If Chandra hadn't known better, she'd swear this was the first time in her life she'd ever felt snug. After the exhausted, abysmal mood and sore, tense muscles of yesterday, her feeling of bliss now felt like a high she had never experienced. When she awoke from her dreamless twelve hours of sleep, she found the energy to take a badly needed shower and immediately returned to warm blankets. Chandra had become spent a lot of time in bed over the past week and she was finally able to enjoy it
Holding her phone under the covers, aimlessly trying to find something to watch, it jingled with a notification and she was unable to ignore the message from Liliana as it as it briefly enveloped her screen.
Can you please check my room for a green shoulderbag?
I believe I left it under my desk. Thanks.
Ensuring Liliana she would try, Chandra lethargically left her bed for the room next to hers. She realized now that there was a bit of lingering pain, but she was in too good a mood to care.
The bag was exactly where it was supposed to be and Chandra informed her that there was no need to worry. As she waited for some kind of response, it occurred to her that this was the first time she had been in her step sisters room by herself. Snooping through drawers and in closets was beneath her, but she figured it was still a situation to be taken advantage of.
The photos on the desk were, unsurprisingly, the most compelling. Most of them were just Liliana with people Chandra didn't know, though they were young, so she figured it was friends rather than family. The first picture that stood out was one taken at Pia and Jovi's marriage ceremony – with the four of them standing together. Chandra was a little surprised at just how happy she looked – matching the glow of the other three.
What really surprised Chandra, was that the Nalaar/Vess family photo seemed to be the only one with a woman old enough to be Liliana's mother. The original Mrs. Vess was still alive, but from where Chandra was standing, it seemed she had never existed at all. It's not my place to ask what happened but whatever it was, I understand why she's so excited to have a new mother.
As Chandra bent down to pick up the bag, she noticed one last picture that was hiding behind the others. She was familiar with the kind of picture it was – one you don't want to look at, but you feel guilty about putting it away. The thought of people seeing it scares you, yet a part of you hopes someone asks you about it. It was a picture of Liliana. She was younger, around twelve, sitting in what looked like a hospital with a young man who looked so like Liliana that if it weren't for the clear age difference, Chandra would have guessed they were identical twins.
I always assumed Josu was younger when he died. I guess the story seemed so tragic that a boy dying fit better. It was tough to pinpoint Liliana's brother's exact age, but it was old enough that she didn't feel weird about thinking, I guess everyone in that family is just beautiful.
It's here.
Wonderful. Can you leave the front door unlocked?
I need to come get it.
I guess she assumes I'll be asleep. An inspiration came to Chandra that would actually involve doing something nice.
You're at school right?
I'll bring it to you.
Chandra's phone rang within seconds and she answered, "what's up?" She was playing dumb; Chandra knew Liliana was calling to talk her out of making the trek to the university.
"Stop!" Chandra was so taken aback by the uncharacteristically abrupt and harsh tone that she failed to find words and waited for Liliana to continue. "I can come home and get it. Stay where are you are."
While Liliana's concern was obviously coming from a place of compassion, Chandra found the desperation a little insulting and when she felt scorned, she got reckless. "Already out the door. See you soon." Good thing I already showered.
Bag in hand, Chandra returned to her room to change. Ignoring Liliana's attempt to call her again, she started getting excited. What could be a more appropriate adventure after a flashback than delivering a package? She knew that whatever Liliana needed wasn't as important as tactical information, or aether energy supplies, but Chandra was determined all the same – enough that she was willing to look past how juvenile she felt aiming to dress the part.
It took some digging in still unpacked boxes, but she was able to find her single ball cap. Chandra still owned it for purely sentimental reasons as she thought all hats looked ridiculous on her – her opinion validated by her mirror after she put it on. And my nice, comfy blue sweater, hood up, of course.
Chandra learned overtime that here was a common misconception about how to dress when you're trying to sneak around. People always seem to think that you needed to be an inconspicuous as possible, that if you look like you're trying to hide yourself, you're more likely to get noticed. While this was true, Chandra was never worried about the police noticing her. She was more concerned about them chasing her, capturing her or killing her.
With her hood up and face buried under the brim of a black cap, to the average citizen, she looked like someone you wouldn't want to see in a dark alley. To a consulate soldier, she looked like one more moody teenager likely holding some small amount of alcohol, weed or a pitiful excuse for a weapon that would only bring them paperwork if they decided to detain you. There were a lot more of those on Kaladesh than redheads.
A rebel she regularly worked with once told her, 'if your enemy has even the slightest description of what you look like, you're better off wearing a giant gremlin mask than no disguise at all. No police officer wants to deal with a nut in a gremlin mask unless they absolutely have to.' That taught her all she needed to know about disguises.
