He's the worst

[Brianna Wright]

Brianna stared at the door of her Father's study. He'd summoned her bit after lunch and she would only wonder what it was this time she was about to get scolded for. What was it now that she had done wrong? Gotten her dress dirty? Acted out of turn in public? It could have been a number of things and she was already rolling her eyes and trying to keep the anger she was already feeling from rising. Anger wouldn't do anything to help her with that man.

She knocked, and then heard his gruff "Come in." She entered, closing the door, and then smoothed a hand over her skirts. He was busy working away at something at his desk and barely looked up at her. "You wanted to speak with me Father?"

"It's come to my attention that you were out with that rake of a farmer again. in public, this time" Brianna took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Aah so it was about her choice in friends now...

".....We went on a walk, we're friends." She said simply. Folding her hands behind herself. He finally stopped his writing to give her his full attention.

"I set you up with that farmer to get you out of your...'rut,' child, not for you to have a full-blown affair. 'friends' don't hang all over each other the way you've been doing. From what I hear, you were essentially climbing him in the street." Brianna pursed her lips. "That's a bit of an exaggeration Father, I'm affectionate with my friends." She said trying to defend herself.

"That is not any better" Brianna watched as her fathers tone turned on a darker note and he fixed her with those hard eyes of his. "You're a grown woman, Brianna Justine, And I expect you to have a modicum of respect for the family name. What you do in public reflects on all of us. You don't' intend to ruin possible marriages for your brothers, do you?"

Bri's jaw clenched and whatever "calm composure" she'd had going into the room was quickly fading away and she all but glared daggers at her father.

"Would you rather I sneak around with him so we're not seen in public?" She asked with a sweetness that never reached her eyes. "This is my reputation here Father, not theirs. As far as I know, they don't climb farmers." She couldn't help the smart-alec remarks from coming out. Her fuse was short to blowing. She watched as her father sighed, closing his eyes for a moment to keep himself together before he answered her.

"You're disgracing the family name, the one we all carry, Brianna. If you can't handle this discreetly, then I will. Do we understand each other?" Oh they understood each other perfectly. He was set on taking whatever form of joy Bri had and crushing it beneath his heel. She couldn't herself then. "Wouldn't you rather people talk about me with a man than a woman?" She fired back quickly.

"Enough." Brianna jumped suddenly as his hands slammed down on his desk and he all but roared at her. It was clear she'd struck a nerve, and she just looked at him more defiantly. "This is your final warning. If I hear of it again, I'll find a convent with walls so high you won't see the sun for the rest of your pathetic life." He threatened her quietly.

So you wish to continue to take away what makes me happy? You're going to take away my best friend from me?" Her voice rose to a tone that nearly rivaled his. "If that's what it takes to make you act like an adult then, yes, I will. Sow your wild oats if you must, but do it quietly. I make my decisions for the greater good, and happiness has nothing to do with it." Bri's nostrils flared and her glare just intensified. "The world isn't all sunshine and daisies, child. We have responsibilities. And you're shirking yours." So as a father you would rather see your children miserable then happy?" Brianna asked angrily. All she'd ever wanted was to do be happy, but he'd made it adamant that that was to never happen. He'd rather see her locked away with nuns. "What good is a life of happiness if it ends in tragedy? No one ever got anywhere in life with music and art and romance. Those people die in ditches, sick and alone. Love doesn't last, and neither does happiness. The best any of us can expect is success." She didn't have a response for him. All she had was more hatred and anger. She knew all too well that love didn't last long. Apparently happiness didn't either, and she was clearly beginning to see that.

Seeing as she didn't have anything else worthy to say on the matter, her father sat back down behind his desk. "You're dismissed. And remember. Final. Warning."  Brianna stared at him. A disgusted look beginning to grow on her face. "I will be more discreet then father wouldn't want to ruin your happiness by tarnishing the family name. Oooooh noo, what would people think of Fitzwilliam Wright with a whore for a daughter?" Before he could even comment, Brianna was already twirling around, yanking the study door open and slamming it loud enough the whole house probably heard it. She always had to get the last word in. Even if she'd pay for it later. She hated him. That furious raw hatred, and anger coursed through her body, and she could feel the hot sting of tears. He was taking Keiran away. Or was going to at least try if she kept doing what she was doing. Or worse...Send her back to those horrendous old Satan worshipers. He was going to lock her away...

