When Lauriam woke up, the house was silent. If he listened carefully enough, he could hear a light snoring coming from the room facing his, and he chuckled as he went down the stairs.

He opened the windows, letting some fresh air in, changed the flowers water, and put the kettle on the fire. He took a shower, drying his hair carefully, always wanting to look like his best self. He then came back to the kitchen, picking the kettle up and making some floral tea. He finally sat, enjoying his breakfast in silence, checking the clock.

It was almost time to go. He prepared everything for her breakfast, folded her clothes on a chair, and swiftly climbed up the stairs, knocking at her door.

"I'm leaving now. I pressed some oranges for you, make sure to drink that! Your lunch is on the counter. I'm probably going to be late for dinner again, so don't wait for me, there are leftovers in the fridge."

A muffled groan answered back behind the door, and he laughed. She really wasn't a morning person.

"Don't be late, okay? Be careful on your missions. Don't accept any mission too high level for you! And brush your teeth before leaving!"

He heard a thud on the other side and the door shook a bit. She had thrown her pillow at the door. He couldn't stop smiling.

"Alright, alright, I'm leaving. Chirithy, if she isn't up in five minutes, kick her out of bed! See you later, pumpkin!"

Another growl accompanied him as he left. She disliked that nickname more than anything, and he obviously knew that. But that was what siblings were for, constant teasing and calling each other silly names. He only wished he got to spend more time with her.

His party was full of very competitive people. He didn't mind much, but they required him to spend a lot of time with them, collecting more and more Lux everyday, spending a lot of time fighting Raid Bosses. For these last two weeks, you would get twice as much Lux on every Raid Boss, and they were slaying them from dusk to dawn. He would leave before his sister woke up, and come back home when she was already asleep. He missed her. And, more importantly, he really worried for her.

They couldn't be more different when it came to socializing.

He was obviously an extrovert. He couldn't live without being surrounded by others. He liked people, and always had his ways with them. He never had any issue making new friends, warm to everyone, and people would often come to him. His party friends often joked he should become the party leader, but he would refuse politely with a smile. He barely had any time to spend with his sister ; he didn't want any further responsibility. That's what he told them, anyway. He kept secret the book Master Ava gave him, the job that came with it. Within a few days, he would meet the other Dandelions leaders. He wondered who they were. He did not worry about getting along with them - he got along with everyone, and everyone got along with him. No, what worried him was that Master Ava had mentioned a war, and the book was very clear about it. There would be a fight, and not everyone would make it out. He had sworn not to tell anyone, and now he regretted such a promise. He wanted, no, he needed his baby sister to be safe. She was all he had.

She was the shyest creature he ever met. Only when they were alone did he ever see her laugh, raise her voice or pout. She wasn't good at making friends, at interacting with others. When she was little, kids would often pick on her, bullying her for being really quiet and weak. How many times did he punch other children, sometimes younger, sometimes older than him? He had soon learnt a more efficient way, though, and was now very knowledgeable about many children in this town - knowing exactly their weak points, how to threaten and blackmail with a smile. Perhaps this was why he had started getting along with people so well in the first place: to learn all he could to keep his sister safe.

He wished he had spent more time with her lately. He had no idea how things were going in her party. If she had made any friend at all. He had heard her mention an Elrena a few times, but had no idea if they were close. Was she lonely? Was she spending the whole day alone, to come back home and eat dinner without her brother, crying herself to sleep like she did when she was younger? He suddenly wanted to go home. To ignore the Lux collect today, to sit at a table with her, and to talk, to listen. To cheer her up if she was feeling down. To tell her she wasn't alone, she wouldn't ever be. Perhaps even break his promise, tell her about the war, convince her to join the Dandelions. To be where he could keep her safe.

"Hey, Lauriam, we're going," one of his party member called. Lauriam closed his eyes for a second, and sighed. He couldn't let them down. He would try to come home early, perhaps skipping the last boss of the day, so that he could have dinner with her.

He smiled. "I'm coming!" he said, following his friends, thinking of the dinner that night, thinking of the Dandelions leaders he would meet the next day, thinking of how they could keep Strelitzia, the most valuable person in his life, safe.

He smiled, not knowing coming home now would have been his last chance to see his sister. Unaware that the bells would chime on the very next day. Oblivious to the fact his world was ending right now.

Having this one right after yesterday's one was not on purpose, but is a (un)happy coincidence! I think there's a khux JP update planned on the 23rd, so perhaps we'll get to know more then?

Twenty-first theme (which might be posted late, or not, I'm out all day with my family so I'm not sure I'll be able to post it on time) is Journey!