{ After the hunt / with Adrian }
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Aurora hesitated outside her father’s office, her hand resting on the doorknob. It had been years since she felt truly comfortable in this part of the buliding. The heavy oak door loomed before her like a portal to another world, one full of secrets she never wanted to uncover and tasks she never wanted to do. Adrian Dear had called her here after the scavenger hunt, his voice too sweet, too measured… He never invited her to his office unless he had some hidden motive, but Aruroa could never deny.
Taking a deep breath, she turned the knob and stepped inside. The room was dimly lit, the usual heavy drapes drawn to keep out the sunlight. Her father sat behind his desk, his posture impeccably straight, a cup of tea already waiting for her in front of the chair he had clearly set out. Maybe that’s where her fondness for tea came from, Aurora thought of those early days when things were simpler, when family moments felt less like staged scenes and more like genuine connections. She barely remembered those days, it all felt rather like a dream than something that actually happened… but they were there. Back when she was still a child and life was less complicated, she and her parents would sit together, sharing quiet moments over tea. It felt almost warm back then, as though there had once been a version of their family that functioned like the ones she’d seen her friends have. But now those memories felt distant, like something she had imagined or watched from afar, the warmth replaced by the cold calculation of his every move.
“Aurora…” he greeted with that smooth, authoritative tone, motioning to the seat across from him. “Sit.” She crossed the room slowly, her heart tightening, trying to ignore how small she felt in his presence. Her fingers brushed against the cool leather of the chair as she pulled it out, sinking into it. She straightened her posture, trying to look composed while her hands gripped the arms of the chair a little too tightly. He gestured to the tea. “You should have some. It’s a special blend I had prepared just for you.” She hesitated for a moment, her gaze lingering on him. Despite everything, Aurora still admired him, still loved him. How could she not? He was her father. No matter how cold or distant he had become there was a part of her that longed to trust him, to believe that he cared for her, that he had her best interests at heart. She wanted to see the man she used to look up to… But trusting him had become difficult over the years, and she didn’t know why. Maybe it was the way he always seemed to be ten steps ahead or maybe it was the feeling she couldn’t shake - the sense that behind his smooth words and practiced smiles, something darker always lurked. Yet, even now, as she was sitting at his desk a small part of her clung to the hope that this meeting would be different.
“Do you ever wonder…” Adrian began, leaning forward slightly, “About Arya?” Aurora stiffened. The name hit her like a punch to the gut. Arya, the girl she once called her closest friend, the girl her father had forbidden her from seeing years ago. Pulling Aurora out of high school so she wouldn’t be anywhere close to the girl, something she could never understand… The tension between her and Arya had only resurfaced once they both ended up at Ninth House. Seeing her again had been… complicated. The conversations they’d had since then were strained, colored by the rumors her father had spread. But why would he bring her up now? Aurora looked at her father, trying to read his expression, but his face was as composed as ever. “Why are you asking?” She asked quietly, her hand tightening around the warm ceramic of the tea cup. She could feel her heartbeat picking up.
Adrian took a slow breath, his fingers tapping once against the desk before he spoke. “Because there’s something I think you should know. Something I’ve kept from you for far too long.” He continued, his gaze never leaving hers. “Arya… she’s not just some girl you used to be friends with. She’s your sister.” Aurora felt the ground beneath her tilt. Her sister?.. Her mind couldn’t make sense of the words… They couldn’t. How could Arya be her sister? They were nothing alike, and her father had been so adamant about keeping them apart. Why? This was all before her mother… Was it?
“I… don’t understand… Why are you telling me this now?” Aurora managed, her voice barely above a whisper. Adrian leaned back, watching her closely. “Because it’s time you know the truth. Arya’s mother…” His voice trailed off, but the implication was clear. Aurora’s stomach twisted tighter. Of course, there was more to it. There always was. She felt a rush of emotions… confusion, anger, disbelief, but more than anything an overwhelming sense of betrayal. Why did he hide this for so long? Why did he force her to stay away from someone who was her family?
“And you kept this from me… For what-” “For your protection. There were… complications. Things you wouldn’t have understood back then.” Aurora wanted to shout, to demand an explanation that made sense, but the weight of everything was pressing down on her, making it hard to think. Instead, she looked down at the tea, the steam still rising from the cup. She lifted the cup, taking a long sip, hoping it would calm the chaos inside her.
{ Renlin’s party / with Arya }
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Aurora stood in front of the mirror placing the final feather in her hair. The costume was perfect - black beaded dress that shimmered under the light… She was dressed as a flapper girl from the 1920s, the epitome of elegance and rebellion, feathers crowning her red hair, a thin string of pearls draped loosely around her neck. She adjusted the feathered headband one more time, her fingers lingering as she looked at herself. Tonight wasn’t about the party. It wasn’t about the music or the laughter she could already hear faintly from the courtyard. Tonight was about Arya.
A mix of emotions she felt after the conversation with her father hadn’t settled in yet. She had spent the whole evening replaying his words over and over in her mind. Arya, her sister? It still didn’t feel real, and the only way she was going to make sense of it was by confronting Arya herself… What if she already knew about it?
With a deep breath she smoothed the sides of her dress and turned away from the mirror. The black sequins glittered as she moved, as she tried to remind herself of the role she was playing tonight - carefree, just another student enjoying Renlin’s party… But beneath the costume her heart raced. As she left her room, the hallways filled with students in vibrant costumes, with laughter echoing. Aurora walked through the crowds, making her way to the Umbra Coven quarters, her mind focused. She wasn’t here to dance or mingle, even though she knew people would expect her to, she didn’t even say hi to anyone on her way there. The music was louder as she entered the courtyard, and her eyes scanned the crowd, looking for the familiar face. And then she saw her.
Arya was dressed as Cruella, her dark hair streaked with an ivory white, framing her face. She stood out even among the vibrant costumes. She was leaning against the mantle of the fireplace, a drink in her hand, watching the party.Aurora couldn’t help but wonder if Arya had always felt out of place, just as she herself often did. The two of them hadn’t spoken much since Arya had arrived, Aurora tried to be friend with the girl again but the wish of her father was still in the back of her mind.
“Arya… Can we talk for a moment?” Aurora called softly as she reached her, her voice cutting through the hum of conversation around them. She knew this wasn’t the ideal time nor the ideal place but she couldn’t let this wait any longer. After everything her father had told her… how could she?
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