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Clemente stared out their bedroom window blissfully. They’d been imagining the birds swooping by as great dragon and the clouds puffs of smoke curling from their mouths.
In their hand, was one of Cole’s led pencils and they remembered their original task before their daydreams had whisked them away. Quest had been having trouble reading their lyric ideas in the Lark-hearsals, so Clemmie had decided to spend their afternoon practicing their handwriting.
They glimpsed down at their page and found a list of names.
“Clementine Dearworth.
Perine Orgust.
Coopa.
Playrite .
Col Dearworth”
Clemente snorted at the last one. My, their mind must of wondered off and they accidentally wrote their own surname out of habit. They stood to find an eraser, rummaging through the box of writing materials Cole had let them borrow.
Kingsley chose that moment to burst into their shared room. Clemente saw that mischievous glint in their eyes. They didn’t like it one bit.
“Hello, Kings.” They chimed, keeping a silver eye on them as they searched.
“Uy!” They replied, sashaying over to the desk. “…Why are you writing everyone’s names? Where’s mine- oi!”
“What!?” Clem cried whipping around at their shout.
Kingsley clutched the paper with a toothy grin. “‘Cole Dearworth’?!”
Clemente furrowed their brow before their face flushed a bright pink.
“It was an accident!” They protested. “I-I didn’t mean like that!”
“Oh-ho wait til they see this!” They laughed, darting out of the bedroom.
Hot embarrassment coursed through them. The horror of their mistake being known to Kingsley was one thing, but if Cole saw this, oh, they’d be mortified! Oh they’ll never talk to them again! Clemente couldn’t have that!
“KINGSLEY!” Clemente shrieked, sprinting after them.
“Haha, can’t catch me!” They waggled their hips like a dog shaking its tail, teasingly fanning themself with the sheet of paper.
“Stop it now, Kingsley, this instance! Please!”
“I wonder what Cole will say when they hear you wanna get ~married~.”
“Enough, Kingsley!”
To Kingsley, this was innocent game, so they continued down the hall laughing. But little did they know Clemente embarrassment was giving way to unusual feeling for young kid. A feeling that made them want to stomp their feet and scream and shake their fists. Kingsley’s actions were not from amusement, they mocking them and their mistakes!
“Ooooooo! Ooooo!” Kingsley reached the stairs and waved the paper once again.
When the chance come, Clemente lunged. “ENOUGH!”
“What is- CLEMENTE!” Quest’s voice shouted below.
They caught Kingsley.
And tumbling down they went.
The event blurred by in Clemente’s mind.
A series of thuds, a wave of pain and multiple voices shouting. They didn’t like shouting, nor did they like aching all over like they did just then.
At the bottom of the stairs, Clemente saw the paper that Kingsley had dropped during their fall and snatched. They didn’t process the tears on Kingsley round cheeks, nor the way they clutched their leg.
“Clemente, what in your good mind were you thinking!?” Quest shouted. They crouched beside Kingsley, touching their head tenderly. “You’ve hurt them! What do you have to say for your impetuous actions?!”
“They deserved it!” Clemente screeched. “I wish upon them every ill fate- curse that bata!”
With a sob, they fled up the stairs.
Their skin was flowering black and blue with bruises, but they didn’t care for it as they slammed the door shut and shoved a chair in front of it.
The paper in their hands was shred to a hundred pieces on the floor. Clemente stared down at the mess, chest heaving and emotions rushing through them.
Clemente would not write another lyric- nay, they’d never sing another note! They wouldn’t engage in any foolish daydreams- they wouldn’t do anything ever, never again!
As Clemente prepared to spend the rest of their days in that room, Quest rubbed their forehead.
“I’ll go talk to them.” Cole murmured, beginning up the stairs.
Quest was half tempted to let them. They’d been dealing with Clemente far longer than they. Clemente was not usually a difficult child, they honestly adored the kid. That being said, there were times they were overwhelmed by some… intense emotions. And Cole was well experienced with them, much than themselves.
But Clemente was now in their care and it was the Playwright’s place as their guardian to parent them, not another child. As tempting as it sounded.
“Nay.” Quest said. “You shan’t visit Clemente until they’ve seen through their actions. When they’re ready to apologise they may come seek us. I implore you don’t interfere, Cole.”
The leveret furrowed their brow, looking ready to protest.
To their utmost surprise, Cole chuckled. “I sincerely wish you luck, Mx Playwright. Clemente can be rather determined when they desire.”
“Well, I can be rather determined, likewise.”
Perrine groaned, visioning the household for next few days. “Oh, brother.”
At that, the eldest of the Lark went to check on Kingsley. Quest let out a silent exhale. Who knew adopting four rowdy children could be so ailing for one.
