08: Residual Energy

Branches Of Sunshire

Chapter 8

Residual Energy

Juniper tapped her staff against the wooden floor. The tangled roots that had erupted throughout the living room retreated, writhing as they withdrew back into the cracks between the floorboards. She watched the last of them disappear, and the room fell quiet.

Her gaze drifted towards the chair where Jacqueline had sat earlier. Juniper tightened her grip around her staff as Jacqueline’s mocking laughter echoed through the room.

She was no sister; she was a monster.

A flicker of light caught her attention. Juniper turned to see Ashley approaching, staff in hand.

Ashley: “Hey, Juniper, I’m cooking dinner! What do you feel like?”

They smiled warmly.

Juniper: “Anything is fine!”

She managed a small smile.

Ashley: “Okay, I’ll make you my favourite dish!”

They scurried back into the kitchen eagerly. Juniper watched them round the corner, then looked back at the now-tidy room.

~

The aroma of warm spices drifted through the manor. Ashley stood over a clay pot, warming and stirring it with their staff. The golden-orange stew bubbled softly with chunks of pumpkin, chickpeas, and lentils. Garlic, ginger, and fragrant spices filled the kitchen with a comforting aroma. A plate of freshly toasted flatbread sat beside the pot, still warm.

Blake leaned against the doorway, watching them.

Blake: “How much longer, Ashley?”

Ashley: “Almost done, Blake!”

They glanced down as their stomach grumbled.

Blake: “I don’t know whether it’s that crimson cunt or the Majique Marijuana, but I’m starving!”

He grumbled.

Ashley: “I knooooow, me too!”

They hastily tossed in another handful of fresh herbs, then gave the stew a final stir.

Ashley: “Okay, DONE!”

They grabbed the steaming pot and rushed into the dining room, where everyone was gathered at the table.

Juniper had just taken a shower and swapped her dress for a more casual outfit: brown bell-bottom pants and a bell-sleeved mushroom blouse. Nari sat quietly beside her, looking withdrawn after the afternoon's events. Dalnim, the raven, sat perched on the cabinet behind her. Madelyn’s eyes lit up at the sight and smell of the food, while Blake pulled up a chair at the other end of the table.

Ashley: “Dinner’s ready!”

Ashley set the pot in the middle of the table, then arranged the flatbreads and small bowls of yoghurt, coriander, and lemon slices around it. Before Ashley could sit down, everyone began helping themselves like a swarm of hungry house cats. Nari cautiously reached for her bowl.

Juniper: “Is this Golden Sun stew?”

She smiled at Ashley.

Ashley: “Yes! …How did you know that?”

Ashley’s eyebrows rose.

Juniper: “Brody made it for me before.”

She dipped the flatbread into the stew and took a bite.

Ashley: “Oh! I didn’t realise you had it here, too!”

They smiled and helped themself to a serving.

Juniper: “It’s lovely, Ashley, thank you!”

Ashley beamed. Juniper returned the smile, though her attention drifted back to her plate.

Juniper quietly pushed a piece of pumpkin around with her spoon.

Juniper: “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Jacqueline…”

Her voice trailed off.

Madelyn: “I can see why! Your sister SUCKS!”

Juniper gave a humourless laugh.

Juniper: “Yeah, but I still should have told you.”

She lowered her spoon.

Juniper: “Maybe I thought if I never spoke of her, she couldn’t come back into my life again.”

Nari looked towards Juniper, her expression softening slightly.

Nari: “You don’t have to explain yourself.”

Juniper fell silent.

Ashley: “Where has she been all this time?”

Juniper stared across the table.

Juniper: “...In a still-hold.”

Ashley tilted their head. Blake looked just as bewildered.

Blake: “Like a temple?”

Juniper blinked at him, confused.

Juniper: “No? It’s a prison.”

She clarified.

Madelyn: “How the hell did she get out?”

Juniper looked down at her food.

Juniper: “That’s what bothers me...”

She pursed her lips.

Ashley: “What do you mean?”

They lowered their spoon.

Juniper: “They confine you and suppress your Majique with what you’re weakest against…”

Ashley: “So, she couldn’t use her Majique?!”

