[img]https://reason.org/wp-content/uploads/dreamstime_l_118420137-650x365.jpg[/img]

[u][b]3:30 PM, January 18th[/b][/u]

Star sat quietly in the passenger seat, contemplating the morning’s events and staring out the window. It was a shame to leave Karen on such bad terms. They could make it up later when Clio and Star got back. Louisiana, the “state” around the city of New Orleans (not the new orleans, but it is a newer version of Orleans which is a city in a place called France) was a little hotter than the other places she had visited so far. New York was very cold and Detroit was too, this place seemed a little warmer, though the clouds were thick above this place. Star was beginning to realize that the heat levels of Tamaran would probably be unbearable for a human. Louisiana was also wetter, too. 

Clio glanced over at Starfire as she drove, her grip tightening on the steering wheel. She cleared her throat, announcing her intention to speak. [color=EF1956]"So, do you have any specific...questions? About the situation?"[/color]

Star looked over at Clio and thought for a moment.  [color=c4df9b]”Do you really think you might be in danger? Of dying?”[/color] She asked. Clio had seemed anxious, but Karen seemed to believe Clio’s very life might be at stake.

Clio frowned. Karen really had said that, hadn't she? [color=EF1956]"No, I don't believe I'm in danger of dying. I haven't died yet, have I?"[/color]
Star seemed relieved.  [color=c4df9b]”That is good. What about Makaya? Do you truly share two minds? I do not know what that means. Have I met Makaya before? How will I know? Do you know? Aren’t you...just you?”[/color] She asked, her questions losing momentum until she came to an almost philosophical final inquiry. 

Clio struggled to recall every part of the question. [color=EF1956]"I guess so, yeah. My mind is mine, and she has her own. It means that this body has two owners."[/color] Did that make sense? Probably not. [color=EF1956]"You've met before, that first day...and then the night on the street. You'll know because she's different than me. And yes, I do know, because I can feel the difference."[/color] She kept focused on the road, but she wanted to look and see how Star was taking things. 

Starfire furrowed her brow and twisted her mouth to the side. Two owners, same body. The first day on the rooftops? Was that Makaya speaking to her? 

[color=c4df9b]”When we first met, I did not know how to speak English. During the fight at that van, I split up from the two of you. I do not think I have met Makaya yet at all. To me, you are just normal Clio. All of the time, you are just Clio.”[/color] This whole thing was bugging Starfire, it was a concept she couldn’t understand. She sat back in her chair with an audible phoomph and cupped her chin with her fingers as she thought about this. 

Clio considered this. She wanted to believe that she was always her, but it was difficult. How could she explain that overwhelming rage? The aching for magic. Was that just her? [color=EF1956]"You can't meet her right now, but...soon. She's hurt."[/color] 8

Starfire looked hard over at Clio, scanning her up and down. [color=c4df9b]”She is hurt?”[/color]  Star asked. Clio looked uninjured. Perhaps it was her mind that was injured. Karen did mention tea. [color=c4df9b]Maybe this will all make more sense when I get to meet her. Even though I have already met you. I will meet you again. I will meet you as many times as it takes.”[/color] 

Hesitating, Star spoke again. [color=c4df9b]”Did you and Karen get into an argument?”[/color] 

As soon as Karen was mentioned by Starfire, fury burned within Clio. It was so sudden and fiery that she nearly doubled over. A groan escaped her. Good to know Makaya was feeling a bit better. [color=EF1956]"Yes, I got upset with her because she poisoned Makaya. She didn't say anything to me, she just...did it."[/color] 

Starfire was saddened that Clio was audibly frustrated by the mere mention of their...her?...friend. Poisoning was a serious thing to do to somebody.

[color=c4df9b]”She did not tell you she was telling me your secrets, either? She poisoned you?”[/color] She asked, her voice raising a concerned octave. 

[color=EF1956]"She didn't tell me she was going to tell you, no."[/color] Clio wasn't sure if she wanted to explain why Karen had given her the enchanted tea. In the end, she decided not to. [color=EF1956]"Why don't we talk about something else? Do you want to know about my family? Or about New Orleans?"[/color]

[color=c4df9b]”Okay, we will talk about something else. What is your family like? Do you like them and do they like you?”[/color] She said, leaning forward onto the dash. She rested her right cheek in her palm and looked over at Clio. 

Clio perked up. She didn't enjoy talking about her family to other mages, but this was a different occasion. [color=EF1956]"They're...different."[/color] She recalled her argument with her mother. [color=EF1956]"Sometimes they can be a bit much, but I do love them, and they love me too."[/color] She tried to think of significant members of the household. 

