Song; Fable by Gigi Perez

(With some adjustments to the lyrics to better fit the characters and avoid as much repeating in some spots)

Characters: Narin and Tirion. Calypso, Amara, Devery, and Narin's parents mentioned.

Context: This song covers some of Narin's religious trauma and his relationship with his mother after his father passed, both of which got increasingly worse. It also touches on some of his insecurities surrounding his relationships/friendships and his paranoia about his sisters getting hurt, which always takes priority even when he's struggling himself.

TWs: Mentions of/implied sexual abuse and religious trauma

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*Starting shortly after Narin's dad passed away, which caused an effect of Narin's mother becoming more abusive and obsessed with religion*

Narin, grieving and questioning everything as his mother tries to basically beat religion and 'purity' into him, kind of begging for everything his mother says to be false: "'Fable and truth...' Direct me to someone who gives me the juice and new rules! Someone to tell me we're not born to be mules in this... Everything, it contradicts!"

Narin, now grapling with trying to hide his sisters from abuse, quietly gathering money in hopes of getting them all out, all of his efforts increased after a run-in with the pastor that he told his mother about, only for her to brush it off and say she'd "pray for him": "Hedges of prayer, just 'cause you believe, doesn't mean that it's there!"

Narin, watching his sisters grow up, looking happy and finding friendships, trying to put on a brave face despite feeling hopeless at the thought of ever feeling happy again: "It's so rare..."

*Jumping ahead slightly to when Tirion and Narin meet and Narin helps Tirion out. Narin's recently moved himself and his sisters out, the same day he turned 18. Tirion is slowly introduced to Narin's life and starts to realize how shitty it all is despite the smile Narin puts on*

Tirion, in disbelief at the lack of care anyone other than his sisters seems to have for his friend, making a silent promise to help out in any way he can: "It's so rare that somebody'd look out for you... I'll look out for you..."

Narin, opening up slightly to Tirion after growing closer and being questioned about his mother: "Thoughts and prayers was all she'd do."

*Jumping back again to directly after Narin's funeral. Something about the speech the pastor is giving and how his mother is speaking about his father rubs him the wrong way, it's the first time he finds himself questioning his religion*

Narin, picking up the ashes of his father, the words of the pastor ringing in his ears, basically stating that everyone should be glad at how good of a Christian his father was or else he would be burning in hell and it must have been gods plan for him to die as he did: "When I lifted his urn, divinity says, "Destiny can't be earned or returned!""

Narin, skin crawling with unease as he questions if believing in something seemingly so hostile was actually a good thing, even as he panics at the thought: "I feel when I question, my skin starts to burn. Why does my skin start to burn?!"

*Jumping way ahead to after Devery and Narin have been dating for a while. Narin starts to open up a little, probably after a trigger, speaking of insecurity in the relationship and distrust in quite literally everything and everyone around him despite trying his best to believe in the good*

Narin, starting to break down, letting some of his past slip out, admitting how the idea of being loved without consequence or something being held over his head was foreign to him: "Ah-ah, capital loss! Love was the law and religion was taught!"

Narin, realizing what he said and backing down a little, somewhat nervous and trying to claim that he didn't see Devery that way, just thought it the other way around: "I'm not bought... Feel when we argue, our skin starts to rot... My skin starts to rot..."

Narin, trying to compose himself and open a way for open communication, still not managing to basically imply that he'd do anything for Devery, even at his own expense, if it meant they could stay together (yippee for self-sabotage, lol), but at least sounding somewhat hopeful: "So share me your plan. If I implore you, could I be your lamb? Understand, I look for the truth in the back of your hand, and I look into the open sky..."

*And this last part is just Narin adoring his sisters, lmao*

Narin, smiling slightly, referring to Amara: "Stars blink like my sister's eyes!"

Narin, over the phone to Amara, speaking about a ballet recital he wouldn't be able to make it to: "Hey, princess, it's Narin, I'm just calling you to wish you luck on your performance at the cafe!"

Narin, referring to Calypso: "Stars blink like my sister's eyes!"

Narin, over the phone to Calypso, having talked her through an anxiety attack before a particular presentation at school: "I love you, you're gonna kill it! Bye, baby!"

Narin, about both his sisters: "Stars blink like her eyes, like their eyes!"

Narin, who's been working genuinely just to make sure his sisters are safe and loved, knowing he would have given up ages ago without having to fight for them, just wishing for them to live a long, happy life with no problems forever: "I dream of eternal life, I dream of eternal life..."