a seat at the table :: annie/beck/kirito/oasis

Oasis Tuson lives in a dream filled with soft clouds and motherhood.

The harvest had been plentiful the past few days, where she had gone out and bought the spices of Eleven that she had quickly fallen in love with, hoping to give the newest victors of Four a taste of their lovely home. A new bond to build from an evening at dinner, knowing Kirito had been both stressed and comfortable about this dinner. Beck Hailsham had his own certain pain that she'd seen in Rafe long ago, the way he used to scream in the middle of the night watching a girl on the screen die over and over again. Beck Hailsham seemed like a survivor, just like the rest of them, she's seen the guilt and the pain behind those faces. There's nothing a good meal couldn't do to help forget the pain lingering in his heart, even if it's just for a moment, she'd have succeeded in helping in her own way.

Kirito, her love, marches in with his cane, smelling like fresh chalk and the rustic smell of the sun, always making her swoon. A life they've built for one another, where she feels at home with him, never back into the place where her father had control over everything. The words and feelings still linger in her chest, every so often, she would wake with a start in the middle of the night. The worry on her lips as she'd crawl out of bed to Kirito's dismay, opening and closing doors to Anastasia, Kei, and Sonja's rooms. Being a mother was the best gift she had been given, but there's a worry in her heart every time she gets stuck in that place.

Kirito breaks her from the past, words always so sweet, making her smile to him. "It's smelling amazing as always. I'm going to go check on the kids and change and then I'll be right down to help with the rest." The kiss on her cheek makes her smile even harder as she softly pats him arm, knowing she needed to keep paying attention to the pan in front of her. "Thank you for doing this." Kirito was always making her feel appreciated in a way that no one else could. Simple blessings to be given in the small ways, knowing he had saved her from a life filled with anger, knowing she'd have eventually broke, the pain of her own trauma in Six still flaring to life, but she had better reigns on it now. Instead, she speaks with a smile on her face, letting the words slip to Kirito.

"No problem, anything for you and the other victors, you've all been through enough as it is!"

Kirito heads upstairs, with that determined look like always, the same one he gets when he's determined to get something done. Whether it's making her laugh or making victors feel welcome, Oasis always held her heart at the passion Kirito carried. One of the reasons she fell hard for him, knowing he tried his best to help others, sometimes giving up what he already has. It's sweet in a way that only Kirito Miristioma could be, despite there being many times where she surely would have given up, he never does.

Kirito had become a brilliant father, despite all of the worries he carries on his chest. The doubts that still linger from the sacrifices he's made, she speaks up with the truth, evidence of his worth, his proof where Kei, Sonja, and Anastasia had appreciated their father. Every day is a new adventure for the Miristioma house, remembering the evening Kirito came up to her with his idea of a school. The days where Anastasia and him fought like a teenage daughter and a father would, never quite as serious and if it passed a point, that's when she comes in and cools it. Raising a teenager was hard work, especially when Kirito would whisper the fears in the dark.

It lingers in the dark depths of her mind, knowing their kids could be in the same position as Kirito.

Kirito comes back, with the soothing energy he always bears, giving her a smile that makes her world every time. After a couple of minutes of Kirito trying to taste everything from their meal to the pie she had gotten from Katelyn Persimmon's bakery, swatting at his hand, he finally leaves her laughing in the kitchen, setting the table up for their visitors. Moving dish after dish out to the table, she watches out of the corner of her eye her husband, knowing he's always been one to try and help the new victors. No matter what, he didn't judge. Trauma was trauma and every one was a survivor.

"Somehow you manage to impress me every single day."

The compliment hangs heavy in the air making her blush slightly at the words watching him place the last plate, the words linger in the air as she sets down the main course in the center with the most care, eyes catching Kirito's before she speaks with the smell of herbs in her nose, the sweetness of bread across the table, and the safe smell of home surrounding her.

"You've never stopped impressing me."

It's a silly compliment, but she still comes across the room softly kissing his cheek, before fixing some of the silverware because despite her new life, some habits from the past die hard. The way Rafe and her would have to set the table in Six, with the utmost perfection with careful eyes and worried lips. It's a moment she still has bled into her mind, but despite it, those were some of her best memories with Rafe, cooking and teasing one another before he'd have to leave for work in the evening. Kirito had given her a new start, a place away from the worst parts of her life, a home and a family.

"What will it be tonight for you? Red or White?"

A knock comes from the door, knowing who was there, she smiles softly and comforting. Kirito is the one to open the door with a greeting already on his tongue. "You have perfect timing, I just asked Oasis which kind of wine she'd like. Do either of you have any opinions? We also have other alcohols or some fresh juices if you prefer." Always so considerate of others, she smiles at Kirito, letting herself openly appreciate him. Beck Hailsham and Annie Morrisen are an interesting pair. Oasis wasn't one to shy away from the screens of the games, knowing Kirito wouldn't want her to see, but it's her way of getting to know what the capitol thinks about the victors and figuring out the real truth on her own.

"And Beck, we truly are happy that you are able to join us."

