[indent] [i][color=#808080]Harper wandered through the hallway, her footsteps soft against the hardwood, each step a gentle tap in the quiet. The house was still, the kind of stillness that made her feel like she was the only one awake in the world, though the sun hadn’t yet dipped to put itself to sleep. The shadows in the corners seemed to stretch and yawn as if they too were waiting for the coolness of night. It was a sweltering summer evening, and the idea of a cool, sweet dessert made her mouth water, a small joy that seemed just within reach. So, she’d gone in search of something simple, an innocent treat—ice cream, a delightful thought that made her smile.[/color][/i]

[color=#808080][i]She could almost taste the creamy sweetness, feel the coldness on her tongue, a sensation that promised a brief escape from the heat. The air was thick and stifling, clinging to her skin like a damp cloth, making each step feel like a small victory. Her mind was filled with the anticipation of that first bite, the way the ice cream would melt slowly, leaving a trail of sweetness. The kitchen seemed like a world away, however, a distant land where her simple wish could come true. [/i][/color]

[i][color=#808080]But all the 13-year-old girl needed to do to get what she wanted was reach the kitchen.[/color][/i]

[color=#808080][i]As Harper reached the end of the hallway, the sound of muffled voices pulled her out of her daydream. She paused, her hand hovering over the door frame, the voices tugging at her curiosity like an invisible thread. They were coming from the living room, low and urgent, and she recognized them immediately—her father and Sierra. It wasn’t often that they argued, but when they did, it was usually over something serious, something that made the air feel heavy. [/i][/color]

[i][color=#808080]She hesitated, torn between continuing her innocent quest for ice cream and the instinct to eavesdrop. The tension in their voices was palpable, even through the slightly ajar door, and Harper’s heart began to beat faster, each thump echoing in her ears. She inched closer, careful not to make a sound, as if the quiet of the hallway would protect her from whatever was happening on the other side. The cool promise of ice cream seemed to fade, replaced by the urgent need to understand what was causing the discord. Her breath caught in her throat as she strained to hear, the hallway suddenly feeling like a fragile bridge between her world and theirs.[/color][/i]

[color=#808080][i]Suddenly, the argument escalated, the tension in the air snapping like a taut wire. Sierra’s voice, sharp with frustration, cut through the air, each word a dagger that seemed to pierce the stillness. Harper’s breath caught as she heard Sierra’s biting words, each one laced with a venom that made her shiver. [/i][/color][i][color=#fb0207]“You’re not fooling anyone, old man! What, did you think you could just replace us with a new freak family? You’re just a big fucking liar and—” [/color][/i]

[color=#808080][i]Their father’s deep, authoritative rumble interrupted, his tone carrying the weight of absoluteness. [/i][/color][i][color=#c2e0b7]“Now you watch your tone with me, young lady. This ain’t your concern. What’s done is done, and we don’t talk about it again.” [/color][/i][color=#808080][i]His voice was like a wall, firm and unyielding, a command that brooked no argument. It made Harper grip the doorframe tighter, for she knew exactly what it was like to be on the receiving end of that commanding voice. [/i][/color]

[i][color=#808080]Yet somehow…somehow this time was different. [/color][/i]

[color=#808080][i]Sierra’s voice cracked with anger, a raw edge that made Harper’s stomach twist. [/i][/color][i][color=#fb0207]“Does Harper know about any of this? Maybe I should tell her. Just so she knows what a lying piece of shit you are!”[/color][/i][color=#808080][i] The words were like a slap, each one hitting Harper with a force that left her reeling. What did she mean by that? What did she not know? [/i][/color]

[i][color=#808080]As if in answer to her question, the sound of something shattering on the floor reached her ears, a sharp, jarring noise that made Harper’s heart race. It sent a shockwave of fear through her, and she flinched, her small hands clutching the doorframe, the wood cool and solid under her trembling fingers. Her curiosity battled with a growing sense of dread, each emotion pulling her in opposite directions. She peeked around the corner, her breath catching in her throat as she tried to make sense of the scene unfolding before her. [/color][/i]

