Zeph and Zoster

Are my foster, parents

I'm their foster daughter—

They don't love me

They only took me

For the money I could bring in.

Now I'm sixteen

I have outstayed my importance 

I am wearing down their patience

I have to pack my bags

Sorry, ‘’bag", ugh those bastards!

(They don't know I call them bastards).

7am, in the morning

7 hours since I turned sixteen

I won't wait for them to usher

Me out  through their front door

Sorry ‘’backdoor"

They wouldn't want the rumours

Or a scandal

They'll probably tell the neighbours

I'm an ingrate who absonded!

Those bastards!

They haven't been back since last night

Now I'm hoping they died in a fight

Because nobody survives

 From a fight in the night!

Deadly creatures roam round the kingdom

And nobody knows where they come from

But if you are out after 7pm

You'll probably won't make it to 7am.

Zeph and Zoster

Through the front door

They are grinning

In the morning?

Can't they hide their happiness?

Those bastards!

“Audie,” says Zeph like he's actually a loving Dad

“Good news!” says Zoster, “yes there's really good news to be had!”

From experience I can tell

Their good news is not so swell

To someone with opposing views

It'll be bad news after all!

How I wished they stayed past curfew!

So they'll be tomorrow's dead news

Unfortunately, they are wiser than that

 Those bastards!

“What's the good news?” I inquire

Zeph and Zoster

Through the front door

7am in the morning

I am sixteen

I'm not welcome

I'm a problem

To be solved then

“I can take this news well.”

(I'm used to bad news after all!).

“Audie,” drawls out Zeph and Zoster

In sickening unison

"You're not useless after all

You can bring more money in

Now that you are sixteen

You have reached required age quota

To become a flame keeper."

                    From the Journals of the Flame Princess, Deputy Commander of the Flame Guild, Audeline.