Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening, (depending on where you are in the world!) I've finally been given another idea for another piece of writing, and there's been a couple of tweaks here and there, but I'm quite excited to post this, and see what you think of it. I'm definitely going to make another chapter, maybe another few, depending on the direction that this goes!
With that being said, the idea has come from a dear friend that I communicate with through Tumblr, and I decided to write this considering that it's her birthday today! Happy birthday Janni. So yes, this completely her idea, with influences to the manga and anime. Anyway, I'm all for hearing your ideas on fanfics and what you'd like to see written, so feel free to drop ideas within the reviews or private message me. Please note: I will not write rape scenarios, nor imply that rape has been conducted. The reason being is that, one: I have no understanding of the aftermath, (though I do watch a lot of crime series) I will not write something that I do not have a full understanding of. I will not write in depth about the use and abuse of drugs, it can be implied within my writing, but it's not something that I will go into depth about. All other ideas will probably be accepted, and spoken about in greater detail!
Anyway, enough of me rambling on, and such. So this is completely based around Tala and his early days within the abbey. There may be flashbacks or mentions of his mother and his father, and Bryan will definitely make an appearance, as well as Ian and Spencer! Kai will not appear within this, and there certainly will be no mention of him, as I'm also not buying the idea of Kai and Tala being childhood friends from the abbey? Considering how they responded to one another within the first season would suggest otherwise. I believe that their paths may have crossed now and again, but neither were interested in the other enough to actually interact - plus I don't want this to be about Kai, nor potential relationships.
There possibly will be mentions of physical abuse and verbal abuse (to some extent), as well as emotional grooming. Please be aware of this if it contains any of your triggers. Stay safe, my loves. If you want to drop some ideas and some reviews, honestly that would mean the world to me, but don't feel pressured to do so! - Ellis.
Tala can see the other is musing silently on the question that the small redhead has previously posed. Is it going to be forever? The lilac haired boy aside of him is currently musing on the mouthful of sandwich that he'd managed to force into his mouth - Bryan ceases to amaze the redhead. Cerulean hue dances away from the boy and moves towards his lap, idly squeezing his knees against themselves as he attempts to balance the lunch he'd taken from the lunch hall. It was a silly attempt really, because Tala was known for absentmindedly moving his legs. It doesn't help that occasionally he's rocking his legs, balls of his heels pressing slightly up against the wall that he's set upon.
"Probably." Bryan finally states - mouth still full of the sandwich - and apparently it had taken Bryan a lot longer to chew his food that Tala first assumed, not to mention, that Tala didn't really wish to see what Bryan had chosen to eat today. Regardless, Bryan seems to have sealed their fate within one word, and part of Tala can't decide if he's generally happy with a sealed future, or if he's uncertain. Before the abbey, he'd imagined his future to be dim, full of scuffed knees and begging hands, bloodied lips and raw noses, nipped by the curiosity of Russia's harsh winters. He'd also imagined that his future would become a lot brighter, if his mother ever decided to return, and his father became even half of the man that he had once been. But that was also a long time ago, and Tala really should not be ungrateful for what the abbey and Boris have provided them with. "Sounds like a long time, doesn't it?" Bryan breaks the silence once again, this time he's demolished the sandwich, and is currently wiping his mouth against small hands.
Tala, on the other hand, is wiping bitterly at his nose. He'd been so caught up in silently telling himself off for not seeming grateful, that he'd almost not heard what Bryan had said. Forever is a long time, though Tala isn't sure just how long it is, but he assumes it says everything that it needs too. The redhead simply provides a faint nod, loose strands managing to almost fall into his eyes, and thankfully, the breeze of Russia's winter managed to blow it from his view. He supposes, in reality, he doesn't mind if he has to stay within the abbey forever - well to some extent. It's better than being out within the cold, fighting a brutal and ongoing war in aid of feeding and providing for yourself and your own father. It's better than attempting to do everything you can to stay out of your fathers way, but in doing so, managing to only infuriate him more so, thus succumbing to his furious outbursts. To begin, Tala hadn't minded, he'd put up with a lot, including a screaming and crying mother who had attempted to protect her son, and bargain with her husband. Tala had believed it was something that would pass, and that his father would be okay again, that it was a harsh wave crashing up against rock faces, and like nature, it's presence would peel away. It didn't, and Tala often daydreams his mother didn't leave him - no, she wouldn't. She couldn't leave him, not her little boy.
"You've not touched your food." Bryan states, pointing innocently towards Tala's lap. A dip of his crown, and Tala registered that he really had started to daydream, and it was thanks to Bryan that his food wasn't on the floor. What would he do without him?
"I don't think I'm that hungry."
