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ATM Rewrite: B2 — 34. Embracing Change
🕑 Added 2024-07-25 22:19:58 +0000 UTCPoV:
1. Sora Moore (Our Girl's Settling Into Her New Life!)
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Sora noticed her father’s face, her fingers squeezing the seven-pointed star pendant in her palm upon seeing the mix of complex emotions. Wendy’s gaze was still on her brooch, probably processing her own internalized feelings.
This isn't fair for you, Dad, she thought, her heart aching. First, your little girl goes through so many problems, then Mom brings another woman into your life… The Foundation’s intrusion, and now this—discovering you have a mysterious big sister who says not to trust her or our family.
She moved forward, a little surprised Wendy was right beside her, moving to give their dad an Oreo hug. “It’s okay, Dad,” Sora whispered.
He breathed out a long sigh and smiled, squeezing them back. “Don’t worry about me,” he said, his voice warm yet subdued, likely shoving down his own feelings by his fluctuating aura.
“Hmm. Do you have your journal to get to today, or does Aiden’s date trump that?” her dad asked with a playful tone.
Sora’s cheeks heated up as Wendy giggled on the opposite side. “Dad! It’s not a date, just…you know, hanging out…probably.”
“Sure, sure,” he chuckled. “I can stay with Wendy, so don’t stress, love. I’m sure we’ll have a lot of fun catching up. Maybe I’ll take Wendy, Noelia, and your mother out into the city to have some fun. We could all use it, right?”
Wendy quickly piped up, “I’d love that, but Sora doesn’t have to worry about me. I’m good now. Actually, I want to learn more about this new family dynamic of ours.” She growled softly, her ears pulling back and looking away. “You’re probably worried about Kari and Eyia. I’m just saying, I’m perfectly fine now. I’ll figure things out with my mom and dad,” she whispered, looking up at Jarlath with a tentative face, possibly wondering if she should call him that now.
“That’s a good idea,” Sora promptly encouraged, pulling back and putting the pendant back in the safe. “We should keep this our little secret for now… Not that anyone will remember it. I do need to talk to Mary before meeting Aiden. There’s a…yeah,” she strained a laugh. “There’s a lot to chat about. If I come across Kari, then I do. It’s up to her if she wants to talk. But I’m waiting for Eyia and Kari to come to me in their own time.”
Her dad nodded, nudging his head toward the elevator. “Sounds mature and like my little copper tail. Why don’t Wendy and I go down and break the news to everyone else? Ugh. Your mom is so high maintenance, so I’d be happy to have Noelia and Wendy’s support because she’s blaming herself for all of this.”
Wendy smiled. “That’s something I can help with. Sora, you should get ready. We’ll take our time getting ready later, so don’t worry. Seriously! I’m good. It’s just trying to discover how to use my, eh, squirrel and tanuki powers. Exciting!”
“Super exciting!”
Sora scooted around her dad, tail swaying in lock-step with her big sister as they slapped both hands together in the air for encouragement.
“My mom’s got a lot of twisted tails, so hopefully your mom can smack her with that bushy tail and tell her to stop being stupid!”
“I don’t think that’s the approach we’ll take, but I’ll take your advice under council!”
Sora snickered while watching them go, her mind spinning with everything that had happened as they disappeared into the hallway elevator. My dad is probably the most grounded, resilient man in existence… So many troublesome girls in his life yet he handles it like a champ. I really need to protect him.
Sora took a moment to collect herself when the pair went below to her private realm. She knew her father was right; Mary was expecting her, and there were things she needed to sort out before meeting Aiden. The revelation of her father's big sister had thrown her for a loop, and more than one time, but she couldn’t afford to let it distract her from the tasks at hand.
“Right!” she said to herself, pumping an arm. “Time to get ready for the day. To battle, as Eyia would say!”
She made her way to her room, pulling out her journal and used magic to quickly jot down everything that happened. Mary was right, writing did help her process her feelings, and today was no exception. She detailed her worries about her father, the strange dynamics with Wendy, Noelia, and her parents. Near the end she added her unresolved feelings about Kari, Eyia, and Aiden, as different as all of them were.
