Flashback Reasons to live (Ricky)

[Zanne]

Summer, Day 46th, 500

Tears streamed down the boy's cheeks as he ran as fast he could away from home. He had one altercation too many with his parents. Zane was always taking their crap and he had finally reached his breaking point. It's not like he tried to anger them by doing something reckless or stupid. From his perspective, everything that happened to him was unexpected and unjust. They were simply using him as an outlet for their stress and frustration.

The memory was still fresh in his mind. His fathers fist as it hit him in his face was firmly implanted in his mind. He half-expected his mother to console him, but instead he was berated and met with verbal abuse. Most of the words that they used, he hasn't even learned the definition of. But it didn't make it hurt any less. His mothers tone reflected the hits he received from his father. They were cold and full of anger.

While it may have made his parents feel better, Zane on the other hand felt horrible after the constant abuse. In that respect, he was a bit jealous of his sister. He had never seen his parents turn on her the way that they did to him, but then again he was unsure if she had the way that he was treated. Their parents had a tendency to keep secrets behind closed doors.

The boy ran along the pier of the Zeltivan docks. As he darted toward the sea, the tears in his eyes blurred his vision. He tripped over his own footing and crashed onto the hard wooden deck below. It gave him yet another reason to be crying. Physical pain to match with that of his emotions. The fall had caused him some sort of injury to his knee, making it difficult for him to walk. He slowly rose up to his feet and limped over towards the ocean.

When Zane reached the edge of the pier, he looked down into the depths of the sea. It was the perfect opportunity. It was a blessing. An escape from the cruel reality called life. If he could let go, he would be able to plunge into the abyss where there would not be any suffering. But if he were gone, what would happen to Shiress? Would he be damning her to take his place? Unfortunately, Zane was too focused on his own demons to even consider what would happen to her.

"Happiness...here I come!"

After making that declaration, Zane's body began to lean over the edge heading towards the water below.

OOCThe end of the post is open to interpretation. I hereby give Ricky the permission to mod within his response. (You can grab him and pull him back before he falls in the water, jump in and save him, use CPR, etc.)

[Ricky Maze]

Man. Dis is gettin' borin, none o' de fish 're bitin' t'day! Ricky thought to himself as he looked at the empty bucket next to him, for a moment he had thought he'd come close to snagging something though, until a loud thunk against the wooden planks of the docks likely scared away whatever it was that he was close to catching. Petch! Why de petch did whoever make dat noise 'ad t' do so now?! He irked with a grind in his teeth, with a few more 'petches' in his mind to follow as he reeled in the rod. That had become his new favorite word apparently, after hearing Odis go on and on with it Gods know how many times. He would always go "Dat petcher!" or "Oi petched so an' so" and go into a story with his father, if anything Odis did a lot of petching or whatever it meant.

It was apparent though that Ricky wasn't going to catch anything today, which was unfortunate as he was hoping to surprise his father and godfather with supper tonight. But oh well, it was just an unlucky day. Fisherman get those days often apparently, or so his father told him one day when they both hadn't any luck in catching any fish. Ricky reeled in the hook with a sigh as he was about to prepare to head home, when suddenly he heard someone declare ""Happiness...here I come!"" before they plummeted into the water. There was a splash that seemed to stir the water and waves a little, and with an annoyed look on his face Ricky then knew exactly why the fish weren't biting today. Dat dumb ass scared all me fish away! He irked as he finished reeling in the line, when he stood on his feet from sitting at the docks edge, he looked intensely at the spot of water which the boy dropped within. He expected the petcher to surface by now, apparent that he was going for a swim because that was where he would find happiness.

But... he was crying a moment ago wasn't he? And he wasn't surfacing now? Did he even know how to swim?? A bit at a loss with the feelings of annoyance and concern, Ricky laid his rod down and leaned over the edge of the docks to look at the surface once more. Only bubbles seemed to rise, but no boy followed them. Petch! He can't swim!! Ricky concluded as he waited no longer, in that moment he threw himself into the water arms first to sweep himself into a dive that helped him plummet deeper within the depths.

oocNo worries mate. Figured you'd like to go into a little detail with the plummet into the water before Ricky saved you.

