all is fair in life and death | {Kyrisse & Sinful}

[Sinful]

To this day he could still hear the sounds of shouting in his ears, and see sickness and death before his eyes. It would never go away, partly because no matter where he went he kept seeing it done again and again. Whether they were memories of his family, or present scenes taking place in front of him, Vitalis couldn’t find a way to escape what seemed to be a curse that had been placed upon him. It had started with the death of his mother when he’d been born, to the withering of his father who’d coped by abusing alcohol and drugs. From there it had taken root and spread, corrupting the rest of his relatives, and even friends he’d gathered along the earlier years. Disease, destruction, death—you name it, and it happened to them, but he was unharmed. Never getting sick, never getting hurt . . . he’d rarely even experienced emotions and feelings that weren’t connected to some sort of happiness or serenity. Even when things were falling to chaos around him he’d managed to, in one way or another, remain positive.
Although it had been hard, he’d still been optimistic through the whole process, disregarding the fact that it almost always ended on a bad note. He kept his chin up high, searching for the good in every situation probable. And—sometimes—there’d be a speck of said good that contributed to pushing him onward. He believed life had a goal for everyone, and a prize of good somewhere along the way, even if others scoffed and laughed at him if he chose to vocalize his take on it. But not all of them had had that reaction; some had looked at him appreciatively, even commented that it was nice to meet someone who was so bright about life. True, they didn’t know about his past since there was no reason as to why he would bring up the subject to a stranger, yet he could tell they had sensed something about him. Something different.
Currently the young man was leaning against an iron rail fence, gazing out into the water that bordered his home city. A flock of geese waded past, and a train of chicks followed. Ducks also swam about not too far off, and he could just make out the white smudge of a swan. It was a popular stream that the city took care of and made sure the animals inhabiting it were wisely cared for, since it was beloved by quite the majority of the residents, including him. He smiled to himself and watched them disappear under the bridge, before he eventually stepped back, slipped his hands into the pockets of his jeans, and started to walk leisurely down the public path.

[Kyrisse]

Cerridwen walked along the public path in a dark mood and a frown on her face. It had taken a lot of pretending and a lot of sneaking around for her to get away from the family gathering that her father had called for her nineteenth birthday. A family gathering to her parents meant a big party with family, friends, neighbors and even acquaintances. It was a pain. Everything was light, everything was upbeat and everyone was laughing. As if her birthday was something to celebrate. She stomped her ivory white heels in frustration.

Didn't they see it? Didn't they feel it?

Of course they did. She had never been able to keep pets or grow plants. None of them had lived for more than a day. She never had friends. Most of them thought it was 'draining' or 'tiresome' to be around her. She was sure that even her family thought the same way of her but none of them ever voiced it out though she caught the fleeting looks on their faces several times. At first the looks bothered her but she eventually learned to stop caring. It didn't matter. If she were them, she'd feel the same way. There was something wrong with her.

She looked down at herself in chagrin. She was wearing a pair of white jeans and a lavender tank top. Despite the fact that all her clothes were light of cheerful colors, it didn't really suit her. She never really felt cheerful or happy like what the clothes seemed to impart.

When will the pretending stop?

Maybe she should dye her clothes black. Maybe her blonde hair should be black too. That would suit her better.

She was too engrossed in her own irritation and was walking the fastest that she could go on her four inch heels to notice that she was walking straight into someone.