Sister

  A week had passed since Bobby first met Rookie, and as the days wore on, he discovered just how remarkable this new companion truly was. Rookie had abilities Bobby had never imagined—tools that could change the very course of his journey. The Projection feature, which allowed him to send images of his travels and experiences to anyone he trusted, had become a lifeline for Bobby, even though he had only begun to understand its full potential. Another feature, Emit, allowed Bobby to hear the voices of those he projected to, creating a strange sense of closeness despite the vast distance. The third feature, Storage, was practical, silently holding onto the items Bobby needed for his journey. Yet, none of these features could prepare him for the unexpected, emotional encounter ahead.

  It was late in the day when Bobby stood in the soft, golden light of the planet Thoia’s twin suns, the fields around him swaying gently in the alien breeze. The grass beneath his feet felt strange, its pale hue almost luminescent under the setting sun. He was alone, for now, but a sharp yell broke the silence from behind him.

  "Big Brother!"

  Bobby’s heart raced. He whipped around to see a figure darting toward him—Rose. His sister. His world tilted for a moment as she rushed toward him, her arms outstretched in eager excitement. With a soft thud, she collided into him, her small frame a comforting weight against him. Her long, dark hair tumbled around her face as she hugged him tightly, as though trying to make up for lost time.

  "Bobby!" she gasped, her voice full of relief, but there was a quiet sadness hidden beneath her words. "I found you! I’ve traveled across the stars to find you!"

  Rose.

  The name wasn’t given to her by accident. Bobby’s parents had chosen it because of where she was found—the garden of roses, just outside the village where Bobby grew up. She was abandoned there as an infant, cradled in the petals of the blooming roses, with no trace of her origin. His parents, hearts full of compassion, took her in without hesitation, raising her alongside Bobby, who had grown to be her protector and, though distant at times, her closest companion. It was in that same garden that Rose was discovered, her cries swallowed by the fragrance of the roses as they bloomed in the warmth of the spring sun.

  "Rose?" Bobby’s voice trembled with disbelief as he pulled away just enough to look into her face. His heart squeezed at the sight of her—dirt-smeared and tired from her journey, but her eyes still as bright and full of that eternal optimism. "What are you doing here? You need to go home now! It’s dangerous out here, Rose. You don’t belong here!"

  His words were harsher than he intended, and he immediately regretted them. But the fear, the overwhelming need to protect her, pushed out any softness in his voice.

  Rose’s smile faltered, and the hurt in her eyes was enough to make Bobby’s chest ache. Her arms dropped to her sides as she pulled back, her fingers trembling slightly. "Do you hate me that much?" she asked quietly, her voice breaking. "You left the village, Bobby. You left me behind. And I... I traveled across the stars to find you. Why didn’t you ever come back? Why didn’t you need me?"

  The words hit Bobby like a physical blow, knocking the air from his lungs. He had always tried to protect her, to keep her safe from the dangers he faced, but he never realized how much that distance had hurt her.

  His throat tightened as he reached out, pulling her back into his arms, trying to undo the damage his words had caused. "Hate you?" he whispered, shaking his head. "No, Rose. Never. I never hated you." His voice cracked as he clung to her, his emotions threatening to spill over. "I... I only wanted to protect you. I was always getting into trouble, and I knew if you came with me, you’d get hurt. I couldn’t stand the thought of losing my sister."

  Rose melted into his arms, but she pulled away just enough to look him in the eye. Her gaze was filled with quiet tears, the pain of years of unspoken words written on her face. "Then why do you always push me away?" she whispered. "I’ve always wanted to be close to you, Bobby. Why do you make me feel like I don’t belong with you?" Her voice wavered as fresh tears spilled over, and Bobby could see how much her heart had ached from his absence.

  Bobby felt like the world was spinning, as if the ground beneath him had shifted. He never wanted to hurt Rose—never wanted to make her feel like she wasn’t enough. But in his attempt to protect her, he had only built a wall between them. And now, she was standing here in front of him, tears streaming down her face, asking him why he had kept her at arm's length all these years.

  His chest ached as the weight of her words settled in. He had been so focused on keeping her safe, on keeping her far from the dangers of his life, that he never realized how much she needed him to be there for her, not just as a protector, but as a brother.

  "Rose..." Bobby’s voice was hoarse as he gently cupped her face, his thumbs brushing away the tears that fell from her eyes. "I never meant to hurt you. I thought if I kept you away, if I stayed far from you, I could protect you from all of this." His voice trembled with the weight of his confession. "I didn’t want you to be in danger because of me. I thought... I thought it would be easier if I were alone."

  But Rose shook her head, her soft, dark eyes still brimming with unshed tears. "But I’m your sister, Bobby. I’m family. I should be with you. I can help you." Her hands clutched at his shirt, as if holding onto him for dear life. "Don’t you trust me?"

  Bobby’s heart twisted at the pain in her voice. He had been blind to how much she had wanted to be a part of his world. She had always been so strong, so kind, so willing to help, and yet he had never let her in. He had pushed her away, thinking it was for her own good, but in the process, he had hurt her in ways he could never undo.