The words come from Kirito's lips and she smiles to the newest victor, soft and knowing of what he must be feeling. Kirito's shared some of the past with her, the dreams, the memories, and the episodes of he has of the seventieth. She's seen it all. The way it causes him just as much pain, but in a different way than the past, it still lingers in forms along the edges of his vision. She'd never truly could understand what it was like being in the arena, but she could understand the emotions, the consequences, the haunting pieces of it that lingers in their skin and minds.

"Uh, sorry." The growl of his stomach had made her want to offer him some food already, the way he scuffs his shoes like a certain teenager she knows makes her smile. "Busy day I guess. Red wine is fine." Understanding the meaning of busy, Oasis knew of just the red wine to open, that may please the newest victor. Part of her wanted to just hug him and tell him everything would be okay, but she was trying to pleasant and not overbearing. The newest victors always had it the hardest, being lead around like a hero when all they felt was nothing but, she had seen the way many of the victors broke down, trusting in something to keep them going. Part of her wonders if Beck Hailsham would be like them, finding something to lean onto.

Annie's choice comes out. "White please. But just a small glass." Different tastes from Beck and Annie, not as surprising, since they were different people altogether, similar, but different in their own ways. Annie is the one to look around their home, the feeling of judgment of their home lingers to her mind. Softly, she whispers reassurances to the back of her head, ignoring the whole moment because despite everything they were guests and she didn't want to assume. "What a lovely place you have. It's so nice to finally get to meet you in a more intimate setting Kirito." The word intimate hangs in the air, feeling off to her. Oasis wasn't the type to judge, but part of her felt Annie was looking at them differently from others. A small fake smile on her lips as she avoids the comment, turning back to Beck.

"I-" The forced smile is obvious, but she doesn't say anything as it fades fast, knowing Beck Hailsham is processing this Kirito. The one without a mask. The one she fell in love with. The one who always cared, no matter what. The Kirito who had a bigger heart than any one has ever seen. "I'm surprised. I thought you guys would hate me I-" Oasis knew what was coming next. The regret. The pain. The what ifs and why me's. "Y'know, I came home instead of them." The words are exactly what she expects. The regret of Beck Hailsham over the Izars, but there's no easy way of putting it. People do what they have to do in order to survive. Whether it's from trauma or from an actual death games, people do what they have to in order to escape, to be free, and to move past it.

Annie steps in before any of them has a chance to respond. "Beck…" Eyes glance from Annie to Beck and then back as she listens in to the conversation, standing back, ignoring the way she wants to step in and hug the boy. "What happened in there was not your fault. Everyone in this room save Kirito’s wife knows what it is like to survive." The words fill her heart with annoyance, Annie Morrisen was not what she had expected. Nicer in some ways, but also not in others. Assumptions about her own knowledge coming into question by Annie's words, almost as cutting as the ones her own father used to throw at her, but she's grown since then. Became more of a light during the dark times of life, glowing like the rays of the sun, bright and hopeful. "and I, for one, am also glad that you are here."

The words still linger, as she keeps herself smiling. Annie Morrisen was just another girl who assumed that the world was only rough for them. Grouping together the trauma of the games, that was true and heavy, but not all survivors came from the games. Survivors of their own horrors in the comforts of their own home, the violence of their own district, and the lack of care from the capitol. A piece of her heart stands with Kirito, but she was not just Kirito's wife, she was Oasis Tuson, survivor of abuse and creator of her own life and she wasn't going to take the self righteousness of some victor coming into their home, acting like she knew everything.

"Not all survivors come from the games, Ms. Morrisen." A smile on his lips, as she ignores Annie, focusing back to Beck Hailsham, who had surely been hurting more than the rest of them. Silently, she lets the words linger in the air, almost as a warning to Annie. "I may not have been in the games, but I've seen enough to know that you did what you had to, Beck. No one blames you, especially not here." Silently, she stands near Kirito, grabbing his hand, squeezing a reassurance to him, knowing she's overstepping into his territory, but she knew just as much as he did about the victors. She's had enough experience between Harbinger, Kirito, and Katelyn to know what they carry.

"You're welcome here anytime and know that some things are beyond your control, you did what you had to in order to survive, like the rest of the victors." Too tense now, she decides to let go of Kirito's hand, she stands for a moment glancing from Beck to Annie to Kirito before she lets herself linger on Beck Hailsham for a moment. She was going to get the wine, but first, she needed to let them in further. A smile on her face as she speaks once more. "Feel free to make yourselves at home, I'll be right back with that wine."

Heading out of the room, she heads to the kitchen, letting herself calm down, feeling a little annoyed at Annie's words, but she's heard it all. People invalidating her feelings because she functioned like a normal adult to others. No one knew she's been through enough hardships to break most people, yet she still carries herself with grace and determination to be better. That's what had been important for her. Finding a way to survive in a place that didn't have a good method, Kirito had saved her in more ways than just one.

Fingertips around the bottles she wanted, having paid a little more from the cash she had earned herself to buy these. Both were fairly expensive for District Eleven, but she wasn't sure what Beck or Annie would be used to, so she picked eleven's own created wine that had to be a little taste of home. A smile on her face as she comes back out with the wine and approaching the table, ignoring the feeling in her chest. A smile on her face as she knew it was going to be a long night and Annie had just grinded on her nerves slightly.

Everyone was welcome in their home.

Even if they were like Annie Morrisen.