Dad talks?

Goji couldn't knock the thoughts from her mind; Buzzing around like flies. Each one taking its turn to bother her.
Being miserably in tears, heaving as she spoke, with makeup ruined, it was a very unflattering moment. It felt worse because she'd been consoled by the very person she was supposed to comfort.
The old man had passed in the night, leaving his wife, but still in this moment of uncertainty. The old man had attuned just to her. As if talking to his own granddaughter.

Oh, miss, are you alright? Tell me, dear, what's wrong?

I don't know what to d-do! I feel so h-h-helpless! I'm doing my best to be a goddess! And find my happy ever after! I-I j-j-just cannnn't! 

She felt so small, the childlike urges to spew out words more than her conscious need to breathe. As if on cue, a reassuring hand patted her shoulder. The vague Jersey accent helped, too.

Just breathe a moment. Sit up, will you.

It had shocked her and put a pause to her sobs, but it was kind, and she obeyed. Leaving a profile of makeup slobbered on the ground, she fought her way up, and tucked her head between her knees.

There we go, just breathe a moment, take a deep breath in and out. Now, I'll do it with you, you ready? One two in, wwwhhhhhop and out fffffffffffp.

She hadn't followed, but his parental tone eventually won her over. Following his lead, the second time he breathed in, she followed suit. Pausing a moment. Sitting there. And out.

Pauuuuuugh.

A gentle hand rubbed her back and encouraged her to sit up a bit more. Slowly she obliged as she continued her assignment to take deeper breaths in and out.

Are you ready to talk now?

Amongst the tears that fell, these few were of gratitude. Sniffling a bit she steadied herself to speak again.

She was sure he'd become a hero to someone in this life. Old men like that were pretty cool. a lifetimes worth of toil had taught how to focus on things of grater worth.

A sheepish nod led the way for her words.

I feel really incompetent. The person I love most just doesn't seem to care much about anything anymore. I feel so stupid and helpless about it. I know I'm supposed to trust it will work out and things will become better. That he'll be better. But he isn't, and things haven't changed and aren't changing. And it's just so frustrating. I just want to give up...

Coupling to her knees, the tears kicked up again. But her attempts to close were challenged by a reassuring hand.

It was fifteen years into our marriage when I got cancer. A lot of people do, and like many others, I chose treatment. It was miserable, and I'm admittedly a little jealous of how far treatment plans have progressed even in the years since I'd received mine. But I lived. That sickness, however, took so much from me. I did enough in the day to get by, and that was it. I ran on empty, every day! It took me too long before I realized how much it weighed on Maria.
I- I'd heard that woman yell, but this was her best performance yet!
I felt beaten into a corner, pummeled by my own wife. I'd almost wish the cancer took me. I'll never forget that look, her, just. Anger! Suddenly, the years that had passed cancer-free, I'd felt like I'd become her own personal cancer. Leeching her emotions and energy, we hadn't been intimate in a long time, and all of it ate at her. We were stuck at each other's throats, not out of necessity or want, but there was no room to move; we were stuck.

It was silly, almost. We'd written ourselves into a corner. Of needs and wants, either of us unable to fulfill.

I love that woman with all my soul. 

I remember a neighbor boy showing up and helping out with the undone yardwork that drove my wife crazy. It really wasn't anything to be mad at, but when nothing was done, not a thing felt like a lot of things.
He would show up day after day, even if it was to briefly say hi. He'd take out the trash, maybe stay for lunch. He'd even been so bold as to bring his girlfriend over for a date, cleaning up the leaves in our yard! I sent him with fifty dollars to go see a movie or something. I warned him he wouldn't come across a girl like this again. And would you believe it, he didn't. Didn't need to anyway. The kid was pretty admirable to say the least, he won all of our hearts. Including hers.

I remember one time sitting down with him. And would you believe it? He had just the right words. He'd told me about his parents. It was scary how close our lives, we lived, and up until maybe a week after that talk, I'd never even met them!
He told me that their marriage only got better when both of them realized they couldn't be who they once were, the times in their marriage that were filled with adventure and romance, actively going and doing were gone, forever. Each had their own unmet expectations that, especially now, neither could ever fulfill. They found space then. They'd backed off, and cried a bit, crying is healthy. And they chose to love each other again. Not as the people they once were, but as the people they were now.
It had brought a whole new light into their relationship. When I later talked with his parents, they'd told me how it felt like being new lovers again, each learning one another's rules, and finding each other's boundaries.
I knew I loved Maria, and I was certain she loved me. And so we tried. It had been so long since I'd bothered to get to know the woman I love. It was exciting again.

