Missy was so engrossed in her research that when Aspen exited her room and began to prepare for the day it startled her. Due to her nature Missy's perception of time was vague at best but even with that being the case she hadn't quite experienced anything quite like this total immersion in something to the point of losing track of the world around her. The sensation of being completely absorbed in her studies left her feeling both exhilarated and slightly disoriented. It was a little bewildering as she shook herself attempting to return to reality. Missy had enjoyed some of the books she read previously and had a hard time pulling herself away before but this was a little different, more intense somehow.
Missy stood while she pondered what it was she was experiencing but her thoughts were interrupted as she looked to where Aspen stood in the kitchen and noticed that something was off. Aspen's body language and movements had reverted to the previous morning's heaviness, her shoulders slumped and movements sluggish. It seemed that Aspen's mood had plummeted again during the night. "Morning Aspen." despite her earlier good mood Missy found it difficult to sound quite as cheerful having noticed Aspen's demeanor. Aspen turned slightly from the fridge to look at her as she responded with a grunt, dark circles visible under her eyes. Aspen looked exhausted as she turned back to the fridge, her movements mechanical and lifeless. It was clear that she hadn't found a way to prevent her thoughts from spiraling during the night and hasn't gotten much sleep.
Missy was unsure if she should leave Aspen alone or attempt to talk to her, weighing the options carefully in her mind. She had left things alone yesterday and it didn't seem to help. She decided to try engaging Aspen in conversation, starting with gentle questions about breakfast and plans for the day. She made several attempts but mostly got little more than grunts in return, each failed attempt making her heart sink a little further. Until Aspen finally spoke, her voice rough with exhaustion, "Missy can you please just leave me alone for a little bit." Missy simply nodded, feeling defeated. They finished getting ready and opened the store in silence, the tension thick in the air between them.
Noon rolled around and they hadn't seen any customers, the shop unusually quiet. Missy wondered if it was due to yesterday's disturbance, the streets outside seeming emptier than usual. Missy bid Aspen farewell as she exited the shop on her way to the food truck. Aspen just stared out the shop window and grunted, her reflection in the glass looking small and lost. Missy made her way to the food truck feeling like the world around her was pushing down on her, each step requiring more effort than usual. She tried to get into a better mood not wanting to also inflict these feelings on Arc and Jezel, consciously attempting to lift her spirits.
Her thoughts turned to last night's research, providing a welcome distraction. In her search she came across several examples in a couple of different forms of media that she wanted to try out and see how Jezel and Rinale reacted, the possibilities bringing a slight smile to her face. She nearly walked past the park due to her distraction as she imagined their possible reactions, picturing their expressions and responses in detail. She still found it a little odd that she enjoyed their reactions as much as she did let alone the idea of them possibly reacting to something, but the feeling was undeniably pleasant. Missy corrected her course when she noticed that she had almost passed the park, shaking her head at her own absent-mindedness. She made it to the truck and stepped in greeting Arc and Jezel, trying to leave the morning's heaviness behind her.
"Missy!" They exclaimed as they both rushed over to her, nearly colliding in their haste. "We saw the news, are you okay?" They spoke in unison. They gave each other the side eye and Arc rolled his eyes at Jezel before gesturing for her to continue with an exaggerated sweep of his hand. Jezel looked back at Missy and scanned her for injuries, her face full of worry, hands hovering as if unsure whether to check Missy for wounds. Arc's face mirrored Jezel's as they waited for Missy to reply, his fingers drumming anxiously against his leg.
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"I'm fine. I wasn't in any physical danger." Missy tried to soothe their worry but her words seemed to do the opposite, tension visibly increasing in their shoulders. Jezel put her hands on her hips, stance widening. "Missy, you have to take your safety seriously. Overconfidence could lead to you making a mistake and getting hurt badly." Jezel's tone took on a steely note, her eyes narrowing.
Missy realized she must have made a mistake but wasn't entirely sure what it was. "I really wasn't in any physical danger. I could be set on fire, stabbed and have a building dropped on me and I would be fine. I wouldn't be pleasant but I am not really sure there is anything a mortal could do to hurt me." Missy emphasized the lack of physical danger, trying not to think about how she had almost lost herself. As she pulled her thoughts back to the moment she noticed that Arc and Jezel were giving her an unusual look, their mouths slightly agape.
"What? Why are you looking at me that way?" Missy asked with some trepidation, fidgeting under their intense stares. She was clearly not making things better. "Are you serious?" This time it was Arc who spoke, his eyebrows climbing toward his hairline. Missy tilted her head in confusion, her hair catching the light. "Yes?" She wasn't entirely sure what part they were asking about but she was serious about everything she said so she assumed it was fine that she wasn't sure which part they were talking about.
"Wow, so cool and we have you slumming it in a food truck with us." Arc's voice held a note of awe. Missy wasn't sure what slumming it meant but decided not to ask, deciding to express how she felt instead. "I like being here with the two of you. You both are really important to me." Missy spoke with conviction, her voice warm and sincere.
"Aww" the siblings said in unison, matching grins spreading across their faces. Before they could say more they were interrupted by an irritated voice from outside. "Could I get some help here?" Their attention snapped to the growing line of impatient customers stretching along the sidewalk. Jezel winked at Missy. "Later," she said before heading back to her station followed by Arc, who smiled at Missy as he passed.
Missy followed their example and was quickly swept up in the hustle and bustle of the afternoon rush. The time flew by and Missy found herself helping clean up before heading out. Missy hesitated, remembering that Aspen had asked to be left alone. Maybe she should see if Jezel wanted to spend time together.
"Jezel, do you want to spend time together tonight? Aspen asked to be left alone for a little bit so I thought we could spend time together." Jezel froze mid-wipe of the counter, looking conflicted. "I actually had plans to go dancing with my friends. I've been kind of neglecting them lately. I would have you come with us but we both know how well our last attempt to go dancing went." Jezel looked conflicted, her cleaning cloth twisting in her hands. "Maybe I can convince them to do something else." She muttered the last part to herself, chewing her bottom lip.
"I think I might have an idea." It was Arc who spoke up this time, emerging from the back with a stack of clean pans. "Why don't you go hang out with your friends and Missy come home with me." He grinned and it only grew as he watched Jezel splutter, nearly dropping her cloth. "You can't." Jezel whined. "Technically I saw her first which means I have dibs." At this point Arc's grin was so wide Missy was starting to get concerned. She had no idea what they were talking about.
Jezel growled and Missy was worried she might attack her brother, her hands clenching into fists. Arc just rolled his eyes and flicked Jezel's forehead with practiced ease. "Chill out. I'm just kidding. Well sort of. If you remember there is that cooking competition coming up and you both are going to help me. I'm just planning to give Missy a little cooking class. Don't worry I've got no ulterior motives." Jezel calmed down a little bit but still didn't look happy, her lower lip jutting out in a pout.
"This sucks. I want to see Missy's first attempt at cooking. Maybe I should just ditch my friends." As Jezel stood there sulking trying to decide what she was going to do, shifting her weight from foot to foot, Arc turned back to Missy. "So, How about it? Want to learn how to cook?" Missy nodded enthusiastically, her eyes brightening at the prospect of another new experience.