Memory of a Charging Bull

[LoxyTheReindeer 356]

 

A breath, long, and quiet. Her chest heaving, her lungs struggling. Her heart, barely pumping.

 

She closed her eyes, a million thoughts besieging her. Memories, fears, loves, regrets.

 

Had she done enough with her life?

 

Her son, who would never- could never come home.

Her husband, long since dead.

Her grandchildren, who would not be able to grow up with her around. Who would not get to see or know her.

Her Alfie, so young and strong, but unsure too. He needed her, and where was she? Lying in bed, without the courage to tell him that she was sick. Without the courage to say goodbye.

 

She didn’t have the strength to stand any longer. She could not go to him to say goodbye any longer. Another regret to add to the pile.

 

She remembered fighting the vampire in Viru.

Claiming her familia’s nobility.

Helping rebuild Viru.

Having her two beautiful children.

Catching the wild bull.

Being named Head of House when she was never meant to receive it.

Mistrusting her uncle, for fear he would usurp her.

Marrying Aled.

Disowning her son.

Disowning Isabela.

Fighting the rumors.

Killing a demon.

Losing her father.

Losing Mauricio.

Losing her love.

Meeting her grandson for the first time.

Losing her amiga.

Watching her family grow.

Telling her son in law that she was dying.

 

So many memories, all so chaotic and painful. So many things that she wished she could change. So many mistakes she wanted to go back to and erase.

 

But now she was old. Now she was weak. Now, she was dying. And nothing could erase her own mortality.

The mighty bull could not outrun death.

 

As her vision began to flicker and fade, one last memory broke the surface. One that brought a smile to her tear-stained face.

 

Her precious Alfie, when he was a baby. Worn out after a long day of playing, comfy in his silly onesie. Snuggled in her lap, snoozing away. Without a care in the world. She remembered wanting the moment to last, wanting to hold onto him, forever. Promising in the silence, to never let any harm come to her precious son. To always be there for him. 

She would’ve given anything, just to hold him close, one, last, time.

 

“I love you, mijo.” She whispered into the silent air, words that would never reach her son. As her heart gave a final beat. She breathed once into the cold night, before her body drew still. 

Then she breathed no more.

 

Letters remained on her desk, addressed to different people, alongside her will.

 

To my son, Mattias:

 

Spoiler

I should have come to find you a long time ago. I should have told you how much I love you, even though I had to separate you from your own family. Even though the path you chose took you away from us, I never stopped loving you. You are, and will always be, mi hijo. I love you, my son. I hope that you can forgive me.

 

To the House Pachakutiq:

 

Spoiler

We have grown more distant in recent years, as my family has moved to Idunia, to pursue land and a vassal of their own. I never meant for this to temper our own friendship. Anacleta was a close friend of mine, and I feel awful that I did not get to say goodbye. Perhaps we will meet again now, and we can finally catch up together. Sloane, Inti, Aureliano, I wish all of you the best. I consider you a part of my familia. And I am sorry that we did not get to talk more. I will miss all of you dearly. Goodbye.

 

To Alfie:

 

Spoiler

I am sorry mijo. I am so, so sorry. Please forgive your madre. I have always been so, so proud of you. And I will always love you. I’ll be watching over you now, protecting you from beyond. You are going to face many tough challenges, I’m sorry that you have to face them without me. I love you. Take care, and be good.

 

To Solaris:

 

Spoiler

I do not know what I could say to you, that could ever thank you enough for all you have given. For this familia, for me, and for Alfie. You have brought mi hijo so much joy and love, you have made him so happy. And in turn, have brought much joy to this old woman. Gracias, mijo. I love you.

 

To my Grandchildren:

 

Spoiler

Hola, my little ones. You’re going to be told some very hard things very soon, if you’re reading this. It’s going to hurt, but I want you to remember something. I may be gone now, but I don’t want you to be sad for me. I lived a good life, and I got to meet all of you, I got to love you and play with you. It is so much more than I could ever ask for. I love you all so very dearly. Be good for your padres, and remember that I am watching over you. Whenever you feel alone, remember that I am there.

 

To Catalina:

 

Spoiler

I know we have had our differences, nina. And you have had to go find your own way. But I never stopped loving you, and neither did Mauricio. Take good care of yourself, and your familia.

 

Evangeline’s Final Will:

 

Spoiler

Find out irp >:]

 

OOC:

Spoiler

Thank you everyone for the wild ride that was Evangeline. I didn’t get to do everything with her that I would’ve liked, but I still accomplished so much more than I thought I would. Unfortunately, I no longer have the time for this gal, much as I would’ve liked to continue this story. Rest assured this is not the last Salazar I will be playing, yall ain’t getting rid of me that easily :]

If I forgot someone to send a letter to, I’m sorry. I was legit crying while writing this and some people undoubtedly slipped through the cracks.

Take care yall, drink water, and remember to shower and go outside. See ya next time.

 

 

[MrGarden 295]

R

 

[Ophi 258]

Reserved

 

[Vertigo_Round 331]

Lucia would no doubt, in time, hear of her grandmothers passing. The blind girl was so very known to cry when others got emotional... but she didn't this time. She just skulked away into her room.

 

She didn't know her abuela all that well. She didn't know much about her, either. All she really knew was that one conversation they had, the one piece of advise she was given

 

"You should make a tapestry" 

 

So she did. She went to the market and bought the nicest feeling yarn, ignoring the cost. She sat in her little room, firepit roaring as usual. And she began to sew. Mercy to the poor servant who she dragged to aid her, to question that the shape looked right. Hours did the pair sit there as she worked.

 

After a while, on her wall, was hung that tapestry. Vibrant yellows, oranges and reds, a bull standing proud, ever watching. Once it was hung at last, she only had one quiet thing to say. 

 

"Buenos noches, abuela... I hope you're proud"

[Jadeforever 73]

Catalina sat down somewhere as she glanced over the letter quietly "I will miss you madre, I know we never got to do much. Tell Mauricio I said Hola and I miss him so much. Though I feel like I will join you all sooner or later" gently placed the paper on a table her gaze turned toward her son Thal and his new wife, hoping and praying blessings would fill her house, she hang on for as long as she could.