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Sora glanced down at the shopping cart.
New boots, sneakers, shirts, skirts, shorts, and hoodies. All in her size. All for her. She told her she didn't need that much stuff. She doesn't know why she wouldn't listen to her. This old mech racing suit was fine…
She didn't understand how Arin was so cool with it, getting so much money blown in him like it was nothing. Especially since money was such a scarcity for them.
"Well, that's not true anymore, I guess…" She thought to herself, biting her lip as Estrella held some of the clothes up to her body with a smile on her face.
After living in the crossroads for five years, living in the monastery felt like such a luxury. Not that it was bad in the crossroads, not at all! She loved it there! But on the other hand…
It was nice to be able to take her time in the shower, in one that doesn't have a broken valve, so instead of the water being too hot or too cold, it was just right.
And as delicious as Arin's pies and other desserts tasted… his cooking outside of baking left much to be desired, so it was nice to have someone else handle that. First Spinjitzu Master knows how badly she would screw up if she tried.
And as much as she loves how the view of the crossroads looked at night, lights still bright, cars still speeding and people walking around and chatting, the quiet atmosphere and view of the starry sky and ocean outside of her and Arin's new bedroom window could be quite pleasant.
"Sora, what do you want for dinner?"
Sora snapped out of her thoughts, remembering where she was now. After buying the clothes, she quietly followed Estrella along to the grocery store. She started at the bags in the other's arms, that she wouldn't let her carry for some reason.
"Um, I-I don't know…"
"Hm…" Estrella hummed, picking up a tomato and squeezing it gently. "Is pasta alright?"
Sora nodded.
That evening, Sora laid down on the bed, fresh from the bath and wearing brand new sleepwear, a black hoodie with pink details and pink pajama pants with a cat design. She sighed.
"This is great…"
The old mattress she and Arin shared back in the crossroads felt like a distant memory, in comparison to the softness of what used to be the guest room bed.
She remembered how the second master of the monastery was horrified when she saw how she and Arin were sleeping in the living room. It was almost laughable seeing Lloyd, a grown man, revive such a vicious scolding.
She rolled onto her back, hand over her full stomach. She had to admit, that pasta was good.
A knock on the door.
"Sora? May I come in?"
Sora sat up.
"Sure."
Estrella opened the door, a smile on her face, and a box in her hands.
"I thought I'd help you with your hair, is that alright?"
Sora hesitated, before nodding.
Estrella sat behind her, opening her box and taking out a brush. She hummed as she gently and peacefully brushed the younger girl's pink locks.
Sora bit her lip.
"Why are you like this…?"
"What do you mean?" Estrella asked, not stopping, though her expression turned to confusion.
"My, uh..." She swallowed. "Not even… not even my parents did this for me…."
Estrella paused, and then continued as a sad smile appeared on her lips.
"Once upon a time, an old man invited a lost, strange child into his home in the mountains."
Sora was confused by the sudden storytelling, but listened anyway.
"Despite her gratefulness for taking her in, she bit him, hit him, screamed and cried, but no matter what, the old man still tried to help her and take care of her. And eventually, with a lot of tlc, she grew into a very happy person."
"So, when I think about that child, I think that… want to be like that old man. I want to treat someone like that old man treated m- her. I want to take care of someone."
Estrella tied Sora's hair back.
"Ta-da! All done! There, now it won't get messed up when you sleep!"
Estrella handed Sora a mirror. Sora looked at herself, her hair now in a low bun with a dark purple ribbon, patterned with small white and pink dots. Sora laughed.
"You and your obsession ribbons…"
"You look cute!"
Estrella got out of the bed to leave, only to be trapped in a hug.
"Thanks."
Estrella hugged her back.
"You're welcome."