Chapter 32 - Sisterly conversation (2)

[A/N: Hey guys, I wasn't entirely happy with yesterday's chapter, so I rewrote it a little, which means that the start of today's chapter is the previous ending of yesterday's chapter. 

I like the transitioning better this way, and I recommended going back to read from the moment Nova wakes up, but nothing important story-wise was added, so feel free to skip it.

Just one chapter again today, but I'm finally happy with how the conversation went, so tomorrow we're back to two!

Remember to comment/review/vote if you enjoy the novel! Your support is my motivation!

Now I'll shut up and let you get to it.]

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Nova struggled in Alita's grip a little longer, but realising the futility of it, she forced herself to calm down as she released a deep breath, "When did you change so much, Alita? I barely recognise this side of you". 

She tried to turn her head despite the choke hold, attempting to look into her sister's eyes, but instead, she finally noticed the colour of Alita's wings, causing her to gasp, "Y- You have black wings!"

Surprised by her sister's sudden exclamation, Alita loosened her grip and said, confused, "Yeah? So? Don't you?" She wasn't in the bedroom when Nova finished her conversion, so only Ivar and Selene had seen her white wings.

Using Alita's moment of distraction, Nova used her experience to quickly slip free and create some distance between her and Alita.

She looked at Alita with distrust and sadness, not answering Alita's question and instead saying, "I suppose I had always known, somewhere, that you were just putting up a mask.

I saw it in the little things, the looks and the expressions you had when you thought no one was looking, but I always credited it to my imagination. 

Some of our people from Sanctuary even came to me, claiming various incidents where you behaved callously and deviously, but I never believed them." She didn't mention that some of those people had later gone missing, at least for now.

Still staying at a distance, she looked sad and somewhat heartbroken at Alita, "You've never been the cheery and kind person you want everyone to think you are, have you? Tell me, why did you pretend? And… how much of the real you was in there?"

Alita was surprised at suddenly being called out and sad that her sister didn't simply trust her. She may have been a little forceful just now, but that was just to calm Nova down.

Then again, she didn't really expect Nova to trust her immediately at this point. After all, they haven't been that close in the last few years.

Alita got nervous; she knew she would have to have this conversation with Nova today, but this was a little sudden. She may be more callous than her sister thought, but she still loved Nova.

So far, this conversation was not going the way she wanted. She had to get a grip on it again.

She looked at her sister with a complicated expression, "I'm a little hurt you don't trust me now, big sis… but I get it. You're right; I've always been a lot more callous than I let on."

She stood up and slowly walked towards Nova, who had to make a conscious effort not to step back. Despite discovering the truth, she loved her sister and desperately wanted Alita to feel the same way. She couldn't lose her sister! Otherwise, what had all this been for?

When Alita reached Nova, she grabbed both her hands and looked into Nova's eyes, 

"I love you, big sis, and I like being cheery. Those two things have always been true. I just… can't bring myself to care about anyone but you and, well, one other person now."

She shrugged, "As for anything else, I'm really not sure. I've been pretending for so long that I have lost sight of what is fake and what is real.

I know I can be callous, and I can be devious; hell, all of Sanctuary can burn for all I care." Alita started smirking, "And also, yes, I can be a brat who prefers to do the opposite of what you tell me to."

She turned serious again, "But in the name of the trust we built over years of barely surviving together, please believe that I only ever want what's best for both of us. It's you and me against the world, remember? Those words still ring true for me."

'You and me against the world' was possibly one of the most overused catchphrases for two people in a tough situation, but there was a reason for that. It signified a commitment to burning down the world and letting humanity die if it meant saving one another.

For the first time in a long time, or possibly forever, Alita was being completely genuine and honest with Nova. Well, almost. For Alita, it was more like Nova, Ivar and her against the world, but all in due time.

She finished her speech by saying, "I may not be the person I always pretended to be, and I may have done it partly out of fear of how you would react to my real self, but I did it mostly because I didn't want to disappoint you. Please don't hate me for who I am."

Perhaps a lot of people would have more trouble revealing all this in one sitting, but Alita had actually wanted to talk to her sister about her true self for a long time and simply never had the courage.

But now, Ivar gave her the courage.

The two sisters stared at each other for a while longer before Nova sighed and nodded, "Fine, I believe you." Ultimately, Nova, too, loved her sister, and although she needed answers, she would give Alita the benefit of the doubt.

She looked away before she continued, "And… I don't hate you. Considering your black wings, you would have always turned out this way. I'm just happy you still love your big sister, at least.

Besides, it's not like I am all that innocent. I've done plenty of bad things over the years; I just… always hoped my cute little sister would turn out better."

Alita smiled brightly, undid her transformation and tried to hug Nova, but she quickly avoided her sister's arms, "Uh uh. First, you tell me exactly what's going on, and then I'll decide whether we can hug."

Alita pouted cutely but nodded, "Fine. But you must also tell me about this business with my black wings!"

Then, Alita sat back down, leaned her chin against her hand and grinned, "Before we start, though, you may want to put on a new shirt. I don't mind staring at your wonderful orbs, but perhaps you'll be uncomfortable."

At first, Nova looked confused, but when she noticed where Alita was staring, she realised the current state of her shirt. Nova yelped and hid her breasts with a red face before she turned around and stomped back to her room, yelling, "Pervert!"

Alita snickered and yelled back, putting the emphasis on big, "No need to be embarrassed, big sis! I can go all-natural, too, if that helps. I'm not as big as you, but I really don't mind!"

Alita laughed harder when she heard another shout, "Shut up!"

Both Ivar and Selene also snickered at this scene as Ivar said, "I'm starting to like these sisters."

A few minutes later, Nova returned with a new shirt and a still slightly red face, which worsened upon seeing Alita's cheeky smile. She was now dressed in a crop top t-shirt and the hotpants Alita had put on her earlier.

She sat down across from Alita with a humph and said, "Wipe that cheeky grin off your face, Alita, or we'll see if that other form keeps you safe from me!"

Alita snickered, "Look at you, big sis. I'm glad you still remember how to make expressions. I've missed this!"

Nova suddenly looked sad, "You weren't the only one who needed to wear a mask in the last few years, Alita. I've missed you, too."

Then her face got serious, "But now isn't the time for that. Tell me, was anything you told me about when you were missing true?"

Alita nodded, "Almost all of it was, assuming you're still willing to trust my words. I just may have left out a few details about Ivar and lied about him not wanting anything. But before I talk about Ivar, please tell me what you know about these wings."

It felt strange for Alita to call Ivar by his name instead of any of the three titles she used for him so far, but she figured it was best to wait a little longer with that information.

Ivar himself didn't feel any better about it, but he knew why she did it and didn't disapprove.

Nova nodded, "Fine, I suppose you deserve that much after the way I just reacted to them."

She looked thoughtful for a moment, "All I know is what our parents told me when you were still too young. According to them, supernatural creatures are real but have been hunted to near extinction by humans.

Although there might still be some true supernaturals out there, most are only survived by humans that had one of them as an ancestor and still possess some of their bloodlines.

As you may have suspected, you and I are such humans."

She looked questioningly at Alita, "Assuming we are still humans?"

Alita smirked and shook her head, "We are not. But continue."