bleeding out for our own sake | {python/nyte/dars}

[umber vivuus 12b 🥀 [dars]]

K E L L A N F R A Y "What, you thought we were joking?" The voice was his mother's, and she circled him, stared at him like he was her prey. "No, Kellan! Your father and I were serious! Eight children. Eight! And none of you have been reaped. It's ridiculous!" he held his tongue. It had always been better when he held his tongue, but still, it was preposterous what she was saying, acting as if all of them had chosen not to be reaped, as if they had each asked for their names to be taken out of the reaping and trained themselves into the ground just for the hell of it. "Now, straighten up and come on. I need you to help your father and I find someone decent enough." Finally he spoke, angry with how little his voice hid the amount of anger laced within it. "Decent enough for you to slap our name on them?" He laughed. "As far as I am concerned, no one is 'decent enough' for that." He watched his mother's jaw clench and unclench several times. "I'll be waiting for you at the center. Your father is bringing Kaiser along to help as well. You will be there. Is that understood?" he didn't answer, only met the blonde woman's cold gaze before she stormed out the front door. Finally, he gasped for air. He hadn't even realized he'd been holding his breath. He couldn't believe this! Kellan Fray was a god among insects, far better at anything he tried his hand in than any lowly orphan his parents could get their fingers on. Adopting children so that they would have a greater chance of being the parents of a victor- it was pathetic. It wasn't needed, because Kellan was going to be reaped, it was as simple as that. Once he arrived at the center- going and giving his parents what they wanted was better than whatever punishment they would throw at him- he was met with grimy faces filled with hope, dozens of them, and felt a sickening twist in his stomach. There was no way in hell he was sharing a home with these people. Any of them. He tried to hide his disgust as a young boy- maybe thirteen- tried to handle a spear and failed. If he were a part of this center, he'd have been eaten alive. He found his parents, as well as his brother, at the very same table that was used to do monthly evaluations that determined the ranking of the entire center. He glanced at the billboard hanging on the wall behind it, he and his siblings all in the first ten names. He wished his parents would just understand it, just realize that no one, no one could walk into the Fray name. Except Pillar, of course. "Ah, Kellan, good to see you showed up. Excellent choice. Have a seat, we are about to begin!" She motioned to the free seat between herself and Kaiser, his father sitting on the other side of her. He sat without speaking, again trying his hardest to hide the disgust for his own sake. He gave Kaiser a look of amazement and nodded slightly in their parents' direction. He knew the boy would understand exactly what he was trying to say. One by one, pathetic attempt at some twisted version of a Cinderella story crumbled to bits and Kellan was finally starting to think that maybe his parents were getting the idea that these people were in the situations they were in for a reason. They weren't strong, their family members obviously weren't either or they wouldn't have been dead. He rolled his eyes as a petite girl- Oslinna Coradite, sixteen years old- ran out of the room struggling to contain her tears. "Number fourteen, failure." He sighed. One of the others called for the next person. He glanced down at the paper in front of him. It only had a single word, a name. No last name, no age, just one name. "Aurelie." template by chelsey

[maverick hale 🌧️ d5 [nyte]]

{this is survival of 
the fittest;

I've lost count. The days, so long, have passed with such speed I'm in danger of whiplash. I don't remember how old I am, I don't remember how old I was. Things like that aren't important in a place like this. If I had to guess, I'd say I'm sixteen. Perhaps it's wishful thinking, or the darkness within gives me clairvoyance about such things. The latter, is obviously more likely, not that I look like it today. My hair is pulled into a tight bun at the very back of my skull, sporting a low cut top and jeans of which were any tighter they'd have to be painted on. Appearance is everything, that's what they've taught me. To be yourself is flawed, like a lame dog you'd be unwanted. And so, a smile is plastered across cherry red lips. An attempt to hide the darkness which boils within my vessels, stronger with every passing beat. 

"Aurelie." The single word is enough to send shivers down my spine. I'd seen them, walking away as they held back tears. It wasn't often a family arrived looking for an older child, but to hold a fucking audition? It seemed almost ridiculous. I didn't know much about them, and I didn't care. I wanted out of this godforsaken place, and I wanted out now. I'd done my time, had my fun hexing the other children within my wing. Honestly, our dorm is always just a little colder than the others. I swear it's the curse I put on the little bitch across the hall. But, that is not the girl they will see today. Who has spilled the blood of animals, and even her own, for power. They will meet Aurelie, a girl with no last name, who's willing to be anything they want, just to have a home. 

