Private An Ember to Keep us Warm (Past Thread)

[Christina Locke]

Allyson Locke​

Christina was quietly humming to herself, the knife slowly making a crisp cut along the board as she helped prepare for dinner. The single feather of her necklace glinted in the failing light of day, her eyes skimming the city scape with an acute interest. She'd been patient for most of the day, waiting for her sister to return. Waiting to hear about the local news her sister seemed to gather with relative ease across the backstreets of their home world.

Her eyes closed, listening to the sounds outside as her thoughts gathered.

She hadn't gone with her this evening, but had wanted to. Wanted to be as daring as her twin. While they shared the same face, Christina had noticed how often she felt her twin's shadow fill the space ahead of her. Noticed that some of Al's friends weren't quite as keen on the twin's arrival. It wasn't a sudden shift, but it wasn't entirely uncommon to find the pair separated more often now. The feeling of distance between them was perhaps something in her own mind, but it was there.

Wanting to be next to her sister was something that still made her yearn to be out on the streets with the 'fun' crowd. To be daring and dangerous. Headstrong and confident in her decisions like Al was. But the silent wonder of if she was tagging along to help, or to remind Al she existed had been bugging her. Might have been something she was dreaming up on her own, but it didn't help the nagging feeling.

Not knowing how to approach the topic was the hardest part of even talking about it. Of talking to her twin about wanting something she couldn't put a name to. They'd been close throughout their upbringing, but it seemed as though attention had shifted from Al to Chris for their family. The quiet attention made her feel.

Singled out.

The knife handle gave the slightest protest to her tightening grip.

A slow gust of air coming from her as she returned to her task with determination as their mother rounded the corner with an appreciative smile, tilting her head just enough to denote a question at the cutting board. The shuffle of Christina's attention between explaining and setting the knife down allowing her to wipe wet hands on the apron about her waist.

"Thought I'd help since you were busy with laundry. I figured, everyone would be hungry when they got home." An equally warm smile given to her mother as she continued working when she disappeared with an approving nod. Chris's hand lingered on the counter, slow to grip the handle she had set down and continuing chopping.

Was it all in her head?

 

[Allyson Locke]

//: Christina Locke //:

All Allyson Locke ever dreamed of was adventure.

More often than not, the brunette was constantly with her head in the clouds, ignoring the work her father had carefully planned for her. To him, she was the next meal ticket, the one that would continue the Locke name in the Corellian shipyards. He was going to teach her everything he knew. It was hard to ignore the girl's innate ability with technology. Something was busted; it took Allyson a few moments to figure it out and fix it. Something he had never dreamed of, she was a genius in his eyes, and he knew he had to foster it.

And yet, all Allyson wanted to do was escape. She wanted to leave Corellia faster than ships that leaped into hyperspace. Her head was filled with stories of space and the galaxy at large from the spacers she often found herself surrounded by. "Allyson." Her father called out to her, "Allyson, are you finished yet?" He moved towards the room where he left her. "Uhhh yeah!" She shouted back and then pulled her head from the clouds to focus on the transponder on her desk. "Heck, what's wrong with you?" She mulled over the device, knowing that her father somehow managed to break it. As usual, she needed to fix it, and then he'd praise her and brag to the rest of his friends.

She had enough of that at school. The moment she showed she was some technology savant, Thale spent a large chunk of his savings to get her enrolled in one of the more prestigious schools in Cornet City. Knowing this, Allyson entertained her father's requests.

Focusing on the transponder, her fingers played with the feather trinket on her necklace. When she was deep in thought, the cool metal brought her some peace; it also reminded her of her sister, someone who made her work harder. If she could just do it for the both of them, Christina didn't have to worry about pleasing their parents. If Allyson could just do it all, she could continue to protect Christina.

"Oh, hey." It was as if the transponder whispered in her ear; the problem nearly jumped up and bit her in the nose. Quickly she went to work fixing the problem, and then as her father walked in, the lights lit up and relayed the signal. Allyson smiled as her father examined her work and gave his approval. "Can we go home now?" She asked, fingers still playing with the feather charm. Thale nodded, and the pair went home.

It didn't take them long to get back to the upscale apartment. With their father's advancements in his technology for the ships and hyperspace - they were pretty well off. Both girls attended high-end schools and were never left wanting. Allyson wandered inside, first waving at her mother and focusing on finding her sister. It felt like they were drifting apart, and no matter how much Allyson tried to hold on, something kept pulling her away. Maybe it was Christina pushing her out, but the older twin decided not to let her mind wander too far into that line of thinking. It didn't take long as Allyson walked into the kitchen, waiting for a safe opportunity to surprise her sister with a hug from behind. She squeezed gently and enjoyed the moment of their closeness, unknowing to her - it would be something she sought after for the rest of her life.

Nothing ever got close to the feeling she had with her sibling. "Chris did you make dinner again," She asked curiously, knowing that while their mother was the best cook on this side of Coronet City - Chris was a close second and, in some cases, better than their mother.

 

[Christina Locke]

The door opened. Footsteps but more than one pair. Her eyes rose to the window as she pondered the meaning behind it. Al hadn't been on the town. She'd been with dad. A frown formed, mind back to her work as she tried to escape the wonder of her mind.

The effort made her senses blind. The sudden feel of a hug giving her a small start before recognizing the presence. Even with her mind sabotaging itself, joy flitted through as she did her best to return the hug. A calm in the storm, a feeling that not even their parents could give as she let herself enjoy the contact.

The only time she didn't feel like she was being left behind.

"Mom had herself busy with other stuff. Thought I'd help." She chuffed, letting herself be held. The frown faded as she heard footsteps elsewhere, a question forming.

"Al, did dad have you fixing his projects, again?" She said loud enough for the other room to hear.