Father and Daughter

Arched black-violet scaled bridges stretch below, leading to the population in Luxoria, Region of Eversnow.

The winter clan's main branch is housed in a polished marbled stone building shaped as a horn. Its orate structure is situated on a rocky outcrop, surrounded by sparkling snowy water, with a magnificent dragon entrance. On each side of the wings are enormous ice soldiers.

Inside the building is the Melpomene family. Azure spires engrave on creamy walls, which extend a massive living space, dark purple velvet seats and two chandeliers hanging from the dipped ceiling.

The warm atmosphere is dainty as close clan members from Winter Clan chat and chill around a long circular dining table.

Delicious half eaten food scatters the brown surface.

“Brownie cake or cookie cake?”

“Neither. They’re both too thickly sweet.”

“But if you had to choose.. which one?”

“Do you not realize how annoying your very voice is?”

“That still isn’t an answer. Shall I rephrase it in a simpler form?”

Kaltain listens silently to her cousins, Nero Sagan and Lilith Kaida as they sit around a white christmas tree, which is placed in the centre of a large spiraling staircase to the left side.

Red and green decorations enfold in beige lights wrapped gently around the tree.

On the nearby wall were candles lit with soft orange-red fire. The smell of cinnamon, fresh food and vanilla wafts through the inferior.

Lilith Kaida once again was being cold to Nero. Their interaction reminding Kalatin of an older sister and younger brother. Both of their siblings passed. Nero's older sister died during a trial at Lightless, while Lilith's three brothers were unfortunately in Althea when the Tragedy of North occurred.

“You haven’t visited us at Lightless,” Nero says, almond purple eyes regarding Kaltain accusingly.

“I saw no reason too,” Kaltain replies without much thought, her head resting upon her palm, wearing a matching comfy set of red pajamas with snowflake designs. “Besides, I was busy, you know, with surviving.”

Lilith's refined exterior appears neutral, her porcelain olive skin highlighted by her light blue hair styled in curtain bangs, wearing a delicate black lace headscarf.

“All the more reason you should have,” Lilith chimes in, her golden eyes twinkling with brown. “We literally share a room, yet you ignore me.”

“Oh.” Kaltain ran her fingers through her frizzy hair, confusion written on her face.

She didn’t understand their anger. Yeah, the three of them are close; family wise. She would mourn them as they would her, but at Lightless, everyone should look out for themselves before anything else.

Kaltain was doing that in her own quite chaotic way—she truly forgot about them, her mind wandering elsewhere every day at Lightless.

Kaltain thinks to herself how cowardly she must be to not simply admit that. ‘Maybe because it would hurt their feelings? I don’t know. Hmm, it’s more about the effort it would take to deal with their hurt and my own guilt.’

Instead of facing that reality, Kaltain smothered its existence to a dull flicker.

“Who ate the last slice of apple pie?”

“Calm down, brother, there is more in the kitchen.”

“Is it frosted?”

“No.”

“Ughhhh.”

Chatter flows around, filled with awe, gratitude, frustration, and joy.

Shifting to rest on her knees, her muscles softening above a separate seat cushion, Kaltain drapes a pulpy blanket over her lap.

She ignores the disdain on her cousin's faces, feeling at a loss.

The words were there, floating in Kaltain's mind and on the tip of her tongue. She would tell Lilith that she kept up with them through rumors and social media, something that would reassure the older girl that her existence was on Kaltain's mind. 

Then, she would mock Nero about how clingy he is to the clan and to get a life—they would go back and forth until old happy memories manifested in the conversation.

They would then spend the rest of the night reminiscing.

However, unlike that choice of reality, Kaltain keeps quiet, her gaze intently focused on her phone.

‘Should I text him? What would I say? Hey, how are you? Merry Christmas?’ Kaltain fingertips rub gently over the phone screen. ‘Does he celebrate it?’

Before Kaltain can continue to ponder, Ataraxia appears from behind and taps her shoulder roughly.

Kaltain head turns and lifts, seeing wild excitement swimming in silt silver eyes. 

Ataraxia's tranquil demeanor is keen. Her rosy pink curly shag hair frames a stunning heart-shaped face, its tendrils stiffly to one side. Her fair skin appears pale under the lights.

