"And by your right, you can see the oldest church of all the region."
"It looks dilapidated."
"Yeah, alright it is. But they were planning to renovate the building soon, and maybe expand it as they go."
"I think it looks alright."
"You thought everything looks alright," Lilith said to her sister with an eye roll followed by a headshake. She made sure that she could see the smile on her face so she knew that she wasn't being serious.
Henry was touring them around his city, pointing out the famous tourist spots and must-try products around. They have been walking around for half a day and had barely finished even half of the place.
"This city is too big!" Lilith panted as the three of them sat down for shade in a pop-up cart. "How are you still fine?" she eyed Aurora who, despite the white long-sleeved blouse and her long hair in a loose braid, still looks as fresh as when they set out earlier.
Henry arrived at their table with three glasses of cold drinks. Lilith accepted hers gratefully and sipped half her glass in one go. Aurora gave a soft thank you and curiously observed her drink before trying a small sip to try it.
"How are you guys doing now?" Henry asked as he took a seat. "We've last talked since. . . One and a half weeks, right?"
"Still a mess, to be honest," Lilith sighed, Aurora's grimacing smile supporting the claim.
It probably won't be a stretch if she said that their town had almost fallen into a state of ruin after the magic that held the family Solerna for centuries vanished. Shouts of panic and fear rang throughout the streets as the people ran around like some headless chickens. Lilith would probably laugh if it weren't for the heat her family was subjected to.
It was crazy to watch how everyone reacted when the safety net that covered their town for so long was suddenly taken from under them. Two sides quickly formed before the end of the day, both refusing to yield as they throw accusations and speculations to each other.
Aurora was also not exempted from the vultures, especially when the knowledge of her past blessing circulated around town. Lilith had to whisk her twin away before they all torn her to shreds.
The adults were too busy trying to put together a plan, with each one trying to push their own plans and ended up empty-handed. Sol had to go and look for the visiting ambassadors to act as a third party and help settle the stormy fest.
Their parents refused to leave their town for the city, promising to establish back the casa back in its former glory without asking for any help. It had almost caused another eruption when Sol declared that he wants to try his luck outside of town, with Luna wanting to do the same. Lilith didn't even need to think hard and jumped in agreement, easily convincing Aurora to come with them.
"They'll change their minds," Henry said in consolation. Lilith opted to say nothing and just nodded. "Is there anything else you guys needed? Maybe I can help."
"We're still pretty much in grieving period so we can't do anything much presently." It was an old tradition to pay the proper respect for the deceased, without the distraction of the outside world. The four teenagers still wished to follow it through even if they are currently hours away from home.
"That's right, Luna said that the performance group where she's at now has an upcoming event in three weeks. She was really excited since she said newcomers are rarely given big parts in performances. She said we should go and support her," she said with an eye roll. Her relationship with her cousin is still pretty much the same, bar using some new creative and harmless insults to one another. It baffled Aurora at first, with Sol having to explain to her a couple of times that that's just how they work and just let them be.
"Ugh, I think we need to buy more groceries, though. What were we supposed to buy again. . ?"
"Some fresh fruits, eggs and carton of milk," Aurora answered.
"Ah right. We can do that when we get back after this," Lilith replied and yawned. Living with her twin had been. . . interesting to adjust to. With the three cousins growing up together and basically knew each other inside out, it took some effort between the two groups to find a comfortable set up to work on. It was also a little hilarious to discover that your twin sister is pretty much a genius with an exceptional memory, which she demonstrated brilliantly after being instructed--tricked, Lilith would say--by Sol to read the inventory and memorized everything in one reading.
"And besides, we will be seeing more of you soon by next month, right?"
"Oh that's right!" Henry said, excited. "Then I guess it's time for me to show you guys the way towards the school? So at least you'll know where to go on your own."
"Everything here looks the same to me! How can I even manage to remember which place is where?" Lilith griped and slumped down on the table.
"Don't worry, I'll try to remember them for us."
"See? You should be more optimistic like your sister here," Henry pointed. Lilith poke her tongue out in reply but easily followed the two to their next stop.
"Anyway, I hope your tests will let you be in my grade," Henry continued to talk as they wait for the bus. "The classes are pretty confusing and sometimes boring for me and it's so hard to concentrate, especially in mornings," he grumbled. "Hope you guys are ready for a life of being students."
Lilith looked at Aurora and laughed. "Henry, we came from a magical family." The bus arrived and all three teens entered. "I think we can handle being students better than what you might believe."
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Author's Note: well i guess this wraps up the story Casa Solerna. i honestly was not expecting this story to come this way really, and i had to stop at some places because it's getting a bit, uh, familiar haha. i actually have some story-related plots i didn't get to put here, but i might go and write them after some time.
this book is obviously full of potholes, maybe even big enough to fit a car? haha but i would like to hear of your thoughts of this story. which parts should i try to improve? do you have any suggestions i can follow for this book?