Revamped!

[I had so much fun writing the banter between Channary and Levana. Channary is unbelievable but I loved writing her.]

Burned to Cinder: Part Two

Channary sits in her office with a fresh cigarette in its holder in one hand and a pen in the other as she looks over her paperwork. Her eyes alternate views between her papers and her baby daughter who plays on a carpet on the ground nearby. Channary could've gotten a babysitter for Selene but she refused. She wanted her baby at her hip and with her reputation in Luna, she didn't trust just anyone to watch over her daughter. Besides, she didn't make the baby just to have some stranger coddle it. Also, maybe the maternal aspect would make her more likable and gain a new support base. Who else wouldn't like a woman who could handle being a single mother and run an authoritarian state at the same time?

Channary looks over at Selene and notices that she's crawled all the way to the fireplace which was luckily turned off. Channary immediately gets up from her seat, coughing along the way, and rushes over to pick up her now-dirty baby. She laughs as Selene rests on her chest, not caring if her clothes are stained with soot and charcoal now. Selene tugs on Channary's hair as she looks back at the fireplace.

"No," Channary scolds playfully as Levana walks in. "No fireplaces for you, my little cinder."

Levana snickers to herself as she watches her sister and her niece. "I noticed that the two of you are dirty women. She's dirty with dirt and you're dirty with men."

"Ha, ha," Channary states as she circles back to her desk with Selene in her arms. "Look, Levana, I won't be attending the military gala tonight so it'll be just you."

"Already hit with postpartum depression? I'm sure Luna felt the same way."

Channary rolls her eyes. "Don't be ridiculous. I trust no one but my blood to watch over my baby and I have a last-minute appointment."

"I couldn't care less for the reasons behind your absence. It makes my day. I wouldn't miss this military ball for the world."

-o-

Levana didn't care much for the military gala except that it was a celebration for the soldiers and she was deeply in love with one. If there weren't so many complications with General Evret Hayle, Levana would've snatched him right up. The issue is that Evret was already married to Solstice Hayle, a trendy fashion designer, and they were madly in love with one another which made Levana sick. However, Solstice died while giving birth to their daughter, which meant that Evret was now available and a single father. Levana was, as morbid as it was to say, delighted to hear about Solstice's passing. It almost got Evret to leave the military for their daughter, but Levana charmed him into staying for the country.

That was when she knew that he had a chance with him.

At the gala, Levana sips of her cocktail and bites the olive off her toothpick when her eyes land on Evret. She sees his dark skin, curly hair, and muscular body underneath that well-fitted tuxedo. His eyes glimmer emerald and grey. He was a beautiful man and she wanted to eat him alive.

This is her chance.

Levana strides over. Her raven hair is swept up and held in place with golden combs. A ruby choker circles her neck, matching her lips. It's impossible to guess her age since no lines vandalize her face. Many assume her to be way older than she is due to her status, position in her sister's Cabinet, and the way she presents herself. But in reality, she wasn't even 30. Men stare and try to get her attention to pull her over but she doesn't care about them because her eyes are fixed on one man. It doesn't matter how much attention she got since it's not from the person she wants.

"Evret," Levana greets with an effortless flirtatious vibe. "Hello, you look well this evening."

"Hello, Levana," Evret responds casually. "Will Channary be attending this evening?"

"No. She's at home with Selene. She refused to hire a sitter."

"I understand. I left Winter with a babysitter and just want to be home with her now." He laughs a little at the thought of his baby. "I hope she isn't being much trouble."

"Speaking of your little Winter, how is she?"

"She's doing well. It's hard to raise a daughter given that -"

"Evret," Levana cuts off, putting a hand on his chest to stop him. "You don't have to continue. I know how much you lost. It wasn't only your wife but the mother of your daughter who greatly resembles her. I understand that since Selene unbelievably looks so much like Channary. Just know that if you need it, I'm here and available for you and Winter in case she needs a maternal touch in her life."

Levana looks right into Evret's eyes as he thinks about her proposal. His eyes glow for a moment and that's when Levana thinks that she's snagged him, but he backs away.

"This doesn't feel right, Levana," Evret tells her. "It's too soon."

Levana nods. "Of course. I understand. Just know that my offer will still stand for as long as it lingers in your mind."

