~Alliances and Animosities~ - {CyNari}

Prejudice [Ch 3]

My alarm went off. I sat up in bed and stretched my limbs. I still had about an hour till my first period started but I still got up to get ready. I brushed my bright green hair after I changed out of my sleepwear into my uniform.

'Okay, Collei. A new day! Today is the day where you will make friends!'

I tried to encourage myself like I did everyday for the week I was here but magenta eyes full of doubt looked back at me from the mirror in front of me. I still had plenty of time so I decided to do something with my hair today. I braided the front most strands of hair and tied all my hair into a ponytail that fell over my right shoulder. Master Tighnari told me that he had the exact same hairstyle when he was studying here. He styled it for me often in the time being with him. Cyno tried to help me a few times too but he wasn't very experienced with the handling of hair. He would only braid it for me once in a while.

Come to think of it, the two really became like fathers to me, more so as I grew up and they got together four years ago. I used to think we had like a sibling bond but we started to feel like a real family all those years ago. They became a safe space and a big example for me, so I will do my best to follow their footsteps. I applied some make-up, grabbed my stuff and went to my first period.

Lunch time came sooner than expected and I met up with some classmates at the cafeteria. I didn't know them long enough to consider them 'friends'. "So, Collei, are you from Sumeru City?", one of the girls at the table asked me. I became nervous. 'Why does she wants to know something about me?' "Uhm, no, I'm from Gandharva Ville in Avidya Forest..." She nodded and continued to eat her food. I did the same.

A guy from my class sat down next to me with his food. "Mind if I sit here?" I shook my head no and he started eating too. As he finished his food he started talking again. "Your hair is really pretty today. Did your mom show you how to tie it like that?" I was startled at first but decided to answer the question. "No, my dad showed me. I don't have a mother..." 'They don't need to know about my complicated past'. The girl spoke up again. "Why? Did she die or something?" 'Should I tell them? I mean, I'm very proud of them. Ah, what harm could it bring?' "No, I've got two dads"

The girl almost choked on her food. "For real? But you're so smart? I would have never guessed..." The boy and I looked at her perplexed. I was suddenly to shy to speak, preparing myself to be showered with hateful comments. "What does that have to do with anything?", the boy asked her. "Well, I heard that people raised by two women or men have a lower IQ. That also explains why you don't talk! You were emotionally neglected and are missing motherly love. That's just science!" I started to tear up. What was she saying? Cyno and Tighnari were the most caring people that I knew. They could never neglect me!

"Hey, what's wrong with you? Nothing of that is true-" I interrupted the boy that was trying to defend me. "Yeah, you don't even know them! You are not entitled to judge them based on their relationship. Better go check your facts!" I just stood up and walked away at a fast pace.

I sank down on the wall of the House of Daena and rested my head on top of my knees. I was far away from any students and doors so I felt secure. I started to cry. Not because of hurt but because of desperation. I couldn't stand up for them and relied on someone who I didn't even know to defend them. I grabbed both of my ears and squeezed them tightly in frustration. I wanted to be there for them like they were for me but I failed everytime. Am I even worth calling myself their family? I don't think so... Maybe I should-

"...Collei...?" I looked up in surprise and the white haired man looked with such worry in his eyes at me that I wanted to cry even harder. "Cy-Cyno...?" He looked around for a moment and sat down next to me. "You wanna talk about it...?" I wiped away a few tears and looked down onto the floor. I explained with a broken voice: "Cyno Sir, how do you and master handle it when others say bad stuff about you...? How can you two still be happy?" I hid my face in my knees.