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blood--stained-blog · 6 years

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Regret [ Drabble ]

Aria Black was not born as Aria Black, she had no name, but upon a series of unfortunate events, she would fall into the hands of the assassin group known simply as The Ravens. Aria was only seven when they took her in, young enough to be molded into an assassin, old enough to gasp the use of weapons and magic. A perfect slate to mold into a weapon. The master of this small group was simply known as Noc, a man of mystery with a cruel side, he believed he could morph Aria into a prodigy of him, but unlike him, Aria had empathy, the ability to feel, even if she did not show it. She had a conscience growing, and despite the work she did without hesitation, it began to bother her over time. While she masked herself she began to question what she did, why she did it, who they were fighting for. Aria was not alone, others, the younger members, also questioned Noc and his ways. They accepted any task, any contract, and carried it out. It left Aria with a guilty feeling that she could not spit out, it haunted her, but she kept quiet, that was, until the faithful day Noc had decided to place a heavy mission onto Aria, one that he could do easily, but wished to give to her.

As retribution for the morality she was suddenly gaining.

She would be his weapon in a crime she wouldn’t take if she knew its truth.

Aria was approached by Noc on a dead-winter night, a smile gracing his face. He told her of a new contract, one he wishes to give to her in order to pull her up the ranks, to show how far she is willing to go to please her family, or rather, the person who she believed was a father figure to her. While Aria was already weary about him, she still wished to please. She had no one else to go to, no other family she knew of, she was easily bent into accepting the contract, only knowing that a Noxian higher up wished to end this man’s life, for he was too weak to be a part of Noxus. While Aria did not agree with how Noxus was at times, it was her home, and she often bit her cheek and turned her cheek, and that is what she did here. Noc and she set off to take care of the contract. Easily done, after all, the man was a simple artist. He would be too easy to take care of.

Aria and Noc scouted the home, noting that the man was home alone. From what Aria was told he was about twenty, maybe twenty one, he lived with his mother still, and he was an artist. Soft, not rising to his looks as one would say. Large, mighty, but loves to paint in his room. He was the third in his line, named Victor Quincy the Third. Strong looking, but no real strength behind his physique. An easy target, and as she entered the residence, she realized it seemed too easy. Any Noxian male should be some-what trained, it was enforced, unless they were a child. Even then, it can be something of a requirement, but she walked on, finding the man’s room and as she glanced inside, found herself doubting Noc more, and herself further. She swore the room was too child-like to be that of a twenty-year old.

“Time to strike.” Noc’s voice made the arms on her hair rise, but she nodded, a good weapon, easily placed back on track.

She pretend not to feel something screaming at her to turn back, but she knew, deep down, if she did not do it, he would’ve. The boy was panting in his room when they had entered, confused at who dared to trespass at his house, he tried to be boastful, but his voice cracked with fear as he tried to flee. Aria had flicked her wrist and he had fallen to his knees, holding his arms that were not alit with her magical flames, screaming in a way akin to a small girl.

His voice had only just deepened, after all.

Aria felt her conscience fighting against her. A small voice was telling her what she knew but she couldn’t back away, she wouldn’t, no, couldn’t accept it. She approached the boy but she felt her stomach twist, she drew her dagger as she heard Noc laugh, commenting on her hesitation. She turned, determined not to be seen as weak, wanting approval. She slit the boy’s throat, but it was clumsy, unwanted, and not deep enough to kill him quickly. Mortal, but regretted. She couldn’t understand why she faulted now, not as she watched the boy drop, his hands grasping at his neck, the flames disappearing from him.

But then it was all pieced together as Noc played his hand on her shoulder, a laugh escaping from him. “No mother deserved a child like him. Would’ve grown up to be weak. Good job Aria. You killed a weak child, no longer will his gene be in the pool.” He patted her again but she was frozen, his words entering her mind slowly as she watched the boy’s blood spread across the floor, his mouth opening as if to scream as she met his eyes.

He would see regret as she saw his sorrow. He would realize they were both played and she would see the biggest mistake she ever did. Noc left, laughing, knowing full well what he had done to her, he did not see her drop to the floor beside the boy, her hand desperately grasping at his neck, her mouth twisting into a frown as she felt tears prickling at her eyes.

