Twins Amber and Calcite couldn't be any less alike. Where Cal is happy to stay at home with his piano and guitar, Amber has a desperate need to see unknown places and explore the wilds. Chasing a childhood dream into the jungle of Selvadorada, Amber finds a dream cut short...and Cal finds himself living for two lives, instead of just one.
Calcite: Huh? O-oh, no, Gram, I never–
Firefly: Everyone starts from never, my sweet prince.
Calcite: Uh…okay? I just don’t want to mess up…
Firefly: Messing up is the best part. Here. Just try.
-
Calcite: How long did it take for you to get that good, Gram?
Firefly: Oh, a decade or so.
Calcite: A decade?
Firefly: *laugh* Yes, Calcite, a decade! It takes time and practice to hone any craft. My painting, your Gran’s writing, your mothers’ music…all take time and effort.
Calcite: No, I know, but…ten years? Ouch.
Firefly: Amber is rubbing off on you, it seems.
Calcite: Not that much! Ten years just seems like a long time for one thing…
Firefly: It can be, but I find it was worth it. Hm…try adding a bit of black to your green for that tree. It will help it to stand out.
Calcite: Huh? Oh! Oh, yeah, it does.
Firefly: I do happen to know what I am talking about, you know.
Calcite: *laugh* I bow before the master.
Firefly: Now now, no prince ever need bow.
Calcite: It’s just a saying, Gram. Why do you always call me a prince?
Firefly: Ah, that is…an even longer story, I am afraid. One we do not have time for tonight.
Calcite: Okay…it’s just that you never call Amber princess, so…
Firefly: I tried. She vehemently refused it. Said it was old-fashioned of me and that I should…what was it she said…ah! Get with the times.
Calcite: *sigh* Of course she would. And you’re not that old, Gram.
Firefly: Older than most. Someday I will explain it all…but not tonight. I think it is time for this old biddy to go to bed.
Calcite: Okay, Gram. G’night.
Firefly: Good night, my sweet prince.
Amber: I’m back!
Spinel: How was your run, sweetie?
Amber: It was fine. Cal, you’ve got paint on your face again.
Calcite: Ugh! Not again…
Amber: Still working on those landscapes, huh?
Calcite: Yep. I’ve been using a lot of references so it’s a lot more than just, you know. The road.
Amber: I hope so. That’d get old real quick.
Amber: So I was thinking…
Calcite: Uh-oh.
Amber: Oh, haha. I was thinking why don’t we grab the others and go camping tonight?
Calcite: in the cave?
Amber: You bet.
Amber: We haven’t been there in a while, we’ve all got the weekend off school or internships…it’ll be fun.
Calcite: Can you pry yourself away from your books for that long?
Amber: I dunno, can you pry yourself away from your easel?
Calcite: *laugh* Touché.
Calcite: ….inviting everyone means inviting Lacus, doesn’t it?
Amber: Yeah, and?
Calcite: And? He’s still a total jerk, Am.
Amber: I know. I also know there’s a very cold pond in that cave.
Calcite: …Are you saying…
Amber: He does know how to swim.
Spinel: Ha!
Calcite: *laugh* Amber, you …Watcher, you’re something else.
Firefly: Please do not actually drown your cousin, you two. Your aunt would be very upset.
Amber: I dunno. Auntie Lu might appreciate the break.
Firefly: Amber…
Amber: Okay, okay, I won’t drown him if he’s a dill pickle. Can’t say I won’t dunk him, though.
Firefly *chuckle* Alright, I suppose that will do.
Amber: Honestly I thought you’d be more upset about us camping in the cave all weekend. You didn’t like it last time.
Firefly: Last time it had rained and was threatening to rain more. Now we have no clouds at all. I trust you will all be safe.
Spinel: And keep your phones on!
Saffron: Your phones and your keys and your…wait. Wait, where are you two going exactly?
Calcite: Morning, Ma. *chuckle* We’re gonna camp out in those old mines outside of town for the weekend. That okay?
Saffron: The old mines…oh! That old dusty wreck? Hm….you’re taking your cousins?
Amber: And Canela, if she wants.
Saffron: Then yeah, I’m cool with it. Just don’t tell Moony that’s where you went!
Amber: Uh…why not tell Mama?
Firefly: She would worry, darling. We trust that you will be safe, but you know how your mother is.
Calcite: Yeah, we do. We’ll just…tell her we went to the springs or something. Somewhere outside.
Firefly: Wonderful. But before you go–I need you to pose for your portraits!
Amber: What? Gram, we’re still not dressed–
Firefly: Then shoo!
Calcite: Dibs on the shower!
Amber: Ah–Cal!
–
Calcite: Just like this?
Firefly: Yes, hold that for a few moments longer…
Calcite: What’s with the portraits anyway, Gram? Wouldn’t photos last longer?
Firefly: Yes, but…ah, well, it is something your Grandmother Opal started. A sort of…legacy, I suppose. Someday, you may end up deciding photographs work better, but for now…for now, I paint.
Amber: Just don’t wear yourself out, Gram.
Firefly: Nonsense. I intend to have these finished before I go to bed. Now, away with you both!
