A SISTER'S CALL-III

Lia pointed at the cat.

"Whiskers is a girl? Then I have to change his name."

Aramith frowned. "I don't think Whiskers is a name for boys or girls, Lia."

"Shh. I'm thinking." She waved him off like he was the nuisance.

"I know! I'll call her Whiskey!" Her face lit up as if she'd solved an ancient riddle.

"Whiskey? That doesn't sound right." Aramith's eyes narrowed. "Who names a cat Whiskey?"

"I do," Lia said, grinning. "Who cares? It sounds nice to me."

He stared at the stubborn-looking Lia and sighed. "It might sound nice in your ears, but does it sound right in your brain—if you even have one?"

"Fine, then she's called Barky!"

"What kind of name is Barky?"

"Because dogs bark!"

"But she's a cat!"

"Exactly, that's why it's genius!"

"Exactly! More reason for her to be called Barky. The decision is final. From now on she's called barky." Aramith rubbed his temples, feeling a headache. He seriously felt like cracking open that skull of hers to see what nature had replaced her brain with.

"That doesn't even make any sense." Lia pouted at that

"You're the one to talk. You didn't even know she was a girl."

'Not like you even knew any better. You had no idea yourself." he added

"Who, me? I knew it all along. I only chose to pretend so you won't feel dumb. You nag too much." She spun and reached out to pet the cat again, but right at the moment when her finger brushed its fur, it leaped from Mozrael's hands. It turned away from them and made its way toward the edge of the balcony, swishing its tail gleefully

"Wait!" Mozrael chased after it.

"Barky!" Lia called, already on her heels.

Aramith sighed and followed reluctantly.

The cat jumped onto the gold, vine-shaped railings at the edge of the balcony and watched them approach it. It gave a soft meow, and just as the two girls got close enough to grab it, it leaped down, shredding their last hope of stopping it. They both leaned over the railing that was a little above their necks, craning to see Where she could have run off to.

"Maybe it's best if you two calm down and move from your position. We all know she will survive."

They had not noticed Aramith as he appeared behind them, or when he placed his hand on their shoulders lightly to pull them back.

"If you two jump after a cat, I'll lose my mind. Step back."

"Aren't these the best flowers!" Lia exclaimed, throwing her arms wide as if she could smell them from afar.

Hearing her speak made his mind wander off again

"Hey, are you even listening?" His thoughts were interrupted by Lia. He looked at her staring at him, and from the corner of his eye, saw Mozrael also staring at him. Lia smiled at him, and he found it awkward.

"I wish you were a girl."

"You can't just go around saying that."

"Why not? It'd make life easier."

He ignored her, and turned to Mozrael, startling her.

"Do you know where mom is?' He asked her and watched as she looked down thoughtfully for some time before she pointed down the balcony without looking up. Aramith looked down at where she pointed and could see a figure clad in red, ambling through the garden.

"Hey, why aren't you listening?" Lia complained. She took a step forward to stand right before him and pointed an accusing finger right at his nose.

"If you joke I won't talk to you again" she threatened him but had no idea of what a relief Aramith saw that to be. He stared at the finger, then at the stubborn-looking Lia, and sighed. He brought her hand down and pointed down the balcony to a spot in the garden.

"Look down there."

She took a glance and looked back at him. 

"What's with the plants?"

Aramith realized from her question that she did not attempt to see. Her expression shifted into one of worry and she slowly reached her hand out to touch his forehead.

"Are you okay?" He stopped her hand just as it got close, shaking his head.

"Just look at-"

"You're not okay? Does your head hurt?"

"Not that, just look there."

Lia scowled but leaned over to see what he was pointing at.

"There's nothing—"

"Look again."

She peered down 

"Oh hey, it's a mom!"

"A mom?"

Aramith had only a second to see Lia before she grabbed him to pull him away. He turned just in time to see Mozrael lift her head to look at them confusedly. He reached out and grabbed her arm.

"Ah" she stumbled forward, following him closely behind.

