I didn't realize how far we were into this arc and, wow, time goes by fast.

Sifting Through Cinder: Part Six

Commonwealth, The Earthen Union

When Kai got home, he went straight to his room and fell asleep. He didn't eat dinner, change his clothes, and one of his drifting thoughts was wondering if he locked the front door. Wait, he's at Torin's house. Someone was bound to have locked the door. He must have really been out if he wasn't bothered.

He woke up early the next morning and went straight to the shower. He spent way too long in there but it was still early in the morning when he checked the time. Time is a construct. Kai was also starving but that's because he hasn't eaten in over twelve hours. Also, he did lock the front door, thank the stars. The photos and messages he got from Cinder made his day and gave him his first smile of the morning. He misses her.

Instead of figuring something to make for himself, he heads over to The Rampion. He hesitated on driving there because of yesterday's incident but he's too tired to walk.

He drives to The Rampion and sees Scarlet behind the counter. She smiles, waving him over as she brings an order to some early bird diners. Kai walks up to the bar counter, sitting next to Cress and Thorne as Scarlet returns.

"Are you good?" Cress asks, rubbing his arm.

Kai nods. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"We could just chill here until Scarlet's shift ends and then just figure out what to do," Thorne says. "Isn't that right, Scarlet?"

"Yup." Scarlet puts her hands on her hips. "I'll get you some fresh hotcakes on the house. Winter's coming too, right?"

-o-

Winter closes her car door as she holds her phone to her ear. She leans against her car as it rings. It's morning here so that means it's the evening there. Cinder shouldn't be busy but Winter wouldn't be surprised or bitter if she didn't pick up. She's in Artemisia finding her bio dad. She was busy. Winter just wanted someone to talk to after coming home to a drunk Levana pouring out her inner heart and soul over a bottle.

Step-Cousin Cinder: What's up, Winter?

Winter almost sighs relieved. "Am I interrupting something?"

Step-Cousin Cinder: No. We're just grabbing a bite to eat. How are things over there?

"Fine." Winter chews on her thumbnail for a minute. She isn't sure what to share and if it should be done over the phone. But should she wait a few more days? "I came home last night and Levana said some things."

Step-Cousin Cinder: What things?

"She was drunk and venting about your mother's death and my father's. This is the first year she could, I don't know, remember her sister without seeing your face."

Step-Cousin Cinder: Well she let me come here. That's on her.

Winter bites on her lips. She knew Cinder wouldn't be on her side emotionally because her quick-witted and defensive humour is how she handles anything, even if now is when she wants someone to empathize with the conversation. "Cinder, were Levana and my father ever happy?"

Winter notices that Cinder isn't saying anything. The call hasn't ended because Winter can hear Cinder's breathing as she thinks this over. That question

Step-Cousin Cinder: I mean, they weren't not happy. I don't know, Winter. They never had to sleep in separate rooms or go to couple's counselling - at least, not that we know of the latter. I wouldn't say they were a happily married couple but they managed to live together, raise us, and not despise each other - at least, again, that was to our faces. They seemed more like really good cohabiting partners to me.

Winter shrugs even if Cinder can't see her. "I think it was just unnerving to see Levana like that. Was she like that every year?"

Step-Cousin Cinder: I don't know. We never paid attention to Levana growing up and she didn't want us to. Maybe she did it in her room or her office. I think that when your father was still alive, she never did any of the sort.

"Good point but answer this. Levana asked me if my father would be proud of her today. Would he?"

This time, Winter really thinks the call went dead because she couldn't even hear breathing. She has to remove the phone from her ear to see if it's still going on. When Winter sees the time running, she returns the phone to her ear and waits. She knows that Cinder is probably thinking too. Sure, Levana wasn't the nicest person but everything she did always had an underlying goal of being for them. Sure, the move to Commonwealth was because she got a job but Winter was also going crazy and now she and Cinder have new lives.

Step-Cousin Cinder: Can I call you back on that one?

Winter laughs a little. "No."

Step-Cousin Cinder: But that's a hard question. What did you say?

"As if I'd tell you. You'll just agree with me."

Step-Cousin Cinder: Good point. I'd say that Evret would be proud. I mean, look at how great you and I turned out.

Winter playfully scoffs as she rolls her eyes, smiling a little as she looks up at the bright sky.

-o-

Artemisia, Luna

Cinder, Wolf, and Cress stand in Iko's dorm room with Kinney and Jacin. Tonight, Cinder was taking Wolf and Cress to the Artemis presentation where she would run into her biological father dearest. She would've brought Iko, Kinney, and Jacin but they just had to have a calculus exam at night. The three of them weren't cramming because there was no point. If they don't know it now, they won't know it in a few hours. Besides, Iko wanted to help them get dressed for this kind of semi-prestigious formal event and she knows that Cinder (and possibly Wolf) don't know how to present themselves for this type of night, especially since Cinder is meeting her father. It would've been more spacious to do this in the hotel room but Iko didn't want to carry many outfits over.

"You didn't tell us to pack anything for a party," Wolf says as he looks through options that Jacin and Kinney brought from their closets (as per Iko's orders).