[Zanne]

His body was immediately swallowed by the deep blue abyss. If death were a thing to be feared, why did the boy find solace in the ocean's cold embrace? Though he would argue that he was essentially pushed over the edge, the fact of the matter was that Zane had chosen this release. It's not as if he were struggling to cling to life. Surely emptiness would be more satisfying than simply living to be used as amusement by others. Especially when they are the ones that are supposed to shield you from harm. It was for that reason, that Zane was traveling on the path towards Dira's arms. The water had taken on the form of an ally rather than an enemy.

Once he was caught in its embrace, he knew that he was where he belonged. The sea had forcibly removed all traces of the boy's tears from his face. But it was impossible to replace the sorrowful expression. As payment for its services, Zane was only required to do one thing. To allow himself to succumb to the ocean's possession. The eyes were often described as a gateway to one's soul, but clearly the water was not interested. It demanded access to his body via his airway. While he could have just as easily allowed the water to fill his nostril's, Zane gave it permission to his throat instead.

"I am free..."

Zane's freedom was short-lived. The water was simply fulfilling Zane's desire when it was suddenly invaded by another presence. Where Zane seeked to submit to the sea, the other being was determined to establish his dominance over it. Zane welcomed the water into his lungs, while the other one had denied it access. Unable to face Dira straight-on, Zane's eyes drifted closer and closer to an eternal sleep. In another few chimes, his little dream would become permanent.

Regret tried to seep into the boy's mind. Perhaps there was another approach he could have taken. Maybe if he had simply run away, he could have started his life anew. No. They weren't fools. They'd be able to find him and give him more punishment. It was idiotic to think that anything other than death would be able to help him. After all, his weakness was his feelings; and in death one could feel nothing.

[Ricky Maze]

The plunge within had been done with closed eyes at first so the rush of water wouldn't sting his eyes, but after Ricky felt himself completely submerged and already down within the depths he opened them to see the exotic world of the ocean. The aquatic realm under the surface in which he only able to visit for so long, about as long as he was capable of holding his breath to be exact. The boy let out only a short puff of air as they bubbled up along his torso and passed onward up to the surface, his lungs felt a bit of ease as he contained what large gasp he took in before the dive.

The idiot was already in deep, nearly down at the bottom already. He didn't look to be trying to struggling for anything really, as though he wanted to sink to the bottom of the ocean. It made no sense to Ricky but he wasn't letting this boy have it either way, nobody was going to drown themselves while he stood- er sat on watch. Especially when they were the reason he didn't catch supper for tomorrow! Petcher dun even got a clue Oi'm 'ere does he? He wondered out of curiosity just before he kicked hard to propel himself forward, given it was only the matter of alternating his legs he was found it easy to head down deeper to the boys rescue.

When he felt a current hit him as the tide moved in Ricky worked just a little more to stay in line, a bit more air released from his lungs as he finally came to reach the boy. He didn't grab for a wrist nor arm that belonged to the sinker, no instead he grappled the color of the boys shirt and did so hard with both hands. As he then pulled the boy up to be face to face with him Ricky changed the position of his body then, and made it to where his legs would then be below him rather than above. Now all he had to do was kick and then they would both reach the surface within ticks, which of course was all that Ricky had left before he would finally need air. Quick to use a rock at the seafloor for a boost, Ricky planted his feet on it for just a moment before he pushed off of it to gain some momentum. He had the boy in his hands and now all that was needed to bring him to the surface, the need for air no doubt suffocating both of them as Ricky released what little he had left into the water. That was when he felt it, the need to inhale as his lungs demanded to be refilled.

