To New Beginnings {Marree}

[Marree]

Vy must already have that good feeling about my mom the way she agrees with me without even formally meeting her. It occurs to me as well that I haven't even told her my mom's name. Then again, I just call her mom, so shouldn't I just tell her that too? Maybe. For now, I concentrate on trying to move my fingers slowly and absorbing the pain into my arm with the movements so I quit trying to move them and just relax. While I wait, I can't help but see how Brooklyn has finally seen the bruising on Vy's eye and goes to explore it like any other child does. She touches it!

I grin heavily and hold the half grin as Vy reacts to it and tells her not to touch it. With a bit of coaxing with a tickle, the tyke stops and becomes still once against. Though, my question comes across because I need to know what was going on in her head to lie to my mother. For what reason she felt the need to really be my escort when she has her little sister to look out for.

"I hope I didn't cause any issues."

"No. You're fine, Vy. I'm glad you came up with something, but I'll have to eventually tell her. Cause she's going to wonder what's happening when Jins doesn't come around anymore or when she finds out that I broke up with him." I've found my sense of calm by watching Vy and her sister sitting on the cot. Something about the way the little girl looks around the room puts within me a peaceful vibe. I relax even though a moment later I can hear my mom's footsteps coming and then when she enters, Vy's already asking if she can help. I shake my head.

"She don't have to help, Mom. She's done enough. I can help though. Just tell me what to do." I ask my mom and she starts to chuckle in her own special way that sounds like she's doubting me and doesn't believe that I can do whatever is needed to tend to my own wounds. So, I cock my head to the side and give her a quaint stare.

"Honey. You're not a doctor but you might as well be one because you are a really bad patient. Now. Shut up and let me work." She says and turns to Vy, extending out a warm welcome to the girl. "If my daughter hasn't done it already, I guess I'm a horrible mother for not instilling good manners in her. I'm Shyla Ruze. It's nice to meet you, dear. So, tell me about this person she went up against defending you?"

I give a quick glance to Vy and shake my head slightly and just shrug my shoulders a bit. "Mom, can we not talk about it? I feel like I'll faint at any moment." I tease and my mom gives me that look.

"Are you sure? Cause I remember you used to do that when you wanted to get out of trouble. O'well. We'll discuss the gory details later. Open up wide. Let me see that lip." She puts her hand under my chin and starts to examine the swelling on my lip and with a grimace she shakes her head.

"Not enough for stitches, honey, but it's pretty deep. Got it on your tooth, didn't ya?" She finally leaves my lip alone and gives me a saddened look. "Looks worse then it really is. It'll bruise, you know that. You can stay home from school tomorrow, okay, baby? Let me see your hand now."

"Ow!" I say when I hold my hand up and show her very briefly and put it back on my lap which only earns me a quick smack on the arm that doesn't hurt at all. "Okay. Okay. Here... it hurts. Don't mess around with it."

My momma gives me that simple look as if to say not to test her but she gently takes my hand in hers and very lightly looks at all the fingers on my good hand and compares them and feels around on my middle finger until she starts to chew on her bottom lip. That's when I start to see that look on her face that means I'm not going to like what she's going to say.

"No. Don't momma. Please? Can't you just splint it?"

"Honey. I need to set it before it's crooked for the rest of your life. Now, your friend can hold your hand if you want." She says and looks to Vy and makes the motion for her to stand but I start to wave Vy down.

"You don't have to, Vy..."

[cameo]

Great, the first impression I'm going to make on Ky's Mother is that I'm a liar. Of course I agree that she should be truthful, especially with the close bond they obviously share; but I'm guessing that won't shine me as a protective friend for her daughter. Probably just as a bad influence, like I've always been. Oh well. It's my fault for lying to begin with. Last thing I want to do is cause a load of drama for this girl I've just met, which is exactly what this little white lie would surely turn into. 

