Michelle took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves as pain coursed through her body. Her mind was numbly telling her of the excruciating pain from connecting her synapses to the AKEERA she was piloting. A neuron interface was connecting her mind to the mech; the device intercepted the signals her brain sent through her spine and forwarded them to a mechanical nervous system built in the AKEERA. This was allowing her to move the mech like her own body and the experimental technology was groundbreaking.
Instead of piloting an AKEERA through the conventional petals and controls, the user would be controlling the mech through their mind. This was revolutionary due to the fact that it allowed an AKEERA to have a reaction time as fast as the human piloting it. On average, an ordinary human has a reaction time of 215 milliseconds but AKEERA pilots were trained to mostly have a reaction time of 120 milliseconds. However, there is a small delay between the pilot and the AKEERA due to the inherent use of controls, thus the fastest reaction speed of an AKEERA was 250 milliseconds.
“Michelle, the Cerebral Synaptic Interface has been calibrated,” Watson's voice crackled through the internal comms within the AKEERA. “Try to raise a hand, for starters. But take it nice and slow and stop if you feel a migraine.”
Michelle, with her eyes closed, willed her mind to move her right hand. A tingling sensation passed through her spine as cheers rang through the open comm. Opening her eyes, she looked in surprise at the digital HUD; she could see the AKEERA’s hand had risen just as she willed it to. She moved her left hand up as well and flexed the mechanical fingers, closing and opening them at the speed and versatility of a human being.
Watson, who was watching from an observational deck, talked through the comms. “Alright, Michelle, that's enough for the first test. Power down the suit and take a breather.”
Five minutes later, Michelle hopped down the hatch of the AKEERA and landed on the floor. Several scientists wanted to walk forward and congratulate her but hesitated as Watson walked into the hangar. Watson smiled at Michelle who was drinking water from a bottle with her right hand. Her left hands prosthetic wasn't compatible with the AKEERA's CSI, so she currently didn't have it on.
“Good job, sweetie, I'm proud of you,” Watson said.
“Merci, mama,” Michelle breathed out after finishing half of the bottle in one shot. “What now?”
“Now, you go home and rest,” Watson said softly, her eyes were soft with motherly love.
“And I won't take no for an answer. She'll still be here waiting for you.” Watson added sternly while pointing at the AKEERA when she noticed that Michelle wanted to protest and the latter could only nod defeatedly.
A notification rang through Michelle's phone and she used her holo-lens to check the message. A wisp of a smile etched her lips as she turned to Watson.
“Je suis désolé, mama, but I can't go home,” Michelle said, a glint shone through her eyes. “Alina has invited me to her maison, and I want to go.”
Watson smiled bitterly and shook her head. “You already know what I'm going to say. Alright, as long as the medic here gives you the clear, you may go.”
“Merci mama, je t'aime!” Michelle kissed her mom's cheek and left for the medbay leaving an exasperated Watson behind.
Watson looked up at the looking AKEERA and sighed. Her eyes were fixed at the side of the arms, where the codename of this AKEERA model were located. Painted in white, the simple initials stood out from the dull gray plates that had yet to be painted: C-09a.
***
Emily and Asami exited the arcade, both were glowing with flushed cheeks and refreshed looks. Asami sighed contently while Emily had a faraway look as she shook her head, trying to come back to reality
“That was …”
“Great? Fun? Relaxing?” Asami suggested to Emily's mutter.
“No,” Emily sighed as she replied. “Let's just … not talk about it. Ever.”
“Oh, c'mon,” Asami stretched her body as they walked towards a bus. “We both needed that. Especially you. When was the last time you actually let yourself loose and relaxed?”
Emily didn't answer and avoided eye contact with Asami who smirked at her reactions.
“Lemme guess, since you first saw Jason. Imma right?” Asami asked teasingly.
“... Maybe,” Emily answered trying to avoid the topic.
It was true though, she hadn't been able to relax and enjoy herself after meeting him. Every time she tried, alone or with someone, he would inevitably appear in her mind, with his trademark smirk, and she would feel guilty afterwards. Even this time, she closed her eyes and imagined Jason's hands and lips when Asami and her made out.
“Oh, don't be such a slouch,” Asami went near Emily and draped an arm around her shoulder. “It's not like your dating someone or anything. This was just … releasing your pent up … feelings.”