"You said that yesterday." With palms pressed against the wall, Bryan manages to shuffle his legs forward, so much so, that they're completely hanging off of the wall, and with a short thud, Tala notices that Bryan's comfort it no longer aside of him. The lilac haired boy is upon his feet, wiping the crumbs that had collected within the span of his lap. "You also said that the day before. You know Boris won't be very happy if you don't eat again." In a mock notion, Bryan is wriggling his index finger at the other, as if attempting to tell him off, whilst maintaining a hand upon his hip, broadening out his shoulders. His stance is enough to bring a faint smile of coral to label Tala's features and within his reluctance, he coils small fingers around his sandwich, before following suit and hopping down from the wall. He supposes the other is right, Boris wouldn't be happy if he found out that Tala had skipped yet another meal.
The first time Boris had discovered that Tala had skipped a meal, it had been the first time that Boris had laid a sharp hand upon him. He'd been furious, there'd been a hard exchange of words in aid of condemning Tala, but Boris had softened shortly afterwards - or at least, his tone of voice had. A tightened hand had clapped down upon his shoulder, in a vice like grip, reminding Tala that he was only so angry that Tala would do this to himself because lunch was an important meal, and that Boris was also in control. Tala recalled the lecture on how they were provided with three meals a day, all of which ran at set times, in ordering of running the children to a strict routine that would aid their training. In fact, Boris had even stated that there was a relation between successful meals eaten, and a bladers ability, and Tala just went with it, because truth be told? He didn't really understand statistics, and when he tried to question Bryan, Bryan simply dismissed it with a shrug and claimed it as: pure nonsense, but whatever gets him through his day, gets me through mine too.
The second time Boris had discovered that Tala had missed breakfast, was due to him wanting to be the first out for morning laps. Boris had reminded Tala of his place within the hierarchy - not that Tala actually understood what a hierarchy was, though he supposed it was important - and apparently Tala belonged under the guards, and it should always remain that way. Tala had even made the efforts to argue how important training was to him, and how it was important to become the greatest creation to come from the abbey and step into the Beyblading community... Boris had neglected to address that, and as punishment had prevented Tala from having meals for the rest of the day. Bryan had been Bryan however, and whilst he usually had kept himself to himself, he'd also not understood the harsh torment that Boris had bestowed upon Tala, simply for wanting to be the best. Tala had scolded him that night. That night Bryan had managed to get into his room, pockets full of bread. It wasn't much, but it had been something, and Tala had been grateful for Bryan in doing so, but reminded him of the consequences if it was ever discovered that one: Bryan had stolen from the kitchen, and two: he'd come out of his room at this time of night.
A week or so later, Tala had witnessed an older boy missing out of his breakfast, he had dark hair, almost black, in fact, Tala was certain he saw the reflection of the stars amongst untamed strands. He had an unkind face however, and carried himself with something akin to arrogance. Said boy had also disappeared for two days, and Tala can admit he almost missed seeing him on their morning laps, and that counting the stars amongst his hair had become Tala's favourite thing to do. The rumour had sparked that the older boys could withstand severe torment, and a day after, Tala had witnessed the boy attempting to eat his breakfast. His hair had seemed more untamed than usual, and Tala couldn't count the stars this time, and there was something hideous about his face... Of course. He was sporting a bruised mouth, and could barely sit without having to fidget. Tala almost felt sorry for him, but then remembered; the older boys should know better.
He'd finished his sandwich quicker than he'd anticipated, and was soon heading back towards the building. The abbey seemed to loom over them like a curse, and Tala couldn't help but wonder, what it would be like to see things away from the confined and cold spaces of abbey. Of course, he'd like to train first, and become the greatest, and then discover the world out there, but he assumed that wasn't part of why the abbey had wanted him in the first place. Perhaps, it was ridiculous for a small child like himself to even imagine that he'd see the world beyond the abbey again, never mind dream of becoming the greatest blader to wield blade and bitbeast. He'd be taught about bitbeasts too, and told how not even the older boys actually had them. Boris said that bitbeasts couldn't just be given away, no matter your skill, nor how old you were, for that matter, but in fact, it was whether you were worthy enough to wield one of the fine beasts that science had managed to create.
"Say, Bryan. Do you think we'll become one of the next generation bladers that Boris keeps talking about?" Tala inquires as they enter the building. He almost feels as if his very voice is ringing, and that the walls might have ears, but even then, he's speaking within a hushed tone, and it really should only be Bryan who could hear him anyway. All the other boys seemed more interested in returning to their dorms in order to change into something more suitable for the periods they'd spend down in the gyms. Either that, or they were more interested in talking about the positions for the teams that Boris had been thorough about, though apparently that was something that Boris wouldn't address until a few years later - when he was certain that his strict routine of training and such, was proven to be a success. Tala was almost envious that the older boys got to talk about it, like it was the next step within their lives, Tala and Bryan, on the other hand, would simply be reminded that they were pipsqueaks, and had a few years ahead of them before Boris would even consider them.
