[Flashback] A Little Change of Scenery

[Zorayda]

12 of Summer, 511 AV The rich smell of mixed oil paints permeated the sea air as a young woman focused upon the old buildings in the distance, her white, even teeth digging into her bottom lip. She paused to brush a few unruly strands of blonde hair from her face, leaving streaks of red and green upon her temple as she did. The crumbling buildings in the Old Quarter of Zeltiva had always fascinated Zorayda; many paintings of the structures adorned the walls of her mother's simple little cottage. Zorayda often said that the oil paintings made the place look richer. The young woman's lips curved into a satisfied smile as she added the shading to a building's corner. The painting was finished. She picked up a tiny paintbrush and dipped it into the white paint on her palette, opting for the color that could contrast more sharply against the ones behind it. She signed her name with large, loopy initials before adding the date. "Zorry! That looks really good," a voice sounded from behind her. Turning on her stool, Zorayda saw the long, willowy figure of her younger sister. Her hand was extended in a half-wave; Zorayda smiled and waved back, moving aside to allow Rachaelle space to see the finished product that was currently drying in the sun. "You really like it?" the elder sibling asked self-consciously, twisting some of her loose hair between her fingers in a nervous twitch. Rachaelle nodded fervently, tugging on her sister's loose ponytail. "Of course. You're so silly," she reprimanded. The two of them were very close--closer than any other siblings they knew, and they trusted each others' opinions on things, even as trivial as the quality of a painting. A comfortable silence spread between the two, with Rachaelle coming to plop on her sister's lap. Zorayda absentmindedly patted her sister's back. "Ray... I have something I want to do," Zorayda finally commented, reluctantly breaking the silence. A tiny frown appeared in the lines between her brows. Rachaelle looked mildy concerned, but expectant. "I... I'm moving to Syliras." The younger sibling nodded matter-of-factly, her shoulders suddenly stiff. "You... you knew?" Zorayda asked, her voice quiet and tense. Rachaelle nodded, sighing in defeat. "I knew it had to happen soon. You're just too free-spirited to stay blocked into Zeltiva," Rachaelle said resignedly. A slight tremble gave away her sadness however, and she turned her face away. "It's not... I just..." Zorayda struggled to convey that her moving was in no way her sister's fault, but couldn't find the words to say. Rachaelle just petted her sister's hair comfortingly. "I know," she said softly. Her words were thick with tears. Zorayda turned awkwardly in her chair, ignoring the discomfort, and hugged her sister. The two stayed like that until the sun began to dip below the horizon.