"Sounds like your Ex changed over night." I observe out-loud. Jins, seems to fit his profile. Hard to believe he even managed to fool Ky's mother.  I'm craving to know more, to understand and be let in on the story. But my lips remain sealed beyond my last comment, and wisely so since her mother then joins us. 

"She don't have to help, Mom. She's done enough. I can help though. Just tell me what to do." Knew Kyanite's the stubborn type. Honestly I can't judge though, given I'd probably react the same exact way. Does that mean I'm going to stand down from assisting? A soft chuckle escapes me. Yeah right. Though I do keep to my seat, waiting for instructions from the one that's clearly in charge here. I can see Kyanite following in her Mother's footsteps, even if I'm assuming my knowledge on her rather quickly. 

A proper introduction is given from Ky's Mother while she examines her lip. "Nice to me you to." I try my best at being polite myself. But I'm then stuck in the decision of my lie again. Do I continue with my story? Or fess up?Thankfully Kyanite cuts in, and threatens to faint if this subject carries on further. The hilarious part is Mrs. Ruze though, informing us that Ky used to do that while in trouble when younger. Why is it so easy to picture a little Kyanite pretending to pass out? Another chuckle releases from my lips. 

Her trick still works though, and Mrs. Ruze is back to work on patching up her daughter. The adorable relationship they hold doesn't fail to proceed, which I gladly quietly study. Then there's a request for my assistance, making my eyes dart up in preparation.  "You don't have to, Vy..." As if it's that difficult to hold someone's hand. Pretty sure she's the one that's going to have to deal with the majority of the pain. 

"Oh stop, and listen to your mother." I attempt to demand myself, and slide Brooklyn off of my lap. "Don't get into anything Little one." I tell her while brushing my fingers through her thin blonde locks. Should of brought a toy from her stroller, but it's too late now. My assistance is needed elsewhere at this moment. I present my hand out for Ky once I'm by her side, and await for the worst of it. 

There's a slow count down, prior to Mrs. Ruze brutally straightening out Kyanite's fingers. The sound of snapping bones alone has me cringing, though my own hand doesn't budge away from the support Ky may need. I examine her face closely, despite the urge to gaze away as though it was being done to myself. For some reason my eyes contently stay on her, wanting to provide anything I might able to. 

[Marree]

"You don't have to, Vy..." I wave the girl down, but my mom has already made the motion for her to stand beside me and once again, embarassment fills me. First I have to break my hand in front of the girl, now the girl will see me have to force back tears and pain. Will I even be able to? Vy even has to agree with my mom and tell me so by making me listen to my mom. Since when do kids listen to their parents? From the time that she sits the little girl down and tells her not to touch anything, my mom has already surveyed my finger and is trying to get ready to pop it back to it's original shape and I can see the small wrinkle in her brow cause I know she don't want to inflict pain on me... or does she? For a split second, I let out a small grin when I feel Vy's hand curl around my good hand and I focus heartily on the connection with this girl just as the pain intesifies and my mouth bites down hard on the swollen mass that is my lip, causing even more pain and a closed mouth scream appears and I jerk forward as if to allieviate the pain and rock back and forth for a moment before the sickening feeling overpowers my stomach.

"Oh shit! Shit..." I mutter under my breath while hot tears spring forward and start to cascade like a waterfall from my squinted eyes. Just like that, I find a solid mass in front of me and I push my forehead against this person and my mom releases my hand for a moment and places it on my lap, telling me not to move it, but I do anyways. I pull my sight away from the one that's letting me put my forehead on her chest to look at the bruising that has overtaken my middle finger and the redness on the ring finger. The middle finger is the one where the pain is originating from and the look of it hurts me to keep looking. Once again, I turn my face into the one in front of me, and let the sobs wrack my body as the pain is being sent through me in waves.

"That a girl. You did good. Relax, okay Kyanite? Just relax. The worst part is over." My mother coos, placing her hand on my back and rubbing a few times. "Will you make sure she don't get up before I get back? Don't need her falling over. I'll be back in a moment."

