The next day, Ningxue is propped up in bed with her hair loose. She hid the scars in the wooden bed frame and mattress with several thick layers of turquoise bedding. She leans against a stack of pillows, pale as ever but steady, a cup of steaming tea in her hands. Xinxia has snuggled up next to her, and occasionally glances at the textbook in Ningxue's lap.
I lean back into the beanbag. "Does your body still feel abnormally cold?"
"Yes, but it's strangely tolerable, when it wasn't before."
"I still can't believe you self-awakened an Element," Xinxia exclaims. "Ice, right? Have you interacted with your stars yet?"
"Not yet. The stardust is beautiful, though. 7 bright cyan stars whizzing around in a small cloud of dust." She then shakes her head. "The reading was not useful at all, unfortunately. You were right, Jianyu."
I hold my hand up in denial. "No, I wasn't. Better safe than sorry. Besides, it's always good to learn more about the history associated with your Element. History in general, honestly."
Xinxia asks, "Ningxue, have you told your father about all this?"
"... No."
"Why?"
"I... don't know. I might tell him in the next few days."
"And your mom?"
An icy glint flashes across Ningxue's eyes. "Why would I tell her something so important when she visits once or twice a year? She doesn't even call me."
"Oh." Xinxia tilts her head down wistfully. "Can you tell us why-"
"No."
A solemn silence ensues. Ningxue's attention shifts back to the textbook in front of her.
...
...
A couple of weeks later, we're at my place.
The house hardly resembles the drafty brick shell it once was. I've fixed the roof leaks, replaced the old stove, swapped out the faulty Lightning and Fire magic stones for new ones, and revamped the furniture. The small living room now boasts a fluffy couch where a couple of ratty chairs once were.
A deck of cards lies scattered across the rug between us.
Xinxia smiles, placing two cards down face up. "Two pair."
"Are you serious?" I groan, flopping backward. "You didn't fold to 3 barrels on a board with flushes and straights. You're such a fish."
"It's called skill. I knew you didn't have anything," she teases.
Ningxue gathers the cards neatly into a pile and begins shuffling them. "It's like she can read our minds."
Xinxia waves her hands in a flustered denial, causing me to laugh. I stand up and head to the kitchen, having bluffed away all my chips to Xinxia. It's just her and Ningxue left; they'll battle each other as the blinds continue to increase.
In the kitchen, Uncle Mo hums softly to himself while scrubbing dishes; he contently watches us play cards as he cleans up. His shoulders are looser, his back straighter than I've ever seen it. He'd found a stress-free job as an attendant at a small bookstore, and he refuses every time I try to hand him money.
"Keep it on your card," he always insists. "I don't need it. Spend it on yourself, or save it. Mages are always in need of money."
Uncle Mo meets my eyes and relaxedly grins. "I'm almost done here, Jianyu, so before you ask, no."
I grunt in dissatisfaction.
An exasperated huff draws our attention over to the two girls. Ningxue's arms are crossed in frustration. "Xinxia, you should be ashamed of yourself. I river two pair and shove, but you take the lead with a set."
She giggles in response and wraps her arms around Ningxue. "I win!"
Ningxue begrudgingly returns the gesture, and her expression relaxes. "Well done."
...
...
As the three of us head outside, Ningxue whispers, "I should have said this earlier, but a few days ago, I told my dad. About the Ice."
Xinxia gasps, "How did he react?"
"Happy at first, but over the past few days, the atmosphere feels a bit off whenever we talk. Like... I don't know. Like he's stressed, or worried?"
"Well, at least he's excited that you're an Ice Mage!"
Ningxue snorts, wheeling Xinxia to the neighboring house's doorstep. "Being a Mage is so boring. For hours, I have to reason with each star in my Stardust like it's a little kid. So far, I can only control 1 of the 7 stars."
"1 out of 7 stars in 2 weeks?" My brows raise. "I thought I read about the fastest activation of all 7 stars being somewhere around 8 months. You're well on pace for that record."
She shrugs in response.
"Thanks for dropping me off, guys!" Xinxia waves at us when we leave.
Ningxue ducks into an awaiting black SUV, which speeds off.
I head back home, steeped in thought.
...
...
The next day, Xinxia and I stop by the Mu estate.
The gardens are immaculate, but the air feels strained. Inside the spacious living area in Mu Zhuoyun's residence, he greets us with bloodshot eyes. His authoritative presence has vanished; he looks like a man who hasn't slept.
"She's gone," he says hoarsely. "The capital's Mu Clan stormed in last night. They took her away. Against my will... against hers too. They said she's too talented to waste away in Bo City."
Xinxia's hand flies to her mouth. My gut twists.
"They didn't care what I said," he continues. "They hardly even looked at me. Just... spirited her away."
[But wasn't it your fault that they knew about her in the first place?]
No, they would have found out eventually. For once, I can't summon anger at him. He looks incredibly haggard.
Xinxia rolls forward and gently pats his hand. "She'll be alright. She's strong."
He nods absently, then subtly shakes his head. "Thank you for accompanying her all this time. She's always bright and cheerful after spending time with you both."
"Of course," I murmur. A lump in my throat chokes off further attempts at conversation. Xinxia tugs at my sleeve, so I wheel her away, leaving the man to wallow in his own sorrow.
...
...
At home, the three of us gather in the living room, quiet enough to hear a pin drop.
Uncle Mo breaks it first. "So. She's gone."
I nod. "The Mu Clan came from the capital. Took her."
"Expected," he murmurs. "Not fair, but expected."
I sink back into the couch. "Now what? No more Ningxue. No more custard runs. No more arguments about history."
Xinxia's voice trembles. "She didn't want to go."
"I know."
The silence stretches. My chest feels heavier by the second.
Finally I mutter, "I don't have any friends now."
Uncle Mo studies me. "That's not true. You still have Xinxia. And you still have me."
I glance at Xinxia, who forces a brave little smile. Then at Uncle Mo, whose weathered face is steady as stone.
Something swells in my chest, but it isn't enough to fill the hollow Ningxue left behind.
Still, I nod. "Yeah. I guess I do."