Defeat is just for one battle; giving up is losing the whole war. Never give up, kid. Go find the new balance.

Okay, maybe that thought was more of a butterfly. But the others were definitely horseflies.

Biting at her, the nagging feeling of putting a rift between Adelle and Murlock left bumps and bruises that itched. Stepping in as a divine summon wasn't something that could just be hidden in the barn. And Murlocks' now self-motivated calling meant sooner or later, that flimsy work relationship with Areo would be encountered one way or another.
Trying to swat off thoughts, she almost missed the beauty of the sunset in front of her.

"Miss, uh, Goji, was it? I'd like to talk, if we may."

It was Richard, despite the wording, he confidently strode to the side of her hulking mechanical figure and sat flat down. His shoes were already wiggling side to side.

"It's a nice sunset. I haven't sat out here and just watched it for a while. Thank you for the idea."

Beside her, the stellarly large tree felt more like a bush. She'd forgotten to honor its presence when she sauntered up and plopped down. In fact, the property around her was quite dignified. It definitely wasn't obtained by living a simple life. But it was well respected;  no piece was really left for show. The land around here had intent in its use.

"What's on your mind if you don't mind me asking?"

Oh great! Another pep talk from a fatherly figure. Ugh, what didn't she have on her mind?

"You seem real unbothered talking to your sons, scary metal familiar."

Her casual tone had come back; a week's worth of trying to be imposing had worn off. 

"My father-in-law has a great red dragon thrice your size. I only found out it was his after I wet myself in fear. My third date with Adelle had to be postponed."

Yeesh, overprotective father much. A lot of dad talk lately. She finally had to ask.

"How is Murlock doing? And Adelle?"

Richards gaze didn't shift from the sunset, only his boots decided to swirl instead of wiggle side to side.

"They'll be alright. Please don't worry yourself over it. Adelle was upset. But she's alright. She knows it's necessary for Mark to grow up, she's hoping he'll be afforded to do that a bit later than sooner. Murlock is good as well. It's probably best he's found a reason to leave this town. Being cooped up for so long isn't healthy for that man. Adventure and the persuit of magic runs in his blood. There are more lands to be saved and spells uncovered. Out there. Past the lines where war no longer rages."

A concuring nod from Goji followed that response. It was only fair to ask.

"Sooo, what thoughts are on your mind?"

"Will you watch after my son when I'm gone?"

The soft breeze only carried in more flies.

"Can you elaborate, please?! That's more cryptic than a girl is comfortable with, thank you!"

Both broke their laid-back stance in response to each other. Richard pulled a knee closer to his chest and decided eye contact was the call.

"Ah, sorry. Just, you're his familiar. And the way you talk. You feel, don't you?"

Please, no more flies, he couldn't be onto me, too! 

"I don't really care how you have them, I can tell you care like I do about him. Unlike you, I can't promise him I'll be around forever. If that's growing old, or old unwanted acquaintances wanting to catch up. This family is the best thing that's ever happened to me. And I wish for some assurance that someone will be around to take care of it."

The two gave a few quiet moments before turning back to the sunset. Oh my gahhhhh, he is not real right now! Very unfair.  Richards' demeanor never said it, but the short sword that never left his side did. Black and coarse, gouged and resharpened. As an anti-magic blade, it fit the profile. A vendetta against power. Biting the heel of any who dared to step on it. The wielder, one who'd rather end a fight gutted than lose.
Whoever he was, it was obvious he never counted on tomorrow coming. Just that he had to live for today.

"I will. I'd move the cosmos if it meant keeping Mark safe."

She really meant that. And as the stars started to twinkle in the evening sky. She already had.

Glancing down at Richard, his eyes were ready to meet hers. A small cough as he stood. Helped reset the mood.

"Um, thank you, Goji, good talk."

A small pause.

"I do hope for tomorrows, just so you know. People are made to grow. I don't know what else is on your mind, I can't read it. But if you keep fretting about a tomorrow that hasn't yet come. It will only ruin today."

Catching himself, he re-faced her, a little more lighthearted.

"Oh, also, please do let us know if the bed in the barn is to your liking. We can try a few more ideas if you'd appreciate it."

"Thank you, and no, it's just fine. I'll be in in a minute."

Please! Please let the father's talks cease for a time. She needed to actually think about anything they said, before anyone else spoke to her.