My mother leaves. I can tell because the footstep get lower the further she goes away, but the pain is enough to make me want to pass out for real instead of just a threat. Behind my closed lids, the white spots are still dancing in front of my vision and the sound of rushing blood is still pulsing through my ears. "Is it over?" I squeak out and try to move my fingers but that only causes more pain so I cringe yet again and hold still. My life is on the line, so I don't move an inch for fear that it'll make the waves of fire pulse through my body again.

"Vy. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I don't cry in front of people. I don't like it..." I explain in gasps as the footsteps start to come back into the room and her touch on my shoulder jarrs me enough that I jump and push myself further into the comforts of the one holding me.

"Kyanite Ruze. You big baby. You're okay! It's just a finger. You're life isn't going to be over. Perk up. Sit up now. Quit soaking your friends shirt with your crocodile tears." Her voice presses me to sit up and she once again trys to touch my arm. I don't flinch, but I do follow the lead as she gets me to sit up and her hand is already going to my eyes to wipe the tears that have stained my cheeks. "There. There. Hard part is over. Take this."

She holds out a little spoon of white power and a small glass of water and my lips part enough for her to dump the power onto my tongue and then gently put the glass to my lips. "So, overly dramatic, you are. Vy, thank you for dealing with one of my most difficult patients. Now, Ky, keep this ice pack on your fingers."

I nod and watch her place the frozen cubes that are in a towel on my hand while she wraps up another towel and looks to Vy. "Now. Put it on before it swells too much and you can't see out of your eye. Go on. No one is too heroic that they can't deal with a little bit of ice to help. 15 minutes, don't take it off. Hear me?" I grin, for once, to see my mother talking to her like she does to me. She definately isn't afraid to be herself around people and strangers. "So, who was this person that my daughter stepped in front of for you? Name? Age? Big or little? If I have my way around it, they'll be getting a visit from the keepers the moment you tell me who. No one deserves to be taken advantage of. And young lady... tell my daughter that heroics comes with a price." She chuckles and whispers into Vy's ear. "She won't listen to me."

Once again, she reaches over and takes a small pouch and a tiny spoon, scooping up just a dip of the white power and tapping the underside of Vy's chin. "Open up... for the pain."

[cameo]

What can I possibly do to extract the pain that Kyanite's obviously feeling? I already contain the gruesome discomfort deep within my heart. But clearly there's no other way I can actually be of service. Not even a well trained Healer, such as her mother, can wave around a wand and make the pain instantly vanish. Maybe in the Capitol, but not here. I have a sense of helpless while I simply stare at her, like my eyes might absorb it all away. Then suddenly, I watch her head move closer and lean against my chest. My hands release her's, and my arms wrap around her as if out of instinct. 

For a moment she pulls away, making me notice just how much I enjoy her being in my arms. She has to gaze at what her fingers have become though. Doesn't she know it hurts more when looking at the wound? I gently cover her hand with one of mine, keeping the other holding the embrace. 

"No problem." I reassure her Mother when she asks me to keep Kyanite from moving. Won't be too difficult if she stays like this. I gaze over at Brooklyn while my chin rests on Ky's shoulder. Of course the Rascal's exploring the room, but at least she's following instructions and not pulling things out of place. My eyes and grin remain on her, as if to blame her for this new nurturing side of mine. "All over." And my comfort only carries on. 

For some reason Ky finds the need to apologize for her tears. Honestly, I've witnessed a lot worse from chicks our age. Sort of thankful her's don't maintain any obnoxious whines and sobs. "Oh shush." I smirk though she's unable to see it from her position, but my tone certainly holds it as well. Can't really explain why it's perfectly fine to cry in front of me when we just met, so I leave it at that. It's simply okay, and hopefully she feels that as well. 

Her Mother returns, and kindly tells her to suck it up. I can't help but giggle over the communication they have with one another. It only continues to get more adorable. "Yeah Ky, time to be a big girl." I tease while she entirely pulls from my arms this time. She has a mom to wipe away her tears and tell her it's all going to be fine, no reason to cry. 

