This is my first fic, so please be gentle! Reviews are appreciated. (No flames tho) If you are triggered by potential child neglect/referenced alcoholism, either read with a trused individual or not at all.
If you're not, then enjoy.
Waking up at 4 a.m. sucks. But waking up at a reasonable hour only to find your mom choked on her own vomit sucks even more, so Emira follows through. She walks down the hallowed halls to check for any potential damage caused by her parents. Thankfully they didn't run into each other so there is no damage. However that's not to say there's none. She checks up on Edric and Amity. Edric is spread all over his bed sound asleep; Good. Amity fell asleep at her desk studying; Again. Emira hoists her one her shoulder (carefully as not to wake her) , setting her as gently on the bed as possible placing the blanket over her and giving a gentle kiss on her forehead. She would never be this affectionate when she was awake, her parents took care of that a long time ago. Pushing down her feeling of resentment Emira went back on her main goal. Normally the maids took care of any Calamity her parents may have caused, but she tried to help pick up the pieces whenever she could. Partly out of guilt, but mostly so she could have some semblance of control in this…crazy dysfunctional mess of a family. Normally her mother could be found in her study, trying to figure out her latest visions, reporting any and all relevant ones to the emperor. And that only scratched the surface of not only her duties as the emperor's personal physic, but treasurer of the PTA at Hexside, wife of the leader of the Abomination coven, the most prominent socialite in Bonesborough, and mother of her, Edric, and Amity. Unfortunately due to her duties above and her drinking, partying, and sleeping around with half the Boiling Isles, she'd been neglecting her motherly duties. Not that Emira and her siblings were neglected. No, technically speaking the Blight siblings were the farthest thing from neglected. Always having a roof on their heads, food on their gigantic, elegant table, clothes on their backs, constant new books, "toys", jewelry, supplies for school, endless resources and presents on the monthly. Not to mention they were all old enough to take care of themselves, so they were never dirty and on the verge of accidentally hurting themselves. But her mother was hardly ever available to sit and chat, help her with homework, watch the crystal ball together, or help her with her time of the month woes, or just being there emotionally at the end of a bad day or at all. Not that she would sober. As she entered her mother's study she noticed it was neater than a museum. No spilt potions, broken paintings, glass or chair, upturned desk, bookcase (or books) or cabinets to be seen. And most upsetting, no mom. Not passed out sprawled on the floor or even at her desk working. Just not there. It was clear that either the maids got here before her, or her mother was never here in the first place. Maybe they dragged her to her room?
Well, as long as she was here, might as well get the other thing she came here for. Emira Went to her mother's desk pulling out her special parchment paper and pen, tucking underneath her arm. She'll need that later. As Emira walked down the hall, she suddenly tripped over something nearly crashing into a nearby table knocking over a vase. "What the-?!" Thankfully she was able to catch herself and the vase as she looked to see what had blocked her path. (Not) surprisingly it was mommy dearest herself face planted in the carpet passed out. Must have taken one of her "me days".
The only good news is that she was lying on her face so at the very least she wasn't in danger of choking on her own vomit. She debated just leaving her there as opposed to taking her to her parents' room or her mother's room (the one where she stayed when her and her father got into one of their fights. Which was often) before begrudgingly deciding on her mother's room. Damn her and her conscience. If only today weren't a school day (and her mother weren't literally passed out) so she could sneak her mom into an Alchemist Anonymous meeting. (Not that the first two times were very effective) at the very least they had helped her, realizing that she had maybe possibly gone too far in attempting to post Amity's diary around the school. So it wasn't a total waste of time. Though it was her fault considering her mother was inebriated at the time.
Emira picked her up by her arms hoisting her on her shoulder trudging through the labyrinth that is the Blight manor, yanking open the door, walking the 400 yards from the doorway to the bed; practically throwing her onto it. Sat her up, tucked her in, surrounding her with pillows to keep her upright so she wouldn't choke on her own vomit.
Emira took her mother's hand, squeezing it tightly for a second. Titan. SHe wished… Well it didn't matter what she wished for. Emira learned a long time ago that it would never come true.
The sad thing was that this isn't the worst part. Neither watching her mom scream bloody murder at her father for not being a good husband, a good father, or a good person. Or not getting to spend time with her because she was always "working". And also actually working. Or that she could die at any given time. No, the worst part was that things weren't much better. When she wasn't a drunken mess she was cold, stoic, formal. But this wasn't the time to think about that. She had to move on.
Emira went to the spacious kitchen, and started on a PB&J sandwich, an apple, yogurt, and a cookie for Amity. And a tofu and non dairy grilled cheese (a take on her own favorite sandwich) along with pudding, and chips. All with apple blood boxes. Emira took out her mother's parchment and pen and scribbled two notes for Ed and Amity's lunches. Making sure not to sound too cheesy but not the same callousness as Odalia.
Normally their personal cooks took care of this, but lately Emira had taken up this job mostly to give her siblings a sense of… What? Love? Reassurance? Safety? That they're mother didn't hate them? Or. Maybe she did it for her own peace of mind. Em gave a yawn. "Forget my lunch, I'll just buy something from the cafeteria, instead." Emira slinked back to her room to get some sleep before her alarm. Might as well treat herself to some sleep.