#kastoris

(Written for @flashfictionfridayofficial​‘s prompt of the week: Alien Sunsets. Set after the end of Constellations in the dreamverse universe (because yes there’s going to be more of dreamverse!!)

Kastoris isn’t sure what she should be feeling right now, but it probably isn’t this.

             She’s leaning against Fei, who in turn is leaning against a tree. The sand is gritty and grainy around their feet, and Kastoris is pretty sure her first thoughts about the sand and the sea and the sky aren’t supposed to be that it’s too warm and too solid and too… too rough.

             And she’s aware! Kastoris is perfectly aware of how that sounds because she was supposed to have grown up here, on Dirister, and she would have and she does actually remember what it was like to be a small child and be under the sun all day and have lessons. (And she does remember what it was like to be beaten for every not-A grade and she does remember she wasn’t a baby when they left.)

             But the sunset, painting the sky all pink and gold and orange, looks so strange and feels so unnaturally warm. The sunset on Dirister is supposed to be one she’s familiar with, especially because she remembers missing it for the first year when they were in Cloud, and she remembers being a child and staring at the sky and wondering if she could paint that. (And knowing that she would never be allowed to because that would be art and she wouldn’t get the marks for it and she wouldn’t get an A.)

             She’s leaning against Fei and she realises for the first time in months that this is the first time in two years that she’s just sat with Fei, with the older sister she’s actually closest to in age, and not talked about work or been doing work. Crossways has been taking up a lot of their collective time and Kastoris doesn’t begrudge Soren it! Kastoris knows that Soren is doing good work and important work and that they’ve always tried their best for them.

             But at this precise moment, where the sun is setting and the long shadows being cast along the beach and the ocean breeze is salty and gentle and tickling her hair and cheeks and arms, Kastoris doesn’t know how to feel.

             It should be safe. It should be comforting, after all, like all the stories about coming home after being away for a long time. It should be good and warm and Kastoris knows. Kastoris knows she’s Diristerian; it’s not easy to forget when you’ve been reminded pretty consistently for the past ten years that you’re Diristerian and mortal, and well, not a wind spirit or faerie at all.

             Kastoris doesn’t know what she is. Because a human should be comforted by the sunset on a beach, but Kastoris isn’t. Kastoris doesn’t know where she belongs and that… that scares her.

             “You want to talk?” Fei asks.

             Kastoris nearly jolts because she didn’t actually expect Fei to talk. But Fei’s looking at her expectantly and Kastoris hasn’t talked to her sister in a while, and Kastoris doesn’t know how to start.

             There’s a caw from a flock of seagulls flying over the sea. Kastoris lies back, letting her whole weight rest against her sister. Kastoris feels something, and she thinks and is pretty sure it’s an ant, crawl over her right leg, and she flinches hard.

             Hard enough that she dislodges herself from Fei and lands in the sand. The sand gets all over her skin and Kastoris can’t help but panic.

             It’s burning against her skin, and its small tiny ants crawling everywhere and its darkness and its warmth and for a moment, Kastoris can’t breathe. The sand is sharp in areas and it’s prickling her skin like thousands of tiny needles and she didn’t realise it would hurt she didn’t realise it would be solid and painful and-

             “Let’s get out of the beach, yes?” Fei says quietly, wrapping her arms around Kastoris’ wrists and forearms. She brushes Kastoris off gently and wraps the picnic blanket around her and then guides her back in the direction of the Doorway back to the clinic.

             They turn away from the sunset, and Kastoris knows what she’s feeling at this moment, and at the moment where she steps past the Doorway back to the Space that Crossways was in.

             The feeling is relief.

I’ve made pretty big overhauls to GOTR so now it’s got a new name, so I’m introducing it formally

THE CONSTELLATIONS DREAMS MAKE

Synopsis: Soren flew because they couldn’t stay, taking their siblings with them. Healing seemed like the logical step, considering their studies and their chance encounter with one of the best Healers in Cloud in their first week there. And yet, there’s trouble brewing as they start their journey...

Themes: nonbinary figures (a lot of them), supportive mentor figures, politics in academia, revolutions (that have to learn to be more inclusive), older siblings, nblnb established relationship, queerplatonic relationship, cool magic systems, aro characters

Characters:

Carrow (Soren): (16 at start, 26 by the end) Soren’s fled the mortal plane with their younger siblings to escape their abusive parents. They’re very interested in biology and specifically pathology but general healing as well, but have to balance their studies with taking care of their younger siblings, especially the two youngest. They’re pursuing a Magistae (highest certification) in Healing.

