astesi

(Maybe she went out for a walk around Trimounts.)

(The police station is this way, isn't it?)

(I need to find her...)

Pol...

She swallows the words before they come out.

She started thinking about it.

All the top astrologers are gathered here in Trimounts right now, her father foremost amongst them.

What will happen if the reporters learn that a rebellious daughter of his has gone missing?

They would undoubtedly jump on the story.

Nothing good could come of it, not for her family, her parents, or for her sister.

And so...

She passes by the police station.

(I'm sorry, Genne... I'm such a useless sister...)

(Come on, Astesia, think...)

Watch out! Runaway car!

(Who should I go to?)

Aaaaaaaaghhh!!!

Huh?

Are you okay? Are you hurt?

Sorry, I got distracted.

Dur-nar...? What are you doing here?

I thought you looked familiar. Turns out it was you, Astesia.

Some kind of luck, almost getting hit by a car in the middle of the day.

Same goes for the driver. Probably a broken part somewhere. Only so long you can avoid hitting someone.

Is he alright?

He finally got the car stopped, but flipped it over in the process.

Looks like he's okay, though. Just climbed out from the car. That's him talking on the phone right now.

Some luck. If Rhodes Island...

Rhodes Island?

Oh yeah! I can look for Rhodes Island!

Do you have a minute, Dur-nar?

Er... I guess so.

Can I ask something of you, or rather, of Rhodes Island?

Let's go to the Trimounts office. This isn't the best place to be talking.

Here, drink some water.

Thanks...

Well, if you ask me, it sounds like a little sisterly argument and that's all.

You don't understand. From what I divined today... she may be in trouble.

You're the one in trouble. You almost got hit by a car.

I'm fine.

You sure can be stubborn... just like my sister.

Older or younger?

Younger sister, at least biologically. I came to Trimounts because she's doing business with the charlat—I mean, astrologers.

A lot of the reserves are on vacation anyway. I had a bit of time on my hands, so I decided to come here and help out.

I see...

Do you get along well?

Well enough, but sometimes she gets a little bossy, or does things for me without asking me first.

You said she's your younger sister?

I said biologically. But she acts more like an older sister.

Thanks to her, business actually got better after my father left. Compare that to her vagabond older sister.

Don't say that. We're all grateful to you for teaching us how to survive. I still remember how you sent me flying with one swing of your sword.

I was new on the job then. When I saw you waving your blade around like a feather duster without actually striking... ah, no sense bringing that up.

You want the Trimounts office to help you look for Astgenne, right?

There's a few scouts around who don't have anything to do right now. You can give them a list of places your sister is likely to go to. They'll be happy to help.

We can do this quiet, if you don't want word getting out. I know them pretty well, and I can help you take care of things.

Thanks...

Don't mention it. Every family has its own challenges.

I sent out the private messages. Let's go check the remaining places. Maybe we'll find something.

A-Alright.

Don't worry, no one's gonna get hurt.

Astgenne sure can hide. We've searched most of the public areas, and didn't even catch a shadow.

It's getting late. You should go home, and we can pick this back up tomorrow.

I... I want to keep looking for a little longer.

It's almost midnight. Your divination only said today was unlucky, didn't it?

Go home, have a hot meal, sleep well, and maybe things will get better tomorrow.

Let's go. I can walk you home if you want.

No... thank you... sorry about taking up your day.

Don't mention it. I'll be going. Take care, and don't do anything stupid.

Okay...

I'll come first thing in the morning. Nighty night.

Astesia walks home alone. The stars are visible in the hole in the sky above Trimounts.

But she only has her eyes on the road ahead, as she navigates bend after bend.

As the clock strikes twelve, she rounds the last bend, and arrives at her rented apartment.

There, she sees a ball of feathers curled up in front of the door.

Sis, you're back...

I forgot my key...

Sis?

Astesia says nothing. She buries her face in her sister's chest, sobbing.

She can't keep her emotions in check, and she doesn't want her sister to see her face.

Astgenne knows that, and so she stands there, holding her sister in her arms, allowing the tears to soak through her clothes.

For a long time they stand there, until both of them have calmed down sufficiently, and Astesia takes out her key and opens the door.

The sisters sit side-by-side on the sofa in silence.

Finally, the older of the two speaks first.

Sorry, Genne... I was wrong...

I'm partly to blame too... I just exploded the moment you said you sent Father the paper, and I couldn't listen to anything else.

I know the sacrifices you made to get away from home. You don't want anything more to do with Father.

It's like stabbing you in the back. I didn't think it would go like this...

It's normal to ask your mentors to review a paper, just like in grad school.

Look at me. I have a PhD, but I couldn't even keep my emotions in check. I call you hard-headed, but I'm the one who doesn't listen...

I... I made up my mind. I'll go and see Father tomorrow. It'll take some time for him to get through the draft, and he wouldn't be done so early. I'll convince him to give it back. We still have a chance.

Um... about that.

Actually, the package never made it to Mr. Urbica.

Huh?

You remember the deliveryman, the Liberi? He came to apologize just as the sun was going down and refunded the delivery fee.

He had a pretty bad day himself. HIs truck flipped on its side after picking up his morning packages.

Oh...

Since your package was urgent, he took a bicycle to deliver it while his coworkers dealt with the rest.

It was raining when he passed through the business district and he fell into a pond, getting everything soaked.

He was in tears when he came to apologize. I consoled him and sent him on his way.

You were right, sis. Today was a bad day for the Liberi...