Snippets and Stories: (R) Brutal

"Why do you always break everything you touch?"

I was always too rough.

They glow a soft pastel green glow,  shards scattered on the floor and faintly twinkling motes drifting up from the remnants.

It was fading at an alarming pace.

No, no, no--

I scrabble at it, trying to put it back together, but my hands are shaking.

A dark slipper enters my vision and when I raise my head I see him towering over me.

His grin is vicious, and he preens at the utter look of devastation. It was his victory.

"Blame others all you want, it was your hand by which spelled it's undoing."

The sharp burn as my fists clench around the glass do little to dispel the anguish.

"Oh dry your tears. They change nothing."

"I know that."

I hold the shards close. Holding it to my chest and pull my legs up.

What else was there to do? I couldn't fix this.

"Just throw it away."

In response I clutch them tighter, and he sneers.

"If you truly treasured this bond of so-called friendship then you shouldn't have broken it. Such a brute."

"I know."

He lost his patience with me and left me in true silence, to my relief.

As I gather myself, I watch, sparkling little wisps that drift up from the shattered orb.

They glow different colors, and I smile at each memory they bring.

A faint green twinkle lands in an outstretched hand, and suddenly--

He's holding the same hand as he guides my movements, instructing me in the craft and pointing out the various little tricks.

No one had ever had the patience to deal with my aversion to crafting.

Another one, purple with an occasional tint of sharp chartreuse, shows the Time we fought against a false god, placed upon her scales of judgment.

While my experience far exceeds his, he learns fast, and is soon far better than I could ever hope to be. It is the difference of talent, and my Heart swells with admiration, and disappointment both.

Admiration for his skill at arms, disappointment in mine. I wanted to be better than I was. I am better than this. 

Why wasn't I better than this.

Everything I did seemed to prove I couldn't

If I don't get better I wont catch up to him. They're all so good at what they do.

If I don't keep up... I'll be left behind. 

He's going to leave me behind.

I'm going to be alone.

Again.

The memory fades though I make a grab for it, and in doing so strike a dark red mote behind it.

We're yelling at one another.

I was always picking fights, always getting into trouble, if not making it.

He tells me he's through, he's done dealing with me. With all the drama. 

The mote is a dark, poignant. A lonely blue as it fizzles out.

I can't stand it and reach for another green one.

"--est bard NA."

"... You know I'm not. I'm not going to score the highest parse, and all anyone cared about are numbers. Look at the God Emperor." The last part was spat out in bitter resentment.

Numbers were all anyone respected. They were no different.

He was no different.

But he pulls me aside and I look up at him.

"I said--'to me'." He winks and I am quick to avert my gaze. Though my tongue remains silent, the smile speaks much.

It pulses with a warm pink and orange hue as it disappears.

The whispers of past memories surround me.

I couldn't throw them away.

It didn't make me happy, but they were precious memories.

"Then you shouldn't have broke it."

His words ring in my ears.

I wish he'd have believed me. I wish I was more amiable. That I could ignore what bothered me, or just agreed with everything the God Emperor dictated.

I wish he was still my friend.