Rising Shards

Kalei felt shaky as she waited for dinner. She would’ve been fine just going home after everything, but a big meal also sounded good. She and her friends, classmates, and teachers that were involved with the rescue mission were there. Well, most of them, apparently Chumbler and her friends were there somehow, but they did not make an appearance at the weirdly named Like a Ski Lodge Bar and Grill.

“I wanted to go to Action Blast Arena, but the Falling Shards guys that had their Endoran rescue crap booked it first.” Kalei said.

“Would you really want to lose to your mother in laser tag after the weekend you had?” Kalei’s mother asked. She had barely left Kalei’s side since the big fight with the monster-ified Ovie and 09 ended.

“I’d so kick your ass.” Kalei said.

“Alright, that’s a bet.” Mahina said. “As soon as I can we’re going to Action Blast Arena.”

Kalei groaned when her mom headed toward the bar.

“What’s up?” Zeta asked. She seated with Oka on one side and her big sister on the other, who was hover parenting even more than Kalei’s mom was, an impressive feat.

“My mom’s gonna drink, which is gonna be worse than anything that happened this weekend.” Kalei said.

“I’ll be designated driver if need be.” Stella said, clearly thinking that sounded a lot cooler than it did.

Kalei’s mood was a lot better once the food arrived. Having some super greasy food was a suitable treat after the weekend she had. She still wanted some alone time to probably sob it out about Nikki, but she’d take food out with friends and family in the meantime.

“This place feels kinda rustic,” Zeta said.

“Kinda…wild west?” Oka said, picking up on what Zeta was saying.

“In the desert we were in full Buckshot Leaf and the Kid mode.” Zeta said.

“Ah, I see.” Kalei said, feeling a bit left out. She also saw that Oka and Lillia got horses, which in spite of being void ghost deals, still made her very jealous.

“Good work, Wheelbarrow.” Oka said, tipping her nonexistent cowboy hat at Kalei.

“That’s Wheelbarrow Revolver to you.” Kalei said.

“Say Wheelbarrow, we were thinkin’ about addin’ some new cowgirls into the mix,” Zeta said. “You got any of them there nicknames for Marmalade and Lillia?”

“Marms, you want a wild west nickname?” Kalei asked looking down the table where Marmalade sat quietly, looking surprised she was even mentioned.

“I’ve been trying to think of one all day.” Marmalade said. “I’m down to…well I have one I kind of like, but it could use workshopping. Barbed Wire Marm.”

“That’s pretty badass, not gonna lie.” Kalei said.

“I’ve decided on Calamitous Thorn.” Lillia said.

“Calamitous sounds pretty cool.” Kalei said.

“Lillia’s is definitely the coolest.” Ko Matora said, seated on Kalei’s other side with Lillia and Kai across from her. Lillia stared deeply into her drink in response, as if glaring at it would make her not get all flustered.

“I wish Aira could be here…” Zeta said. “I hope after all that she’s back with us.”

“I don’t,” Kalei said. “She’s gotta earn my friendship back, I told her that.”

“She did kinda go along with that whole thing.” Oka said. “But I think she just wanted to help Laenie.”

“Well.” Kalei said, mulling it over with a mouthful of onion rings. “She’ll have less work to earn my friendship back than Laenie does.”

“Speaking of friendships of one Kalei Koridia,” Ko said. “What’s up with this Risa chick?”

Kalei hated that she blushed immediately. “She was my old friend. I dunno.”

“Didn’t you say you were super into her?” Ko asked.

“Shut up,” Kalei said. “I only implied that. And if you keep this going when my mom gets back, I’m gonna make you regret it.”

“If you try to make me regret it, I’ll kick your ass Scrungy style and get us banned from this restaurant.” Ko said.

“Uh, not if I get there first,” Kai said. “You’re not fighting without me.”

“Please don’t fight.” Stella said.

“Stella, you’re not a chaperone, quit it,” Zeta said. “That’s just how the Matora sisters are. They’re always talking about fighting.”

“They are from Haven so it’s kind of in their DNA.” Kalei said.

“Right…” Stella said. “Please don’t fight in my library.”

“Pfft,” Kai said. “Like Ko can read.”

“Lillia, I can so read.” Ko said, maybe a bit too aggressively turning to Lillia.

“What’s your favorite book then?” Kalei asked.

