Static as Stone {Mattio|VT}

Static as Stone {Mattio|VT} Sept 8, 2017 13:25:05 GMT -5

Post by Tom on Sept 8, 2017 13:25:05 GMT -5

Fingers tap against the pocket of his slacks, which were now browning around the bottom, just being too close to the dusty ground as he moves along in the home of Emberly Lowe and Rory Benstaloe. It only felt like yesterday when Emberly Lowe had told him to stay and watch the sunset with her. That's why he was there late in the afternoon to see the only family that the peacekeepers would let him know about as he watched them at the speech that he had to give. Stuck at the center of eyes that hated him and wished he could have done more. He wished he could have done more for District Ten.

The haunting glow of Emberly Lowe and Rory Benstaloe still sit in the depths of his mind, every time that he closes his eyes. Chapped lips of the air sends a chill through him as he moves in time with the sky's blue. It felt different. There's too many words. Too many eyes. Too many questions. They all look to him for answers, but he can't help but look to others for help. Ma would have told him to not let the pressure get to his head, but it did. Death would have been easier than looking into the eyes of Saffron Lowe. Grief lying behind them when he was the one to cause it all.

Death would have been so much easier than that.

He lives though. Heart heavy with the ones that he ends up carrying with him. There's not a moment where he feels like he can think. A small life full of just himself and Ma was gone now. He's under the spotlight that the world would watch him from and he didn't like it, but he would stand for them. Tears threaten to fall as he arrives at the place. There's pieces of Rory in everything he can see around him. The sharp tongue that Rory had carried. The way that he could see the koalas, reminding himself that's what they were called. He found it out for Rory.

There's the guy who he knew of as Rory's brother. Time turns to static as he stops in his path. Fingers stretch and ease as he watches the male who has eyes that look like Rory's. Facial features that glow with the reminder of Rory who had chopped the chicken plushie's head off. All he can do is gasp for air as he feels like he's collapsing again, but he needed to be strong. He doesn't do anything but pushing forward. Eyes glowing green with the sorrows that lie deep in his chest.

There's a moment when he reaches for the other male, but stops. There's something else there that he can't read. He can't read the male who was busy doing something else, but alcohol was in the air as he caught a whiff of it. All Teddy could do was bring his hand to the other male's shoulder, tapping it to get his attention.

The attention is there as Teddy freezes in front of the Benstaloe. There's tears that threaten to fall from Teddy's eyes. There's a shake in his hand as he pockets them into the depths of his slacks that were getting ruined. His left leg feels like it has an itch that can't be scratched. There's a shiver that rides through his body as he remembers Rory's strength in confidence and words. The downfall of his friend and how Chester and him left Rory to Wendell's evil hands. It's all running in his head, but he barely manages to speak. He knows what he wants. He knows what he has to do. He needs to find closure.

"Can- Can I see him?"

Static as Stone {Mattio|VT} Sept 15, 2017 21:15:42 GMT -5

Post by MATTIO on Sept 15, 2017 21:15:42 GMT -5

[googlefont="Megrim:400;"]

Rodney Benstaloe

Rodney never quite understood how quickly that a family, a once semi-happy household, could turn into a quiet and nearly vacant place within the snap of some fingers. The fractures made by the losses he and his parents faced were like breaking bones: a shocking sensation at first, a nagging pain second, and the plan to rebuild as the ending. The first time around, the procedure was new. He took his time to come to terms with the fact that his twin brother wasn’t going to come back.. ever. His mirror image was gone, and Rodney had to start looking at himself for what he really wanted.

It was slow and steady, for him and Rory and his parents. The years of working his way back up to a healthy state of mind- or as healthy as he could without leading himself to insanity- the rebuilding took too long for Rodney’s taste. It took time to find what made him feel better.

This time around, though, it wouldn’t be his first rodeo. He knew the routine. He knew how to make it better.

He remembered this day after the Seventy-First, even if it was a whole five years back. Rodney remembered staring at Harbinger Rhodes with complete disgust. It wasn’t as if he was even responsible for Rowdy’s death, but it was out of jealousy. This time though, Teddy Ursa hurt him five times less. Teddy at least worked with Rory. But still, the angry and envy that he got out over Rory bites at his parents. Even Rodney was agitated that neither of his brothers could catch a break. They were his brothers after all, even with rivalry and arguments at times, he’d want the best for them.

He loved Rodrick as a friend and as a brother, he was the shoulder Rodney leaned on. And with, Rory ninety-nine times out of a hundred he hated the kid on a personal level, but deep down, Rodney loved his brother.

By the time Teddy Ursa was in the District, he’d passed the shock part of the procedure. Everywhere reminds Rodney of his two brothers: the cattle, their bedroom, the tree in their backyard, the list goes on. And each time it brings back a dismal pain that aches for what sees like milleniums.

What better way to stop the pain than sneaking some of Papa’s whiskey? He won’t notice, he never noticed before…

So that’s what Rodney did.

He tucked the half-empty flask of whiskey gently into his sport coat’s pocket. Patting it down gently.

It was just then when a hand grabbed at his shoulder.

The hand is connected to none other than Teddy, the victor. Rodney didn’t get this kind of encounter back with Harbinger, and he wasn’t exactly sure if he wanted this. He wanted to be alone to think and to drink. It wasn’t gonna happen though, not now. All these people are too persistent on knowing.

To Rodney, it’s just better not to know.

”Can- Can I see him?” The kid’s voice spoke to Rodney as if nervous.

He responded with his scratchy, southern voice.

”Rory’s in the graveyard, Mr. Victor Man,” he said, his chocolate brown eyes staring into Teddy’s hazel.

”It’s a ways away, but I can take ya there, if ya wanna?” he pointed in the direction of the graveyard where Rory and Rodrick rest side by side.

He wanted to just say ‘fuck off’ to the now-celebrity from six, but he figured it was the least he could do for Rory and for the victor. One last final goodbye.

TABLE MADE BY GHOSTY