Contract with a Star (On Hold, Possibly Forever)

Nari Meets a New Old Friend

            Nari did not find what she had expected. A castle, an army, a pit of acid; all of those things were more plausible than the hug she got from the girl she suspected was Miya. As Miya chattered loudly in Nari’s ear like they were close friends, Nari looked at the rich people in front of the manor. One young man stood out to her in particular, because Nari had never seen a glaring ice sculpture with a smile on its face. Nari couldn’t even understand how someone could smile and glare at the same time, let alone without any emotion on their face.

            “Oh, listen to me chatter on and on! How have you been, Narinx?” The girl had a strange accent to her words, pronouncing certain ones with an odd individuality. When Miya looked at Nari, Nari could hear what she was saying loudly and clearly. “Play along, commoner, if you value your life.” Her eyes told Nari. Miya had her hands on Nari’s shoulders and she squeezed slightly when Nari hesitated.

            “I’ve been good?” Nari said, her voice tilting slightly.

            “Poor girl, doesn’t even know how she’s been. Are you sure she’s a friend of yours, Miya?” The odd man interrupted the phony reunion, sounding and looking smug.

            “Of course she’s my friend,” Miya turned to face him, but held on to Nari’s hand tightly. “You know what they say, cousin. ‘A tree is one among many in a forest.’” It was Miya’s turn to look smug, although Nari had no idea why and even less of an idea what that saying meant. The boy, who only seemed older when he was being condescending, turned sharply and led the greeting party back into the huge house. Nari watched him go, laughing when she saw the coattail on his jacket.

            Nari turned to Miya, who had chosen to stay behind with her “friend.” Actually looking at her, Nari realized that she really didn’t stand out in the clothes she was wearing. The girl wore a dark blue dress with a tight bodice and a short skirt. The skirt was separated into sections by black frill and had a large bow on it that matched the bows on each of the shoulders. The sleeves were long and black and looked hot to Nari and Rena, although Miya seemed comfortable. The only color that stood out was the gold necklace that ended underneath the dress’s neckline. Rena seemed particularly interested in that necklace.

            “Look, I have no interest in why you lied about knowing me, but it obviously benefited your temporary needs. Now, you owe me.” Miya was, at most, as old as Nari, and she looked even younger with her brown corkscrew pigtails, but she had an air of authority Nari had seen Rena use many times in the time they had been together. It was a subconscious thing; a natural born gift.

            “You’re lucky you chose my name instead of my cousin, it would have been a scandal if you said you knew him. A noble Ravenscourt, knowing some girl from another country who shows up without warning?  His betrothed would have murdered you where you stand, and she’s visiting the Houndwills.” Miya stopped when she realized Nari had no idea what Miya was saying and had been staring at an empty space next to her.

            “Do I need to dumb this down for you?” Nari nodded, not even bothered by the insult. “You have to keep up this act that you’re my friend because-”

            “A tree is one among many in a forest?” Nari finished the sentence, even if she was only repeating what Rena had said. Without asking, Rena told her she would explain later.

            “Exactly!” Miya looked pleased as she finished the conversation and brought Nari to the guest room that had been hastily prepared for her. She left Nari to clean up for dinner, a threatening smile on her face as she said goodbye.