“Yeah but, like, it's- I mean it's awkward now,” Emily said. “Between us, you know?”
“Nope, I don't know,” Asami replied spontaneously. “I just helped massage you that's it.”
“I swear, I pity the girls you ate,” Emily said jokingly while Asami giggled.
“Oh, that reminds me,” Asami looked at Emily, her face serious. “How are you feeling? Any changes?”
“Yep. I'm feeling great,” Emily replied, her voice excited. “I'm a level 3 Esper now.”
“For reals?!” Asami asked stunned. “How …?”
“I don't know exactly but I feel like a was improving at a fast rate when that stuff came out,” Emily frowned a bit as she explained, the excitement in her voice still apparent. “It was like something pushed my energy levels up forcefully.”
“I still think you need to check up with a doctor though,” Asami said. “You might feel ok but it's better to be safe than sorry, right?”
“Yeah, ok. But not today,” Emily checked her watch as she spoke, a hint of concern in her voice. “We're already late as it is.”
“Don't look at me,” Asami replied while looking away and trying to whistle, but failing spectacularly as she blew air out of her mouth. Frowning she turned to Emily who was watching her amusedly. “What? It's harder than it looks like!”
“Speaking of hard …” Emily looked down at her outfit and then turned to Asami, her eyes inquisitive. “Why'd you get me this outfit? Don't get me wrong, I love the jacket and all … but the pants...”
“What's wrong with them?” Asami asked as she slowed down and checked Emily's backside, like every other male nearby. “I think it looks good, Em.”
She nodded with admiration at how well the leather pants hugged Emily's curvy ass while slimming her legs even more than they already were. Her eyes glimmered as she thought about smacking that ass, but decided otherwise when she thought about how far she had already pushed Emily today.
“Yeah, they're great but they're chafing the skin a bit,” Emily said.
“Well, you know what they say: you can't be beautiful without suffering a bit,” Asami shrugged as she spoke. “Besides, look on the bright side. Don't you want Jason to see you in that?”
Emily nodded as she thought about it and blushed slightly.
“Based on how successful Melanie was last time, I'd say the odds are pretty good,” Asami said as Emily checked the maps on her phone. “Speaking of which, be careful of her. My dad told me multiple times not to get involved with her.”
“I won't lose,” Emily said before pointing out a bus while Asami soon her head wryly when she realized that Emily misunderstood her. “We'll reach the Loft if we take this bus.”
“The Loft?” Asami asked with a raised eyebrow.
“It's the Rubric Building but Alina said the place was called the Loft,” Emily shrugged and the two hurried onto the bus.
***
After receiving Alina's message, Jason decided to pick Alice up instead. Originally, he was intending to leave her in Silvia's care but thinking about how she would be alone while everyone else was gathered together made him reconsider. Arriving in front of the Graves Mansions gate, he couldn't help but stop to appreciate it.
The Graves were a prominent family, the former predecessor was actually a founding member of the council and one of the lead developers of constructing Sanctuary. And this was mirrored in their house, a giant mansion with a large area around it that was made into a private resort.
The mansion was composed of four floors, each with an innumerable number of rooms, and this wasn't counting the two floors of basement that was below the ground. It was designed like a European mansion, with gray stonework outside and beautiful wooden furnishings for the interior.
Behind the mansion was a garden and a private pool that also doubled as a hot spring, and further off in the hills was a golf course. Jason looked at all this before ringing the bell on the large gate that barred his path. While it looked like an old fashioned iron gate, Jason knew that just beyond it was an advanced security system, one that would engage anyone foolish enough to trespass.
Jason pulled his helmet off and swiped back the wet hair from his forehead. He was waiting to identify himself when the gate opened automatically, allowing him to pass without any issues. He smiled faintly, knowing that Silvia was actually expecting him as he drove into the pathway leading up to the mansion.
Stopping at the driveway next to the mansions entrance, Jason parked his bike and leapt off, landing near a butler who bowed after handing him a towel.
“Welcome, Mr. Sage. Lady Silvia awaits you. If you would follow me,” the butler said to Jason elegantly. Jason nodded and walked behind the butler, his eyes roaming around the mansion as they stepped through the entrance.
“Damn, this gives the Sages’ a run for their money,” Jason wolf whistled when he saw the interior.
