Magicbook annoyed her. And Flutter, and Pixiechat. They were apps used for nothing but petty celebrity drama, and pop culture, and everything that Scarlett considered cringe. Scarlett figured that the media was a disease, she didn’t like the way it controlled people’s emotions so she usually stayed out of it. She felt desensitized, anyway. Well, she did like Wandtube. She liked looking up how-to videos about weaponry and different fighting stances in her free time. And online, there seemed to be an entire community of people who loved weapons as much as she did.
“What and ever. You say that ‘cause you’ve never created an account.” Liveria muttered, as she looked at her long, red manicured fingernails. She licked her right fang, “But I'm serious.” She then uncrossed her arms and leaned her head forward. “You should really come.” She spoke, as she played with a strand of her hair. Her throat and ears were decorated in cheap jewelry from a store called Avila’s. It was where she’d go last-minute shopping for party dresses and makeup. Scarlett hated that store. It was nothing like the finer jewelry she’d seen in other cities, when she liked to venture out.
Most of all she hated flying Liveria there. But, she was her younger stepsister. Their parents didn’t allow Liveria to travel by herself yet.
Scarlett raised an eyebrow at her when she picked up another Kilantra blade. The base of the knife was decorated golden, with flecks of silver-lined in floral engravings at the bottom. The blade of the knife was decorated in a shiny dark shade, which was reflectant. She skillfully gripped the Kilantra blade, flicked her wrist in a quick motion behind her head, and threw it at one of the silver checkpoints that decorated the walls. “I don’t know...” She trailed off, when she reached for another blade. Scarlett then gazed at her necklace. She played with the locket between her fingers, and then looked back up at her sister. “I’m just not up for it.”
Liveria whined. “Ughh. But I’m bored, S! And Mom dragged me here.” She clasped her hands. “Pretty please, just this once actually go?” The soft pink-haired girl was short, but thin. Her face structure was heart-shaped, and intricate. Liveria rolled her eyes at her sister out of annoyance.
The knife hit the checkpoint in a vigorous clamor right in the middle. She dusted her hands, glanced at her stepsister, and then back at the pile of blades that sat on the movable cart beside her hip. Scarlett hated being alone with her thoughts more than anything, but it was a lot better than being forced to go to a festival and fake being happy. At least at the conservatory she could be miserable organically. Without any suppression.
They both were in the indoctrination room, a place of training for the Vampric Knight program, which was mainly an elective that only few Vampric students took seriously. The room was open all the time. And for the most part, it usually was crawling with Vampric creatures. But that night, there was a celebration of the new year. Everyone absent, but Scarlett.
She lifted a brown finger and moved a strand of her coiled hair behind her ear. Her distant eyes met Liveria’s. “Oh, so Mom sent you this time.” She observed, as she warmed up her shoulders getting ready to aim her blade at another checkpoint.
Liveria dusted her tight white dress, and played with the buttons of her cardigan. “Well someone had to. Ever since forever ago you’ve been acting like an old ghost. If I don’t save you now you’ll start to lurk in the shadows.” She cut herself off for a second and cocked her head. “Also? You’re like the only person here. You don’t have to train so hard, you know.” Liveria uncrossed her arms once more, and finally looked up at her with steady eye contact.
The weapon hit the checkpoint in a sharp, precise manner, the clang echoed throughout the room as if it were an explosion. Scarlett held her chin up slightly, a wave of contempt washed over her body. She loved the high of getting things right.
“S, pleaseee.” Liveria said, in a singsong voice.
Liveria didn’t understand why she didn’t want to go out to the celebration. Nobody did. Scarlett never wanted to open up to Liveria about it, she didn’t want her worrying about her own issues. Once again, Scarlett had hit the center of the checkpoint.
“Just go away.”
“Wow. Why do I even try...” Liveria shook her head and turned. She dragged her feet away from her stepsister and towards the exit.
Scarlett pressed a palm to her forehead and dropped her shoulders. “Liv, wait.” She started, “I didn’t mean that. I just don’t care about parties or celebrations anymore. And also this program’s important to me.” She half lied. Sure, missing targets bothered her, but something else plagued her mind.
The girl with the light hair looked to Scarlett, as concern littered her face. “Okay. I know you’re cautious because of last year, and I kinda get it.” Liveria spoke, she looked down at her nails. “I guess. But S, all drama aside? It’s not like you’re a bad fighter.” She pointed out, as lights from outside the glass windows reflected into the green of her eyes, and she tucked her head inward. “C’mon. You haven’t been to a large yearly celebration like this since you were adopted. Every year, you sit here and train like some crazy thing from the Mortal realm, or something. I mean before you know it, your life is gonna’ be packed with
