//Dans ses yeux// {Damen}

new

« Prev
1
Next »

Rosetta
Retired Staff

1,872 POSTS
last seen Aug 5, 2020 8:28:28 GMT -5

//Dans ses yeux// {Damen} Feb 2, 2012 19:47:33 GMT -5

Post by Rosetta on Feb 2, 2012 19:47:33 GMT -5

Lethe Turner

[/center]

The child yawned in Lethe’s arms, scrunching up her tiny red nose, causing Lethe to smile down at her. She was so tiny, her little veins standing out against her pale skin, her mouth wide in the yawn, revealing pink gums that hadn’t yet gotten their teeth. On contrary to her siblings who might’ve cooed and sighed in awe, her mother only pursed her lips.

“Lethe, darling,” the woman sang out softly in a light voice that Lethe knew meant trouble. From her spot, Lethe glanced up, swallowing hard. The air in the kitchen suddenly felt colder.

“Yes, mother?”

“I’ve been wondering,” her mother began and Lethe’s stomach dropped slightly. She knew what was coming. Her mother began to pick at the hem of her dress, a habit Lethe had only recently seen her begin to pick up.
“Well…have you made any effort at all to contact the, uhm, father of Eden?”

Lethe hadn’t. She shook her head, bit her lip and ducked her head back to look at Eden. But, she only found his facial features there, in her long, thin lips and bright eyes, and so, Lethe was forced to look up and away.

“Lethe, dear,” her mother went on to say, still speaking lightly,
“I believe it might be best to just forget about him. Is this clear?”

“Yes, mother,” Lethe replied.

But, she hadn’t. And she wouldn’t.

She only had to make a few calls. Every person she spoke to on the other line was overly enthusiastic to be speaking to her and they soon got her to where she needed to be. Their voices were loud, eager. Her’s was soft, polite, grateful. Finally, thanking the last person she’d spoken to, Lethe hung up and took a deep breath. There. She found him. She knew exactly where to go.

And that was all.

What to say, what to wear, how to act. She had no idea. She was blank, a quivering mass in her suite, staring at that telephone, as if hoping someone would call and give her the answers. How would he react? Would he be angry? Upset? Happy? She had to bring Eden, right? Or would that draw a too strong reaction from him? So many questions filled her mind, she wasn’t sure where to quite begin. Head aching, Lethe glanced around her room. Might as well get dressed. Yes, that was a good place to start.

That, however, once she’d slid into the fully-stocked, walk-in closet proved to be a problem. Should she dress formally? Casual? How was she supposed to look? After ten minutes of pulling clothes off of the rack and littering the floor with them, Lethe finally decided on a sensible blouse, skirt and boots. There. She wasn’t too formal or casual. Or too business-like, for that matter.

Picking up Eden from her cradle, where she lay snoozing, in a pink onesie and hair bow, Lethe paused a moment to study the sleeping child. She did have Eric in her, glowing on her face, from her thin, long lips, to her lovely eyes. Although the alcohol had altered the world, Eric’s face still shone in Lethe’s mind. Perhaps it was because that was most important to Lethe even through her drunk haze. Either way, Eden looked like him. But, that only relieved Lethe. She knew all else on Eden resembled herself and that unnerved her. She didn’t want Eden to grow up and look like her. She didn’t want to look upon her own child in fright, finding a monster there. Eden was too good, too pure. Lethe had known since she first held Eden in her arms that she’d shield her child from the evils of the world, even if it meant lying about herself. However, here at the Capitol, having watching the Bloodbath just this morning on television (and been pleased to see that both of the tributes from District 5 escaped with their lives), Lethe knew that protection would be shattered the day Eden turned twelve years old and lined up among the other twelve year old girl’s to await her sentence: life or death.

For most, it would be life. But, for two it would be death. Unless they were as lucky as Lethe. No, not lucky. As monstrous.

“It’s going to be okay,” Lethe found herself whispering to Eden, more to reassure herself that Eden was still young, still innocent, “it’ll be okay, Edana-” Lethe stopped herself, her mouth hanging open. Edana…Anya! Lethe hastily grabbed her purse, that it had been insisted that she carry around now, and still holding Eden, jogged from the room, heart racing.

It had been two years and deep down, Lethe had a promise to Anya. And Edana too. Oh, how could Edana slip her mind like that? Guilt was heavy on her back as she rode in the taxi, Eden sleeping on her lap. How could she forget? What was wrong with her? How could she forget something as important as this?

Still lugging that weight, Lethe stumbled into the building. The receptionist was startled to see her, but quickly lead her down that familiar hall and towards the familiar door. But, to Lethe’s surprise, the woman stopped Lethe there.
“I have to warn you,” she said, blinking with diamond-sequined eyelashes,
“there are families looking at this girl. And-” The woman glanced at Eden in Lethe’s arms, pierced eyebrows raised slightly. Impatiently, her polite smile wavering, Lethe moved past the woman and towards the door.

“Thanks, but I’m not adopting.”

And with that, Lethe walked through the door and shut it in the woman’s gaping face. And she didn’t feel at all. In fact, as soon as the door shut behind her, Lethe found herself to stand up straight again. From her crib, Edana, standing at the rail, face red from crying, stopped immediately. For a moment, the girl stared at the young woman who’d just entered. Eden had woken up and she, too, was staring at Edana. Now at two years old, the girl’s face had really developed further and Lethe could see Anya shining through.

Deep inside, the reminder stabbed at her heart. It wasn’t fair. Anya would never get to see her gorgeous little girl grow up. It just wasn’t fair. Lethe suddenly felt horrible, dirty, infected, standing there, alive and whole, holding her own child in her arms. Edana had gotten over her shock at this new arrival and opened her mouth to continue her fussing.

“Let me out!” The girl began rattling the bars of the crib and Lethe hastened forward to let her out, depositing Eden into the crib. Once on the floor, Edana studied Lethe further, a surprising amount of suspiscion and interest in her face.

