LEMBIC URBRAN: THE SADDER-EST GNOME.

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LEMBIC URBRAN: THE SADDER-EST GNOME

 

Rain droplets were falling upon the wee, red-felt cap of Lembic Urbran. He was sitting upon his favorite stool, holding his favorite doggy-shaped balloon animal, partaking in some vanilla ice cream (his favorite flavor) he acquired from a local vendor for some of his last minae. He was jolly, even when outside was dreary.

 

But, something was amiss. It felt... strange to him. It was as if something was missing. Someone? Who else would he eat ice cream with? Then, he looked toward the Chapel of Our Lady Paradisus. There it stood. Unremembering. Indifferent.

 

Then, he remembered. 

 

It happened in the Chapel; after the wedding. He was the ring-bearer, like last time. The festivities were jovial, the snacks delectable, but something was… off. He looked to one of his closest friends, Johnny, the King of Aaun. He seemed fine at first. He was smiling. He’d pat his chest occasionally, but he was just full from the snacks. Right? Then it happened. 

 

Without a moment’s notice, Johnny fell— hard. He was clutching his chest. Sure, he was old, for a human, but this wouldn’t have happened so soon. Could it? All he could remember after was the shouting. The weeping. The pain. They told him to get help. Warsovia could. Warsovia must. 

 

Lembic ran as fast as his little legs could carry him to Warsovia. He got the help they needed, but when they returned… it was too late. He was dead. 

 

Dead. Lembic rarely ever heard the word. Even when his parents disappeared, or when Xob spoke about the war, he could barely understood what it truly meant. Johnny wasn’t leaving for a relaxing vacation on the Aevosian beaches. He wasn’t going for a picnic in the Langekette Mountains. He was gone; truly, totally gone. 

 

The wee gnome began to panic.

 

 If only he were faster. If only he were smarter. If only he was a real doctor. He could’ve done something. He could’ve said goodbye. He could’ve gone to his funeral. 

 

His thoughts would become frantic. What would Johnny’s family think of him? What would Charlie think of him? What would Little Johnny think of him? They’d hate him. 

 

What if they already do? What if they knew it was his fault Johnny was dead? They must hate Lembic. They must feel their blood boil when hearing his stupid laugh… or watching my stupid dance!

 

They hate me! Everyone hates me! It’s my fault! I should’ve been there! I should have never left home! My parents would’ve come home! They would’ve come home, I swear! Why does no one love me!? I hate it here!

 

No! 

 

No. 

 

Deep breaths, Lembic. 

 

The grass is green. Grasshoppers are green. Leaves can be green. Lizards can be green, too. 

 

The sky is blue. The ocean is blue. Diamonds are blue. Sapphires are blue. 

 

I feel my clothes. I feel the wind on my skin. I feel the tears running down my cheek. I feel sad.

 

Good enough, Lembic. You're okay. It's okay. Just like momma taught you.

 

I wept then.

 

Spoiler

Hello! I hope this isn't too edgy. 

 

Gnomes can be sad too, y'know? 

 

I hope you enjoyed reading this!