She found herself staring at his back, his unwavering posture radiating quiet strength. Her gaze trailed to the hand holding hers, firm and steady. Warmth rushed to her cheeks, and she quickly looked away. She wasn't used to such gestures, and the sudden closeness left her unsure of how to respond.

 The thought of Mozrael being isolated made him subconsciously knit his brows together. He looked over his shoulder to see if she were still there as if feeling her hand in his was not enough to assure him of her presence. She followed behind with her eyes fixated on the floor they walked on.

"Which do you think is better, pink or purple? I honestly think pink is-"

"no"

"Huh?"

"I said no. Purple has more meaning to it than pink. I don't think people wear pink. Maybe you girls and..."

"And?" Lia smirked.

"Oh shut up" he waved at her.

"I still think pink's better," she muttered to herself.

Mozrael trailed behind them, still quiet even with him holding her hand. Aramith noticed her lingering at the edge of the conversation and slowed his pace.

"Hey, Mozrael," he called softly. "What do you think? Pink or purple?"

She blinked, startled by the question. Her eyes darted between him and Lia, who was now watching her intently, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.

"I… I don't know," Mozrael mumbled. "Maybe… maybe purple?"

"Ha!" Aramith raised an arm triumphantly. "Told you."

Lia rolled her eyes, but her smile didn't fade. "Fine, fine. Purple wins. But only because Mozrael has good taste."

Mozrael smiled faintly, her cheeks turning pink. Aramith felt a small sense of relief at the sight.

"Come on," he said, motioning for them to follow. "Let's find Mom before Lia changes her mind and names the cat something even worse."

"Barky is a masterpiece!" Lia protested as they walked away.

Behind them, the cat perched on a railing, tail flicking lazily as it watched the trio disappear into the castle halls.

It secretly followed them, taking a shortcut to get ahead.

It reappeared once again, but the moment they saw it, it jumped down, landing gracefully on the ground below, and gave a defiant meow.

Aramith sighed. "See? Barky will be fine. She's probably just annoyed at the ridiculous name."

Lia huffed. "Ridiculous? Barky is unique. You just have no imagination!"

Mozrael stifled a giggle, still holding Aramith's hand as they began walking toward the stairs. Lia stomped ahead, her determination to chase after the cat unwavering.

"I'm telling you, she'll come back on her own," Aramith called after her, squeezing Mozrael's hand lightly before letting go to cross his arms.

The sudden absence of his touch made Mozrael falter. Her hand felt oddly cold now, and she missed the warmth he'd left behind. She glanced at him, a mix of relief and an inexplicable yearning settling in her chest.

"Don't encourage her," Aramith muttered, shaking his head at Lia's antics.

"Why not? It's fun," Mozrael said softly, surprising herself.

Lia, oblivious to their exchange, shouted back, "You're all just jealous of my genius. Barky will remember her name because it's so memorable!"

"More like traumatizing," Aramith muttered, smirking.

As they walked, Mozrael found her gaze drifting to the ground. She felt her cheeks warm at the memory of his hand in hers. A maid passed by and greeted them politely. Mozrael gave a small nod but still kept her eyes down.

Aramith noticed her silence and frowned slightly. He slowed his pace, glancing over his shoulder. "You okay back there?"

Mozrael blinked and looked up, startled. "Y-yes. Why?"

"You're awfully quiet."

"Am I?" she replied, quickening her steps to match his.

Aramith raised an eyebrow but said nothing, letting the moment pass.

Lia, meanwhile, spun on her heel and pointed dramatically at Aramith. "Hey! You're not listening to me!"

"I am."

"No, you're not!"

"I am," he repeated, smirking.

"Prove it!"

"You said something dumb. Again."

"That doesn't count!"

Mozrael giggled softly, earning a sideways glance from Aramith. Her smile seemed to lift the weight of the moment, and for once, he didn't roll his eyes.

"You two are impossible," Lia declared.

"And yet, here you are," Aramith shot back.

Mozrael tightened her grip on her dress, her gaze darting between them. As much as she tried to hide it, she found herself smiling too.