“I’m Edana. I’m two years old.” Lethe tried to suppress a smile. Growing up with tons of younger siblings had taught her that toddlers love to tell you two things: their names and their ages.

“I’m Lethe,” the Victor told the child and Edana tested out the name on her tongue.

“Leeth.” Seeming satisfied with this, Edana took Lethe’s hand in her clammy one. “Blocks!” And with that, Edana lead Lethe off to play with the blocks with her. As they played, building up structures, Lethe reasoned in her head Edana’s situation. She lived in an adoption center, but she lived in the Capitol, probably with the best care in Panem. And she would never be subjected to the Reaping. She’d remain whole and safe here. She’d probably never even be told about her mother. She’d probably grow up like every Capitol citizen, eagerly awaiting the Games, excited to see the deaths of twenty three children, a blood-thirsty-

Lethe jumped out of her skin as the door opened. The receptionist was back, this time, a young couple behind her. “Uhm,” the receptionist began, anxiety written all over her face.

“I was just leaving.” Lethe quickly pecked the surprised Edana on the cheek and stood. As she did, she accidently knocked over the block structure they’d built, causing Edana to instantly go into hysterics. Stomach constricting tightly with her inability to look back at the crying child, Lethe grabbed Eden from the crib and made to leave. “Bye, Edana.”

As she squeezed past the young couple, Lethe found herself drawn to their surprised, surgically-altered faces. And instantly, she hated them. She hated every thing about them. She hated their surprise at her. At her. The Victor. Like she were some magnificent prize. She hated them for even thinking about adopting Edana. She hated them for their eagerness in the Games that ended Edana’s mother. She hated every single about them.

And that hate made Lethe tremble, but stopped at her arms where she held Eden. No, she would not teach Eden to hate. She would teach Eden to accept.

Still fuming, Lethe crowded back into a cab and told the driver where to go. Her next stop would be slightly more complicated. Lethe tried to turn out her thoughts as she gazed out the window, watching multi-colored building and people zoom past, way too familiar with the Capitol for her liking. Luckily, the building the cab drove up to was slightly muted, just smart, dark wood and brick. And a sign.

The University of Veterinary Science.

It’s a science? Lethe thought vaguely, stepping out the cab, Eden in her arms. Slowly and carefully, she walked up the steps and into the cool building. Instantly, all her fears returned to her, replacing the former anger and hatred. Eric was here somewhere. She could feel him. Did he sense her too? The girl he’d made a mistake with, the girl he didn’t realize would change his life soon. She was going to tell him.

Her heart was racing, her palms sweaty and she walked numbly forward, wondering where to go. Tons of doors lined the hall and instantly, Lethe felt dizzy. He could be behind any. The boy who changed her life. Where was he?

“Ms. Turner!” A voice came behind her and with relief, Lethe turned to find the Headmaster she’d spoken to over the phone, bustling up to her, dressed in sparkling daisy-yellow, that matched his hair and eyes. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

Lethe forced a smile. “Thank you for letting me come and see Eric. I really appreciate it.” The man smiled good-naturedly and dismissed her “thank you.”

“It’s really nothing. And you said Eric was your…?”

“Friend,” Lethe replied hastily, ignoring the way he freakishly glowing eyes flitted towards Eden.

“Well, of course. He’s in class right now, but I’ll go fetch him. We usually don’t do this, but for Victors…” He winked at her. “Here, you can wait in my private office. I’ll get him for you.” With jelly legs, Lethe followed him to a door marked, Headmaster Croon’s Office. He opened the door for her and she found a clean, polished study with two comfortable looking chairs and desk. “Just wait here and I’ll get him, Ms. Turner.”

And he left her to her thoughts.

Awkwardly, Lethe sat down herself down in a chair, feeling shaky and jumpy all at the same time. Soon, he’d be here. Eric. Her stomach was churning, her teeth chattering against each other all though it wasn’t cold. What would he think? How would he act?

What if he refused to acknowledge Eden? What if he looked down upon his child and declared her not his? Lethe’s blood ran cold. No, he simply couldn’t that. No, no, she would slap him. Or scream, surely. No, he couldn’t do that.

Seconds snailed into minutes as Lethe waited in silence, Eden balanced on her lap. Any minute now, any minute now…she’d stand up, smile at him, say it was her, it was Lethe…any minute, any minute…she’d tell him that this was Eden…any minute…wasn’t Eden beautiful? Any minute…wouldn’t he simply love Eden? Please, please, let him love Eden. He had to love Eden, please. Any minute…suddenly, Lethe’s heart stopped, her mind going blank.

The doorknob was turning.[/color][/size][/blockquote]

Last Edit: Aug 6, 2012 21:39:50 GMT -5 by Rosetta

^^Made by the excellent Shrimp!

∂αмєη
Capitol Resident

1,550 POSTS
last seen Feb 25, 2016 23:49:47 GMT -5

//Dans ses yeux// {Damen} Feb 3, 2012 21:50:14 GMT -5

Post by ∂αмєη on Feb 3, 2012 21:50:14 GMT -5

[4E484C] [839979] [E2FFF1]

Blood. And lots of it too. Sure, the sheep was dead and it was no longer pumping blood to the heart but it still had a lot in its body. "So, now you can take out the heart carefully. Make sure to cut it out before pulling or else you'll be taking a whole sheep off the counter." This exercise was supposed to help us learn how to identify conditions of the heart by looking at it from the outside. Sure, there were ways to figure it out using some of the technology the Capitol possessed but we needed to learn both ways apparently. "Briggs! Where is the apex located?" My professor's hand flung up and pointed towards the short boy in the back. He looked up immediately and answered with lightning fast speed. "The left side, sir."