Juniper shook her head.

Juniper: “Not in a Still-hold… at least she shouldn’t be able to.”

Her gaze dropped to her bowl.

Juniper: “Someone must have helped her… or she found some kind of loophole to escape.”

She rubbed her temples. Madelyn gaped at her.

Madelyn: “Who would be stupid enough to do that?!”

Nari bowed her head, frowning. Her thoughts drifted to how Jacqueline had drawn her in so easily. Juniper glanced towards Nari, her expression briefly softening.

Juniper: “Jacqueline’s always been good at getting people to do what she wants. Even intelligent people.”

She sighed.

Nari: “Even if someone assisted her, they would have to get past the safeguards.”

She pondered.

Ashley: “Could she have tricked them into letting her out?”

Juniper froze.

Juniper: “I don’t know. That’s what scares me.”

She pushed her bowl away, as her appetite vanished. Ashley glanced at her.

Blake: “Well, she can’t get through the block-shield around the manor.”

Juniper looked towards him.

Nari: “No. She can’t get through it! I made sure of that!”

Juniper stared down at her food.

Juniper: “That won’t stop her from finding another way to get to us. She’s still out there somewhere, and she will strike again.”

Ashley knitted their eyebrows. Madelyn reached over and placed her hand on Juniper’s shoulder.

Madelyn: “Well, we’ll just have to deal with her if she tries to start shit again! We’re not gonna let that cheap imitation bitch ruin our lives!”

Juniper managed a faint smile. A brief silence settled over the table. Ashley glanced around the table, then toward the kitchen through the archway.

Ashley: “I made some dessert! Does anyone want some?”

They offered, looking around.

Madelyn turned to Ashley.

Madelyn: “Ooh, what did you make for dessert?”

Ashley slowly rose from the table.

Ashley: “Sun drops! They’re little fried doughnut balls with rosewater syrup and sweet spices!”

They explained, gesturing enthusiastically.

Blake: “Yes, please!”

Ashley sauntered into the kitchen and returned with a bowl of freshly fried sun drops. The little orange dough balls resembled miniature suns, nestled in a pool of sweet, fragrant syrup. Madelyn immediately swiped one and tossed it into her mouth.

Madelyn: “Oh hell, yeah, that’s amazing!”

She leaned forward and reached for another. Blake reached across the table, grabbed a Sun drop, and popped it into his mouth. Nari hesitated, glancing down at the bowl before sneaking a sun drop. Ashley noticed, but said nothing.

Juniper: “Thank you, Ashley.”

A faint smile touched her lips as the flavours melted in her mouth. Ashley returned her smile.

~

Later that night, Ashley and Blake retreated into their bedroom. As soon as they opened the door, a cold gust of air smacked them in the face. Ashley shivered, instinctively summoning their staff. An orange glow spread through the room, lighting the chandelier above and warming the room, but the chill lingered.

Blake: “Why is it so cold in here?!”

He shuddered, rubbing his arms.

Ashley: “I dunno, but it feels colder than before!”

Juniper took a tentative step towards the doorway, but stopped abruptly when she felt a sharp sting beneath her foot. She recoiled, gripping her staff as a dark shimmer rippled across the doorway. Ashley turned towards her.

Ashley: “It’s the haunted chamber, isn’t it?”

Juniper remained outside the doorway, her gaze fixed on the portrait of her parents sitting on the dresser.

Ashley: “Is it because of Jacqueline?"

Juniper’s expression tightened. Her eyes lingered on the portrait before lowering her gaze.

Juniper: “I’m sorry, I can’t go in there.”

She pursed her lips.

Juniper: “And even if I wanted to, I couldn’t. Jacqueline made sure of that.”

Ashley tilted their head, glancing between Juniper and the portrait. So it wasn’t just memories keeping her out.

Juniper turned toward Blake on the couch.

Juniper: “You don’t have to sleep on the couch.”

Blake looked up at her. Juniper raised her staff, and the wooden floorboards shifted. The timber groaned as several planks lifted and arranged themselves, forming a sturdy bed against the wall. Ashley watched her closely. So she couldn’t enter the room, but her Majique could still reach inside?

