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last online Mar 26, 2024 12:42:01 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Nov 14, 2021 20:23:34 GMT -7
Post by temperance elizabeth fleming on Nov 14, 2021 20:23:34 GMT -7
the last train is here and it's leaving behind those years It was late. But Temperance hardly blinked as she stared continuously at the screen of her laptop. These computers and phones were still relatively new to their world, but she could say, with confidence, that she was glad to have them. Tem would never admit out loud how she almost shed a tear at learning how to use a spreadsheet. It was something that her siblings would definitely laugh at her about. She clicked a few keys as she reviewed a script for an upcoming documentary for the eighth time. It didn’t matter how many times she read the piece. Something could always be tweaked.
The door opened, and Tem heard footsteps approach but waited until they were loud enough to finally look up from her bright screen. Their father wasn’t posted in his usual spot on the couch—nobody sat there because the couch seems to have molded itself just for him, but he’d gone and passed out for the night. Miraculously making it to his bedroom this time. Tem didn’t bother with him if she didn’t have to and she was happy to have some time to work without him there. Her sister was the one who’d just gotten home, however, and she figured as much considering Atticus and Eli had gone to bed some time ago.
Glancing at the corner of her screen where the laptop displayed the time, her eyes glanced at Calliope. ”It’s late.” Her tone was flat, but her eyes asked the question, ‘where have you been?’. Tem clicked the keys a few more times before saving the document and closing the laptop lid. Maybe Theron didn’t care what his children were up to, and they were all adults except for Atticus, but someone had to care.
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calliope ivory fleming
ILVERMORNY ALUM MAGIZOOLOGIST APPRENTICE BLACK MARKET MERCHANT METAMORPHMAGUS
112 posts
played by haise
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last online Mar 17, 2024 2:13:50 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Nov 25, 2021 13:02:25 GMT -7
Post by calliope ivory fleming on Nov 25, 2021 13:02:25 GMT -7
━ if you ain't busy take a walk with me ━ TIME WAS SLOWLY RUNNING OUT. But it seemingly felt like a good thing. It was already winter and Calliope had promised herself that by February she would be out of the shit-hole she temporarily called 'home'. It was also an indicator for when she would finally give up her small part-time job at the Mungos' hospital, her claustrophobia catching up now more than ever. Though today, she finished her shift at the hospital fairly early and headed straight for the Black Market, using her Metamorphmagus skills to sell more product than she did before. With all the recent events, more people turned up at the market looking for items that weren't usually sold, but the Fleming wasn't complaining. As long as she could save and move on.
Though, considering how long the middle Fleming stayed at the market, she didn't anticipate getting home at such a late time. And knowing her siblings, Temperance would still be up just to ensure she got home safely or nag her all night long. Considering Eli had only graduated over the summer, his apprenticeship had only just begun, meaning that their father wouldn't be nagging or forcing any sort of money out of him anytime soon. But Cal had a feeling that Eli would be just like her at some point, tired of their fathers words and actions and end up moving out. It wouldn't surprise the Fleming at all. Calliope however, was tired of contributing her own sharings just to keep a barely-stable roof over their heads.
Regardless, Calliope unlocked the door with her keys, sighing quietly while her hair tinted red as she felt a little anxious. She noticed the light on in either the dining or the living room, knowing for certain that her sister had stayed up while her father was probably passed out somewhere and her siblings were off to bed already. As Temperance spoke, Cal let out a quiet sigh, knowing that her words held the question of 'where have you been', simply from the tone alone. "Was working." She muttered in a response as she hung up her coat.
"Didn't realise how late it was and that I was doing..Overtime. Sorry." Calliope wasn't being truthful, but none of her siblings knew of her little..side job at the Black Market. Nor did they need to know.
