Relative
Never let anyone say
You're not really sisters
You're there for each other,
In every way that matters,
Even though you argue.
That's more than many can say.
"That was so fresh !" Callie bounces and waves to her co-stars for the last time—well, for now. "We're gonna win awards for this, I'm sure of it!"
Her favorite make-up artist laughs. "I wouldn't go that far, but who knows," she says, then swoops down with a brush one more time and dusts Callie's chin. "I'll see you at the premiere?"
"If we don't work together before then," Callie says, and slings her purse over her shoulder. "Good night, everyone! I love you all!"
They call good night's to her, good wishes, as Callie leaves the studio, swinging her hips. Filming for Legally Squid is over. It's done. Mary left this morning, to visit Calamari County and her father; Callie's kinda sad she can't go. She pulls out her phone and checks the messages: Mary left her a text. It's a shame you can't come, but you go kick butt on set. I'll see you soon, remember!
Callie smiles. It's just like Mary, to support her like this. See you soon, she types back. She will. Filming all this should only be a few months, after all. Two years at the most. She can do two years.
Callie takes a deep breath and makes her way through Inkopolis, her purse over her shoulder, drinking in everything. She could take the bus, but she walks. She needs a chance to see it all, one last time. No need to go back to her apartment; everything is already at her new place in Inktopia. But she needs to give the statues good-luck pats. To admire the statues in the art academy. To stop outside the news, not close enough to be noticed, and see Marina and Pearl settled in well.
The two of them laugh as they talk. Callie's hearts ache. She misses it.
But it's time to move on. To squid her way through the airport's secret entrance. Harbor meets her there, a huge smile on his face, and offers her his arm.
She takes it. "So, an overnight flight?"
"Yep," he confirms, leading her. "We got a private plane scheduled, actually. It'll be a little slower, so you should be able to get a full night's sleep as you fly."
Callie nods, and lets him lead her through the airport. Somehow, they don't encounter anyone before ending up at the small plane, just big enough for eight seats; a smiling flight attendant stands from one. "We should be empty, so you can sleep," she says, twisting her hands. "But I will note all electronics must be turned off before we go. May I have your phone? Just as a precaution, but—"
Callie swallows, turns off her phone (it'll be locked when it opens, there's no worry about anyone snooping) and hands it over.
The flight attendant smiles. "Thank you," she says. "If you'll get seated, then we can take off."
"Don't I get to meet the pilot?" Callie chirps, though she knows she won't.
But instead, Harbor grins at her. "That's me! I'm not popular like my sister, but I know how to fly."
"That's awesome!" Callie grabs his hand and squeezes it. She did see mention of that, when she made sure he was safe; it looks like more octolings will be coming to Inkopolis, if they can sneak out. Ones who saw her and Mary beat DJ Octavio. "You have a sister? Did she come here with you?" Because that could be the only reason he calls her 'popular'.
Harbor laughs and pulls his hand away. "I don't know if she'd want to associate with me anymore. We... didn't have the best relationship, and besides, she's..."
"She's what?" Callie asks. "She's your family, maybe I could help smooth things over. Nothing like a talk from a movie star to—"
"Her name is Marina," Harbor says, looking back at her and away, and Callie's heart squeezes because she knew Marina had a brother. "She's Marina Ida, like I'm Harbor Ida, and..." he rubs a hand down his face. "I miss her."
Well, at least Callie can help with this. "I bet she misses you, too," she says. "But we can talk more later. Time to take off?"
"Yeah," he says.
So Callie settles into her seat and looks outside. When she gets her phone back, then—not immediately, once she's in her little apartment, she'll call Marina. Tell her that Callie met her brother. Get the goods.
And, maybe, get them to make up.
She hums to herself as the engines start up, a song that won't leave the back of her mind. Ya weni marei... outside the window, the ground and clouds shimmer, and for a second, Callie swears she's looking at—
Someone kicks her chair. "Did Mary write your songs, or your manager?" asks the flight attendant. "That's terrible ."
Callie blinks. She's looking at the sky, now, and the ground getting further away every second. "Sorry," Callie says. There's music playing from somewhere in the plane; piano, it sounds like, and maybe harp. It makes her want to relax. Callie makes herself comfortable and settles back to sleep.