He couldn't do so yet however, he was only a few feet away! Damn his lungs were hurting, he needed to kick faster and harder. That wasn't helping him any... he needed his hands too. Ye better t'ank me fer dis!! The irked as he then attempted to throw his arms up as though he were pushing the boy through air... though it was water so the sinker would pretty much only float upward towards the surface with that kind of force. Now Ricky could push for the surface as quick as he could, and given that he was out of time he had to act now. The boy both kicked and paddled as quick and hard as he could, his speed slightly quicker as both he and the other boy gravitated towards the surface until they broke through moments after. He gasped for air immediately when he felt the water break from his face, a few coughs to follow as though he might've choked on water some. His throat definitely burned a bit and his lungs cried for more, but after deep pants for air followed he made sure to keep the plunger afloat with him.

"Yew... so owe me bub!" Ricky threatened as he pulled him closer to the docks, determined to see the boy brought back onto land whether he able to put up a struggle or not.

[Zanne]

When his body had reached the surface the first thing to escape the water was his face. The cool air whisked on his face and created a sharp contrast from the warmth of the water that engulfed his body. Sea water fell from his mouth, and became replaced with oxygen. Wait. That isn't right... Zane's eyes fluttered, struggling to adjust to the light of the sun as well as salt particles that had emerged from the sea. In a daze, he wiped his eyes. Though his confusion of the situation was quickly explained when he discovered the presence of a hand upon him. Fear grasped the boy, for his first thought was that his father had found him. His escape attempt was thwarted and swift punishment would be reciprocated. But his ears were pierced by an unfamiliar voice. It bore an angry yet youthful tone, but luckily it did not belong to his father.

"No no no no no! You...you stopped me! I was almost...I could have been...But now I don't have a choice but to go back!" The tears had reformed in the boy's eyes. It was as if the god's themselves had rejected his plea. It must have been fate for him to return to his miserable life. He clearly was meant to be used as an object of his parents brutality. Why else would the gods have cursed him so? Since he couldn't look to death as the solution to his problems; where else could Zane turn to?

Zane looked over at the person who had rescued him. The one that had condemned him back to hell. ME, owe YOU?! A multitude of feelings began to swell up inside of him. Fear, Hatred, Contempt, Anger. None of them were appreciative of his struggle. Zane didn't even consider the effort it must have taken to prevent his death. When they reached the docks, he struggled to pull himself onto the pier. His previous injury to his leg had worsened, so much so that it had essentially became dead weight at this point.

"Shyke! Now what am I going to do? Everything would have been over if you didn't get in the way! But now, because of you I have to go back. The horror. The pain. The crying. The screaming. The fights. They will never end. What the petch were you even thinking?!"

If he could stand, Zane would have surely initiated a fight with the boy. It was ironic. The boy's action to save his life, had summoned a curse from his lips. His willingness to save him had unleashed Zane's desire to fight. The very qualities that he abhorred and led to his attempt to take his own life, were manifesting themselves within himself. Was that the answer to his problem? If he couldn't beat his parents, was his only option to become them? Is acceptance the only way to overcome them?

[Ricky Maze]

It took a moment at least but when the boy realized that he was finally back up to the surface, with the water he inhaled finally being choked out no less, he soon started to throw a fit and make his declarations known. He wanted to be free of something, he wanted to drown to escape something. Something this something that, there was just something that quite frankly Ricky had little care for, all he cared about was keeping the kid under control when he came to struggle. Why? Because that meant he could likely attempt to drown them again, out of anger or spite or anything that might necessarily bring the idiot to dragging the two down. Either way Ricky was bigger than him, being big for his age in general to begin with, and he wasn't going to let this pipsqueak try and bring him down.

"Shut yer mouth already! If yew got a problem wit' gettin' saved den yew should find a more private place t' go drownin!" Ricky muttered when he went on about having to go back, having to put up with some kind of pain like it was literally the end of the world for him. It made Ricky a bit more annoyed to hear the griping, as he finally reached the shore near the docks while he drug the boy along in the effort to swim. Dis guy's gonna git a piece o' me mind. He thought to himself as he continued to force the boy to come along when they were finally in shallow waters, the fact Ricky aimed to see the kid on shore proved that determination would overpower the boy's attempts to break free. When they were finally upon sand and just a ways out of the water, Ricky made sure to push the boy a little just so it would be enough to force him to sit down, in turn keeping a hard grip on his shoulder as he raised a fist between the two of them.