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last online Mar 26, 2024 12:42:01 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Nov 26, 2021 1:07:04 GMT -7
Post by temperance elizabeth fleming on Nov 26, 2021 1:07:04 GMT -7
the last train is here and it's leaving behind those years Calliope offered a mumbled response, and Tem put her laptop to the side on an empty spot on the couch. Temperance wasn’t convinced, and she gave her usual look and raised eyebrow that asked for more details. ”Didn’t realize the Hospital stayed open so late.” She stood up and carried her laptop to the dining table rather than risk it falling off the couch. She was far too busy to deal with replacing the thing. ”There’s a plate in the kitchen if you’re hungry.” Since she had missed dinner hours ago. Sometimes Tem wondered why she bothered since sometimes Eli wasn’t even home for dinner. At least Atticus was reliable in that he needed to be fed.
The kids were all growing up before Tem’s eyes, and at least she noticed while Theron probably thought Atticus was still eleven. Tem stopped and put her hands on the back of one of the dining table chairs and rolled her head from side to side to help clear the tension in her neck from sitting on the couch. They all said she needed to relax, but how could she? With a sigh, she let go of the chair and walked back over to the living room. Their home wasn’t all that big, but it made do. Plus, since the loss of their mother’s income, they were making do with the move for her brothers’ education. With Tem’s newer position, she could cover more of the bills but having Calliope’s help really did help. Though Tem hoped she was more tactful about asking for it than their father was through slurred words.
”Dad was asking about bills today. Don’t let him hear you’re working overtime.” In the end, it didn’t matter what Theron said or asked because he’d rely on his oldest to take care of it. The well-behaved, responsible, and organized Temperance. ”Next time you’re working late, let me know. Ok?” It wasn’t so much a question as it was a demand. It was second nature to wonder where they were at all times, a habit from when she was watching them and their parents working or traveling. And Temperance knew that if she’d gone to Theron right now and asked him what year it was, he might say three years ago—someone had to make sure things were running as smooth as they could.
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calliope ivory fleming
ILVERMORNY ALUM MAGIZOOLOGIST APPRENTICE BLACK MARKET MERCHANT METAMORPHMAGUS
112 posts
played by haise
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last online Mar 17, 2024 2:13:50 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Nov 27, 2021 4:13:41 GMT -7
Post by calliope ivory fleming on Nov 27, 2021 4:13:41 GMT -7
━ if you ain't busy take a walk with me ━ THE FURTHER CALLIOPE VENTURED INSIDE, the more she craved a quick meal and some juice. Apple juice precisely. Something about the liquid always made her feel happy and even refreshed. Well, juice and her other interests of course. But if she wanted to tackle for the position of shittest person in the home, all she needed was a cigarette and a couple of beers. But for the sake of her younger siblings, she never dared bringing any alcohol home. Cigarettes on the other hand were easy to hide, within a dresser or two, which then allowed the middle Fleming to simply smoke them on the roof while everyone else slept away.
The Metamorphmagus knew her ability would give her away as she lied to her sister, kicking off her boots near the door before she headed for the door, barely catching on to what her sister said. "Thanks." She muttered, refusing to comment or even respond to her sister's observation about the hospital. Seeing the pot and pans that were used for dinner, Calliope spotted the plate saved for her and quickly popped it into the microwave for a quick re-heat. Hearing shuffling from the living room, Calliope's features changed once more at her sister's mention of their father and how he was asking about the bills. There was never a perfect time to reveal news, but considering how long things had been going on for, there wasn't any other perfect time.
Walking towards the archway that separated their kitchen and living room, the younger Fleming kept a close ear on the microwave sounds while she looked up at her sister. The colour blue took over her eyes while the colour washed darkly across her hair. Calliope wrapped her cardigan tightly around her as she sighed, leaning against the archway. "I'm not paying anymore." She said fairly bluntly. "So feel free to tell him I'm working overtime, or not. He's not getting anymore out of me anyway." Calliope was tired of always updating her sister on work, on money, on income, all these petty small things that shouldn't matter for people their age. It was their father's 'job' or 'role' to actually bring the main income to their home. It was the fact that he barely bothered was what irritated the Metamorphmagus most.