Some of the artwork loitering on the wall were from the eighteenth century while the heads of prestigious mutants were mounted in specific areas. Jason raised an eyebrow when he noticed a mutated Siberian Tiger stuffed into a head mount. This tiger was the size of an adult elephant and its fangs were growing out like a sabertooth tiger.
“Indeed,” the butler answered. “While the Graves may not be as vocal as the continental families, it does not mean that they are any less ... significant than them.”
Jason nodded and didn't say anything else and soon the two were engulfed in silence as the butler led him to the second floor. As soon as they reached the western side of the floor, the pitter patter of small footsteps soon reached his ears. A moment later, Alice appeared running out of a room and into Jason's arms. Her blonde hair was wet and gave her the appearance of a drowned cat. Her body was damp as well and the bathrobe she was wearing slowly slipped from one of her shoulders.
“I mwissed you!” she cried as she hugged him.
Jason stopped when he heard Alice, his stagnant smile and arms that were poised around Alice were also frozen as he tried pondering on what Alice just said.
“Uhh … what?” Jason muttered. He couldn't understand how Alice could feel so close to him when they've only known each other for a day, possibly less.
Alice looked up at Jason with puppy eyes, fearful of Jason being angry at her, but the latter roused himself and smiled at Alice, patting her head before lifting her up and hugging her gently with his large arms.
“Hey kid,” he said to her. “Have you been a good girl?”
Alice nodded and giggled. When Jason kissed her cheek, she tried dodging the kiss because of his scruffy face. He found it amusing and the two began a sort of chase where Jason was trying to rub his cheeks on hers and she would try to evade.
“Well, looks like you two are getting along quite well,” a voice interrupted their games and they both turned to the speaker simultaneously.
Silvia stood at the doorway of the room from which Alice ran from. She was dressed in a velvet bathrobe that covered her modestly, her glistening neck and hands were the only signs of her just exiting the bath. Her vaguely damp hair was still in its normal bun style and standing there with her hands on her hips completed the strict look she always carried.
“Young lady, it's no excuse to run away from properly drying yourself,” Silvia lectured Alice who shrunk even more into Jason's arms.
“Aw, that's enough Silvie,” Jason said, cooing once he saw how Alice was. “She promises not to do it again, right, Alice?”
The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
Alice nodded but made no motion to leave Jason's arm. Silvia turned and glared at Jason, accusing him with her eyes of spoiling her excessively. Jason smiled wryly before walking into the room while Silvia made space for him to pass.
The room a changing and preparation room to the private bathroom that was located further in. Jason took Alice to the front of a dresser table and placed her in the chair. He took a hair dryer and gently dried Alice's hair while she closed her eyes, adorably squeezing them shut in fear of the dryer. After he was done, he picked an outfit from the wardrobe behind them.
It was a thick pair of jeans and a blue fleece sweater with a pink heart on it. Jason was about to dress her when he felt killing intent aimed at him and turned to see Silvia smiling sweetly at him. Slowly, he handed the outfit to her and walked to the door and Silvia smiled at Alice who was bemused.
“Now let's get you dressed, dear,” Silvia said to her while swinging her arm at the door. Her SEC device activated and pushed the door, closing it telekinetically.
After a while, both of them exited the room and Jason smiled at seeing Alice. She hurried to Jason and raised her arms while jumping.
“Up! Up!” Alice said to Jason, who acquiesced easily and lifted her up.
“You're good with girls of all ages,” Silvia said with a hint of a smile. Jason stuck his tongue at her in response and she shook her head at his antic. “Here's her rain boots and a raincoat.”
Jason nodded as he took the items from Silvia while she watched them both closely with a sliver of envy in her heart.
“Must you leave early? Daria and I would be happy if you stayed longer,” Silvia said to Jason, who hesitated, the corner of his lips twitched slightly.
Daria was Silvia's younger sister who was in her final year in highschool. Jason met her when they were childrens, but she was too young to remember him and they barely had any contact in school because she had excellent fighting capabilities, just like her sister. However, he remembered meeting her at a meeting between the student council and the teachers, where he realized that she, like most other girls, found him attractive and, since then, Jason had been actively avoiding her.
“Nah, Alle's waiting for me to cook something up, so, I'd better go,” Jason shook his head and declined the invitation and Silvia, who looked crestfallen for a second, nodded.
