astesi

Which is why he could not hide his disappointment when he learned that infection had not made his daughter a great astromancer; far from it, in fact.

Perhaps the stars forsook her for her cowardice, as she cowered in the safehouse while her sister faced the lab's Originium leak on her own.

The stars rescinded their mercy, leaving behind only the cold glint of Originium.

So shiny, it pierces the heart.

(Whispers) Sia...

(Whispers) Are you alright?

...Genne?

Yeah, I'm here.

It was such a pain trying to get a quiet single room for you.

A single room... you're wasting money again.

Not really, I just diverted a bit of equipment funding.

What's the matter? Your palms are sweaty.

No... I'm fine...

Do your eyes feel any better?

They don't itch anymore. Dr. Folinic did a great job.

Good.

And to think you're the one who was always telling me to go to bed and get up early.

Still thinking about stargazing tonight?

The conditions are the best they've been for months.

I'll tell the doctor to tie you to the bed if you so much as try to take those bandages off.

I won't. I'm just thinking about it.

My eyes are more important. I'll listen to you.

Hm... alright, fine then.

Not that Dad would appreciate the results anyway.

How did you—

I looked at your observation logs and conclusions. They're very different from the Society's.

You...

I caught a glimpse while looking for your ID.

You left them on the desk.

Ever since then, not once have I been able to provide Father and the Society with the right data. Of course he would be angry with me...

Actually, I made some calculations based on that data of yours.

You were right. Always were.

You don't need to comfort me.

I know what I'm doing. I never liked stargazing, but I DID have a formal education in it forced down my throat.

What's right is right, and what's wrong is wrong. I don't need to lie to you.

I can present the steps and possibility spaces in data models for you, if you like. After your eyes have healed.

Are you suggesting that the Society's data is wrong?

Yeesh, did you really have to inherit Dad's hard head too?

Have you ever considered that you could <i>both</i> be correct?

Huh?

It's not exactly unusual in science.

Data can be affected by external factors. Rhodes Island isn't in Columbia. The observation environment and geographic location are completely different.

The stars don't move in regular ways, either. Frankly, I'd be more shocked if your results were exactly the same.

But the algorithm has already been adjusted for position!

Take it easy, Sia.

That's why I said your data is right.

I picked up Dad's methods faster than you, but your results were always way more accurate.

It's high time you accepted that he's not always right. Don't just assume that you're wrong because they doubt you.

(Whisper) Not that I'm in a position to lecture anyone...

Ahem. Anyway, I'll help you out with it once you get better. We could even go home and confront Dad together, if we have to. How's that?

Let me hold your hand, Genne.

Oh, come on, how old are you? Here.

(Holds her sister's hand gently)

Thank you.

No need for that between sisters.

Don't overthink it. Just get some rest and heal up.

Mhm.

Anything you want to eat?

Drizzle cake—

Nut cookies and berry juice. Got it.

I'll make dinner. You've been the cook ever since I got here. You should try my cooking once in a while.

Mhm.

I'll get to it, then.

(Gently moves her sister's hand)

I left some cut fruit on the table to your left. There's a toothpick in each piece. Just put them back on the plate when you're done.

And here—

Your astrolabe's to the right of your pillow.

That should be all.

I'll be going, then. Take care.

The door closes again, leaving Astesia by herself once more.

The world is still dark, but the darkness does not feel so oppressive this time, with the astrolabe's gentle clockwork humming by her side.

Her sister's encouragement has helped her reassess her situation.

Is she independent?

No, not compared to Astgenne.

Her sister continues to break new ground, striving for the lifestyle she wants. Meanwhile, she herself lacks the courage to even rebut her father's doubts.

Astrology is a school of tradition. It is not as systematic as modern science, but it is old, and with age comes authority.

She realized at an early age that her explorations and questions would be shot down by her teachers, or given an established answer. And she would accept it, even if she did not agree.

No mistakes were made, therefore they must be right.

She is afraid of being denied by authority, and so she accepts their conclusions without question.

Then why did Oripathy break that barrier?

Is it because she encountered the dilemma of either denying authority or denying self?

Or did her sister's courage inspire her to face her longtime doubts?

Astesia does not yet have the answer.

Other than preparing meals, Astgenne spends the rest of the day by Astesia's side, making life stuck in a hospital bed more bearable.

Astgenne wanted to stay by her sister's side as night fell too, but Astesia persuaded her to return to her own quarters.

She knows that bright stars fill the sky above Rhodes Island as it travels.

She has seen that sight countless times, but continues to be fascinated by the uncertainty that lies within. She would gaze upon it forever, if she could, but right now—

Was there something else, Genne?

It's me. I'm making my rounds.

Oh, my apologies, Dr. Folinic.

How are your eyes feeling? Any itching, excessive tearing, or the sensation of heat or foreign objects?

No. The surgery went well.

Then you should recover soon.

You sound awfully tired.

I'm used to it. It's like this every day.

Feel free to have a seat then, if you're not busy.

My sister cut me so much fruit that I can hardly finish all of it.

It's almost time for lights-out. You're the last patient tonight.

I think I can stay... fifteen minutes.

Thank you, Doctor. There should be a chair by my bed.