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last online Mar 26, 2024 12:42:01 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Dec 10, 2021 21:57:14 GMT -7
Post by temperance elizabeth fleming on Dec 10, 2021 21:57:14 GMT -7
the last train is here and it's leaving behind those years Temperance wondered if smoking a cigarette while using a bubble-head charm would look too desperate. Somewhere down the line between her sixth and seventh years, someone had introduced them to her, and since then, they were a habit she indulged in, mainly on her breaks at work. Still, at least with a charm or two, she didn’t come home smelling like an ashtray. Something about constantly smelling like one of your vices made her stomach turn. Maybe it was the constant smell of something alcoholic that often lingered on her father’s shirts.
Calliope didn’t say much, but Temperance didn’t notice it. It was late, and they both were tired. Had it been earlier, her eyes might have lingered a moment or two longer to see her sister’s reaction. The instinct of the eldest that something might be there. The first time Tem had ever followed up on a hunch, she then realized that it was something a mother was supposed to do—to have that sixth sense or third eye, as they say. And yet, while she did all the work without the title, her brother still yearned for their actual mother.
When Calliope walked back out of the kitchen, Tem noted the change in her appearance and paused. She blinked at her sister a few times and let out an exasperated sigh. The dual-income had been beneficial. Without it, it was doable but with a bit more stress. ”Listen, Cal, I don’t have time for your ‘acts of rebellion’ right now.” Temp picked up her laptop from the couch and began straightening up the pillows before placing it on a side table. She then picked up a blanket that had been thrown aside and began to fold it but stopped halfway. ”Care to elaborate?”
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calliope ivory fleming
ILVERMORNY ALUM MAGIZOOLOGIST APPRENTICE BLACK MARKET MERCHANT METAMORPHMAGUS
112 posts
played by haise
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last online Mar 17, 2024 2:13:50 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Jan 31, 2022 9:48:13 GMT -7
Post by calliope ivory fleming on Jan 31, 2022 9:48:13 GMT -7
━ if you ain't busy take a walk with me ━ STOOD AGAINST THE ARCHWAY WITH a stern look wiped across her face, Calliope had no other idea on how she could prove she was being serious. Her actions were far from rebellious but more so reality. She had been drained enough, putting more of her own savings and wages to keep the family home intact, especially when there was no need to. Their father was greedy for money that none of the elder children had and even his odd pensions or whatever scraps of money he had was surely enough to pay for the bills. Though, the metamorphmagus rarely looked into it, the task of controlling money, bills and making sure there was food on the table was Temp's job. Since she had become the mothering figure of the home anyway.
At the stupidly loud ding of the microwave, Calliope turned, her hair sweeping through a series of blues and the usual colours that revealed her anxiety. She didn't know how to bring up the topic of moving out without causing a scene, but causing a scene most likely would resort to their father making an appearance and that was something the middle Fleming refused to face. Closing the door and digging into the drawer for a fork, Cal sighed as she stood at the archway once more, taking a quick bite before she announced the truth. "I'm moving out." She announced, taking a few more bites to let the words actually settle in the air. "I've seen a few places, seeing more as the weeks go on, but I've got the money and I'm moving out."
Calliope had moved out once before, right after she had graduated from Ilvermorny, but considering all the issues the Fleming family went through, especially with the spiralling of her fathers mental and physical wellbeing, she was forced to come home, to prioritise her younger siblings the same way Temp did. "I should've never came home in the first place. By now I would've been doing something I love."
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last online Mar 26, 2024 12:42:01 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Apr 5, 2022 1:15:17 GMT -7
Post by temperance elizabeth fleming on Apr 5, 2022 1:15:17 GMT -7
the last train is here and it's leaving behind those years Her sister did not answer her right away, the microwave interrupting them and distracting Calliope enough to cause her hare to shift through a few colors. The novelty of her sister’s ability had worn off years ago, and Temperance focused on the color itself without realizing it. Like waiting for somebody to blush when asking them a question. It was the only way to read Calliope, at least for Temp. Their brother was an open book and one with the volume on high. Eli was not shy about his thoughts and how they bounced around that head of his. The head would no sooner roll off his shoulders if Temperance was there to make sure it stayed on.