"Yeah Ky-ky, be big girl." Brooklyn encourages with an innocent squeal, and decides to come over and join us. 

Pain relieving medicine is given in the form of a powder, along with an icepack, for the final measures of treatment at this moment. And funny enough, I get thanked for assisting. Didn't really do a thing, but I'll take it. "Any time." I offer with a grin directed Kyanite's way. Guess a stubborn patients can be the most difficult. 

"Yes Ma'am." As for me, I'm not going to refuse a simple icepack. Without a second of hesitation I place it on my swelling eye, wincing at the sudden coldness consuming my face. 

Crap, Mrs. Ruze brings up the discussion of our altercation again. Kyanite declared that she had to share the truth eventually, but does that mean I have do it for her? I'd rather not. Unfortunately she doesn't step in for me again though. "You at least need to carry around some boxing gloves if you're going to go saving everyone." I try to stick with her Mother's request at giving the warnings to being an hero. Then there's the distraction of giving me medicine for the pain, and I'm internally begging to avoid the topic of what happened. I give no hesitation and instantly follow orders. Not really feeling much pain, but maybe it'll provide a sort of high? If anything it keeps away my internal debate on what to tell her, no matter how bitter the taste.

Thankfully a patient comes stumbling in with his arm draped around another worker's shoulder. "Construction accident. He fell on his back from ten feet. Can you help him?" He frantically asks, and I know we're saved for now. 

"I can clean Kyanite up from here, if you want?" I suggests to Mrs. Ruze, while grabbing Brooklyn to make sure she doesn't get in the way. My free arm reaches out to support Kyanite, assuming that we'll be directed to another room. There's no way I'm going to let her continue with her stubbornness, not when i got permission from her mom to help. "Just tell me what to do." I smirk once again. 

[Marree]

"Yeah Ky, time to be a big girl." This new girl taunts me in front of my mother, just after she did it in front of this girl. So, they are ganging up on me? I dont deserve any of this, at all. What can I do though cause I don't think I could possibly even try to play punch the girl in front of me after she let me soak her shirt with my tears. I take my medicine and twice over the moment the little tyke suddenly spits out the same thing as her big sister.

"Haha, guys." I cut in, but leave it at that cause my mother's quickly piling on a spoonful of powder and placing it to my tongue and I swallow welcomingly. I'll do about anythign to take away the pain at this very moment. The ice pack is then placed on my fingers as I keep them still and once again, my mother insists upon hearing about the assailant that injured me and this girl. Without even waiting for answers, she starts to tap Vy's chin and holding out a small portion of the powder for her as well. It's not nearly as much as she gave me, but then again, Vy didn't get her hand broken.

Just as I watch them, I feel the warmth of something and the taste of copper in my mouth again. I didn't realize how hard I had bitten on my lip when my mother set the bone, but I leave the towel on my two fingers and reach up to touch the spots and reveal the blood that is on my fingers from my lip. "That's going to ruin my appearance." I state with a comical tone. Looks are one thing, but I'm not vain in any way. I prefer to look intimidating to my opponents and how good will I do now that I look like I've been easily beaten up? "Mom, my lip..." I barely get out before someone comes through the door of the house and suddenly calling out for my mom. At the threshold of the office, the two gentlemen come stumbling in. The lanky man whose got his arm around the beer-gut man is limping bad. My mother's first reaction is to shake her head.

"And you let him walk here? I sure hope you think you're lucky that he didn't become paralyzed from moving him." She cuts in and turns to Vy.

"I can clean Kyanite up from here, if you want? Just tell me what to do." I look to Vy and stand from the examination table to let the injured man take my place. I'm no longer in need of it, so why hog it?

Skyla puts her hand on Vy's shoulder and pats her twice before she points to the medicine cabinet. "Just get some gauze and put it on the wound. Make her apply gentle, but firm pressure on it until it stops bleeding, okay Vy?" She asks and reaches over to grab a washcloth and handing it to her. "There ya go, sweet girl. Thanks for helping me. Really appreciate it. Maybe I should teach you to be a healer?" She absentmindedly says and turns to the man whose gotten to the table and starts to assess him.