That being said, they did adore every single one of them. They’d each brought a new lens to a life the Playwright thought they’d memorised down pat. It was as if a whole new palette of colours had been stroked through their life, offering new meanings and emotions to even the simplest of pictures.
In conclusion, they’d wait it out. And hoped that Clemente would quickly come to their senses and the whole ordeal would blow over.
It had been two days since Clemente left their room.
They refused to talk, to eat and particularly to let Kingsley back into their room. The youngest surprisingly didn’t complain about the mishap and bunked with Perrine and Cole.
Cooper was wearing their mind thin with worry. Eventually, after all their coaxes and persuasion had dried up, they’d turned to Quest with the sorrowful, pleading eyes they could. They’d given in immediately and decided that it was about time Clemente come out of that room.
Quest rapped their knuckles on Clemente’s door.
“Open the door, Clemente.” They ordered as politely as they could muster.
After a minute, a note slipped under the door. Quest couched to read it.
‘Go Awae >:(‘
“No, I shall not go away until we talk. Face to face, that is.”
Silence.
They sighed, pinching the bridge of their nose.
“I’ll let you sleep with Cooper and I tonight if you open the door.”
A prolonged pause.
The door creaked open. A silver eye peeked through the gap, reddened around the edges and glassy. Their visible cheek was bruised, not as angry and swollen as it had been the previous day.
Quest felt their chest ache slightly. “May I come in?”
Clemente glimpsed over their shoulder and shook their head, quickly.
They frowned. “… Okay, then. Would… before we talk would you like a hug?”
Immediately, a little face burrowed into their torso, fingers gripping the back of their clothing. The Playwright returned the gesture after a moment of hesitation. They glimpsed through the widened gap of the door and grimaced at the mess and disorder the child’s room was in.
“Clemmie…” They sighed. “I’ve talked to Kingsley about what happened. While they shouldn’t have continued to tease you after you asked them to stop, your actions didn’t warrant to cause harm to them.”
“I know.” Came their muffled reply.
“Now, may I ask, what exactly it was Kingsley did to stir such a reaction? They refused to say.”
Clemente stood back, surprised. “They did?”
At Quest’s shake of their head, they looked down at their intertwined hands.
“I’d rather not give the details…” They blushed. “But I… I made rather an embarrassing mistake. Kingsley threatened to tell Cole….”
Quest looked down at the flushed kid and their lips thinned.
“I’ve decided to give you two options, Clemente.” They announced. “You can either take a punishment of extra chores for a month or… you can offer a sincere apology to Kingsley.”
…
“May I have time to think?” Clemente asked, quietly.
Quest frowned. “Must you have to?”
They sighed and after a minute they finally spoke up.
“Okay. I’ll apologise.”
They were led down the hall to Cole’s and Perrine’s room where Kingsley sat quietly for once, doing a puzzle. When they saw who stood at their door, they scrambled to their feet with wide eyes.
“Kingsley.” Clemente began, standing straighter. “I’m…”
They glimpsed to Quest then back again.
“I’m terribly sorry for my actions. I honestly didn’t mean you any real harm, I was very upset was all. My temper got the best of me and I have recognised my actions. And- and I concede my ill wishes upon your fate. Will you forgive me?”
Kingsley blinked. “Oh. Uh…”
Clemente’s foot tapped, betraying their calm expression.
Quest watched. It was almost amusing the tension in the room, much more suited to the stereotypical start of a show down.
“… I don’t forgive you.”
The amusement was gone. They cursed silently, resisting the urge to groan and hang their head.
“Fine!” Clem snapped, storming past Quest.
The walls almost shuddered as their door slammed shut.
“Was that wicked of me?” Kingsley inquired, quietly. “I know they meant it. Their apology, that is. And I swear I didn’t refuse it out of pettiness. I-I think. I just… I couldn’t find it in me just yet to properly forgive them.”
“It’s alright to feel hurt by their actions, in more way than one.” Quest replied, patting their head. “You’ll find it’s better to wholeheartedly forgive, rather than to conceal one’s feelings. I’m proud that you were able to find the strength and oppose the easier option. Nothing good comes from lies and half truths.”
“I’m going to try and find my forgiveness.” Kingsley said determinedly. “I just need time. I love Clemmie and I will forgive them, I know it. Thank you, Quest.”
“Anytime, fledgling. Anytime.”
Cole had been restless the past couple of days. The others noticed but they decided to keep their observations to themselves. Well, everyone but Perrine, blunt as ever.
“You’re worried about Clementine.” They stated rather than asked, while their friend watched them move across the kitchen.
“I trust Quest knows what they’re doing…” Cole sighed, fidgeting with their mug.
“I can hear that silent ‘but’ hanging after your words.” Perrine chimed, pulling the jar of tea leaves from the pantry.
Cole fidgeted on their stool. “… I know, Clemmie. I know, that before they feel sorry they must let go of their emotions. They won’t feel remorse until that happens.”