’I’m moving out.’ Temp paused, the blanket only half folded in her hands. She sighed, folding it one last time and laying it neatly on the couch. The eldest Fleming didn’t immediately respond since her brain had gone into overdrive again on what this meant in terms of bills. Their father irresponsibly spent all the Galleons he had on anything remotely alcoholic. Though Temp was able to intercept him at times to help pay the bills and for school supplies and other odds and ends they needed. Crossing her arms, she shifted her weight to one leg and processed her sister’s words.
”Been planning this a while?” The feeling that arose from her gut was not good. There was a small amount of anxiety regarding finances, but what sat heavier was something akin to bitterness. The family dynamic had been challenging these past few years with what happened to their mother and their father’s decline. But as Temp opened her mouth to speak, she stopped. Pausing, she blinked a few times. Her face shifted from a stoic expression to something incredulous. ”You’re not the only one who’s had to sacrifice.” She scoffed and shook her head, letting her arms fall as she went into the kitchen to retrieve the forgotten plate from the microwave. Calliope had received an unfair amount of pressure and responsibility just as Temperance had, but Temp never felt she had the option to even say ‘I’m out’.
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calliope ivory fleming
ILVERMORNY ALUM MAGIZOOLOGIST APPRENTICE BLACK MARKET MERCHANT METAMORPHMAGUS
112 posts
played by haise
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last online Mar 17, 2024 2:13:50 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Apr 5, 2022 10:41:50 GMT -7
Post by calliope ivory fleming on Apr 5, 2022 10:41:50 GMT -7
━ if you ain't busy take a walk with me ━ WAITING FOR HER SISTER'S REACTION, the middle Fleming continued to chew nervously, and while the leftover dinner tasted delicious, it somehow also left a sour taste in the middle child's mouth, especially now that the truth was in the air. She knew Temp would be able to read her easily, like how she did a simple book, because of her abilities but still...Calliope wasn't ready for any sort of response.
At first, Temp paused, the blanket she had been fiddling and folding suddenly not moving either. But it was as if her elder sister was expecting this kind of claim, because her facial expressions barely changed at all. Though, Cal knew she was wrong the moment she heard her sister speak. Temp scoffed then as she approached the kitchen and the colours upon Calliope's head shifted once more, streaks of red slowly revealing itself as her annoyance and temper rose. "Give me a fucking breaaak Elizabeth. You don't think I know that?" The younger Fleming began, scoffing herself while her lips turned upwards.
"We all had our lives before this shit happened, but I lost just as much as you did. It's simply not my fault that you refuse to say anything or even do anything about it. Our so called father knows I'm sick of this shit, and sick of him...So I'm done." It was as simple as that, Calliope had made up her mind and truthfully there was no turning back. "Eli's graduating soon, so he'll be leaving too. It'll just be Atticus...But he's still in school so he's even barely here. Why are you fighting for something that doesn't need to be fought for?"
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last online Mar 26, 2024 12:42:01 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Apr 30, 2022 1:09:52 GMT -7
Post by temperance elizabeth fleming on Apr 30, 2022 1:09:52 GMT -7
the last train is here and it's leaving behind those years There was a feeling growing in the pit of her stomach. She felt anxious, but Temp suppressed it like she always did. But her fingertips twitched as her craving for a cigarette grew once more, something to deal with the rising emotions she pushed aside to concentrate and hold everything together. Was Temperance bitter? Absolutely, the resentment she carried around that her life didn’t matter because who else would keep things going? It had been possible with Calliope’s help, but now she wanted to leave. It was clear that Cal was a little nervous. She’d probably kept this a while and worked up the nerve.
That bitterness quickly shifted to anger on its own. Merlin she hated her middle name, though it was perhaps better than Temperance. Still, she flinched less at Cal’s response. ”I refuse?” She stared at her sister incredulously. ”Merlin I do everything.” She proclaimed. Goodness, if Temperance was anything but just fucking exhausted. She wasn’t going to defend their father. At least they could agree he did nothing but breathe the good oxygen the rest of them needed. But it didn’t stop her annoyance, quickly bursting into anger.
