Severn Veltry Birch // D2 [FIN]

It is almost a break of luck that the children weren't his (genetics do actually play harder than some people think), wishing for kids to have the same features as him seemed more like abuse rather than a form of gratitude. Although, rarely anybody mentioned anything about his looks (even if it varied from "homeless" to "hasn't shaved in nearly two weeks") it was pretty much in an unspoken agreement that he did, in fact, crawl out from a gutter and decided to attend everything he had to, and only what he had to at that matter. The vast majority had never entered District 12, and most likely never will, but Severn deemed some form of mythological credit of what they seemed to look like.

Something about the fact of how his curls precariously sat in its same basic form everyday gave away how little he tended to himself, even though he certainly has the time. Life is a struggle, but doesn't appear to be going anywhere fast, or at all. Instead he appears as if his jaw can unhook itself wide enough to devour any opposing threat. Snakes posses that skill, to scare off predators and prey alike. The skin layering him deemed itself some similarity, wide eyes that seemed to pierce like the basilisk's fangs but managed to evaporate incompletely each time he smiled although, very seldom.

Reality of the matter is the majority of society isn't afraid to confront Severn, he just looks more of a lost cause and too much to fix anyways. Underneath the same stern face he wears all too often, doesn't lie a heart of black, but rather just the same emptiness as he's had for awhile. Because he is not the type of "not care" and "can't care" but rather a form of "don't want to care." He'd rather not have to deal with problems facing him or others, it would be easier for him not to help so why should he? Except for the fact he'll feel awful later, he won't tag onto others with sympathy.

Actually, he would not tag on much at all, considering he barely talks to the two children he raised, why would he care to talk to somebody he doesn't care much about. Being alone always was a gift instead of a burden anyways, hiding out without judgement and resentment cried blessing to his ears. He could be at peace on his on terms, instead of sitting through boring meetings at the graveyard of dreams for a job, or having to pay for whatever Hades or Terry may or may not have broken (because apparently to impress somebody you have to break your life's worth in training equipment or break your leg trying.)

Of course he loves them both (even though they seem to mess up every other attempt at something to him) but they aren't exactly how he imagined them to be. Terry is close of course, quiet and strong but something is not quite there, while Hades is more likely a work in progress for another day. Severn doesn't quite have the heart to tell him that, rather than being abrasive he rather sits through it without saying anything (like always.) He doesn't say much to them, mostly because he doesn't say much at all, usually the only time he does is to "ask" a question except a parent's "ask" is always a command or to quiet them down.

They were Birch children after all, trained for the games for years on end either by choice or force. Focused on nothing but a dingy crown for decades with little to nothing to prove for it. Severn of course, had been interested in it, wanting to actually show his way through the arena and come out the other side like only around 40 others had at that time. Yet, he wasn't built for it, mentally more than physically. His heart didn't skip a beat for bloodshed and gore (he did manage not to wince eventually though) but rather ink on paper and maps the size of whales. The arena did not host anything for him, a new life or needed riches, so like many times, why even bother.

Instead of fighting his way to glory and fame, he struggled with a basic life and into a basic no-love marriage. Well, almost loveless. He loved her, but she only really loved him back as long as his wallet was open to her consent. "Whatever to make her happy." seemed to float around a lot, because Severn knew she was only with him because of the glory of a few simple jewels. Presumably she wasn't only in it for the money and shiny objects, as the two attempted to settle down and even adopt twice. Yet, that didn't keep her attention too long, since when most of the money left so did she.

So, as the life of a single father with only the broken ambitions of victor and no life goals whatsoever unfolded, nothing really amounted to anything. All of his funds were spent on antiques he sold for half value, and his life was stuck working in a dead end corner away from the corner office. It isn't like he can follow suit and leave as well, as somebody had to make sure Hades doesn't decide to jump off a bridge for a cheap thrill and admiration. What else can he do, try to figure out why he only has one parent? Severn never told them why their "mother" left in the first place (because he didn't want to embarrass himself mostly) but it must not have been too difficult to realize that the two of them weren't his own.