[color=#808080][i]In the next moment, Harper saw her father’s hand connect with Sierra’s cheek, the slap echoing with a harsh finality. Sierra stumbled back, her hand flying to her face as tears welled up in her eyes, the shock and pain evident in her expression. Harper’s heart lurched, disbelief flooding her senses. She felt frozen, her small frame pressed against the doorframe, unable to tear her eyes away. [/i][/color]

[i][color=#808080]Her father had [/color][/i][color=#808080][b][i]never[/i][/b][/color][i][color=#808080] struck them before, the very sight of it bringing up memories of [/color][/i][color=#808080][b][i]that [/i][/b][/color][i][color=#808080]night. Her terrifying nightmare. [/color][/i]

[color=#808080][i]Sierra’s eyes were wide with hurt, her cheek already reddening from the impact. The tears that welled up in her eyes seemed to shimmer in the dim light, a silent testament to the pain she felt. Still, Harper could see the defiance in her sister’s gaze, a fire that refused to be extinguished despite the harsh blow. The room seemed to hold its breath, the silence weighty and oppressive, as if the very walls were absorbing the intensity of the moment, waiting for the next blow to come. Harper’s own eyes stung with unshed tears, the need to stop whatever this was clamped down. Something told her it would be a terrible idea. [/i][/color]

[i][color=#808080]Their father’s controlled voice, cold and unyielding, cut through the air like a blade. [/color][/i][color=#c2e0b7][i]“Now, don’t y’all ever use that tone or language with me again. I’m still your daddy, and none of what you [/i][/color][i][b][color=#c2e0b7]think[/color][/b][/i][color=#c2e0b7][i] you know changes that.”[/i][/color]

[i][color=#808080]And with that, Harper found herself huddling in the nearest corner, her haven, as her sister rushed out of the room, her cheeks now streaked with dampness. She tried to appear as inconspicuous as possible with her small frame, but with no success as Sierra’s eyes met hers for a brief, aching moment, a silent exchange of pain and understanding. But she said nothing and continued down the hall, Harper’s small hands clutching at her knees while her body curled into itself even further. [/color][/i]

[color=#808080][i]Eventually, when she could, Harper moved, peeking around the corner once again. She saw her father now bending down to pick up the picture frame that had shattered earlier. She watched as he carefully collected each jagged piece of glass from the floor, his movements slow and deliberate, his expression one of deep weariness. In that quiet moment, he seemed just as broken as the item he attempted to fix.[/i][/color]

[i][color=#808080]His paragon of strength painfully human.[/color][/i][/indent]
[COLOR=GRAY][CENTER][COLOR=8A9A5B][sup]_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________[/sup][/COLOR][url=https://open.spotify.com/track/2D4BSm5Z8Hq5zYbSgJwEOh?si=8dce1d5195da457e][img]https://i.imgur.com/YWrjMkU.jpeg[/img][/url][/CENTER][indent][sub][COLOR=8A9A5B][B]Location:[/B][/COLOR][I] Strigidae Dorm[/I] - [I]Pacific Royal Campus[/I][/sub][sup][right][COLOR=8A9A5B][b]Dance Monkey #4.023:[/b][/COLOR][I] Infallible[/I][/right][/sup][/indent][COLOR=8A9A5B][SUP][sub]___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________[/sub][/SUP][/COLOR][indent][sub][color=8A9A5B][B]Interaction(s):[/B][/COLOR][I] Sierra (Supporting Cast), Haven-[@Skai][/I][/sub][SUP][RIGHT][COLOR=8A9A5B][b]Previously:[/b][/COLOR][COLOR=GRAY][I] A Heart's Fine Print [/I][/color][/right][/SUP][/indent][/color]

[indent][color=#808080]Harper sat on the edge of her bed, her fingers gripping the compact mirror tightly as she watched Sierra’s steady hand approach her eye. The room was softly lit, the warm glow from the nearby lamp on her desk casting gentle shadows on their faces, creating an intimate cocoon of light. Harper’s heart raced slightly, nervousness bubbling within her as the eyeliner brush neared her eyelid. The scent of Sierra’s floral perfume wafted through the air, but it did nothing to quell the brunette’s anxiety. [/color]

[color=#808080]A brush was no scalpel. Yet still her body shook from the memory. The sterile smell of the hospital and the sharp, sterile light all came rushing back. 

