Anticipate the Storm

"Here are some snacks, kids. Your rides should be here soon, girls."

"Thanks for picking us up, Jennifer."

"Think nothing of it, Zenobia. Just take it easy hm?"

"Yes ma'am."

In the comforts of Jennifer's home, the masks were off. Zenobia was ready to dub Jennifer's home as a safe haven from all that was stupid. The three of them took the bus as soon as school ended. Phoebie called her family, Elias texted his grandmother, and Zenobia left a message for her mother who hadn't bothered reading it. 

In any case all bases were covered, their stories were arrow straight. The principal did an impromptu lecture for the school due to a bully incident so everyone were held until Ms. Mude was done. Which she did.

She also sent out a quick school wide notification to all concerned parents who wailed until their vocal cords snapped about where their kids were due to said lecture. 

 Not a lie whatsoever all while ignoring the fact that all three of them were involved. Snacks were picked at while Zenobia, Elias and Phoebe hid away under Rosette's affections. The golden retriever wagged her tail as she whined for attention, performing her duty perfectly.

Something the fox-masked girl could only be grateful for as she buried herself into Rosette's fur. The affectionate pooch must've had a bath within the last day or two because she smelled sweet. Ironically like roses. 

Zenobia was sure if she asked Elias, he would proudly present the bottle of shampoo for his dog high into the air. And in doing that would reveal a bright pink bottle littered in the dog's namesake. Or maybe red? 

She knew the boy long enough to know he would be particular about it even though he couldn't see a tint of color beyond monochrome shades. Jennifer probably helped with it. Or maybe he bought it online, specifying pink roses?

Either way, Rosette's floral scented-fur took away the stress of the day. Zenobia dognapped the golden retriever with no intention of releasing her or the bed that she also took control of until her mother came to drag her home.

Thankfully, the dog in question looked more than happy to play captive. She stayed there, panting with that big toothy smile while her tail repeatedly smacked against the bed. Rosette licked her all over, showing her consent for a cuddle session.

 Within a few minutes of her cuddling administrations the three teens began to relax, sinking into their particular spots. Zenobia, as mentioned before, claimed the bed, Elias took his desk chair, leaving a pouting Phoebie on the floor. She should've known that the peace wouldn't last long.

"Why can't I sit on the bed? I'm a guest too! Elias, she took your bed and your dog. What's next!?"

"You wanna fight her, be my guest. I long stopped trying to argue with her."

Rosette also did a fantastic job in hiding her from Phoebie. Zenobia knew the girl was smirking again. She had no proof since her eyes were too deeply pressed in Rosette's fur, but she still knew. Part teasing, part smug, all annoying.

 She may have succeeded in making Elias blush and squirm, but Zenobia refused to be a fellow victim. Hinting at the obvious signs of favoritism, like usual twisting it to extreme exaggerations. She won't participate.

"Zeno...share."

"No."

"But the floors are so uncomfortable. Just scooch a bit."

"I repeat...no."

"Don't be stingy!" Elias snorted, trying to muffle it with his hand. Zenobia ignored the world around her, resting her head on her hands. Rosette snug against her legs.

"Elias, are you sure this is your house?"

"I would hope so since I've lived here my whole life."

"Then tell that girl to share! She got the bed and the dog-wait shouldn't you get the bed? How scandalous, Zeno!" The red-eyed girl ignored her friend's dramatics. Instead she sank further into the softness.

So comfortable. She knew once her mother arrived, the shouting match would begin. With what time she had, she would make the best of the situation. If that meant claiming Rosette as her own, so be it. Victory was hers if Phoebie truly wished to fight her for the dog.

"Before your rides get here...I just want to say thanks. And sorry for the trouble." Phoebie and Zenobia shared a glance before turning to Elias. He wasn't looking at either of them. His attention remained focused on his thumbs that circled one another. 

"Think nothing of it. We were glad to put those guys in their place, right Zeno?"

"I would've spoken against them whether you were there or not."

"See? There's no need for you to fret."

That didn't seem to reassure the colorblind boy at all. His frown grew deeper, a trench filled with worry. He looked up, his white orbs met red. The hairs on the back of Zenobia's neck stood up.

"But what about your families? Knowing what I do, I don't think anyone will scold you too badly Phoebie-but Z? Your mother won't approve." She wanted to tell him he was wrong. Reassure him that his concerns were unfounded.

