The Act of Duplicity [General Kirigan]

thirteen

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    ''Are you okay?'' asked Alina as she fully stepped out of her room and closed the door behind her. She was now fully dressed and ready for the day in her blue kefta which had gold embroidery.

    Nataliya had no idea how much time she spent talking with Genya but considering Alina had the time to eavesdrop and get herself ready it was long enough. Nataliya nodded and wiped her sweaty hands on the front of her kefta. ''I'm alright.''

    Alina didn't look convinced with her answer, no one would be after what they heard was said between the two Safin sisters. Nataliya looked away, all of a sudden embarrassed knowing how she must look in front of the younger Summoner, with all her yelling. Alina didn't say anything else as she stepped over to her and she didn't look like she wanted to leave abruptly either.

    Nataliya cleared her throat. ''What's first on your schedule today?''

    Alina recoiled from her dazed expression and didn't answer immediately as if she had no idea. ''I have a morning combat session with Botkin.'' She answered.

    Nataliya let out a small 'ah' and then she gestured towards the stairs. Alina joined her as they walked. ''I might just join you this time, I haven't seen Botkin in a while.'' Nataliya talked further.

    Alina furrowed her eyebrows as she inspected the side of Nataliya's face. ''You haven't? I thought Grisha were supposed to train all the time? Is it because you're Second in Command and you don't need to or – ?''

    Nataliya chuckled softly and Alina stopped her curious ramble. ''It's either because I don't have time or I'm just not willing to go. I was supposed to attend all the time but I'm always out on missions. I bet Botkin's going to be really excited when he sees me.'' She said the last part with sarcasm.

    Alina stifled a small chuckle. What remained of the noises were their clacking heels on the marble floors as they walked through the Little Palace. They fell into a comfortable silence and while Nataliya kept facing forward, her chin held high and her shoulders back just like she was thought for her whole life, Alina was more slumped and changed glances between watching her feet and the redhead beside her.

    ''I know it's not my place to say anything,'' Alina started as she felt like she needed to address it. ''And I don't know you or Genya that much but I'm sure you two will come around. Sisters especially those who are best friends never fight long. You two looked positively fierce together when I first saw you.''

    Nataliya looked at the girl beside her with a soft smile. While Alina didn't know if she overstepped the boundary right there the sight of the redhead's smile calmed her a little.

    ''Thank you, Alina,'' Nataliya replied. ''I hope this doesn't last long either, because I don't like being separated from Gen.''

    A strange thought passed through Nataliya's mind. Genya spends a lot of time with Alina in her room, she must have told her something. Considering the two were becoming fast friends, they were around same age, they both liked similar things and it wasn't rare to hear them giggle somewhere, yet Genya never told what wasn't to tell to anyone. Unless Alina was an exception this time. Nataliya left her mind only wonder on this, she didn't ask or demand information from Alina. It wouldn't be fair, if Genya wanted Nataliya to know she would say it to her face. The thought of her sister becoming one of those Grisha that always talked behind her back scared Nataliya but she let that go as quickly as it came to her head. Alina and Nataliya arrived outside in the sunny morning and they walked in a slow pace over the pebbly track to the combat grounds.