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Chapter 6 : Different
"Maybe it's because of their past," Kamari quipped.
"You mean her father's death and her mother's… difference?" Linn replied.
"Yeah. It's not every day a former noble's daughter from another colony entirely ends up in a run-down town like ours — with a daughter, no less."
"I've heard that green hair and other strange colors aren't rare in the National Capital," Linn added thoughtfully, "and they're even common in other colonies, countries, and empires."
"Hmm. Aside from us, they're the second most gossiped-about people in this town. But unlike how they talk about us to our faces, everyone seems to fear Aunt Harnel. They only gossip behind her back."
"Benefits of having an adult as a guardian," Kamari muttered dryly.
"Don't worry, Mari," Linn said, her voice firm but gentle. "It's just a little longer. When I turn sixteen, we'll leave this village for the Capital. I'll grow stronger and more powerful so people won't even dare look down on us."
Kamari chuckled quietly. It wasn't every day her big sister made such heroic declarations. She was happy — but she couldn't help saying something.
"We don't have to leave for the Capital just to run from these idiots. If all they can do is gossip about young girls, we've no reason to care." She reached over and hugged her sister.
"We're not running, Mari," Aislinn whispered back. "We need to leave. We've never belonged here — and besides, you still need treatment from a proper hospital. The best is in the Capital. And we have to look for Mom and Dad. Don't you miss them, Mari? Don't let gossip get to you. Mom would never abandon us, and Dad… he's probably out there somewhere, lost and trying to find us."
Kamari's voice softened. "I miss them. But I have the best guardian — my big sister. That's all I need."
Aislinn smiled, eyes glimmering. "I love you, my dear Mari."
"I love you more than I show, my beautiful Linn Linn," Kamari replied, tickling her sister until laughter filled the small room.
"Being naughty now, aren't you, Mari?" Aislinn said between giggles.
Kamari laughed too, watching her sister's smile. She knew how hard life was for Aislinn — how her big sister always tried to act cool, cold, and mature. No one else saw it, but Kamari knew Aislinn hurt too. She was still a child who carried too much.
If her kind sister protected her and everyone else, hiding her own pain behind that perfect image — then who would protect her? Who would shield her from the unknown future, from those shadowy figures that haunted Kamari's dreams, if not her precious big sister?
---
That night, when the building finally slept, Aislinn stayed awake, staring at the faint glow beyond their window.
Kamari stirred in her sleep, murmuring something — a single word Aislinn didn't recognize.
Outside, under the pale moon, somewhere far away — or perhaps far too close — a window flickered with eerie blue light.
> "It's early," the witch muttered to herself, her shadow stretching long against the wall. "The child wasn't meant to awaken for two more years. Someone's hand has interfered…"
Her gaze flicked to a small wooden box on her table. Inside, a second stone — almost identical to Aislinn's necklace — pulsed faintly, answering the rhythm of the first.
---
The next morning
"Quit worrying, Mari. I'll be back before you know it," Aislinn said, tugging on her worn-out gloves.
Kamari frowned, her pale face drawn tight with concern. "Make sure to come back early — and avoid any form of trouble, Aislinn."
Her icy-blue eyes, striking even in her fragile state, held that familiar mix of affection and scolding.
"Hahaha," Aislinn laughed, pinching her cheek. "You sound like an old lady already! Honestly, how can a chick act like a mother hen?"
Kamari huffed. "Someone has to keep you from breaking your bones every week."
"If I do, I'll heal fast," Aislinn said with a grin.
"You say that every time," Kamari muttered, though a soft smile tugged at her lips.
Aislinn adjusted her bag, her smile faltering for a heartbeat. She wasn't heading out for fun — she needed to find work, maybe a few delivery runs near the east side of Lunaris City, to earn enough credits for Kamari's new prescription medicine.
Her sister's health was worsening, and time was slipping away.
They'd been saving for years — for the move to the inner district, the Central Academy, and Kamari's heart surgery. But no matter how hard Aislinn worked, it never seemed enough.
"Bye, Mari," she whispered, squeezing her sister's hand. "I promise I won't stay long — or do anything reckless."
"You better not," Kamari mumbled, pretending to scowl while blinking back tears.
Aislinn stepped outside. The sunlight hit her face as she inhaled the metallic-sweet air — a blend of iron dust and spice that defined Trenchside, their worn-down neighborhood.
Before her stood her most loyal companion — a black power bike chained to the railing, scratched and dented, old enough to have seen three eras of Lunaris engineering.
She patted its side affectionately. "Let's go, baby," she murmured, striking a "cool pose" just for fun before hitting the ignition.
Grwwrrr… grwwww…
The engine sputtered. Once. Twice.
Then silence.
"Damn it!" Aislinn groaned. "Stacy, don't do this to me now."
She tried again. Nothing.
"Very well, Stacy," she hissed dramatically. "I'll remember this betrayal."
She turned to the only alternative — a bright pink bicycle leaning nearby.
Her lips twitched. "You have got to be kidding me."
It was Kamari's bike — a gift from Aislinn herself. Its handles had tiny white ribbons, and the seat still bore a faded bunny sticker.
Aislinn stared at it like a defeated soldier.
"Well, no choice," she sighed, climbing on as if she were heading to war.
---
Meanwhile, upstairs, Kamari watched through the window. A mischievous smirk curved her lips as she saw her sister pedaling away on the pink bicycle.
"Now that," she snickered, "is how a lady should travel — not riding some death machine like a gang leader."
She sat back, satisfied. Only she knew why Aislinn's beloved power bike hadn't started — because she'd made sure it wouldn't. Nothing serious, just a little "precaution." She didn't want her reckless sister speeding through the chaos again.
Her smirk slowly faded as her gaze shifted to the small crystal vase on the table. Inside were a few wildflowers — the only color in their dull little room.
Her fingers brushed the petals gently.
If only every day could stay like this, she thought. Quiet. Peaceful.
But peace never lasted long in Lunaris City — especially not in Sil District, the broken edge of their world.
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