My professor was a pretty straight up guy. A little in your face but still, he knew what he was talking about. He taught the lessons well and always looked for the chance to have a discussion about the most random things ever. He and I had a fairly good relationship and he'd often tell me that I was the best student he had ever taught. Considering he was sort of a genius in a weird and different way, I took that as a huge compliment. "Rhodes. What do you call those flaps and what do you do once you know where they are? The ones that Jacks seems to think are play toys." This brought a bit of laughter from the class. "Those are the auricles, Professor Wright. We have to stick a probe down the hole next to the right one."

Xavier Wright. Top student of his graduating year five years ago. He graduated a year earlier, apparently. Those may have been rumours though. He'd never confirm whether or not it was true."Good. You're exactly right. So plug that shit up." Another burst of laughter. He was friendly. He tried to connect with each and every one of us because that's what interested us the most. Xavier has always been one of those guys who prefers to not go over the top with how he looks. Most of the residents around here wear bright clothing and have some sort of adjustment that makes them different. He stuck with wearing a simple old, brown suit jacket with padded elbows and a vertically striped button up shirt. A dark purple bow tie hung loosely from his neck, matching with his eyes, the only thing that was genetically altered. His blue slacks covered most of his dark brown dress shoes.

Knock knock knock. Good thing. I needed something else to think about. For the past year I'd find myself focusing on pointless things that really had no relevance to anything. Ever since that one day. That one day I tried to forget about, actually. Even though I never would, I kind of promised myself that it was over and that it would be a lot better to just move on. So I let that escape from my mind as soon as possible. "Eric? Alright, well if you insist. He's kind of in the middle of a very important surgery." Me? Why would they be talking about me? I looked towards the door and saw the headmaster standing outside, fixing his thin tie. "Well Xavier, this is of the utmost importance so his little surgery can wait. I need him now. No cleaning up."

Professor Wright peeked over his shoulder at me, shrugging slightly. Without even cleaning up? Wow, well I really don't know how excited I should be about whatever I'm needed for. "Eric Rhodes. You are needed, good sir. Your chariot awaits." He did a gesture with his hands and the class laughed in return. I smiled as I stepped away from my sheep body and towards the door. My hands were covered in blood and other bodily liquids and my apron had just as much, if not more. Goggles covered over top of my glasses which covered my bright eyes. They locked on to the headmaster as he lead me down a set of stairs and down a long hall way. "Sorry to bother you, Rhodes. I know you were fairly busy and well, not looking your best."

"What am I needed for, sir?" He shrugged his shoulders and gave me a face that basically said 'you'll see'. Leading me all the way across the school, the headmaster began to explain how his job gave him many perks. "Yeah, I see what you mean. Must be nice." Evidently the best perk of his was not having to walk around with blood all over him. Finally we arrived at his office. It was a small room that I had only been in once or twice and both times were for great reasons. He stopped outside of it and turned towards me, taking a breath. "Your friends are here to see you, Eric. Now, please remember that you're in our institution and we expect you to represent us in a grand way, yes?"

What was he going on about? First of all, I was always a great role model and a great representation of what the kids at our school were like. Secondly, I really didn't have many friends who would come to visit me at school. Most of them were working at this time because they were kind of adults. The look in his eyes made me realize that they must have been friends or really interesting people. That was the only thing that made sense. Headmaster was never an excited man. His face remained blank and he would often speak blandly and slowly, his voice being very boring. Today though, he had lots of energy and emotion. Whoever was in his office was somebody who created this excitement. The President? Doubt it. I was smart but not that smart. A celebrity? Why would they visit me?

And then it hit me. No. Why did it have to be her? Why did she have to show up at this time? Just as I was beginning to discard of those memories, she had to come back. Her face was still crystal clear in my mind and I remembered each and ever moment of that night, even if the alcohol blurred moments. Still, I had fought so hard to keep it out of my mind during every waking moment and really, that was a brilliant feat. And now she was back and she'd only bring everything to the front of my mind. Why? Why me? Why do you have to do this to me? Was this a bloody joke or something? Especially at this exact moment when I was covered in sheep blood and sporting the ugliest goggles that she'll ever see in her life. Maybe though, if I was lucky, it wasn't her and I was just overreacting.

Clearing my throat and stepping forward, I pushed the door open and stepped in to the room. Just brilliant. There she was, beautiful as ever. Lethe Turner was here, in my school. All of the memories began to flood back and I froze on the spot, unsure of whether or not to turn around and leave or to run over and embrace her. I missed her. That was probably a huge understatement but it's the only way I could word it. "Uh, hey." Then I noticed the baby that was in her arms. The first word that came to mind was adorable. And then I felt every part of me nearly disappear, leaving only fear. Oh bullocks. It couldn't be. No way. Maybe she had slept with somebody else. Yeah. That made sense. Sure, it could be that. What would I do if it wasn't that?

"I've missed you."

all I need's a whisper in a world that only shouts

Rosetta
Retired Staff

1,872 POSTS
last seen Aug 5, 2020 8:28:28 GMT -5

//Dans ses yeux// {Damen} Feb 4, 2012 22:55:03 GMT -5

Post by Rosetta on Feb 4, 2012 22:55:03 GMT -5

Lethe Turner

[/center]

“I’ve missed you.”

That wasn’t what Lethe was looking for. No, not at all. He missed her? Well, of course he did. She had missed him too, but that was all? He missed her? Perhaps she’d set her expectations to her. Glowing in her eyes had been the memories of her return to District Five after the Games, loud, glorious memories.

The sun was warm that day, the breeze cool. She could feel it playing across her face as she opened the window and stuck her head out, willing all the memories of the past few weeks to blow away with the wind.

“Oh, Lethe, dear, come back in here. Don’t ruin your hair. Their will be cameras at the station,” her escort’s voice came behind her and obediently, Lethe brought herself back into the train and shut the window. She was dressed simply, nothing too extravagant, but still had her hair done in ringlets down her back and make-up perfected. Anticipation and excitement was bouncing around in her chest, knocking her knees together. Finally, she was going to see them again. Despite all odds, she was about to see her family again.