Brianna's feet carried her down the steps, and as she struggled for breath. Heading through the kitchen, she went out the back entrance of the house. Not caring if anyone saw her or tried to stop her. The moment her feet touched the ground outside the tears were falling, and she picked her skirts up and began to run across the back lawn. Wanting to just get away and fade from existence. 

Jaren Wright

[Jaren Wright]

Winter was finally on its way out, which meant that hunting would become a lot easier and become more plentiful. As the oldest Wright son, Jaren's responsibilities should be trailing behind his father and learning all the ins and outs of the land, preparing to run it himself these days. But with being a soldier and the devastation he had seen, the devastation he had caused, the last thing he wanted was to be in charge of anything. So, he was grateful that Griffin took up the reins and that their father didn't object. At least, for now he hadn't.

Despite the chill still in the air, he had managed to catch two hares and was emerging from the tree line with the kills dangling at the end of a rope. His hunting dog was happily trotting beside him, his tail wagging and his tongue hanging out before he let out a single, sharp bark. Jaren's bright blues drifted up from the dog to find Brianna storming out from the kitchen in a hurry...and he didn't have to know exactly what was going on to know something was wrong.

His steps were quick, giving a quick whistle to Beau and the hound immediately headed towards the house. Jaren draped the hares over the fence before he rushed over to intercept Bri. If he was quick enough, he'd reach out to gently take her arm to slow her down. "Hey, hey, hey...what's going on?" That was when he saw the tears and he definitely knew something had happened.

[Brianna Wright]

Bri hadn't seen her brother as she'd charged out of the house. At that point her eyes were already filled with tears and she was unable to see things clearly as she ran across the grass. Having no destination in mind just that she wanted to get far away and not have to go home that night. Maybe she'd run to the farm, and see Kieran... See what he thought on the matter. Rage coursed through her at her father, and now the thought of Kieran and seeing his stupid face just hurt. It was destroying her, and she didn't know how much more she might be able to take. How much more she could live this lie. 

The hand on her arm caused her to stop and she turned to angrily look up at the culprit as the tears spilled from her eyes. She'd expected to see her father, but instead it was merely Jaren. Instead of answering him, her bottom lip just quivered before the sob broke through and she flung herself into his chest as the sobs wracked her body. Gripping the front of his clothes. Though her brothers didn't know what really happened when she'd disappeared those months years ago, they did know how awful their father was, and Brianna's opinion on him. "H-he's the w-worst!" She cried into his face. "He ruins everything," She clung to her brother all the tighter, afraid if she let go she'd fall apart with the rest of the pieces of her heart. 

[Jaren Wright]

Whatever had happened was worse than he thought. Brianna often got fired up about things, got into fights with their father (something that Jaren had very much in common with her), but to see such tears in her eyes paused him immediately. Even if he didn't know what it was that brought her to this, he knew he wanted to put an end to it. She was his little sister, and he was fiercely protective of her, although Bri was usually very capable of taking care of herself.

Still, that didn't mean he wouldn't worry or break the face of any man that looked at her wrong.

Jaren was a little taken aback when she flung herself against his chest, and he hesitated for just a second before wrapping his arms around her. If he hadn't heard those sobs, he still would have known she was crying so hard because he could feel her entire body shake.

'He-he's the w-worst! He ruins everything!' Oh yes, he knew who she was talking about, and didn't have to ask.

Instead, he drew in a deep breath before asking the inevitable question, "What happened, Bri?" This time, anyway. He attempted to soothe her with a gentle hand rubbing her back. It wasn't every day that she cried like this, and he needed to know why.

[Brianna Wright]

Every day that he could see. She often laid awake some nights crying. Trying to soothe herself to sleep, thinking about Sophie and why she would do such a thing. It had to be from fear. Fear of her father and what she might do to her. It hurt, so much to not be able to be with the one you loved publicly and to have that love shattered. She couldn't tell anyone about it either, save for Kieran. And her rather obvious affections were going to make her lose him too. How much more could Bri handle mentally before she couldn't take it anymore?

"Other than practically call me a whore?" She couldn't say his name but knew Jaren would know who she was talking about. She might have been exaggerating, but that's surely what Father had meant. She was starting to shake in her anger now too, as she took a shaky breath in. Trying to get herself to calm down enough to speak clearly. "I'm ruining possible marriage prospects for you and Griff, just because of who my best friend is." She sniffled. The last thing she wanted was to ruin any possible chances of her brothers being able to break away from their father. "Apparently I'm too affectionate with friends." She began to tear up again as she rested her head on Jaren's chest.

