finally, he looked back up at her, his green eyes welling up. “He said you failed me because I didn’t know who he was.” Which wasn’t the truth. His mother hadn’t failed him, and he felt anger bubbling in his chest at the recollection of the memory. “I told him you and dad taught us respect is earned not demanded,” Xairo recounted fiercely, but his done didn’t last for long. His next words weren’t much more than a whisper. “He said I would earn my life then.” A stubborn determination hardened his features, his small form tensed as if ready to fight again. His gaze dropped to his paws, the recent battle replaying in his mind's eye. “I think Sultan hates me … I think he wanted me to lose.” He shuddered, and despite his efforts to stay strong, his voice wobbled slightly, betraying the fear that still lingered.

"Xairo Saxe"