[13757] An Earnest Embrace [Caregivers p3]

The dark water had felt real. Almost too real. Pyrrah’s lungs burned as though he had truly been drowning again, gasping and clawing for air as he relived the memory. The familiar terror gripped him, making him thrash in the waters of the memory pool. Even after surfacing, the sensation lingered—a deep, shuddering chill embedded in his bones. His heart thudded in his chest, echoing the sounds of waves crashing and wind howling– all remnants of a storm long past.

Pyrrah struggled to ground himself back in the present, shaking droplets of water from his now heavy fur as he realized the memory had finally let him go. He felt an ache in his limbs, and as he pulled himself from the pool’s edge, he became aware of the silent figures surrounding him. Caregivers gathered nearby, their usually serene faces coated with empathy and quiet concern, watching him with eyes that brimmed with understanding.

One of the Caregivers stepped forward, inclining their head with a look of soft sorrow.

Caregiver Haedian~"You carry deep scars, Pyrrah-Vos. Let us offer some comfort, if you would allow it."

For a moment, Pyrrah tensed. He felt a surge of unease, a twisting in his gut at the thought of their pity. He didn’t like to feel weak or vulnerable, and for a long time, he had forced himself to move past the emptiness that the memory of that night left behind. But now, he wasn’t sure he had truly dealt with it at all. The Caregivers’ faces held no judgment, only a profound empathy, as though they knew the burden he carried without needing words to explain. Pyrrah let out a shaky breath, caught between his instinct to push them away and the desire to simply… Let go. Just for a moment.

Slowly, he nodded, not quite meeting their eyes.

Pyrrah-Vos~"Alright… I… Maybe I.. Could use a little help..."

Pyrrah gulped down, eyes squeezed shut. He wanted to leap into Zarumaal’s hold, hidden away from it all - but he couldn’t; not here. The Caregivers exchanged gentle, encouraging glances before gathering closer, forming a protective circle around him. Soft hands and warm pelts touched his shoulders and back, grounding him with their warmth. They hummed softly—a melody he didn’t know but one that felt like an ancient lullaby, something older than memory itself. The sound wrapped around him, easing his racing heart and calming his frayed nerves. They didn’t even need their magic, which stood as a testament to their titles.

He closed his eyes, allowing himself to lean into the circle of warmth. For the first time, he allowed himself to feel the weight of the memory, the terror of that endless fall, and the shrouded feeling of waking up without knowing anything that had come before. The fear he had carried alone began to feel lighter. Like it wasn’t just his to bear anymore.

When he finally opened his eyes, he saw the Caregivers watching him, their faces peaceful, yet somber. He didn’t know what to say, how to express what this meant to him. They seemed to understand, though, and simply offered him a nod, a hand on his shoulder, a silent promise of support whenever he needed it.

The air around him felt easier– clearer somehow, as though the memory he’d held in silence for so long had finally found release. For the first time, he felt that maybe, just maybe, he could let himself be at peace with the shadows of his past. One of the Caregivers met Pyrrah’s gaze, eyes filled with calm and unwavering compassion. They spoke in a gentle tone, attempting to set his lingering unease to rest.

Lead Caregiver~"Pyrrah-Vos, carrying such memories is no small burden– sharing them requires strength. Never be ashamed of what you have endured. Every shadow, every scar tells the story of your resilience. Every memory, good or ill, creates the tapestry of who you are and who you hope to become."

One of the others stepped forward, placing a hand softly on his shoulder, grounding him further with a quiet presence. They nodded, their gaze as warm and deep as the glow from the pool.

Caregiver~"We honour the courage it took to let us see this part of you. Know that, in revealing your story, you have not only lightened your own fears, but gained our respect and trust. We are bound closer by the strength you’ve shown."

Their words hung in the air, each one resonating as they acknowledged not only his past but the bravery it had taken to reveal it. Pyrrah swallowed again, feeling a mix of relief and something akin to gratitude wash over him. Perhaps a tinge of embarrassment. The weight of their understanding made him feel less alone in his struggle, and he could feel his instinct to retreat beginning to pass.

Lead Caregiver~"You are safe here, Pyrrah-Vos; among friends who honor you as you are—flaws and all. Trust is a gift freely given when we let others see what lies within, even the parts we may wish to hide."