Bones weighed down with the fatigue of a long day drag through the threshold, aching heels pulled from dirt clad once pristine boots, kicked carelessly off to the side with a heavy sigh. Up since the first hint of dawn, Clair has been all over Blackthorn. From taking care of her pokemon, taking them out for early morning training, to handling mundane matters in the gym all before noon. After came tasks for her mother, more demanding today of all days -- what with everything turning dire with her ailing grandfather. Regardless of the independence Clair basks herself in daily, she does as told without complaint, without her infamous arrogance during times of need.
It was after the typical supper hour ( something Clair has missed today ), that she was granted an audience with the man dear to her. Weak, barely able to do anything more than wheeze, rasp her name as she approached the bed. Pain tugged at heart strings, dread coiling in the pit of her stomach at the mere sight of him. Body so frail, to even cough wracked his body, leaving him winded and struggling for breath. He was in a state, and though she wished for nothing more than his failing health to shift, to go back to the way it was before he fell ill, she knew she was asking for too much. Sure, Clair and her grandfather may not have seen eye-to-eye all of the time, what with the way he’d chastise her, threaten to tell her cousin of her immaturity ( oh, how she hated having such a pitiful threat held over her ), there was no doubt of the elders importance to Clair. They’re f a m i l y.
The visit didn’t last long, and it was as she was leaving when she was informed of the n e w s . Her heart plummeted, fell as quick as a flash of lightning to her feet. A meek nod and Clair departed for the evening, returning to her own small ( & comfortable ) apartment. Making her way further into the home, Clair plopped down on the couch where she remained for several hours. It was just after midnight when her phone started to ring, taking a moment for vexing yet insistent buzzing to register. Finally, digits cinch around the device, pressing the button. Putting it to her ear, her voice is monotone regardless of who the caller is.
She doesn’t bother returning with how she’s doing. It’s better to just... tear off the band-aid. He n e e d s to know what’s happening. Lance is family as well. ❛ He’s... not doing so good. They told me he’s not going to make it. ❜ Voice cracks and Clair pauses, taking a moment to regain some composure. She’s strong, she has to be. ❛ Can you come home ? ❜