If they wanted a career, I would provide. Perhaps a girl to tend the youngers, or the sweetest, most innocent child you've ever met. I'm never truly myself, unless I'm alone. Eventually willing myself to move, I focus on the rhythm of my movements, make sure that my head is held high and my abdomen tensed. That I exude a confidence most people lack. I'm a cut above the rest. 

When I face them, my heart stops. They already have children. I can make out at least two, beside what seem to be a mother and father. It hadn't occurred to me, that parents would look for another child, once they already had one. How could you possibly give each the attention they needed? Ensure that they carried on your legacy the way you intended. All the same... I wanted out. And perhaps, with more children come a freedom this witch has never tasted. Time to begin "Hello." I flash them a smile, the teeth brushed with meticulous repetition each night still only resembled a faded eggshell. "I'm Aurelle... just Aurelle. For now anyways." I give a laugh, resting my hand upon my hip and trying to calm my rapid heart. I could tell, from their poise, the fierce nature that hung about them, power rolling off of them in waves. They were careers. I was sure of it... at least almost sure. "I'm sure the others have sung their own praises, told you of their talents and attempted to prove to you what an amazing addition to your family they would be." I roll my eyes, "I'm not going to." I can't help but smile, venomous, and sweet. "I want power. I want glory. I have the drive, and I sure as hell have the ability, the real question is, can you provide?"

[Python]

And boys are so cold
They speak without meaning

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K A I S E R F R A Y
DISTRICT1 | SIXTEEN

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An audition.

He thought he was going deaf, but no, he heard him right. A fucking audition. This has to be a new level of desperate, he thought silently as his father described the procedures. At the training center the four of them – mom, dad, Kaiser and Kellan – would all be seated at a table to watch a bunch of kids fight for a spot in the Fray family, because apparently eight children wasn’t enough, and they were all out of patience when it came to waiting for one of them to be reaped. This is stooping to Moreno level. The notion was absolutely ridiculous, and it sounded like a great way to waste all of his valuable fucking time. But instead of back-talking he merely shrugged and followed his father to the training center. Might as well be obedient. It was much easier than listening to him bitch about defiance and dishonor.

At the center, he paid faint attention to the insects trying to prep themselves for the audition. Most of them looked young and naïve – shit, what was the fun in that? Where was the eye candy? He didn’t want to watch a bunch of sweaty, prepubescent stick figures fail at tossing knives and cut themselves open trying to wield a sword. Actually, scratch that, he would love to see someone injure themselves. That would be hilarious, especially if they cried. Suddenly he was smirking, kindling high hopes for this pointless audition. It was going to be lame as fuck, but someone might humiliate themselves. That would at least be one upside.

When Kellan’s smug ass walked in, it was clear that he was repelled by the idea as much as Kaiser was. The expression he flashed him confirmed the whole story. Kaiser raised his eyebrows and emphasized a mask of mixed disbelief and annoyance in return. I know, right?

And then the stupid thing began, and oh my Ripred is this a nightmare.

It had its perks, though. Despite the string of pathetic failures, embarrassing disappointments and boring weirdos there were some highlights. That Oslinna girl, for example. She staggered out of the room weeping like a child, and the noises of despair rumbling low in her throat reminded him of a howling ape. He snickered under his breath as the next name brought them all to attention once again. ”Aurelie!” Kaiser perked at the sight of the newest spotlight, arching a brow as he scribbled a note on his paper. Hot enough.

Then she started talking, and that wasn’t a surprise. Everyone was always boasting about how awesome they were before they busted their asses and plunged Kaiser into a fit of discomfort from second hand embarrassment. Arelie or Aurelle or whatever wasn’t really bragging, though. She was being honest. ”I want power. I want glory. I have the drive, and I sure as hell have the ability, the real question is, can you provide?"

That was the first time anybody had asked them a question. It was bold, but she still had to deliver a true performance.

”She’s hot, can we keep her?” he turned to Kellan, flashing an obnoxious smirk. Even if she failed to impress his parents, he could totally comfort her afterward, offer a shoulder to cry on.

Maybe a bit more.

”I call dibs.”

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template by chelsey