Lethe was at the door as soon as she felt the train slowing, bouncing on the balls of her feet. She heard her escort mutter something behind her that sounded like, restraint, but at that moment, Lethe didn’t care. She careened out of the train as soon as the door opened. For a confused moment, the people before her just stared and Lethe stared back, their faces filled with awe as if they were seeing her for the first time. Then, Lethe’s youngest sister, a little one, shouted out, her baby teeth and empty gums flying apart, “Lethe!”

And suddenly, Lethe wasn’t sure who was who and where she was or anything at all, just that she was crowded in the arms of her entire family, all crying her name at once, tears running down their faces, until she was crying herself. And then they were all on the ground, not caring that reporters were cooing all around them and photographer’s cameras were flashing around them. Nothing mattered, just that they were together.

Was that what Lethe was expecting? Him to run at her, pull her into a hug and cry? Well, sure, she wasn’t returning from what should’ve been her death, but he hadn’t seen her for a year and they kind of had…yeah…did he have anything more to say than, “I’ve missed you”?

That’s when Lethe noticed, to her embarrassment, that Eric was covered in blood. Suddenly, her insides constricted. The Victor was squeamish about blood. One would think that she would’ve gotten used to it by now, even laughed at the sight of it, but not Lethe. Something about seeing it pour heartedly out of yourself and those around you kind of made you hate it more than anything. And he was wearing goggles that constricted his beautiful eyes. That’s right. Goggles. In spite of herself, Lethe blushed. And what was more? His eyes kept flitting towards Eden.

Surprisingly, Eden had been quiet this entire time. Perhaps she sensed who had entered the room. Perhaps she knew that this man who shared her eyes was her father. Did she? Or was she just too tired to make a sound? Lethe, having had her own innocence thrust away from her, would never understand that of a child.

Standing in this room, Lethe felt her fears and thoughts flooding back towards her. Did he know? Was he looking at Eden, able to tell who she was? Did he realize she held his child? And most of all, did he want Eden? Was he overjoyed at the sight or horrified? Lethe tried to search his face for an answer, but all she could find was mild confusion. Her heart sank considerably. If he knew, he would’ve said something by now, surely. Right?

Lethe licked her lips. Should she tell him? She had to. He had a right to know, did he not? Oh, yes, he did. He had to know. And it frightened her. There was the issue of what she was supposed to say. She knew all words regarding it would never make it to her lips. No, they’d die half-heartedly in her throat. Too forward. Too weak. Too intimidating. Nothing would be good enough.

How do you tell someone that they’ve produced life?

Lethe, above all, should know about life. She’d seen it fade from many. She’d watched it grow inside of her. She should know how to present life, shouldn’t she? And suddenly, Lethe’s mind flashed back to the couple who’d gone to see Edana. The hate she’d previously had for them welled up inside of her again. That couple, they were dirty Capitolites. They would raise Edana to grow excited at death, scorn the Districts and glorify the Games. What if Eric was the same way? Surely he grew up watching the Games as a source of entertainment. Would he see Eden as just another pawn, not a child? Look forward to watching her stand amongst the other children during the Reapings? The thought chilled Lethe to the bone and she desperately tried to convince herself as others. No, Eric was different.

Wasn’t he?

She’d known him for a day. Less than, really. Was that enough time to judge a person’s character? Perhaps he wasn’t different at all. Perhaps she’d caught him without the mask he had put on during that night. She was just a Victor, wasn’t she? Nothing more?

No, no, Eric was different…

Clearing her throat, Lethe stepped forward. “I’ve missed you too,” she answered truthfully, unable to find any other words that expressed that she’d thought about him each and every day. “How have you been?” Eden stirred in her arms, staring up at Lethe, inquiringly. Even Eden, her child, knew it was time. Eden knew Lethe had to say something. Taking another step towards him, Lethe tried not to look at his blood-splattered apron. Instead, with her own good eye and glass one, she focused on his eyes. The lovely ones that graced Eden’s face.

“This is Eden, by the way,” she explained to him, holding out the child slightly. This was it. Feeling dizzy, Lethe cleared her throat again and stuttered out with a quivering voice, “S-she’s yours.”[/color][/blockquote][/size]

Last Edit: Feb 11, 2012 18:18:28 GMT -5 by Rosetta

^^Made by the excellent Shrimp!

∂αмєη
Capitol Resident

1,550 POSTS
last seen Feb 25, 2016 23:49:47 GMT -5

//Dans ses yeux// {Damen} Feb 5, 2012 17:06:05 GMT -5

Post by ∂αмєη on Feb 5, 2012 17:06:05 GMT -5

[4E484C] [839979] [E2FFF1]

She misses me. That's the only thing that was actually making sense right now. Lethe actually missed me. She wasn't talking about somebody else or some other guy. No, she missed me. It's like all of my dreams came true once she said those words. I'm done denying that I wanted to hear that ever since she left me a year ago. I have always wanted to hear her say that she misses me and that the night meant as much to her as it did to me. I wanted to hear Lethe tell me that I actually meant something to her because I was absolutely certain that she meant something to me. Why else would I long to see her each and every day of my life? Sure, it was embarrassing. I actually liked this girl. And I wanted to hear her say that she loved me.

Who does the baby belong to? That was obviously a big question right now. It seemed to be a question that she wasn't exactly thinking of answering, at least right now. I wanted to know. I wanted to know if she was Lethe's and if she was also mine. Was that even possible? Yes. It was completely possible. Was it likely? Yes. Why else would she be standing here if she wasn't trying to tell me that I was a father now and that I had to step up? What would you do if it was your child, Eric? I was already going over all of this in my mind. Would I man up and do what most fathers were supposed to do? All of this was going through my mind and I didn't even know whether or not the kid was mine. This couldn't be happening. No, not now.

