cooperkxight

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Sympathy crossed the knights face when she stated her mother's death and he drew away from his brushing to look at her, the distant sadness on her face. Missing what she can barely remember.

Well, at least she had SOME female figure in her life... He could not understand why there were two dads in the picture....

Galleth brushed his hand through his hair, pushing it backwards with a sigh. How was he supposed to even process being here when there was so much that he did not understand? That was not... RIGHT in his eyes? It began with magic and it still ended with it.

Before he had a chance to speak his dismay, Little John blew through his nose over Hannah's hair, his lip nibbling at her and huffing for more apples.

"Mumma died, when I was four. I don't remember much about her, but I remember some things." Hannah said, fiddling with one of the stray pieces of straw, "She got really sick, and the doctors couldn't help her. Daddy got really sad after. Grandpa Carlos was mean to us both, but really really mean to Daddy."

"Grandma Debbie helped us leave, I think she's my female figure. I don't really need a mumma. I miss her, but I love my new family too. And I know she'd be really happy that Daddy and I have Papa."

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Galleth listened to this strange world she came from with some interest and mostly worry. "It sounds like hell," he said aloud, like something out of the stories of demons from church as a boy.

But the rest? Her father telling stories about dragons and princesses being friends? He smirked at the very idea. Its no story like he'd ever heard before... Not to mention... He was gravely confused by his she seemed to have TWO dads and then mentioned a mother?

"My mother told me silly stories too," he chuckled and paused. "Where IS your mother? Tis it not proper to have a female figure in a young lady's life?"

"It is, where I come from we had big buildings made of glass and metal and rocks. Police... or... I guess city guards to you, didn't help us much. Dragons and magic were just stories, and dragons were big bullies who kept princesses locked in castles for knights to save." Hannah sat down on a nearby haybale, swinging her legs idly.

"But Daddy used to tell me stories of Princess Blossom, and her best friend Harry the dragon. They'd go on lots of adventures together, and were the best of friends. Princess Blossom was fierce and brave, and Harry was soft and gentle. Daddy says Mumma used to tell me these stories."

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The horse took the apple happily, munching loudly on the sweet treat which made the knight roll his eyes, really, he was spoiled way too much to be a knight's horse.

"Good boy," he muttered to the steed as it ate, patting his side and his attention once more going to the little girl. He buttoned his lips at the question, a small frown creasing his brow as he tried to hide his distaste of the whole thing.

".... That is one word for it..." He admitted softly, going back to brushing the horse's side. "Tis unlike any land I have travelled to."

Hannah did as instructed, her tail wagging as she watched John take it from her palm. Her baby blue eyes lit up as she smiled, "He's a very good horse. I'm glad he's getting a good rest, Cromwell will make sure you both get everything you need."

She giggled a little, looking up at the knight, "how are you though? I know it was really weird for Daddy and me the first few weeks we stayed here. I'm guessing its weird for you too."

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He eyed up the basket and looked to John, who's ears perked up at the sight of the treats and he sighed again, shaking his head with a little amusement.

"Aye, he would like that, you can feed him if you wish," he raised a brow at the girl and showed her with his hand. "Hold the apple in you hand flat like this, he'll take it from you."

"I brought apples." She stepped in, a little basket in her hands as she offered it to the knight. "Maybe they'd like one too."

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The sudden appearance of the child made him jump and almost drop the brush, he sighed when he realised who it was, though it still put him on edge somewhat.

"... Aye... Aye he's a good horse.." He gently patted the brown stallion's neck.

"... is he friendly?"

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He's currently grooming little John whilst contemplating his life choices...

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Galleth watched the girl closely, she seemed very... Relaxed, somewhat? A certain air about about... He was unsure as to what exactly it was... But his concern was soon taken over by the sound of the bells on her staff and watched as the cows came lumbering over.

Keen, but tired yes watched over the fields, watching it be clear of the cows and squinting for aa familiar figure... Which he swore he could see sprawled out amongst the grass at the upmost peak of the field.

"... Dammit Little John..." He grumbled under his breath and gave a harsh whistle, attempting to get the horse's attention. A head was lazily lifted, ears perked at the whistle.

With a nod, she lead the way forward, the bells on her walking stick gently chiming with each step. The cow beside her followed along, still lead by it's rope, attached around it's neck somewhat loosely, a tuft of grass between it's jaws. A little walk later, they arrived to grassy hills, where a myriad of similarly ginger, long haired cows grazed. They were all adorned with horns, save for the one calf of the kine, whose horns hadnt grown in yet.

Raising her stick, the maiden shook it, ringing the bells, and the cows lifted their heads, lazily coming closer.

" See now, with my cows grouped together, if your horse is in my pastures. He would be the only one not to recognize the signal. "

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Galleth didn't respond, buttoning his lips that were previously dropped with his jaw at the realisation. He looked down at the hand on his shoulder, his ear flicking and still... Processing.