And yet, Temperance didn’t answer. She didn’t have an answer. But she scoffed and crossed her arms. It only infuriated her more to not know the answer to that question. Why did she do it? Because she had to? It was the only sentence that popped into her mind. ”Because someone has to.” Merlin, what a stupid answer, but it was all she had. She had to take care of her sister and her brothers. She had to take care of the family. Nobody else was doing it. ”You know what? Do whatever you want.” Temp figuratively threw up her hands. She wouldn’t beg her sister to stay, and her pride wouldn’t let her anyway.
Temperance walked into the kitchen and, with a wordless wave of her wand, dishes in the sink began to wash, dry themselves and land neatly in the cabinet though very loudly against the other dishes and cups. Honestly, the house was never cleaner than when Temperance was angry. But she still couldn’t help but turn and look at her sister again. ”You know he thinks she's coming back.” Atticus was the baby of the family. He’d been so young when their mother vanished, and young hearts always held the most hope. Who was Temp to take that away by letting him be around the shell of the man that used to be their father?
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calliope ivory fleming
ILVERMORNY ALUM MAGIZOOLOGIST APPRENTICE BLACK MARKET MERCHANT METAMORPHMAGUS
112 posts
played by haise
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last online Mar 17, 2024 2:13:50 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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May 9, 2022 10:29:50 GMT -7
Post by calliope ivory fleming on May 9, 2022 10:29:50 GMT -7
━ if you ain't busy take a walk with me ━ WHILE CALLIOPE KNEW SHE WANTED to avoid this topic like the plague, it was bound to happen eventually. Especially at the mention of providing money to cover the monthly bills especially since their father's source of income had all dried up. "No, you just think you do everything. You do shit so Dad doesn't fucking yell at any one of us. You don't know how he treats us separately when you're working." Yelling in a sort of hushed tone was becoming increasingly difficult for the middle Fleming, especially as her emotions only got worse, and the features from her ability shifted almost every other second.
As Temp couldn't even answer Cal's question, Calliope found herself scoffing and laughing quietly, swiping her finger against her eyes and nose as stinging tears began to threaten her eyes. "Because someone has to." Cal repeated, laughing dryly. "What are you? A fucking superhero? 'Because someone has to?' You don't have to do shit. The marriage between him and Mom fell apart and when she disappeared he decided to become literally nothing." Pent up feelings weren't good for any kind of person, but when Cal alongside her siblings were forced to give up their dreams...Penting up her anger was the only thing she did well.
Stabbing her fork into the leftovers and taking a bite from it, Cal quietly sniffled once more as her sister mentioned their brother and the fact that he believed their mother would be coming back eventually. "Because you and Dad, whenever he's sober, keep fuelling the idea in his mind." She spat in response. Atticus was so young when their mother disappeared, no mention of where she had left to or even if she was dead or alive. "She's probably dead anyway." Cal added in a mutter, and while she didn't want to believe it...What kind of mother abandoned their kids?
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last online Mar 26, 2024 12:42:01 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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May 29, 2022 15:43:37 GMT -7
Post by temperance elizabeth fleming on May 29, 2022 15:43:37 GMT -7
the last train is here and it's leaving behind those years The feelings of envy, resentment, and anything related always sat with Temperance, but it had taken her some time to identify them. And she could remember the moment the words came to mind. It was a rare occasion to see Temp anywhere that wasn’t home or work and not focusing on many tasks at once. Was the laundry folded? Was dinner ready? Were the scripts picked up from the writers? Did they have enough extras for the shoot the next day? But even someone as restrained and disciplined as Temp needed a break. So she allowed herself a night where the only worry would be what drink the order. And going out for a few hours felt like a crime, but even she needed to enjoy herself.
Arriving home late, she replayed the night’s events in her mind and realized it was the first time someone had made her laugh in a long time. When she looked at their home, she was just reminded of what needed to be done and everything that was missing. It wasn’t even their longtime family home, yet things still reminded her of their mother. All those feelings arose again, but she knew what they were this time. All this time, she forced herself to push her resentment onto their father and use most of her energy to not let it slip into her thoughts of her siblings. It wasn’t their fault. But why did the boys get to laugh and live when Temp was making sure they had what they needed?