How have I been? Really, I've been horrible. Absolutely horrible. School has taken up most of my life and I really haven't had the chance to enjoy time to myself lately. And I'm not saying it's her fault. Lethe had a reason to run out after what we did. She had a reason to run far away from me and make me feel like she'd never come back. Yeah, I was rationalizing this. Maybe she had no reason to do it so quickly and without saying something. I only feel worse when I think of it that way though. How have I really been? This has been the worst year of my life and I wish it never had to happen. This has been absolutely horrible and I give up on trying to make it any better. Life is supported by columns that can be knocked down so easily. Most of mine were already knocked down. How have I been? Terrible. "I've been alright. How about you?"

It was funny how my columns were knocked down. The first part of my life was all about building them up to be really strong and capable of withstanding any blow. My parents really didn't pay much attention to me when I was young so I never had them to rely on. Building my columns was a lot tougher without the support of my family. And then there would be certain events which would tear them down and screw around with the foundation of your life. Lethe and her running away from what we had definitely tore down my columns. Does this comparison make any sense? It does in my mind and that's all that matters. But then there would be that one event or a few words that just burst your bubble and ruined everything.

“S-she’s yours.” Boom. Gone. Every single part of everything just fell. My life? What life? It was gone and torn and destroyed and I was holding on to the broken pieces. But here me out. I wasn't pissed at the fact that this beautiful little girl was mine. I wasn't depressed that finishing university wasn't my main goal now that I was a father. No. Neither of them explained my situation now. My life was gone because my life was in the hands of Lethe Turner. Eden. Her name sounds so amazing and just thinking of it makes me want to cry. And there it was. One tear. One small tear that went all the way down my face, splashing on the ground. I, Eric Rhodes, was a father. And even though I should be feeling like it's the end of the world, I was feeling more joy than ever before.

"E-Eden?" That's all I could say. Nothing else was going to come out right. I wanted to hold her. I wanted to hold Eden. But I wanted to hold Lethe too. I wanted to kiss her and tell her that I'd be here for her if she needed me. I wanted to tell her that I could love her if she gave me the chance to be with her. I was willing to do absolutely everything for this girl. She just needed to tell me that she wanted me too and that she had some feelings inside. Then I'd be hers forever and always. Wasn't this was people did? When they were a father they stepped up and they acted like a man, promising to be there no matter what. That's what I would do. I had to. I couldn't be like my father.

Pulling my apron off, I gently lie it on the chair beside me, ensuring that no blood was going to drip on to the chair. Next came the goggles and then my gloves. Now, I was free of the blood and gore. I was Eric. Normal. Nerdy glasses, a simple sweater vest and a button up dress shirt with the collar messily poking out the neck hole. I was just myself. And now, I was a father. Would she let me be a dad too? "Oh Lethe." Soft. My voice is soft and quiet so that it doesn't disturb Eden. "Are you happy?" I ask, looking into her eyes and giving a quick smile. I was. I couldn't even explain how happy this had made me. I was so worried that this would be the outcome. And now I was excited. Excited that I had created life.

[[ooc; shit post I know. sorry <3]]

oh I'm just going to put this right here sweetheart.

Last Edit: Feb 7, 2012 19:58:48 GMT -5 by ∂αмєη

all I need's a whisper in a world that only shouts

Rosetta
Retired Staff

1,872 POSTS
last seen Aug 5, 2020 8:28:28 GMT -5

//Dans ses yeux// {Damen} Feb 11, 2012 18:19:08 GMT -5

Post by Rosetta on Feb 11, 2012 18:19:08 GMT -5

Lethe Turner

[/center]

Oh no. Instantly, Lethe’s heart stopped as a tear slid down his cheek and he choked out the child’s name. Oh no. He didn’t want Eden. That was it, wasn’t it? That’s why he was crying. He was about to tell her that he couldn’t do this. He was in school. He had his own dreams. There was no room for him to be a father. So, pack up, Lethe Turner, leave. Single mother. Just like everyone views you.

Lethe wanted to snatch her words out of the air and hide them. She should never have told him. She should never have even mentioned who Eden’s father was. Gosh, she shouldn’t have even brought Eden. Such a great mother, she was. Determined to shield her daughter away from the sorrows of the world, she’d foolishly brought Eden headfirst into disappointment and rejection. Lethe wanted to cry. She wanted to just curl up with Eden and Camalia (who, thinking Lethe wouldn’t see, had crawled into her bag and was licking her money) and cry until there weren’t anymore tears. That’s what her mother always told her to do. To cry until all the tears were gone. When everything there was to cry about how leaked out and was gone.

However, there are certain times where that method failed. Like when Lethe found herself locked on a suffocating train, off to certain death. That horror and fear still stained her like blood. When she was finally able to hide under the covers, having thrown the crown aside, and mourn the loss of friends who would never return. Who left an ache deep within her forevermore. And this. The fact that she’d be left to take care of a child alone. Those things never left. They clung to her, bees to honey.

Biting her lip to keep the tears from leaking out of the corner of her eyes, Lethe watched as he removed his blood-stained apron, his goggles and gloves, leaving him clean and normal. He was getting comfortable to tell her, she knew. To let her down. Lethe’s body tensed up, prepared to bear the brunt of the words. "Oh Lethe."

His voice was soft. That was pity, wasn’t it? His mouth opened again and Lethe swallowed hard, knowing she was about to hear the worst.

Instead, she was shocked.

"Are you happy?" And there it was, a smile. A smile! He’d smiled. Lethe relaxed. He’d smiled. This was different. His words left an excited buzz in the air, washing warmly over Lethe, allowing her to address his question. Was she happy?