-o-

After the gala, Levana returns to Channary who she sees sitting on a table with a cigarette in her hand and misery written all over her face. That sight brings a sadistic smile to Levana's face as she approaches her sister and takes a seat across from her. She still has on her dress from the gala and crosses her legs as she waits for Channary to say something, possibly about how baby Selene is sleeping in the next room or maybe even in the fireplace.

"What happened, older sister?" Levana asks her with an expected Channary vibe.

Channary exhales smoke. "The doctor has diagnosed me emphysema."

Levana scoffs as she fans away some smoke with her hand. "Well, I wonder why."

Channary glares at her. "Shut up."

Levana smirks. "And the tragic yet oh-so desired downfall of Channary Blackburn begins. I'm so delighted to be a part of it."

"Please, my lungs feel like they're collapsed but pain is simply weakness leaving the body. I'll be fine and will see my baby grow up. For fun, a friend from university and I planned a marriage between my Selene and her son who's Selene's age. Mariko married the Mayor of Commonwealth."

Levana rolls her eyes at the idea of an arranged marriage since that's something Channary would do: have control over anything she can - even if that was just a simple and childlike fantasy.

"Arranged marriages are archaic," Levana states although Channary wouldn't give a spade. "Not to mention that Commonwealth and all of The Earthen Union hates us because of how you treat the lower class. Do you know how many people and families left their whole lives and fled to Commonwealth?"

Channary doesn't bat a lash. "Have you professed your pathetic schoolgirl crush for General Hayle yet?"

Levana sucks a breath. Of course, Channary turns the table from her playing board to her pawn. "Possibly."

"You're ten years younger than him and he has a newborn baby. Are you trying to be a trophy wife?"

"Not at all."

"Thought so. You're no pretty prize for anyone to win."

Levana should've seen the insult coming but she got distracted over the conversation being about Evret. She never understood why Channary often insulted her looks when they both looked the same. They both resembled gypsy queens with dark hair, skin that always looks slightly tanned, and sharp cheekbones.

"Evret will marry me," Levana states.

Channary cackles until she coughs into her arm. She takes a breath to compose herself. "Don't worry, baby sister, when you're ugly and someone loves you, you know they love you for who you are. As an older and wiser woman with more life and male experience, I wouldn't advise going down that path. It will only lead to heartache. And to think that I made you my advisor."

"As if I have a heart," Levana retorts.

"I believe you do and it's underneath your and equally non-existent dark soul."

Channary cackles again. Levana hopes that her irritating laugh wakes up Selene in a fit of cries that will keep Channary up the whole night.

"Oh, just die already!" Levana yells at her.

Channary raises an eyebrow. "Wouldn't you love that?"

-o-

After Levana left, Channary walks up to Selene's nursery which brought her out of breath. For once, she didn't have a cigarette in her hand or a snarky comment in her throat. She leaves the lights off in Selene's room, using only the moonlight to navigate up to the crib. Once she's made it, she rests her arms as she peeks over to look at her daughter.

Channary never planned to have a daughter but when she found out that she was pregnant, she loved every minute of it, especially when she found out that she was having a girl. It was a chance to pass on her glamorous life to her creation. To her, it didn't matter who Selene's father was because she was her daughter. (And besides, she only screwed around with well-rounded and handsome men and didn't know which one won the race.)

At least, until, however, long she has left.

Her lungs are collapsed and there was no turning back from that. She'll never see her baby grow up. She had to plan and hope for the best for Selene.

Channary traces the fine dark hair on Selene's sleeping head. Selene stirs in her sleep but doesn't wake up.

"I'll soon go to the stars, Selene…" Channary whispers to her. "I've lived a young woman's life of brutal perfection. You know, you've got a lot to learn about the world. It's yours to play with so you make it the way you want. You hear me, Selene?"

No response. It's not like she expected one.

Channary sighs. "Forget it, you're just a baby and I shouldn't be laying these depressing aces on you. I'll tell you this, though, you'll have to be a whole lot tougher if you want to make it. Your life has just begun and there's a ton of things out there you've never laid eyes on or could imagine."

Channary leans into the crib and plants a kiss on Selene's forehead.

[Just an FYI, this isn't like Fairest where Levana is a teenager. The ages are altered and Levana is already an adult here, as I have mentioned.]