Perrine frowned as they pulled the kettle from the stove with a cloth and placed it by the sink. A sigh left their mouth.
“Go to them, tonight.” They said. “I won’t tell.”
“Really?” They asked, perking up. “Are you sure?”
“If you can make this whole ordeal blow over, consider the whole thing repressed from mind.”
After they’d strained the leaves, they’d poured three cups of tea, the third for Cooper to help them wind down from a long day of ‘Knight-ly excitement’.
Perrine met their eyes and poked their forehead with each of their next words. “Just don’t get caught.”
So, that night once Cooper had returned from their duties and Quest had retired from their study, Cole slunk from their room. They snuck down to the kitchen and retrieved a plate of food they’d spared in the cellar, before knocking softly on Clemente’s door.
“Clemmie?” They whispered.
The door opened, after a few moments.
“Honeysuckle.” They croaked, relief in their face.
Cole stepped inside and set the plate aside before opening their arms in invitation.
“They didn’t forgive me!” Clemente sobbed, clinging to them tightly.” I gave them a full, proper apology and- and they-! Oh, Cole, what have I done?! Just a day ago I couldn’t care less, but now I don’t think I’ll ever forgive myself!”
‘Well, at least they weren’t angry at Kingsley anymore’, Cole thought, grimly.
“Shhh.” They soothed. “Deep breaths, Clem, deep breaths.”
“I’m despicable.” They whimpered. “Never, have I ever wanted to harm anyone before. But, where I might if not thought it consciously, my body acted for me.”
“You are not despicable- not even bad.” Cole reassured. “It was an accident, I knew that from the very beginning. You never meant to push Kingsley down the stairs. It wouldn’t make sense if you did, because I don’t think you would’ve have fallen as well if you truely had ill intentions.”
They stood back, scanning over them. “Were you harmed? It was quite the fall you took.”
“A little battered, but I shall live.” Clemente sniffled. “You truely don’t think I’m bad?”
Cole shook their head. “Not even a bit. Kingsley will forgive you. I think the event is just a little too fresh and some time will remedy it.”
After that Clementine dissolved into sobs, all while Cole held and comforted them. Eventually, the tears ran dry and Cole managed to coax them to eat.
“Don’t tell Quest, I was here, by the way.” They said, brushing Clemente’s curls with the fingers.
“Too late.” They replied with a tremble.
Cole turned and saw Quest standing in the door with their arms crossed. They immediately cowered, guiltily caught red handed going against their wishes.
“They were worried I wasn’t eating.” Clemente stated quickly. “They didn’t have any intentions more than offering me supper, but I dragged them in. I… I was in a bit of a state and they’d have felt guilty if they didn’t console me.”
“I’m sure.” Quest drawled.
“Clemente?”
Clemmie straightened when Kingsley came into view. They quickly dried their cheeks and stood with their hands clutched together.
“Hello Kingsley.”
They shuffled. “I’m ready to forgive you and… to apologise, myself. You asked me to stop and I didn’t listen. I was never going to show Cole the…”
They trailed off, noticing that they were standing right there with curious eyes.
“Well, you know.” They huffed. “I just wanted to play. I’m sorry.”
Clemente sniffled. “Oh Kingsley.”
They darted across the room and wrapped them in a hug. Kingsley wheezed as they squeezed them in their arms. Knells of the Bellringer, they were strong!
“Air… needed… to breath!” The choked out and heaved a laugh.
“Sorry!” Their grip loosened and the youngest of the Lark embraced.
“As glad as I am that you’ve forgiven each other,” Quest cut in. “It is past your bedtimes. Shoo, now. It’s about time we succumb to slumber for the night.”
While Cole and Kingsley (who’d forgotten they could sleep in their own room now) darted off, Quest turned and descended down the stairs to join Cooper who’d was blissfully snoring.
They felt a pressure against their side half way down the steps.
“Where are you going, little fledgling?”
Clemente smiled sweetly up at them. “You promised I could sleep with you tonight!”
Quest chuckled, exasperated. “And who am I to discard my pledges?”
They took their hand and the house hold was once again at peace.
(Extra:
“…Kingsley?”
“Ya?”
“Earlier, you said something about showing me… well, what, is precisely what I’m curious about… you know…. The thing Clemmie didn’t want me to see?”
“Oh, that. Ya know, just proof that they want to marry you one day.”
“W-What!?”
“Kingsley, you know they’re oblivious.” Perrine scolded.
“Calm down, ‘honeysuckle’” Kingsley rolled their eyes. “It’s pretty oblivious that they like you. I’m just speeding up the process! That way, you get married sooner and we can eat cake sooner! Cole? Cole, get up off the floor!”
“Oh, brother.” Perrine grumbled.