Going the Distance [Open]

Taylor was just passing by when she saw the whole thing: how the creek froze and how the girl crafted a chair out of the ice. She did a double-take and squinted at the girl. No doubt she was one of her half-sisters--and she cursed herself for not remembering the girl's name. A closer look told Taylor that she was the girl whom she had seen around the cabin--the girl who was usually alone. Feeling particularly friendly today, Taylor approached her. She was rather surprised when she saw the frozen tears stuck to the girl's face.

"Hey there," Taylor said, sitting on the ground beside the girl. "Nice handiwork," she complimented, looking at the chair.

Taylor brushed off the offer. "Nah, it's fine," she said, seated cross-legged on the ground. "Thanks for the offer though."

Taylor looked at the girl, trying to figure out her name. It was annoying how she couldn't remember it. Shrugging the thought aside, Taylor took notice of the journal on her lap. She seemed to be writing something before she arrived. It was probably the girl's diary or something, Taylor assumed, and a look on the girl's face told her that she wasn't really in a happy mood.

"You alright?" Taylor asked with concern.

Taylor couldn't help but smile at the girl. She was really sweet and all. Taylor couldn't really understand why she felt alone. A sweet girl like her could have many friends if she liked, or so Taylor thought. But then, she didn't seem like the person who would go around introducing herself to everybody.

Like the curious person she was, Taylor had unconsciously began reading the girl's journal. 'Loneliness is the state of mind in which one wanders by theirself. It is a proclaimed path that leads one on their own. It is the path I walk. Cold, and timeless.' Wow, she writes well, Taylor thought, impressed. A few seconds passed and she caught herself, realizing that it was probably a diary or some sort and she was probably not allowed to read it.

"Sorry," Taylor apologized. "I didn't mean to read it. You a writer or something? You should totally try to write a book," Taylor said with a smile. She figured that compliments would at least cheer up the girl even a little. Besides, Taylor wasn't even lying when she said that.

"Yep," Taylor said, nodding. She was glad that the girl began to open up a little. "Well, we demigods have our ups and downs," she continued. "I know trusting people can be a tad bit hard, but it's going to be worth it in the end."

Taylor stopped, sinking deep into her thoughts. She unconsciously examined her ring as she had an inner debate with herself. Finally, after a few seconds, Taylor decided to speak her mind. "Look, I know this is going to be kinda weird, since we're half-siblings and we even live in the same cabin. But seriously," Taylor smiled her biggest smile, hoping for the best, "what's your name?"

"Oh I'm--" Taylor cut off as she found herself face-to-face with a longsword. Instinctively backing away from the frozen sword, Taylor stood up quickly while taking her ring off. The ring transformed into a silvery white sword in a split-second, the sapphire on its hilt gleaming in the sunlight. Holding the sword in front of her, Taylor could feel the adrenaline pump through her veins, preparing her for battle. She was trained in combat, after all, so her first reaction after getting a sword pointed at her face was naturally to be defensive. This all happened in a span of roughly three seconds.

Taylor held her position for about two more seconds as she took in the scene. She vaguely heard Naomi blurt out an apology. Taylor relaxed slightly, lowering her sword. She took a deep breath to calm herself, to give time for her heart to slow down. Taylor cautiously took a step towards Naomi. She wondered if accidents like these were the reason why people didn't hang around with her.

"Hm, interesting," Taylor mumbled to herself as she studied the longsword. It was the perfect weapon for a Khione child. She could practically feel the cold aura emanating from it. Though she couldn't really tell, Taylor assumed that the temperature around them must have greatly dropped when Naomi's sword was brought out. Taylor suspected that her being a Khione child herself was the reason why she didn't suffer the sword's deadly effect.

"You should be careful with a sword like that," Taylor told Naomi. She looked into her eyes, trying to convey how serious she was. "That was a close call."

Taylor just didn't have the heart to be angry at the sobbing girl in front of her. She withdrew her sword, turning it back into a ring. Naomi just looked so... helpless. Taylor bit her lip. She wasn't exactly good with situations like this. She walked up to Naomi and awkwardly patted her head.

"Uh... there, there," she said consolingly. "Just be careful next time." Then feeling like it was the right thing to do, Taylor pulled Naomi into a hug. When she pulled away after a few seconds, Taylor's lips widened into a grin. "So... cheer up, okay? By the way, I'm Taylor."

"Likewise," Taylor said, smiling. She was glad that the frozen tears were now gone from Naomi's face. Her smile widened into a grin while she took her previous seat by the creek. Placing both of her arms behind her head, Taylor said, "Don't you think it's funny how we live in the same cabin and are basically sisters, and yet we didn't know each other until now?

Taylor smiled. She patted Naomi on the head. "Yep, I sure hope so," she said cheerfully. Her eyes drifted over to Naomi's necklace, which was previously a longsword. "That's a priceless weapon you have there. A gift from Mom?" she asked casually.