Sora finished her entry with a deep breath in less than five minutes after lying down on her bed, she threw up her feet and hoisted herself up. “New clothes and accessories!”
Her tail swayed with her body as she tapped the air, her desire magic turning on her music app to play the alternative indie genre station. Sora’s smile brightened upon hearing Bryce Savage come on. She sang along with the song, “And she likes nice cars, late nights, tattoos, long flights, new shoes, old nikes, new clothes, new sights…good times, she lives, she loves. And she likes it when the bass is so loud, when the place sold out…”
Spelling herself clean , she flipped through her racks while humming to the beat. Sora plucked out a high-waisted, knee-length denim skirt with a fashionable slit with a fitted, sky blue sleeveless top. She slipped on designer sandals, a delicate gold bracelet, matching necklace, and a small ankle charm with a fox on it.
Sora spun in front of the mirror, looking herself over while motioning at her makeup station in her room, bobbing left and right. The items flew into the closet and hovered around her as she cycled between them with a smile, tapping each product while desiring the illusion to apply it to her face.
“Blue lipstick, light pink gloss, or what about some natural chapstick? Hmm. No need to foundation when I have a smooth and even complexion already. Nothing to conceal, which is a godsend after my early tweens—yikes that was an awkward time,” she snickered.
“Maybe a little eyeshadow to highlight my eyes? A light golden works for a hint of shimmer! A subtle Nilly-cat eyeliner for definition but not too dramatic. My lashes are already pretty large, which is a plus. Eyebrows? Perfect. Cheek blush? Ugh. I blush enough as it is…” she mumbled with a wry smirk.
“Any need for highlighter? Mmm. Naa. Back to lips…a nude shade, with a hint of gloss to keep them looking fresh and hydrated? Sounds reasonable. And a little magic to keep it on instead of setting spray, tie my hair into a simple braid to be out of the way, and…done!”
Turning left and right, she flashed her perfectly cleaned teeth and took a few cute poses before taking a high picture. Wondering what would come of it, Sora’s fingers hovered over her device before writing out the text to Aiden.
Ready for our ‘adventure’ later today. LMK. I’ll be free after noon, probably!
She pushed her lips to the side, thumb hanging over the keys. That should be good, right? It should be. Send!
Releasing a long stream of air that did nothing to relieve the tension in her chest, Sora nodded at herself in the mirror. Alright, time to see Mary.
She grabbed her bag and headed out as the song changed again and she sang along to keep her spirits up, or more like distract herself. “And she’s got those eyes that cut like a dagger. And got that attitude, like she don’t care, nothing matters. But something ‘bout her infectious smile and laughter. No, I don’t want her. No, it’s a need, gotta have her… Be that girl, Sora!”
Her mind buzzed with a mix of excitement and anxiety about the day ahead as she desired for the music to cut. The elevator ride to the ground floor had her stomach dancing on a tightrope.
Life is insane, but that’s okay. I kind of like that. Plus, I get to boast to Mary about my restraint! I’ve been so good lately. Sure…some hiccups, like forcing Kari to go shopping, but that turned out okayish. And we’re off!
Stepping into the lobby as the doors opened, Sora held her hands behind her back, paused, and hurried back into the elevator. “Why am I walking when I have a car?!”
Now bouncing on her toes with excitement, she entered the suite again, hearing her dad, mom, Wendy, and Noelia nearing the elevator as the box went past her private realm. Not pausing, she went right for the garage, snatched the Bentley keys from the box, and, luckily, it was already positioned to go.
Getting inside, she positioned her tail properly, locked in the seat belt, and activated the car elevator while using her other hand to press the button to start the vehicle. The luxury car came to life, making her belly squirm and internally thanking her dad again for this gift.
She caught her family in the rearview mirror as the car descended, waving back. I’m off for adventure!
Leaving the hotel underground, she grinned ear to ear while entering traffic, feeling like the coolest girl in the world, which was ironic to her, considering she was a vulpes Founder and this excited her. She couldn’t help it! She’d watched her dad drive fancy cars all her life, and now she had her own.
Mary’s office felt longer than usual or maybe it was because she was having fun. She took a few laps around Miami Beach, to be fair—she needed to waste time since her appointment was at 9 a.m. Plus, breakfast was calling her.
