And of course, do not think about Celine.
Celine, who desperately- desperately- wants Rumi to have what she had, for reasons beyond- above- the Honmoon (as wrong as it is for her to put anything above the Honmoon). To know what it is to share a life with people who make you feel whole and fill a part of you that you hadn't realized was empty.
(even if heartbreak comes later)
(which it won't; she will make sure of it)
Celine, who remembers what she wouldn't- couldn't- tell Rumi about her earliest days with Miyeong and Third; who didn't want to discourage her with stories of oil and water, of clashing personalities and arguments and her own snappish irritation at how Miyeong took nothing seriously except fooling around and Miyeong disparaged her back, of how she...doubted, that she could ever learn to like these girls, let alone love them.
It would be a disservice to Mi, and a disservice to her daughter, to daunt her with the growing pains of young friendships.
Celine, who raises a brow at Mira, all angles and broken glass, but trusts the Honmoon and welcomes her into their home, only to watch Rumi try and try and try.
Celine, who tells herself it's fine; Rumi is smart and kind and who couldn't love her Mi's little girl; they just need time.
They don't need her meddling; after
Celine, who gives them time.
Celine, who sees Zoey and thinks maybe this is what Rumi and Mira need, sunshine in human form. Because that's what Zoey, who hasn't stopped talking since they got in the car and whose face just lights up in a way that has Celine cracking the tiniest of grins, is.
Celine, who is lying awake at night, lost, confused, alone, wondering what she's supposed to do.
Not what their mentors did, drag all three girls together for a talk about how "it's their duty to get along;" that's ridiculous.
(that was the first time they had a conversation that felt real, her and her girls, complaining about how ridiculous their mentors were, dictating friendship)
She is failing Rumi, failing Mi, failing the Honmoon and centuries of Hunters, all because she can't figure out how to help three girls who are soul mates learn to like each other.
Celine, who knows Mi and Third could have done a better job than her.
Knows...they should be the ones here, not her, who doesn't know what she's doing; hasn't, in so many years.
Celine, who's heart twists as she thinks about how she needs Zoey and Mira to love Rumi, because then maybe...if the unthinkable happens, they'll be able to do what she did so long ago and toss aside their blades.
Celine, who resolves that won't happen, since it's a risk she can't take.
Celine, who's still lost and confused and alone.
Celine, who is standing in the training yard, watching the shadows grow short, irritation bubbling as she wonders whatever happened to Mira.
Celine, who goes looking for her in the main house, then freezes at the sound of voices from the hall leading to the bedrooms.
"H-hey. You- you two good?" Mira's voice, slow and halting and padding carefully around broken glass.
"Oh! Yeah, Zoey just...needed a moment." Rumi, trying to decide how much of a smile to give.
"Sorry." Zoey, who can't help but feel she's not allowed to take up space.
"Um, it's- it's okay." Mira again. "Celine just-"
Celine, who winces at the sound of someone bumping into a desk, followed by the hailstorm clatter of Rumi's collection of friendship bracelet beads falling on the floor. There's a silent beat, then apologies from Mira, placations from Rumi and Zoey, then they're cleaning up the mess, together, and-
"Well, I...they were going to be for friendship bracelets. Which I guess in hindsight was lame, but-ā
-and then there's chatter friendly as a spring breeze as Zoey vouches for the idea and Mira gives an assent that's the friendliest Celine ever heard her, spilling into the hall and lapping at her feet,.
Celine smiles, then turns back to the yard.
For one day, running laps could wait.
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