Calm

Seated with a crooked posture, alone in the empty hall, Hoshina absently toys with a cherry. Nearby, the aroma of overly sweetened pastries constantly attempts to drive her away. The only reason she stays is because of who she's waiting for.

By the time the tea grows cold, she hears distant clicking steps.

"Hoshina! My sweet, dear friend, how are you?" The fresh voice pulls her attention away from the cloying smell in her nose.

"Hi, Tina. I'm better—my burns have almost healed."

"Aww, that's right, you got hurt. Poor thing. You must've been so scared when those lowlifes assaulted you." With a fluid motion, she sits and crosses her legs.

"Not so much. I was more worried about Waissu. He almost died." Tina flicks her wrist.

"Oh, but have you heard the rumors? They say you started crying when those dirtbags burned you." Huh? Really?

Tina continues. "And they also say you ran away, leaving your bodyguard to distract them." Hoshina tilts her head.

"But that's a lie, I would never do something so cowardly. Who's spreading these rumors?"

Tina gives a nonchalant smile. "No idea, dear, I only know that every single one of my friends has heard them."

Hoshina leans forward. "Who told you?"

"I heard it around town, from no one in particular." Her emerald gaze flickers briefly, avoiding Hoshina's eyes.

Why would someone spread such lies? Hoshina's mind churns. I already have enough to deal with—just the things that are true. How am I supposed to become a respectable warrior like this? Why does it always feel like I have no idea what's going on around me? Why...?

Hoshina steps closer, bitterness swelling her mouth. "Anything else you know?"

Tina pushes her chair back slightly, her hand resting on the edge. "No... no, trust me. I have no clue."

Hoshina takes another step, her breath catching as Tina shifts away again. Why is she backing off? "Can you ask your friends?"

"They don't know anything, alright? Now could you please stop—"

"Ask them again, maybe they missed something or—"

"Stop, you're creeping me out!" Tina jerks back, her voice cracking like glass.

Hoshina freezes, chest tightening as the words hit her like a slap. I'm doing it again. Why do I always end up like this?

"I'm sorry." Her voice falters as she brushes her hair back, head lowered.

She doesn't know exactly what she did wrong—only that she crossed a line, made her friend uncomfortable. Again.

"I didn't mean to... creep you out," she murmurs.

Tina stands there, stiff. Then she exhales, her posture softening. She clears her throat.

"Don't worry so much about what others say, okay? You've got me. Whatever the lowlifes say—don't let it get to you."

Something eases in Hoshina. Her shoulders uncoil, the knot in her chest loosening just a little.

"You're right, I'm glad you're my friend."

"Of course you are," Tina says, flipping her golden hair. "I'd be friends even with you. I'm Puratina Fukuchou, after all—the proud daughter of one of the Four Great Families."

"Yeah, I also belong to one of the Four."

Tina flicks her wrist dismissively, her smile still in place. "I know, my dear. No need to remind me. Now, how about we head to your room? You've got to show me all the presents you've been getting for your birthday."

༻──⋆༺𓆩⋆𓆪༻⋆──༺

Hoshina sits upright across from her sister Jogi. At the far end of the dining table, Daddy's hands rest on the tablecloth. The only sound in the hall is the rhythmic tapping of Jogi's foot.

While the dinner still retains some of its heat, the massive doors swing open. Hoshina is hit by the strong smell of booze.

"Whaaat? Why no one told me we havin' dinner together?" The drunken mess of a woman, Bosen, leans on a servant's shoulder, unable to stand on her own.

Daddy unfolds his napkin and puts it on his lap. "You were told this morning."

"Sorwy, I forgot."

He directs his gaze at the servant. "Take her to her bed."

"Nah, 'tis fine, I'll watch y'all eat 'n stuff." She detaches from her attendant, somehow manages to reach the table, and falls right into the chair across from Daddy.

He looks at Hoshina and Jogi. "You may eat."

A sharp click pierces Hoshina's ears. Jogi has stabbed her steak with such force it struck the plate. She's also staring directly at Bosen, who notices her stare.

"Anything new, pumpkin?"

"No." Jogi looks away, a long orange strand of hair falling onto her plate. She abruptly shoves it aside.

"What about you, sugar?"

"I got a pretty cool runic dagger from the Nabigeta family," Hoshina replies.

"Bleh, 'tis such a stupid gift. What's the occasion by the way?" Jogi sets her glass down with a thud. Hoshina pays her no mind and keeps the conversation going.

"My birthday."

"Ah, right. Happy b-day, sugar."

"It's actually three days from now."

A light yawn escapes Bosen. "Gottit, remin' me to congratulate you in three days."

"I'll do."

"Good, good..." Her head dips down a few times. "And remember to always..." She starts snoozing. Jogi slams her hand on the table, stands, and charges toward her.

"Jogi, sit down." She ignores Daddy's order. Upon reaching Bosen, she starts shoving her.

"Not now, Carudo," Bosen mumbles, "I gotta go home tomorrow." Who's Carudo? Jogi grunts for some reason.

"You…" She starts shaking her. "Wake up! You worthless piece of crap!"

"Jogi, behave!" Father commands.

"But—"

"Don't sink to her level." This seems to get through to her, as she backs away from Bosen, and her shoulders drop.

"You're right. Forgive me, father." Jogi goes back to her seat. Bosen's head falls on the table and she starts snoring.

༻──⋆༺𓆩⋆𓆪༻⋆──༺

Minutes later, the servants remove the empty plates, along with the untouched ones around the unconscious Bosen. Two of the taller ones lift her and carry her out.

Daddy stands up and leaves without a word—nothing out of the ordinary.

Hoshina stays focused on her treat. Though she knows pickles aren't typically considered a dessert item, she finds them so tasty that she doesn't mind.

"Doesn't it frustrate you?" Jogi's sudden question catches her so off guard her first response is a burp.

"What do you mean?"

"She's pathetic, I don't know why Father keeps her around."

"Isn't it obvious?"

Jogi pauses for an instant. Her eyes widen. "You mean he still loves her?"

"What? Really?"

"Eh?"

"Huh?"

Both remain in silence until Jogi is the one to break it.

"Then why do you think our father hasn't kicked her out?"

"To keep her as an example of what not to do. She's embarrassing and inappropriate, the opposite of what we aspire to be, right?"

"Could be… but I still can't stand her. What happened to her? When did she fall so low?" Hoshina's only reaction is a shrug.

"Does it matter?"

"I guess not."