“Well, alright. Just remember you always have a place here,” Silvia said before gesturing at the butler to lead Jason and Alice back to the entrance.
After watching Jason's back for a while, Silvia went back into the room and straight into the bathroom. Tossing the bathrobe aside, she dived back into the hot bathtub which was the size of a small swimming pool. She sighed as she closed her eyes, her mind wandering back to the result of Alice's DNA test.
His child, She thought with remorse and pain, a slight headache pummeled her while a stuffy feeling filled her chest. Figures he'd have a child by now, he was always such a lady-killer.
***
Jason arrived in front of the Rubric Building, where he met with Michelle, Asami, Emily, all of whom were waiting for him. Jason nodded at the security bot that was barring them from entering and the robot pulled away after confirming his identity.
“They really need to get real, human guards,” Jason muttered and the others agreed. A human guard would have contacted the Loft or Jason to confirm their identities.
Right after they exchanged greetings, Jason stared at Emily, surprised at her choice of clothes. The form fitting leather pants left little to a man's imagination as it revealed her firm, perky ass in all its glory. The leather jacket was also hugging her body snuggly, showing off her curves and thin waist.
“Something wrong, bro?” Asami asked with a grin when she noticed Jason's eyes were fixed at Emily. The latter turned and smiled at Jason, knowing he was captivated by her looks while Michelle looked at him disdainfully but silently; an unfamiliar pang of pain jolted her when she saw him focusing on Emily.
“Hmm? No, nope,” Jason answered, tearing his eyes away to look at Asami for a moment before looking back at Emily. “Just … isn't … aren't you a little too young to be wearing that?”
“Am I?” Emily asked in a slightly sultry voice. Jason was surprised again at how forward she was being and he nodded before looking away reluctantly but then he smiled deviously as he did so, causing Emily to shift uncomfortably.
“Right,” he mouthed silently. He noticed all the girls staring at him strongly, including Alice, and so he quickly opened the door for them.
“After you,” Jason said while holding the door with one hand and gesturing at the girls to pass.
Alice, who was in his other arm, tilted her head while thinking about what happened as Jason followed after them after they had passed. His eyes were still on Emily whose hips were swaying with every step she took. He couldn't help but admire that delectable backside when a tiny finger jabbed his left eye.
“Ow, fuck!” Jason swore as he covered his eye with his right hand.
As the others turned to look at him, Alice pouted from his left hand. “Bad. No swaring!”
“Ah, right,” Jason muttered while looking at Alice's direction with closed eyes.
“Fudge!” He said loudly, and Alice nodded, pleased.
“A bervert,” the little girl muttered under her breath, loud enough only for him to hear.
That's why you gotta stab my eye?! Jesus! He thought while shaking his head. Well, I suppose I deserved it … a warning would've been nice.
“Uh, what's that?” Asami asked after they reached the highest level.
In front of them were was a hallway to the elevator that would take them to the Loft but two folded rings blocked the way.
“Let me,” Jason walked forward and reached a holographic input that was located on the wall and activated his holo-watch. He cancelled all security checks for the girls but Ava, through the input, insisted on a DNA scan. “Uh, just walk through the rings.”
As he spoke, the rings unfurled itself and Jason walked through them while they lit up. After passing, he gestured at them to follow him and each took turns passing through the rings.
“Qu'est-ce que c'est?” Michelle asked Jason.
“Oh just a security scanner, no biggie,” Jason shrugged it off before having them stand on the platform that rose to the Loft.
“Hey, you guys made it!” Alina who was lazing on a recliner stood up to greet them when she saw they arrived.
Everyone took off their shoes while the little robot came to place them in the shoe cabinet. The girls cuddled around it, finding the bot very cute while Jason gave the Loft a cursory glance before nodding.
Ava hid the supercomputer, hiding it under the ground, it was covered by the tiles the that slid in and closed the opening. She also placed a large carpet in the room while entire sets of furniture, such as a dining table, took the place of the computer in a room that was usually empty. All in all, it was almost impossible to tell this was Jason's base of operations.
“Make yourselves at home, I'll be upstairs in the kitchen,” Jason said as he walked to a corner after putting Alice down. The tile he was standing on speedily raised up and took him to the second floor, while the girls watched him go, impressed.
“Is that a hoverlift?” Asami asked.
“Yeah, sorta,” Alina said. “Wish it had railings though.”
