Mirror, Mirror

2.11 Peace Offering

You're the best and worst thing to have happened to me, my little ray. You made me realize just how precious life is. Now that I know I'm going to die, I want to live. Not just plow forward and follow orders and be a hero— really live. I'm devastated it took me this long to figure it out.

Remember when I said I had never gotten the chance to fall in love? I take it back. You may be my first true love.

❖

Normally, Rayvin would go off during the training's 5-minute breaks, to who knows where, and Starla would let him. She preferred hanging out with her cousins anyway. Today, though, she followed him. He was already halfway down the hallway, so she had to jog to catch up. She finally reached him and found him sitting on a windowsill, looking out at the courtyard. She wondered what he could possibly be thinking about to make him look so pensive and dramatic.

"Ray," she said, marching up to him. He looked up at her, bewildered. "I have something for you. Here." She tossed something to him.

"What is this supposed to be?" Rayvin asked, limply holding the lump of black fabric like it contained a disease.

"A peace offering," Starla replied diplomatically. "I've thought it over, and I've decided that we would be better off as allies, since we have to work together so... intimately anyway. But, I acknowledge that I have not been very welcoming to you since you arrived here."

"If I recall, you pulled a knife when we met," Rayvin commented.

"I have said and done a lot things," Starla agreed airily, then continued. "And... I'm sorry. I hope this makes up for my regrettable behavior." She rearranged her posture and features to look remorseful.

Rayvin still seemed suspicious and confused, but cooperated and made a show of unfolding the lump of fabric she had given him.

"Oh," he said, stunned. "I don't know what to say."

"How about 'thank you'?" Starla snapped, her repentant posture melting instantly. Then she blinked, feeling a bit guilty. "Sorry. I hear myself. I'm working on being nicer."

Rayvin still didn't say anything.

"I made it for your chest," she explained. "I made the fabric soft and stretchy, but the front stiffer for compression. I figured it would be less hard on your body when you are physically active, while still having the flattening effect you desire." Rayvin still said nothing.

"Do you um... like it?" Starla asked eventually.

"Thank you, Starla, this is really... kind," Rayvin said, still stunned.

"You don't like it," Starla said sharply.

"No! I do, it's just... I don't think it'll fit me," Rayvin said in a rush. "This is really thoughtful of you though. I really appreciate it."

"Oh, ok," Starla said coolly, adding defensively, "Well, I've never made something like this before."

"You made this yourself?" Rayvin asked, surprised. "That's really impressive. It's really well-made. I... uh I didn't realize you made clothing."

"It's just something I like to do in my free time," she shrugged. "I make a lot of my own clothes, too."

"Well, you clearly have a knack for it," Rayvin said, looking genuinely impressed. "You must have had a lot of practice."

"Yeah, I suppose so," Starla smiled, feeling pleased. An uncomfortable silence stretched between them as the strangeness of this interaction settled in. This was pretty weird. Her being nice to him. Them talking like they didn't hate each other. It was uncharted territory.