riverlight || bird death [open]

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IVAN
slav. "god is gracious"
---
a son
a brother

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ALYOSHA, MY DEAR, MY ONLY SON, I'M AFRAID OF IVAN —

Death was on his mind. Or at least, some sort of end. It was not death for him, rather the idea in general. He was dragging his feet philosophically, and he always had been. But it felt different. Everything felt different, and he thought he knew the answer but he just was not sure.

Those thoughts only swirled in a greater crescendo when he caught the scent of death. He noticed Bloodhound with the little crow in their jaws and followed them silently. His breath grew heavy and labored as they came to the place where he had walked out into the water. He might have never returned, if it weren't for Bloodhound. An acute pain pierced his heart, on the right side. He knew it was the right side.

Swallowing his pain, he finally joined Bloodhound. He did something he had never done before. He leaned his head forward to try to place it against Bloodhound's leg. And he said a prayer. He really did. It felt strange. He remained in silence for a heartbeat or two, listening only to the pounding of his pulse.

"Bloodhound, you are very good." He whispered. Ivan's eyes, green-blue as the sea itself, shifted to watch the the boat bearing the deceased corvid set off into the horizon. "Thank you." For both the bird and himself.

— I'M MORE AFRAID OF IVAN THAN THE OTHER ONE.