Taiga is mixing Cake dough in the kitchen, his mind is wondering around while mixing "it's been 1 week from the day Elly told me about her condition but… it's not like it happens often." he is thinking
Elly- "How's the cake goin', Aiga?"
T- "What do i know of cakes! You tell me!"
She scoops with her finger some from the bowl "the consistency's seems fine!" She tries the dough "but i think it needs more sugar!"
Taiga tries too "i think it's fine."
E- "then you can leave it as it is, time to bake it."
T(thinking)- "From the day she told me about it, she seems more at ease and relaxed" he sit on the table and wait the cake to baked. As his mind wondering again his gaze stuck looking outside the window
E- "Hey, Fandonia calls Aiga! where does your mind is wonderin' again?"
T- "It's nothing, I'm just a little tired from the training from those days"
E- "Your training with your fandon exhausts you?"
T- "Yes, it drains me like a dry raisin… 😅how about your training?"
E- "About that! I was thinkin' to show you actually. Do you mind tonight meeting where the bench is to show you!"
T- "Yes' of course
Sinbad- "Of course what! Kids."
T- "Oh Elly ask me to sh—"
Elly shut his mouth with her hand "i suggest some night walk! It's nothing important"
Sinbad- "Of course, but don't go too far
E- "of course not!"
Sinbad- "What is this smell? It smells good"
As he turn to the oven to see the cake Elly whisper to Taiga "please don't tell him anything okay?!" Taiga eye rolls "thank you Aiga… i own you" Taiga get frustrated that her hand still block his mouth
E- "Hey! You lick my hand!? Gross!"
She slapped him to the head
T- "How much longer you were planning to close my mouth!"
Sinbad- "Who made this cake?"
T- "It was me."
Sinbad- "You getting better, this time is edible!"
At the night they both go in the spot and Elly seems to be in a weird mood, mostly stressed and anxious
T- "Chill! What's going on with you!"
E- "It's nothin' just worrying a little"
T- "We are next to your house! Whatever goes wrong we will be fine. What were you about to show me?"
E- "I found a way to control some of my beast powers. It's not perfect but… watch"
She concentrates and her body gets an orange outline, she opens her eyes and they were orange as well instead of their natural brown. Slowly a per of ears pops from the top of her head, her nails and teeth got sharper, tail pops out and pupils were like those of a cat. She is sweating and seems tired. Taiga takes a step back
E- "Don't worry Aiga. It's still me… even for a short time i can stay like this now"
T- "That's awesome you did it!.. Are you okay? You seem very tired"
E- "It's probably because I did it once already this morning"
She falls to her knees and breathes heavily, Taiga panics but see that see is under control so he kneels as well and touches her shoulder
T- "Everything will be fine! Just get out off it!"
The moment Taiga touches her shoulder, her mind goes blank. A strange dark silhouette appears in her eyes, and on instinct, she attacks.
Taiga dodges her hand but he still gets scratched under his left eye. The moment she did this and hear Taiga's Interjection she comes back and her beast features disappeared
She grasp "Are you alright!?"
T- "Yes, it's just a scratch"
E- "Eh— sorry about this— let's go back in"
The moment they stepped inside, Sinbad was already waiting for them.
Sinbad- "How was your night walk? You returned quickly… and Taiga, how did you get that scratch under your eye, if I may ask?"
E- "It was all my fault! I wanted to show him my progress, but I lost control for a moment and scratched him."
T- "Everything's fine. She's awesome, really—"
Sinbad- "Don't talk, Taiga. You know the rules. I've told you again and again to stay here because you're still unstable! You put others in danger when you lose control. And yet you went and did exactly what you shouldn't have!"
T- "Sinbad, relax. Nothing serious happened, she—"
Sinbad- "Nothing serious?! You could've lost that eye in a split second! That is serious! I see no better option, so we'll do what we've always done. Taiga, go pack your things. You're sleeping elsewhere starting tonight."
E- "But, Uncle…"
Sinbad- "Silence! You will spend as little time together as possible. Taiga, this is to keep you safe."
E- "No, I—"
Sinbad- "The only times you'll be together are when I'm present! And your time outside will be reduced! That's fi—"
E- "SHUT UP!"
T- "Elly?"
E- "You're ruining me! Can't you understand that? I finally found someone to spend time with, and you're taking him away!"
Sinbad- "I don't know what's gotten into you, but I forbid you to speak like that…"
E- "Don't touch me… I hate you!"
Sinbad froze, his expression crumbling into sadness as he stepped back.
E- "I hate you!" she repeated, then ran to her room."
Sinbad walked to the sofa and sat down, pressing a hand to his forehead. He opened a bottle and poured himself a drink.
T- "Sinbad… I—"
Sinbad exhaled heavily. "She's my beloved niece, Taiga… you know that. She's the last thing I have from my brother."
T- "i know"
Sinbad- "I just want her to be safe, but… all of this… I don't know how to handle her. Keeping her isolated was the only way I could think to protect her."
T- "But you can't keep her imprisoned."
Sinbad- "Funny. She and I are both prisoners here. Who do you think stays glued to this damn place just to take care of that brat? And I don't even mind… it's better to ruin my life if it means hers can be better."
T- "You're both just in a bad mood… I don't get it. Can't you find a better way without ruining yourself?"
Sinbad- "Being a kid must be so easy sometimes… Take that bottle and hide it somewhere. Don't tell me where — knowing myself, I'll drink more than I should. Then go to your room."
T- "Which room?"
Sinbad- "Go sleep in her room tonight. I'll think it over tomorrow."
Taiga climbed the stairs slowly, staring at the floor with every step. When he reached their door and opened it, he froze. The room was a mess — pillows on the ground, feathers everywhere, even a few drops of blood. A sudden breeze made him look toward the window.
Elly was standing there by the open window. There was a smear of blood at the corner of her mouth, and the hand she'd scratched Taiga with was bruised and resting on the windowsill. With her other hand, she held the frame, ready to slam it down on herself.
But the moment she moved, Taiga rushed and stopped her.
T- "Stop! Please… don't hurt yourself. It's ok."
Elly collapsed and Taiga caught her. They slid down together under the window, backs against the wall. Taiga tore part of his shirt and wrapped her injured hand. They sat there in silence.
E- "When I was little… after I learned about my parents' deaths, I ran into the forest looking for them. Something touched my shoulder in there. I was too scared to even turn around and see what it was… but my uncle found me and pulled me away. I guess when I changed today, that memory came back and I reacted on instinct. Again. Uncle's right… I'm a monster"
T- "No! Don't ever say that again. I never saw you as a monster— not once. Even after everything… you're still the most awesome person I know. So please… don't ever call yourself that again. Ever agai—"
Elly leaned her head on his shoulder and fell asleep, tears still clinging to her eyes. Taiga carefully got up, grabbed a blanket, and covered her.