Juniper: “There you go, much better!”

Blake stared at the bed.

Blake: “You didn’t have to do that.”

He rubbed the back of his neck.

Juniper: “I know.”

She lowered her staff.

Juniper: “You’ll just need Madelyn to wield some bedding… or there’s some in the closet.”

She gestured to the closet in the ensuite through the archway.

Blake: “Thanks. I can do that myself.”

He nodded and headed to the closet.

Juniper: “Well, goodnight.”

She turned and headed down the hallway.

Ashley: “Goodnight!”

As soon as the door clicked shut, the temperature dropped again, and the chandelier light flickered. Ashley shivered as they cast another warm glow across the room. Meanwhile, Blake gathered fresh linens from the closet, scowling at the lacy floral patterns. Ashley knew that face.

Ashley: “I can go ask Madelyn to make you some bedding!”

They offered.

Blake: “It’s fine.”

He waved his hand as he shook out the bedsheets. Ashley watched him for a moment. They knew better than to push. Blake would rather put up with the ridiculous bedding than admit he needed help.

Ashley: “So… there’s something I’ve been wondering about.”

Ashley quietly slipped into bed.

Blake: “What?”

He reached around the bed and neatly folded the sheets.

Ashley: “Why was Jacqueline so desperate to restrain you?”

Blake’s hands tightened against the bedsheets.

Blake: “Because she didn’t want me to get in her way.”

He twisted his mouth.

Ashley: “But, like… she wasn’t like that with me.”

Blake’s jaw tightened.

Ashley: “She laughed at me and called me a kitten… but she seemed concerned about you.”

Blake’s expression hardened.

Blake: “She’s fucking crazy.”

Ashley tilted their head.

Ashley: “Yeah, I guess… it’s just weird, is all.”

Blake drew a sharp breath.

Blake: “Don’t waste your time trying to understand her!”

Ashley stared at him for a moment and then looked toward the window.

Ashley: “You know what else is weird?”

Blake paused.

Blake: “What?”

He slipped into his own bed.

Ashley: “The window in this room is facing the wrong way… It’s facing west.”

Blake stared at them.

Ashley: “Windows should face east! That’s where the sun rises!”

They gestured in the opposite direction.

Blake: “Well, we’re not in Sunshire anymore.”

He settled on his pillow.

Ashley: “I know…”

They sighed.

Ashley: “No wonder this room is haunted!”

Blake didn’t answer. For a moment, neither moved. Then Ashley shivered and reached for their staff, trying to warm the room. Only a faint glow flickered from its tip.

Ashley: “I could cast that huge light before, but now I can’t even cast a simple warmth!”

They sighed. Blake glanced at the staff.

Blake: “Your energy’s probably just low. Go to sleep.”

He pulled his bedsheets up and closed his eyes.

Ashley glanced towards the portrait of Juniper’s parents. Seeing them together made them think of their own family. It had now been a week since they’d last seen their parents, and they were beginning to worry. They wondered when they’d finally be reunited.

Their gaze dropped to their staff, its faint glow slowly fading to black.

~

Blake stood in the middle of a brilliant white temple. He turned to see Ashley sitting under the stained-glass window bearing an eight-pointed sun symbol.

Blake: “Branch?!”

He called out, but they didn’t hear him. A waft of smoke seeped into the room, and warm flames began to spread across the walls.

Blake: “BRANCH!”

He lunged forward to grab them, but the ground trembled beneath his feet as writhing roots sprouted, wrapping around his legs and holding him fast.

Ashley: “LAKE?!”

Ashley screamed out for their brother. Blake opened his mouth to call out to them, but no sound came. He tried again, but nothing came out. The flames grew brighter, crawling towards Ashley. Blake desperately tried to break free from the root bonds, but the harder he pushed, the tighter they gripped around him. The flames encircled Ashley.

Blake: “BRANCH!”

He finally managed to scream as the flames engulfed the temple.

~

Blake panted, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. He looked towards Ashley’s bed. The sheets were empty.

Blake: “Ashley?!”

He jolted out of bed and rushed out of the room.

