Home is where...

"I can't stay here, and you won't leave. I guess that means it's over."

"Why can't you stay here? This is our children's home!"

"I just... can't! It's not my home, and it never will be. I've tried to change the way I feel, but I can't do it. I miss Del Bar too much. I miss the mountains, and the rivers, and the way things smell... I miss the snow that actually stays on the ground all winter. I miss the food! The holidays, the music..."

"You can visit anytime you want."

"I know that, but it's not the same. I need to live there. I miss my family. My parents won't be around much longer, and my cousins and nieces and nephews will grow up without me."

"I don't understand why that matters so much. Do they need you?"

"Yes. And I need them. We need each other. We belong to each other."

"I don't understand."

"I know you don't."

"..."

"Come with me! I know you don't feel the same way about Katolis. My people would welcome your skills. You can serve humanity anywhere."

"Humanity, yes..."

"...but not your king."

"I'm sorry."

"Me too. I know we would feel differently if we could. You just can't change what your soul needs."



Alternate, earlier, more poetic (?) version:

Too Far From the Home Place

"I miss my home too much... I'm sick with longing. My people are all buried there, and I want to visit and speak with them. There's a hill behind our home where the hidden folk live, and they've been calling to me in my dreams. I can't stay away!"

"I suppose you should leave, then."

"Come with me, please! You can use your talent to serve humanity anywhere!"

"Yes..."

"...but not your king. That's the problem, isn't it?"

Viren doesn't answer. There's no need.




(a bit inspired by recent soul-crushing personal experience, but also a Due South fic I meant to write in 2001 or so)