Her immediate answer would be, of course. Of course she was happy. Eden made her happy. Eden made her more than happy. Lethe’s mind flashed back to that stable where Eden was born. Shivering under the horse blanket, although the people who’d arrived at the sound of her screams had piled more blankets over and under her, Lethe could only stare at the child, taking in the sight of her. From her red cheeks, glowing skin, bright eyes. Her heart, so scarred and hollow, had been filled. Warm energy bubbled throughout her body and the smile on her face just couldn’t seem to fade, despite the ache in her cheeks. All around her, people cooed, asked questions and smiled, but Lethe’s had eyes only for Eden. Even when her overjoyed and shocked family arrived, crashing through the crowd to get to Lethe, the girl couldn’t look up at them. It was only Eden, Eden, Eden. Eden was perfect to her.

In the days that followed, Lethe had found herself hardly leaving Eden’s side. And if she was called away from the child for some reason, she’d only come running back a few moments later to make sure Eden were still there. She’d run her fingers over the child’s smooth skin, sweeping back her tuft of hair, reassuring herself that the child was really there. Even in her darkest hours, when she was revisited by the horrors of what had happened in the Arena, screaming, tearing her hair out, running her nails down her face, the sight of Eden was enough to calm her down. Her love for the child was overwhelming. She’d never loved anyone more.

So, yes, Lethe was happy. Eden was all she needed (although Eric would be nice). She loved the child more than anything. Still, it was with a calm, light voice she answered, with a wide smile, “Yes, I am. I really am.” And she was happy now too. Elated that he’d smiled, actually smiled at the child. Lethe felt herself itching to throw herself into his arms, hug him and tell him, thank you, thank you, thank you for now turning her away. Thank you for not turning us away.

But, she couldn’t. Eden clasped in her arms, she couldn’t hug him just yet. She was happy. She’s been happy since she was first able to hold Eden. When she could finally hold Eden. Oh! Lethe was struck with a sudden thought. Eric had never held Eden. Oh, he just had to. Holding the child was life-changing. He had to feel the spark from his skin to her’s. He just had. With a bright smile, Lethe held out the relaxed child, “Would you like to hold her?” She gave him a nod to show that it was alright. It was more than that she wanted him to connect with Eden the way she had. She wanted to see him as the father she dreamed he would be, despite her mother’s urgings to let him go. She wanted to see him hug Eden. To see him kiss Eden.

And above all, she wanted to see him love Eden.[/color][/blockquote][/size]

Last Edit: Apr 11, 2012 9:31:27 GMT -5 by Rosetta

^^Made by the excellent Shrimp!

∂αмєη
Capitol Resident

1,550 POSTS
last seen Feb 25, 2016 23:49:47 GMT -5

//Dans ses yeux// {Damen} Apr 6, 2012 11:58:39 GMT -5

Post by ∂αмєη on Apr 6, 2012 11:58:39 GMT -5

[4E484C] [839979] [E2FFF1]

Was I handling this a little too calmly? I mean, this just wasn't me. Eric Rhodes always had everything planned out and if it didn't go the way that it was supposed to go, there was certainly going to be a breakdown of some sort. That was just the way I was made. It surprised people when I said that I didn't carry around a little schedule book in order to make sure that every minute of every hour was spent on what it was supposed to be spent on. I was Eric Rhodes. I still am. And yet here I am, not freaking out about a complete train wreck that just occurred in my life. It wasn't that I didn't want it to happen because hey, I've always wanted to be a father and to have a wife who I could love with all of my being. But was it too early? Was being nineteen years old too young to be a father?

And of course, there was the fact that I still had so much to focus on. I was on a one way road to being the best vet that the Capitol has ever seen. I had enough knowledge under my belt that anything I wanted to do could be done. Everything. It's like my life was the train and the destination was success. Maybe I'm overreacting but it feels like this baby is only going to be a huge wall that was randomly placed in front of the tracks. It'll stop all of my hopes and dreams from arriving and send me on a different route. This wasn't at all what I had expected or what I had hoped for, so what else was I supposed to think. Seeing Lethe before me with a baby in her arms made everything okay. In this moment, everything was fine and I felt like I could actually be happy for a bit. But what about the future?

What would I do? Let's just say I didn't run out of here as fast as I possibly could, never turning back to face the consequences of my actions. Would I propose to Lethe and would we live for the rest of our lives as if we were normal? I was an every day Capitol citizen who got a freaking Victor pregnant. Was that even normal? No, it couldn't be. I like the sound of spending more time with Lethe but could I marry her and take care of this little baby with her? After all, we just spent one night together. One night that obviously changed our lives drastically, but it was still only one night. I wasn't in love with her. Sure, I care about her because she's the mother of my child and because that one night was one I'd never forget but it's not love. Not after one night. Not after watching her run out like that.

So what could I do? What could I do with my life now that I was at this point. Just accepting that it had happened and moving on with life with this girl and a baby wasn't enough. People would want to know who the father of a Victor's baby was. I'd have a lot of explaining to do and taking care of the baby would be my main priority. It'd have to be. Lethe would have so much that she'd have to do as a Victor, surely. That's what I assumed, at least. That means I'd be sitting at home, taking care of a child. Where would be the time for me? For university? For my future? There was no time. But could I really say no to the girl who was constantly on my mind since that first night. I couldn't and although I really despised myself for admitting that, I knew it was true. Maybe she knew it too. She wouldn't come to me if she didn't think that I might want to be with her. Right?

But did I want to be with her? What about when Eden grew up and moved out of the house to live her own life? Would Lethe still be somebody I wanted to spend my whole life with? These were questions that, quite frankly, I did not want to answer at all. Not now, now ever. I wish things would just come easily to me so that I could be happy and not have to worry about the consequences for the things I've done. And here I am, just staring at the ground. Already this has affected me and I haven't even spent an hour with the little girl yet. What will the rest of my life be like? Regrets? Would I stay up at night wondering what my life would be like if this had never happened? "You could have been a vet. The most successful that the Capitol has ever seen." That would run through my mind each and every day. And was that the kind of thing I wanted?