This was where their father would have scoffed at them drunkenly and, with a familiar tone of condescension, told them that life wasn’t fair. But Calliope’s comment made her pause. Placing her hands on the countertop, she gripped the granite hard for a moment and let the tension go. Turning, she leaned against the counter and crossed her arms. She let her sister speak, partly because she didn’t have an answer—not yet. ”Anything else?” Temp’s tone is calm. ”Anything else you want to add to the list of things I’m doing wrong? I believe dad started a list. Would you like me to fetch that for you?” It was lucky their father was a drunk and passed out. A deep sleep that would keep him there until at least noon the following day.
They were just short of yelling at one another. And had their brothers not been fast asleep upstairs, Temp would have let herself. Their mother always came up in these conversations, and Temp always responded the same. She grew fidgety and uncomfortable. After a moment, Temp finally spoke. ”She probably is.” The simple alternative to their mother being dead was that she didn’t want to be with the family anymore. She didn’t care about her children or what happened to them. ”And if you want to tell him, be my guest.” Temp already had enough responsibility without adding breaking her baby brother’s heart to the mix. He was only fifteen. Atticus still had a few years before he’d have to face it like the rest of them.
But Calliope’s earlier point still stuck with Temperance. Their father was a drunken brute who didn’t have a filter for his anger and dissatisfaction, even sober. His words were easy to ignore, but one grew numb after hearing them many times. ”Dad was an asshole before…everything.” Temp remembered how he’d comment so freely on her academic results while in school. ”I just have to put up with him until Atticus is of age.” Temp admitted. Now whether she followed through with that or not was to be seen. Though now she could hardly think of leaving, that drunk with her younger brothers? No way.
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calliope ivory fleming
ILVERMORNY ALUM MAGIZOOLOGIST APPRENTICE BLACK MARKET MERCHANT METAMORPHMAGUS
112 posts
played by haise
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last online Mar 17, 2024 2:13:50 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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May 30, 2022 10:39:08 GMT -7
Post by calliope ivory fleming on May 30, 2022 10:39:08 GMT -7
━ if you ain't busy take a walk with me ━ SCOFFING AT HER SISTER'S RESPONSE, Calliope folded her arms. "That, that right there is the shit I'm talking about." She began, her voice raising slightly while the colour of her hair shifted, reflecting her annoyance and anger. "You act like a mother, when we already had and lost one. You think you're doing this for the sake of the family, when really we're all fucking old enough to understand Temp." Calliope paused for a moment there, collecting her thoughts and processing what she exactly wanted to say. "You only think you're doing everything right because it feels right in that split second. When really, we don't need another mother, we need our older fucking sister. We all could've moved out without him by now, used the money we've been funding to keep this house to downsize somewhere else and let him get whatever kind of help he needs."
Calliope knew if she went on for a moment longer her voice would've been too loud to class as a 'whisper-type-of-argument' and instead she would have been outright yelling at her sister. But truthfully, enough was enough. Temp shouldn't of had to give up a section of her own life to look after the rest of them. Yes, while she was the first born, it wasn't fair that she did all of it because of the actions of their drunk father. It should of been something a child offered to do, not work upon alongside a full-time job. "If I want to tell him? So now you're suggesting I should be painted the villain of the family? Grow up Temp. I'm only saying we should be more real with him. He's fifteen. Old enough to understand what the fucks going on right now." Cal couldn't even remember how old she was when everything went upside down. Nor did she want to remember.
"Right. But back then, it was tolerable. What was it for you huh? You got one bad grade and he'd shame you for it?" She remarked, scoffing. "At least he wasn't telling you, you were a waste of space and air. Right up until you graduated. But how could he, when his perfect Temperance did and still does everything for him? Especially now, as he's pretty much an unknown man, with no recollection on the last time he heard from his wife, and is relying on his children to fund his life and keep him alive until they give up on him too."
Calliope paused once more, shaking her head at her sisters words. "Until he's of age?..Why put yourself through another two or three years worth of this shit? You're old enough to be Atticus' guardian, Eli is old enough to live on his own in literally just a few months and so am I...We don't need to do this anymore Temp."