Dya (Chrisl): Chrisl got their start in healing as a field medic during the Cysteric Revolution, and through many years, ended up one of the best and most well-recognised Healers around (even though their methods aren’t always considered actually good). Chrisl’s in a romantic relationship with Adri, who they met in university and ended up trying to court, and their best friend is Vic.

Vrati (Kastoris): (8 at the start, 18 by the end) Kastoris is Soren’s youngest sibling and her tokia was actually chosen by their older-sibling-by-two-years Fei. Kastoris practically grew up in Cloud, and doesn’t have a lot of fond memories of the mortal plane. Kastoris is actually fluent in Cloudian and hates it when her Cloudian is questioned just because of her accent being slightly diristerian (mortal).

Cyne (Adri): Adri’s got writing magic and relies upon xir creativity to make things work. Xe is very good at warding and set up LIghtnink’s wards, but despite all of that, xe isn’t actually considered to have magic because xir magic doesn’t fit the traditional definition of magic and xe’s considered ‘defective’ in that regard. Xe first met Vic in their first year of university (or the Cloudian equivalent at least) and actually didn’t realise Chrisl was courting xir for like several years. (it’s okay they got together in the end and they’re both really in love with each other)

Jin and Yin (Auri and Iri): The twins. Auri’s a researcher and alchemist, while Iri’s more into politics and art. Together, they end up influencing the Kystri Revolution to be more aware of non-faerie beings (They’re both 13 at the start and 23 by the end)

Ygwitz (Vic): Vic’s got wind magic but the catch here is that ey’s been unable to walk since birth because eir legs don’t work. Ey was Chrisl’s roommate and later best friend and is aromantic. Ey came up with the initial idea for Lightnink and has an entire series of wind charms outside so ey can always tell who and what is entering or leaving Lightnink. 

Moineau (Fei): Fei’s older than Kastoris but that’s about it. She gave Kastoris her name from human languages she knew from reading. She doesn’t have any clue what she actually wants to do but just kind of wants to live. Fei’s 10 at the start and 20 by the end. (She ends up interested in linguistics but how she gets there on the other hand is a rather fun story)

Adri:

“You’re a fool, I hope you know that.” Vic said, blunt as always as ey wheeled emself in. Chrisl came in behind them, worry written all over their face.

“Did you just come here to tell me off?” Adri asks, raising an eyebrow. “What a pity, I might be walking to my death, and my best friend calls me a fool.”

Xe keeps xir voice light, even as Vic just glares at them.

Chrisl settles themself on the floor, fiddling with part of their coat. Chrisl just looks at xir for a while, and for a moment, Adri feels a little bit bad.

“From within the Arena, I can keep more of them safe. Plus, it’s not like breaking out isn’t a possibility.” The fact that Adri is the best warder and spent the largest amount of time hiding that xe had the ability to ward and do magic with written things goes unspoken. They can’t risk the possibility of the Capitol potentially hearing that. Xe has to keep some tricks up xir sleeve.

“Anything can happen in the Arena.” Vic says, tone cold and emotionless. Vic’s eyes tell a different story.

Adri shrugs. “If anything happens to me in there, both of you can take over Vrati-kiso’s training. It’s not like I’m the only one who can do that.”

“And you would leave me behind.” Adri jolts as a quiet, furious voice sounds from behind Chrisl and Vic. Kastoris comes out, eyes shiny with tears and throws herself into Adri’s arms and immediately starts sobbing.

“Vrati-kiso-”

“Don’t.” Kastoris glares hard. “I don’t care if they find out my name. You’re going to walk to your death, I want to hear you say my name.”

“Kastoris.” Adri murmurs.

“Tie your soul to mine.” Adri’s taken aback with the force with which Kastoris says it. “I know you can. So tie your soul to mine and I’ll drag you back if anything happens.”

“Kastoris, no. I refuse. You can continue living your life and you will go on without me. I will not touch your soul.”

“Well, then you should have thought of that before volunteering shouldn’t you?” Kastoris snaps, wrenching herself a little away, before coming back to Adri’s embrace.

“Your soul is young, Kastoris-kiso. Mine is old. You know that.” Adri says softly, quickly glancing up to check the time they had left.

Chrisl moves in to hug them too, and in the meantime, slips something into Adri’s pocket. “You know what it is. You know what it can do. Use it.” Chrisl whispers, too quiet to be heard by Kastoris.

Adri’s heart speeds up. No... they wouldn’t... they wouldn’t.... but. They might?

Their time is up and they have to leave soon. Kastoris leaves Adri, sparing one last look, and then going back to hiding inside Vic’s wheelchair, which. Honestly, Adri ought to have expected. Adri had taught her warding after all, and space is one of the first things to manipulate.

Chrisl glances once at Adri, and nods. Adri nods back.

A silent thought passes between them.

See you on the other side.