"I-I uh-" Nothing else comes out. I don't want anything else to come out or I might wish to take it back. I can't do this. I can't be a father. I can't be a partner. I can't do this and I'm starting to think I don't want to. But I don't want to lose the girl in front of me. If I had it my way, I'd wrap my arms around her and tell her I'd be here forever. That was a promise I could never make but who cares. People always promise things they can't do. "I-I guess." Reaching forward slowly, I wrap my arms around the little bundle that was my daughter, bringing her close to my chest. My heartbeat surely speeds up as I gaze down at her face, easily picking out the traits that were mine and those that belonged to Lethe.

And then she smiled slightly in her slumber. In that instant, I realized I do want this. I want all of this. Why wouldn't I? What else could I really do in this situation? If I ran away, I'd always feel like a complete ass for doing this to Lethe. No, I had to be here. I wanted to be here. I could do both. School and being a father. Yeah, it sounded crazy but all brilliant things do. Right? "Hi there Eden. I'm your daddy." I smile, gently brushing my thumb across her forehead. But one question still stuck on my mind. She wouldn't be here unless she needed something. And who knows, maybe she didn't want me to be a part of her's or Eden's life. "Why did you come, Lethe?" I ask quietly, trying to keep my voice soft as to not wake the baby. I didn't know what Lethe would answer. Maybe she'd say that she wanted to be with me. Maybe she'd say the opposite.

I was kind of hoping for it to be the former.

[[ooc; sorry it's bad. trying to get back into the flow of things]]

Last Edit: Apr 9, 2012 12:11:03 GMT -5 by ∂αмєη

all I need's a whisper in a world that only shouts

Rosetta
Retired Staff

1,872 POSTS
last seen Aug 5, 2020 8:28:28 GMT -5

//Dans ses yeux// {Damen} Apr 11, 2012 9:40:01 GMT -5

Post by Rosetta on Apr 11, 2012 9:40:01 GMT -5

Lethe Turner

[/center]

Love. It has a distinct sound to it. It sounds soft against the skin, a whisper in the ears, with light vowels and dancing consonants, stimulating a flutter of the heart and a smile, a lighting up of the face. It was that love that slipped out from between Eric's speaking lips and caressed Eden's face with each word. And with a jolt in her chest, Lethe realized that it was the same love that poured out of her each time she looked upon her child. And she smiled. Lethe loved Eden and Eric loved Eden and that was exactly what she wanted. She wanted Eden indulged in love, surrounded by it, and she wanted Eden to grow up with this love embedded in her, sinking in from her skin, to her bones, into her bloodstream, pumping through her. She wanted her child to learn love in a world that would take it away from you in an instant. She wanted her child to learn love rather than hate. And to do that, she knew Eden needed love from both parents. And she was getting just that.

Lethe grinned, as she watched Eric hold Eden. His eyes really were lovely. Especially on Eden. The two of them, they had beautiful eyes. Eyes that held a bond, a bond like no other and she felt that grin widen, her stomach fluttering, heart racing. Beautiful eyes, he had...and now, they were on her.

Lethe felt her heart skip a beat. His eyes were less beautiful with that questioning air about them and she realized she was about to be brought back to reality, back to world where she had a child to raise and simple love wasn't enough to make this child who she wanted her to be, as in the exact opposite of herself. A world where she was a single mother, standing before the only person who would make her not that very thing. A world where she wasn't sure if she wanted that person do that very thing.

"Why did you come, Lethe?"

The question was abrupt, but not accusing. It was a question, just as her question about him holding Eden was. Yet, it was a trying question, just as her's had been. A question that required thought. Just like her's. Her question, as innocent as it seemed, was really a test. Would he take the child? Or turn the child away. Did he know the power of a touch? The power the contact of one's skin on another had? Did he knew how he bound himself to Eden by the simple act of picking her up? Did he knew that once the electricity passed from her skin to her's, they were each other's? Did he know he was accepting Eden as his in that simple action? He had to know. He had to have felt the electricity. And it relieved Lethe, allowed her tense shoulders to relax, her balled fists to unclench and a sigh to escape her lips.

Now, it was his turn to test her. Find out what she really wanted. "Well, you had a right to know," she heard her voice come out, soft and genuine, but not betraying the whole truth. There was more, much more to the reason she'd shown up at his school with his child in her arms.

Eyes travelling across the room, Lethe was surprised at how intellectual the office was. Mahogany bookshelves lined the wall, overflowing with thick books, most of them research books on veterinary sciences. The chairs were hard, straight-backed and proper, encouraging the seated to sit up, and hold up their chins in the most superior way possible. With its hard wooden floors that echoed with the sound of the slightest movement of the feet, the room commanded each person entering to make themselves known. Pride. It was brimming with pride. Most Capitol rooms were garish, flashy, determined to show off as much as they could, yet this room, though clean and expensive-looking, seemed as though it was trying hard to be a representation of the rest of the school: intellectual, high-up, important, proud. And it succeeded. Lethe could feel herself soaking in the intense education the students here were receiving. An education Eric was receiving.

And with that, any desires for help from Eric completely drained away. She couldn't take this away from him. These students worked hard to be in this university and who was she to take that away from him? What had Lethe worked hard for? Survival, yes. But, it wasn't the most honorable cause. Standing there, though dressed up in chic clothing and made up to look beautiful, Lethe knew she could never amount to what Eric was. Educated. She envied him almost. Even with years of working with horses behind her, training them, tending to them, healing them, she could never be as educated as he was. And she couldn't stop him now.

Staring at Eric, Lethe wracked her mind for her reason for standing there, her reason for being and then she was back in that fateful night and the room was spinning and her head was light and her body was drifting and her voice was thick, but it danced across the room, loud.

"Lethe Turner."

And he'd responded.

"Eric. Eric Rhodes."