[color=EF1956]"I have about twenty cousins,"[/color] She wasn't sure how many were still on the estate. [color=EF1956]"But I like some more than others. Cousin Theo is my favorite. He's Matriarch Zaalia's son."[/color]

[color=c4df9b]”Twenty cousins? Wow. I do not have any cousins. Do you have any brothers or, or any siblings? Is Matriarch Zaalia nice? Like a Queen?”[/color] She said, stumbling over her words a little bit during her first question but moving quickly past it.

Frowning, Clio shook her head. Her mother hadn't been able to have anymore children. Their branch ended with Clio, until she got married and had a child of her own. It was a responsibility she didn't want, but something she'd have to face sooner or later. She was in her mid-twenties, after all. 

[color=EF1956]"No, no siblings. What about you, Star? Do you have any siblings?"[/color]

Star withdrew, receding into her seat physically and emotionally. [color=c4df9b]”Yes.”[/color] She said. It sounded like she was about to say something else, but the words didn’t come out.

As soon as Clio glanced over, she found herself feeling bad. She pursed her lips, and let out a long breath through her nose. Staying silent, she waited for the next road sign. [color=EF1956]"Thirty more minutes and I can show you all my old haunts."[/color]

Starfire looked over at Clio and smiled, seemingly happy to move on. [color=c4df9b]”That is good. I am looking forward to meeting your family. Why is Cousin Theo your favorite?”[/color] She asked, sitting up straighter in her seat. 

[color=EF1956]"He's just always been kind to me...he understood my situation, he's in it too."[/color] Clio recalled their last conversation. She had met his demon, because she had pissed him off when she said she was leaving the family. Apparently, trust and loyalty was important to his other half. 

[color=c4df9b]”Do many of your family have their own Makayas? Do you actually have [i]forty[/i] cousins?”[/color] Star continued asking questions.

Clio chuckled. [color=EF1956]"No,"[/color] She began, her brow furrowing. [color=EF1956]"Some people try their whole life, but they don't manage it. I'm not sure why it happens to some, and not others."[/color]

[color=c4df9b]”Don’t manage it? Is getting a Makaya a good thing for your family? Is Makaya nice? Karen told me...never mind. Does Makaya like me?”[/color]  Star could hardly wait. What an interesting family Clio had. And Clio invited her along to see them! 

Clio fought the bile that rose in her throat at the name Karen. She was upset with the artist, not mad at her in the way Makaya was. Shaking it off forcibly, she nodded. [color=EF1956]"My mom seems to think so."[/color] As for her being nice… [color=EF1956]"Makaya has her moments...she's impulsive and unafraid. I think she likes you. You'll find out later."[/color]

Star seemed satisfied, leaning back in her seat. [color=c4df9b]”Okay. Thank you for taking me with you on your vacation, Clio.”[/color] 



[img]https://www.youvivu.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Youvivu-6.jpg[/img]
[u][b]4:00 PM, January 18th
New Orleans
[/b][/u]
New Orleans wasn't what it once was, but it was as Clio remembered it. The weather was a bit of a shift. It was far hotter than Detroit, at around seventy degrees rather than forty. The air was thicker, humid, leaving those who were sweating in this type of heat sticky. Clio didn't seem to mind at all.

The people were what had truly changed. Perhaps Clio had been looking at them through rose-colored glasses in the past. Now, she could tell what the war had done to them. The slight tension carried in the shoulders of even those who smiled, the constant, dripping fear locked behind their eyes. The men and women in military uniforms, patrolling the streets or walking to and fro without assignment. They were a constant presence, now. Disrupting what had once been a city of culture and importance. 

Clio pulled up along the side street, right beside Cua Hãng Cafe. It was a beat down little place, painted in peeling robin egg blue and stained white. Perched beside one of the flower pots just to the right of the cafe’s name was a large, black raven. It quietly watched the car as it pulled in, before starting to preen its feathers. It seemed to only further emphasise worn nature of the place. A true hole in the wall, but a significant part of Clio's past.

She recalled running down the sidewalks with her cousins, after pooling together just enough allowance money to get everyone a beignet and a smoothie. Getting chastised playfully by the owner for loitering after they had finished their drinks. She wondered if Carlos was still around...

Parking the car, she took the keys out of the ignition. A deep breath followed, and she turned to look at Starfire. [color=EF1956]"I'm a bit hungry, but I can just get something to go...after this, I'll show you around."[/color] She knew her mother would complain about how skinny she was...but it wasn't like she could put on thirty pounds in a day. The least she could do was eat something before she went to see her family.