"When you put it like that, it sounds nice to think about it that way." Bryan mumbles, turning his head slightly within Tala's direction, but soon turning away again, to focus on navigating themselves between the many floors, and winding corridors. Thankfully, Bryan and Tala had dorms on the same floor, but even then, they were quite some distance away. Truth be told, when Bryan says it as such, it does sound next to become one of the next generation bladers to take a position upon the Neoborg team. Tala often imagines what he looks like on the big screen, or when his name is being read out in lights, or when he steps out onto the platform as the team captain... His thoughts escape him however when he finally reaches his dorm, it's as if the very existence of his room was enough to draw out the childish enthusiasm that he so clung onto, like it was the last string of reality that he had. Perhaps that was the case. The windows were high out of his reach, and he wasn't all too sure if that was generally down to the lack of his height, or if the windows actually were high up... But one time Bryan said that he could reach and was able to out... Though Tala didn't really believe him, and often put it down to Bryan attempting to get one over him. The windows were high however, but they existed, and when Tala entered his room, flakes of sunlight were cast down upon him, grasping onto the ivory of his face, and causing him to blink momentarily and guard himself from sight. He claims that his room actually looks prettier on a night time, when the milky reflection of the moon, dazzles the concrete floor, and Tala manages to push himself far up against the wall, just to see the cream lights of stars flitting amongst a velvet backdrop.
Tala changed out of his current clothing, for the sake of changing into something that felt fresher against him, and preferably something that was more fitting for practice. That morning they'd had laps and their usual gym periods. 6am beginnings, and a half an hour slot that allowed you time to gather yourself together, and make sure you were in position on time. Gym periods were more satisfying to Tala, probably because he and Bryan were deemed as high performers, and both had yet to be placed under the scrutiny of the guards. Not to mention that Tala was pretty serious about getting a position on the team, even if his chance was a few years away yet - he had to prove himself worthy of performing under the Neoborg name. He is worthy. Outside he notes the faint bickering of two voices, seems ones rather confident, and the other seems timid, but agrees to the bet no doubt. Of course. How could Tala assume it was anyone else? Ian and Bryan always make bets before gym periods. In fact, they make bets before anything that they've ever done. Just the other day, Bryan bet that he could get more laps in than Ian could, and when that was case, Ian put it down to being a lot shorter than Bryan, thus earning himself the nickname 'short stake'. He is pretty short, I have to give Bryan that one. Yesterday the two actually bet who could fit more in their mouths, and Tala could swear he's never seen two boys stuff their faces to the extent they did. Ian won however, and then demanded laps from Bryan, who declined on the grounds that technically, Ian should do laps too, since it was part of the fitness routine anyway. Tala supposed that was their way of motivating each other.
Tala's form of motivation came in the form of kind words, and encouragement, if anything, he'd learnt that, that was the way of a team captain, and if you wanted to be a team captain, you had to act like one. Tala also had friendly bouts with one of the slightly older boys, Spencer. He actually wasn't that much older than himself, maybe a year, or two, maybe he was even the same age as Bryan, but Tala had never been sure. He and Spencer made their bets of, who could handle a launcher better, or who could run the fastest, or who could successfully carry more weight than the other. Spencer had beaten Tala on many occasions in terms of weight, Tala put it down to his build, but Tala had also beaten him once, and Spencer claimed that he'd apparently overworked the day before, therefore couldn't carry as much. Tala regarded it as nonsense, and went about continuing his training. He and Spencer certainly do not have bets about who could put the most in their mouth, or could drink their cup of water the fastest, or for that matter... Who could hold on the longest before they needed to go to the toilet. You could say, that despite the severity of the nature that Tala had found himself within, himself and his friends managed to find some sort of fun.
He'd simply shook his head at the bet that Bryan and Ian were making, and Spencer's faint laugh had been enough to have them all turn within his direction. Tala wasn't even sure of just how long the boy had been stood there, but regardless, he quickly threw on his t-shirt, and tucked it's hem into the waist of his trousers.
"I suppose whatever helps in passing time, helps the smaller minded." Spencer noted - a joke, of course, - and even Tala found himself almost biting down into his knuckle to prevent his laughter from ringing throughout the halls.
"You wanna say that to my face, tough guy?" Bryan snorts, balled up fists at his side, and Tala can sense that Spencer is half tempted to repeat himself, and Bryan is also half tempted to jaw Spencer... If he could reach him. Tala simply provides a faint shake of his head, registering his own notion of decline, before he steps between the two.
