8 Jan 2024, 00:57
Persuading or Discouraging?
Percival stared at the ceiling of his canopy bed. The rich dark colors looked like a void, sucking in any happiness or light thoughts. Leaving only an oppressive feeling that clung to his chest, whispering spoken words over and over. A curse that numbed his mind to their impact. His stomach clenching in tight knots of hunger. Choosing to skip breakfast had proven rather bothersome. Though, in truth, he wanted to avoid his Uncle as much as possible. The words spoken between them had done nothing to alleviate the ache deep in his bones. Percival would not lie, a part of him could not believe that someone had not yet sent for him. As it was every time he visited home, a strict schedule of early rising was always implemented.Back Dated 07/02/23
The boy slowly slid upward into a seated position, glancing toward the small clock that rested upon his nightstand. 9:30, the numbers stared mockingly up at him. Percival sighed flopping back onto his bed, arms splayed openly as he lamented how little time had truly passed. As he sat alone in his dimly lit room, the weight of everything that transpired in the last few days pressed his downward. Absentmindedly, running a hand through his hair. An attempt to distract himself from his predicament. His entire being felt tired and frustrated, Percival released another heavy sigh, dragging his hand across his face to rest across his mouth. His gaze drifted towards his room taking in the pristine...sterile. It was no surprise now that his privacy had been fully breached while he had been away.
An annoyed look crossed his features, before growing deeper as a knock pierced the dead quiet room. Percival breathed out a sigh as he sat up once again. Swinging his legs over the bed, he closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them again, his gaze held a silent determination. A resolution. If his Uncle wasn't going to answer his questions, then he would just have to find out for himself. The thirst for understanding burned deeply in his bones.
A fire that slowly burned him inside and out. If what his Uncle said was true... The boy looked to the right as he steeled himself together. Then that would mean that everything he had ever known was a lie. How much could he trust to be true? How much could he even trust his Uncle to tell him? The man had gone along with the lies up until this point. Up until their relationship was burned beyond recognition. A want to burn everything down was not lost to him. The want to hurt everyone as they had hurt him. But..that would mean he wouldn't figure out the truth.
He needed to play his cards right, to figure out what is going on... he needed to get on his Uncle's good side. He doubted the dark-haired man trusted him after his stunt last summer. Uncle Terrence had said it himself. That he needed to be watched. It was a fact that brought a small glimmer of satisfaction. He had underestimated him, he knew the rumors had flown far and wide of his disappearance. A hit to the family name that brought nothing but a sick delight. A sharp series of knocks brought him out of his thinking, bringing him back into the real world.
Percival cleared his throat, "Come in." he spoke loudly to ensure whoever was on the other side would have heard him. A frown broke out across his face as the door was opened quickly. He wondered if they had thought he had escaped. A flight risk that needed to be clipped. A tall man walked into the room, his grey hair neatly pulled back. His black suit was as crisp as his hairstyle. The man moved with quiet efficiency that bordered on being uncanny. The boy would have felt unnerved if he wasn't used to it by now. "Good morning, sir." the man greeted in a refined tone. Forcing a subtle warmth into his words, far too wrong to be taken seriously.
Percival did not bother smiling, instead, he stiffly stood up. "Good morning." he responded despondently. The butler moved swiftly about the room, "Allow me, sir." came the voice to his right. A pitcher with warmed water was placed near his wash basin. As the older man reached for the neatly folded clothes laid out on a nearby chair. Percival lamented quietly to himself that they had not been there the night before. His mouth twitched into a frown before forcing his face into a neutral look just as the man turned around. The butler moved with practice ease as he unfolded the garments onto the bed. "If you need anything do not hesitate to call for me." the man spoke as he bowed before exiting the room. Percival clenched his hands into fists as a thank you fell from his lips.
To Percival's ears, all it meant was that the man would be waiting for him outside. Annoyance washed over him, at this rate how was he ever going to have time to investigate with that drasted butler breathing down his neck? The boy dressed himself slowly, maybe if he waited long enough the butler would grow weary of his vigilance and leave. Though, as the boy exited his room he would see it had been all for naught. Annoyed, Percival was escorted to the dining room, a long dark wooded table sat in the very center of the room, and to his surprise, it was not empty. Percival blinked slightly wondering if his eyes were deceiving him as he stared at his Uncle sitting at the end of the table. The man looked at peace where he sat, at the head of it all, simply buttering his toast.
It seemed that whatever change that had happened in his Uncle had continued overnight. Despite his best efforts, a frown pulled across his lips as he was made to walk down towards him. Uncle Terrence glanced up towards him as if he had just noticed him, though it seemed disingenuous. "Percival, Good Morning." his Uncle said a faint smile worming its way onto his lips. Percival was not proud to say that he wasn't sure if the other was truly smiling at him. As the boy sat to the right of his Uncle, he replied "Good Morning, Uncle." The words hung tauntingly on his lips. A faux sense of normalcy clung to their beings. Pretending that what had taken place only months before did not happen. As if the other man had not told him his life was a lie. His Uncle's smile grew slightly at his reciprocation. Something that would have made a younger him find great joy in, but now did nothing but bring a sick dread to his stomach. "Now. I think it is about time we discuss my expectations for you this summer."
Last edited by Percival Rainwood on 9 Jan 2024, 01:32, edited 1 time in total.