"Girls, will you go out into the living room please?" My mother motions to the door and I turn to Vy and stand. Immediately, I feel my body loosen itself from the normal ability to stand up straigth but after a moment, the feeling passes and I lead the way to the door and out into the living room.

"You know, you dont have to stay any longer, Vy. I'm quite capable of taking care of myself." I tell her, wondering whether she thinks I'm totally dependant on my mother for everything since that's the first thing she has learned about me since meeting me. My mother is my world and my one and only parent to take care of me and my two siblings. Before I can enter the door to the living room, a dizzy spell surrounds my vision and I reach out for Vy's arm to steady myself as I take a deep breath.

"Wow. Never had this happen before." I joke and shake my head as if that's suppose to help. In an odd way, it actually does though. "I'm good now, thanks Vy." I go to remove my hand from Vy's arm.

[cameo]

Truthfully, I wasn't expecting approval from Mrs. Ruze to care for Kyanite's last wound. She's a sweet yet tough cookie of a mother, and I assumed she'd tell me Kyanite can tend to herself. There's a nice mixture of nurturing and teasing, one of which I wish Brittany held. Either way I'm grateful Ky's mom is this way, and follow her instructions with getting the gauze. "Got it." I assure; hoping this will settle the initial lie I gave as a first impression.

A wide grin comes across my cheeks when Mrs. Ruze suggests that perhaps she should teach me to be a healer. No further response arrives from me though, especially since she's distracted by her new patient. If we're ever to meet again, then maybe we can discuss that possibility. But for all I know this is a one time deal. Can only hope that I'll return, sooner then later and not in need of medical attention. 

I don't push helping Kyanite to the living room as she strolls in front of me. Not going to allow her to escape me assisting her with that cut, so I might as well give her this. 

"Why is it that no one in this district likes accepting help?" I jokingly question after she tells me that she's fine, and that I'm welcomed to leave. Does she not want me here? I don't have much time to consider that, since she grabs onto my arm that's not supporting Brooklyn. Thankfully I have plenty of strength from career training, and don't budge or lose my footing in the least.   

Kyanite shares with me how this has never happened before, making me wonder of what the cause is. "Ever break a bone before?" It is pretty gruesome, and a body's response might be dizziness to numb the pain. Or it could be the medicine her mother supplied? She did receive a whole lot more then me. "Side-effects from that powder stuff?" Apparently I'm determined to figure it out for her. 

The wave passes, and again she's pressing just how together she is. Unfortunately, I'd react the same way. Doesn't mean I'm not going to be a hypocrite though. I reach for her arm as she pulls away, determined to support her to the couch. "Come on Ms. Stubborn." I tease and gently nudge her over to sit. 

"You're mom gave me clear instructions. And I have a feeling she wouldn't be to happy to hear you're not listening to them." I can't help but continue with teasing her, despite only meeting her an hour ago if anything. Some gauze is spread across the washcloth Mrs. Ruze gave me. "Hold still, okay?" I order before carefully bringing it up to her lips to clean away the blood, and disinfect her cut. My eyes stay trained on her swollen bottom lip, and thin upper half. Why is it that I find this attractive? Her lip is damaged just like her hand, but I'm guessing her Ex looks a whole lot worse. And oddly enough she pulls off these cuts and bruises so well. 

My focus flickers up to her eyes to see if any pain is radiating from them. I'm being as gentle as possible, but that still might be enough. There's no discomfort, only a sort of glow from her soft brown eyes. It pulls a strange warmness into my heart, desire for this kind of moment to go on forever. That's an unrealistic wish though. That'll never happen, and for all I know Kyanite would prefer to never see me again. My hand drops to my side, and I'm at a lose of what to do next. "All clean." I comment in a quiet tone. "I should probably go..." And without wasting another second I go to scoop up Brooklyn.