  He leaned down, his forehead resting gently against hers, and whispered, "I’m sorry, Rose. I’m so sorry."

  The words felt inadequate, but they were all he had. They stood there in the quiet field on Thoia, beneath the vast expanse of stars, the twin suns setting on the horizon. The breeze was soft around them, carrying the faint scent of the alien grass, and for the first time in a long time, Bobby allowed himself to feel what he had been too afraid to face—his need for her, his love for her, and the truth that protecting her didn’t mean shutting her out.

  He had kept her away, but now, in this moment, he knew it was time to let her in. He wasn’t alone anymore, and he would never again try to face the journey without her by his side.

  The Tigress

  As the days passed by, Bobby and Rose rekindled their sibling relationship. Their bickering and trolling were lighthearted jokes, that only a sibling could understand. On one such day, they spot a baseball game. They kept hearing chanting as they bought tickets for a girl named Frostbyte Tigressa! As Bobby and Rose made their way into the stadium, the energy in the air was palpable. The stands buzzed with excitement, and the echo of cheering fans reverberated through the open arena, blending into a powerful hum. The sun was starting to set behind the distant hills, casting a warm, golden glow across the field. The baseball diamond was perfectly manicured, its edges sharp and defined against the deep green grass. The blue skies were streaked with streaks of pink and orange, adding an almost surreal beauty to the atmosphere.

  From their seats, Bobby and Rose had a perfect view of the pitcher’s mound. There she was—Frostbyte Tigressa. She stood tall, poised and confident on the mound, her fur shimmering under the stadium lights. Her golden-orange coat had black stripes that rippled like a living tapestry as she moved. Her eyes were focused, intent on the game, and her powerful tail flicked behind her in a steady rhythm, betraying her concentration. As the pitcher’s ball whizzed toward the batter, it seemed to freeze the air around it, so fast and sharp was her throw.

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  The crowd erupted every time she struck out a batter or launched a home run, but Bobby and Rose couldn't help but notice how different she was from what they had imagined. Her movements were fluid, graceful, and fierce all at once. She wasn’t just an athlete—she was an artist, painting the game with precision and power. Every time she swung her bat, it was like watching a storm in motion.

  As the game played on, Bobby and Rose shared an amused glance, exchanging smirks. They couldn’t help but be swept up in the excitement of the moment. The chants around them grew louder, louder for Frostbyte. “Frostbyte! Tigressa! Frostbyte!” The fans held up banners adorned with her image, showing her mid-pitch, her muscles taut, a look of fierce determination on her face. The electricity in the stadium was contagious.

  When it was announced that Bobby and Rose had won a special opportunity to meet Frostbyte after the game, they almost couldn’t believe their luck. The idea of meeting a legendary player—especially one as enigmatic and mesmerizing as Frostbyte—was too surreal to grasp.

  They followed a guide through a maze of narrow corridors beneath the stadium, the sounds of the roaring crowd growing more muffled as they moved deeper into the arena. Eventually, they reached a room set aside for VIPs and players alike. There, standing nervously near the door, was Frostbyte herself.

  The moment Bobby and Rose saw her up close, their assumptions shattered. She looked nothing like the confident, powerful athlete they had seen on the field. Instead, she seemed small in stature, standing a little awkwardly as her tiger-striped ears twitched nervously. Her tail curled tightly around her, betraying her unease. She wore a loose jacket over her team’s uniform, and her eyes, though fierce on the field, now looked shy and unsure. It was like she had stepped out of the limelight and into a quiet world all her own.

  She lifted her head and offered a timid smile, her voice soft and hesitant. “H-hello, I… I’m Frostbyte.” She looked down, biting her tongue, trying to gather her thoughts. It was clear she wasn’t used to the attention in this context—off the field and face-to-face with strangers.

  Rose, who had been captivated by the game’s excitement, quickly adjusted to the change in atmosphere. She gave her brother a playful nudge, a silent prompt that Bobby should speak first. Bobby, always the more composed of the two, extended a hand with a friendly smile. “Hi, I’m Bobby Comet, and this is my sister, Rose.” His voice was warm and welcoming, as if to ease her nerves.

  Frostbyte hesitated for a moment before extending her hand, shaking Bobby’s with a firm but gentle grip. Her fur felt surprisingly soft under his touch, a tactile reminder of her feline nature.

  Rose, never one to miss an opportunity to lighten the mood, leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “You were amazing out there,” she said enthusiastically. “I’ve never seen a pitcher throw so fast! And your batting? Seriously impressive!”

  Frostbyte's ears twitched, and her tail gave an almost imperceptible flick. A small, bashful smile spread across her face as she shuffled her feet slightly, clearly not used to receiving such direct praise. “Th-thank you,” she said, her voice still quiet, but the admiration in Rose's words seemed to put her at ease. "I... I just focus on doing my best."

  Bobby raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “You’re not what I expected. You’re so different off the field... Is it tough being in the spotlight?”

  Frostbyte nodded slowly, glancing down at her feet. "It's... hard sometimes. I'm not very good at talking to people, especially in situations like this." She hesitated again, her tail twitching nervously. "I get nervous, and sometimes I say the wrong thing. It's easier on the field where I just focus on the game."

