Where All My Hope Is

Sibling Squabbles

I heard noises outside my room and my eyes snapped open. I sat up quickly in bed, examining my surroundings. Then, I remembered yesterday's events. I laid back down, relieved. I was safe, for the moment. My stomach churned at the thought of Mr. Plumber and where he might be at that moment. Forcing the thought out of my mind, I got up, lit a candle, changed into the beautiful dress I had been given, and cheerfully exited my room. The lovely gown swished and swooshed with every step I took.

As I made my way through the beautiful hallways of the base, I examined the other members of the Guard. Most of them looked happy and cheerful, but some looked simply defeated. They were dragging their feet and stumbling as they walked. I did my best to smile at them, but they did not respond or react in any way. One little girl looked so sad, I wanted to reach out to her. To hug her and tell her everything would be alright. As I moved towards her, someone from behind me tripped and fell on top of me.

The air flew out of my lungs and I could feel a bruise already forming on the elbow I had landed on.

I felt whoever was on top of me scrambled to stand up, their weight lifting from their body.

I dragged my legs under me and pushed myself up from the ground turning around to face the offender.

My face grew slack with shock as I placed my eyes on Ezra. When he realized it was me his face grew hot with embarrassment, "Sorry Fae..."

I rolled my eyes, amused, "You're fine, where were you in such a rush to get to?"

His face somehow grew three times redder and his gaze became glued to the floor, "Oh um, just breakfast." His head shot up an unconvincing grin strung onto his lips, "Really hungry this morning is all."

"Uhu, sure." I mumbled, annoyed by his lies.

Before I could question him further, his gaze locked onto something behind me

"Aurora!" he exclaimed loudly. A woman, black haired and wearing a beautiful green gown, turned around with a smile on her face.

She had previously been talking to an attractive looking male, with ———- hair and prominent dimples. However at the sound of Ezra's voice she spun around, her eyes gluing to his.

"Ez!" she called back, rushing towards him. They hugged tightly. Aurora pulled away and kissed his forehead, then hugged him again.

"Rora!" Ezra laughed, but she only hugged him tighter.

The man took a step back, as did I, allowing the two siblings some resemblance of privacy.

"I missed you so much!" she said, pulling away and squeezing his hands. "How'd your mission go? Did you get the new recruit?"

"Yes, I did. Rora, uh, this is Fae," he said as he shot an apologetic grin at me.

"Ah, so you're Fae!" Aurora said as she smiled. "It's a pleasure to meet you." We shook hands. "I'm Aurora, Ezra's older sister by 5 years." She carelessly tossed a grin towards Ezra, and wiggled her eyebrows.

"Pleasure to meet you. So, there are two siblings in your family? Or are there more?"

"Three," Ezra responded quickly. "Asher is our brother."

"Oh really?" I asked, intrigued.

"Have you already met Asher?" Aurora asked me.

"Yes, we saw him," Ezra said, looking at me, but talking to his sister. "He doesn't look like he's been doing very well. Have you been talking to him?"

"No." Aurora's brow furrows, but then her face clears up instantly. "Would you like to come to breakfast with us, Fae?" She turned around and motioned for the man to step into their small circle. "We always have room at our table. There are banana crepes today!"