I'm Calling

Hati didn't back away, didn't let go of his sister as he just reveled in the simple joy of just touching someone who didn't hate him, wasn't out for his blood, wasn't fighting him. Her words sounded happier now, but of course he had to have ruined that too, and his question drew her back into her sadness. Hati felt his chest clench painfully, that he would hurt even her. He held himself still, though, and silent, just listening as she spoke. Spoke of missing their siblings, of wanting them to be a real family. To be... happy. He fought to suppress the jealous rage that flared in him toward his siblings. They were good-hearted, most of them, gentler and without his tainted soul; they would be better for Akemi than he would, and his own selfish nature reared it's head in fury at the thought. He stood with bated breath, choked into non-responsiveness by the rage, until Akemi's voice cracked with grief and emotion, and Hati's heart broke into a million pieces for her.

His hug turned fiercely protective, then, but she was pulling away and he had to force himself to let her go. She spoke of joining a pack, and he felt that same familiar, confusing pain in his chest knowing that she was finding her own way without him. She would come to hate him as their siblings did, no doubt, enfolded into the warmth of a real family as she realized the darkness that he hid inside was not to be trusted, unloved and unlovable in his evil. There was an expectant silence, and Hati knew he must fill it at last. His rusty voice grated into it. "Akemi, I don't want you to give up your chance to live a good life." Though every selfish bit of him was screaming that yes, yes he did want her to give it up! Give it up, stay with him, don't leave him alone with his memories and pain. "You have a lot of potential. Maybe most out of any of us. Besides, it ain't like we can't still meet up, right?"

More words out of Hati than he usually spoke at one time, but Hati felt like it wasn't enough. Not for Akemi. So he spoke again, rough voice tumbling out like the words were tripping in their haste, trying to inject a casual optimism he did not, never could truly feel. "You know Loki and Weth can take care of themselves, it's what they do best. And Baldur and Thor, they look after each other. So you got nothing to worry about. And you're a tough kid, I got no doubt you'll do great in your new pack. Everything'll be... it'll be great."


"Speech"

the sins of our father, the sins of our young