i’m rich and I’m pretty, so it doesn’t really matter

El chuckles wetly, nestling in closer as her sister tightens their embrace. Estie makes her feel safe, shielded, like the harshness of the world can’t touch her in this bubble of space. “i’m sorry. i didn’t mean to.” even her sister’s scolding is welcome, yet another piece of evidence that this isn’t simply an exhaustion-induced hallucination. Estie is really here. “i’ve missed you too. sorry for disappearing.” for a moment she wants to talk about it, the fear and anger and resentment, the impact their fallen empire had left on her pride. it all crawls up her throat, but when El opens her mouth, she finds every word lodged firmly behind her teeth. snapping her mouth shut, she swallows. “um…i’ve been travelling.” that’s certainly one way to put it, isn’t it? “i went back to Wolfpaw lake,” she continues, wincing. hoping her sister doesn’t think her pathetic.

went back, at least, implies a level of dignity. in reality she’d wondered the land like a ghost, drifting, dazed and furious. “and…i met a boy.” well, technically she’d already known him, but semantics. El’s face flushes, and she ducks her head. hopefully Estie won’t ask too many questions. “what of you?”

"Elara Klein"