After eating, she drove to Mary’s client parking and used the rearview camera to back into the stall. Feeling oddly satisfied, Sora couldn’t help but replay the morning’s events in her mind. The revelation of a big sister her father never knew, the cryptic warning not to trust their family—it was a lot to take in. Mary probably wouldn’t even remember…unless she got creative.
When she finally reached Mary’s office, she was greeted with a warm smile from the receptionist. “Good morning, Sora. Mary’s expecting you.”
“Thanks,” Sora replied, forcing a smile as she walked through the familiar door and stared at the floor.
Kari’s scent is literally everywhere… What, did she roll across the ground? She had an internal chuckle at creating an illusion of the fenris wolf doing summersaults ahead of her, her thick black tail whipping in the air. She was here late last night… Mary’s getting worked to the bone!
Knocking on the door, Mary’s voice called out to her from inside. “Come in, Sora.” The light brown-eyed woman looked up from her desk, her expression softening and honey brown hair wrapped into a professional bun. “My, aren’t you looking dressed up? I haven’t seen you wear makeup since transforming. You look beautiful.”
“Oooh, beautiful and not cute, huh?” Sora grinned, feeling butterflies swelling in her belly while closing the door and skipping over to sit on the client couch. She sat carefully, smoothing out her skirt. “I’m growing up.”
“Very much so,” Mary said, taking her tablet from the desk and moving to sit opposite her. “I’m sure there are quite a few crazy things to get off your chest. So, why don’t you dive right into it?”
Sora puffed out a breath that said the psychiatrist wasn’t ready for her. “It’s been a day, let me tell you! We found out my dad has a big sister, and she warned us not to trust our family.”
Mary’s eyebrows shot up before settling back into their previous place. “That’s a lot to unpack already… Mmm. So, what did you want to talk about? How are you feeling about the situation between your parents and Noelia? Has anything come from that? It was a lot to unpack.”
Sora internally sighed. Thought so, not even just talking in vague terms works. I guess it’s something me, Dad, and Wendy will need to work through ourselves. I bet Kari’s been talking her tongue off about everything happening in the house, too, but Mary isn’t going to bring anything up or conflate our sessions… She is a professional.
Sora nodded, feeling a bit of the tension in her shoulders ease as she pivoted. “I know, and don’t think I’m complaining! It’s just…there’s so much happening all at once. Some things I could tell you but you wouldn’t remember them due to, well, universal forces.”
“Scary thought, but I can only know what I know, so there is no point in fretting over it,” Mary smoothly replied, catching Sora a tad off-guard at the stance.
“Wow. Well, that’s true…I guess. Good point.” She crossed her legs and leaned against the side of the couch while staring out of the one-way glass windows. “But, umm, as for Noelia and Mom, it’s still weird, honestly. Mom’s trying to make it work, but it’s…strange. I don’t get her. I get Noelia. My mom is totally a culture shock, though.”
Mary nodded, jotting down a few notes. “It’s natural to feel that way, given your unique circumstances. Your dad’s also been through a lot, and so have you. It’s important to give yourself time to process everything. A lot has changed in your life over the past month.”
Sora shifted, trying to articulate her feelings. “I guess I’m just worried about Dad the most. He’s handling it well, but I can tell he’s struggling. Oh, I forgot to say that Wendy is now officially a part of the family!”
“Is that right? And how does she feel about that?” Mary asked, making notes as they went but remaining engaged. “Did everything turn out as your mother planned?”
“No,” Sora hissed, scratching her ear and hissing. “No, not at all but we worked it out. It’s hard to explain, but Wendy’s basically a squirrel and tanuki Founder mix, with whatever my dad is. Wendy’s cool with everything. My dad, though? Yikes. He’s still going through so much. I mean, how could he not be in panic mode? First, Mom leaves, then she’s back with Noelia, and now this daughter thing with Wendy. It’s a lot.”
“It is a lot,” Mary agreed, her tone comforting. “And it’s okay to worry about him. You’re all trying to navigate these changes together, and it’s bound to be challenging.”