[Jaren Wright]

Jaren often wished he could help his sister more, but there was only so much he could do. She had her secrets, and he had his own, however, if Bri ever asked for his help on anything, he probably wouldn't hesitate. No matter how crazy the request might seem. He loved his siblings fiercely and didn't agree with how their father treated her. She had the mind and will to become a good soldier- women served in Aralore's military all of the time now. It was no longer a foreign concept.

'Other than practically call me a whore?' He sighed then. That man could be very brutal sometimes, and Jaren often wondered if he had any love left within him to give his children. Then again, Jaren was half his age and barely had any affection left, save for his brother and sister.

As Brianna began to shake, he ran his hands up and down her arms to try and console her. Those bright eyes looked at her squarely and he furrowed his brow. "You know very well that that isn't true," he told her, his tone softly scolding. It was more him just reminding her of his own situation. "I already tried that, and she chose another. There is nothing to ruin when there will never be a marriage for me." Maybe that sounded like a harsh pity party, but he was adamant about it. He had been from the moment that bitch set sights on another man. "And Griff..." His expression softened a bit and he nearly chuckled. Sometimes their brother could be a little awkward, but that was fine. "He'll be absolutely alright. You will have nothing to do with it, I assure you." Sure, the reputation of a family meant a lot when securing marriages or any other contracts, but if anything, Fitzwilliam Wright would scare everyone away.

Jaren cradled his sister against her chest and let her cry. He didn't mind, nor would he judge. "You're just full of love, Bri. It's something that Father cannot understand. He forgot how to love years ago..."

[Brianna Wright]

Jaren was the only one there at the moment that could probably console her save for Griffin. Or Kieran. Everyone else was chopped liver in her eyes but especially that man she had to call father. She took comfort in her big brothers touch and reached up to wipe her wet cheeks while her head rested against his chest. Feeling safe around him.

She felt a twitch of a smile, it wasn’t true, but Father had deemed it so. So she had to be right? There was so much that Jaren didn’t know, that there were times she wanted to look him in the eye and go “ah, but it is true big brother.” I am the abomination he claims me to be. She was nearing a breaking point. Or a snapping point. Once pushed enough she had the feeling she’d pack her bags and hit the road and would never see any of them again. It was a sad thought, but for her mental sanity she needed it.

Jaren’s words had her head shooting up to look at him wide eyed. “Take that back!” She demanded. Her blood boiling again at the mention of her. “Any woman would be lucky to have you.” She told him fiercely. “And that big bimbo’d fool will rue the day she denied Jaren Wright when she see’s what lovely of a wife you’ll one day have.” She declared.

She pursed her lips up at him, agreeing with what he said about their dear Griffin. They’d certainly have nothing to worry about with him. Her lips pursed harder, not thinking she’d be alright, but again. She kept those thoughts to herself.

She rested her head back against his chest, sniffling while he cradled her. A soft smile spreading across her face. “You can say that again.” She said softly. The old man had certainly forgotten how to love. There was no love but for himself as far as she saw it.

“I love you.” She murmured quietly. Hugging him tight. She tilted her head up, so her chin rested on his chest. “Thank you.” She said quietly as she smiled up at him. Starting to feel a bit better already.

[Jaren Wright]

Sometimes, he wished he could do more for Brianna. He tried to be there for her whenever possible, but that was the only kind of comfort he could give. He couldn't make their father change his mind or go easier on her- the man didn't listen to any of them. And in Fitzwilliam's eyes, Jaren wasn't entirely a saint. To their father, he had become a failure, choosing to step down from captaincy simply because of "feelings".

It was guilt, it was his failure to see another way through the fray at the most desperate of times. He didn't deserve that rank. He felt like he didn't deserve much, and Lord Wright made sure to remind him of that whenever he was able.

Suddenly, his sister was yelling at him, but he only sighed tiredly at this. He meant what he said, and he wasn't about to take it back. Bri wasn't the only one who felt like her life was going downhill. It was just unfortunate that neither of them could seem to stop it. Still, he forced out a laugh that was only partially amused. "Right, sure," he only said to placate her. Bri was the sad one right now, he wasn't about to bring the mood down further with his own issues. He'd let these thoughts go awhile ago, and he resigned to the fact that he was too miserable to ever find that kind of happiness again.

Still hugging his sister, allowing her to cry more if she wanted or to eventually find a calm, Jaren gently rocked her back and forth as he had always done even when they were children. In truth, not only was it meant to be a comfort for her, it was a sudden comfort for himself as well. "I love you too, little one. You just tell me what demons I have to slay, and I'll do it." And he meant it.

