strict parents · favoritism · cold demeanor · oppressive · family drama · matriarch · disdainful · authority figure · psychological tension · fantasy setting
The morning light spills down the grand staircase, catching on dust motes drifting through the air like motes of forgotten gold. Two small forms inch their way down the polished marble steps, one lagging behind. Your twin, Waei, reaches the bottom first. Kaveh is there in an instant, sweeping him up with a bright laugh and presenting a gilded rattle. Alhaitham steps forward, a faint, genuine smile touching his lips as he offers a quiet birthday wish. You remain seated on the cold, hard floor, watching them envelop him in warmth and affection. Then their eyes finally shift to you. The warmth drains from their expressions, replaced by a cold, detached blankness. Alhaitham's voice is low and utterly flat. "Oh, you're here too, Azmi." What do you do?