Nyxara
We let the discussion fade into companionable quiet. Keir returned from his phone conversation with a pleased smile. Lux was completely relaxed, eating his 3rd large rice bowl. Aspen was being strange by removing all the green peas from his shrimp fried rice while muttering. I hadn't noticed until Aspen pushed the small bowl of peas over to Lux, that Lux had been removing bean sprouts from his beef fried rice. They exchanged the veggies, then dumped their newly gained veggies into their bowls with satisfaction evident in their scents.
Over the past couple of weeks, my senses have developed enough that I can now catch emotions through scent. According to a book on body development, this is normal, and my other senses will become more heightened over time. I was not missing this feeling of going through adolescence again, yet I couldn't help but be excited about settling into my demon-born witch physique.
After I finish this round of food and my brothers continue on for a third round, I settle into my cushion with my bowl of star-berry and chocolate gelato.
"If there aren't any more vitally important personal details anybody wants to share…" I look each of them in the eye to make sure there is nothing else I should know right now, and when I get confirmation there is nothing else vital I need to know, I move on to ask my question. "What is the shape of Asari? I'm sure when I go through my academic lessons, geography will be discussed, but you have been mentioning regions, and I would like to satisfy my curiosity."
"I'll take this one. There are ten regions across two continents, with 5 regions on each continent. Everyone is currently in a truce, but there are skirmishes between regions for resources and occasionally political reasons. We, Solhara, are on the West Continent with regions: Virelya, Mar'Khet, Korr'Vellyn, Tenebryn. Tenebryn is a known demon region, so not much is known about them beyond what they allow to be known in their public quarters.
On the East Continent, there is Atherra, which is also Nimra, Uncle Cor, and Azrail's home region. Next is Zepharune, Cindralis, Dravhiel, which is Korran's home region, and last is Xan'torai, the known demon region for that continent." Lux's explanation was so good that I just recorded him instead of trying to write notes.
"So, we technically have family on the west continent? Are they considered part of our enclave?" I tap to pause the recording and glance over the speech-to-text notes. Technology here is simply amazing. Intent is everything, so the notes come out as if I wrote it. I'll have to go back over them to add personal thoughts, but overall, perfect.
"No, they are not part of our enclave and likely never will be. However, we do have Tharym connections over there. According to Korran, we will have no connection with his birth bloodline since he has been exiled for complicated reasons. He is an orphan who the clan did not wish to raise because of something his parents did. So, yeah, best not to mention them. Very sensitive topic.
As far as Nimra and Azrail's Tharym, they said one day we can possibly meet them, but for now, things are complicated in a different way than with Korran's family. Nimra and Uncle Cor can't go back to visit from what we have gathered. Azrail does, however, go back to participate in a special ritual annually." Lux's dead serious expression made it clear this wasn't a discussion, but a warning to not bring up this topic again unless necessary.
"Understood, big brother. So just to shift the topic a bit, there are three types of sacred essence bonds then? Velari for romantic. Kaelin for circle mate bonds. Now, Tharym are bloodline bonds? So we are born with this bond then?" I used my stylus to write as I spoke; gelato forgotten.
"Yes, we are born with this bond that connects us with those of our bloodline. It can also be created for those who marry or are adopted into the family. Like any bond, it can be strengthened into a cord—or allowed to fray into a thread." Lux's response is warmer now that we are no longer discussing taboo topics. I let the relaxed atmosphere and scents calm me as well. From there, we just talked about various topics, played a round of Go Fish, and the Asari version of the Life board game.
My brothers were fun to hang out with. They made the time we spent together feel as if we were captured in a timeless moment just for us. I loved getting to see the unexpected similarities and expected differences in experiences, preferences, and mannerisms. Today became a solid core memory—one I'll treasure forever.
As our time together wound down, we cleaned up the room and put away the leftovers. I was getting sleepy anyway, which was good because while I had a free day tomorrow, my brothers did not. They admitted that while during my recovery they would all keep themselves on light duty as much as possible so they can be available for my lessons and training, they couldn't completely abandon their duties.
Which I appreciated because I really didn't want them to be constantly hovering anyway. I love and missed them, but I do need space to just be too. They all gave me a quick tour of the important areas of our private residence. They thought Nimra's intention to let me explore was great in theory but wouldn't be practical in action, so they showed me points of reference that I could work from to find other areas like their wings and suites, plus our parents'. The only sounds heard during the tour were our voices, footsteps, and the synchronized sounds of four grandfather clocks.
