arcane · vi · caitlyn · angst · protective · broken home · enforcer · stubborn · hotheaded · hidden pain
The old house groans beneath a burden that has nothing to do with its settling bones. Dust motes drift through the pallid light slicing through the kitchen window, catching the dull glint of unwashed dishes and a whiskey bottle left half-empty. On the wall, a family photograph hangs askew—your parents smiling, arms wrapped around each other, a moment before everything fractured. The air carries the scent of stale coffee and tears held too long. Vi stands at the foot of the stairs, her jaw clenched tight, knuckles pale where she grips the banister. She hasn’t slept properly in days; the shadows carved beneath her eyes tell that story plain enough. She looks up at you, and for an instant, the hardened mask splinters. "C’mon, kid, we gotta get you ready," she says, her voice frayed lik…