Weight of the world {Kire/Blitz}

[Knuckles]

Ethuil Aldalómë
Thirty-six | Male | District 12
How long have I been in this storm?

Sleep never came last night. Instead, Ethuil spent the night holding Fleur clsoe to him as she cried herself to sleep. Ever since Crane volunteered for an experiment, fear crept through his veins. Leaving thoughts trapped in the back of his mind. Comprehending what ran through his son's mind was almost impossible, and hearing the words he said before leaving the district pierced through a broken heart. A flaming sword sliced through the air cutting him down. Have I really not spent that much time with them? Have I really forgot about my own family? Shaking his head, he rests his hands on the desk in front of him trying to hide the tears sitting in the corner of his eyes. He never saw eye to eye with many people in the district, but he always put their needs before his own. And now it felt like the entire world was crashing around him. But his work had to go on despite his son not being home. So much rested on his mind devouring his soul leaving nothing but a rotting corpse on the outside. Work wasn't happening today. A shaking hand lifted a book from the table opening it to an unwritten page. His story was wrote down in here. His life with his family. Every single memory he can think of rested on the pages in front of him. This book was his lifeline. The only thing closer was his family. And it felt like it was slowly falling apart. Grabbing a pen off the table, he stared at the blank page fighting to figure out what to write down next. But all that came to him was broken thoughts belonging to his broken heart.

286 words

[Kire]

[googlefont="Jim Nightshade:400"]

Arbrette Aldalómë
The Mayor's Daughter

She didn't notice her brother was gone until this morning.
"Mommy, where did Crane go?"
Her mother didn't say anything, just shook her head.
"Mommy where is Crane?"
Both mother and brother were silent.
"Does Daddy know where he is?"
No one said anything, so she went to see.

Her fingers made a hard tapping sound on his door.
"Daaaaaddddyyyyy."
Impatient, she knocked again.
"Daddy, it's me."
Giving up on waiting, she opened the door.
"Where's Crane? Mommy wouldn't tell me."
She looks up at him, curious.

Arbrette was never the best at judging other people's emotions, nor was she good at really thinking of anyone else besides herself. If she wanted to know something, someone would have to tell her because otherwise she wouldn't stop asking the question. Everyone had become accustomed to her ways and so most people would give in early to make her stop sooner. Unfortunately, that just made her more entitled.

[Knuckles]

Ethuil Aldalómë
Thirty-six | Male | District 12
How long have I been in this storm?

It was quiet for only a moment until he heard his daughter, Arbrette, pounding on his door. Shaking his head, he tried to ignore her hoping she would stop, but it never happened. Soon she opened the door herself. "Where's Crane? Mommy wouldn't tell me." For good reason. He wanted to say, but he kept those words hidden in the back of his mind. How could a father explain to his daughter that her brother volunteered for something and was taken away? Arbrette had to know, and Aarin needed to know too, but right now didn't feel like the time. It never felt like the time. Shrugging his shoulders, he turned from his desk. "Take a seat, Arbrette." He said while pointing to an open chair in the corner. "I was going to wait until both you and Aarin were awake to tell you both at the same time." Sliding his hands down his face, Ethuil remained calm. "And I still think that's the best option." A tiny grin twisted across his face trying to hide the pain lingering deep inside him.

183 words

[Kire]

[googlefont="Jim Nightshade:400"]

Arbrette Aldalómë
The Mayor's Daughter

Her father offers her a seat and a sigh.
"But Daddy, he is awake."
She flicks a hand towards the door and kitchen.
"Mommy is making him breakfast."
She stretches up in pride.
"I ate everything on my plate."
Of course, she was only ever given what she liked.

The tiny smile is lost on her.
"Just tell me, Daddy. I can tell Aarin after."
More likely, she would brag that father trusted her more.
"Did Crane go on a mission for you?"
The excitement is clear in her face.
"Can I go on a mission for you, too?"
She kicks her legs back and forth as she sits.
"Please, Daddy, please."

Subtleties are lost on her. The pain in his face, while normally visible to anyone else, is completely hidden from Arbrette. As every, she is only thinking of herself and the fame she could get by doing a mission for her father. She was trustworthy, after all, and she was important enough. Eagerly, she waited for her father to give her what she wanted. She always got what she wanted.

[Knuckles]

Ethuil Aldalómë
Thirty-six | Male | District 12
How long have I been in this storm?

Arbrette just wouldn't stop. She kept going and going. Rubbing his head, the mayor turned towards his daughter. Sometimes she annoyed him, but Ethuil wouldn't change the world for nothing. He held his family close to his heart, and knowing that Crane gave it away by volunteering only made it all worse. Aarin was awake, and Fleur was already in the kitchen cooking breakfast. And it made him proud knowing that Arbrette had ate everything on her plate; however, an empty chair filled his mind as he thought about Crane eating breakfast. "Crane didn't go on a mission, Arbrette, and I have no mission to send anyone on. " Sometimes he felt like it was impossible for him to get to her. He felt like she never truly understood the meaning of life, but after all, it was him and his wife who spoiled her like this. Giving her everything she wanted before the tantrums ran wild. In a way, Ehtuil was starting to regret it. Sighing to himself, he rubbed his hands against his face once more trying to figure out the easiest way to go about this. "Do you remember the flyers hand out for this experiement in district six?" His voice was calm trying to keep the pain from exploding inside of him. If she didn't know the answer, he didn't plan on telling her. It was his wish that just for a moment she would leave him alone.

243 words

[Kire]

[googlefont="Jim Nightshade:400"]

Arbrette Aldalómë
The Mayor's Daughter

His words disappoint her.
"No missions? But Daddy don't you trust me?"
She doesn't know why he rubs his face.
"Sure, the experiment run by the Capitol guy."
She gets a dreamy look whenever the Capitol is mentioned.
"I want to be famous like him, Daddy."
All she wants is everything.