  Rose chuckled lightly, her voice teasing but kind. “I think we all get nervous sometimes. But you don’t have to be perfect, right? Just... be you."

  Bobby looked at his sister, then back at Frostbyte, nodding thoughtfully. “Yeah. We all have our strengths. Yours just happens to be on the baseball field.”

  For a moment, Frostbyte’s eyes sparkled with a hint of gratitude. She relaxed a little more, her posture shifting from tense to just slightly more at ease. “You’re right,” she said quietly. “I guess... I just need to believe in myself a little more."

  The siblings shared a warm smile, and for the first time since meeting the star player, Frostbyte seemed to genuinely relax. As the conversation continued, it felt less like an interview and more like two new friends sharing stories, talking about the game and their own experiences.

  For Bobby and Rose, it was another reminder of the unexpected joys that could come from connecting with someone new, someone who might seem worlds apart from them at first but turned out to be just as human as anyone else.

  As the conversation lingered in the air, a strange stillness came over the group. The sounds of the bustling stadium outside faded into the background, replaced by the soft murmur of the players' lounge where the three of them stood. Frostbyte was slowly becoming more comfortable in their presence, her shoulders relaxing as the weight of her nerves lifted. Yet, as they continued to chat, Bobby's mind wandered, an idea forming that he couldn't shake. He glanced at Rose, then turned his gaze back to Frostbyte, a spark of excitement flickering in his eyes.

  “You know, Frostbyte,” Bobby began, his voice steady but carrying an undercurrent of enthusiasm. “I’m a traveler of worlds. I document, record the stories, and experiences of different places. I’ve been to countless realms—each one full of incredible stories, creatures, and legends.” He paused, looking at Frostbyte intently. “Would you join me on this journey? You could help me document the world from your perspective. Together, we can share your story with the universe.”

  For a moment, the room seemed to hold its breath. Rose’s eyes widened, her heart skipping a beat. She hadn’t expected Bobby to make such an offer. She had known him for years, but even she could feel the weight of the invitation—this wasn’t just some passing suggestion. Bobby was offering a life-altering adventure, a chance for Frostbyte to step outside her familiar world and into the unknown. Her mind raced as she waited eagerly for Frostbyte’s response. What would she say? How would she react?

  Rose, unable to contain her excitement, added, “Bobby has a compass, and it can take us anywhere. There’s no limit to where we can go, no world we can’t explore.” She smiled, her voice filled with a mix of hope and wonder, urging Frostbyte to consider the possibility.

  Frostbyte stood still, her tiger-striped fur rippling as she let the words settle in. She looked at them, her gaze thoughtful but hesitant, as if she were searching for the right words to express the swirling thoughts in her mind. Her ears flicked nervously, and her tail wrapped tighter around her leg. "I… I don’t know,” she began slowly, her voice uncertain. “I’m not good at that sort of thing. I can’t talk to people, and I’ve never left my world before. I don’t know if I’d be able to handle it.”

  Bobby chuckled softly, shaking his head. “You’re talking to us just fine, Frostbyte. Besides, what’s an adventure without a little uncertainty? You’re already braver than most by playing on that field in front of all those people. I think you’ve got what it takes to explore the worlds with us.”

  Frostbyte’s eyes softened, a flicker of doubt still lingering in them, but also a faint spark of something else—a curiosity, a desire to step beyond the familiar and into the unknown. She bit her lip, contemplating the idea.

  Before she could say anything further, Bobby offered a gentle compromise. “How about this,” he said with a warm smile. “Let’s wait until after the championship game next week. You’ll have a chance to focus on what’s ahead of you, and we can talk more about it afterward. No rush, no pressure.” His words were calm, like the gentle hum of a quiet breeze on a summer day.

  Rose, always the optimist, nodded in agreement. “Yeah, take your time. We can meet up again after the game and talk about it then. No need to decide right now.”

  Frostbyte gave them both a long look, her gaze flicking between Bobby and Rose, as if weighing their offer. The silence stretched on, but it was comfortable, full of possibilities rather than hesitation. Her lips parted slightly, and for the first time, Bobby and Rose saw a glimmer of excitement in her eyes—a spark of interest that hadn’t been there before.

  “Alright,” Frostbyte said after a moment, her voice quieter but more certain now. “After the game. I’ll think about it.”

  Bobby grinned, his heart light with satisfaction. “Great. We’ll look forward to hearing your answer. Either way, we’re glad we met you today.”

  As they exchanged smiles, the tension in the room seemed to dissipate entirely. The air was no longer thick with doubt, but instead filled with the anticipation of what might come next. Bobby and Rose knew that no matter where the journey took them, Frostbyte’s story was one they wanted to be part of. And perhaps, just perhaps, she would join them on that grand adventure through the worlds.

  Frostbyte nodded again, a small, uncertain but genuine smile tugging at her lips. She seemed more at ease now, the idea of traveling with them beginning to take root, even if just a little. And as the moment stretched, the faint sound of the crowd cheering from the stadium drifted through the room, a reminder of the championship game that was soon to unfold—and of the possibilities that lay ahead.