Yarrow was lying there on the dried grass, rolled tight into a little ball, his back to the opening of the tiny little den, shuddering and crying softly to himself. The fight with Kingsfoil went so badly-! King just berrated him and looked down on him and sneered and called him useless and Yarrow couldn't say anything because he was right. He couldn't do anything against his strong and tall brother because he was a worthless little worm worthy of being kicked out and stripped of any family ties. He deserved it- he couldn't do anything to help anyone. He could only cry.

And when his mother came in and asked how his day was, he turned to her slightly, stiffly, his back disallowing him fluid movement, his eyes red and full of tears.

"M-mama...." He sniffled, then he looked away. "Am I....worthless?"

He sniffled more and scrunched up his eyes, trying to keep from crying, and failing. His eyes felt hot under his eyelids, and he felt so shameful and terrible, making his mother feel so horrible. He was awful, an awful child.

"...K-king told me I was useless...I c-can't fight, I can't protect anything...." He hiccupped, feeling his little chest twist. "Father ha-hates me, King hates me..."

"He- said I sh-should leave a-and stop being a wa-aste of space," He said haltingly, sobbing, his tears breaking up his words, and he leaned into his mother's touch, his chest wracking with sobs.

He listened to her and he nodded, unable to speak with his throat so clogged up with tears. He turned over slowly, his back so stiff, and he reached out for her to cling to her fur. Mama was just so nice and caring and he loved her with all his heart. He knew she would love him, even if no one else would.

But that was the thing, wasn't it? No one else loved him because he was useless, and he couldn't do anything right. He couldn't run, he wasn't agile, not with his back so stiff, he wasn't big and tough. He was a target. He couldn't protect anyone, not even his Mama.

And the worst part was that he didn't even want to. He didn't want to fight, he didn't want to hurt other people, he just wanted to be safe and warm and at home. He wanted to keep thinking about that idea he had with King, and figure it out.

And then Mama was telling him a secret, and his little ears perked, and he looked up at her, startled. A secret? They were- gonna leave soon? Where he wouldn't be sneered on?

"R-really?" He asked, daring to feel hope. "W-we can just...leave?"

Maybe..where they went next...he could have his own little den, where no big tall creatures could get to, where he could think. He would really like to find a place like that.

He sniffed and wiped at his face. "I promise, Mama, I promise." He said quietly, his head nestling into her soft fur. It was an easy promise to keep - who would he tell?

And she was offering for them to stretch their legs, and he nodded. Maybe she would show him around this place? The only things he'd seen was what he'd seen with King, and that was...a bad memory he didn't want to recall. He at least wanted some good memories about this place, with its shining stars up above.

so they both made their way out of the den, and he kept close to her, his steps tentative and careful because of his sensitive palms. He picked his way very neatly, his gaze down on the ground, and he said softly, "...Is this other place...nice? What is it like, Mama, the place we would go?"

He tried to paint the image in his mind as she described it - the place with waterfalls and twisting paths and rooms and many kind gems, unlike his family. It was an idyllic scene, and he leaned on his mama as he walked, smiling to himself. The gems there would be different, they would be kind like his mama because his mama was born there. It made perfect sense to him.

"Can we....go there?" He said quietly. "I mean...now? F-father and King aren't here..."