The station at the east of Lorien was awake but not loud yet. A few people stood with cups of steaming drinks, others sat with bags at their feet, eyes still half in sleep. Elara moved through it alone, her steps unhurried.
She boarded the early train without trouble and took a window seat. As the doors closed and the train slid forward, the city began to move away from her, buildings folding into each other, streets thinning into lines. She watched without emotion.
Her mind drifted to the night of the competition. The way the world seems to quieten after her name was called. Then the man who had pulled her aside after she walked up the stage, explaining it was the Vale family who had planned to sponsor her.
No excitement or shock had touched her face then. Only recognition. Voice. Starfall. And with it, a name she will never forget.
Relanie.
In her past life, that was where Relanie had stood bright and untouchable. Always one step ahead. Elara did not feel fear now. If anything, it felt like an old road appearing again beneath her feet. Some things, it seemed, refused to change.
The man had said she would meet the family in Starfall. Elara had nodded calmly, not bothering to ask why they chose her. She did not thank him more than necessary.
If the Vales wanted to play a role in her life this time, she would not pretend ignorance.
Lyra's face came to her mind, bright with disbelief when her name had been called. Elara felt a quiet satisfaction at that. Lyra had earned it. She is not someone who held onto things, but she hoped they'll meet again.
Then Livienne. That face would appear again. Elara was sure of it. Rivalries like theirs did not end with one stage.
The train moved fastly. Elara's bag rested against her leg. Inside it were only few stuffs. Mostly change of clothes. Documents. Her notebook. At the bottom, tucked between pages, was a card. She had not looked at it since that night. Of course there are more reasonable things to look for in Starfall city than looking for a man.
The motion of the train lulled her and her eyes closed without effort.
She woke to a soft chime and a calm voice announcing arrival. Around her, people stood, stretching and pulling down luggages. Elara followed them off the train, lifting her bag and stepping onto the platform.
Starfall City greeted her in the afternoon. Tall buildings rose in clean lines. Glass reflected the sky. The air felt busier but still fresh.
Elara clenched her fists. This was where she had failed. This was the city where everything had once ended. But the feeling passed easily. She was still breathing and standing. Her feet were firm on the ground. This time, she was not here chasing approval. She was here because she had been chosen, whether by chance, calculation, or fate. The city had not changed. But she had.
Once outside the station, she stopped a cab and gave her destination.
The driver glanced at her through the mirror, his eyes pausing on her clothes, her bag. Something unreadable passed through his face before he started the engine. The ride passed in silence.
When the car stopped, Elara stepped out and looked up.
Voice.
The building stood tall and modern, glass and steel woven together. Large windows revealed movement inside. People walked in and out carrying cases, tablets, instruments. Conversations floated through open doors. This was neither a company or school in the simple sense. It felt like a huge institution that trained and tested at the same time.
She went in. The lobby was very wide, polished and busy. People were everywhere. Everyone was dressed boldly and confidently. Some looked relaxed, a few looked tired.
Elara paused, unfolded the map she had been given, and followed it toward the administration office.
Inside, a staff member greeted her with professional calm. Her name was checked. Files were confirmed. She was handed a key card, a schedule outline, and a more detailed guide map.
"Your room is in the west wing," the woman said. "Your grade placement will be assessed soon."
Elara nodded and thanked her.
As she walked away, she felt eyes on her. But none felt hostile.
She walked through the corridors which stretched long in front of her. Practice rooms lined the walls, glass panels revealing people singing.
Elara followed the map, took a wrong turn, corrected herself. Someone pointed her in the right direction with a smile she had not expected.
She found her door at last.The room was meant for one person. It was Clean and well-lit with a wide window. A desk. A wardrobe. The bed looked soft enough to disappear into.
Elara set her bag down, locked the door, and walked to the center of the room. She stood there for a moment, listening to the faint music outside.
Then she fell, back on the bed, arms loose at her sides, staring at the ceiling.
–
Night pressed against the city, wrapping the streets in glassy reflections.
Inside a black car, a man sat in the front seat, posture straight and shoulders still. The dashboard glow traced the sharp line of his jaw and caught briefly in his eyes, deep steel-gray, almost silver when the light hit just right. Thick dark lashes shadowed them, making him look somewhat cold. His hair was jet-black, cleanly cut at the sides, longer on top, neat but not careful. His skin was fair, untouched by the harshness of the sun, untouched by softness too.
The city moved past the windows, but he did not look at it.
In the backseat, a young woman sat quietly. Her hair fell down her back in loose waves, tinted blue. The color looked like ink dropped into water, deep at the roots, softer at the ends. It framed her face gently, making her pale skin glow under the dim interior lights. She wore a fitted, starry gown which shimmered when the car passed under street lamps.
She stared at the man's back. Her fingers tightened around the edge of her clutch. She bit her lower lip, her eyes lingering on the sharp line of his neck. She wanted to say something. Anything.
The car slowed at a red light. Then his voice cut through the silence. Ice cold and careless. "Should I stop at Voice?"
Relanie blinked, pulling out of her thoughts. She turned her head to the window, watching the city blur by for a few seconds. Her reflection stared back at her, hesitant and unsure.
Then she nodded after some thinking. "Yes."
The man did not respond.
The light turned green and the car moved again. Minutes later, it slowed and stopped before a massive building. Voice stood tall and clean, all glass and metal, lights glowing from within.
The car door opened and Relanie stepped out gracefully, her heels touching the ground without sound. She closed the door gently and paused by the driver's side.
She stood there for a moment, lips parted, holding her breath. She wanted to say more. Wanted to hear something warmer than silence. But the words stayed trapped in her chest.
"Don't work too late," she said instead, forcing a soft smile. "Rest early."
Inside the car, the man remained still. A few seconds passed. Then he nodded, brief and restrained.
Relanie gave a small smile. She turned away and took a few steps toward the building.
Before she could look back, the car pulled away, tires whispering against the road, disappearing into the night.
She stopped walking. A quiet sigh slipped from her lips.
The distance from the curb to the main entrance suddenly felt longer than it should have been. He could have driven her in. He always could. But he never did. Relanie lifted her chin and continued forward.
Inside the building, voices echoed softly across the polished floors. As she walked in, several heads turned. Most people stared openly at her, eyes filled with envy. Others lowered their gaze and greeted her respectfully as she passed.
"Good evening."
"Welcome back."
She acknowledged them with small nods, her expression calm, practiced.
The elevator doors opened and she stepped inside. The doors closed with a soft sound. When she reached the third floor, the doors opened again.
Relanie walked down the quiet hallway, heels clicking lightly against the floor. When she reached her room, she unlocked the door and stepped inside.
She slipped off her shoes near the door, letting them fall carelessly. Her bag landed on the bed with a dull thud. Without turning on the lights, she walked straight into the bathroom. Not long, the sound of running water filled the room...