"He was joking, really. You know, we really should head for practice. The last thing we want is to be late." Tala looks between his lilac haired friend, and his much taller friend, who is currently nodding contently to himself, but Tala notes the muscles within one's jaw working away silently, and even he ca tell that Spencer is contemplating repeating himself. Bryan finally nods, and apparently the consequences of not turning up for practice outweigh the joy he'd get from pounding Spencer in the face. He knows he's joking, but boys will be boys, and Bryan also claims that it would be great sparring practice, much to Tala's own dismay, who on many occasion, has reminded Bryan that they are aiming to become the greatest beybladers, not boxers.
Practice began like it always did. You collect your own blade, clean it and perfect it, before you even consider lifting it to your launcher. You make all the little tweaks that you have to - if necessary - because everything has to be perfect. You practice your own personal sequences and techniques, you prove why you're here and why you deserve to be claimed the greatest of them all. Tala always made it a thing to slightly show off... Then again, everyone probably took it in turns to show off, even just a little bit, and everyone wanted their moment to be written within the stars, when Boris was overseeing the events... And it just so happened that he'd decided to step into the room today, and conduct his own observation. Naturally, guards had given him ideas of the best boys to watch: the one's that really had that spark, or those who had surpassed their other scores. He'd watched Ian first. Ian had been up against some other short kid, but he was a little chubbier than Ian, and puffed out his cheeks a lot whenever Ian's blade struck his. Tala had been certain that he'd witnessed debris of the kids blade flying here and there, and well, everywhere. The other kid had muttered something under his breath occasionally, Tala imagined it was probably a vow that he couldn't lose.
No one wanted to lose. They were taught that they couldn't lose, nor should they accept defeat, and if they did lose... Well defeat was the greatest humiliation of them all. Tala never wanted to feel such humiliation as that. He'd been chastised and punished before, but apparently the extent that 'losers' were exposed too, reached a new level of torment and punishment. Some boys had never been seen again, but Tala assumed that's because they had lost of multiple occasions and had proven to Boris that they couldn't get better, nor were they worthy of the program. Other boys were not seen for weeks, and when they did return, they were colder than before, and wore faces crafted from steel. Nonetheless, the very thought makes him shudder.
He's brought of of his moment of silence when there's a clashing of blades, and finally silence. The chubby boy is muttering something aggressively, like he's begging for another chance, and Ian is attempting to hold back a laugh. His laughter isn't out of malice, but out of pure amusement that the kid thought he could beat him. The reality strikes, and Tala realises that it wasn't the chubby kids blade who had come out of the dish... It was his own. In what seemed a mere moment to reflect on things that shouldn't, nor wouldn't, happen to him, Tala had completely switched off to his surroundings. He hadn't even noticed that pale and lithe digits that had tightly coiled around his launcher had loosened, and in a split second, his world had come crashing around him. There's hushed utters, whispers and... There's a heavy thudding of one's body making contact with the concrete beneath him. His own knees are pressed firm to the cold, hands quivering before him as he attempts to recall the pieces of his blade, the slight debris of the top ring that has cracked here and there, and beneath, the attack ring seems completely shattered. Tala feels like he is all fingers and thumbs and is incapable of gathering the pieces together, before he notes the piercing shadow of authority looming over him. He won't cry, or at least, he's trying not to, he's going to be the team captain after all. The redhead leans back upon the balls of his heels, hands pressed closed over what he could gather of his blade, though he assumes that, that honestly made no difference, and for Tala's punishment, Boris is going to destroy his blade anyway.
"Foolish boy, look at the mess you've made." Foolish boy. Tala had become so accustomed to hearing Boris refer to him as: my son, that foolish boy feels as if he's staring back in the face of his actual father, and he's the foolish boy who couldn't out of the fast enough. The foolish boy who had tripped over his laces, in the efforts to escape his father's violence. It was an accident. A simple mistake. I swear it'll never happen again. I'll be the best. He wants to speak, Gods, does he wish that he could speak, but he's frozen to the spot, numbed by this pain, this notion of being a failure, slowly succumbing to the idea of humiliation. He doesn't want to imagine the look upon his friends faces when they realise that Tala is not captain material. He let them down... He let himself down.
So here's a little note: once again, this is my friends idea, all I did was flesh her idea out some more and whatnot. I really hated the idea of Tala losing, but I had this painful image in my head of this small redhead attempting to not cry as he gathers the remains on his blade. There is definitely going to be another chapter, and the reason for throwing this little ending in, is to support the rest of my friends idea. I mean, you all have to learn the hard way?
Of course, if you don't agree with what I've written, then you don't have to read it. I'm all down for reviews, if you've got any, or any other ideas you want to throw at me, I'm all down for receiving help and whatnot, but please don't leave rude comments, they won't be appreciated, and will probably go ignored to be honest. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this, my loves, and I'm hoping to be update with a second chapter, very shortly! - Ellis. xxxx