Blake stumbled downstairs into the dining room, greeted by the warm and hearty smell of breakfast. Ashley was freshly showered and dressed in an ivory paisley shirt and bell-bottom jeans. They placed bacon and eggs with sautéed mushrooms in front of Madelyn and Nari, who were already sitting at the table. Madelyn resembled a tree in her flowing olive lace dress, and eagerly dug into her breakfast. Nari seemed more at ease than she had the previous evening, though she still looked withdrawn. She wore a black dress with white lace at the front. Dalnim, the raven, was perched by the window beside her.

Ashley: “Blake?”

Ashley stared at him, concern written across their features.

Nari: “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

She narrowed her eyes.

Blake: “Ghosts aren’t real.”

Ashley knitted their eyebrows.

Ashley: “What’s wrong?”

Blake: “Nothing.”

He pulled up a chair and sat down beside Ashley. Ashley placed a plate of breakfast in front of him, but didn’t press him further.

Ashley looked around the table at the empty chair.

Ashley: “Where’s Juniper?”

Nari sipped her Daejak tea.

Nari: “She’s with that corpulent dope.”

She rolled her eyes.

Madelyn: “Brody? Yeah, she went to see him last night!”

Ashley blinked.

Ashley: “Oh, okay!”

They dug into their bacon and eggs. A tiny white paw reached from beneath the table. Ashley smiled down at their tabby cat, Stella, and fed him a piece of bacon.

Nari: “I don’t know what she sees in that fool.”

Dalnim cawed and tilted her head. Nari turned to her and tossed her a piece of bacon. Dalnim caught it in her beak and happily nibbled.

Madelyn: “That’s ‘cause you’re not into dudes, Nari.”

Nari: “Even if he were a woman, I still wouldn’t get it.”

Ashley glanced between them.

Ashley: “Is he really that bad?”

Nari: “Yes.”

Madelyn: “Come on, he’s not that bad! You think everyone is terrible, Nari!”

She laughed.

Nari: “Because most people are terrible.”

Blake: “Especially idiots.”

He chimed in, taking a sip of his coffee. Nari turned to him.

Madelyn: “I dunno… I’d rather deal with an idiot than someone like Jacqueline or Makayla!”

She groused.

Blake: “Imagine an idiot with that kind of power…”

Nari shuddered at the thought.

Madelyn: “What, like Craig?”

She laughed and then paused to consider it.

Blake: “Yes.”

Madelyn: “Okay, yeah, that would be horrifying.”

~

After breakfast, Ashley glanced over at Blake, fast asleep on the living-room couch beneath the afternoon sunlight streaming through the windows.

Ashley: “I think that room is taking a toll on us…”

They sipped their cinnamon tea wearily.

Madelyn: “Yeah, no kidding! You two look wrecked, and Jacqueline hardly even drained you!”

She glanced over at Blake before looking back at Ashley.

Ashley: “I keep dreaming about Sunshire… but then it turns into a nightmare.”

They flicked their gaze towards Blake.

Madelyn: “That room is messing with your dreams!”

Ashley: “Yeah, and it’s draining us…”

They stared down at their teacup.

Madelyn: “Well, it’s a haunted room; they kinda suck.”

Ashley: “The room felt so much worse when Jacqueline came here, and Juniper said Jacqueline had deliberately kept her out…”

Madelyn paused.

Madelyn: “Really?! That’s so fucked up!”

Ashley pursed their lips and nodded.

Ashley: “I think there’s something left behind in there tied to her…”

Their voice trailed off.

Nari: “Agua de Osolarius.”

Ashley and Madelyn turned towards the doorway. Nari leaned against the archway, Dalnim perched on her shoulder.

Nari: “It’s a Hivernal cleansing potion. Though you will need a clairvoyant to perform it.”

She folded her arms.

Ashley: “Oh, thank you! Do you know anyone like that?”

Their eyes lit up. Nari stroked her chin thoughtfully.

Nari: “Hmm, Andreas Ødegaard, perhaps?”

Madelyn turned towards her.

Madelyn: “Oh, yeah! I remember him!”

She paused, then her expression brightened.

Madelyn: “Wait… is he doing tarot at the New Sun Cycle festival this year?!”

