Tonight}Cyggy{We Are Young

There is just something in the way his breath catches just when those words start pouring from his lips. Maybe its the pause of silence in the air or the vacuum sound that sucks in air like a vortex inside his lungs. Either way Marcelline would be pulled into his speech as if he was singing with his words. As eloquent as his words were they were hindered by the drag of his jaw and lag from word to word. Still, she didn't care. Wide eyed she'd sit. Memorized by the intelligence that lofted its way through his descriptions.How long it had been since she would sit and contemplate with Cygnus. Talking about what little literature they could scrounge up from the citizens of District Ten. The music they'd witness one of the fostered children produce with their vocal cords. These occurrences were far and few between. But today was Marcelline's mission to drag her Cygnus from the Emberstatt home and into the District for some much needed relaxation. Mace's reaping had taken a toll on Cygnus. More so than Marcelline could have ever imagined. He barely slept, the TV was always flickering light, beckoning for Cygnus to succumb to its knowledge. Slightly it agitated Marcelline but she waited. Never before had she thought she'd become that woman. Waiting for a man to snap out of his trance and actually notice her. Granted she didn't want to seem ungrateful. Both Mace and Cygnus gave her something that could never be replaced.

Freedom. The choice to leave her wretched home and fly free. Unfortunately that left her slightly homeless, although the Emberstatt Mama had her best interest. She would stay with the Emberstatts. That was no request, but a command. Marcelline didn't mind. She cooked as best as she could for the family, since there were so many of them. Took care of the cattle as best as she could. She was no Mace, she never would be. Yet they were still alive and kicking. There was some type of connection. There had to be. Between those blasted cows and Mace. Almost as if their life threads strung together in a cohesive knot. Stubborn and brutish Mace lived, practically without a scratch. Today would consist of his life or death yet Marcelline was calm. Frankly she had to be. With Cygnus simply jumping out of his skin with fear, there had to be a stable support. Someone strong and thinking clearly.

Which is why that very morning Marcelline decided to run. Each day they talked about it, granted talking was only one step after thinking. Action was miles away from talking, yet that morning she woke determined. The early morning was chilled, a fleece blanket clawing at her throat. Each breath inwards led to another one out. Her body shook with a cold which seeped deep within her bones, rooting themselves comfortably. Thoughts pooled throughout her mind flouncing about haphazardly. One pulsed against her ear in confirmation to her wishes. A rush of cold air attacked Marcelline's flesh in a slightly pleasant way. She enjoyed the cold in her own way. It reminded her she was alive, but numbed her in the most comforting way. Little motivation pushed her forward, weaving through the five or so other beds that withheld children. There wasn't a shortage of children here and each of them quite enjoyed Marcelline's stay. Maybe she wasn't the warmest and friendliest woman alive but she cared for the little girls the best she could. They believed her to be a big sister, making a new tease everyday about Cygnus and her living "happily ever after." The "ever after" part seemed so far away to her. Mace was fighting for his life death, while loosing his sanity on the way.

As expect Cygnus was found asleep on the couch. His hair was a matted mess, as he laid sprawled across the rug in front of the TV (which at the moment was sprouting out an unpleasant white noise). Sweetie... The fire across the room crackled jarring her memory. Tea. Far ago it reminded her of stiff dresses and slapping of fingers. Now it warmed her toes and brightened her days, just a bit. The water sizzled in high pitched frequencies forcing Marcelline to cringe. Warmth rushed into the water feverishly exciting the molecules. Not before very long the water was boiled enough to create some tea. Placing in a tea bag, one of which Mrs. Emberstatt had created during the summer months, waiting for the bitter contents to seep into the water. After a few moments she tossed the tea bag placing one lump of sugar and the teeniest amount of milk.

"Wake up." She chuckled softly at the small movement he responded with. But, she wasn't going to give up that easily. Setting down the dingy china onto the corner table she switched off the TV. Sitting onto the floor next to him she continued to chuckle. Each passing moment her heart swelled with pure joy at watching him resist her awakening. "Got to get up honey. Today is wednesday. Our day. Come on." Huffing with frustration Marcelline tugged at his clothing a few more times pecking him squarely on the jaw. "Wakey, wakey, Emberstatt!"