[Tziporel's just going to be curled up on the couch with his favorite blanket and Big Zev, looking about as miserable as a seven-year-old angel can look.]
[Ben's been shy about coming to the safe house since It Happened. After all, Ereziel and Graciel are living here, and none of them need the reminder. But when he heard Tziporel was hurt, well.
He sits on the floor next to the sofa.] Hey, kiddo, what happened?
[Tziporel rubs his cheek against Big Zev's plush fur and shifts so the blanket falls away from his left arm, which is bandaged and in a sling.] Me and Chataltuliel were climbing the tree and I slipped and fell down.
[Tziporel nods. The thought of getting to see Biggest Zev again is cheering, even if having a broken arm is still a pain.] Yeah, okay! I'll wait right here.
Awesome. [Ben finds a private spot, sheds his clothing, and Changes, and Zev comes out and sits beside the sofa, resting his massive head beside Tziporel.] Hello, little brother.
[And Tziporel wraps his good arm around Zev's neck and curls around him, resting his cheek between the wolf's ears. Biggest Zev makes everything better.] I missed you.
[Zev makes a noise down in his throat.] I missed you too. But I couldn't-- [He closes his eyes.] I did a Bad Thing. And it took some time before I was ready to face the world again.
[Tziporel's mouth turns down at one corner, and he pats Zev consolingly.] Sister says everyone does bad things sometimes. She says Father will forgive us for anything if we ask, though, even real bad things.
And I know you didn't mean to hurt Ereziel and scare Gracie, Zev. 'Cause you're good. You're not bad.
I didn't mean to. And it wasn't me. Exactly. But It used my teeth. My claws. [He heaves a gusty sigh.] And it hurts me down in my soul that It did that. She will always fear me.
[Tziporel makes a sad little noise and pets the wolf with his good hand, cuddling him closer.] Lotsa things scare her. The bad people were real mean to her even before that. But she's safe now, she'll be okay. I'm gonna protect her and make sure she's safe. [Sheepishly] Soon as my arm gets better I will.
That's good. The older and stronger members of the Pack should protect the younger and weaker. [Zev noses his face.] Babies are resilient. It may be that she won't even remember any of this when she is older.
Yeah, maybe. [Tziporel feels a warm little glow of pride at being called one of the older and stronger members of the Pack.] Bad people can't get her here. Me and you and Guri and Mister Lockwood, we won't let them.
[He shifts his broken arm sheepishly.] I'm gonna be strong just like Guri someday. And my wings will be big so I can fly and then it won't matter if I fall down.
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He sits on the floor next to the sofa.] Hey, kiddo, what happened?
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And I know you didn't mean to hurt Ereziel and scare Gracie, Zev. 'Cause you're good. You're not bad.
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[He shifts his broken arm sheepishly.] I'm gonna be strong just like Guri someday. And my wings will be big so I can fly and then it won't matter if I fall down.
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And your arm will heal in no time.
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