Standing up and thrusting her phone into her pocket, Kaltain notices the four inch difference between them and scowls. ”What up?”

Ataraxia’s mouth tips up in amusement, as if understanding her sister's repugnance. “Come, I have something for you.”

She pats Kaltain's head delicately before trudging upstairs, the sleek and unyielding steps are covered in a soft velvet carpet, which leads from the hallway center to various rooms.

“We already did gifts,” Kaltain comments, anticipation coursing through her.

“I know.” Ataraxia flashes an eerie grin over her shoulder. “But I have one more for you. I couldn’t give it to you in front of so many witnesses.”

Her painted pink nails contrast against a chestnut door as she pushes it open.

Entering the first room on the left, Kaltain trails behind Ataraxia, her footsteps slowing to a halt before a queen sized bed. “Give me what?”

“You’ll see.” Ataraxia proceeds with grace towards a walk-in closet, striding past three rows of clothes wrapped in gentle clear plastic, with different types of heels laid out in front of the racks.

‘What could it be? The others couldn’t see it for some reason.’ The mystery churn Kaltain's mind.

A long rectangle box in blue and deep silver wrapping paper is in Ataraxia's hands when she returns.

Accepting the gift, Kaltain wastes no time unwrapping it. An exquisite revolver greets her sight, with a long and thin barrel, a handle made of dark wood, its surface smooth with runes and polished to a fancy red gleam.

The runes were a work of art; the designs mythology and unknown, paired with a shimmering obsidian glow emanating from it.

Dots of knowledge slam into her head—Void Revolver. Abilities: nullify power, shockwave bullets, and endless load of bullets.

Ataraxia watches Kaltain with a fond expression as she sits on her bed.

“A celestial weapon,” Kaltain breathes in awe. An ecstatic shiver runs through her. “Isn’t having this before I graduate illegal?”

“Yes, so don’t use it until then,” Ataraxia commands solemnly.

“So, I’ll have two,” Kaltain mumbles, her pulse racing giddily. She places the revolver gently back in the box and turns to joyfully hug her sister.

“I glad you like it,” Ataraxia gives a nervous laugh, returning the embrace.

“Thank you,” Kaltain repeats a few times in glee.

****

The happiness of receiving a celestial weapon feels so far away to Kaltain as she stands impatiently in her fathers office. Her fingers fidget behind her back, straining to keep an impassive expression.

Hael Melpomene leans tentatively in his chair, his face intense and thoughtful. “Have you made any friends?”

‘Easy conversation first.’ Kaltain lips twitch down. ‘Good.’ “Yes, father.”

“Are they good to you?”

“People who want something from you always are.”

“Guard as always, Kitty,” Hael sighs, the sound tinged with frustration and mild amusement.

Annoyance bubbles in Kaltain. “I’m a daughter of Winter Clan.”

Hael nods subtly and clears his throat, his arm resting upon the desk surface in a regal air. “Your sister is returning for good.”

Kaltain arches a brow, a tremor passes through her hands. She knew Ataraxia returned for the holidays after running away to Phthartic knows where, but was anticipating her leave again.

Kaltain isn’t really sure what to think of the situation. Her sister's abandonment and disregard to the clan or her sudden appearance as if she never left. Ataraxia actions thus far were an embarrassment and hurtful.

Kaltain is angry, confused, and frustrated, yet lonely and sad. The holidays lessened these emotions, but it all came back in a vicious rush now.

“Why?” she asks, her tone unintentionally harsh.

“She has business here. Besides, don't you miss her?” Hael shots a knowing look at Kaltain, as if he saw through her indifference. “Your mother, brother, and I do, so we’ll be having family dinners again. Every Friday. We haven’t had those in a year. It’s time to change things back to how they were.”

“Will Ziven be there if we do?” The words escape in an impulse urge to keep the despair. Kaltain regrets them instantly.

Hael goes silent, sorrow crossing his face as he frowns deeply.

“We can’t go back,” Kaltain mutters in an empty voice, unable to help her honesty. “We survive and move on. Life works easier that way. If even I know that much, father, I expect you to be embed with this truth.”

With a grim expression, Hael speaks softly and earnestly, “It doesn’t hurt to get together with loved ones once in a while, Kitty.”

“It shouldn’t,” Kaltain agrees. “But it does.”