"Look 'ere yew bloody petcher! Ye pull anot'er stunt like dat an' ye'll 'ave worse dan fights and cryin' t' worry bout!" He promised harshly as he stood tall with arms crossed, a huff to follow as he eyed the boy up and down before he went into the idea of questioning him. "Just what exactly 's so bad dat ya wanna escape? Someone givin' yew a beatin? Oi'll knock 'em on t'eir ass fer ya, if it keeps ya from actin' stupid again!" Of course this was Ricky being a bit overly childish but nevertheless he showed little fear in the idea, as he was pretty set on making an example out of this whole ordeal. Specifically because he wasn't going to let some whine bag drown himself, not when it fell to Ricky to fish them out time after time.

oocSo just a random note as I realized Ricky might've came off a bit overly childish and aggressive, as I didn't want his childish act to be an intimidation in any means of form.

[Zanne]

The boy's words had struck a nerve in Zane. His language was reminiscent of his mother. She often sweared at him, though the boy's use of it was albeit slightly, different. The context that the words were being used, it was more like he was using them for dramatic flair rather than to berate him. Did this make the boy similar to Zane's mother in that respect? The boy before him had practically broken logic for Zane, and thus given him a new perspective.

Fighting. Such a thing had never truly crossed Zane's mind. Every time he was drawn into a confrontation with his father, he was always forced to assume the role of victimization. But maybe it was because he had never explored the alternative. If he were to fight back, Zane would empower himself by standing up to his father. There wouldn't be a reason for him to live in fear anymore. His eyes would finally be spared the agony of drowning in tears.

Zane looked up at the boy that towered over him. His words were filled with confidence and passion. Qualities that Zane wanted to possess for himself one day. He wondered where these beliefs had been instilled within him. Why was this boy so full of pride while he had spent his time wallowing in self-pity and doubt? He had literally taken fighting and swearing, two of the things that Zane hated the most, and found a way to reduce them into their basic attributes.

After listening to his words, Underhill's attitude change. The boy had temporarily inspired him to stop complaining. But it was still a bit soon for Zane to be idolizing him. If anything, he had to know more about what spurned this boy on. If its something simple, then he could emulate it and use it for himself. If not, then he would have to find another way to commit suicide.

"What makes you think you can do anything about it? You're just a kid like me! You're not afraid of going up against someone bigger than you? I mean REALLY bigger than you? What happens if that doesn't work?"

[Ricky Maze]

The boy's reaction to Ricky's promise led the young fisher to scoff, as though the challenge wasn't even by all means a challenge in that regard. "So what if dey be bigger dan me! Pa always told me never let anybody beat up on ya, if ye do den t'ey 'ave power over ya. No way Oi ain't lettin' someone Oi 'ave no respect fer do dat t' me! Besides," He crossed his arms with a shrug of his shoulders, "what kid is bigger dan me anyway? Shyke if even if dey be old enough t' be an adult, Oi still won't show respect t' 'em less dey deserve it!" The philosophy had to no doubt be a little crazy and childish, yet the fact it was something Ricky was raised on made it principle, thus he wasn't going to let anybody he had no respect for walk over him.

It was what both his father and Odis taught him here recently, to never allow someone control you. So long as you gave someone that kind of power you were practically under their control, not necessarily weak because of it but easily governed by their whim depending on how much power you gave them. Hence why the only people Ricky ever respected to no end was his father and godfather, both Burten and Odis played highly important role models in his life. "Why? Ye got someone Oi need t' knock roun' or somet'in? By de looks o' it ya do, is it an older boy? A group o' older boys? Oi'll knock 'em on t'eir arses fer ya!" He stated as though he were determined to knock a few punks straight, he wasn't afraid to get in a fight with a few other boys now that he thought of it, in fact since he hadn't really caught any fish today he felt the need to ventilate some pent up stress.

oocBah! Way shorter than my average posts... I'll make the next one better to work with next time.