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last online Mar 26, 2024 12:42:01 GMT -7
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Jul 16, 2022 16:24:33 GMT -7
Post by temperance elizabeth fleming on Jul 16, 2022 16:24:33 GMT -7
the last train is here and it's leaving behind those years With every task completed, every chore done, every plan or goal pushed aside, Temp knew the resentment built up inside her. It felt like a special gift to be able to smother and stifle those feelings. But Temperance’s grasp on that strength hung on by a single thread every time she saw her father passed out on the couch or heard him make some snide comment passing her in the kitchen. But, what choice was there? Calliope made it sound so simple, and it just wasn’t—why couldn’t she understand that? With a desperate pull on her heartstrings, Temp was only left with an ache in her chest.
Temp crossed her arms, tensing as she fought the urge to throw up her hands and hysterically mess up the perfectly organized kitchen. But she hated when she lost her temper like that. Cleaning while full of regret was not a fun feeling. ”Do you think I wanted this?” Temp took a step forward, eyes boring into her younger sister. ”I had a life. I had goals. I was already out.” While expectation always lingered nearby like a lonely cloud in the sky, not unusual in California, the autonomy of being on one’s own had been a positive change. And nowhere in that life or those plans had Temp signed up to take care of a family of five at the age of twenty.
What people said about birth order was cliché, but more often than not, it was true. The oldest would never have the nerve or the blind courage of their younger siblings. With a clenched jaw, Temp shook her head and paced around a few steps. She didn’t even know where to begin on that note. Their father needed help, though everybody could seem to acknowledge that except for him. But it wasn’t that simple. It didn’t feel that simple. And their baby brother was perhaps, one could argue, the one that suffered the most. He’d been so young when their mother disappeared, and never a target of their father’s in the same way Temp and Cal were.
”Merlin Cal…will you stop.” It was just a repeat of the same stuff Temp had heard about their father repeatedly. She scoffed and shook her head. ”Self-pity must run in the family.” Temp felt as if anyone should have been complaining it was her. Even when Cal moved out and left to live her own life, Temp would be left shouldering everything just like it was before. Their father liked to talk loudly of his old Quidditch days when drunk like he was his team's star player when realistically he’d been about average. It was a little sad. Temp opened her mouth to speak again but closed it, opting to let out a hefty frustrated sigh.
”You think you have all the answers, don’t you?” Temp spoke, her tone less than calm, but she was trying not to yell. It was all so obvious, wasn’t it? What they should be doing and what Temp should have been doing. ”You think I haven’t tried? I know what you think of me—what you all think of me. That I’m acting just like some…some…House Elf or something. Temp waved her hands briefly as she searched for the words while simultaneously trying to stay in control. ”I know he’s a deadbeat dad. And Atticus deserves better than him—than what we’ve had to deal with. But…” Temp trailed off, raw emotion welling up in her throat. The law was not exactly on her side when it came to custody of a minor and all that—she had looked before they’d had to up-end their life in California to move here. And besides, wasn’t losing one parent enough?
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calliope ivory fleming
ILVERMORNY ALUM MAGIZOOLOGIST APPRENTICE BLACK MARKET MERCHANT METAMORPHMAGUS
112 posts
played by haise
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last online Mar 17, 2024 2:13:50 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Aug 9, 2022 10:27:16 GMT -7
Post by calliope ivory fleming on Aug 9, 2022 10:27:16 GMT -7
━ if you ain't busy take a walk with me ━ CAL KNEW IF THE TWO continued, one of them would eventually blow up so badly, from the frustration of their emotions and inevitably wake up everyone in the house. While Cal wanted to avoid such a thing, to prevent having to explain to her younger brothers that she was leaving so abruptly, another small part of the metamorphmagus wished that her anger would get the best of her, to maybe show to her older sister that no matter what she said, they would always have their own issues with their father.
