Infraburst

"I thought Elvina was the oldest?" Brand wandered as they continued cleaning the kitchen in the middle of the night.

"I'm honestly surprised she let that little detail slip, they usually just have me pretend to be a servant," Robyn admitted, continuing to mop the floor as Brand took a break from wiping down the equipment.

"You see, I don't have any magic. With some of the stories I hear, I'm honestly just glad I haven't been completely kicked out of the family," Robyn explained in the midst of Brand's noticeable silence towards the subject.

"You doing okay?" she finally asked, setting down her mop and walking towards him.

Brand couldn't help but get teary eyed. "I just can't help but miss my family," he hesitantly admitted, wiping away his tears. It wasn't like his uncle or cousin were the people he got the most worked up about. He mostly missed Petri, who he looked up to like a father. With how brutal their last revolt was, he couldn't help but worry about his companion's wellbeing.

"I'm sorry," Robyn sighed, "I wish I could say it gets easier." She wrapped her arms around him, giving him a big hug. "I'll do my best to be a good big sister, okay?"

"It just all seems so unfair," Brand muttered, "Your situation, my situation. Nothing is as it should be."

"Well, unfortunately for us, we don't live inside some fantasy," Robyn frowned, giving him one last squeeze before heading back to work. "You seem worn out, you should go get some sleep. Don't worry, I'll finish up for you."

"I'm okay, I'll be fine," Brand lied, not wanting to seem weak-willed.

"Go get some sleep," Robyn demanded, walking back over to him and yanking away his dirty rag. "I might not have any magic, but my perception can't be fooled."

"No, really, I'm fine," Brand raised his hands above his shoulders in protest.

"Sleep," was all Robyn said, not even bothering to look at him anymore.

"Thank you," Brand relented, his exhaustion getting the better of him. He gave a small wave goodbye, even though Robyn's head was turned the opposite way.

As he walked down the spiral staircase to his quarters, he came to realize that she probably had to do cleaning like this every night. While he might be the one who had magic, she was definitely the supernatural one with how little sleep she likely got.

Opening the door, Brand saw a sight that truly amazed him. Everyone in the room was sound asleep, including Ernest, who usually just sat in a corner and watched vigilantly. "This place is full of surprises," he whispered, feeling his way around to his bed.