Harper’s breath hitched, her mind momentarily trapped in the past. She blinked rapidly, trying to dispel the haunting images, focusing instead on the warmth of the room and the comforting presence of her sister. Not the clone she’d killed to survive, to live. [/color]

[color=#fb0207]“Hold still, Harper. You keep blinking,”[/color][color=#808080] Sierra chided gently, her tone more teasing than annoyed. Harper’s lips twitched into a small smile, trying to focus on a spot on the wall, willing her eyes to remain open. The sensation of the eyeliner brush gliding across her skin sent a delicate tickle through her, one she fought to ignore. All the while, Sierra’s brow remained furrowed in concentration as she perfected the line, and Harper couldn’t help but feel a surge of gratitude for her sister’s patience and skill. Especially the latter, which she lacked. [/color]

[color=#fb0207]“Just a little more,”[/color][color=#808080] Sierra murmured, oblivious to the storm raging inside her. [/color][color=#fb0207]“You’re doing great.” [/color]

[color=#808080]Harper could feel the sweat forming on her palms, making the compact mirror slippery in her grasp. She nodded nonetheless, swallowing hard as she fought to keep her eyes still, her lashes fluttering involuntarily with each brushstroke. The effort to remain calm was immense, her muscles tensing with the strain of holding back her fear. She wanted to tell Sierra, to confide in her, to let her know how much this seemingly simple act was costing her. The words hovered on the edge of her lips, but they refused to come out, trapped by the fear of seeming weak, or worse, of reliving the past. [/color]

[i][color=#fb0207]You know, perhaps it’s time those lovely eyes of yours served a better purpose.[/color][/i]

[color=#808080][i]A beat. [/i][/color]

[i][color=#808080]And then.[/color][/i]

[color=#808080]The final stroke was made, and Sierra stepped back, examining her work with a critical eye. Harper watched her sister’s face, searching for any hint of doubt or dissatisfaction. And maybe a shade of something else.[/color]

[color=#fb0207]“There,” [/color][color=#808080]Sierra said with a small, satisfied smile, her eyes lighting up with pride.[/color][color=#fb0207] “All done.”[/color]

[color=#808080]Harper blinked a few times, feeling the slight weight of the makeup on her eyelids. The sensation was foreign, almost like wearing a mask, a thin veneer that both concealed and revealed parts of herself. She glanced at her reflection in the compact mirror, noting how the delicate lines of eyeliner accentuated her features, giving her eyes a depth that felt both empowering and unsettling. The transformation was striking, yet it couldn’t hide the remnants of fear still lingering in her eyes, a shadow that hadn’t quite left.[/color]

[color=#8a9a5b]“Thanks,”[/color][color=#808080] Harper whispered, her voice thick with emotion, each word a struggle to push past the lump in her throat. She wasn’t sure if Sierra noticed the tremor in her tone, but her sister’s smile widened, a beacon of warmth and reassurance. Sierra playfully ruffled Harper’s hair, then stepped away to put the makeup back in its case. [/color]

[color=#fb0207]“Don’t mention it. You look great, by the way. You’ll knock ‘em dead at the dance,”[/color][color=#808080] Sierra said, a teasing lilt in her voice. Harper tried to absorb her sister’s confidence, but the words felt like they were bouncing off a shield of anxiety. She forced a smile, the muscles in her face feeling stiff and uncooperative. [/color]