As Temp stepped forward, Cal placed the leftovers down on the counter and stepped closer to her sister too. Two could honestly play that game and given the level of Calliope's annoyance, she was no longer afraid to raise her voice and wake up the whole neighbourhood. Calliope's hair too also darkened as her frustration grew, listening to her sisters words. "You were already out? Had goals? So did I. Why aren't you registering everything I'm saying in that thick skull of yours?" The two were old enough to look after Atticus, and Eli would be leaving the family home soon anyway considering he had just graduated. They had every capability to move out and live as the three of them, to let their father rot like the miserable old man he was and wanted to be.
"Self pity? Honestly go and fuck yourself Temperance." It wasn't common for Calliope to refer to her sister by her full name, knowing she definitely preferred her middle name but given the middle Fleming's anger, anything went. "The only person in this family that wallows in self pity is you. You may think you hide your emotions really well but you wear them on a sleeve much like my abilities. You're the worst out of all of us yet its ironic since our shitty father relies on you. But yeah. You're right. House Elf is more of a fitting name for you."
As Temp trailed off, referring to Atticus, Calliope couldn't help but cock her head to the side, brows lifted as she waited for her sister to continue. "But what? You're filling all plausible possibilities to get out of here with excuses. We could've gotten the help needed to separate ourselves from him, find a new home, work around all sorts of laws but nooo. You wanted to make this shitty little fairytale work out for Atty. And I'm simply tired..of making whatever goes on in your head, work." Calliope knew the longer this conversation/argument continued, the further the two of them would be from the point of it all.
Calliope was leaving. The damage had been done and everything had been said. There wasn't much else that could change the middle Fleming's mind anyway. Digging into her pocket, the metamorphmagus approached her sister while the colours in her hair shifted once more. It resembled her anger but it also resembled the peace she felt from finally getting her frustration out. Tugging slightly at Temp's arm and opening her palm, Cal dropped her cut of the family house key into it, before curling her sisters hand shut around the key. "Thanks for dinner. I'll find a couch to sleep on for tonight."
With that, Calliope walked past her sister and headed for the front door, reaching for the coat she had hung up and her boots. After quickly putting them on, she swung the door open and slammed it on her way out. She didn't know where she would sleep or continue to sleep for the next week or so, but Cal always had a plan up her sleeve. That and also she had no official way to come back home now. She also didn't know if Temp would come after her but the damage was done.
[CAL END?]
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last online Mar 26, 2024 12:42:01 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Aug 18, 2022 21:32:06 GMT -7
Post by temperance elizabeth fleming on Aug 18, 2022 21:32:06 GMT -7
the last train is here and it's leaving behind those years The Flemings were nothing if not consistent. How many times had Temperance fought with her equally headstrong sister over the years? And how it had gotten so much worse after their mother vanished into thin air. The boys had always stayed out of it, though Temp could still picture her brother peering out from around the corner. His big eyes looked at them curiously. They challenged one another, inching closer in their stubbornness despite whatever the consequences might be. In all honesty, Cal wasn’t entirely wrong. But it wasn’t such a situation that it was easy to admit because it wasn’t easy to get out of. The obvious solutions were never just that.
The usage of her full given name only made her anger flare up worse. Who in their right mind named their child Temperance. As if to set up a child for a specific life, and here she was. ”Oh fucking get over yourself already.” She retorted. ”Fucking house elf…” She muttered to herself. She was not a house elf and resented that very much. Temp was convinced that she was right—it was not that simple. What was she to do? Leave her father out on the sidewalk and get on with her life? Despite the lack of love or positive emotions toward the man, Temp wasn’t so cruel.
It became more difficult to contain the volume of their voices. Thankfully their father was just about dead asleep, and not even the Knight Bus running through their living room would wake him. She scoffed, crossing her arms and angrily grabbing the plate Cal left to the site and throwing it loudly in the sink. She was angry and didn’t have an outlet for it. Looking off to the side, she looked forward just in time to see her sister approaching quickly, determination in her eyes, and her hand grabbed her arm. ”What are you—“ but then she saw the key. Temp didn’t say anything, not trusting what might come out of her mouth at this point. Plus, she didn’t want to share most of the thoughts that ran through her mind. The door slammed, but it was dead quiet after that.
[ end ] template by vee
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