“I just feel like he’s always been so strong, you know?” Sora mumbled, her voice wavering slightly. “And now, I want to be strong for him…to protect him.”
Mary smiled warmly while adjusting her speckled blue dress, the same one she’d worn a few weeks ago. “You are strong, Sora. And being there for your dad, supporting him, is part of that strength. But remember, it’s also okay to lean on others when you need to. You’re juggling a lot of issues. You don’t have to shoulder everything alone.”
Sora nodded, feeling a bit lighter but slightly leery as she gave the brown-haired woman a dubious grin. “Thanks, Mary. I need to hear that, but is that a transition into…”
Mary glanced at her with a small smile. “Now, about Aiden… Has that special day come?”
Sora’s cheeks heated while calling her purse over to fiddle with its straps. “Yeah, well, uh, it has to be some day that it happens, right? We’re supposed to, umm, to hang out today. You know, I’m looking forward to it, but…”
“But?” Mary gently prompted as she trailed off.
Sora sighed. “I guess I’m just nervous. Things have been so crazy lately, and I don’t want to mess this up. He’s been really great, and I like spending time with him—he’s fun!”
Mary set her tablet down on her lap with a smile. “It’s natural to feel nervous, Sora. You’re a girl, not just some all-powerful goddess in training.”
“Well, when you put it like that,” Sora chuckled, hissing a little and looking off to the side while recalling Aiden’s firm presence in the hell amphitheater. “But…he’s like a firebird prince, you know. He’s a Founder, too. Plus, he has so much more experience than me out in the world, helping people.”
Mary’s buttery expression didn’t change. “It sounds like you two have a good connection then.”
“Mary! No, I’m saying, uh, I don’t know what I’m saying,” she growled, ears folding back. “He’s saving monster lives here in Miami. Aiden’s going to guide me around the monster communities and show me what they’re like. Tammy wants to show me around her tribe. I’m here focused on my family while he worries about the whole Miami community…”
“Sora,” the brunette whispered, causing her to look up into her gentle eyes. “Just be yourself, and enjoy your time together. It’s hard to find the time to deepen friendships, and maybe this can become something more…but for now, just let the stress go. You deserve to have some fun and happiness, too. He wants to show you a good time. Let him. Feel it out from there.”
“Yeah,” Sora said, a small smile tugging at her lips while staring down at her purse. “I guess I am plucking at my tail for no reason. I’ll try to relax and enjoy it. There’s no need to rush things, right?”
Mary nodded, resting her hand on her forearm as her expression softened. “All you can do is put yourself out there and enjoy yourself. For now, take this as a chance to get to know him better. Besides, who said you can’t just admire him as a friend?”
“W-What—what did you say?” Sora gasped, her face turning scarlet. “What do you mean admire him as a friend?”
A half-smile lifted the psychiatrist’s brown eyes. “Sora, you’re a growing teenage girl. For a lack of a better word, Aiden is quite the pretty bird, is he not? There’s no need to deny it. He’s strong, competent, caring, and fun to be around.”
“I guess when you put it that way… Yes?” she whispered, feeling as if she said something wrong. “How can I be so provocative sometimes and totally fall on my face, too? I want to hide in a pillow right now…”
“Remember, you’re not totally a vulpes,” Mary chuckled. “And I bet your dad is very happy about that. I’m sure you’ve heard some things from your mother that make your ears turn red—ah, I see I’m right.”
“Let me die,” Sora cried. “No, but they’re really cute together… Mom and Dad really do love each other. It’s really sweet to see.”
“Good. And if you ever need to talk or need support, you know I’m here for you.”
“Thanks, Mary,” she sighed, feeling genuinely grateful. “I appreciate it. So…about Kari and Eyia.”
“Mhm?” Mary picked up her tablet again and shifted her posture. “I take it we are moving on because Wendy is doing wonderfully after all the heartache she experienced due to Jane?”
“Oh, absolutely! Noelia and her are hitting it off great, and Dad is so loving and supportive… No, they’re out having a family day together. I bet they’ll end up at the bonfire in my private realm, cooking smores with Ember later—I just got the picture of a bark smore,” she laughed, imagining the Fire Fairy munching down with a grin.
