Regynn Winters

Reunion (Alt. WrA characters)

The bell gave a merry little jingle as the door opened; Kyalith glanced up over the rim of her glasses before carefully placing the ribbon that marked her place between the pages of her book. She slid from her stool and tucked a stray strand of auburn hair behind her ear as she strained to make out the figure that had just entered the shop. The setting sun shone through the windows, casting the newcomer in backlit darkness, a black silhouette that stood looking at her from across the room.

“Can I help you?” she asked, somewhat proud that her voice didn’t betray her emotions.

The figure moved slowly, taking several steps closer until Kya could see the deep hood that covered its head, and the heavy coat that draped it from shoulder to mid-calf, concealing any hint of gender. The visitor stopped and raised its gloved hands slowly, pushing the covering back to reveal blonde hair pulled back in an untidy tail, wrapped with faded leather strips.

Kya gasped as the hood fell to the figure’s shoulders. She stood transfixed for a moment, unable to move, unable to speak; she could only blink in disbelief at what she beheld before her. Then she took another deep breath, gave a high pitched squeal, and launched herself at the visitor.

The two grappled for a moment until Kya stepped back, her eyes shining brightly as she looked up at her older sister, “Do mom and dad know you’re back? Have you been to the house yet? How long are you staying? Where have you been? Are you going to be home for a while now?”

The questions tumbled from her lips almost too quickly for the other woman to keep up with them, in fact she didn’t even try. She laughed and stepped back, holding the younger woman at arms length as she eyed her.

“How ya doin kiddo? You look thin. You aren’t taking care of yourself are you?”

Kya lowered her eyes, her voice dropping to a husky whisper, “I’m well enough Clair. I do okay.”

Clair gazed at her sibling, noting the lines of sorrow that creased her brow and bracketed her eyes. She reached out to tuck the wayward strand of hair behind Kya’s ear, “Hon, it’s been two years. You can’t keep doing this to yourself.”

“Is that why you’re here? To tell me it’s time to get over the death of my husband? I thought maybe it was the influx of outlanders.” she pushed her glasses up on her nose and turned, moving to the storeroom in the back of the shop, her sister close on her heels. “I’ll make you some tea and we can figure out what you’re gonna tell the folks when you get to the house. Whatever you’ve been up to, I’m sure they don’t need to know the truth.”