[color=#8a9a5b]“I hope so.” [/color]

[color=#808080]Sierra paused, catching something in Harper’s tone, her brow furrowing slightly. The concern in her sister’s eyes was unmistakable, a silent question that Harper wasn’t ready to answer. But instead of pressing, the redhead offered a reassuring pat on Harper’s shoulder, the warmth of her touch a small comfort. [/color][color=#fb0207]“Just have fun tonight, okay? Embrace your…inner pretty woman.”[/color]

[color=#808080]Harper blinked. [/color]

[color=#8a9a5b]“You want me to embrace my…inner hooker?” [/color]

[color=#808080]Sierra burst out laughing, the sound filling the small room. [/color][color=#fb0207]“Okay, maybe not that part. But the confidence, the charm—think of the makeover scene!” [/color][color=#808080]She grinned, nudging Harper playfully. [/color][color=#fb0207]“You know, the part where she walks into those stores like she owns the damn place.”[/color]

[color=#808080]Harper couldn’t help but smile, the tension easing slightly. [/color][color=#8a9a5b]“I guess that was a pretty good scene,” [/color][color=#808080]she admitted, her mind flickering back to the movie night with Aurora. The two had ended up watching not just one but two of her favourite rom coms: [/color][color=#808080][i]Pretty Woman[/i][/color][color=#808080] and [/color][color=#808080][i]13 Going on 30[/i][/color][color=#808080] (mainly for Mark Ruffalo). [/color][color=#8a9a5b]“She really [/color][i][color=#8a9a5b]does[/color][/i][color=#8a9a5b] nail that whole transformation thing, doesn’t she?” [/color]

[color=#fb0207]“Exactly! You don’t have to be a hooker, Harps. Just…own it,” [/color][color=#808080]Sierra replied, her tone brimming with encouragement. [/color][color=#fb0207]“ We Baxter women are anything [/color][color=#fb0207][i]but [/i][/color][color=#fb0207]mediocre. You’ve got more going for you than you think.” [/color]

[color=#8a9a5b]“Yeah, I guess,”[/color][color=#808080] Harper said, her voice softening, the confidence from moments before slipping away somewhat. [/color][color=#8a9a5b]“But not everyone who looks strong on the outside really is.” [/color][color=#808080]Which was a fragile truth that she had been grappling with since her conversation with Calliopé. Her eyes flickered to the mirror, seeing not just the reflection there but the person she truly was under all the makeup still. The girl the trials had resurfaced. [/color]

[color=#808080]Sierra caught the shift in Harper’s tone, her playful demeanor fading as concern took its place. [/color][color=#fb0207]“What do you mean?”[/color][color=#808080] she asked, her voice gentle, probing but not pushing. The question was simple, yet it carried the weight of their shared history, the unspoken understanding that had always existed between them. [/color]

[color=#8a9a5b]“It’s just… I mean, people change, right? Or maybe they were always different than we thought,”[/color][color=#808080] Harper began, glancing at Sierra. [/color][color=#8a9a5b]“Like in the movies—sometimes the person who seems perfect is really hiding something. Better yet, they may not even be the way others see them.”[/color]

[color=#808080]Sierra’s expression grew more serious, the lighthearted banter from earlier now replaced by a quiet intensity. [/color][color=#fb0207]“We’re not…talking about the movies anymore, are we?” [/color]

[color=#808080]Harper looked down, her thumb tracing the edge of the compact mirror, the cool metal a grounding presence in her hand. She hesitated, the words thick in her throat, each one a struggle to voice. [/color][color=#8a9a5b]“I’ve been thinking about them a lot. Well, actually, mainly just Dad.” [/color][color=#808080]The admission immediately felt like both a release and a burden. [/color][color=#8a9a5b]“About how we saw him. How I saw him.” [/color][color=#808080]Sierra stayed silent, Harper too afraid to look up to meet her eyes to see why but forcing herself to. [/color]

