Homeless forever, probably.

[qaunak]

It's alright, mun. I know there aren't many places out there for someone like me.

But I appreciate the chance at being able to see my sons again. I miss them both, Noatak especially... I thank you for this chance to see who they've become.

Comments

[qaunak]

Noatak...? [She steps closer, light coming into her eyes at last.] You're alive. Oh spirits, you're... oh, Noatak-! [She holds out her arms. She can deal with the reprecussions of the mask on the floor later. Come here and let her hold you.]

[amonfire]

[ Words left him; to suddenly feel his long since abandoned mother embrace him as if their estrangement never happened. There's a knot tightening in his chest that isn't from her arms squeezed around him. ]

You're not...you're not angry. I don't understand, after all this time?

[qaunak]

I'm... disappointed in your choices, Noatak. But so grateful you're here, and I can speak to you again. So I can [she swallows back tears] so I can apologize. I should have see through what was going on, with your father... I'm so sorry, Noatak. I'm so, so sorry. [Now she is crying, guilt pouring through her.]

[amonfire]

Mother, please -- mom [ Here he was a man of forty consoling his mother who cried for his mistakes close to breaking down himself. ] That was a boy's anger; whatever he did to us, your sons, was never your fault. I should have seen that all those years go.

[ That one heated decision that drove him out into the world at fourteen was a lifetime ago, but the affect of what he had wrought still so plain on his mother's bereft face. He wiped his mother's tears while ignoring his own falling down his cheeks. How many times before now had he gone to her for such security? ]

Please. Forgive me.

[qaunak]

There's nothing to forgive. You made your mistakes because I didn't stop your father soon enough. I was the one who destroyed this family, by letting all of this happen... [She can't stop the tears from falling, shoulders slumped. Her son has grown up to be a handsome, strong man, one who she barely recognizes, but he grew into that despite her, not because of it.] I'm the one who should ask you for forgiveness. Noatak... I never meant for any of this to happen!

you ever just feel like someone punched you in the chest?

[amonfire]

No. The three of us would have faired better if we had stayed together. [ He gripped his mother tight; shoring up his resolve when he knew breaking down in front of her was the last thing the poor woman needed. She needed her son strong. ] My regrets are many, but their roots run deep and most fall on the shoulders of the tyrant who played the husband where you could see. Blaming you now is unjust and there is nothing for me to forgive.

I'm done running; all I wish is to be the son I robbed from you all those years ago.

I am like this close to crying, you have no idea.

[qaunak]

Then... are you coming home, Noatak? [She manages a smile, even if it's not her strongest one.] I want you to come back. We can start over. Things won't be the same, but I can try. I promise I'll do better, and we'll be a real family again. Everything will be how it was supposed to be.

what's this "close to" shit? My face is raining.

[amonfire]

[ Noatak relents and pulls away with his hands anchored to his mother's thin shoulders that carried a burden should have never been forced upon her. ]

It will be just like the good old days, and better besides.

...okay, mine is too. I admit it. WHY DID I MAKE THIS POST.

[qaunak]

[She's gotten a bit thinner since her family more or less ceased to be. Qaunak was never a big woman, but without her boys bickering over dinner or even her husband burning the food in his attempts at cooking, the table was something to be avoided. She hasn't been taking very good care of herself... because she had no reason to. Some days she laid in bed and couldn't summon up the willpower to get up at all.

But that's over now. Noatak is here. She's not alone. And he doesn't hate her for all her failings those years ago.]

Is your favorite food still seal slices and stewed sea prunes? It's been a while, but I can make you some. I didn't throw out any of your things... I, I just couldn't. I missed you. [And now happy tears are brewing, but she wipes them on her sleeve.] I must look like such a wreck. I'm sorry, Noatak.