[audio]

[70ftandcounting]

Is...is it over?

[A soft, quiet noise. Not a whimper, not a cry - but maybe the tiniest of sniffles]

Is he gone?

[Bartimaeus was RIGHT.]

Comments

[drinkuntilidie.livejournal.com]

And I hated to let jah down.

[He sighs, then puts his good arm around her in a tight hug.]

I'll nevah snap at jah like dat evah again Sunshine. I promise.

[70ftandcounting]

[She hugs him back just as tightly.]

It's okay, Kevas -- I forgive you.

[drinkuntilidie.livejournal.com]

I know, but I needed to say it.

[Slowly he lets her go and cups her cheek in his hand.]

Joo be a good girliemon joo know dat? And joo make me proud.

[70ftandcounting]

[She brightens, smile widening if that's even possible.]

I--really? I do?

[drinkuntilidie.livejournal.com]

Joo do. Wish my own daughtah couldah grown into a girliemon like joo.

[Instead he chose to train her to be an assassin like himself. One of many bad choices in his life it seems.]

[70ftandcounting]

[Curious as she burrows into his hug.]

What...did she grow into?

[drinkuntilidie.livejournal.com]

[He just holds her there.]

She wanted to fight, like me, so I taught her. Wish I hadn't. Lost her in da end.

[70ftandcounting]

O-oh...

[Kind of flinches.]

I'm...I'm sorry...

[drinkuntilidie.livejournal.com]

Ain't joor fault. Shouldah looked aftah her bettah. Shouldah done bettah by her.

[She deserved so much more than what Kevas gave her.]

[70ftandcounting]

Oh, Kevas...

[She just hugs him -- because there aren't right words to say, really. At least, not ones she knows. She doesn't have enough real world experience for situations like this.]

[drinkuntilidie.livejournal.com]

[He doesn't expect an answer from her or anyone. It doesn't matter how much experience one has, it's never enough to talk someone through the loss of a daughter. Only time heals that wound, and even then no t completely.

Kevas continues to hold her, silent for only a moment.]

It be okay. Dere ain't be a day dat goes by where I don't love her, and I know she be out dere somewhere, waitin' fuh me, and I'll find her.

[70ftandcounting]

[She nods, and gives him a little kiss on the cheek before letting go.]

I think...I think love can cross any boundary. I bet she knows.

[drinkuntilidie.livejournal.com]

[Kevas chuckles softly and ruffles her hair.]

Joo know I t'ink joo be right.

[70ftandcounting]

Really?

[She beams at him, eyes wide and a little more cheerful than they were a few moments ago.]

[drinkuntilidie.livejournal.com]

Really really.

[That's much better. She doesn't need to be sad over what happened to him. He doesn't want to either. As secular as he is he really does like to believe Willow and the others he lost are out there waiting for him.]

Nevah change who joo are Sunshine. When joo get oldah joo gonna do a lotta good fuh a lotta people.

[70ftandcounting]

I wont.

[She smiles at him and gives him a hug.]

I promise.

[drinkuntilidie.livejournal.com]

[Kevas hugs her again and kisses the top of her forehead.]

Dat be my girliemon.