[Brianna Wright]

If there was one person who always tended to cheer Bri up, no matter the situation or what she was feeling, it was her oldest brother. In a way, Jaren had been more of a father to her than their own father in ways of affection.

A small smile spread across her face as she looked up at him. She had no doubt he would slay her demons, but they were demons she didn’t know if she wanted him knowing about. Both her brothers didn’t know what had happened those years ago and how it had changed her. They didn’t know what really happened to Sophie, or where Bri had really gone.

A part of her wanted to confess, to just tell someone else besides Kieran how she really felt, but she was afraid her brothers would react in a negative way. Maybe not like their father had in calling her an abomination, but she the fear was still there. If she lost them…She really would be alone.

“I know you will.” She said giving him one squeeze before she wiped the remaining bit of her tears away. She took a deep breath and then leaned back. “Were you out with Beau?” She asked. She’d vaguely remembered a servant telling her that’s where he’d disappeared too earlier. She wanted something else to think about the her own woes, and having to be more careful the next time she saw Kieran.

[Jaren Wright]

Although he didn't like to show his face out in society, even when he thought he had been happy all those years ago, Jaren always tried to make sure he was there for his siblings. Their childhood had been tough in ways, and it would appear as though adulthood wasn't getting any easier. Still their father expected so much from each of his children, for many different things, and on many differen levels. With him, it was the military. Father had been furious when he told him what had happened during the last door. Now, mind you, it wasn't over his mistake- oh no, Fitzwilliam was angry that Jaren would willingly take a demotion. And in reality, he had asked Commander Northam to demote him.

'I know you will.'

Jaren leaned back a bit, bending down just enough so that he could look her straight in the eye. "I mean it, Bri. You know you can tell me anything, right?" No, he had no clue as to what truly plagued her, or about that secret she held deep down inside, but he really didn't think there was anything that would change his admiration for her. After all, he was just as big of a mess as she was.

At the mention of Beau, he glanced over his shoulder towards the house for a brief moment before his attention fell back to her. "Yeah, only caught a couple of hares, though. I think I'm getting rusty," he answered with a low chuckle. "You should come with me next time." And damn whatever their father thought about it.

[Brianna Wright]

Those soft browns looked into those bright blues, and Bri looked her brother dead in the eye as she lied right to his face. “I know.” She murmured. The smile didn’t falter, but there was one thing Bri would never be able to tell him, as she would never risk losing her brothers over her own uncertain feelings, or concerns. She had Kieran to tell those woes to. Knowing already he wouldn’t judge her for the sinful and damning thoughts that often occurred to her and made her wonder if life was even worth it.

She was thankful for the distraction of the dearest Beau. “Or you’re distracted.” She pointed out, poking his middle, as she grinned. “What’s on your mind big brother?” She turned around on him. At his invitation, her face lit up. A chance to escape the house and Father’s gaze? Sign her up! “Really?” She asked, her excitement clear. “Can we practice with the swords too?” She asked, keeping her voice down, so no one would hear the preposterous thing that was coming from a lady’s lips. Her eyes were hopeful though, and she was itching to get a chance to practice more. It was one of the few joys she actually got out of life anymore. "Oh please, oh please, oh pleeaaaaaaaaase?" She asked, nearly starting to bounce like a child who desperately wanted a sweet. In Brianna's case, she really wanted to play with the sharp and pointy things. 

"Don't make beg." She stuck a finger up at him as her tone turned a bit more demanding, and he should know by now, she wasn't above groveling.

[Jaren Wright]

Jaren couldn't help but feel like his sister was still holding something back, or hiding something...but he had no right to pry. He often kept a lot of things to himself, mainly emotionally, so he could not fault her for possibly doing the same. He just genuinely wanted to help her if he was able to, since he couldn't ever seem to help himself.

She was suddenly poking him, claiming that he was distracted. Wasn't he always, though? There was rarely ever a day he didn't think of what had happened, or recall the looks on the men's faces as they fell...

"The war," he told her flatly, and normally that was an indication to drop the subject. He had told his family about what had happened, and yet kept out the part about Anthony. So, as Brianna's face lit up, he was thankful for that distraction.

'Can we practice with the swords, too?'

He remained quiet, pretending to really think about it as she began to beg, and Jaren was trying not to grin. He was beginning to fail that, though. "Alright, alright-" he finally answered back in near-whisper. "But you need to listen and not go off trying to do things on your own, understand?" If he was going to train her in any way, she needed to learn patience and responsibility, and not go off the deep end when things got emotional.