NOVEL NEXT Chapter 26: Syux, Part Three
Later, Melisa stepped into Javir's home, her eyes widening as she took in her surroundings.
Polished marble [this city really likes marble, huh?] floors stretched on beneath her feet. Intricate, fancy tapestries adorned the walls. Crystal chandeliers above cast a warm, inviting glow over everything, making even the shadows look expensive.
[Good lord,] Melisa thought, her jaw resting on the floor. [And here I thought our place back in the village was nice. This makes it look like a mud hut!]
As they moved into the house, a small commotion erupted deeper inside.
A woman who bore a striking resemblance to Javir, with her same sunlight hair and sharp features, burst out.
She was happy for about two seconds.
Then, as soon as she saw the people behind Javir, her face became a mix of confusion and anger.
"Javir!" she exclaimed, her eyes darting between the mage and her nim companions. "What the hell is the meaning of this? You vanish for weeks and return with... with..."
"Friends, dear sister," Javir replied smoothly. "The word you're looking for is friends."
The woman's nostrils flared.
"Friends? Have you lost your mind? They're nim! What will people say?"
"Probably what they always say about me, I imagine," Javir shrugged. "'There goes that troublesome Javir, stirring up the pot again. Can't she just be normal???' Yada yada. Besides," she added, "since when have I ever cared what people say?"
As the siblings launched into a heated exchange, Melisa turned toward her parents to gauge their reactions.
"What do you think we're going to do here, Maggie?" Melistair asked Margaret, his voice low. "We're free, so at least we're not gonna end up as slaves, sure, but we're in a strange city with no jobs, no connections..."
Before Margaret could respond, Javir's voice cut through the air.
"Not to worry, my friends," she said, flashing them a reassuring smile. "I've got a few ideas up my sleeve."
As they discussed the possibilities, a flicker of movement caught Melisa's eye.
She turned to see a young girl, about her own age, peering curiously at them from behind an ornate pillar.
The girl's eyes met Melisa's, and for a moment, they just stared at each other, two children from vastly different worlds (literally), suddenly occupying the same space.
Javir, noticing Melisa's distraction, followed her gaze and smiled.
"Ah, I see you've spotted my little shadow," she said, gesturing for the girl to come closer. "Melisa, this is my niece, Jailyn. Jailyn, come say hello to our guests."
Jailyn stepped out cautiously from behind the pillar. She looked up at Melisa's parents but, again, her eyes lingered on Melisa herself.
She gave a small curtsy.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all," she said, her voice soft but clear.
Melisa wasn't too sure what to make of this girl.
[She's cute,] Melisa smiled. [Not quite as cute as my fox cousin but, still, cute as heck.]
"Nice to meet you too," Melisa replied, giving an awkward little wave. "I'm Melisa. I like your... uh, your curtsy thing. Very fancy."
Jaylin raised a brow.
Melisa couldn't quite tell what she was thinking.
"Thank you. (?)"
Melisa watched as Javir's sister [What was her name again? Did anyone even say it?] pulled Javir aside. Melistair and Margaret walked off, looking at the rest of the house to give them space.
Melisa did not.
They were whisper-yelling, so although Melisa was clearly not supposed to hear this she did get some snippets of the conversation.
"...can't believe you'd bring them here..."
"...not some charity case, Javir..."
"...think of Jailyn's future reputation..."
[Ah, good old family drama. Guess some things really are universal.]
Melisa peeked around the corner, her gaze drifting back to Jailyn.
Jaylin spotted her immediately but remained quiet.
Just then, Javir's voice rose, catching everyone's attention.
"They're staying, and that's final. Do not forget whose house this is, sister. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to show our guests to their rooms."
[Crap.]
Melisa backed off about 10 steps to pretend she hadn't been listening. If Javir saw through her facade, she didn't show it.
"Come on, Melisa," she aimed a warm smile down at her. "Let me give you a little tour."
As Javir ushered the Blackflames upstairs, Melisa couldn't help but notice the sour looks on her sister's and Jailyn's faces, who followed behind them.
"You will be staying here," she told Melisa, "and you two can stay here," she gestured at the room opposite Melisa's. "Any questions?"
No one said anything.
"Very well. I hope you enjoy your stay with us."
It didn't seem like Javir's family agreed with that sentiment, but oh well.
---
Later that night, unable to sleep in the unfamiliar (albeit luxurious) bed, Melisa crept out of her room.
As she passed by a slightly ajar door, hushed voices caught her attention.
[Hm?]
Down the hall, once again, Javir and her family were arguing.
And, once again, Melisa listened in.
She pressed herself against the wall, straining to hear.
"...absolutely unacceptable," Javir's sister hissed. "Nim in our home? What were you thinking?"
"I was thinking about doing the right thing," Javir replied, her tone weary but firm.
"But, auntie," Jailyn's voice chimed in, "what if someone sees them? What will my friends say?"
"They won't say anything," Javir said, "because they won't know. It's fine."
"Ugh, you aren't thinking! Our standing, our appearances! You can't just-"
"Can't what?" Javir interrupted. "Can't treat people with basic decency? Can't give a talented young girl a chance at a better life? Sis, all you've done is remind me of why I left."
Melisa's brows raised.
[Wow.]
"You always were the damn idealist," Javir's sister sighed. "Don't expect us to pretend to like them."
"I don't," Javir replied. "Gods know squeezing kindness out of you is as difficult as blood from a stone. I just expect you to be civil. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some lesson plans to prepare. Turns out, returning to teaching is a bit more work than I remembered."
As footsteps approached the door, Melisa scurried back inside.
[Well,] she thought as she went under her covers, [looks like life in Syux is going to be... interesting, to say the least.]