As Alina spoke she looked at Emily, her eyes wandering over her leather outfit. Her eyes narrowed when she saw her leather pants.
“Nice, outfit,” Alina said dryly, unimpressed.
Emily gave Alina an apologetic look as Asami jumped in.
“Sorry, that was my fault,” Asami explained. “I wanted to see how she'd look wearing that and we didn't have time to change.”
“... Weren't you guys in an arcade?” Alina asked while Michelle tilted her head, confused at how close Emily and Asami were.
“Yep, we were on a date,” Asami admitted while Emily rolled her eyes. “And of course, shopping is a vital step in dating so...”
“Ookay, whooa, I get the picture,” Alina said and Alice tilted her head as well. Seeing both Michelle and Alice tilt their heads while standing side by side was adorable.
“So, what do we do?” Emily asked.
“Play games and talk about girls - boys, I mean. Boys.” Asami suggested while correcting herself.
“...” Everyone stared at her while she shrugged.
“What?” Asami asked.
“L'enfant,” Michelle pointed at Alice, reminding Asami.
“Oh,” Asami realized that her comment was inappropriate. “Well, she could talk about boys, too.”
Asami lowered herself to Alice's height and asked her. “Do you have a boy you like?”
“Dad!” Alice answered quickly, stunning them.
“D-d-da-who?” Alina asked, stuttering.
“Dad,” Alice repeated while pointing at upwards at where Jason disappeared to.
“Oh. Hell no …”
Despite being grilled by the girls, Jason managed to finish cooking and gave them a sumptuous meal. At the same time, Jason was reminded of his promise by Asami and he pulled a 1900 D'Oliveiras Madeira out for them to drink. Even though it was white wine, he strictly kept it to a quarter glass for each, however Asami turned out to be a lightweight and tried to molest both Alina and Emily in her drunken stupor but ended up only being shot by Michelle.
After the meal, he helped the girls with their homework which was more than usual, due to the school being cancelled. When they were finished with their homework, he allowed them to play games while he went to the third floor to fix the room where they would sleep. First, he had Ava, who had hidden herself from the girls by staying upstairs, increase the size of the bedroom by folding the old walls into the floor and raising new walls that were farther off. Then he placed futons for the girls before ushering them to bed, knowing they would gossip and play until midnight anyways.
The only one who partially helped him and did not join the other girls was Emily, her experience in housework proved helpful to Jason and the latter was impressed by her skills. After helping Jason, she sat with Alice and helped her get ready for bed but the latter wanted to sleep beside Jason. He decided to coax her to sleep in his arms before handing her to Emily, who promptly took her to the bedroom the girls were sharing.
Now that everyone was in bed, Jason had some time to himself. He went to the fourth floor sat in the balcony with the remainder of the wine he opened. He took a deep breath, smelling the fresh sea air while a light drizzle continued falling. Even though it was a few hectic days, he couldn't help but smile fondly at how nice it was too relax.
Is this what it feels like to have a home? Jason thought as he lifted the bottle to his mouth. Just sit back and relax without worrying about tomorrow's problems?
“I thought you don't drink?” a voice behind him asked.
Jason smiled, and without turning his head, he answered. “Yeah, but it'd be a waste to not finish this. Want some?”
Emily sat in a chair next to him and took the bottle from him. She took a small swing and savoured the flavors that tickled her tongue. The most dominant flavor was the sweet plum and oolang tea with a hint of a tangerine acidity at the end. She handed the bottle back to Jason and looked out at the city along with him. Right now at night the city was bright with lights sparkling everywhere like twinkling stars.
“It's beautiful,” she said. Instead of her white tee, she was wearing a beige turtleneck that was long enough to cover her luscious bottoms which were now dressed in a pajama, an outfit she borrowed from Alina now that it was time to sleep.
Jason turned to look at her and agreed with a husky voice. “Yes, very beautiful. Gorgeous even.”
Emily rolled her eyes at his teasing but her cheeks with tinged red. When she turned to look at him, Jason had already looked away, his eyes were watching the scenery that was shifting as the floor slowly rotated to another direction. Looking at him now, she realized she barely knew him after seeing how weary he looked. His face was devoid of wrinkles but his eyes were filled with experience and wisdom that were usually found in older people who had endured much in life.
“Can I ask you something?” Emily said after hesitating. “How old are you?”
