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They call him a miracle. The fourth in a tragic series of failed pregnancies, Ratsami's birth is heralded as a blessing by the gods. It matters little that he comes out as an oddity amongst his kin, pale skinned and milky-eyed, his parents are ecstatic that he is alive. Even after his disability is fully realized, blank gaze not following the movements of his mother, he is still cherished and loved.

As a boy, he leads a charmed life. His parents are doting and he never wants for anything. In the mornings, he awakes to the sound of birds singing in the courtyard of his family's estate, and at night he's tucked beneath voluminous covers and read bedtime stories by his father. He becomes quite the daddy's boy, teetering behind his father uncertainly whenever the man returns from business.

Once he's old enough to walk and feed himself, his parents leave him in the care of a family friend, and his mother returns to accompanying her husband during his dignitary duties. Ratsami is well-cared for, and he starts looking up to the man as a second father of sorts, clinging now and then and spending time in his lap, listening to stories. He still sees his biological parents every once in a while, but during his day to day living, everything is taken care of by his surrogate guardian.

The memories of his original home start to blend with his new one, and by the time he enters his tenth year, there is no distinction for him anymore. He refers to his guardian as father just as easily as he does his real one, and his devotion is split between the two, especially as the times between visits from his parents grow longer and longer. There are times where he wonders if his parents no longer love him, as he so rarely hears from them anymore, but he is young and that worry is quickly overcome by other distractions.

When he enters his teenage years, his world takes a sudden turn that he still reels from. Awaking one morning, he finds himself locked in his room. Immediately his mind stutters, as he tries to figure out why the exit would be barred. He feels out the doorknob uncertainly and fumbles with the locking mechanism to no avail. He bangs on the lacquered wood and gets no response. Only later in the night does his guardian return, stroke his hair, and express his sincerest apologies. The world's dangerous, and he's told in no uncertain terms that to remain a protected part of the household, he must place his full trust in the older man.

Knowing nothing else, he listens, and listens well. For his assent, he receives a pat on his head and cooed, pretty words. Ratsami feels safe, but a bit unnerved. Something isn't quite right, the way his gut knots tells him that much, but he has no idea what or how. He wonders when he'll see his parents again.

Life becomes strange. He's rarely allowed to leave his room. His tutors still come, but they come to his quarters to teach him and then immediately leave. He finally gathers the nerve to ask why, and he quickly learns what a mistake questions are. His cheek stings, and the pain is not soothed by the shower of sorries he receives. It's impressed upon him that it's for his own good, he's sick, and leaving would cause many complications. His guardian only wants the best for him, so why not be a good boy and behave?

So he does. Every now and then though, his desire to know why certain things are done burns too deeply and he has to at least try for an answer. He knows what will happen but he honestly can't help himself. When will he get well enough to go outside? When will his parents come back? These are things he needs to know, nagging things that won't leave his head. His perceived disobedience is dealt with harshly.

Ratsami learns to miss the backhanding. It's much more frightening when he hears the door of his bedroom creak open in the middle of the night.

Eventually, either as a birthday present for his seventeenth year, or a reward for learning to keep his mouth shut, he's allowed back onto the estate grounds. Wandering the yard, wind in his pale hair, sun on his face, Ratsami dreams of freedom. He knows what his guardian has told him, but he can't help but covet the world he has been denied. His imagination soars, and he starts passing the time alternating between plotting escape plans and scolding himself for such thoughts.

One day, he tells himself...One day...

TIMELINE

BORN-AGE 05
Raised lovingly by his parents.

AGE 05-12
Raised by family friend

AGE 13
Confined to his room, questionable treatment begins.

AGE 17-18
Finally allowed back onto the family estate.