Chapter 6: Family Bonding
“You three have fun today!” Mother said her goodbyes as she left the house. It was 8 am in the morning and she had work to do.
“Enjoy yourself as well,” I waved her off. “Slap any annoying bastards that co your way.”
“Hm Hm!” lla agreed while stuffing her mouth with golden strawberry yoghurt.
Today was the start of lla's birthday, I tried to keep what I heard to the back of my mind for now at least. I didn’t want any hostile feelings to ruin this mont. Maybe after a day or three, I’ll tell the two idiots to shut up and how big of a mistake it was supporting those filth.
Whoever is in charge of Dominous Hood’s PR team, they are now on the TBEB List for corrupting my cute little siblings!
Mother took the week off work after tomorrow, and Tyell had fewer shifts next, so the four of us can spend ti together again. I can ruin people's moods after we reconnect.
I hadn’t done much since yesterday. Mom brought new clothes–that I chose. Currently wearing so blue jeans and a purple long-sleeve shirt with so matching gloves.
For shoes, I’ve been wearing thongs if I had to, but I’ve been going barefoot when I could. Five years without proper shoes–I did make so basic ones–made my feet feel stiff in my old shoes.
I received a bank account with decent donations provided by the governnt. My old account had stealthily vanished after being declared dead. This one basically had the sa amount so it wasn’t a loss, but I could’ve had a massive net positive if it didn’t vanish.
Besides that, I did one more relevant thing. I contacted Beatrice.
"“Hi, Beatrice. Long ti no see!... Ah, fuck I have no idea how I was supposed to start this…
I’m alive… sohow… Just got ho, using my mom’s phone right now. Should be getting my licences and account in a max of a month's ti.
You don’t need to reply right away… I have a lot going on myself at the mont. But if you can, reply if your alive… please…”"
Short but it was the best I could do for the mont. Once my life is sorted–which should hopefully happen by next fortnight–I could have a proper discussion… If she’s alive.
The day began and no ti for sorrow! It's my sister’s b-day!
“Mum’s working so it will just be the three of us,” sister grabbed her backpack off the couch–containing snacks and drinks–, “So we just need to have even more fun! To make up for the loss of a person.”
She wore a blue hoody with a dark blue phoenix on the front and white baggy tracksuit pants.
Tyell walked into the lounge room from the staircase, “Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say, birthday girl.” He chuckled. Wearing black jeans and a matching jumper–lla definitely forced him to wear that.
“Okay.” lla reached the door before turning around a full 180, raising her fist into the air, “First stop, morning ice cream!”
*
*
“This taste different…” I ntioned after taking a few bites of crystal chocolate ice cream.
“They haven’t changed the flavour in over twenty years Ceella…” Tyell offhandedly replied.
“But it’s so different.”
“Did you burn off your taste buds in space?” lla asked.
*
*
“...Just saying, I’m beating on whoever the winner is.”
“This is a no-betting arcade,” Tyell said.
“Co on sis your playing too!” while lla pulled my hand.
“...I haven’t touched VR in five years…”
“Oh right… but don’t worry! You will be a natural, all those muscle mories will co back in an instant.”
“...Good luck Ceella, I’ll try to go easy” Tyell smugly said.
“Okay… That’s IT!” I ran to a machine, pulling out my temporary access card. “I’m putting both of you in your place!”
“Why !” lla yelled.
“Cause, I’m a kind, just and fair elder sister,” I returned a closed-eyed smile, before entering the both.
*
*
“Good job Tyell, lla you're really good at this.”
“It's a two vs one, and sohow we are barreling winning…”
“What can I say,” I shrugged. “My reaction speed has improved.”
“...Yeah, just your reaction speed.” Tyell sighed.
“That’s so cool!” lla yelled.
Ice cream, VR arcade, tennis–where I had to hold back quite a bit–and now finally bowling. It had been a busy day so far. Good thing everyone seemly is having fun.
“And strikeeeeeee!” lla bowled. As the ball flew down the alley it took a hard turn straight into the far left pin, creating a perfect symtry.