"You expected her to?" Iko questions as she rummages through her closet.

"Point."

"You can keep this shirt," Jacin says, handing Wolf a simple white button-up.

"I would give him mine," Kinney says, holding up a similar one. "Keep both, actually."

"This is the only night I'm ever going to wear this," Wolf tells them as he tries on Kinney's. At least if it doesn't fit, he has Jacin's version.

"Not even your wedding?"

Wolf lightly shoves him. "Don't say things like that."

Cress perks up at the sound of one of her favourite words. She prances over with a few skirts in her hands. "What was that about a wedding?"

Wolf covers Cress's ears and sends her back to Iko and Cinder. He looks at Kinney and Jacin who are laughing amongst themselves. "That's why you keep your spades to yourself. Also, I'm not borrowing any pants. I'll just wear jeans. I don't care."

"Wow!" Cinder exclaims sarcastically. "You don't care about meeting my father?"

"I didn't come to Luna for that."

Cinder rolls her eyes as the boys laugh. Iko was right. Cinder brought Jacin and Kinney a friend. She looks back at all the outfits Iko laid out for Cinder because, as Iko has known for years, Cinder doesn't believe in fashion. She wears the same kinds of basic, simple, and durable clothing. Now that she actually has to dress up, Iko's dreams have come true. Forget her calculus exam, this is her true calling. She also had Cress to work with which was fun because Cress was adorable and dressed that way, but she was too self-conscious to wear anything from Iko's closet (but that didn't stop her from being curious).

"I don't like any of these," Cinder says, waving at all the options on Iko's bed.

"I'm offended," Iko says since these are her own clothes.

"I'm definitely not wearing a dress." Cinder puts all those options in a pile by the headboard. "I don't know why you even put some out."

"I was hoping you'd reconsider."

"Aces, Iko…"

"Worth a shot." She looks at Cress while Cinder debates over her remaining options. Cress would definitely be easier to work with. "You know what I think? I think this leather skirt would look cute on you."

Cress shakes her head, blushing a little as Iko holds the skirt over her waist. "I can't pull off leather."

"Why not? Are you vegetarian?"

"No. I just don't fit the leather personality."

"But you're not a cow."

Cress blinks, unsure if she heard that right and isn't sure if she should ask for clarification. Instead, Iko gives Cress the skirt and a cropped black long-sleeve before sending her to the bathroom to try it on. She loves helping people with their fashion insecurities. Iko turns around and sees that Cinder actually put together a cute outfit, Iko's jaw drops as she puts a hand to her chest in shock. She takes her phone out to capture the moment because Cinder put together a white t-shirt, black skinny jeans, and a black blazer. The sneakers can stay because they make the outfit more Cinder.

"I see you," Iko says, nodding approvingly. "I see you, Cinder Blackburn."

"I just put your blazer over my current outfit," Cinder says. "It looks great."

Iko narrows her eyes, lowering her phone. She should've seen that coming. Before she could say anything, both Iko and Cinder turn their heads to the sound of the boys applauding. They see Cress stepping out of the bathroom, wearing the leather knee-high skirt with the black long-sleeve and her own sneakers. It was out of her element but she was still serving looks, even if she was blushing like a wildfire and covering her red face from the boys.

"Tonight's going to be fun," Cinder says excitedly.

"For you," Jacin says. "Some of us get to party with cars and others have calculations."

"To each their own."

-o-

The event was invite-only but Cinder managed to score them some invitations because, like everything in Artemisia works, she has money. It's especially useful for events like this because if people don't have money, then they can't donate, sponsor or even buy the car. It didn't even faze them that they would be some of the youngest people in the room since some couples brought their children. Despite being dressed to what they perceived as the dress code, they still felt underdressed.

"Are you sure about this?" Cress asks as she pulls up to the valet. She's excited to be experiencing this night of high class.

"I am," Cinder responds.

"I like the company's slogan," Wolf says as they step out of the car. He gestures to the sign out front by the entrance. "Don't steer and selfie."

Cinder smiles a little and she starts leading them inside. "Yeah, that's a big problem here. Instead of making it illegal because, well, nobody will listen to that, they charge you thousands of univs or throw you in jail, and add points to your license."

"What is it with you people and selfies?"

"You're Lunar too."

"Not that kind of Lunar."

"You guys!" Cress exclaims, standing between them and holding their arms to get their attention. "Look!"

The three of them stand at the entrance, looking down at the room before them. It was an event like a gala, filled with men that were wearing suit jackets without ties, women wearing dresses without jewels. They were talking to one another, staring at the models of the latest Artemis car on display that were all over the room. Every colour was on a podium and had people surrounding, gawking, taking pictures with their champagne and conversations.

"Well," Wolf mutters, "this is way out of my element."

"So is this skirt for me but I'm ready for this!" Cress exclaims. She's eyeing the bright blue car near the back of the room.

"What's your plan?" Wolf asks Cinder.

Cinder scans the room as if she's looking for the man of the hour but can't make out any faces from here. She'll have to go inside and get a closer look at everyone. "You read the sign. Don't steer and selfie."

The next chapter will be the one you're all waiting for.