“No no no!” She almost screams, her magic coming to life in her palm, attempting to cauterize the wound, but too much blood was spilled, she knew he wouldn’t make it. She pulls the boy onto her lap, trying to her damndest to save him, to undo what she had done, but she couldn’t. The wound was half-closed, her tears were falling onto his face. She was guilty of this, she could not forgive herself for this crime. An assassin she was, an assassin she shall die, but she never wished to harm a child, a child with such promise in his eyes.

“I’m sorry.” She chokes, meeting the boy’s eyes. A beautiful color of green, dulling as they locked eye-contact. “I was a weapon, I am sorry, I did not know.” An excuse, she still spilled his blood, but she had to say these words to him while he could still hear. “I am sorry, so sorry, I cannot…I cannot…undo this.” She chokes on her words, sobs breaking between them. The boy reaches up, his hand touching her cheek, she expect an act of violence but he wipes away a tear, and gives her an unexpected expression. A small, weary, broken smile before his body slacks and his hand falls, his eyes do not see her as she breaks down more, her body curling around him, her hands moving to her head as she grasps it, screaming as she fully realizes the impact of this action on her.

She had killed a child and it broke her heart.

She had followed a dark path for no reason, for no purpose, but as she sat there, holding this boys dead body, she found one. Quietly she places his arms over his chest, closed his eyes, and drabbed her fallen dagger. Silently she leaves, knowing that the wails of a mother would soon echo through this small town. She disappears into the night, her tears dissolving into retribution, her sadness making way for anger. Noc would pay, and those who followed his ways would too. She knew she had enough on her side to tear apart the wicked brotherhood. She would leave Noxus, as she already was seen as weak by Noc, he leaving her there proved that, soon Noxus would see her as weak as well.

She would take those who wish for a cause, for something to actually kill for, but before she did, she would bring Noc to his knees. Seething with rage she was reborn in flame and sorrow. No longer Aria the weapon but rather Aria, just…Aria. That night the hideout was full of screams of pain and agony, but they did not resonate from her. Those who were cruel and willing to kill a child knowingly fell at her feet. By morning she and seven others were gone, Noc and twenty members of the group were found dead. Aria and those who fled would become wanted within Noxus, but it was the prize to pay. As a woman wept for her broken child Aria took care of those who allowed it to happen, those who held her hand as a weapon and led her to believe she must use it to kill.

But it was not enough.

Aria had found a place to call home within a ruined castle, an old place far from Noxus, far from prying eyes. Hidden in a forest, a perfect place to begin anew, she created a new brotherhood, one made for those who already had blood-stained hands, one for those who wish for redemption. She made a group of assassins that hunt only those who were wicked, deadly, murderers and rapists. Child abusers and corrupted puppeteers who forced other hands to do their dirty work. She made a safe-haven for them, and then opened to those who were lost, those who had no home, those who were running from something not against her new ways.

It grew into a town centered around the castle, blossomed into something beyond what Aria had believed it could be, but even this could not redeem her in her own eyes. She felt the over-whelming guilt of the boy she had killed, of the boy who should’ve lived. So, just as the world began to know of the safe-haven and the new brotherhood who would remove someone who caused you great pain, she sunk into the shadows and appeared before the one she wished to Judge her.

Corletta, the mother of the boy.

Aria stood before her, holding a dagger handle out to her, her head bowed, her guilt present. “I am the one who took your son away. I cannot…I wish for you to take out your vengeance upon me.” She was vulnerable, she wore only the lightest of clothing, her face bowed, her eyes closed. The woman who stood before her showed great anger, her eyes widening at this reveal of truth, but as she took the dagger and raised it, pointing it at Aria’s throat, she froze. Aria was young, it showed in her face, and the regret that lingered was obvious. Corletta struck out, but not at her throat, at the exposed cheek, forming an X, before dropping the dagger, her hand shaking.

“The coroner told me someone tried to stop it.” She whispers, her hand raising to her face as her eyes closed, tears falling from her face. “Someone tried to cauterize the wound but it was much too late. He had bled out before they could.” She steps forward, her eyes opening as Aria looked upon her, her eye wide. “Was that you?” She whispers, looking almost…desperate.

