Mortality

7 ~ Katrina

Prime Ward

-Katrina

Father sits at the head of the table, while mother is seated on his right. At his left, I sit across from Calix and Genesis, their parents seated next to me and down the other end of the table. Mostly, I look to mother and father as they have their conversation with the Ravenends and Nelgans, my stomach churning when I smell it before their meal is presented to them.

The staff comes forward, bringing with them each a large chalice of freshly drawn blood from the livestock we keep. While they each receive a chalice bestowed before them, I see Master Wren walk behind my mother and father before coming to stand next to me. He leans down slightly, setting a plate with fresh lettuce and a few tomatoes and radishes before me.

"Just how you like it," Master Wren smiles at me and I grin back.

Hardly waiting, I take a piece of lettuce and enjoy the crisp crunch...

...though my heart plummets into the pitch of my stomach when Calix looks on in shock and asks, "She really does eat our foods' food..."

"Calix!" Master Ravenend is quick to snarl from across the table, feeling the strength radiate through him a few seats down from me.

"I-I-"

Calix's eyes grow wide with fear for his father, though I set the piece of lettuce down and fidget with my fingers beneath the table. Playing with the material of my dress, I reply quietly to Master Wren, "Thank you..."

"Ms. Ocklorn, I'm terribly sorry-"

Master Ravenend is cut off by my father rising from his chair. His hands rest on the table, looking down the seats and then breathing in and out deeply. He asks, his voice carrying through the dining hall, "Did I make a mistake inviting you; Ravenends? Should I bring in the Calyers next time instead?"

"Please," Mistress Ravenend speaks softly, "please excuse Calix's ignorance."

"Can he not speak for himself?" My father asks with concern, passing judgment over the way Calix's parents are raising him.

It's not his fault...

...the rest of The Synod have been left to speculate about my genetic difference. How is their Offspring supposed to understand when they're all standing in the dark?

"I..." Calix's features fill with fear when father rests his gaze on him, "M-Ms. Ocklorn...I'm so-sorry."

"No harm done," my voice rises slightly, carrying across the table. Father's gaze meets with mine, a soft smile gracing his lips as I've reacted the way he expects me to. I've learned...

Father clears his throat and sits back in his chair, the socializing continuing. They talk, sipping on their chalices and joking about old times. I finish off a piece of lettuce and bring a radish near my lips when I suddenly catch Calix staring at me over the rim of his chalice. He tilts his head to the side while I raise my brows, taking a nice, big bite out of the radish.

...much louder than I thought.

"Katrina," mother clears her throat while the conversation only lowers for a moment. They continue though when she tells me, "Please remember to chew with your mouth closed."

Okay, but it was a bite...I wasn't chewing it yet.

I nod slightly and reply, "Yes."

Mother goes back to chatting with the Ravenends and Nelgans. I release a small sigh and eat my radish, though my gaze is pulled when Genesis and Calix whisper to one another. Genesis makes opening and closing motions with his mouth, Calix shrugging his shoulders and appearing completely baffled.