Wow...second story of the night...at 4:05am...oh my jeez, what am I doing to myself? '-_-
Anyways, as it says in the summary, this is for the awesome notawordsmith and her drabble-a-day challenge. Ironically.
This idea popped up when I remembered this one thing from Raph's profile somewhere: His anger possibly stems from his resentment towards the life him and his family is forced to live.
I decided I would explore that a bit more.
And the word for today is:
Longevity
Longevity is a self-explanatory word.
It is a word that Master Splinter, himself, knows does not apply to him and his sons. He can promise them now. He can promise them later. He can promise them tomorrow. But the life they live is a cursed one; where the sun cannot reach them freely without consequence and where the ground they tread cannot be the ground others walk.
And, to an extent, his sons know that.
Michelangelo turns a blind eye towards that cold, cruel truth. He focuses on building the magic cloaked over the shadows hidden in the corner. They are ninjas, they fight crime, they stand for good, and they are mutants formed from an experiment–just like the heroes from the comics.
Leonardo is resigned. His eyes darken with frustration at times, but acceptance is what weighs most on his features. Instead, what he sees is a territory that is unknown and, therefore, unpredictable. He watches every corner, considers every exit, and hides behind every shadow in waiting.
Donatello understands the meaning behind the fact and it's that understanding which makes him throw himself into the works of science, of computers, of creation. He tries to create a world filled with possibilities because he knows that he and his brothers can never be a possibility.
But Raphael…Raphael had been disillusioned by this life before he could even comprehended what this life was. The resentment he holds is embedded poisonously in his rises, the longing he feels tortures him with each moment that is taken in the upper world, and…
…And Raphael is the epitome of what Master Splinter fears the most. He fears that Leonardo, Donatello, and Michelangelo will also fall victim to the same abyss lying behind the walls and shields they've created around themselves.
He fears that Raphael, someday, will give into that abyss he had uncovered.
Yes…Master Splinter knew that none of them were meant for a life of longevity.
He could hope, he could pray, and he could try, but somewhere deep inside of him, he was sure that something was going to get them before their time was meant to come. Because they can survive their journeys into distant lands and they can survive those battles with their countless foes…
…But there will always be that abyss right there. Readying to strike and swallow them whole.
However, whether it is because they reject the life they were subject to live…or because the life that had rejected them suddenly decides they shouldn't live…
…They had each other.
And Master Splinter knew–at the very end of it all–that was going to be enough.
Because when you have no other option…it has to be.
...Where the shell am I getting with this?
(shakes head) It may not look like it, but I had a specific idea with this one - I swear. I'd explain what it is, but I don't want to ruin your guys's interpretations. You can take my words this way or that way, it's all up to what your head comes up with. :)
See you all tomorrow!
