A Homecoming of Sorts (Open)

Loren stood before the Launceleyn Manor, feeling uncertain. He’d left this life behind consciously, to forge his own path in the world. Indeed, he’d thought it was important to make his own space, his own life, his own home. At the time, he'd known that unless he broke ties with his family, they'd strangle him with them. And he'd wanted to see what he could do on his own, without anyone holding him back or down or accountable. He’d failed spectacularly at every single one of those endeavors. Indeed, he’d basically thrown the last year away, keeping to himself. There hadn’t really been a good excuse for it either: life in this new world had proven to be too much for him to handle, what with the gods and monsters and lost love and simply everything. So he’d retreated, becoming a broken shell of his former self. But now he’d emerged from said shell and was ready to come back to those he’d once knew. Unfortunately, it might already be too late for that. He’d seen the news of Edrei’s death on the Notice Board and his heart had plummeted. He’d already lost so much, and knowing that he’d never see her again, never be able to reconcile their broken relationship struck him to his core. If only he'd come back sooner, then maybe he could've prevented her death. But as always, Loren wasn't enough. Which might be why he was here, now, at the threshold of the manor, hesitating. He wasn’t sure whether he’d be welcome there after his disappearance, but he was family, and so was she, and despite not being there for her at the end (and indeed, barely knowing her at all), Loren would at least pay his respects. He owed them that much, and they owed him that as well, even if there weren't any of them left. But it was hard making himself take those last few steps towards the enormous house. He vividly remembered the heated words and terrible argument he’d had with his family—and with Edy especially—before he’d stormed off, intending to prove himself to them, and to cut ties. But once again, he came crawling back, too weak to stand on his own. Or maybe he was finally tired of being alone, and needed to find what little family he had left. Too many were gone already: his mother, Cyton, Neron, Zariah apparently, and now Edrei. And while Loren had hated his family with a burning passion for what they’d done to him, he’d loved them too, in his own way. All he ever wanted was for them to accept him and to build a life alongside them, not apart from them. It was too late for that now, but he owed it to those who remained to try to rebuild from the ashes. If there was no one else to carry on the Launceleyn tradition and name, then it fell to him. But he'd do it in his own way. Which is what he'd wanted to begin with, and it left him empty inside. Wishes had a funny and terrible way of coming true. But the phoenix had always been his favorite mythical creature for a reason. No matter how many obstacles it faced, how many times it died, it was always reborn, good as new, sometimes better. It was time for Loren to emulate that. So he pushed through the open doors and waited for his eyes to adjust to the gloomier interior. LOREN Not quite an open book