Firefly: You two have better things to do than listen to old biddies rambling.
Calcite: *laugh* Love you, Gram.
Firefly: And I love you, my darlings. Never forget that.
Amber: Sap.
Calcite: *chuckle* You know it. I’m not the only one who loved that story, though.
Amber: It is my favorite of the ones Gran’s written, yeah.
Canela: How many books has your Abuela written again?
Amber: …Watcher…like, thirty? More? I don’t even know anymore. We grew up reading them, but I lost track ages ago.
Maré: It’s actually thirty-two.
Corona: And you all call me dedicated.
Lacus: You totally are. Gran just takes it to a whole other level.
Palus: A whole other planet. None of us have anything on that.
Calcite: I dunno…Amber comes pretty close.
Amber: Oh, ha ha, very funny. Seriously, guys, what’s wrong with being dedicated?
Canela: Nothing, as far as I’m concerned.
Maré: It’s not the dedication, Amber, it’s the forgetting everything else. I mean, when’s the last time you went and hung out with your friends.
Amber: Uh, I’m doing it now?
Corona: We’re your cousins you have to hang out with us.
Canela: Oh, so I don’t count?
Palus: You’re practically a cousin anyway.
Lacus: But see, that’s what we mean! You’re the only person who’s not related to us that Amber ever hangs out with. We’re two years from graduation and you’re the only outside the family friend she ever made.
Amber: Dude, I’m right here.
Amber: And it’s not like Cal’s bringing anybody home, either!
Calcite: no, but I have music club and like, six guys I could call for prom. You…don’t.
Amber: That’s–okay, that’s fair. *sigh* It just doesn’t seem important, that’s all.
Maré: That kind of relationship isn’t, but having friends? We’re your family, but what’re you going to do when you’ve been to Selva and you’re done with all that?
Amber: …I…never really thought about that.
Corona: Well that’s easy. Peppermint has some friends who we could totally set you up with. Girls, too, if that’s more your style.
Amber: …Never thought about that, either.
Calcite: *snort* Amber…
Palus: All work and no play makes a Crystal a very–
Lacus: Busy lady. Why’s it so important anyway? You never said.
Amber: I don’t…really know how to explain it. It’s just a feeling, I guess, that there’s something in Selva that’s waiting for me. Which is stupid, I know, but.
Maré: But you have to see it for yourself. And once you do? What then?
Amber: I guess I just move on to the next thing. I’m not thinking that far ahead.
Canela: We are only sixteen. There’s time to figure things out, Papa says.
Amber: See? No need to worry about a thing.
Corona: I guess not. Hey, Cal, you got any other sappy songs in that head of yours?
Calcite: *laugh* One love song for the lovestruck lady at twelve o’clock, coming right up.
Moonstone: Hey, Saf? Could you go check on Mom for me? They missed breakfast…
Saffron: Well that’s not like them at all. Sure thing, babe.
Saffron: Auntie?
Spinel: …you can come in, Saffron.
Saffron: Auntie, what–no. No!
Spinel: She went in her sleep. There’s…nothing anyone could have done.
Saffron: But she was fine–there was nothing wrong!
Spinel: …no. It was just time. *sigh* It was…just time.
Saffron: Auntie…
Spinel: Call the twins.They…they should know to come home.
-
*phones ringing*
Palus: Ugh…shut that alarm up…
Lacus: …not mine…
Calcite: Ugh…too early for this…
*phone ringing*
Corona: Shut up!
Maré: Am…that’s yours….
Amber: …it’s Ma.
Calcite: Ugh…why is she calling? They said they were fine with this!
Calcite: I’m not dealing with this. We can take care of ourselves!
Amber: Shush, Cal. Lemme see what’s…*yawn* Goin’ on…
Amber: Ma? Yeah, we’re all here. No, we were asleep. …what?
Calcite: …Am?
Amber: When? …oh. Oh.
Firefly: Where…this is…
???: Well, you’re a little earlier than we expected but…welcome home, your Majesty.
Firefly: Wait–you?
???: Me. You’ve got good instincts, Firefly.
Firefly: You were incredibly hard to miss! Why?
???: Mother sometimes sends guardians to people in need. Moony was one of them, and now I’m just attached to your family. Don’t worry–I’ll watch over them until the end.
Firefly: Well, that is reassuring. Thank you, Ori.
Firefly: But why are you here now? Surely your body hasn’t…
Ori: Oh, no. Part of being a guardian spirit means making sure everyone makes it across safely. I’m here to escort you to the other side.
Firefly: Does every family have a guardian spirit?
Ori: Yep. Most are just more hands-off than I am.
Firefly: But you…
Ori: What can I say? I got attached.
Firefly: *laugh* That is hard to not do, yes.
Firefly: May I ask why here? This is…
Ori: The Glade, the Caverns, places like that are always closest to crossing the barrier between sides. And it’s somewhere the three of you all knew well, so Mother thought it would be easier for you here.
Firefly: Three? –Wait, you cannot mean–
Ori: It’s been a long time, but they’ve been watching over you, too.
Ori: Go on.
Firefly: Mother! Father!
