I was thinking about it last night, and I realised I’ve written a couple of scenes where Annie Darkstone is travelling with Melisa Grevling without Jonas being around. Which raised the question of “Why is Jonas letting his 10-year-old autistic daughter go out into the field without someone he only knows from work?”
And, well, now she’s Annie’s godmother.
I don’t think this qualifies as a Retcon. Granted, I might need to re-read how I’ve described Melisa and Jonas’ relationship, but I don’t think making Melisa Annie’s godmother is inconsistent with the current status quo. On the other hand, I freely admit that this is the first time I’ve made it explicit. But on the other other hand, I’ve never been very scrupulous about the state of Realmgard’s fixed canon, to the point that there isn’t really much of a fixed canon to begin with…
Also, this apparently establishes that Realmgard has some kind of equivalent to Baptism. Though, other religions and cultures do have concepts that are at least translated in English as “godparent” even if they’re not 1-to-1 equivalents.
I think at the very least, “trusted friend I want to take care of my kid if something happens to me” isn’t really an implausible notion. And I mean, hey, if a Fairy can be a child’s godmother, why not a badger?
Also also, I think I need to rework how exactly this scene would play out in a real story, because Annie is Sally‘s best friend (well, best friend who isn’t a bunny doll), Nolan and Matilda are Sally’s siblings, so logically, they should know Annie already…
Copyright
J.B. Norman
Once again, the Lyte Brigade is waiting at the landward gates of Porthaven to depart on an archaeological expedition with Melisa Grevling from the University of Porthaven.
When Melisa arrives, she’s holding a pink-haired little girl’s hand.
“So,” the Wilderling archaeologist says. “Here we are again. Good to see you again. And, hey, no bandits this time. Should be an easy job for all of us.”
“And the kid?” Matilda asks, pointing to the pink-haired girl.
“She’s with me,” Melisa say.
“I’m Annie,” the girl answers, looking up at the members of the Lyte Brigade before promptly looking everywhere but at their faces.
“So, is, uh, she, um …yours?” Matilda stammers.
Melisa chuckles.
“I think my mentioned Jonas before?” Melisa says. “Friend of mine from the university? He’s Annie’s dad.”
“So…” Nolan ventures. “You’re babysitting her?”
“It’s not that weird,” Pela says. “My Mom’s guildmates used to babysit me all the time. And my Dad’s sous-chefs a few times.”
Melisa chuckles again.
“No. She’ll be coming with us,” Melisa says. “She’ll be a big help. Trust me, she’s the smartest one here.”
“I’d agree,” Amara notes. “I’ve known Miss Antiqua most of her life and she really is quite impressive.”
“Thanks, Amara,” Annie says.
She turns to the others.
“Melisa is my godmother,” she says. “Not my actual mother. If she were, I’d be half-Wilderling. My real Mom is an Elf. You can probably tell that from my ears.”
“Yeah,” Melisa says. “Annie’s a great kid, but I’m not really looking to be a parent quite yet. Having a godkid is plenty right now. But, seriously, if anything happens to her, I will claw your faces off.”
Pela leans in close to Annie.
“If things get dangerous,” she tells the girl, pointing up at the towering Amazon beside her, “just hide behind Falcata. That’s what the rest of us do.”
“Well,” Nolan says, looking down at Annie. “Welcome aboard, Annie.”
“Thanks,” Annie says, glancing up and then anywhere but his face. “You’re Sally’s brother right?”
Nolan nods.
“She says you snore,” Annie notes.
Nolan blushes and awkwardly rubs his nose. Matilda throws back her head and laughs.
“Oh,” Annie says, blinking in surprise. “Should I not have said that? Sorry, I don’t always say the right thing.”
“No,” Matilda says. “That was definitely the right thing.”
“Oh,” Annie says. “You’re welcome?”
“So,” Melisa asks. “Are we ready to get going?”
The six members of the Lyte Brigade all nod and voice their agreement.
Melisa looks to Annie, who gives her a smile and a nod.
“Okay,” Nolan says, tightening the straps of his shield. “Let’s go.”
He turns towards the city gate.
“Lyte Brigade,” he calls, “move out!”
Annie stares thoughtfully up at him.
“Should I not come, too?” she asks.
“Wait. What?” Nolan asks. “Why?”
“Well, you said Lyte Brigade, move out,” Annie notes. “And I’m not part of the Lyte Brigade. But I thought Melisa and I were supposed to be coming with you…”
“Right,” Nolan says, staring down at Annie. “That’s all my fault. Sorry. Lyte Brigade and Melisa and Annie, move out!”
And the Lyte Brigade are, of course, the greatest heroes in Realmgard because they’re validating the autistic kid’s needs and concerns and taking the time to accommodate her.
Incidentally, April is Autism Awareness Month:
Those two things aren’t really directly related. But, honestly, they’re not not related…
Check out the rest of my Spring 2024 writing exercises here.
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