The night before (Marree)

My father goes straight to giving up my flaws to Matthew, telling him I need more training. That in return earns nothing but an eye roll and I wait to hear Matthew's responce to it. I know he's probably wanting to say something about that night when I had confided in him that I wasn't allow to go home. I am nothing but a wad of nerves right now cause I didn't think about what Matthew would say or do when he would meet my father. I was just more worried about what my father would think about Matthew. So, as Matthew opens his mouth to speak, I feel a flood of releif when he merely mentions that I will get more training after I heal up. That earns a small smirk that I hide as I push my way through the two men talking and linger at the fridge just to take in all of the conversations going on between them. My ears are perked up for every word; every question; every answer.

However, the next question my father states, catches me off guard in whole. Asking Matthew if he would be volunteering and Matthew's response seemed legit. It would all come down to what happens tomorrow whether or not he'd be volunteering in these games as many older kids do when it comes to it. My father barely missed his last year of volunteering just by seconds and someone spoke up before him to protect some thirteen year old boy. He's always regretted that and I guess that's why he's so adament about me or my brother to volunteer. Though, Jeran has expressed his need to better his life instead of jumping to his death. That's where the training comes in for me. He expects me to volunteer soon and am I really to deny him this? After all he's done for me?

"Kyanite has fought really well. Her opponent wasn't fair at all... Mark shouldn't have won. I plan to pay him back tomorrow." A grin. A huge grin plays on my face because I know Matthew is taking up for me. So, I turn to see my father's expression as his hard stare turns into something close to anger. I stop grinning. Why does my father resent me so much when it comes to my losses?

"No offense, son. But, Mark played the game well, from what I heard. Rules are for the noble. The games are anything but that. My daughter had the chance to beat him, but her head must have been in the clouds, obviously. She should have been able to beat Mark. She should be going up against you, cause you've earned this privaledge." He states, crossing his arms in front of his body, giving me a hard stare. I never expected for him to be so harsh about that and especially not in front of Matthew. I think now, would be a good time for Matthew to leave before any more insults are thrown my way, but I keep my mouth shut. "But you're right, Matthew. Next year, when she's actually ready, she'll be able to volunteer. Provided, that when she does heal, I expect you to not go easy on her in training. There's only so much I can do to teach her, but maybe you might be able to do the job where I've failed."

"Dad... come on? Seriously?" I shake my head and close the refrigerator door and walk out of the kitchen, going back to the living room. Whatever else they have to say, I don't want to hear it. That's when I hear my brother's chuckle from the second level landing. That sound makes me want to scream at him, but I keep my cool as I go next to the fireplace and let the warmth soak up into my skin.

"Is he giving you a hard time? And you left him with Dad? You're dim, Kyanite." He belts down from the stairs. I give him a quick motion with my middle finger and hear him laugh once again. I shake my head and wait. The fire in the fireplace crackles with the intense heat that I feel wanting to explode within myself. I should have never brought my father in to meet Matthew.