»Act I - 'Girl'

»Chapter I-I 'Mute'

12E/Y381/M8/D3

New La'Rivera, Tierra de la Angeles (Reah)

Just outside of New La'Rivera, the only road outside of town leading anywhere but north was I-17. A narrow, snaking path, carved out of the clifface.

Iro sat with Laelynn, staring out towards the dense forests below. They slowly creeped by. The trees were large but stout. They didn't seem all that far away, but their snail-like pace moving past proved just how high up the interstate really was.

"Don't you get uneasy looking down there..?" Laelynn grimaced at Iro.

"Not really. The forests are beautiful this time of year. It's kind of breath-taking." He answered, simply, not pulling his gaze away.

She waved him off, "You do you, I guess. Try not to fall in love with a patch of trees, though."

"Yeah, don't worry about me. Seeing you get a rash from grinding on one is good enough warning for me."

Laylynn punched him in the arm, "Oh fuck off. You and your friend's shitty weed…"

"Hey, we were just starting to learn how to grow. At least weren't the ones picking bark out our junk for several weeks."

She glared at him, "Yeah, well it's certainly better than blacking out at a party and waking up in a ditch the next morning in a dress."

"Tch," Iro turned his gaze back to the forests, "Touche."

They settled down as the bus continued throughout the night.

Iro laid back a bit as the sun set, and things started getting dark. "We should be there by morning. I'm gonna get some rest for now, though."

Laelynn leaned and gave him a kiss, "I'll be quiet then. You need your beauty sleep." She giggled a little.

"Yeah, yeah. Just don't forget to plug in your headphones this time, dumbass."

She shushed him, "Shut up and go to sleep. Tomorrow will probably be a long day," her face hardened a bit.

"Every day's a long day with them…" Iro said quietly. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight…"

The ride was mostly quiet.

Morning came, and at the station the two hugged tightly, "Only a few more weeks and that house will be ours," Laelynn mumbled into his shoulder.

"I know, I know… we'll be up and out of here soon enough." Iro smiled.

"Yeah… we just gotta hold out 'til then."

Iro nodded, "I'll race you there, yeah?"

"When we're in the same bus going back? Yeah, sure pal." They laughed a bit together and kissed, "I love you." She said warmly.

"I love you, too."

Embracing for a final time, they took their bags and went their separate ways.

Iro walked most of the way. Dreading the weeks to come he didn't want things to end. Not yet at least. But as his family's manor came into view, the apprehension threatening to paralyze him won for a moment.

He stood on the doorway, hesitant. Sighing deeply, he tensed, and pulled out a key, letting himself in.

He entered quietly, quickly making his way to his room, settling down. Sitting in a swivel chair at a desk decorated with books, game cases, figurines, stickers and such. Clean, but full, the only 'clutter' was a small pin with white, pink, and blue stripes sitting atop an opened letter.

One he'd gotten sometime ago from his fiancé.

The pin was a gift included, but at that point in time he didn't feel confident wearing it, or putting it on his bag he lugged everywhere.

He stared at the pin with a strange intensity, jumping when a knock came on his door.

"Who is it?" He called out.

"Raisa."

He sighed in relief, "Come in."

The door opened slowly, and an older girl with platinum blonde hair walked in. Her eyes glittered, like everyone's did in the Exuranna family. She took a seat on the bed, closing the door behind her. "You just got back?" She asked.

"Yeah. We started making our way back a couple of days ago." Iro said, staring at his hands as he absent-mindedly played with the pin.

Raisa nodded, "You two enjoy yourselves?" She tilted her head.

"Certainly. We checked out the house one last time too. Quaint, but more than enough if it's just the two of us."

"That's good…" Raisa spoke quietly. After a moment's silence, the pin and letter caught her eye, "So, you finally told her?"

Iro nodded, "Yeah… I left her the letter sometime before we left."

"What'd she say?"

"That she always knew," Iro started laughing, "And that she'd always be by my side. Even if she doesn't quite understand…" He smiled faintly, holding out the pin to his sister, "She even sent me this as a gift."

"And… that's when you knew?"

He nodded, "Mhm… I took her on a walk the night after. I was going to ask but…" he held up his hand, showing the two rings, "She beat me to it. When I asked her if she was certain she got a bit upset. Almost slapped me and went on a tirade about it meaning so little." He paused for a second, "That whether or not she had a husband or wife in the end, because she loved me for me."

"Good. You deserve it." She got up and gave Iro a tight hug, "I'm happy for you." Sitting back down she continued, "And, I don't care what Auntie says. You may be family, but you'll always be my friend too. To me you're the sister that didn't leave me behind, regardless of what the world may think." She smiled warmly, "Even if you may not look like it yet, you're Iryna to me." She took a small piece from her pocket, "My wonderful, beautiful sister, Iryna, whose saved me more times than I can count," and handed it to Iryna. "Here. I know it's dangerous to do it without a doctor. But I did some research while you were gone. These should help get you started until that clinic opens up."

Iryna was a bit taken aback, and tears welled in her eyes. She took the paper, opening it to find four pills. Two small blue ones, and two large circular yellow ones. She cried a little, and choked back a sob. "I… I don't know what to say…"

"Don't say anything. You've helped me more times than I can count. It's the least I can do to return that." Raisa clasped Iryna's hand around the paper. "I know Auntie searches your room regularly. I'll keep the bottles in mine so she doesn't get a hold of them. Just knock. And if I'm not home you already have the key. You're free to go in and get them yourself." She then handed Iryna a card, "Get yourself some new clothes too, okay? I'll keep those in the wardrobe for you whenever you feel like it."

Iryna nodded, and broke down sobbing, "This… this is too much…" She choked.

"Not to me, it isn't. Besides, this let's me get back at that bitch in my own little way." Raisa put a hand on her sister's shoulder, "Keep your head high. You're almost out of this."

Iryna's sobs slowed down, "Yeah… you're right."