Turtle Dove

April is Best Big Sis

Ray reclined on her circular bed at home, absentmindedly swiping through her Shell-feed, when an email notification suddenly appeared. Intrigued, she sat up and read the message:

"Dear Deevo,

I am the owner of Alberto Land. We cordially invite you to participate as the DJ for our Grand Opening event tomorrow.

Best regards, Alebert."

Ray contemplated the invitation. It had been a while since her last gig, and she felt a surge of excitement at the prospect of returning to the stage. However, memories of her time at the Alberto pizzeria still lingered. "Maybe it won't be so bad," she murmured to herself, ultimately deciding to agree to the offer. "I should probably let the guys know," she thought, typing a message to Donnie to inform him about the upcoming gig. "Tomorrow's going to be a busy day," she said with a smile as she left her room.

As she stepped out, her stepbrother David startled her. "Ray!" he exclaimed, causing her to react instinctively, assuming a defensive stance. Realizing it was David, she lowered her guard. "What do you want?" Ray asked with an exasperated tone. David proceeded to inform her about the opening of Alberto Land the following day, a hint of excitement in his voice. "Yes," Ray replied curtly.

"I want to go, but Mom and Dad can't take me, sooo..." David's voice trailed off, implying his desire for Ray to accompany him. Ray cut him off, "First of all, no. I'm a little busy. Second, you're sixteen, just like me. Figure it out yourself." David rolled his eyes, following Ray to her room. "Come on, it'll be a chance for us to bond," he suggested. Ray responded by firmly closing the door on him, prompting a pout from her stepbrother. "You can't avoid this forever, Ray. We're siblings, whether you like it or not!" he called out in a last attempt before Ray leaped out of the window and soared into the New York sky.

Ray's wings carried her higher and higher, the wind whipping against her face. She squinted her yellow eyes as the sun's rays met her face during its descent. Blocking the rays with her hands, she descended near a building and hovered in front of a window. She knocked three times, and the window opened to reveal April. "Hey there, what's going on?" April asked, moving aside to allow her winged friend to enter. Ray touched down on the carpeted floor, causing her wings to vanish. Only the intricate black wing-like tattoos on her back remained visible.

"Same old, same old," Ray replied, sinking into the comfort of her friend's bed and slipping off her white combat shoes, allowing her wings some much-needed reprieve. The day's weariness seemed to melt away in the cozy surroundings.

April shot Ray a playful grin, her voice tinged with amusement. "So, are you making this a recurring sleepover thing?" she asked, raising a teasing eyebrow. Ray's response was swift and earnest: "Yes, please. Your bed is a sanctuary compared to mine."

Ray's feline companion, Mayhem, sauntered over and nestled beside her, emitting a soft, contented purr. Ray absentmindedly stroked Mayhem's fur, a comforting rhythm to her thoughts.

April's voice carried a mischievous tone as she announced, "Lucky for you, I've got an extra set of clothes ready." With a playful flick of her wrist, she sent a bundle of clothes sailing onto Ray's lap. Ray cast a glance at the pile, amusement dancing in her eyes. "Ah, the 'New York air' scent got to me, huh?" she quipped, teasingly raising an eyebrow.

Ray picked up the clothes and examined them with a grin, appreciating the thoughtfulness of the choices. Among the garments was a soft, white long-sleeved shirt designed with an open back, undoubtedly tailored to accommodate Ray's wings. The gesture warmed Ray's heart. There were also sweatpants that looked incredibly inviting, promising respite from the city's hustle.

Amidst playful banter, Ray retreated to the bathroom to change into the fresh clothes. The shirt's fabric was gentle against her skin, and the open back provided her wings the freedom they craved. The sweatpants embraced her legs like a comforting embrace, a stark contrast to the hectic pace of city life.

Emerging from the bathroom, Ray struck a mockingly grand pose. "Behold, a transformed New Yorker with a hint of authenticity," she proclaimed with a grin, her playful display earning a hearty laugh from April.

April's laughter died down as she settled beside Ray, her arm offering a reassuring embrace. "So, what's been bugging you?" she inquired gently, concerned for her friend's well-being.

Ray exhaled, her distress evident. "It's David, always pushing this 'let's be siblings' agenda, even though it's a constant headache," she confessed, hugging one of April's pillows for comfort.

Sitting close, April extended a supportive arm around Ray, her tone understanding. "I can see his point of view. Legally, he's your brother, and that's a fact you'll have to come to terms with eventually."

Ray sighed, her wings drooping slightly in exasperation. "It would be so much simpler if I weren't a yokai with these five-foot-wide wings protruding from my back," she bemoaned, using her wings to emphasize her point. "I can't help but question everything about my existence, and there's this void in my soul that I can't shake."

With a gentle hand, April halted Ray's anxious scratching at her scarred nose. "I might not fully grasp your situation, but what I can say is that life is a labyrinth of challenges. Nothing is easy, but you've got the strength to navigate through it all. And, let's admit it, having wings is pretty cool," she said with a grin, offering Ray a momentary escape from her worries.

Ray managed a small smile, the camaraderie between them lifting her spirits. "I guess you're right."

April's gaze held warmth as she questioned, "Feeling a bit better?"

Ray nodded, a genuine grin spreading across her face. "Much better. It's always amazing to have 'Big Sis April' on standby to save the day." She hugged April tightly, finding solace in their friendship and the support she offered.

"No let's talk about how evil Kendra is." April says making Ray laugh.