Post by Cosette de Manon on Jan 25, 2011 20:56:09 GMT -5
As Pierre brought Michel, my horse, out into the front yard for me to mount when I was ready, my family stood assembled, minus my brother. I shook my head; he was always off somewhere. Like as not, I'd receive a letter from him sooner or later apologizing for not being there when I left for the City of Elua. I handed my bag to Pierre and ruffled his hair, making the lad blush as he attached my bag to Michel's saddle. My parents were standing off to the side, Papa with his arm around Mama, who was sniffling. I knew they would want me to go, and that they were proud of me, but they would miss me, as I would miss them.
Papa was the first to step forward. "Be safe now, child," he said gruffly as he hugged me hard. I smiled, knowing he wasn't one to show affection openly but he showed it in ways he could. This was one of those ways. "I will, Papa," I said solemnly. I kissed his rough cheek and he kissed mine in return, and squeezed once more before stepping back.
Mama rushed forward and gathered me in her arms. "Oh Coco, little bird, we will miss you so very much around here, it will be so quiet without your singing and your sunny smile will no longer warm us!" Mama blubbered onto my shoulder. I smiled and hugged her tighter, letting her get it all out. I caught Papa's eye and he smiled, knowing this would happen. For all that Mama wanted me to go, I was still her and Papa's little girl.
"It's all right, Mama," I spoke in my soft, quiet voice. "I'll come back to visit, and maybe you can come to the City to visit me. I would love to see you." I hugged her closely once more and kissed her cheek, wiping my mouth with my hand to dry it from the tears. Shaking my head and smiling fondly, I turned and mounted Michel and, with a wave, I was off to the City of Elua; a dagger in my boot, coin in my purse, and a dream in my heart.
Papa was the first to step forward. "Be safe now, child," he said gruffly as he hugged me hard. I smiled, knowing he wasn't one to show affection openly but he showed it in ways he could. This was one of those ways. "I will, Papa," I said solemnly. I kissed his rough cheek and he kissed mine in return, and squeezed once more before stepping back.
Mama rushed forward and gathered me in her arms. "Oh Coco, little bird, we will miss you so very much around here, it will be so quiet without your singing and your sunny smile will no longer warm us!" Mama blubbered onto my shoulder. I smiled and hugged her tighter, letting her get it all out. I caught Papa's eye and he smiled, knowing this would happen. For all that Mama wanted me to go, I was still her and Papa's little girl.
"It's all right, Mama," I spoke in my soft, quiet voice. "I'll come back to visit, and maybe you can come to the City to visit me. I would love to see you." I hugged her closely once more and kissed her cheek, wiping my mouth with my hand to dry it from the tears. Shaking my head and smiling fondly, I turned and mounted Michel and, with a wave, I was off to the City of Elua; a dagger in my boot, coin in my purse, and a dream in my heart.