Jason turned to look at her amused, his eyes twinkling like black jewels as he looked at her. Emily watched his eyes in a daze. She didn't know why, but she was always drawn into them.
“Do you want the truth, or the truth?” Jason asked teasingly.
“Preferably? Both,” Emily answered after a rousing herself from his eyes.
“Hmm, I'm allegedly twenty-one,” Jason said as he took another sip from the bottle. “But honestly, I don't know. I was an orphan, and the people who found me thought I was around four. I could be older, or younger.”
“Probably older,” Emily giggled.
“Nah, I'm definitely younger,” Jason joked while stroking his chin. “It's the beard that makes me older.”
“I don't mind you being older,” Emily said after a while, causing Jason to pause the bottle that was raised to his lips.
“Oh, why's that?” He asked.
“I like older men,” Emily replied, almost purringly. “Guys my age don't know how to treat me well.”
Jason didn't answer and looked at Emily, who was expecting him to continue flirting with her. Instead, he looked away into the distance before looking down at his hands.
“You should go to sleep,” Jason finally replied while finishing the bottle
He stood up and stretched before handing the bottle to a cleaner bot that was passing by. Emily who was downtrodden, walked back down to the bedroom while Jason closed his eyes, his mind in turmoil. As a healthy man, he found it difficult to turn down Emily, but it was the right thing to do.
He was her teacher, it would be wrong for him to be involved with a student and he was sure it would only increase the isolation and negative image Emily had. More importantly, despite her technically being an adult, Jason refused to touch Emily until she was eighteen. Then, there was his promise to Alina; he didn't want to hurt a friend of hers, which would be inevitable if Emily became emotionally attached to him. And he knew that she would be if they ever crossed that line together.
Things are good the way they are, Jason thought as he folded his arms. There's no need to muck things up and destroy the friendship these girls have.
Shaking his head, Jason began mapping the interior of the Loft in his mind, trying to detect lifesigns, he confirmed that no one was nearby. He walked to a wall and pressed a specific spot on it which. A part of the wall slowly caved in and he easily through it and into a hidden room. After he entered, the darkened room lit up as the wall behind him solidified once again.
Jason stood in the center of the room for a while, reflecting on his thoughts before raising an arm. He made a cutting motion and the air in front of him began to shift and blur like a mirage. The very fabric of space and time twisted and distorted itself as it began collapsing into a small event horizon. The sound of glass shattering sounded vaguely in his ears as a hole in the dimensions tore itself open in front of Jason, who calmly walked through it and disappeared.
A strange sensation tingled Jason's senses. It was like walking through a cloud, a cold wet feeling from a form that was not liquid or gaseous, but still tangible suffocated his body and compressed the air in his lungs. His organs shifted slightly, as though he were in a speeding car that stopped abruptly, when he took a step forward and his his feet touched solid ground.
Opening his eyes he found himself in a darkened corridor that was eerily quiet. As he walked past many closed doors, his footsteps echoed through the floor like heartbeats. The silence was interrupted by the drifting of wind as a shadow appeared at Jason's side.
“Master,” the shadow said reverently while kneeling.
“Is there something to report?” Jason asked coldly. Right now, if any of the girls were to see Jason, they wouldn't be able to recognize him. His eyes were devoid of emotions and life while the aura his body was emitting allowed no one to approach him.
“No, m'lord,” the shadow hesitantly answered.
“Then leave,” Jason murmured apathetically. As he walked past her he suddenly paused turned his head to her direction. “Wait. Send some men to discover who killed the parents of Ken and Nikki Carson. They're students and friends of Alina.”
“Yes, at once!” the shadow responded enthusiastically, elated at being acknowledged. The shadow immediately melded with the surroundings and Jason walked onwards.
Jason finally stopped in front of a door and took a deep breath. He entered and allowed his eyes to adjust to the lighting for a moment. His eyes were then fixed on a slab of stone that was in the center of the room. Lying on the slab was a young teenager, sleeping peacefully without moving a single muscle. Her tanned skin peeked out from the white dress she was wearing and her hand was in front of her chest, holding a crystal flower made from condensed lifeforce. Jason stroked her hair, fixing her bangs, when he got close and he looked at her with a tender smile, a hint of emotion colored his eyes.
“Hey, Hel,” he whispered. “It's been a while, sis.”