(Amaia)
Getting out of bed I proceed to the dark brown wooden cupboard with silver handles and throw it open. My uniform is neatly stacked in a corner along with my weapon.
A smile graces my lips seeing my double sword and I pick it up, feeling the handle in my hands. Silently it hums to me, as if pulsating with my magic. I slide my hand on its polished handle where a single prism-shaped ruby has been embedded.
This sword belonged to my late mother, she passed it to me on that fateful night when I lost everything. The memory is still so clear in my head that it haunts me day and night.
Carefully, placing it back, I reach inside and bring out my uniform to inspect it closely.
Opening the uniform I lay it out on the bed. The black matted-leather pants with thigh belts. The black long-tailed outer coat with a red lion embroidered on the right side and a small inner shirt. It's neat, elegant and stylish.
The three houses have different shaded costumes to differentiate between them.
I glance around the room and find a rectangular ebony table in the other corner with two chairs.
A small oval vanity mirror with a chip missing from the bottom is hung up on the wall with a small shelf.
On the opposite side where Kacir's bed is, a small window opens. I walk over and touch the blue-tinted glass before pushing it open and glancing out. There are no bars in it and the cold wind rushes in. It makes weird noises, revealing we are on at least the third or fourth floor. It opens to give a view of vast gardens and the training grounds in the distance.
Did Alnitak carry me all the way up? The thought automatically puts a smile on my face.
Placing my elbow on the window ledge, I stare out at the vast expanse of gardens and the breathtaking flowers that bloom there.
For a second I just forget the world around me and focus on this beautiful world of ours. The one we almost lost to greed and war.
The opening of the bathroom door has my focus shifting away from the window.
Kacir steps out with damp hair and his uniform on. I notice he hasn't swept them away from his eye.
"All yours, you can take a bath and change. I put out toiletries and an extra unused towel." He points towards the bathroom.
"Thank you, Kacir. That was very kind of you." I turn around and pick up my uniform.
I do wonder why I wasn't paired with Rahria and what the story between him, Rahria and Mintaka was. I had sensed tension between the three.
"Why didn't Rahria become my roommate?" I ask carefully, not trying to be disrespectful.
Kacir, who is combing his hair with a wooden brush, halts at my question and his expression goes blank.
His electric blue eye meets me in the mirror and he questions, "Am I making you uncomfortable?"
I grew up with a brother, and when tragedy befell our family, I lived with my ex-mate's family, so I am used to being around boys.
I frantically wave my free hand in front. "No, no. Just curious that we are only two girls but I was paired with you. I understand that twins will have their own room."
He lowers his head and pauses, a pain I can see reflecting on his face now.
"Because I didn't want to be paired with her, nor did I want her to be paired with you. She can be vindictive and can try to hurt you. Alnitak and I don't trust her so I requested to be your roommate."
Definitely, they have some unfinished business with each other.
"If I may ask. What happened between the two of you?" I can't stop myself and Kacir just draws in another breath and painfully answers.
"I will tell you some other time."
I don't want to push him so I just nod and enter the washroom to take a quick bath and change.
Whatever hurtful history exists between them, I hope I don't get tangled in it but somehow I feel I am already in it.
Kacir sticks to me for reasons I am unable to understand. He watches me with this concerned but protective gaze, which is not predatory; it's different from how my mates gaze at me.
There is something about him that I can't pinpoint yet. A persisting sadness, a loneliness too.
Turning on the shower, I let myself get drenched with hot water and scrub myself clean.
My hand rubs against my thigh where the mark of the curse rests, and I try to scratch it off, but it doesn't budge.
My necklace comfortably rests against my beating heart. I slide my fingers against the tattoo of Leo Constellation on my arm, and thankfully, the pain here has subsided. The nine bright dots, each representing a star of the constellation now mark my arm.
I observe it for a while, twisting my arm and then shift to the changing area.
Kacir has placed a fresh towel separately on the hook for me and I smile at his thoughtfulness.
Drying myself up I put on my snug new uniform. It sits gracefully against my skin and I feel satisfied.
If Mom and Aziel had been alive, they would have been proud of me, but all that is left of them are memories.
Quietly, I step out of the bathroom, and Kacir is all set.
A small smile appears on his lips as he watches me.
"You look beautiful. Ready for orientation?" I nod at him, straightening my uniform's outer coat.
He offers me a small glass bottle which contains a light blue liquid.
"What is this?" I curiously ask, and he says.
"Essence of moonflower. It smells nice. Put it on." Opening the gold lid, I bring the little ball tip near my nose and take a small whiff.
Divine, it smells so good that I want to keep inhaling.
Rolling it on my wrist, I let the smell settle and return the tiny bottle to him.
"I love it." I take deep breaths to fill my lungs with this intoxicating scent.
He places it on the vanity.
"Let's head out for the orientation."
I follow him and wonder what new adventures and hardships await me, and how I am going to lift this curse off me.