Just Stories
#5 of Short Stories
So, this is a little snippet I co-opped with KateTheMarten. I was bored and she's always looking for things about Tobias, so I took fifteen minutes and typed out a scenario she described.
All characters depicted belong to Kate. Tobias himself is actually a part of comidacomida's audience influenced epic "The Lead Crown." https://www.sofurry.com/view/686727
Tobias sat at his mother's knee with wide eyes as she told him tales about ages long past, days when spirits both good and evil roamed the earth. To him, they were just stories, but they were entrancing and enrapturing, and he held onto each word with bated breath.
His father walked into the room looking cross, and he pointed an accusing finger at Tobias's mother.
"Stop that, stop that this instant! I will not have you filling our child's head with your tribal nonsense. Worshipping false idols is a sin, and I will not have you corrupt him."
"Please, darling. I have tried to be open minded about your... religion, but is learning about his culture really such a crime? I am only telling him stories."
"Your stories would lead him on a false path, one that does not worship the lord God our savior."
"My stories would lead him down whatever path he wished to tread. Besides, what stories would I tell, if not the ones I was told as a child? They teach good lessons, and my little Toby does enjoy them so."
She wrapped her arms around Tobias and hugged him like a teddy bear while he made the cutest face he possibly could.
"Fine... but only stories. You will teach him none of your heathen religion about spirits and whatnot. Tobias will be raised to praise the lord, just like his brother. They'll both make fine Mehnzilians someday."
There was a spark of anger and a flash of defiance in her eyes at this, but her words were mild, and her voice showed no trace of her inner feelings.
"Of course, my love. Come now, Toby, we need to run to the market to grab some things for dinner."
They strolled out of the house hand in hand, with a few empty bags slung over her shoulder. She gripped her child's hand close to keep him from wandering off, but once they were safely past their block, Tobias raised his voice in a faltering question.
"Mother... the stories you tell me... were they real? Did things like that really happen?"
She stopped and knelt down to look him in the eyes as she smiled and poked his nose playfully.
"All stories were true at one point, little one. Always keep that in mind."