Nari: “He could be.”

Madelyn: “Perfect! We can go see him there then!”

She clapped her hands together.

Ashley: “New Sun Cycle festival?!”

They perked up, a spark of energy in their eyes.

Ashley: “Oh my stars! You celebrate that, too?!”

They beamed. Madelyn turned to Ashley.

Madelyn: “Of course, we do! We’re running a little market ourselves!”

She declared.

Ashley: “You get to run your own markets?!”

They gasped.

Madelyn: “Yeah, we’ve been preparing our stall for weeks!”

Ashley: “Ooh, what are you selling?!”

Madelyn: “Flower-Majique clothes and accessories!”

She beamed.

Nari: “I shall be selling my best potions.”

She declared proudly.

Madelyn: “And Juniper is gonna do her foot-reading!”

She added.

Ashley: “Ooh, can I bake cookies?!”

Madelyn: “You sure can!”

Ashley: “Do you all gather around to sing to the sun?”

Madelyn and Nari exchanged a glance.

Madelyn: “Well, there’s music and dancing, so I guess we do!”

She laughed and smiled at Ashley for a moment before she glanced at Nari.

Madelyn: “Though, we should include the moon! It’s up there all night!”

Ashley chuckled.

Nari: “Yes, I shall be worshipping the moon!”

She glanced at Madelyn.

Ashley: “I can’t wait!”

Their excitement lingered, but the afternoon’s warmth was making them drowsy. After a poor night’s sleep, they were ready for rest. Blake was still fast asleep in the afternoon sunlight. Ashley stretched and yawned.

Ashley: “I think I’m going to take a nap, too.”

They headed towards the back door.

Madelyn: “Outside?!”

She laughed.

Ashley: “Yeah, I charge in the sun!”

Ashley smiled, glancing up at the sun through the window.

Madelyn: “Oh, right, of course! Sole-Wielder, duh!”

She waved her hand and watched them go.

~

Ashley lay sprawled across the grass by the great elm tree, basking in the afternoon sun like a cat. The warmth and quiet soon lulled them into a peaceful sleep.

“Ashley!”

The sudden call startled them awake. Ashley lifted their head and blinked towards the fence, where they saw Makayla peering over it. She wore a green ribboned headband and a tight black tank top, olive green denim shorts with fishnets, and knee-high boots.

Ashley: “Makayla?”

They groggily rubbed their eyes.

Ashley: “Oh my stars! How have you been?! Are you okay?”

They slowly sat up.

Makayla: “NO, I’m NOT okay! I’m hurting, Ashley!”

She lifted her leg slightly, revealing the cast. Ashley’s smile fell.

Ashley: “Oh no! I’m sorry!”

Makayla pouted.

Makayla: “Why didn’t you come check up on me?!”

Ashley knitted their eyebrows.

Ashley: “I… I’m so sorry! Things have been crazy over here —”

Makayla held her hand up.

Makayla: “There’s no excuse!”

Ashley fell silent.

Ashley: “...You’re right, I’m sorry…”

Makayla’s expression softened immediately.

Makayla: “You can make it up to me by taking me to Voyage Burger!”

Ashley’s eyes widened.

Ashley: “Voyage Burger?!”

Ashley’s expression brightened. They remembered the strange ship-shaped building in Selene Valley and the delicious smell of fried food. But then they remembered the argument with Blake, and their smile faltered.

Ashley: “Oh… I don’t know… “

They glanced towards the manor. Makayla followed their gaze.

Makayla: “What do you mean you don’t know?!”

Ashley fidgeted with their hair.

Ashley: “Well… Blake and I got into an argument about that place…”

They sighed and bowed their head.

Makayla: “So? I fight with my brother all the time!”

Ashley blinked at her.

Ashley: “That’s not good!”

Makayla sighed dramatically.

Makayla: “It’s just burgers! It’s not a big deal!”

Ashley looked at the manor and then back at Makayla, still uncertain.

Makayla: “Come on, Ashley. I’m injured and feeling down, and I could really use some company right now!”

Ashley gave her a sympathetic look.

Ashley: “Alright, let’s go get some burgers.”

Makayla grinned widely.