Monarch: Darling–oh, look at how you’ve grown!
Corona: We missed you.
Firefly: I missed you, too! So much…oh, I have so much to tell you!
Two years later…
Dove: Remember that final exams are coming up soon, everyone. These will affect what universities you can apply to, so I trust you’ll all work your hardest.
Amber: Yes, Miss Dove.
Dove: …I know most of you have just gone through a hard spell, so if you feel the need, you can graduate and take your placements again next year.
Maré: I just want to get this all over with…
Lacus: Yeah, let’s just be done with it. I want out of this town now.
*bell rings*
Dove: Alright then. Amber, hold back a minute.
Dove: I have to ask. Are you and Calcite holding up alright?
Amber: We’re fine.
Dove: Losing both of your grandmothers so close after one another–
Amber: we’re fine.
*sad piano music*
Dove: You want to stick with that?
Amber: *sigh* …the house is too quiet now. Mama’s taking it hard.
Dove: I can recommend some grief counselors for you, if you’d like.
Amber: She wouldn’t go. None of us need to–we’re fine.
Dove: Amber, there’s no shame in grieving. Just because we’ll see them again doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt now.
Amber: I know! Just–let it be, okay?!
Amber: If people would just let it alone, we could get over this!
Dove: Amber…
Amber: *sigh* I’m sorry. Just….we need time, not prying.
Amber: We’re handling it.
Dove: Are you? Your grades are fine, but Calcite’s, your cousins…
Amber: …I’ll talk to Cal. The rest are…they’ll figure it out.
Dove: Alright. Just remember, there are resources if you decide you want them.
Amber: Yes, Miss Dove.
Amber: May I be excused?
Dove: Go on. *sigh* Poor kids. This is such a mess.
Amber: You almost got us both in counseling, Cal.
Calcite: Well excuse me for actually expressing my feelings.
Amber: Ugh…
Calcite: You can’t keep holding it in, Am…
Amber: I just wanna go home. Come on.
Calcite: Okay, okay. Let’s go home.
Calcite: You still haven’t taken that off.
Amber: Not gonna. Gran gave it to me, remember? Before she.
Calcite: Yeah. I know.
Calcite: I think she knew something was up, I just…
Amber: Yeah. I miss her, too.
Calcite: Mmhmm. We’re back.
Saffron: Hey, guys. How was school?
Amber: It was fine. How’s Mama?
Saffron: Sleeping, finally.
Calcite: Is there anything we can do? Soup, or…
Saffron: Nah, I’ve got her. She’s had flares like this before. She just needs some rest, that’s all.
Amber: She misses them too.
Saffron: Yeah. We all do.
Saffron: Do you have homework?
Amber: A little. We’ll be in the kitchen, okay? Come on, Cal.
Calcite: Coming.
Calcite: ….
Amber: ….I can’t think straight. Can you?
Calcite: Nah. Roof?
Amber: Roof.
Amber: You know what’s really stupid? Now I almost don’t want to leave!
Calcite: *snort* Kinda hard to with Mama like this. But you know she’d want us to, anyway. So would Gram and Gran.
Amber: Yeah well they’re dead. They don’t get a say.
Amber: If they wanted a say they should have stayed!
Calcite: They didn’t choose to leave, Am, they just…they were old and it happened and…
Amber: Yeah, well, still.
Amber: Now we have to pick up the pieces and how are we supposed to leave when Mama’s so out of it?
Calcite: *sigh* Because she’d want us to. She said it herself: Go see the world because I can’t.
Amber: I know what she said, but how can we…how can we leave her?
Calcite: She’ll push us out the door if we don’t.
Amber: *snort* And have Ma do it, too. I just…I dunno, Cal. It feels wrong to be doing this when they’re both gone and Mama’s so heartbroken.
Calcite: It does, but they’d want us to keep living. Gram would…she’d say no royal should ever not live their life because of grief, or…something.
Amber: *chuckle* Yeah…she would. *sigh* Watcher, I miss them.
Calcite: Me too. But…we’ll see them again someday. And I don’t want a Granny Lecture because we moped around and missed out on life.
Amber: Ugh, no! No way, not happening.
Calcite: Yeah, I feel that. So I guess *sigh* I guess we’d better get going, huh?
Amber: Yeah. Don’t want to be late. Not that Prof cares, but your boss…
Calcite: Miss Melody’s just strict, that’s all.
Amber: If by strict you mean a hardass.
Calcite: *snort* Come on. I’ll ride in with you.
Museum of Archaeology…
Canela: Amber?
Canela: …oh, Amber. *sigh* Amber, wake up.
Amber: *yawn* Wha…oh, hi, Canela…what’s up?
Canela: Not you, clearly.
Amber: Mmph…sorry. It’s been a …rough few nights.
Canela: You don’t have to apologize. But are you sure you should be here? You know Papa would give you more time off if you asked.
Amber: Nah, I’d rather be busy. Did the new shipment come in yet?
Canela: Delayed in traffic.
Canela: I just still can’t believe they found these pieces! Artifacts from the Final Age are so rare…
Amber: …yeah…they were all destroyed, weren’t they?
Canela: That was what we thought!
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