With that, she exited the car and slipped the keys into her pocket. Rounding the vehicle, she stepped into the cafe and headed toward the back where you could order your food. Upon seeing the old man running the place, she grinned. 

Carlos was a withered man, nearing his seventies. He had worked all his life to get his cafe, and it showed in his calloused palms and leathery skin. What was left of his grey hair was combed neatly to one side, and his pure white beard looked quite well groomed. Recognition flickered in his eyes, then he pointed at Clio knowingly. 

"Well, if it ain't Ms. Delphine." He crooned, his voice raspy and kind.

[color=EF1956]"One of many,"[/color] Clio said, laughing. She reached over the counter to give Carlos a hug. He was like a grandpa to her, seeing as her own grandfather didn't look a day past forty.

Carlos returned the hug, before pulling away to get a good look. "Almost didn't recognize ya, with how tiny you got!"

Starfire, upon realizing Clio and Carlos’ had a history, gave a small smile and let the pair talk. She wrapped her hands together behind her back and began rocking back and forth on her heels. Her eyes wandered back to the raven that had watched them come in. The creature had big dark, eyes, and Star could tell it was smart. She turned a little bit and took a few steps toward it and pressed her hands against the window and stared at it, just sitting there, perched and comfortable.

The raven was looking into the cafe, at Clio and Carlos’ reunion. Slowly, its head turned in the direction of Starfire, staring back at the orange woman that was looking at it. It didn’t caw, simply observing her for several moments before returning its focus to Clio.

In the meantime, Clio had picked out a beignet from behind the glass display case. Carlos bagged it, and gave her another hug after she paid. 

"It was lovely seeing ya, Ms. Delphine. Make sure you stop by before you leave." He gave her a small wave, and she turned to see Starfire staring out the window. 

[color=EF1956]"Star, you alright? We can head out, now."[/color] Clio approached her friend, looking out to see what she was staring at. 

Clio’s friend turned over her shoulder at the sound of her name. [color=c4df9b]”Yes, I am fine. I was just looking at that bird.”[/color] She said, turning back around to look at the raven. Only, it was gone.

[color=c4df9b]”Oh. It must have flew away.”[/color] She said contentedly. 

[color=c4df9b]”Well, what is next?”[/color] Star curiously asked her friend. 

Clio considered this. She didn't want to meet up with her family just yet. Her mother was probably still pretty pissed. So… [color=EF1956]"Why don't I take you to some of my old haunts? The high school isn't too far from here...then there's the theater. Or the Breakdown."[/color] 

[color=c4df9b]”I choose the high school.”[/color] Star said with a cheeky smile. It didn’t really matter to Star where she went. She just picked the first thing that Clio said. Plus, she said it wasn’t too far, so why not?

[color=EF1956]"Alright."[/color] Going back to her high school wasn't quite as traumatic for her as it could be for others. While she wasn't incredibly popular, the school consisted mostly of her family and the rest of the children were easy enough to make friends with. Some of them probably even had children attending the school currently. 

Hopping back into the car, Clio drove Starfire the short distance to the high school. She would've walked, but she didn't want to abandon the rental. 

Stepping out, she surveyed the building. It was in good condition, looking like the average highschool with two stories and a nice, albeit yellowed football field surrounded by a blue track. In front of the school was a tall flagpole, upon which a black raven was perched. It watched the car as it pulled in.

[color=EF1956]"This is where we used to do sports."[/color] Not her, specifically. She did her gymnastic meets indoors, where the indoor track team was likely meeting up as they spoke. 

Opening the front doors, which were still unlocked since most teachers stayed a bit late, she stepped into the school. The hallways were covered in posters and banners, the bulletin boards were stuffed with papers. The lockers were all blue, and the steps leading up to the second floor were as well. She felt like she was back in high school, and the thought almost terrified her. She recalled the year after she had successfully cursed and restored Maeve. She had recovered just in time to join her as a Freshman, and everyone had been so sympathetic about her sudden contraction of a deadly virus. Everyone except Clio. 

She had been angry, angry that she had gotten in trouble for stopping a bully. Angry that she hadn't been able to go through with it. That had been the first budding of Makaya. Clio pursed her lips, almost embarrassed. Almost.

[color=EF1956]"Anything you want to see, specifically?"[/color] Clio asked. 

