“Grounded”

Prompt: Female, 98, elf.

---

I let out a huff of frustration and deliver a solid punch to the wall. Why do they still treat me like a child? I’m ninety-eight years old, for crying out loud!

“Ail!” Grenn shouts from the other side of the wall. “Would you quiet down in there? I’m trying to read.”

Of course my obnoxious little brother is trying to read. What else would his perfect self be doing in the middle of the night?

In response, I punch the wall twice more, then kick it for good measure. Not a heartbeat later, my door slams open, and in walks Father.

“Verinail,” he rumbles, his hair streaming behind him as he strides toward me, “just what do you think you’re doing?”

I scowl back, not giving him the satisfaction of a response.

“You would do well to follow your brother’s example,” Father says, drawing himself up to full height. “In two years’ time, you will reach your Centennial. I hope that by then, you will have come to your senses and will apply to the Academy to begin your education.”

---