“That does sound lovely,” Mary chuckled. “So, what has happened between Kari and you?”
Figuring she wanted more information on the fenris wolf first to further help the raven-haired girl, Sora sighed and sank into her chair. “Truthfully, nothing. I’ve hardly talked to her this week. Eyia and her are getting along better. I hear them going out and playing sports together or having challenges, but it’s always…a bit tense, I want to say?”
“I see.” Mary looked a tad sad at that. “It takes time for prejudices to ease, especially unconscious ones brought up in childhood. Eyia is taking wonderful steps. Kari is also trying her best… It is best to be patient with both of them. Is there anything else?”
“Well, I’m…kind of just giving Kari space and waiting for her to approach me. Is that wrong?” she asked, her pulled back ears rising a little while looking at the brunette for any confirmation. “I messed up last week by forcing her to go shopping, but…yeah. I thought about it later and smacked myself on the forehead.”
“Hmm.” The brown-eyed woman shifted to the opposite side of her chair while staring at her tablet, deep in thoughts by her aura, debating something serious. “…Sora, what would you say about finding Kari before meeting Aiden and inviting her to the school open house tomorrow?”
Sora let the built up stress steam out of her like a deflated balloon. “You can’t do that to me, Mary—I thought you were going to ask me to ask her to join Aiden and me!”
“Oh, my apologies, Sora,” Mary chortled. “Yes, I can see why that phrasing might have built up some pressure. No, I’m asking for you to give her some time to stew on it. Don’t expect a yes. Just invite her. Let her come to the decision herself.”
“Uh, yeah.” She shrugged, looking at the clock. “I’ve got no problem with that. I’ve still got a while before I need to meet Aiden for lunch, so I’ve got time. Wendy might be a little pissed, but that’s okay. I’ll try to talk with her later tonight.”
A short pause came between them, Mary giving her a proud smile that surprised Sora.
“…You’ve really grown up. Maybe it has been due to necessity, yet you’ve grown nonetheless. After spending a lot of time with Kari over the last two weeks, I cannot express how important it is that Kari has someone like you in her life…that she can depend on you as a genuine friend that will allow her time to adapt. That’s all I will say.”
Sora’s heart swelled at the praise but more so for what it implied. “Thank you, Mary. Now, I better go find Kari, which…shouldn’t be hard,” she laughed. “The sports fanatic leaves a pretty noticeable trail. Text me when you get another opening? I really like our chats.”
“I’ll text you.”
“Thanks! Catch you soon.”
Waving and leaving the office with high spirits and feeling more grounded, she noticed that they didn’t talk much about Eyia. Yet, she didn’t smell the Valkyrie’s scent that much in the space. The bright Miami sun greeted her, lifting her spirits further. Making a mental note to see what was happening to her blonde warrior sister, Sora got into her car to try and follow a wolf.
She checked her phone, she saw a message from Aiden:
9:04 a.m. Aiden - Looking forward to our adventure! Tammy and her girls are excited. See you soon. 😊
Sora’s heart fluttered, and she couldn’t help but smile. Alright, Sora, you’ve got this. Time to enjoy the day…right after finding a brooding wolf girl.
Driving through the busy streets of Miami, Sora allowed herself to soak in the vibrant energy of the city, singing to songs and following the pleasant smell Kari left behind.
Sora hummed to herself, her hands tapping the steering wheel in rhythm with the music as she drove through Miami. Kar’s scent led her to a nearby park she hadn’t been to before; in fact, it was a bit far out to walk, which made her think the wolf wanted to be alone, but Mary gave her a mission.
As she parked her car, she took a deep breath, readying herself for the conversation ahead. She got a few whistles and cheers upon getting out, people giving her thumbs up or commenting on her car or looks. Sora filtered them out, quite literally with her magic, making herself invisible.
The park was bustling with activity. Children played on the swings, couples strolled hand in hand, and joggers weaved through the paths. Sora spotted Kari sitting on a bench under a large oak tree, her posture tense and eyes distant.
Okay, Sora, just be yourself but not pushy Sora-self, she thought, walking over with a smile. “Kari.”
Kari’s ears twitched, and she looked up, her amber eyes meeting Sora’s. “Hey,” she replied, her voice flat but not unkind. “What do you want?”
