Leaving the Den
Ava makes their first steps to the outside world, their Mother seeing them off.
Author's Notes
A tiny one shot of Avagisa about to depart from home to undo the curse on their family.
“…So you’re really leaving.”
Ava hadn’t even stepped outside the threshold, they knew this would happen but they hoped their family would’ve been asleep, yet it seemed someone was one step ahead. Turning around, Ava faces their mother quietly. After a minute or so, they answer.
“I am.” A faint smile appears on their lips, “worry not mother, I shall return.”
“Is this really necessary?” Ava watches their mother’s mouth draw into a line, frowning lightly. “Whatever Evil you’ve unearthed, it may never bring you back to me.”
“I know…” Ava quietly replies, “and yet, it may help our family, we might even be normal for once, as we should’ve been.”
Ava watches their mother gently sigh, watching her approach and draws her child into a hug. Ava reciprocate the gesture, burying their head deep into her bosom. It was warm, smelling of pine and freshly baked bread– Ava etches this memory deep to not forget.
“Perhaps we aren’t normal, by humans means, however we’re still able to live freely.” Her mother answers. “Without being bound to society’s standards, it’s a grueling process you know?”
“Mm, I understand, I’ll keep away from the human villages.” Ava replies, drawing in they breath, then they begins to sigh, “Tell Agnise I’m sorry I couldn’t help her tomorrow with the chores. And tell Henkel I’m sorry I couldn’t teach him how to sew his clothes right and that he shouldn’t ask Linhart because he’s too sloppy.” This earns a chuckle from their mother, which helps ease the growing anxiety over even leaving home in the first place.
“Gele and Francesia were so eager to learn how to learn how to paint too. Please apologize to them for me. Oh…and tell Father, that… I want to contribute to this family, that even though I’m gone it doesn’t mean I ha-”
“There, there, sweetheart.” Their mother coos, running her fingers through their red locks; it was comforting. “You have my word, I shall tell him when he wakes.” She pulls away from Ava, then leads her to the doorway once more. “Keep your memories of us close to heart, and be careful, you hear?”
“Of course mother, may God bring me back safely.” Ava replies, dipping down and shifting into their other form, the cursed form, making their way out of the wood and disappears shortly afterward.
Her mother then closes the door over, then moves across the parlor to prepare for today.