Daughters

Tai Da was reading. That in itself was a peculiarity. Despite being the daughter of Jennu, she didn't much enjoy reading and found books on a whole to be quite tedious. Much to Malsvir's horror. But this was actually quite interesting.

It was a book on the history of martial arts, something she was very much into. Technically, it was Jennu's book, and he had said she could borrow it whenever she wanted, but it still felt she was stealing it, reading without permission and what have you. Not because she had any problems with stealing, more because she wouldn't hear the end of it if she was caught with a book. The taunting would go on for years, she would never live it down.

"Interesting book?"

Tai leapt at least a foot from her seat in fright. With a speed similar to her father, she stuffed the book between the cushions of the sofa. "What book?"

"You can't hide anything from me," Hirameki purred, perching herself on the arm of the sofa.

Hirameki was very much her father's daughter. She had the same long blue hair and pale skin, slender build and feline-esque reactions. But that was where the similarities ended. Although she was quiet, she didn't have the same inclination towards art but still had an eye for it. Her mother's influence was only obvious when it came to her magic. She had the same claws and teeth (although made of ice instead of metal and retractable instead of fixed) and the same fighting prowess. She also had a thing for scarves big enough to cover the lower half of her face. She was currently wearing a black and icy blue one. She was easy to shop for at Christmas.

"I'm not hiding anything," said Tai, leaning back and folding her arms. The book was digging in her leg something terrible, reminding her that it was still there.

"Yeah, sure," said Hirameki, "So, what's the book about?"

She wasn't going to leave this alone, Tai could tell. As quiet as she was, Hira couldn't half be stubborn. But nevertheless, Tai kept her mouth shut.

"Oh come on Tai, you know I can keep a secret."

"Ugh, fine," Tai conceeded, pulling the book out from between the cushions, "It's a book on the history of martial arts."

"Is it interesting?"

"Yeah, actually. Seems like old Curtain-Fringe actually had a point."

This comment got a giggle from Hirameki.

"What?"

"I love the way you talk about your father so affectionately."

"Affectionately? Are you listening to me?"

"Of course, but I don't have to. Everyone knows the insults you two throw at each other are just a cover up."

"Yeah, yeah, alright Freud, I don't need your psycologial analysis thanks."

Hirameki was a couple of years older than Tai, but it was often like talking to someone much older. It was like she had been born with the mind of an adult. She was wise beyond her years. Probably because she was so quiet and did more listening than talking. Sometimes Tai forgot how old Hira was. The number of times Hira had stopped her from running head first into doing something stupid was countless, and they hadn't even been friends for that long.

"Oh, hey, I'm heading up to Shu's this afternoon, you wanna come?"

"You bet; I've been stuck in this house for ages."