And that was it. Next thing she knew, his hands were on her back and the zipper of her dress was gliding down her back and she could feel the draft on her bare back as she wrestled his shirt off his body.

All she knew about him that night was his name. And the same for him. Her name. That was all. Of course now, she knew what he wanted to do with his life: be a vet and surely he'd seen her on television. However, the information she knew about him was miniscule and half the things about her television was over-exaggerated crap by the media. She hardly knew him and like a light bulb going over in her head, Lethe knew why she was there.

"I want to get to know you," she told him and for the first time in her life, Lethe heard a command in her voice. She wasn't asking to get to know him, she was demanding it. "And I want you to get to know me, the real me. Here," she took a deep breath, "can we start over-I mean-!" She glanced at Eden, almost apologetically and gave a small smile. "We can't exactly start over...but, can we really get to know each other, please?"

While she'd started out with a command, she'd ended with a plea. A plea for knowledge. A plea for knowledge from the education. A plea for knowledge from the young man who fathered her child. A plea to know what lay beneath the surface.

And a promise. A promise to give him the same. Her heart skipped a beat. An outside might say, well, she'd already given him her virginity, why not tell him what made up the famous Lethe Turner? Yet, it sent shivers down her back and pulled sweat from her pores. It was too late to pull that promise back. Now, it stood in exchange for the same. She'd never told anyone everything, not even her own mother. She'd never opened herself up to someone. Never before.

And she wasn't entirely sure she could do it for him either.

A small cough met her ears and Lethe felt her insecurities fade away as Eden coughed again, her tiny face screwed up, body shuddering with each cough, but soon, she was back asleep. And with that, Lethe knew she had to because the child demanded it. It was for her. For Eden, the one they both loved.

[ooc: don't worry about it, I thought it was fine, while this post of mine is pretty bad. Meep.][/color][/size][/blockquote]

^^Made by the excellent Shrimp!

∂αмєη
Capitol Resident

1,550 POSTS
last seen Feb 25, 2016 23:49:47 GMT -5

//Dans ses yeux// {Damen} May 27, 2012 18:09:39 GMT -5

Post by ∂αмєη on May 27, 2012 18:09:39 GMT -5

[4E484C] [839979] [E2FFF1]

Could I really deny that of her? The girl that occupied my thoughts constantly and hadn't left my mind since the day we first met was asking to get to know me - to really get to know me. There was no way I could turn that down. Even if I wanted to, I really doubt that it'd be possible to turn the girl in front of me down. She was the mother of my child, after all. I suppose that wasn't all she was for me. She was the first girl I slept with. First one I kissed, even. And she was definitely the first girl to grab my attention in the romantic department. Everybody else was simply a co-worker or fellow student. Lethe wasn't going to be like that. If I had anything to do with it, she wouldn't just be that.

I lick my lips slowly, preparing to answer her. In reality, these next few words could decide where my life goes. If I promise to get to know her and to be there for our child, I'm pretty much pushing away my life. I'm signing a form that says that I'll commit myself to one thing and one thing only. A baby consumes a lot of time. Time that I could spend elsewhere. Doing more productive things. But is that what I want? Do I want to worry about work and work only? "I'd love to." I nearly whisper, only loud enough for her ears to pick up on the noise. I pass Eden back to her mother, keeping my eyes on her the whole time. This was the greatest moment I've probably ever had in my life.

And of course, it ends in an instant. There's a loud bell that rings through the room, announcing the end of class. It's mainly used so that teachers don't talk for too long as there have been instances where they continue to talk, even past the given time for a class. I have another one to be in at the other end of the campus with only ten minutes in between. That was my choice when I decided to try to be the smart kid. When I decided that I wanted to finish university as quickly as possible. Now it's pulling me away from her, even if I don't want to. The year is almost over so I have no choice, really. "I, uh, need to go." I cough out, unable to take my eyes off of the two girls. I don't want to leave her. Ever. Not when we are connected like this. But there's not much I can do.

Except for stepping forward and gently kissing Lethe on the forehead before leaving through the same door I came in from.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

We didn't see each other again for quite a while. The Games ended and she was on her way back to District Five, just like every other year. Eden left with her, obviously, and so I remained alone for the next while. University came to a close and I found myself standing in the robes and launching my cap into the air. I had been 19 when I first met Lethe and I had been on my second year of university. And now I was done. All finished at the age of 22. It was so surreal to look back at the school as cameras went off, parents freaking out about their children. Mine weren't there but I'm sure they were proud. I was a doctor. Sure, I was primarily studying veterinary medicine but in order to do that I had to take the basics. I was a full fledged doctor, for all intensive purposes.

I remember walking into his office. The head of the hospital had asked me to come in so I could discuss my future. After all, I was a great student. Top of my class and already showing promise to be the best doctor that the Capitol would see for a while if I decided to pursue medicine on humans instead. But he wanted me to keep doing what I wanted to do. Work with animals. Take care of animals. He said that I could also be the last resort for humans that weren't as important as us Capitolites. Those were his words. You're going to a District, Eric. Lethe never even crossed my mind as he began to explain that I'd be stationed in a district. I didn't even hope to end up where she was. But when he said the words, it was as if my whole life was finally pieced together like a puzzle that you've been spending so much time on.

"We believe that you will be useful in District Five, Eric. There are still a few animals that remain there that you could ensure are in top health. And you'd also be present for humans if they needed you. It'd be the best way to help you adjust to being a doctor. You will be leaving at the end of these Games that are coming up. It saves us money to put you on that train."

Lethe's train. I would see her again. All I had to do was endure the 61st Games and then I could be with her for as long as they wanted to keep me in District Five. So when the reapings came on and they began to broadcast the 61st Games, I was excited that the Games had begun.

But now I just want them to come to an end. Twenty-three must die soon so that I can live my life, I suppose. So let the Games begin.

[[ooc; finished. moving on to thread three<3]]