"I..." What did he say to something like this? After everything he knew he'd done in the past, when all of that... Was being questioned.

He shook the hand off his shoulder.

"I have to go check on John..." And he walked away with a quick pace to the stables.

"I don't blame you for being cautious or worried. Your world was probably different from ours, I mean damn... me and Hannah aren't even from Xandora. There will always be some people who have magic, who'll do bad things. Just as there will always be some people who wield a sword, who would do bad things. We shouldn't judge on a whole, but judge the individual instead."

"Alexander is giving you a chance to open your mind to new possibilities. Where dragons aren't monsters in children's tales, where magic can be more than devastation. I trust my Bonfire. Even my daughter looked at you, and while she was cross... I think she knew your heart isn't one to fear." He set a hand on the knight's shoulder.

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Time to go and be alone and contemplate his life choices.

Had he really been wrong all this time?

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Galleth followed, still looking rather annoyed, when he looked out the window, his hand automatically went to his sheathed weapon when he saw magic formed but then...

His eyes widened as he watched the creature come to life and seem to... Play, with the children. His hand loosened from his weapon, resting instead on the windowsill as he watched the three be chased around and laugh with the strange orb of light. He... Hadn't seen anything quite like it before.

Galleth's eyes flicked to the side when James addressed him, his own tail swishing, feeling a heavy weight land on his shoulders, lectured once more on his narrow mindedness and he swallowed nervously, turning his gaze back to the garden.

Magic seemed to run wild and free here.... Free to teach, to learn, to grasp and wield. It was such a far cry from the dangers Galleth was used to, what he was raised to believing was wrong, was dangerous and should be destroyed. His ears flattened, his mind going back to the many years where he had hunted said magic users down... Where he had 'destroyed the fires and spawns of hell.'

"... come with me a second." He motioned for him to follow, leading him to one of the many windows. Outside, Hannah could be seen with two other children.

Hannah cupped her hands, a liquid light pooling into it before it formed a floating orb. It sprouted rabbit like ears, and then trilled cheerfully. The trio would chase it, and it would lightly bounce off of their head each time they failed. It was a heartwarming sight.

"Hannah has a good heart, and a smart head on her shoulders. She doesn't want power, she doesn't want riches. She wants to live a happy life, with the people she loves most. She likes to draw, loves food, and... she doesn't judge." He looked to the knight, his tail idly flicking. "If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't of met my love Alexander. It's because of her I've learnt to open my heart again. She brings people together, Alexander and Cromwell adore her. Xandora is the safest place for her to learn, and not be exploited. The people we trust to teach her won't be teaching her war, and as she gets older she'll understand the intensity of her powers."

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Galleth's fingers drummed over his arm with a raised brow, not too impressed with the response. It was uneasy enough for him to be surrounded by dragons and magic alike, but a child with no real grasp of her potential destruction? That worried him.

"Hmph, tis smart to mayhaps use such magic in defence, but I have not seen anything but destruction by means of magic, t'would be foolish not to alert her of that, but then again, she is not my daughter." he waved his hand in dismissal. "This land is very peculiar indeed..."

"Bold of you to assume I don't teach her. I-... am still learning myself. But my mother's court mage and her Grandfather pitch in." James huffed, his ear giving a flick in annoyance.

"I know it can be dangerous, I've seen a glimpse of what it can do. But I don't want her to be afraid of it, being scared of yourself will only cause problems. Make you shove it down deep. Here at the castle, she is free to use her magic as she pleases. We only work with her to use it defensively. You've met her, if she hurt someone again, or even killed someone... she'd be devastated." James explained.

"Hannah is smarter than you think. She knows she could hurt somebody, but knows that if she learns more about it, she can prevent that from happening."

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Don't?! What did this man think he was going to do??? Start a war with a kid in the middle of it?!

"I would not do anything to that child," Galleth huffed and crossed his arms, mostly due to the fact he was a GUEST here and he all but feared the wrath of the child's father. "But in my experience, those with magic and raw power can be dangerous, tis all well and good to allow her to be a child, but t'would be witless to believe that she may never do harm. A child doesn't understand power. Nay. Tis a farce to not teach her, alas she is to discover for herself."

"Don't." James's tone was one that carried a warning, "She's eight. She deserves to be a kid. It's not her fault she was born with magic, and I'm not going to make her feel like its bad for her to have it. Its part of her. Just... let her make flowers and butterflies and whatever she wants."

He knew eventually she'd grow up, he'd been teaching her defensively in the form of throwing soft things at her, to get her to block. Like a game. Hannah didn't know.

But James wouldn't teach her to take a life. Never.

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.... Did he hear that right?.... A child with magic worthy of war?

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it’s real sir goof hours!!!!!!!!! i love galleth so much he’s so dumb

(click for better quality 🦝🎭)

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/ Fun fact. Valentines day wasn't celebrated in Galleth's time, so he has no idea what it is :D

[cooperkxight]

Sly Cooper Series: Sir Galleth Cooper