“Nooooo…” lla collapsed onto her knees, “My mont of truth…”
“...I have a great idea lla.” Tyell prepared his great advice, “Don’t choose activities your shit at for you're birthday.”
“Hrm!” lla’s face scrunched up, “You're supposed to say practice! Or better luck next ti!”
“Sorry but I’m a little bit more realistic than you.”
I laughed, lla really hasn’t changed much.
“Hey sis! Stop being on the sidelines and help .”
“Okay, okay.” I decided to try and help, “How about this, maybe the problem is that you’re low on fuel.”
lla's internal light bulb flashed, “Genius! I’m going get sothing.” Running to the venue’s food area she briefly paused, “Do you guys want anything?”
“Sure, but I don’t care what.” I replied.
“Get a group al, so chips and a couple of drinks would be the easiest.” said Tyell.
“O–kay!” And there she went.
“Well, let’s finish our turns before she gets back,” Tyell stood up, walking to and picking up a different ball again.
“Course,” I replied.
However, now that Tyell and I were alone together, I took the opportunity to do a little prodding.
As Tyell ball rocketed down the alley, I call out “You should just cancel all your shifts Tyell.” The ball smashes into all ten pins, “So we can hang out, while I have the ti.”
He turned around, rolling his eyes before ignoring contact “Great idea sis, but soone does need to work.”
Flicking his shoulders as I go for my bowl, “Let deal with the bills, with my ‘sorry we made a mistake’ money.”
“...That’s yours… Don’t use it on others.”
… Okay then, I still need to push him further.
“I got the chippies!”
But before I could lla ca back, ah too fast lly. I guessed this was fine, I didn’t want bad feelings to be prevalent today.
“Slls good,” Tyell said.
“Thanks lly, I'll send so money later.” I stood up and threw a couple of hot chips into my mouth. The potato felt in weird in my mouth.
“Don’t worry it’s my birthday!”
“Exactly… That’s why I should pay for it.”
“My birthday, my rules, and my turn to bowl. Co on babyyy! Strike ti!” lla said before dashing and grabbing her ball on the way.
“What’s the bet it is going straight into the gutter,” I asked my brother, just out of audible range of lla.
“Oh, a hundred percent.”
“Co on!” lla cry for help was heard by no one, as she dragged herself back for her second attempt.
I wanted to cheer her on but she was making it really hard. We spent another hour in the bowling alley.
Winning by a small margin was Tyell. I had a few crap attempts, to begin with, but back into the groove of things. While lla was behind by a margin so large that a staff mber ask if she wanted the bumpers up while playing.
“Okay that’s everything planned off the list,” lla said as she interacted with her phone in a slight depression. “Want to do so archery later, they opened up a new sports arena for ranged activities.”
“... No thanks.” I replied. “Think we’ve done enough sports today.”
“Tyell how about you?” lla asked.
“I’m going straight to bed once we get back ho, got an early shift tomorrow.”
“I’m taking that as a no.” lla shook her head, “Okay then let’s hang around the lake until four.”
Hours later we now sat ourselves on a bench in the park near the lake. Tyell had been kicked off by lla, saying she wanted sister ti. Which he didn’t mind, lla wanted him to co back after she got her Vocation but Tyell needed to start sleeping at 6 pm–so he went straight ho. So now it was just us two, and lla's appointnt to get her Vocation was in an hour.
“Everything good lla?”
lla had her eyes closed and was leaning back in the chair resting. She opened one eye “...I should be asking you that.”
“Why’s that birthday girl?”
“I…know not everything been easy for you…” She looked up, probably waiting for so signal if I wanted her to stop. I stayed silent, letting her continue. “You haven’t talked about your ti missing… I saw the scars when you had a shower… And everything about you… is a little different…!”
“But, I need to say this,” lla rolled over towards , embracing in another hug. “Thank you for returning,” lla hugged tighter and tears began falling “This has the best present I’ve ever gotten.”
“Hmmm,” I smiled, “you sure cry a lot more than I rembered.”
“I guess I have enough for the both of us!” She shone a tear-covered smile.
“...Thanks,” I tried wiping them away with my shirt. Then after we cleaned up we made our way to the next destination.
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