i'm two quarters and a heart down

[Celina]

A nod accompanies Nashua’s repetition of Celina’s words. Elio is not to be trusted. He had made the choice to leave them and that can’t ever be forgiven. He will suffer for it. That’s what Dad says, sometimes, on days when he is most upset. Celina is certain that she is supposed to feel the same way. She certainly is able to act like she does. But does she truly feel that way? She pushes her doubt aside. Dad feels that way. She should too. “He’d probably be lying.” Celina tells her brother, forgetting that she might need to soften the words. “He’s like my mom is. He’s got the bad kind of different magic, the kind that makes you think you feel something when you really don’t. I bet you felt happy when you saw him? That’s his magic. He tricks you because he can’t be trusted.” “I think my eel’s gone stale,” Celina announces suddenly. It’s certainly gotten sandy, she determines with a careful prod. With the first eel and part of this one in her belly, she finds that her appetite is far more discerning than when ravenous. This is a dangerous state of mind. Full, content, most likely to lower her guard. Her father’s words echo though her mind as she leans one last time against Nashua, ruffling his blonde mane affectionately. A sea hawk readjusts his position in a tree overhead, and a twig falls down from the canopy high overhead. With no mind this time of night, Celina stiffens, her pale eyes narrowing suspiciously as she looks up into the darkness. “It’s getting a little late. Why don’t you go find your mom? We can meet up in the morning. I can show you the very best places. Ones so good I bet your mom wouldn’t even let you go there!” A handful of fireflies leave the crown that lazily circles her head, and nestle into the wispy hairs of her brother’s mane. They won’t stay there forever (once any distance from Celina her hold on them weakens and they are nothing more than ordinary bugs), but they’ll at least last him back to his dam for certain.  She glares into the darkness with distrust once more. celina i'm that bad type, make-your-mama-sad type make-your-girlfriend-mad type, might-seduce-your-dad type

@[Nashua]