Family Heirloom: Adoption

“It’s...it’s definitely a PaperDemon, right?”

“Well…it has the wings.”

“And the horns.”

“But the eyes are…”

“The teeth are…”

“And the markings…”

“And those feet…”

“And those claws…”

“Is that a tail…?”

“That’s a long tail…”

 

The PaperDemon couple whispered at each other as they watched the small creature ahead of them cautiously. What had started as a romantic stroll through the nearby woods for a foraging picnic now found them staring at what, at first, had appeared to be an abandoned child, no more than three or four years old, lying curled up in the woods, unclothed and alone. But then its dark wings unfurled to reveal most of its skin was an inky dull purple save for its chest and head, and as it stretched out with a yawn it was revealed to have sharp clawed hands and thick digitigrade talons rather than feet, a long tail that flicked about, and dangerous looking fangs. When it opened its eyes—eyes that simply stared at the canopy above for a good long while—the sclera were nearly pitch black while its icy blue pupils almost glowed within.

 

“I wonder where it came from…” said Viema, a stout and tan woman with silvery blue eyes.

“I have no idea,” said Vaun, tall and lithe partner to Viema. Their wings shivered a bit as they leaned down to her and asked, “do you think it knows we’re here?”

 

As if on cue those glowing blue eyes locked onto the couple in a flash of movement. The small thing stared at the couple, who stared back. Neither side made a move until Viema pursed her lips and whispered to Vaun, “well, we can’t just leave it here all alone.”

 

She stepped forward, and like a spell breaking the childlike thing sprung to life again, backing away in instinctual fear.

 

“Hey, hey, it’s ok,” Viema put up her hands and tried her best to look welcoming, “we’re not gonna hurt you, promise. Are you all alone?”

 

The tiny scared thing just stared. The words weren’t immediately understood, but the intention was. Hesitant, skittish, the two slowly closed the distance between them…in more ways than one.

 

===

 

“Unca Ganty! Unca Ganty!” The small voice pierced upwards to the high tree branch where Gantyrin lounged, reading his latest meal. He looked down to spy the familiar PaperDemon child, no bigger than he was when he was first found.

“Spud!” He called down with a toothy grin. “Spud” was his nickname for little Spencer; he’d given every member of the family at least one nickname for several generations at this point.

“Mama Tenny says dinner’s ready! An’ we’s got a guest!”

“Be right down,” Gantyrin replied, “tell her to start without me.”

“Kaaaaay!” Spencer waved, and ran back home with a cool stick he found.

 

Gantyrin let out a content sigh,  and looked up at the canopy for a good, long while.

“Your great-great-great-grandkids are doing alright, Vees,” he muttered, “Spencer has Viema’s eyes,  you know.”

 

He didn’t expect answers. He stared some more, watching the leaves sway in the breeze, and whispered, “miss you.”

 

Then he flitted down to the ground to enjoy some of Tenny’s cooking, and see who the new guest was.