She doesn't put two and two together. Each thing he says to her is a new revelation and while either of her brothers might have figured it out by now she is still in the dark. Her beaming face is full of wonder at the idea of meeting a real Capitolite. To her the prospect only hold excitement. She wouldn't know what danger and sorrow were if they stared her in the face. Her own father's weary grief was completely lost on her. Had she really thought about it, she might have signed up for the experiment herself. Surely it would have made her famous.

[Knuckles]

Ethuil Aldalómë
Thirty-six | Male | District 12
How long have I been in this storm?

"No missions? But Daddy don't you trust me?" Those words hit him harder than they should've. But what can he say to a girl who doesn't understand what has happened? Ethuil was placed in a sticky situiation, and it felt impossible to break through. No matter what he said, Arbrette kept asking more and more questions. "I want to be famous like him, daddy." It took everything he had to not bash his head against the table. Getting his daughter to understand wasn't simple, but somehow it had to be done. He had to tell her. Perhaps Fleur would tell Aarin. It was his hope, but Aarin would understand. A sense of urgency was pressing through his veins. It was all impossible. Every single thing in the world was resting against his shoulders. Ethuil was tired. The lack of sleep was getting to him despite the numerous nights he's gone without. "Arbrette, listen. Crane volunteered for that experiment. He signed up without talking to anyone, and he's gone." A single tear slid down his cheek. "And truthfully, I don't know what's going to happen to him. But right now I'm powerless." Ethuil felt like a horrible father. He felt like he had let his entire family down. Like he had done everything wrong. Many mistakes were made, but perahps not showing his love enough was enough to push them away. "Arbrette, I want you to know that I'm always here for you no matter what. If you ever feel like I don't pay attention to you, come get my attention. Don't ever feel like I don't care about you." Rubbing his hands down his face once more, he inhaled sharply. "Because I do care. You all are my life. Please, don't ever feel like I don't care."

297 words

[Kire]

[googlefont="Jim Nightshade:400"]

Arbrette Aldalómë
The Mayor's Daughter

Her brother always tried to take the spotlight away from her.
"But that means he'll be famous before me."
Had she been standing, she would have stomped her foot.
"Crane is trying to be better than me."
Finally she noticed the tear on his cheek.
"Daddy, why are you crying?"
His words made no sense to her.
"But you're powerful Daddy, you're the Mayor."
He rambles to her and she listens attentively, or attentively enough anyway.
"Oh I know Daddy."
Like that she dismisses his fears without a care.

The oblivion she experiences is beyond what anyone else notices. In her mind they are all her subjects and she, as queen, is guarded by her father, the royal knight, and advised by her mother, her fairy godmother. Her brothers are pages and eventually they will serve her as knights as well. She does notice the gap Crane leaves, but only because her picture is incomplete without him. There are supposed to be two brothers, and yet right now she can only see one.

[Knuckles]

Ethuil Aldalómë
Thirty-six | Male | District 12
How long have I been in this storm?

Sighing heavily to himself, Ethuil began to wonder if she would ever understand. Not once did he think Crane had done it to get famous - he's only twelve, and Crane doesn't see the world that way. All he wanted was the attention he deseved; Ethuil thought he had given it, yet it seemed his efforts were short lived. In a way, it felt like Arbrette was much younger than she was. Oblivious to the world around her with her father wrapped around her finger. "Arbrette, I don't think Crane volunteered for that to become famous. Nobody knows what to except from it, and knowing that it's Capitol run only brings fear." Even the mayor had to worry about his children being reaped for the games. Granted their chances didn't seem large, but it was definitely possible. Just like Crane was chosen after volunteering for the experiment. "One day, Arbrette, when you have a family of your own, you'll understand." Would she ever understand? Was she capable of getting out of this mindset she was in? Ripred help her if she was ever reaped for the games because Ethuil knew that would be a wake up call for both her, and the rest of the Aldalómë family.

207 words

[Kire]

[googlefont="Jim Nightshade:400"]

Arbrette Aldalómë
The Mayor's Daughter

He sighs as he tries to explain again.
"Why would people be afraid? It sounds like the Games!"
She has never been afraid of the reaping, to her it's exciting.
"But I do have a family, Daddy. I have you and mommy and Aarin and Crane."
The thought of growing up and having children has never come to her.
"I want to live with you forever."
Once more, the seriousness of the situation escapes her.

Somewhere in her mind she does register that she might not see Crane again, but she denies that thought. Daddy would never let one of her brothers be taken away. That's why their names have never come up in the reaping, he tells them that they can't take his children. She has no concept of luck and despair.

[Knuckles]

Ethuil Aldalómë
Thirty-six | Male | District 12
How long have I been in this storm?

"Why would people be afraid? It sounds like the Games!" His heart fell to the pit of his stomach after hearing these words. What she didn't realize was people should fear the Games because once inside it was a life or death situation. People fought. They murdered other people. Yet it was obvious she didn't see it this way. Ethuil wanted to reply and tell her they weren't just some spectator sport awaiting a chance for two champions from each district. He wanted to tell her it was a death match, but how could he explain it? What words could form together to create a structured sentence Arbrette would understand? "Yeah, it sounds just like the games." His tone was low as the words escaped into the air around him. It was probably the only way to stop any further questions, yet in the back of his mind, he knew one day he would have to explain what they truly were. Ethuil would need to lead his family, and perhaps sharing what the Games really involved was a way to show Arbrette that the Capitol had total control. And the thought of his daughter living with him together brought a smile across his face. Ethuil loved his family more than anything in the world which was probably why he sheltered them so much. All he wanted was to protect them from the outside world, yet he failed to protect Crane.