Rua

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Rua was born into a family where his worth was determined by how valuable he’d be in making coin. He was one of many children in that rickety home of theirs. Praise was rare as was tenderness in that home. Perhaps if they were born in different circumstances..maybe they could have had a living home. Each family member did their best to contribute and bring back coin for necessities, but with many mouths to feed and reckless greed plaguing them, it was difficult for any stability to come their way. Rua learned to endure as he could for any mistakes were punished heavily by his father. The day his wellspring magic called to him in his preteen years. His hands always seemed to move with a certainty with near any task given, particularly in the creative, but with it came pressure to help his poverty stricken family out of their woes. He made an honest effort at making simple wood work crafts with the little material he had, but he’d make very few sales even when attempting to try selling door to door with one of his older cousins. Things would hit a low point which would unfortunately force Rua to start stealing and pitpocketing. Anything to survive and to also not deal with any punishments for not pulling his weight. He conceded that his life will be that of a riffraff. That’s all he will ever be.

All of that would change the day a pair of green eyes met his one day. They were the kindest eyes he ever saw looking at him. They belonged to the daughter of the shoemaker, Elena. They never exchanged a word but that day something unspoken sparked between them. In time their passing glances turned to conversations and somehow she made him feel seen. That his presence mattered, it certainly mattered to her. And from there he wanted much more in life than just survival. The following year, when he was 14, Rua learned Elena was going to be moving away, so he made a desperate decision. He ran to Elena’s father and pleaded that the man allow Rua to go with them. The young boy told the man everything— his ‘home’, his fears, but also his hopes and dreams. Elena’s father was a kind man and most would have tossed the boy aside. He saw a hollowed boy, but he was not broken and decided to give the young man a fighting chance. Rua would earn his keep now using his hands for meaningful labor though he would take any work that came his way. Odd jobs too and his hands learned many trades quickly. Aside from helping with the shoes, Rua also had a great hand at carpentry. Under the watchful eye of Elena’s father, the young teens affections would blossom into a sweet courtship. Rua was becoming a man of many talents. He still never rested. Life was still hard for them. Illness was frequent with Elena, medical care expensive for folks like them, and money wasn’t always plentiful through honest work. There were times Rua would return from the illegal rings, bruised and cut, just to make sure Elena had her medicine and for them to have a warm meal. Eventually wealthier patrons would begin taking note of their craftsmanship. That opened the doors to creating a stable shopfront for the small family.

At 17 Rua knew exactly what he wanted and with the blessing of Elena’s father, he bought a ring. A simple but beautiful ring for his love. They married and in the next year the couple expected their first child. After a tough pregnancy they had a bright eyed beautiful girl, their love into one soul: Mercedes Catalina De Rivière. He worked harder than ever. If he was able to give enough, then his daughter will never have to live the lives they had. His labor resulted in their reputation as skillful artisans, no longer looked down upon. A home in Valerian was acquired and Rua finally opened the toy shop he’d been wanting to for so long. It was then also decided they would send their precious daughter off to schooling, to give her the opportunities they never had. It was a heavy price, but well worth it for her future. They were happy. It was then when Elena announced she was expecting another blessing after their eldest just turned 13. Rua was more than happy with the news, but he also worried. Elena’s previous pregnancy was..hard. It took a lot from her even if she smiled all the way through it. But they had more money now. They would have access for better care. It would be different this time. The money made no difference. Elena still endured a long laborious delivery. It seemed longer than when Mercedes was born. Regardless, they welcomed another baby girl, Esperanza De Rivière. The glee, however, was temporary. Elena was only able to hold her last baby just once before the strain and fatigue of labor took her. Rua felt himself fracture that day. To add onto the grief..Elena’s father followed soon after his daughter, unable to cope without his only daughter.

Rua was alone. But there is not a moment to rest when you have two young daughters, bills to pay, orders to fill and a shop to run. He slept very little and ate even less. He tended to his newborn and the shop with diligence, but he could feel his bones ache more now. Mercedes would notice her father’s decline and refusal to acknowledge it. And he hated how his daughter could see it. She would come home more often, watch over him..worry for him. He still carries the guilt of his eldest growing up too fast for his failure in not teaching her to never put herself last. Now at 38, he’s managed to re-establish himself and open the toy shop once more in the main city. He is almost the same man he was in his early 20s and now nudges his eldest to live her life, maybe find love even! His youngest is a quiet one, but far from shy. Turn your back and she’s managed to make a mess somewhere because of her curiosity. His priorities remain the same: his daughters and his work.

To be determined