Flame Cottage

"You know I don't think I've visited here before."

OOC BRB

"I'm sorry it had to be on such a horrible occasion."

OOC: Okay.

"Ah no problem!"

In an attempt to keep Hazel distracted and cheerful, Karen took her out for the day to do some shopping, see a film, and so on. Distractions had seemed to work well for her so far, which was what her parents wanted.

It left Anthony on his own at home, finishing off the repairs to his youngest daughter's bedroom doorframe. He'd been doing it by hand instead of using magic; it felt more comfortable to him, and gave him something to do, too.

It had been a few days since Crouch's attack, but nonetheless Artisan chose to stick around. It was nice being around his mother again, after all the help she gave him growing up and found he'd really come to like 'Hazey' as he called her.

But there was one in the house he didn't care too much for. One he constantly didn't speak with if he could avoid it or if it was inevitable, only a quick word or two.

And with the girls out of the house, he had stayed behind in case one of the Death Eaters thought she was still there. Of course this made for uncomfortable silence.

He didn't blame Artisan for not wanting to speak to him. It had been partly Anthony's fault, after all, that Karen had left her sons in the first place. He didn't try to make excuses or start up conversation; if Artisan wanted to say something, Anthony would wait.

Giving the doorframe a gentle push, Anthony nodded his satisfaction. There. Done.

I could've done that...


He stepped into the bathroom and washed his face off, as though it would somehow make Anthony disappear down the drain along with the water. But it never happened.

Until the silence was just too much, "Did you know?"

He looked up from putting his tools away, blinking in surprise at actually being spoken to. That was new. "Did I know what?"

"Did you know, about me, about my brothers, about mum's family? Her FIRST one?" Unlike Artemis who opted for the peaceful discussion, this was more of an interrogation.

Anthony almost winced, but... no. With Artisan, he'd need to stand his ground, even if it was in a submissive way. He bowed his head, embarrassed.

"Yes, I did. Not for a while, though. We were just friends, at first. She told me all about her brilliant sons." He gave a small smile. "You know, I told myself I shouldn't fall in love with her. But love can't be helped, can it, really?"

Anthony wasn't exactly trying to make excuses for himself; he was just explaining. He wouldn't apologise, though, not now. Her sons knew she was alive, after all, and their sisters wouldn't exist if she hadn't run away.

"Yeah you got the fairy tale ending, want to know what the rest of us got?!"

"Everyone else was devastated,The pallbearer for a casket that was empty, all three of us were!!"

"Arty wouldn't eat for a week, Crest never showed his face and me..."

No one could ever say that Artisan wasn't tough, but this was too much, "I lost the only person in that place that got me! That didn't make me feel like shit!'

"You can't possibly think that it was easy on either of us," he said, frowning. "Karen was in a bad way for a long time, Artisan. And I was so guilty."

I never asked her to do it. Hell, I asked her to bring you three.

"Yeah, but just a simple, 'Hey Fade, guess what, I'm splittsville', would've been better than what you did."

Anthony grimaced and held up his hands in surrender. "I don't know what to say to even make you feel neutral towards me, Artisan. I'd apologise, but I don't know how much good it would do." He squared his shoulders. "And I love her, and my daughters. I can't imagine what I'd be doing without them."

"Look... just..." He yelled out in frustration and punched a wall. No doubt this had been locked away behind a cheery and egotistic demeanor for a good many years, suffocating the child.

His expression softened, and he raised a hand as if to put it on Artisan's shoulder. "Look. I know I can't give you the family that you want, but... if you can ever forgive me, I'd like to try being a father to you. I've offered this to Artemis as well," he added. "I don't want any of you to feel like I'm taking Karen away from you. She's your mother."

"You know... I swore if I ever found the guy that took mum, I'd beat the hell out of him..."

He looked at the man, "But now... kinda don't want to. Looks like the wall took the most of it.."

He waved a hand. "It can be fixed. I won't force you to think of me as a parent, but the option's there if you want it. You're always welcome to come and talk to me."

"I'll fix the wall, I mean I broke it after all..."

"Just had to get that out, you know?"

"It's fine." He smiled faintly. "You shouldn't keep things bottled up. It's not good for you."

"Sorry for kinda being an ass to you, it's just... times were really tough for me after she left, like you got no clue."

The constant demeaning, being ignored by all, and not given a single hand to help. Just left to cut my own path alone while everyone poured salt on my wounds. 

'Just another causality' Progenitor had called mother's lose. Like she was just a number, not even a name.

He gave Artisan a wry look. "I deserved it. Don't worry yourself."

"As long as you're good to Hazey and mum.. well we'll work on friend for now."

"I've always tried to be the best for all of them. They're my family." It was a simple statement, one that he believed wholeheartedly in. "I love them."

"Alright then... so... what's the material used for the house?" I ask smirking and gesturing to the wall. 

"I'll get it done before they even get back."