#myrriah valeria

[rosettevaleria]

Target Practice

OOC: TW for abuse below the cut. Alistair got angry. Furthering some shadow/personal plot that’s rolling out gradually. Don’t read if it bothers you -- be well, friends. <3

Her calves burned as she ran headlong down the stone pathway in the Goblet, eyes trained on the rooftop of her childhood home as she picked up her pace and her lungs gulped in air. Panic made her forget how to breathe whilst running, fear caused the sweat that trickled down her back and face to be cold even while she sprinted through the blistering midday heat. Her hat was forgotten at home, some strands of her ebony hair clinging to her face and neck while the majority of it flew about her with her hurried pace.

She had barely let the messenger finish his summons when she bolted out the door when word was delivered of her younger sister being attacked in the street. Her mind reeled as she picked up her pace, unable to comprehend why anyone would want to hurt the sweet-tempered novice Conjurer. Myrriah was incapable of harming anything, person or bug, and she would go out of her way to help anyone in need. Why hadn’t she had one of the Valeria retainers escorting her?

Rosette had little time to further contemplate such things as she reached the door of her mother’s household, opening it with a quick twist and she stumbled inside. She panted harshly as she slammed the door behind her, calling out breathlessly in the foyer. “Mother!?” She pushed a hand through her hair, brushing the strands back as she started for the stairs. “Myrriah!?”

The sound of a door closing and footsteps against the marble floor could be heard, Alistair appearing around the corner as she was halfway up the stairs and she continued upward. “Alistair,” She reached the top of the stairs, starting toward him. “What happened? Where is she?”

It was only when he said nothing that she paused, taking in his countenance. She inhaled sharply and her mouth opened, barely having enough time to brace herself as her brother reached her. His hands grasped her shoulders, fingers biting into her skin, and he spun Rose to slam her against the wall. The breath was knocked from her already winded lungs, her head smacking against the wallpapered covered plaster and her vision swam briefly. She couldn’t tell if it was from hitting her head or a lack of air in her lungs.

Above the ringing in her ears, she could hear Alistair all but snarling at her. “You little bitch,” He pulled her back and slammed her against the wall again, causing her to cough. “This is your fault!”

Rose grimaced harshly, wheezing as she looked up at her enraged brother. His face was flushed red, his jaw tight, and his pupils were mere pinpoints in the teal irises that mirrored her own. “Wh-What?” She looked up at him, eyes wide and then some of her own anger started to rise. 

She pushed him off of her, leaning back against the wall and holding her right shoulder where he had been gripping her. “How the hell is it my fault!?”

Alistair ran his hands through his hair, looking as if he was about to rip it from his scalp as he began pacing the floor in front of her. “She was targeted,” He snarled, seeming to attempt to reign in his temper. “Myrriah doesn’t remember much before they knocked her unconscious, but they were asking her about you. About your whereabouts!”

Rosette felt her blood run cold, shock ripping into her as she leaned back against the wall for support. Her shoulders and back protested, but the adrenaline that spiked through her system dulled it as she regarded the patriarch of their family. He continued to pace like a caged tiger, his nostrils flaring in his attempt to regain control. His rage was damn near murderous and Rose knew she was the target.

“What, exactly, did they say?” She asked softly, finally regaining her breath and wariness crept into her. She knew that she would have to mind her words carefully, lest he turn to beat on her again. The skin prickled at the back of her neck, as it was wont to do with major aether fluctuations -- Alistair was hair-triggered.

“She cannot recall completely!” He snapped at her, causing her to shrink back against the wall. “Damn you, Rosette, I told you to handle your shit. If you hadn’t defied me, then none of this would be an issue!”

“I separated from House Valeria Imports because of what happened with Amarelle and your bullshit about endangering the family--” 

The back of his hand cracked across her face and her head jerked to the side. She remained still for several heartbeats, tasting blood in her mouth and her tongue probed the split on her lower lip where his signet ring had caught her. His words swiftly followed the strike, “And yet, your name will always be linked to the family.” He hissed softly.

He pinched her chin between his thumb and forefinger, jerking her face around so that he could meet her gaze. “You may be out and about with that fucking mockery of an airship crew, as well as attempting to prosper on your own. Do remember, little sister, that our family will always be targets because of your fuck ups.” He grasped her shoulder with his free hand, shaking her to emphasize his words. “Whomever you cross will know exactly where to look for weaknesses. They will know how to lay you low even when you operate separately from our family’s business. That’s what Father and I struggled to protect you from for years!”

Alistair let go of her chin and slammed his fist into the wall next to her head, causing Rose to jump and cringe away, her eyes closing tightly. She heard some of the plaster fall from where he had slammed his fist into the wall and felt his aether retreat. She finally felt him move away, tremors starting to over take her and her knees weakened, giving way and causing her to slide down the wall to land in an undignified heap.

When she finally opened her eyes to look up at him, he was regarding her coldly and a sneer twisted his visage. “Yet you spit in the face of all of our hard work. You continually defied him and still defy me.” He shook his head and turned from her, starting a few paces down the hall. His shoulders lifted as he inhaled deeply, then slowly exhaled and he squared them. His voice was cool and clam when he spoke next, “When Myrriah is well, I’m sending her to Gridania and into the Conjurer’s Guild custody. You will sever all contact with her; do not attempt to communicate with her or I will be informed. Should you make any attempts...”

Alistair looked over his shoulder at Rosette as he let the threat hang in the air, finding her staring at the floor and wiping blood from her lip. “Am I clear, Rosette?”

She cleared her throat and rasped, “As a bell.”

“Good,” The eldest Valeria offspring turned away. “You know where the door is. You may see yourself out.” He started to walk down the hall once more to return from whence he came.

“Can I...at least see her before I go?” She asked softly, a slightly desperate note to her voice. She looked toward Alistair’s back as he stopped.

“The healer sedated her and she will likely sleep through the night. He thought it best in light of her trauma. I will not have her disturbed.” He looked over his shoulder to regard her coldly. “Get out, Rosette.” He disappeared around the corner.

She got to her feet slowly, shakily making her way down the stairs and out the front door. Rosette made it halfway home before she ducked into one of the many small sitting areas stationed throughout the residential district of the Goblet. Tears obscured her vision as she sank down on a stone bench, her head falling into her palms, and she choked back the sobs that threatened to break free.

#ffxiv mateus #ffxiv rp #alistair valeria #rosette #family problems #shadow plot #personal plot #blackgardenco #myrriah valeria #trigger warning #totes didn't proof read #desert rose industries #house valeria imports