Something Something Learn Fast or Die

Mother continued on, and Abyss’ attention was focused on her- sharp, as keen as a blade, but distant- as there was no trace of approval or disagreement in their expression. Only the desire to absorb all the information they could. For a moment, a beat of silence hangs in the air, Absinth’s ears tilting forward as she continued. Her voice took a sharper edge, but Abyss was unfazed by the intensity of her words.

They needed to recognize that when danger came for them, it would confront them in many forms. Friend, foe, stranger. There were no limits to facades that danger could use to hide itself. Abyss felt the impulse to shift their gaze to their siblings, as they wondered which of them would sacrifice them, if it came down to protecting their own lives. But instead, they kept their gaze on Mother, refocusing their thoughts. Their mind was tracing the path of each word, piecing it all together, and lingering on the phrase, the dead cannot learn. A reminder that each mistake would shape them. That unacknowledged threats were a wound waiting to happen- just as Mother said.

"Speech"