"I doubt you'll remember me with a smile."
iNPC Mikael Halldorson
9 Jan 2024, 01:32
Persuading or Discouraging?
Back Dated 07/02/23Percival swallowed thickly his brows furrowing minutely as he did his best not to show his displeasure. He had worked as best as one could in such circumstances. First, he had been lied to, and now here his Uncle was already planning and marking his entire summer. How dare he pretend that their conversation yesterday never happened. In silent frustration, he could not shake off the feeling that he was being manipulated. Pulled around left and right, and by gods how much he hated it. Percival's eyes flickered with a concoction of defiance and resentment. So strong that he had no doubts that his Uncle could feel his ire, despite his outward facade of composure. Far too easy was it to make his blood boil. Simmering away at his very being until nothing remained.TW: Parental Aggression
The boy could not help the scoff that slipped out through his teeth. A rebellion against the shackles that were placed upon him. A noise that brought the dark-haired man before him to a pause. A part of him could not help but feel a dull sense of satisfaction thrum away beneath the intense heat of frustration. The want to move forward and assert his desires and wants rang clearly in his head. "I have not even been here for a day, and you are already trying to give me your expectations? Is that the only reason you decided to grace me with your presence?" he sneered.
Disgust and hurt wormed their way into his heart. Overshadowing his anger with emotions that he was far less used to. It was easier being angry. Punching and hitting at things. How dare his blasted body go and betray him with emotions that struck deep and cold. Maybe that was why when his Uncle put his arm on his shoulder he could not find it within himself to shake the man off. Staring up at the man he could not escape the realization that a part of himself still saw the father figure that he had revered during his youth. The man who pulled him inward, making him feel significant during moments when no one else seemed to care.
"Of course that is not the only reason. I want nothing more than to be there for you Percival. You have the ability to prove them all wrong. Would it not be satisfying to surpass the brothers they've constantly favored? Don't you crave that validation? I could give that to you." the man pressed forward. His Uncle's brows were furrowed slightly, his tone pulling him in like a strong tide. A flicker of something deep and carnal flickered in the depths of his chest. The ache to prove oneself better than anyone ever thought possible. To wipe the smirks clean off their faces. Practically gift-wrapping it, and yet Percival would find himself not reaching for it. "I know things have been difficult since your Grandfather died."
Percival's eyes narrowed as suspicion clouded his gaze. "Difficult? What do you know of difficult?! When I have to live with the knowledge that you were there the night he died! Or the fact you two fought that night." he snapped out slapping his hands down on the table as he rushed up out of his seat. His jaw tense as his words hung in the silent air. His lips were pulled back in a sneer as he glowered at his Uncle. The only sound between them is the distant hum of ambient noise. Oppressive and thick. It felt hard to breathe as he saw a subtle flicker of recognition in the man's dark eyes. The caring look seemed to slowly melt away replaced with sharp eyes that stared him down. Watching his every move. As the boy stood there it did not take a genius to realize he had more than struck a nerve.
The silence between them had no moment to stretch between them, as his Uncle's expression shifted into a darker look. One that made his heart thump against his chest. With a sudden, vice-like grip, the man seized his arm tightly. Pulling him toward him, forcing Percival to be awkwardly bent forward over the table. "I would watch yourself, Percival. Accusations like that can have consequences that you may not be prepared to face." his Uncle spoke in a low threatening tone. Sweat beaded down his face as his other hand came up trying to force his Uncle's hand off me. "Let go of me!" he snapped though his blistering tone would cave away into panic. "There are matters that far exceed your understanding, and yet your impulsive plunge into them reveals your heedlessness. It is utterly unbecoming of any nephew of mine." his Uncle seethed out. "I will not let this continue any longer."
Sweat dripped down his back his eyes wide as he stared up towards his Uncle's dark eyes. The want to lash out was completely extinguished as his Uncle bored down upon him. Encapsulating his every being shoving him down into submission. Percival swallowed thickly pulling his wits about him, his gaze building up to a hard look. "If there is a lack of understanding, it is nothing out of your control." he spoke plainly. Adding fuel to the fire that he had lit between them. Burning away everything that stood between them. Would the fire take them too? Burn them away beyond recognition? Fire calmed him like a gentle summer wind caressing one's face. Deep and primal, dragging his heart out of his chest. Coaxing and calm in its endeavors.
Percival stared up at his Uncle's face, whose expression had become far less easy to read. His arm still fastly gripped bringing them far too close together. His Uncle's breath hit his face, and it only just dawned on him that the man's breath was fast-paced. Percival swallowed thickly his brows furrowing slightly in concern. "Why won't you let me understand?" he asked his voice cracking slightly. The strong emotions crashed in around him. The dark-haired man stared down at his face growing completely unreadable. Percival swallowed uncomfortably as the silence grew between them once more.
The moment his Uncle released his arm was the moment the boy felt as if he could take a full breath. Staring at his Uncle, it seemed as if the man had been pushed into deep thought. Far too concerned with his own thoughts to care anymore about him. Percival turned around leaving the room as quickly as possible without running. Pushing through the wooden double doors, Percival would quickly slam them shut. Percival took a moment bringing his thoughts together. His back leaned against the now-closed doors. As he slowly slid downward, lowering himself into a seated position with his back to the door. The gravity of the situation hit him heavily. For something he only held possibilities and chance. He had just accused his own Uncle...of murder.
The End
"I doubt you'll remember me with a smile."
iNPC Mikael Halldorson