Wearing a Smile

[SilkiyTea]

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Today I took off my Smile. I wore my face.
It felt strange, and icky. Frightening and ugly.
It felt like everyone was staring at me.
I hated it- but I liked it.

I saw Father in the crowd in Dal'thala.
Purple suit. Purple mask.
A smile as wide as could be.
I was frightened. I tried to ignore him.

I wanted to scream. I wanted to cry.
I wanted to shout and. And.
And then the Dragon and her friends asked me...
To follow them.

We wandered through the trees. We entered.
Strange places. Filled with ores.
Herbs. Mineral. Coins.
Coins that fell from the flesh of beasts.

Places that the Dragon said were made.
Made by those that built that tower.
That thing that spirals skywards without an end.
And they all.. They all..

Said how useful my magic was. That I helped.
That I did good. I think they were just being nice.
But, but the dragon bought me to her hoard.
A place shared with friends.

And made me a gift. A weapon.
That is the third gift I received.
The dragon is passionate.
The princess is kind.

....
I want to keep them safe.
....
I want to patch their wounds.
....
I want them to find me useful.
....
So that they don't throw me away.
....

Father visited that night. While I tossed and turned.
He laughed, and laughed. Like he did that night.
When he chose to only smile.
He said all I did was pointless, a struggle.

He told me. He told me.
That the struggle. Just makes.
The inevitable. All the better.

...He left with a smile, and I felt ill...
I will. Prove him wrong.