“Well.” Ko said feeling a lot of eyes on her. Clearly concerned that she was now a recipient of one of Lillia’s stronger glares. “I er, forget the title…”

“Just say Hado Diconius.” Kalei said. “Graphic novels count.”

“I’m not sure if graphic novels would count for Lillia.” Oka said.

“I don’t have anything against graphic novels,” Lillia said. “But I would like to hear if you have any text only books you enjoy.”

Kalei grinned at seeing Ko sweat. Even if they weren’t in the cafeteria at the moment, the cafeteria banter was good for her soul.

“How are you feeling?” Stella asked for the fifth time as she and her little sister headed to their car.

“I’m way better than I expected.” Zeta said. “Considering I saw Dad, and Jeans…”

“Yeah, that’s what I mean.” Stella said. “I’m really proud of you for keeping your cool. But it's also cool if you gotta freak out a bit.”

“Well, I did freak out a bit there,” Zeta said. “But I had Oka there, and Dr. Diast helped too.”

“And thank you for telling me about what happened with your friend Marmalade.” Stella said, hugging her sister again. “I know that one’s hard to talk about, too.”

“Yeah…” Zeta said quietly.

Stella was thrilled Zeta made a new friend that was also a trans girl, but this was the second time Zeta had talked about Marmalade inadvertently causing some uncomfortable or maybe even dysphoric feelings in Zeta, and possibly vice versa. Stella hoped it was just growing pains and the difficulties of having friends that are like you in a specific way, but also very not like you, that in the long run they'd both help each other out. But she was keeping an eye on it just in case.

“That wasn’t like, tattling, was it?” Zeta asked.

“Evy said she wouldn’t be in trouble, but if she watches Marmalade a bit more closely, don’t beat yourself up about it.” Stella said. “Speaking of Evy…she may have had a few drinks there, so…”

“I saw.” Zeta said. “She’s not scary when she’s drinking, is she?”

“Oh, no, don’t worry,” Stella laughed. “She’s still a cupcake. Just a heads up that she might be kinda loud.”

Evy was already at Stella’s car, looking more sleepy than loud. They all got in (keeping an eye out for any faculty that might find the trio together suspicious, but it wasn’t a big concern) and headed for the school first to drop Zeta off. Once she was safely secured (Stella waited until she had fully walked inside a campus building before leaving), Stella headed back to the apartment.

“That was a long day.” Evy said.

“You did great.” Stella said. “I’m very proud of you, you know.”

“Sorry I didn’t call during the big parts,” Evy said. “There wasn’t a good chance once they all captured us…”

“Oh, don’t worry.” Stella said. “I wasn’t even freaking out. Well, a little.”

“It’s OK if you were freaking out a lot.” Evy said. “I was.”

“It was a moderate amount, but nothing I couldn’t handle.” Stella said. “I’m very glad you were there.”

“Thanks.” Evy said, yawning.

“So those Sharai Daggers are safely locked away?” Stella asked.

“Uh huh,” Evy said. “I let Caya handle the paperwork. We’re still not sure if they’re the real deal, but they were definitely powerful, so they have to be sent to the agency that handles that sort of thing. Lots of paperwork.”

“So what happened with the girls that got themselves with the daggers, then?” Stella asked. “You said they came home with you, but…”

“Well, they haven’t changed back yet,” Evy said. “Or changed back fully. So they’re in a safe place now on campus.”

09’s head was fuzzy as soon as the dagger was in her back. She was aware something had happened to her. That she had shouted a lot. That her body changed. That she fought someone or something. And that she was back home now. People had talked to her, but she couldn’t understand everything they said.

“You should return to normal, but it could take some time.” That came through clearly.

The room she was in was small and had a clear glass wall on one side. If 09 got close enough, she could see her reflection, where a wolfish creature stared back at her. She knew the other with her was Ovie. Because who else would turn into a creature just like she had? She didn’t know why they were kept together, but the two didn’t fight. Ovie mostly stayed on a bed curled up, sometimes getting up to howl. 09 thought she looked lonely. 09 felt lonely too, so she howled with her before lying down on her own bed. She whimpered, not entirely sure why she was so sad, but knowing it wasn’t just from the loneliness. As she whimpered, she felt someone’s presence. Ovie approached 09’s bed. After staring at each other for a while, Ovie got on the bed and nuzzled against 09. She felt a lot safer when she was close with Ovie like that, and felt oddly at peace as she drifted to sleep.