Charming. Blunt, as always.
“Mind if I sit?” Sora asked, gesturing to the space beside her.
Kari shrugged, giving off a passive vibe but looking far less empty and suicidal compared to how she’d been during their first talk. Sora took that as an invitation, crossing her legs and tapping the air. They sat in silence for a few moments, the sounds of the park filling the gap.
Should I wait for Kari to talk like Mary always does with me? No. Not my style.
“I, uh, wanted to talk to you about something,” Sora began, choosing her words carefully. “There’s this open house thing at Avalon tomorrow, and I was thinking…it might be good for us to go together. What do you think?”
Kari glanced at her, a flicker of surprise crossing her face before she looked away and Sora had to wonder if she was purposefully keeping her tail dead as a possum. “Why would you want me to go with you? Doesn’t Wendy need you to hold her hand?”
Sora sighed, leaning back against the bench. “Pure and simple answer? Because I care about you, Kari—at least a little bit…a wee-little bit,” she repeated, squinting and holding up her fingers to show her close two fingers.
Kari snorted, pressing back and making the bench creak with the stress.
“I won’t humor that,” Sora chimed, waving her hand dismissively. “We know each other too well now, and you’ve felt my raw feelings. So…I know things have been tense lately, and I don’t want to force anything, but I want you to know that I’m here for you. Okay? This could be a good opportunity for us to spend some time together, outside of all the craziness. You know?”
Kari’s expression softened slightly, and she let out a long breath. “I don’t know, Sora. Wendy and Eyia hate me. It is what it is.”
“I know,” Sora said gently, leaning over and nudging her. “My name isn’t on that list, by the way. Food for thought. But you don’t have to decide right now. Just think about it, okay? I’d like to try having some fun with you, too.”
Kari nodded slowly, shying away a little and rubbing her elbow. “Alright. I’ll…think about it. Probably not, though. Why would I even go to some loser school for fae?”
A small smile tugged at Sora’s lips. “Because a certain fox and bird friend is going. But that’s that, and that’s all I came to ask. If you do decide to come, I promise we’ll make the best of it.”
“We?” the wolf mumbled, fingernails tightening against her skin. “Aiden’s going?”
“Naturally. I’m pretty sure Noelia is going to be stealing Wendy’s attention, and Eyia…will be Eyia,” she laughed, not having anything else to add. “I’m serious, though. You know me better than you’d like to admit.”
Kari grunted in response, keeping her gaze on anything but her. They sat in what Sora would describe as a comfortable silence for a while longer, watching the world go by. Eventually, Sora stood up, feeling lighter than she had in days after finally talking with the wolf.
“I have to go meet Aiden for lunch now,” she said, offering Kari a warm smile. “We’re going to check out some of the monster communities. But if you need anything, just call me, okay? You’ve got my number.”
Her wolf ears lowered slightly, still refusing to make eye contact. “Mhm.”
Sora left the park, her heart lighter. She drove to some classy-looking café where she was supposed to meet Aiden, her mind buzzing with anticipation and excitement.
Aiden was already waiting when she arrived, leaning casually against the café’s entrance, showing off a well-fitted, casual red button-down shirt; it accentuated his slim, yet muscular frame. Sora quickly scanned his appearance, noticing his new dark-wash, slim-fit jeans that complimented his physique, clean, stylish sneakers with a laid back vibe, and minimal accessories—a fancy mechanical watch and silver bracelet.
He looked up and smiled as she approached, his golden hair catching the sunlight. “Hey, you made it,” he greeted, his rainbow eyes twinkling with warmth.
“Yeah, sorry if I’m a bit late,” Sora replied, returning his smile. “Had a lot to talk about with Mary.”
“No worries; I completely understand,” Aiden said, falling into step beside her as they walked inside. “How did it go?”
“Good, actually. It helped to talk things through. How about you? How’s your day been?”
“Busy,” he laughed, “but that’s nothing new. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about this plan to relocate some of the monster communities around Miami to your private realm… What do you think about your own personal monster restaurant downstairs?””
Sora’s brow furrowed with a smile. “I’d say my ears are up. Go on…”
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