But saying that would make her a liar. She had been silently preparing herself for when that old hag walked through the door and saw the people she genuinely cared and associated with. It was going to be a grizzly fight between them. One she intended to walk out victorious from. 

However...she couldn't claim it was guaranteed. Like her mask indicated, her mother could be ferocious. She knew exactly how to target Zenobia's weak points. How to make her smaller than what she really was. It was an inevitable thing that she was amazed hadn't happened already.

"Don't worry about it Elias."

"But Z-"

"It won't be the first or last time she and I crossed lines with each other. At least this one is for a good reason."

She would repeat it in her mind as many times as needed. Weakness could not be revealed when facing her. Besides she had better topics for everyone to focus on.

"On to other things, the sketch is done."

"Wait seriously? Hand it over!" 

The carver made his infamous 'gimmie' gesture attached with his signature pout. Both him and Phoebie scooted close together, looking over her latest piece. Something that made Zenobia extremely nervous about. 

Not nervous because she felt ashamed or thought her piece was inadequate. Rather the opposite actually if anyone asked. The crimson-eyed teen felt proud of it.

Several late nights and free periods were dedicated to its creation. In her bag, a journal with several sheets of notes and draft doodles. All of it for her sister's future mask. 

So much love and effort she poured into the discarded drafts, slowly but surely finding the proper angles. Her hands nearly permanently stained from sweeping the otherwise blank parchment with eraser marks and pencil smudges.

Zenobia smiled when she finally finished, proud. But that made her feel all the more nervous waiting for her friends' reactions. Compared to all her own usual self-critical thoughts, theirs should be nothing.

 Doubt and paranoia could be cruel when they made her think up their reactions. Would they not like it and tell her that? Would they hide their thoughts, replacing them with vague, insincere praise? 

What if the design was good but didn't match Zora's personality? Zenobia irritated her already sore lip as she sat there. Rosette once more came to her rescue, easing the heaviness that kept her stuck in place.

She waited, air became hard to inhale, as if stones that piled in her gut reached her lungs. Her furry companion's soft nuzzles and darting tongue being the only things keeping her from outright panicking from the silence.

"Z…this is perfect."

A shudder broke through when she gasps an exhale. When Phoebie and Elias stared at her sketch, so quiet with serious expressions, Zenobia had thought the worst. But seeing the colorblind carver look up with a shining smile, she nearly fell onto Rosette in relief.

Even more after Phoebie stole the book from the boy's hands, lifting it high into the light. Her eyes, now that they were no longer hidden by her hair, shimmered with awe. Mesmerized by a picture of a mask that wasn't even made, let alone made for her.

It was both silly yet endearing. Her Coralin friend's expression reminded her of Zora that night the older girl told her the story behind her fox mask. Adorable, though she would never tell her that.

"This-words just can't describe how amazing this is Zeno! Zora is sooooo lucky."

With her face now burning, Zenobia swiped her sketchbook back. Of course she felt happy they loved it sincerely but they didn't need to gush! Sighing softly, she traced the outline of her drawing.

True to their discussion, she drew an ocelot shaped mask. If made, it would cover the entire face, completely shielding Zora from the world. Though Elias couldn't really appreciate it, he knew that she already had a color palette figured out. 

Instead of a typical shade base for the mask like black or white, she chose a blush pink with mint green markings. The eye openings would have a white and black outline, looking similar to eyeliner that would stretch to the center of the mask's forehead. The lines would connect forming a black and white, wispy heart.

Just like with Zenobia's mask, the colors on Zora's each had a special meaning. Although these instead pertained to the little girl herself instead of their family. If Zora wore it, it needed to be for her and her alone.

The white represented her youth, of her being young and innocent. Black intermingled with the white to give protection. The pink showed her never ending kindness, alongside being both her favorite color as well as matching with Zenobia's mask. The mint green would show her love of life, and her desires to help. 

"Just say the word, Z and I'll get started.

"Let me run it by Zora, first. If I can convince her, it'll be much easier to get mom to agree."

"Agree with what exactly?"

Zenobia saw more than felt the way goosebumps spread across her arms. The room shifted to an uncomfortable chill, with both Phoebie and Elias flinching. Time shouldn't have passed quickly enough for her mother to arrive.

None of them heard the door open, Jennifer greeting them or anything. Yet there was no denying her mother's voice. She stood there, her posture as perfect as always. Her arms were crossed, boring down her icy gaze on all of them. 

Jennifer offered Zenobia an apologetic glance behind the lioness's form. 

The fight was on.