Star shook her head. This place was dark and empty, with only a few strategically placed lights keeping the place comfortably lit up. Though that was probably because the students were not here. [color=c4df9b]”No. Is there anything you want to show me, specifically?”[/color]

Clio nearly said 'not really', but that would've made her a bad tour guide. [color=EF1956]"Why don't we go to the gym? I'll show you my old gymnastics routine."[/color] She chuckled, then gestured for Starfire to follow her.

Before they entered, she heard the sounds of rowdy children going about their business. She would have smacked herself. Sports were a year round thing at her high school, and it was currently winter track season. All indoor events. 

She whipped around, attempting to scurry away before they got caught looking like creepers. A tendril of shadow locked around her ankle, keeping her in the awkward half-turn position. Makaya flared instantly, but her magic was still weak. Clio began to panic. Someone in her family was there, she had just gotten caught. 

The doors to the gym pushed open, and a pair of sweaty teenagers in workout clothes strode out. The girl was about five inches shorter than Clio, wearing a lace front wig with edges that had previously been laid, but were now frizzed up. She was in a pair of black leggings, and a neon orange, cropped sweater. 

The boy was a similar height to his aunt, with his curly hair tied up on top of his head in a bun, his gym shorts and sweatshirt slightly damp from his activities. 

They stared at her as if they were offering up a challenge, and she stared back just as fiercely. 

"Aunt Clio, stay a little while. Your friend, too," The girl said, her words so obviously enchanted that Clio was able to brush off the coercion with ease. 

Star gave a little wave to the pair and then looked over at her friend Clio. [color=c4df9b]”Are these some of your many cousins, Clio?”[/color] She asked. 

The girl deflated a little at her lacking magical prowess. She had been working on her coercion all week. 

Clio glanced at Starfire, glad to know the coercion hadn't affected her. As far as she could tell, at least. Looking back to the pair of kids, she pointed down at her ankle, which was still entrapped. [color=EF1956]"It would be nice of you to let me out, don't you think?"[/color]

"Let yourself out," Scoffed the boy, crossing his arms against his chest. The shadow tightened. 

Clio cocked her head, her anger rising. [color=EF1956]"I don't even know who you [I]are[/i]! Family or not, I'm not playing your little games. Now let me go!"[/color]

The two teenagers seemed offended. "You'd know who we were if you hadn't left!" Hissed the girl. 

Clio softened just barely at this. [color=EF1956]"Alright, fine. Just let me go and I'll see you at the estate, okay?"[/color]

They glanced at each other. "Whatever, you're just lucky we have another half hour of practice." The boy said, releasing the shadow. He muttered something under his breath to the girl, who stared at Clio before nodding. They turned, and rushed back into the gym. 

Clio groaned. [color=EF1956]"I'm sorry about that, Star. Let's go."[/color]

Starfire seemed anxious as the family fighting apparently escalated. Fortunately, it vanished as soon as it began.

[color=c4df9b]”Do you and your family fight often?”[/color] The alien asked, following Clio out of the school. 

Clio shook her head, incredibly flustered. She pushed open the doors to the school, and sat down on the steps with a huff. [color=EF1956]"No, before I left, it was...different."[/color] She gripped her head, feeling powerless while Makaya was down for the count. 

[color=EF1956]"We all have our place in the family, you're either above whoever you're talking to, or below them."[/color] There were no equals, not even amongst the children. If you fell in the same level of power as someone else, you fought to the bitter end to prove you were above, or you submitted and took your place below. [color=EF1956]"They were just trying to prove that they're on top, and I can't [i]do[/i] anything about it. Not until Makaya recovers."[/color]

Star looked off into the distance, slowly nodding her head as if she heard it all before. Coming back to reality she rested her hand reassuringly on Clio’s shoulder. [color=c4df9b]”Did you want to wait until Makaya recovers before meeting the rest of your family? Do you think more of your family will be at the theater or Breakdown?”[/color] 

[color=EF1956]"The longer I wait, the more pissed they'll be. I just have to count on Makaya to work through this."[/color] She reached her hand up, resting it on Starfire's. It was nice to know she was there. Slowly she stood, shaking her limbs out. [color=EF1956]"The Breakdown is probably crawling with family members. And unless you want to catch a movie, I'm not sure about the theater."[/color] Though, catching a movie and hiding didn't sound that bad.

Starfire remained seated and pondered what Clio said. [color=c4df9b]”I have never seen a movie before. Are those fun? We will see your family when you want too, Clio.”[/color] It’s not like Starfire was in any particular rush. She was only there for Clio, and of course to see more of the world and the people in it, and making friends was a part of that goal. There were certainly many facets to this planet, much more, Star thought, than her own world. Maybe it was just because she lived there her whole life, but her home seemed far simpler than this place. 