[Zanne]

The boy's initial response had been pretty straightforward. Size doesn't matter. However, the more he talked the more complicated it became. His lack of fear was the result of his "pa's" teachings. Father was a word in Zane's vocabulary that he was not particularly fond of. The fact that this boy had stated that he learned from his "Pa" was slightly disturbing to him. Pa. Dad. Father. They were all synonymous for a male figurehead. But were the actual uses of the words different? Do Pa's help their sons grow while Father's look down on them?

The actual message that the boy was trying to convey was becoming lost on him. Respect. The word held no meaning to Zane. He had never heard it before, nor could he comprehend it in the context that the boy was using it in. The only thing that Zane was becoming certain of, was that he was envious of this boy. He isn't afraid of people that are bigger than him. Even if they beat him up, he wouldn't give away his respect. Whatever that is.

When the boy asked if there was someone he wanted to be beaten, it sparked something in Zane. This respect thing. He wanted it. Apart from their size, it seemed like this boy's respect was the reason that he was so better than him. If he could get it from him, he could examine it and maybe understand his words more clearly. But the boy had already mentioned that he doesn't give it away to people bigger than him. Maybe it would be easier to take because he's smaller?

Zane had never been in a fight with anyone other his father before. Though they were more akin to slaughters than fights since he had no idea how to defend himself. But for some reason, whether it was because he was angry at the boy for saving his life or because he wanted access to his respect, it seemed inevitable for a confrontation. The boy had expressed his desire to get in a fight, which in turn seemed to manifest itself in Zane. The feeling was mutual, though not necessarily directed at each other.

Before he could be dissuaded, Zane lifted his body off the sand making sure to keep some of the pressure off of his injured leg. When he was partially upright, he pushed against the sand with all of his weight. Zane opened his arms and reached for the bigger boy. With all of his might he wanted to tackle and drag him down to his level. If he could, he would tear away the differences between them until there was nothing left. And maybe. Just maybe, they wouldnt be so different after all.

"Chaaaaaaarge!!!!!" he exclaimed during his assault.

[Ricky Maze]

For reasons unknown when Ricky was about to go on with the whole "I can take on anybody" speech, he found himself right in the face of a tackle as the younger boy took to charge him right where he stood. What de petch?! Was all that crossed Ricky's mind as he soon discovered the world had immediately toppled over, his vision black as he tightly shut his eyes when he the transition of the tackle took them to fall.

When he felt the force of impact between him Ricky had to figure out just what happened exactly, other than the fact he was just tackled by the little whelp he spoke to. He was on the wet sand on his backside and that kid was on top of him, the shallow waters just low enough to keep from Ricky being drowned since they were on shore.

His eyes flew open after the whirl in his head was gone, and right when he saw the kid on top of him with a raised fist, he gritted his teeth as he readied himself for what came next. A punch. One that landed on Ricky's cheek and actually managed to hurt, given this boy seemed like a puny whelp he actually had it in him to throw a good punch. Nevertheless he was only lucky, as Ricky was caught by surprise when the kid tackled him. After a moment where Ricky's cheek stung fiercely on the right side, his entire face happened to flush into a very bright red as his eyes sharply focused on the boy above him.

Within a moment after this reaction the young fisher would send his head forward with no hesitation, in hopes that his forehead would butt somewhere on the boy hard. A face, a chest, a stomach. Anything was pretty much a good enough target to smash his forehead into, and once that was done Ricky would be quick to shove the boy off of him, just to raise up with a hand to massage the area of impact on his head. "De petch is yer problem?!" He spoke in a bitter tone as he restrained himself from jumping up to attack the kid, Divines only knew what would happen next should the boy decide he was to attack again.