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“C-could that have been the ogre?! From the story on all the signboards?”
“Oh absolutely there’s no way it wasn’t. I thought it would be bigger though,” I said, letting out a disappointed sigh.
“Are you saying that the story was TRUE?! I mean, they did drop a mask... so they really must be…”
“Player! Sis!”
The sound of Kieran’s voice perks me up. A smile springs on my face at the thought of telling him who we had just seen. He’s gonna to absolutely love it.
“What’re you guys doin' over here?”
“You won’t believe it! We saw-”
“NOTHING! We saw nothing!”
Carmine’s shout startles me mid-sentence. It confused me. She should know how much Kieran loves the ogre and how excited he’d be when we tell him we met them. Before I could speak up again, and ask what her deal was. Kieran speaks up, no less dumbfounded than I am.
“Wh-what? Why're you yellin' all of a sudden, Sis?”
“It’s nothing! It’s nothing you’d be interested in at all, I swear!”
What the heck?
My brows furrow as I glare at Carmine through the back of her head, her response aggravating. Your brother is that ogre’s number one fan and you’re just gonna lie to his face? Why? For what reason does that make any logical sense?
"Oh, I get it. I bet you were makin' fun of me behind my back... I’m just... gonna head back to the festival..."
I wanted to speak up and run towards Kieran and tell him everything, but I couldn’t. It feels like my entire body is frozen as I watch him walk back into the Kitakami Hall, visibly distraught. By the time I got over my shock, he was already so deep into the crowd that I couldn’t see him anymore. My eyes sink down in self-loathing, at not speaking up, at not running after him there and then; each thought of what I could’ve done feels like I'm driving myself into a panic attack.
Unfortunately, Carmine wouldn’t even stay quiet after being so mean towards her brother for a dozenth time in just this past day alone.
“Whew. At least he didn’t figure out what we were really talking about. Don’t scare me like that- blabbing for the whole world to hear! Don’t you have any filter?”
I felt rage swelter in my chest at hearing her say those words. Seriously, what the heck are up with her priorities? Should she not be going to check on her brother!?
“See, Kiki really likes the ogre. Like, really, really, REALLY likes it.”
"I know that, he told me."
My voice is as calm as I could make it but Carmine doesn’t even seem to notice.
“So, if he found out we’d seen the ogre without him... I guess I was afraid he’d feel bad, y’know? Feel left out or something… am I overthinking this?”
“Yes. You are.” I responded in a barely controlled fury, giving her the most hateful glare I could.
She jumped slightly at my glare. Probably not used to me being so angry. I felt the need to clearly state my opinion about her or else I’d probably hurt her.
“You’re brother, would have been fine. Yes he would have been disappointed because of not being able to meet the ogre, but he would be fine. He doesn’t seem to be made out of glass. I don’t think this would break him, and while I’m on this rant I don’t appreciate the blatant racism you have given me. I know I’m a foreigner to you but that doesn’t give you the right to treat me like I’m going to destroy the town or something. I also don’t like how you’ve been treating Kieran, I know it’s probably not my right to say anything considering I am an only child, but from what I could tell you were being quite a bully towards him. You basically told him to shut up when we first met and then told me to ignore him. Whenever he has tried to show any kind of rebellion you make yourself more intimidating by raising your voice and sometimes, making it seem like you would hit him. I know you probably care deeply for your brother and would most likely fight Arceus yourself if it meant keeping your brother safe, but you have a very aggressive way of showing it. Now I’m going to go find Kieran and tell him what happened, and we are going to return the ogre it’s mask tomorrow morning and probably bring it some blankets and food, because it just seemed sad and lonely up there. You may come along if Kieran wishes so, but until then please don’t talk to me again I’m done being nice to you. Good night Carmine and get home safely.” I said walking way to find Kieran.
Carmine was left there dumbfounded by what I said. Truly trying to understand what I said and why I said it, and if I was right about her and if so how could she change if she even can.