The Looking Glass 2022-23 | volume 41 | Page 58

She rests against the windowsill, one leg dangling and the other arched. Her heel rests against the opposite wall. She watches everyone move around the room, some sitting at the table playing cards or mahjong, others resting against the wall or sitting on the floor eating food. She sips her tea slowly as her eyes drift towards her friends; Ataegina and Millane chatting in the corner and cheering on Theta, who was in the middle of a mahjong game.

“I brought you some noodles.” Polaris said, cradling a bowl of noodles, a basket of steamed buns and dumplings, and two pairs of chopsticks. The sight of so much food all balanced within Polaris’ arms makes her chuckle as she shuffles to make space. The bamboo basket and bowl are placed next to Yuexia as Polaris swings onto the windowsill. As he rests against the ledge, the wind moves through Yuexia’s hair, greeting her. She rolls her eyes and elbows his leg on her side.

“Hello.” Yuexia murmurs, intertwining her hand with his. He laughs as he moves his body into the same position as her. She hums, balancing the basket on her thighs and resting her cup on the ledge. One slight movement and her tea would go tumbling down the mountainside.

“Hello to you too.” Polaris brings the noodles to his thighs and hands her a pair of chopsticks. She takes them with a small thanks and opens the basket to find shumai and xiao long bao placed neatly in the basket. The last basket held gua bao and baozi with fluffy outsides and insides that tasted like home. She sighed happily as she began to devour the dumplings. Polaris laughed as he began to slurp the noodles, taking glances at Yuexia every now and then. The two switch their bowls and basket respectively, Polaris chuckles at the sight of practically all the dumplings devoured while Yuexia side eyes him carefully. Upon noticing Yuexia’s curious glance, he coughs and looks away, fiddling with the chopsticks. She shrugs her shoulders and continues to eat in comfortable silence.

“Yue! Polaris! Come over here we're gonna dance!” Millane shouts, waving while calling others over. Theta slams down her last mahjong tile and rushes to join the rest of the sentinels. The groans and shouts of the other mahjong players fill the air. Yuexia looks over at Polaris and shrugs. She shuffles over Polaris and takes his bowl before placing it in the spot she was sitting in.

I am you and you are me/solitude