The pager continued to blink softly in Seraphina's hand.
Beep. Beep.
She took a slow breath, then pressed the button to accept the call.
A familiar voice came through almost immediately.
"Sera."
Seraphina straightened without realizing it. Her posture became neat and composed, as if she were standing before royalty instead of sitting on her bed.
"Big sister," she replied calmly.
On the other side of the pager, Selena Aurellian smiled. Even through voice alone, her warmth was unmistakable.
"It's been a while. How are you doing?" Selena asked. "Are you eating properly? Training too hard again?"
"I'm fine," Seraphina answered. "Training as usual. Nothing unusual."
Selena chuckled lightly. "You always say that. Still living however you want instead of like a noble lady, I assume."
Seraphina glanced briefly around her simple room, then answered honestly. "Yes."