[color=#8a9a5b]“Maybe we just couldn’t see the cracks…because there was a part of us that didn’t want to.” [/color]

[color=#808080]Sierra’s hand tightened slightly on Harper’s shoulder, a flicker of something unreadable passing through her eyes.[/color][color=#fb0207] “No, Harper,”[/color][color=#808080] she said, her voice low and edged with frustration.[/color][color=#fb0207]“[i]You[/i] couldn’t see the cracks. But I did. I saw everything, and I protected you from it...like I always have.” [/color][color=#808080]Her gaze hardened, her tone more insistent now. [/color][color=#fb0207]“I knew about his secrets. About the things he tried to hide. You were too young, too… sheltered to see it, and I made sure it stayed that way. I didn’t want you to lose that image of him. But I’ve always known who he really was.” [/color][color=#808080]She paused, her gaze shifting to Harper’s laptop on the desk then back to her. Her eyes bore into Harper’s, the intensity of her gaze a mirror of the pain she had carried for so long. [/color]

[color=#fb0207]“And now you do too.” [/color]

[color=#808080]Here, her voice dropped to a sad, almost resigned whisper that Harper almost missed, the words barely audible but heavy with meaning. [/color]

[color=#fb0207]“[/color][color=#fb0207][i]You’re already so much like him[/i][/color][color=#fb0207].”[/color]

[color=#808080][i]Another beat. The silence stretched. [/i][/color]

[i][color=#808080]And then. [/color][/i]

[color=#808080][i]Nothing. [/i][/color]

[color=#808080]Harper wanted to counter that point, to argue that she was different, that she wasn’t destined to repeat their father’s mistakes. But try as she might, the lie wouldn’t come to lips. Even she had thought the same, had seen the similarities in herself that she wished she could deny. [/color]

[color=#808080]Even now, she’d eagerly accepted betrayal’s hand. [/color]

[color=#808080]Even now, she embraced it like an old friend she hadn’t seen in some time. [/color]

[color=#808080]Desperate to escape the suffocating truth, she shifted the subject. The words tumbled out in a rush, a frantic attempt to find solace in the mundane.[/color]

[color=#8a9a5b]“So, will you be there too? The dance?” [/color]

[color=#808080]Sierra’s expression shifted, momentarily taken aback by Harper’s sudden change of topic. She looked over at Harper’s desk, where her laptop sat plugged in, the screen dark but the power light glowing softly. Then her gaze returned to Harper, a faint, knowing smile playing on her lips. [/color]

[color=#fb0207]“No, probably not. I’ve got quite a bit of reading to do,” [/color][color=#808080]she said. [/color][color=#fb0207]“But you already know that.” [/color]

[color=#808080]Harper watched as Sierra walked over to the desk and unplugged the charger from the wall, then picked up the laptop. Her sister’s movements were methodical and almost detached, each action precise and devoid of emotion. The room seemed to grow colder with these motions, the warmth of their earlier conversation evaporating into a heavy silence that chilled Harper to her core.[/color]

[color=#808080]As Sierra turned toward the door, she paused, her eyes lingering on Harper with an intensity that was unsettling. It was as if she was searching for something unsaid, a silent plea for understanding that Harper knew she couldn’t give—at least, not now.[/color]

[color=#808080]Sierra shook her head slightly, dismissing whatever thoughts had crossed her mind. She opened the door and stood there, her gaze fixed on something outside that Harper couldn’t see from where she was.[/color]

[color=#8a9a5b]“What is it?” [/color][color=#808080]Harper asked, rising from her seat and making her way toward the door. The air seemed to thicken around her, the silence pressing in with each step she took. As she reached the doorway, she noticed the gritting of Sierra’s teeth and the frown that deepened on her brow, her expression tight with restrained emotion. [/color]

[color=#808080]Harper followed her sister’s line of sight and felt her heart plummet into her stomach.[/color]

[color=#8a9a5b]“Oh…hey…Haven.” [/color][/indent]