(no subject)

[smallestopener]

Ingress runs into the barn, eager to see Susan. Tom and Door had told her that Susan had something important to talk to her about. She couldn't wait to find out. She thought perhaps it was something about a new horse in the stable. But she wasn't sure.

"Hello Susan!"

She gives Susan a big hug.

Comments

[sai_delgado]

She hugs Ingress back, and if her eyes are a little overbright when she stands once more, what of it?

"Hey, Ingress. Sai Tom." Formally, a little. "I'm well enough, say true -- and ye, and yers?"

[smallestopener]

Ingress looks around the stable.

"Is there a new horse? Or a unicorn? Tom said you had something to tell me."

Tom looks down a moment, and then meets Susan's eyes. he wears a gentle expression.

[sai_delgado]

For one horrible moment she can't remember how long it's been since Ingress were last in the stables -- was Binky new-come? Was Liaffen?

But neither of those are the reason, say true, and Susan sighs. Her voice is very gentle when she says,

"Aye, I do -- and it's very important for ye to hear it, dear." She crouches down by the little girl, focusing on her now and not her father standing near.

"Do'ee remember when I told thee about the clearing?"

[smallestopener]

"Uh huh. I remember."

She stops looking around. Her focus is now on Susan.

"Why?"

[sai_delgado]

It doesn't get easier to say it, no matter how many times she does. Somehow, she'd thought it might.

Susan takes a deep breath and says softly,

"Because I'm-- it's time for me to go there, Ingress."

[smallestopener]

Ingress thinks a moment.

"And then you'll come back. Like Meg did."

[sai_delgado]

She shakes her head, not looking away from Ingress.

"Nay, dear. I-- I won't come back. It's not-- not like with Meg."

(the peace of the clearing)

"I'm-- we're-- we're moving on."

[smallestopener]

"But why?"

She steps back and takes Tom's hand. She can't say why; she just needs him all of a sudden.

"Can we come visit?"

[sai_delgado]

"Because--"

Because time is a face on the water, and it moves on, as do they. Because ka is cruel, and endings are heartless. Because they're weary and tired and weighed down with burdens. Because if they don't, they'll wither and fade into the vagrant dead, lost and forgotten.

For all of these reasons, and mayhap more that she doesn't know, and yet none of it seems enough when confronted with a child who's already seen so much loss in her short life. Susan's voice is a little choked when she shakes her head and says,

"Because it's time, and we have to go. We have to leave, Ingress. Say sorry, I do."

"And-- and ye can't visit, not to the clearing -- ye'll see us again, when it's time--" A helpless glance to Tom, and then she looks back at the little girl.

"But that won't be for years yet, I wot." Please, Susan thinks, let it be years. Let her live to grow up and grow old.

[smallestopener]

She doesn't understand, not really. Time is face on a water, to a 6 year old it is a face that is unclear and untouchable.

"But you can't go away. Who will take care of the horses?"

[sai_delgado]

"Caspian will, and others to help him."

Still gentle, but firm.

[smallestopener]

"But I don't want you to go."

[young_tmriddle]

Tom is down on his knees beside his little girl now, his arms open to her.

"Sweetheart, I know you don't want Susan to go, but sometimes people have to. When Susan leaves, we'll all be sad, but we'll remember and that will make it easier."

[smallestopener]

Before Megwyn came into the life, Ingress had been prone to many temper tantrums as would befit a child her age. She rarely had them now but as she jerked away from Tom it was apparent she was beginning one now.

"I don't care. I don't want Caspian to take care of the horses. I want Susan to. I don't want to be sad."

[sai_delgado]

She cannot stop her wince, but her gentle tone doesn't change.

"Say sorry, Ingress. I'd not have hurt thee, never in life, were there another way."

[smallestopener]

"But why isn't there another way? you are a grown up. You can do what you want. Cuthbert will miss you if you go so you can't go!"

Temper tantrums result from strong emotion. Ingress is not angry, but she's sad and scared.

[young_tmriddle]

"Ingress, that's enough."

Tom has seen plenty of temper tantrums. He doesn't flail like he used to.

[sai_delgado]

"Ingress."

On the heels of Tom's firm statement comes Susan's answer.

"Not even grownups get to do what they want all the time, do'ee kennit? It's ka, and the clearing calling, and I have to go."

A soft breath, and softer words.

"'Bert too. And Alain, and Sheemie."

[smallestopener]

Ingress blinks as tears come to her eyes. She looks to Tom, and then back to Susan.

"It's not fair. IT'S NOT FAIR!"

She doesn't want to her friends to leave.

"I don't want you to go and I don't want to miss you!"

Suddenly it's too much for the little girl. She runs out stable doors and back to the House of Arch./a>.

[sai_delgado]

She sighs, bone weary, and stands to face Tom.

(it's not fair)

"Say sorry." It's helpless, but it's all she has to offer.

[young_tmriddle]

Tom watches Ingress; he can tell she's going straight back home, probably to find Door.

He goes to Susan and and places a hand on her shoulder. He's always been rather tentative around her as he always seems to say the wrong things. He tries to say the right things this time.

"There's no need for apologies. She's upset, is all. More than I thought she'd be, to tell you the truth. We'll talk to her."

[sai_delgado]

"It'll help, that she has thee," Susan tells him, turning to look at him with misery clear in her eyes.

"I-- it's hard."

For all of them, mayhap.

[young_tmriddle]

He pats her shoulder carefully.

"I know. I wish it could be easier."

Tom can't imagine how difficult these goodbyes must be.

"I should go to her, make sure she got home."

[sai_delgado]

"Aye-- thee should, Tom. She'll need her da'."

(oh, da' how I do miss thee)

"Go on, then." She tries for a smile, and almost makes it. "Go yer way in peace."

[young_tmriddle]

"Take care, Susan. I wish you well. I wish all of you well."

He nods to her and returns the way he came.