When I mentioned my idea about having meals in the garden together once a month, they gave their approval and mentioned I should bring it up with Nimra. As we made it back to the west wing, they informed me that my extended leave from the academy had been granted, but that I would have to sit for winter exams at the end of the semester or else I would have to repeat the 4th year. It made things easier—no pressure to return immediately—but also harder, since I now had a deadline to face. I will have to stay on track with little leeway just to be ready in four months to sit for exams. Here is a prayer and a hope that the basics aren't too different and it will just be a matter of figuring out how the unfamiliar applies to the familiar.
Once we reach my suite, I give each brother a kiss on the cheek, goodnight, and a promise to see them at dinner. Entering, then locking the doors, I turn off the lights I left on as I go. Once nothing but the nightlights are left on, I shuffle drowsily to my bedroom. Locking the doors, I turn on my personal suite alarm system. I place my jacket on the bench in front of my bed, kick off my slippers and sweatpants to jump into my freshly made bed. Sinking into this bed after a long day was a reward all on its own. With a click of the remote, the lighting changed to a night sky with dim stars. Before I could even plug my tablet to charge, I was asleep dreaming peacefully.
[Seraphelle 18, 4310]
Waking up to a beam of sunlight peeking through my curtains, I sat up, wondering where I was. My apartment bedroom lacked windows that let in the sun. As I gazed upon the luxurious room I had dreamt of decorating with my deceased family, I realized it wasn't a dream—this was my reality now. "It's real! This isn't another dream. I've truly been given a second chance with them. OMG!" I exclaimed, laughing and crying uncontrollably.
A weight I hadn't realized I was carrying had finally fallen off my shoulders. A small, insignificant part of me clung to doubt that this was real. I had repeatedly dreamt of mundane scenarios like these in the past, only to wake up in my apartment bed with my family still absent.
After it was made clear by all the Dillards that discussing my deceased family depressed them, I never shared those dreams with anyone. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I had every intention of setting up a small shrine in gratitude to Angel for allowing me to come here and have a peaceful life with my family.
"Soon I'll no longer be engaged to Koba, and I'll be able to keep my distance from that whole group of people. Just have to hold out for my life to become drama-free." Putting my tablet on its charger, I pick up my phone to see I have notifications.
Seeing the time is 8 a.m., I note that Lux, Aspen, and Keir are already up and busy. They sent morning greetings and said they would see me at dinner. I got a blurry picture from my parents saying they too wouldn't see me until dinner. The picture is suspiciously blurry… I'm almost certain my parents are nude in it.
The only clear part is Nimra laughing in the background while Korran is reaching for the phone Azrail is holding out of his reach. Shaking my head, I set reminders for the notifications asking me about syncing with my external cloud account and other apps asking for permissions. I'll deal with those later today; I've been putting the tasks off for long enough.
Then I notice a message from Mrs. June through the Ajei Household app asking me what I want for breakfast from the offered options. She also mentioned that if I want anything that isn't offered, I will have to either let her know the day before or get up at 5 a.m. to make it myself before she comes in at 6:30.
She doesn't share her kitchen well, she says. Clicking the option I want, I get a confirmation that my request has been received and will be set up on my veranda in 30 minutes.
With food incoming, I get out of bed to make it up, then I do my morning routine in the bathroom. I pull on a soft purple woolen day dress and slippers. I add a gray long sweater jacket and braid my hair before walking out onto the veranda from the glass doors in my bedroom. The space is warm enough to keep any fall chill away. My breakfast, still warm, on the covered table is the only thing I find out here. Embracing my momentary solitude, I play a lo-fi station I found while during my clinic rehabilitation.
Sitting outside on a sunny day, eating breakfast while listening to music was how I hoped to start many of my mornings going forward. The peace and quiet, plus just getting to be in the moment by myself, is something that feels hard-won. I wrote a few inspirational sentences that felt like they could be lyrics to a song. I spent the rest of the day organizing my stuff, handling digital accounts, and ordering what I needed. I didn't leave my suite again until Nimra messaged me that we would be having dinner in the residence garden, so that is where I should come in 10 minutes.
I didn't change out of the clothes I wore all day when I stepped out on the lighted path to join my Tharym for dinner. I met up with my brothers on the way. We talked about our day until we reached the round table where our parents sat. Once settled, we ate and talked for a while, just enjoying each other's company. Since training would be starting for me tomorrow, I quickly hurried back to my room with a charm from Nimra to help me sleep.
Once in bed, I read a romance mystery I had been slowly making my way through. It's been a good way to make sure I can read, speak, understand, and write the common language. Tomorrow is bound to be an exciting and exhausting day. I couldn't wait to get started.
How could I have possibly known that in the future, the drama would not go away? In fact, I would have all the drama and trauma I didn't ask for coming my way like I was a chosen one or something. Still curious if anyone knows what I'd need for a ritual to summon an inter-dimensional being for tea. We need to have a deep conversation about what should be on the checklist of things you tell a transmigrator before transferring their soul to an alternate universe.