Clio perked up a little, eventually rising to her full height. [color=EF1956]"Alright, movie it is, then. Hopefully they're playing something good."[/color] 

She walked down the rest of the steps and back toward the car, driving them over to the old theater. It was still in relatively good condition, but it was clear it hadn't been  touched up in a while. There was a large sign outside, displaying the various movies being shown. Sure enough, on top of it sat a black raven. Not enough people went to see movies anymore.

Clio purchased their tickets to Shaun of The Dead, one of the three movies playing, and took them inside. She sat in the upper middle section, the rest of the theater empty. Smiling, she leaned back against her seat and the movie began. Star joined her and was excited. This projector technology was marvellous. It certainly was a step up from the plays and shows of Tamaran, but the personal element was somewhat missing.

About two hours later, Starfire watched the credits roll and wiped her eye. She looked over at Clio. [color=c4df9b]”They were still friends. Even though one of them is a zombie. Would you still be friends with me if I were a zombie, Clio?”[/color] She asked, clearly inspired by what took place on screen. 

Clio had to prevent herself from chuckling, not wanting Starfire to feel bad about expressing her emotions. When she asked if they'd still be friends if she were a zombie, Clio felt the need to explain. [color=EF1956]"My family keeps zombie friends...so if you died, yes, I'd still be friends with you."[/color] That was as good as it was going to get without her being extremely sentimental. 

Standing, she waited for Starfire so she could squeeze out of the aisle. [color=EF1956]"So, did you enjoy your first movie?"[/color]

She began to stand and move down the aisle. [color=c4df9b]”Yes, I did. Though, I could not always understand what was being said, and I do believe I understood every single joke. That is okay, though. I will just have to watch more movies. I am glad you would still be friends with me if I were a zombie.”[/color] As she walked outside, she paused a moment.

[color=c4df9b]”Were the events in the movie inspired by reality? Did the zombies really attack Great Britain?”[/color] She asked. The world of the movies seemed different from the Earth she lived in now. The zombies seemed to surprise everyone, but Starfire had seen a creature or two in the Scar that looked much like the zombies portrayed in the film. 

Clio cringed. [color=EF1956]"Europe's actually in a much better place than us, Star."[/color] It was hard to admit that, despite her not being too patriotic. The alien took note of this.

As they strolled down the sidewalk, Clio's focus was on Starfire. As she turned her head, she bumped into an ice-cold body. Shuddering, she backed away and gave the woman a once over. Her eyes widened in recognition at the beautiful woman carrying a bundle of groceries.

The woman said nothing, not even grunting in surprise. She was fair skinned, with raven black hair and pale pink lips. After recovering from her shock, she sidestepped Clio and carried on. Clio turned, following after her. She put a hand on the woman's shoulder, trying to halt her. 

[color=EF1956]"Maeve?"[/color] She asked, shocked by the cool feeling of the woman's skin. She was almost certain about her predicament, but where was the wound? Didn't matter...she'd respond if Clio's assumption was accurate.

[color=EF1956]"Pran yon poz,"[/color] She commanded, and instantly the woman stopped and turned around. Her eyes looked glassy, and Clio faltered. [color=EF1956]"Maeve…"[/color] She mumbled, disbelief evident. 

Who had killed her? 

Star looked at this Maeve and her eyes widened. [color=c4df9b]”Clio...is she a zombie?”[/color] Her stance widened and she drew her right fist to the side, getting into a fighting position. Any second she was preparing for the woman to lash out in a deadly bite, to convert her or her friend into a shambling, brainless creature. (Though not all zombies are bad, like Ed!) That and the fact that this woman may just be acting like this were the reasons why Star didn’t do a preemptive strike, and instead waiting for Clio, apparently far more knowledgeable on such things, to act. 

[color=EF1956]"Yes…"[/color] Was all Clio could say. Why her family had a slave wandering around town, she wasn't sure. It wasn't her business, though. Not until she went back to them. [color=EF1956]"Ale,"[/color] She told Maeve, and the slave turned around, walking twice as fast in the direction she had been heading before. 

[color=EF1956]"I think it's time…"[/color] Clio muttered lowly, before saying it again with a bit more oomph. 

Starfire watched in wonder as Clio commanded the zombie to walk away. [color=c4df9b]”Time for what, Clio?”[/color] She asked quietly.

Clio glanced at Star, a crooked smile on her face that didn't quite meet her eyes. [color=EF1956]"Time to introduce you to my better half."[/color]