a seat at the table :: annie/beck/kirito/oasis
Apr 21, 2020 20:51:01 GMT -5
Post by Arrows on Apr 21, 2020 20:51:01 GMT -5
Crumbling clumps of white chalk whirl into clouds of dust while Kirito wipes away the remnants of the afternoon's lesson. Arrows aligning in the order of how to properly produce a burn stave out of common herbs are all too familiar to the aging Victor. He will never forget the faces fallen in fire on the screens he's forced to serve. Luckily, the class seems to be keeping quite a productive pace. Several of the assignments Kirito even allocates into jars to keep with his medical supplies. Just the other day a set of several workers came in with burns from a forced fire to clear the crops for new harvest. It's always such a solemn season, seeing the shards of the past produce flickering into flames beneath skies of smoke. So the cycle of Eleven churns.
Entering the living room from his medical area and classroom, Kirito is met by a melody of intoxicating aromas. The scent of special spices and treasured herbs coats the room as though it were the kitchen of a castle. Then again, it might as well be since it comes with a cruel crown. Kirito blinks away the troubled thought swiftly while rapping the crutch of his cane lightly on the wall to garner Oasis' attention. She is undoubtedly in her area of extreme focus with fresh foliage from Ikaia's farm flung around the kitchen counters. Kirito still questions how he ever got lucky enough to meet such an angel by the side of the swelling sea.
"It's smelling amazing as always. I'm going to go check on the kids and change and then I'll be right down to help with the rest."
Kirito lets a soft kiss press against Oasis' cheek as he passes her.
"Thank you for doing this."
Getting upstairs still takes time with the cane and the last lingerings of rehabilitation, but Kirito never lets it discourage him. The tumor is gone and he's entirely awake, aware of the way he wants to lead his life. He gained an entirely new perspective for the cost of a limp and a cane. He doesn't even mind it anymore, they are just reminders that he is in fact still alive and able to do more. So when he reaches the top of the stairs, he thinks of the twenty three others and takes the next steps for them. The ghosts are gone, but their memories are what matters.
Still covered in a cloud of chalk, a cry climbs out of Ma's door before Kirito can even turn the knob. Kei sits their stubbornly sobbing in Ma's lap while Ana seems all too interested in braiding Sonja's hair. An ounce of anger at Ana's abandonment of aid for her Grandmother alights inside of Kirito, but he extinguishes it quickly. If there is any lesson he's learned from parenting, especially parenting a teenage daughter, it's to pick his fights. wisely. Right now he is far more happy to take his sniffling son from Ma's hands with a wink instead of inciting a vigorous shouting match of every possible exploitative he would ever NOT want to hear Ana say aloud.
"I got him Ma, thank you again for watching them up here tonight."
Kei's soft skin smells of lilac and honeysuckle while his warm brown eyes burrow beneath a well of water. Kirito cradles Kei in his arms while coming to a seat in the old rocking chair Ma refuses to throw out. Apparently it's the same one Kirito and Ikaia's Pa had sat in when they were babes entrusted in his arms. Every time Kirito sits here he's filled with a flush of worry, a river of disbelief. The boy who stood bleeding and battered alone within the screams of a storm never imagined that he'd have children. He always thought he was too fucked up to ever deserve the great gift of hearing a child call him Dad. Yet, here he is with a room full of those who give him that gift everyday. It brings a smile to Kirito's face as he softly sings to Kei, the only thing that seems to soothe the sensitive boy's tantrums.
After settling things with Ma and the kids, Kirito returns to his room and changes into a red t-shirt and light denim jacket. Tonight is meant to be an escape for Beck, an escape from the fancy fittings and the intense emotions of the tour. Kirito couldn't believe it had been months since that boy from Four stood alone in a storm just as Kirito had before falling back into life. Kirito couldn't believe it had been months since he, Harbinger, Kassandra, and Katelyn had returned to Eleven with another set of slaughter Izars. Yet it has, and despite that Beck is family. Those that wear the same crowns and share the same tragic title of Victor are always welcome in Kirito's home.
Back downstairs, Kirito sets the table in the dining room and helps Oasis with anything and everything she needs him for. Some nights Kirito cooks, some nights she cooks, and tonight is her show. She can ask anything of Kirito and he will do so instantly. Half the time though she is swatting away her annoying husband as he deems himself the perfect taste tester to every dish available. When the two finally finish its far from Capitol quality, but its a flourish of District heart.
"Somehow you manage to impress me every single day."
Kirito says smiling to Oasis as he places the last plate onto the table.
"What will it be tonight for you? Red or White?"
Just as Kirito asks the question of wine a knock comes from the door. He quickly makes his way over to the front door and opens it to find the two most recent members of Four's court. Annie's blonde hair beams brilliantly in the shine of the setting sun and Beck seems strikingly similar to the boy Kirito was fourteen years earlier. He smiles and steps aside for them to come in.
"You have perfect timing, I just asked Oasis which kind of wine she'd like. Do either of you have any opinions? We also have other alcohols or some fresh juices if you prefer."
Letting the two come in and waiting for an answer, Kirito lingers for another second.
"And Beck, we truly are happy that you are able to join us."
Words from both a host and a Victor.