Veilborn: Into the Magic World

The apartment was a warm chaos of color and personality, though some might simply call it cluttered. Ellie's sketches and art supplies, along with Sophia's papers and files, were everywhere, stacked in precarious towers along the bookshelves, and even pinned to the walls. Bits of graphite and eraser crumbs dusted the coffee table, and a half-finished painting leaned against the couch.

Sophia, perched on the arm of that same couch, held a mug of tea, her sharp eyes scanning the room. "Ellie," she said with a mock-serious tone, "this place looks like a craft store exploded." Ellie hasn't cleaned on the weekdays.

Ellie, lounging on the floor, her back leaning against the couch, as she read through the pages of the book she was holding.

"It's called ambiance. Creative spaces are supposed to be messy." She shrugged.

Sophia raised an eyebrow. "There's messy, and then there's", she gestured broadly, "this. I found a paintbrush in the fridge last week."

"It was probably cooling down," Ellie said lightly, drawing a shape on the book. All the books she has read had pencil sketches and various doodles.

Sophia sighed dramatically but didn't press further. Instead, she leaned back and sipped her tea, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I don't know how you live like this, but hey, you do you. Still, you could at least make some money off this chaos."

Ellie glanced up. "What do you mean?"

"You know, like submitting your work to galleries. Or selling online. You've got the talent." Sophia tapped the edge of her mug, her voice softening. "It's not like I haven't told you before. You can't just be a 'starving artist' forever, El."

"I'm not starving," Ellie countered, holding up the takeout bag they'd demolished earlier. "I had chicken tenders and my favourite cheese burger for dinner, thank you very much."

Sophia laughed, shaking her head. "You know what I mean. I just don't want you to waste your potential."

Ellie rolled her eyes but smiled faintly. "Thanks, Mom."

"Whatever." Sophia smirked, setting her mug down. "Anyway, speaking of art, my new boss might be interested in yours."

Ellie raised an eyebrow. "Your new CEO? Since when do corporate overlords care about art?"

"Well, this one does. Apparently, he's an art dealer on the side or something. At the very least, he knows his stuff. Spent half a meeting talking about some abstract sculpture that's on display in his office."

"That's...unexpected," Ellie admitted, closing her sketchbook for a moment. "What's he like?"

Sophia tilted her head, considering. "Intimidating but in a 'charming mastermind' sort of way. He's got this whole vibe, like he knows everyone's secrets and is just waiting for the right moment to use them. But then he'll crack a joke, and you're like, 'Okay, maybe he's human.'"

Ellie laughed. "Sounds like a character out of a crime thriller."

"Right? I'm half-expecting him to pull a diamond heist during lunch." Sophia leaned forward, grinning. "But seriously, he's got an eye for art. He even asked me if I knew any up-and-coming artists when he saw the doodle I had on my desk."

"You? Drawing?" Ellie teased.

"It was a stick figure, okay? But he said something about appreciating raw creativity."

Ellie shook her head, smiling. "Well, maybe you should introduce him to my fridge brushes. Think he'd appreciate that?"

"Very funny." Sophia tossed a pillow at her. "I'm being serious, Ellie. If you'd just let me show him some of your work...."

"Pass," Ellie interrupted, holding up a hand. "I'm not ready for that kind of pressure."

"You're impossible," Sophia muttered, leaning back again.

"And you're relentless," Ellie shot back, though there was no heat in her words.

A comfortable silence settled between them, broken only by the soft hum of the fridge and the occasional creak of the building settling.

Ellie stretched, her gaze drifting toward the kitchen. "Hey, can you make me some coffee?"

Sophia snorted. "What am I, your barista?"

"Please?" Ellie clasped her hands in an exaggerated plea.

"Fine, but you owe me."

"For what? Being the best sister ever?"

"Exactly." Sophia rolled her eyes but got up, heading to the kitchen.

Ellie watched her go, a fond smile playing on her lips. Despite their constant banter, Sophia was her anchor in so many ways—a steady presence when life felt too overwhelming.

When the coffee was ready, Sophia brought it over, setting the mug on the floor beside Ellie. "There. Now go create something genius."

Ellie gave her a mock salute. "Yes, ma'am."

She gathered herself up and retreated to her bedroom. Unlike the rest of the apartment, her room was a bit more organized, or at least, it had the illusion of order. A small desk was crammed against one wall, its surface barely visible beneath stacks of paper and jars of brushes. The bed was unmade, a blanket half-draped over the edge, and a single plant sat on the windowsill, its leaves drooping slightly.

Ellie sat at the desk, pulling out her sketchbook. Her fingers hovered over the page where the glowing rune sat, the lines sharp and precise as if etched by an unseen hand.

Taking a deep breath, she started sketching. The image in her mind was vivid yet elusive, shifting like a dream just out of reach. She let her pencil glide across the paper, following instinct rather than thought.

As she worked, Ellie felt a strange pull, as if the sketch were drawing her in. The air around her seemed to thrum with an almost imperceptible hum, and for a moment, she thought she heard whispers.

She paused, glancing over her shoulder. The room was silent, the only sound the distant murmur of a TV from a neighboring apartment. Shaking her head, she turned back to her work.

The rune on the page seemed to glow faintly, though Ellie knew it was impossible. She leaned closer, her fingers brushing the edge of the sketch.

A soft knock on the door broke her concentration, and she jumped, the spell-like moment shattered.

"Ellie?" Sophia's voice came through the door. "You okay?"

"Yeah," Ellie called back, her voice steadier than she felt.

"Good, because I'm not cleaning up your art apocalypse out here."

Ellie chuckled, her tension easing. "I'll handle it tomorrow." It was weekend and the only days they were free to actually clean the apartment.

"Sure you will," Sophia replied, her footsteps retreating.

Ellie turned back to the sketch, but the pull had faded, leaving her feeling strangely empty. She closed the book and leaned back in her chair, staring at the ceiling. She was tired from the whole day's work.

Hoping onto her bed, she pulled the blanket over herself and closed her eyes.