[IC] Forgotten History

[Rose]

The overwhelming discomfort of his parents was as obvious as words in a flashing neon sign. Rin still felt as if her words were falling upon deaf ears. "I only talk to you how you talk to your own son. Maybe you shouldn't verbally abuse others unless you yourself are able to bear it." her words were steady and firm. Her posture confident and unweilding.

[Rose]

The overwhelming discomfort of his parents was as obvious as words in a flashing neon sign. Rin still felt as if her words were falling upon deaf ears. "I only talk to you how you talk to your own son. Maybe you shouldn't verbally abuse others unless you yourself are able to bear it." her words were steady and firm. Her posture confident and unweilding.

[Thorned Hammer]

"you speak out of turn. ". Lucas rumbled in warning, eyes dark and narrowed.
" don't worry. We'll be outta here soon.". Marcus muttered, before deciding to make a break for it. He tugged lightly at Rin's arm before slipping away into the crowd, weaving through it and towards the door.

[Rose]

Heart racing, palms in a cold sweat, Rin took a deep breath. Gracefully she followed Marcus out the door. "I'm sorry for making a scene. " she said with a sigh. Her thoughts rushed around, cluttered and confused.

[Thorned Hammer]

"are you kidding?" he grinned once free of the crowd, looking over at her. "you never have to apologize for mouthing off to them, they deserve anything thrown their way. I'm here for Richard not them. So please! Back talk all you want! You can get away clean with it". He said with a small laugh, clearing his throat when they were finally outside and humming happily.

[Rose]

Once outside Rin stopped and faint traces of sadness mixed with anger swept across her face. "Well at least all you have to worry about is them talking down to you." She remarked. She walked over to the railing of the balcony and looked over the yard. Her thoughts drifted to her step father, Henry. Suddenly her whole body hurt. The memories of him beating her were nearly unbaerble. What really got to her thought was the fact that he hurt her mother. A woman who's only transgression was loving her family to much. Rin's fist gripped the railing, knuckles white.

[Thorned Hammer]

"Yeah, dad kinda gave up on me after awhile. So he just gets his digs in whenever he can." Marcus shrugged, before glancing over at her as she walked ahead and noting her change in expression. "Hey, are you okay? He didn't upset you did he?" He asked almost anxiously, coming up beside her and looking over at her with concern. "cause if he did I can go kick his ass for you, all you gotta do is ask,"

[Rose]

An exasperated sigh escaped her. "No, it's not that. It's just, well my dad was a great man. But he wasn't around because he died. And my mom, like a lot of women in that situation, moved on and got another husband. Henry, well he is not a good man. He's... He's.." She stammered. Her voice was full of emotion. Turning her head she caught Marcus gaze, her eyes full of hatred and pain. "I'm going home in a month to see my family. Would you come with me?" She asked.

[Thorned Hammer]

Marcus watched her carefully as she talked, suspicion and a odd tight feeling growing in his chest as she attempted to stammer out an explanation about her step father. That tight feeling twisted into a sharp stinging sensation when she turned towards him. "yeah, course I will if that's what you want," he answered softly without hesitation.

[Rose]

Magical time skip

After the funeral Rin and Marcus returned to the academy. Their studies progressing and their skills better than ever. Following the death of his brother Marcus faced many uncertain and upsetting thoughts and emotions. Regularly Rin would stay up late with him, talking. Slowly Rin opened up about her family more as well. Though the important details about how her step father hit her was left out. Finally the day for them to leave for Rin's home came.

After touching down at the small dusty airport and getting off the ship Rin looked around. "Welcome to the middle of nowhere. " She grinned. As she started walking she swung her duffle bag over her shoulder. "I probably should have told you, we'll be walking." She said casually like it was expected. Tenish was one of the few places where in remote parts more advanced technology is practically nonexistent. Rin home town was a small community of friendly people, much different than what most are use to.

[Thorned Hammer]

"middle of nowhere? Great, what did you drag me into this time". Snorted Marcus, clearly teasing. He waved a good bye to the pilot before hoisting up his own bag. "tell me about middle of nowhere Ms. Monroe."

