Work Text:
“Happy birthday, Airye. 9 is a good year.”
“Bher…beara…beehar…bray. Bray! BRAY!!” The young girl blinked her four big black eyes admiringly up at her older brother when he handed her a brilliant purple spiral orchid. Her favorite.
The scrawny batarian boy threw his school bag and air rifle down and flopped in the grass next to his sister, laughing as he watched the wipsy clouds drift by on this perfect summer day.
“Is it really that hard to say my name, Airye?”
“I can’t…the lettersh…zhey make me hurt in my mouth, brozher.” Her mouth curved into a sad frown. “I can’t even shay my name right. Fazher doeshn’t like it.”
The boy sat up, an idea sparkling in his eyes. “Well,” he mused, whipping out the small notepad and pencil he always carried in his pocket, “how about this. If you want to practice saying it so you can look ‘smart,’ or whatever, in front of stupid Father…” he paused, and she giggled.
“…then here. Keep this and make it our secret. You’re a great reader, and you’re already getting better at saying our family name.”
Airye opened the piece of paper and bounced up and down on her seat, giggling. She had always admired how neat her big brother’s handwriting was. It made their secrets and plans much easier for her to keep, especially on days when she just couldn’t (or wouldn’t) speak no matter how hard she tried.
Beha’rai Salikh
BEY-ha-ray SAH-likh
Say the last part with some air behind it…it sounds nice and proper. ;) I believe in you, Airye.
She threw her arms around her big brother’s neck, pulling him down on the ground and laughing when his face buried in the folds of her long green skirt with a “mmf!”
“Shank you, big brozher!! I love you Be…Br…” Airye’s brilliant smile turned grey as tears of frustration welled in her big eyes, and the spiral orchid fell on the ground next to her brother’s hand.
Beha’rai shook his head. “Aierr-jeh: look at me, kiirde.” He smiled at his “little sister” as he pronounced each syllable of her name and lifted her chin. She blinked as a big tear rolled off her cheekbones.
“I don’t care what you call me, especially when no one can hear us. Unlike some people, I will never hurt you because of this stupid speech problem. You’re just fine to me.”
Airye sniffled, that big, bright smile creeping across her lips again.
“Okay then...B...Bray. Iz eesy for me,” she said, hopefully.
Beha’rai picked up the flower, twirling it between his fingers.
“Then Bray it is.” He held out the flower, and Airye beamed as he tucked it behind her pointed ear.
Khar’shan’s sun will never shine brighter than you, sister of mine.