It has always been my habit in various roleplay communities that I've been part of to aspire to inspire others and provide them a small nudge in further developing their characters. Â There aren't any "rules" to this beyond your own creativity; they can be as long or as short as you please. Â Whatever the prompt inspires you to write, you write, whether it's on the prompted theme or not. Â
This week:
What is the best advice your character's father ever gave them? Â (If your character doesn't have a father, then substitute any other mentor or significant role model.)
"Take care of each other," her father rasped as both of his emaciated hands enveloped one of her own. Â Syranelle's eyes looked over the gaunt hollows of her father's face, her lips compressing into a thin line. Â He had once been so strong, so virulent; the wasting sickness had eaten away at him until he was but some pale imitation of himself. Â Yet, there was still an underlying thread of strength in his voice as he spoke and a fierce determination in his eyes as he gazed back up at his eldest daughter. "Family always comes first."
"I know," she replied. Â "I'll do my best." Â
She withdrew her hand from his in order to reach into the nearby basin and wring out the cloth she left there. Â As she set the cool compress on her father's forehead, she could feel the heat radiating from his skin. Â Try as she might, there was naught she could do to alleviate his symptoms or her mother's for that matter. Â They had both taken ill almost simultaneously; she half-suspected it was because of their close bond and how devoted her parents were to one another. Â They were a testament to her father's own words: Â Family always comes first. Â There was no burden they wouldn't share with each other. Â Still, Syra couldn't help but feel a pang of resentment.
If family always comes first, then you cannot leave us! Â You cannot leave me here alone to tend to Arthuriel! Â You have to fight!
Yet, even as she thought the words there was a pang of regret as they passed. Â She knew both of her parents well enough to know that if there was any alternative at all they would never place this burden on her shoulders. Â A hand lifted and brushed across her cheek which caused her to look up at her father. Â Green eyes that mirrored her own gave her a long look of understanding. Â "I know that we're asking a lot of you, Ironleaf, but you're strong and you'll do right by your sister. Â I wish we could... We could--" Â A spasm of pain crossed her father's features and anything else was lost as she clutched at his wrist gingerly with both hands, as if she could cling to him and keep him rooted in this life for just a while longer.
"Don't leave me," she whispered, nuzzling her face into her father's palm as it still lay against her cheek. Â "I'm not ready yet." Â The only answer was her father's unsteady, shallow breaths. Â
Take care of each other; family always comes first. Â The words engraved themselves upon her heart and she would follow them to the best of her ability. Â She was young yet, still malleable to her parents' will. Â It would become the cornerstone upon which her future would be built, whether she realized it or not.