Aria was hesitant, but she would not lie, no, she had no reason to. “Yes.” She whispers, “I…those who…I worked for…used me. I did not know he was but a child barely in his teens. I…still am guilty. His blood rests upon my hands.” She closes her eyes once more, unable to look at the one who she had dreamt of for some time, unable to show anything but bitter regret and sorrow.

“I forgive you.” The words hurt more than a declaration of hatred. Aria’s eyes snapped open as she stared at the woman, her mouth opening in protest but the woman had dropped to her knees before Aria, wrapping her arms around her shoulder, staining her clothes with the blood that dripped from Aria’s facial wound. “I forgive you…” They were just but a whisper but the words were powerful enough to cause Aria to break apart, her heart quivering as she wept. She came here to die but she was forgiven, unjustly, unwanted. She couldn’t forgive herself yet here stood a woman who lost her son to someone who was a stranger. Her arms wrapped around her, both women wept.

“My son was a young man.” She whispers, “He was still alive when you tried. I know this, I see this in you eyes. I feel your regret, I feel your sorrow. I cannot force myself to be angry. I cannot pretend I am not hurt, I cannot pretend I wish that it was you and not him, but I know…he would wish this. That he would wish you forgiven, for that is what he was. A good man, Noxian yes, but we were not born here.” Corletta pulls away and stands turning around.

“He would forgive you and deep in my heart, as you stood before me, holding me that dagger, I forgave you then. Thank you for this.” She then walked away, crying still, leaving Aria stunned, locked in place, as tears mixed in with the blood on her cheek.

A bitter feeling rose in her chest as she stood, taking her dagger, as she pressed her hand against the wound on her face, she realized.

She still couldn’t rid herself of the guilt.

Quietly, she returned back home, a new scar upon her face, a reminder of what transpired in that home.

#tw: death #tw: blood #blood mentions #death mention #A Watchful Eye { In Character }#Preened Feathers { Drabble }

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coddingtonguitar90-blog · 7 years

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Summer Safety: 4 Tips For Staying Safe At Concerts This Season

One of the most enjoyable summer activities is going to see your favorite band live. With concert attendance at an all-time high, you need to make sure that you are taking all of the necessary steps to stay safe during your concert experience. Here are four tips that will keep you safe at concerts this season.

Make Sure You Stay Hydrated

Drinking enough water is something that you don't think about when you are in the middle of rocking out to your favorite song. However, it is very important that you are drinking enough water in order to stay hydrated throughout the concert. If you fail to stay hydrated, you could get in some serious health trouble when you are stricken with heat exhaustion during a long music festival. Even before you feel like you are thirsty, make sure you are drinking plenty of water to ensure that you will not fall victim to dehydration.

Only Drink Alcohol In Moderation

While it can be fun to have a beer or two while watching one of your favorite bands, it is important to make sure you are only drinking in moderation. This will help you to avoid making poor decisions during and after the concert. Never drive drunk! Even if you have to leave your car overnight, make sure you hire an Uber, a taxi, or take public transportation. If you do ever find yourself behind the wheel while intoxicated, you may have to face the legal ramifications of this choice. This will result in you having to seek legal professionals, like Thomas A Corletta, pay steep fines, and possibly serve jail time. Do the right thing and restrain from driving if you have had any alcohol to drink the evening of your concert.

Always Protect Your Hearing

When you have been waiting to see your favorite bands for months or maybe even years, it can be very tempting to watch the concert from the very first row. Protecting your hearing is imperative when you are this close to the main speaker system. Invest in some earplugs before you attend your favorite concert to avoid damaging your hearing.

Keep Your Money Hidden

Pick-pocketing is a serious problem for many concert goers. It is important that you have a safe way of storing your money and other personal belongings when at a concert. There are many money concealers for travelers that would be a perfect way to protect your money while you are rocking out at your favorite concert.

Concerts can be some of the most entertaining parts of the summer. It's a time to rock out to your favorite bands and enjoy time with friends. Make sure that you use the above safety tips to ensure that you are being conscious of your health and safety as well.

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