So caught up in her nostalgia, Chandra almost forgot why Liliana didn't want her leaving the house. As she turned from her impressive reflection, she gauged how she felt and everything seemed well. Not the kind of well from yesterday morning where she felt like shit but was at least confident she could survive the day. Chandra thought to herself, no cause for concern.
The trip to the campus was pleasant and uneventful. She considered taking a taxi, but her confidence carried her on to public transit. When she messaged Liliana to announce her arrival, her sister responded that she was in Gym A, which raised questions that she figured would be answered when she got there.
Her sense of direction was good enough that she was able to plot a course after briefly observing a map. She decided to take the long way around so she could enjoy the day. It was sunny, but chilly like an Autumn day should be. In her flimsy sweater, Chandra was under dressed for the weather but shivering gave her something to fixate on and the crisp air reaching her skin through her thin clothes reminded her that she was still calm. During her anxiety attacks, the harshest blizzard wouldn't stop the nervous warmth spreading through her body.
As she found her destination, she realized, this is the first time ever going into one of these, or even hearing of someone else being in one. If there's no gym class, why do we have so many gyms? It was overly simplistic thinking but she still couldn't help but wonder.
Aimlessly wandering, Chandra eventually found a court and, standing with their backs to her, were Liliana and another woman. They both large bags that were much longer than they were thick hanging off their shoulders and wore the same orange shorts and sky blue tops with TWU on the back. There seemed to be no one else in the building, but they were still speaking more quietly than they needed to like they were worried the room was bugged or didn't want to risk Chandra hearing them.
Chandra eloquently announced herself, "uhm, hey" and removed her hat and hood as it seemed the polite thing to do. The two quickly turned around and Liliana rushed over to her with the other woman following slowly behind.
"Why did you not answer your phone," Liliana asked sternly.
"I figured you were just going to try and talk me out of coming here."
Liliana growled through clinched teeth, "and rightfully so." She seems more worried than I thought she'd be
"You must be Chandra," the stranger stated matter-of-factly and Chandra saw Liliana rolling her eyes slightly. The mystery woman closed the gap and Chandra was able to see just how much taller she was than either of them – not an insignificant feat as both of them were above average height. Her bright green eyes and dark skin brought out the best in each other and her hair reached down to her neck on one side and was shaved on the other.
Before Chandra could acknowledge this other woman's assessment, she continued, "so you're the one that called Lily a wimp?"
The takeaway from that question should have been the question itself, but Chandra had to stifle a chuckle. Lily? The cute, condensed version seemed too improper to be allowed, but that wasn't what Liliana objected to.
"I never said that," she blurted with a vexed tone.
"Whatever. She told me you said she couldn't hack it as a soldier – something like that." I did? I don't remember saying that. I probably just said it in passing without realizing it. This was something Chandra had a tendency to do and forget immediately. "What she didn't tell me was how cute you are. I'm Vivien by the way." Before Chandra could make sense of what was happening, she found her hand being shaken and cupped simultaneously.
Scathingly, Liliana interrupted, "leave her alone, Vivien." Chandra wasn't going to say anything, but she appreciated the support. There weren't too many times in her life that someone called her cute and like every other time it had happened, she thought, why is this girl making fun of me? I just met her. Chandra considered glaring at Vivien but felt the room was already tense enough.
Vivien raised her hands defensively. "My bad. My bad." She seemed unphased by Liliana's coldness. "Now, Lily, what do say we show Chandra if you could hack it?"
"If I do, will you shut up?" As far as Chandra could recall, that was the most vulgar she had ever heard her speak. These two must be on a team together, because they sure as hell ain't friends.
"Think you can do a baseball?" Vivien breezed right past answering Liliana's question which Chandra figured meant that she either took is as a rhetorical, or she didn't want to commit to an answer.
"I can try." I guess those are baseball bats in those bags, but I'm pretty sure you don't play baseball inside. Liliana began unzipping the bag while simultaneously reaching into a smaller pocket on the side of it. Chandra could have made a lot of guesses as to what was hiding in it, but the long and intense looking bow that was pulled out was not was not on that list.
Chandra felt her eyes widen uncontrollably and she heard Vivien snicker. "Looks like we've got her attention." As Liliana pulled out an arrow from the side pocket, she had a look of solemn determination like she didn't want to be doing this but also desperately didn't want to mess it up. The bitterness wasn't much to admire, but Chandra was taken aback by how powerful she looked drawing back the string.
In turn, Vivien retrieved a baseball from her bag and stood back to the edge of the gym, wound up a pitch and let it go with an enthusiastic grunt that was probably a signal for Liliana's sake. It was a hard throw that was almost beyond Chandra's reaction time, but in an instant, Liliana let the arrow go – destroying the ball before it even began to slow down.