[Rose]

Rin smiled and shook her head. "If you go up that way you'll be in town in about a mile or two. But in this way we'll go to my house." She said first pointing to a paved road with trees scattered around it, then started walking down a dirt lane that went up a hill. "I have so many good memories here. I spent damn near every day outside. Partially because I didn't want to go home. Hey, check this out." She said then started to run up the hill. Once at the top she stopped, staring at the turquoise ocean. Crystal waves crashing on the white beaches below. Her face lit up as she looked down the long sloping hill.

[Thorned Hammer]

Marcus watched her for a moment in amusement, before hoisting his pack up a bit further on his shoulders and jogging after her. He let out an appreciative whistle when he reached the hill top, suddenly feeling very smile at the sight of the ocean stretched out before them. "Damn...no wonder you swim like a fish." a sea breeze brought up the smell of salt and seaweed and sunkissed sand, and if he hadn't been busy at the moment he'd probably ditch his things and run down to the surf.

[Rose]

A satisfied smile rested on Rin's face. She loved the ocean. It felt more like her home to her than the house she grew up in. "I practically lived on the beach. I swam every day. Some times I would take blankets down to the beach and sleep under the stars. It just felt more comfortable than anywhere else. When I was in the water I was free, able to do as I pleased. When I would sleep under the stars I could feel like I was part of something more than a little town and a broken family. There's people out there. Soldiers fighting a war so that people can live in peace. And soon we're going to get to be a part of that, isn't it amazing?" She said as she followed the dirt road along a ridge on the hills. Heat and sun light beamed down on them. Rin's skin began to darken and almost appeared to glow as her natural complexion showed through. Her long pink hair glistened and rippled like the waves of the ocean below. Her overall look was happy, yet in the pit of her stomach were tight knots. Secretly she dreaded seeing her family. It was the first time she had returned home in a long time. She hadn't seen her step father since she joined the academy nearly two years ago, and had only seen her mother and sister a few times.

[Thorned Hammer]

Marcus stayed quiet, only nodding briefly in agreement as he continued to watch the booming waves as they smashed into the beach. If anything they made him feel small, insignificant. The strength of them was just daunting. After some thought though he glanced over at Rin, an amused expression coming to his face when he saw her's. She hadn't really honestly smiled like that in a while. It was a relief to see.

[Rose]

"by the way, you'll have to go swimming before we can leave. It's a requirement. " she teased him. While walking along the road there were nearly no trees to be seen. Up ahead though a large tree cast a shadow over the road. " Did you hear that? " Rin asked when she heard a whining noise.

[Thorned Hammer]

"Nah I don't think I will, there is no law saying I have to!". Snorted Marcus, inching further into the middle of the path and away from the ocean. " hear what?" He asked, hesitating mid step.

[Rose]

Concerned, Rin picked up the pace. As she approached the tree the noise became louder. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the darker lighting provided by the shade of the tree. Slowly she investigated the base of the tree, only to find a puppy huddled up in a tuff of grass. It's small body quivering as it whimpered. "Oh no! You poor little baby." She said softly as she slowly lowered herself down. With scared eyes the pup looked up at her. "Here, I've got something for you." She said as she reached into her bag. As she pulled her hand out she revealed the piece of beef jerky in her hand. As the puppies sensitive nose caught a wiff of the scent he became much more interested. "Come and get it. " She said holding it out a little ways away from him.

[Thorned Hammer]

"someone's lost,". Marcus observed quietly, setting his bag down as he got a close look at the pup. Frowning he quickly scanned the area, looking for any sign of a mother or other pups. "what are ya doing on your own buddy?". He asked of the pup curiously, crouching down next to Rin when it became clear there were no other dogs around.

[Rose]

The puppy, sensing the safety, slowly waddled his way out of the tall grass. Rin's expression was soft and concerned. She sat her hand on Marcus leg as she watched the lonely pup pull the jerky out of her other hand. "We can't leave him here by himself. " she said.