(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

[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.