All Lives Come To An End

Harlequin and Aerilyn were enjoying some of their rather uncommon down time, staying in his bakery home and just relaxing in the fall days before they were back to their adventurer life. They learned to take breaks when seasons were quieter, finding it a good point to not overwork themself as long as money was saved to make ends meet in the meantime. Monsters and quests would be sure to pop up by winter, as the former would start wandering as nature died and the latter became cold and was willing to shell out more to stay that little bit more warm.

That was when both got a message, strange unless an urgent call by their guild leader. Harlequin was closer, answering as he was placing the hot pan on the counter to cool. Phone tucked between his shoulder and ear as he closed the oven door and tossed off the oven mitts. Aerilyn was close enough to hear, ready to decide was it worth her while.

“What is it boss? Lynn and I sent along our messages that we were on break until it picked up.” He was formal, stating the obvious as he motioned for his sister to start to go get a cooling rack for the bread for dinner.

“I understand, but this is less for business. Are the two of you together currently?” Raising an eyebrow, he took the phone onto his hand now.

“Yes, if it’s business why did you call the both of us?”

“It’s about your parents, they--”

“Don’t, just...”

“Harlequin, please. You knew one day this would come.” Aerilyn paused, watching as Harlequin sighed and sat down on the counter, quiet for a moment as he thought. The guild leader at least let him have that.

“Did they take Mars with them?” He finally asked, now having Aerilyn’s full attention as she came over to listen more closely to the call.

“No, I have Marceau. They were worried it would be too cold for a newborn so they left him at the guild. When can you come get him?”

“Now, I’ll be right over.”

“See you soon.”

Now here he sat, twiddling his thumbs as he waited as patiently as he could in the chair. The dark skinned male forgot how nerve racking waiting for something could be. Flipping his tri-colored hair from his face, his swirl-like tail swayed as he looked to the door once more. He was the more patient of him and his younger sister, but he too was feeling that itch within him as he checked his phone once more as it buzzed. It was of course from his sister, who was sitting at their shared home and waiting incase there was a mix up in their messages. There would be only two places for the delivery, and a delivery was going to be made. They wanted to grieve, but the pair of siblings knew one day this day would come. They were just as reckless as their parents were, but learned to be more careful after a few close calls.

‘Anything?’ She asked. He couldn’t blame her but he was trying to be the older brother he was meant to be.

‘No, nothing at the guild.’ About to put his phone away he already got a response, one he couldn’t help but smile at but also agree with.

‘WHY NOT?’ He wondered the same thing, but he knew at the same time what the guild was doing wasn’t easy.

The leader contacted as soon as he knew, though Harlequin still cursed his parents for doing what they did. Recently having a child and deciding a few days was enough before they could go out again. It wasn’t money that drove them but the adventures themselves. Something inside of him boiled about it, but it was far too late to scold them for this, now all he could do was wait, wait and take care of his family.

“Harli, how are you holding up?” Head shooting up, he looked to the well built male with a well covered bundle in his arm. Eyes layers with bags under them, tired and serious as he made his way to the other. “I could have waited until you had things more sorted, it would have been alright.”

“No, it’s alright. How is he?” Fumbling to his feet, he was stopped as the guild leader waited for him to relax before kneeling down to let Harlequin look at the white furred little chicken who was snoozing away. Too young to even have markings, he was nothing more than a cotton ball with legs at this age. Going to grab the child, he was stopped as the leader looked him over.

“Harlequin, breathe.” Staring at the much older male, he closed his eyes for a moment.

He felt something just inside of him break, it hit him that things had changed. He was no longer just the older brother, Aerilyn was no longer just the older sister. They had their youngest siblings to care for, with no experience or want for a child anywhere close to their mind. Covering his face with his hands, he just wanted another chance to finger waggle at his parents. They were careless but loving, they adored them and went out of their way to meet up just so they could have those few more moments with their kids.

“I can’t, if I let it set in, who will keep it together to care for a child neither of us wanted? We will, because we adore him, but who?”

Silence followed, as a seldom nod was given as the small chick nightmare form was moved over. The guild leader wanted to help but they weren’t the only family, and definitely weren't the last he’d have to deal with when it came to lose. He knew they weren’t okay, but he hoped they’d be okay enough in the long run as Harlequin held his sibling closed.

“How long will you be needing off? To settle?”

“I don’t know...” Staring into the bundle in his arms, he kept rocking it as he thought. He had to change so many things now... and he wasn’t sure if he was ready for it. He didn’t have a choice though, so standing up he left. Home wouldn’t be much better but at least it was a comfortable place to muse in his thoughts.