Chandra's eyes immediately returned to Liliana's face and she saw the slightest hint of a smirk. Gazing at all that skill and beauty, she realized that in her depression spell, she had forgotten how alluring Liliana was and now more so than ever. She could feel the heat of blood rushing to various parts of her body and knew if she tried to speak, it would have come out as nothing more than a throaty grunt.
"That's what I'm talkin' about!" Vivien yelled out as she ran back over to them; she clasped Liliana while looking over at Chandra. "What do you think of your sister now?"
I think she's amazing, just like I always have. I don't even remember having this conversation with her, but if Vivien is making such a big deal about it, that must mean Liliana was hurt enough to bring it up. Chandra murmured, "It was pretty good."
Vivien's grin upon hearing that meant she was satisfied with the answer; as she went to go retrieve the arrow and pieces of ball, Liliana turned to Chandra and the glimpse of smugness in her expression fleeted. Clearly the only one not enthralled with the situation, she only looked annoyed as she knelt down to put her bow away. Her complete silence was making Chandra nervous.
Once Vivien had finished picking up the fragments, she ran back over, bypassing Liliana as if she weren't there and got close to Chandra. "Lily has a class to get to, but if you want to stay, I can show you what I can do." She spoke in a shamelessly confident tone as if she were the one that had just proven her prowess.
Before Vivien finished, Chandra could see Liliana bringing herself back up – bow still in hand, turned and drew the weapon for a second time. "I said leave her alone, Vivien." Her tone was somehow even more frigid then before and Chandra couldn't grasp how someone could sound so composed while doing something so rash. Inspecting the bow, Chandra took note that it wasn't pointed directly at Vivien, but still thought, there's no weapon that could cut tension this thick.
Despite Liliana's bitter tone, vengeful expression and the loaded weapon, Vivien was calm as if she believed an arrow to the chest couldn't hurt her. "You know what? I think I'll leave you two to it." Her cheeky resolve in her voice wasn't shaken; she turned, said, "see ya', guys," gave Chandra a wink and dashed for the door while Liliana lowered the bow.
The gym door closed, echoing through the empty building. Liliana said something that sounded like 'sorry,' but Chandra was too mesmerized to hear anything clearly. Once she was confident they were alone, she turned to Liliana's disappointed face and yelled out, "dude, that was awesome!" Her voice overwhelmed the building, but she didn't care.
"Pardon?"
"You fuckin' blew that thing to pieces!" Chandra wasn't even trying to contain her voice or animated motions as she reenacted Liliana's shot and the decimation of the ball. "God damn!" She realized Liliana was as baffled by her excitement as she had been by her step sister threatening someone with a deadly weapon.
"Thank you," Liliana said as she bent back down to put her weapon away for good. "But there was nothing to make a fuss over."
With no intent on calming down, Chandra continued loudly, "Nothing to..." but civility rushed back to her when she noticed Liliana blushing. It was impossible to miss her now red cheeks illuminating her normally pale skin. She felt a little guilty, but it satisfied Chandra to finally not be the awkward one between them. Okay, time to calm down. "Nothing to fuss over?" Her voice was calmer, though forcing herself down so quickly left it shaky. "That was amazing."
Liliana secured everything in her duffle bag and brought it back on her shoulder while getting to her feet, seemingly ignoring Chandra's praise while her ears and face continued to glow. She wasted no time moving past the subject and asked, "are you okay?" There was hesitation in the way she spoke.
I forgot how worried she sounded when she called me. What must this look like to her? I'm acting like nothing happened after traumatizing her yesterday. For all she knows, I could be a moment away from hitting her again. Chandra's adrenaline left her in an instant and it felt like she exerted a weeks worth of energy in a minute. "Oh, right. I'm fine," she could hear her voice sounded as hollow the feeling that had just overtaken her. Deciding to get to the point she slid the bag she was delivering from her shoulder. "Here you go."
"Thank you." Liliana tied the strap around her wrist as she want to retrieve something from the small pocket of her case. "I have to go change. You should take a cab home," she said as she pulled out a wallet. "I can pay for it."
She wants you to go away. Hell, she never wanted you here in the first place. It's why she seemed so annoyed. Did you think she'd get over it in a day? "Don't worry. If I want a ride, my mother is finished soon. I can go bug her." She had no intention of doing this and to end the conversation, she said, "you should probably get going if you have a class to get to."
Liliana nodded, thanked her again and turned toward a locker room as they said their tense goodbyes. As the gym doors closed behind her, a realization made Chandra's body almost as tight as it was during her flashback. The soldier thing. I said it when we were drunk. She does remember what happened.