Sirius A: A star in the solar system, and the brightest one that can be seen from Earth. It's twice as bright as the next brightest star, and in the Canis Major constellation.
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Third Person
Despite both of their parents, River didn't grow up in the city of Atlantis.

Professor Niall Pikalus, their father, grew up there, and a large portion of his work included aiding the city. He loved that city with all of his heart, and it was where many of his friends were.

On the other hand, Atlantis Ocean, their mother, shared her name with the city. It's where she met Niall in the first place, and she too had her love for the place, despite not sharing the same connections as her husband.

And yet, River was raised in the Overworld, outside of the great city they heard so much about. Neither parent ever really explained why, but something about getting away from the regular city life and living a much quieter one outside of it.

So that's what they did. Neither of the houses River grew up in were in Atlantis and River didn't spend much time there. Growing up, River never thought to question it.

And now, at least fifteen or so years later, River would finally stay in the city, even if it was only for a few days.

"Why can't I stay home like I normally do?" River asked their mother as she helped pack their bags for the trip. It wasn't a protest really, but more curiosity. She had left them alone before.

"Because I'll be gone for longer than usual. A few days. Not much more than a week but..." Atlantis paused for a long time, and when she looked up, there was a frown on her face.

Their mother and River had many differences in looks, for example Atlantis had dyed her hair pink and cut her hair short. River had hair much like a cloud, being gray, fluffy and often even dripped with water. River's body was a little more muscular, compared to their mother's body which was more fit for speed and stealth.

However, if there was one thing they shared, it was the eyes. Deep and vibrant blue that looked like it came straight from the seas itself.

"I don't like leaving you alone for too long." She said at last, a sigh escaping her lips.

"Why not? You know I can handle myself." The last few words slipped out of their mouth. An instinct, they had said it a million times before when their parents asked them if they were alright with staying home alone.

"Doesn't mean you like to." She held her gaze to them. River could say nothing in protest. She was right after all.

The silence was shattered with another sigh. Atlantis took their hands into hers and stared into their eyes again. "It's okay. It's just me, you don't need to be so tense. I know you feel like you need to be mature- and you are." She caught them right as their mouth opened, correcting herself with a ghost of a smirk. "But I'm your mom. I know with your friends and your father you feel the need to be the logic they need or want, but all I want or need you to be is you."

River still had no idea what to say. Atlantis didn't need them to say anything, just smiled anyways. "You don't need to worry, you can trust me. You can always trust me." Her voice was soft, and it made River finally relax.

"I'm sending you to stay in Atlantis for a while. I have a house there you can use."

The statement surprised River to say the least. "Could I stay with one of my friends?"

"That was my first thought," The elemental admitted. "But as it turns out, not one of them is available. Some are spending time with family, out on vacation, even out at a camp. Sorry, Raindrop, but they're all out for the time being. In fact, I don't think they'll be back for months."

Though the younger frowned, she nudged them. "But maybe you can make new friends to keep you company while they're away! You'll be in Atlantis for a little over a week, I bet you could!"

Chuckling at her enthusiasm, River nodded slightly. "I'll do my best."

Now as they entered though the portal into the city, that's all they could think about. River had to admit, even if they wouldn't be staying in the city for too long, it was worrying to think about, and as they did they could see their own breath for a moment, but they quickly pushed the thought away.

Their Dad always told them that worrying never did any good if it never happened.

As the elevator finally opened and they stepped into the marble floors of the city, River got maybe two seconds to breathe it in before someone popped up right in front of them and they jumped back in surprise.

It was a girl wearing blue armor, the symbol for the royal crown on the shoulder pads of it. She had long, blonde hair and dark, blue eyes that looked them up and down before grinning. Her body was athletic and her skin was rather tanned. Poking out from her shoulders, River could've sworn was golden feathers.

The girl peered at them, holding out her hand and waiting until River shook it to speak. "Hey! You're River Pikalus, right?" River paused for a long while, though eventually nodded. "Perfect, I got here right on time then! I'm Phoebe PebbleTeen, I'll be your personal guard for the time being."

A million questions ran through River's head, until eventually they managed to ask one. "Personal guard?"

Phoebe nodded, turning towards the exit and gesturing for River to follow. Now fully seeing her back, River noticed a pair of golden wings poking out from the armor. The whole back of the armor looked like it was designed differently from the standard issue just so it could be put on and allow the wings to stretch out. They fluttered slightly as she moved, and River shook out of it to follow.

"Yep, I'll be guarding you until you no longer need it." She nodded. "Your Mom- Atlantis- she called last night to tell us you were coming and to make sure you'd be safe. She eventually insisted on a personal guard and given my Mom thought I had enough training to take over the job and you'd be more comfortable with someone your own age, I was assigned to you!"

River internally laughed. They had a feeling Atlantis would pull something like this, not only because she was worried for their safety, but because it was another opportunity to make a friend. The next question slipped out easily. "So you're PebbleTeen's kid?"

"Yep!" She grinned. "Her pride and joy- well, that's what she tells me at least." The pair of them had started walking now, River hardly even noticed they were doing it, as if it were more second nature than anything to keep up with who they were talking to. "Then again, she also calls her favorite sword her pride and joy- but I suppose she does love both of us so that's enough for us- I mean me! Swords don't have feelings." She rubbed the back of her neck, sheepish.

By the route they were taking, Phoebe was heading for somewhere further downtown and away from the palace. River gazed at the palace for a while, wondering if any of their friends had rooms there, given some of them were heirs.

Phoebe rambled about the city for a while, mentioning all sorts of places they could go to eat or have fun, and River just nodded along. The guard seemed to get used to River within minutes, and already was relaxed when talking to them. River wasn't sure if it was because of themself, if Phoebe was naturally like that, or both.

Eventually, she stopped in front of a small house and gestured to it. "And here we are! Apparently your Mom owns a house here so you'll be staying here for a while."

River was a little confused why they lived in the Overworld if apparently both of his parents owned a house in the city but tried not to overthink it. River took a deep breath and opened up the front door.

Inside, the kitchen and living room were almost merged together, and there were all sorts of books on magic laying around in small piles. Many had several bookmarks in them, and in the corner, bottles of ingredients for who knows what. It made River chuckle. Atlantis was never good at putting everything away or keeping her room clean, always insisting that maybe she'd need the books later and she didn't want to dig for them in the bookcase.

Other than that, there were stairs leading upstairs, which most likely had the bathroom and bedroom, maybe a closet or two as well.

"Huh, your mom really loves witchy stuff." Phoebe couldn't help but say as she looked around, her hand tracing along a couple sigals on the walls, all for protection.

River just nodded more, starting to clean up the mess left there. "As far as I know, she always has been. Used to sing sleep spells to me when I was younger. Wasn't the best at magic outside of her natural water powers, but after a few tries, they would usually soothe me enough to sleep."

"So you and your mom are close?"

"You could say that." River smiled softly as they picked up a dreamcatcher, and found a whole stash of discarded ones laying in the corner. Why she had such an obsession over them, River didn't know. They didn't ask, even if they always saw one hanging above her bed at night, and wondered why and if it really worked.

"I know you just got here and all and you probably want to get settled and wait for your bags to get here," Phoebe started to say, getting their attention. "But you've never seen the city! Let me show you around at least!"

River hesitated for a moment. Truth be told, they'd rather just stay back, but she did have a point, and Phoebe was nice enough. They gave a nod, and a smile grew on her face. She grabbed their hand and rushed out the door, already having a place in mind.

The winged girl began to take them all around the city, grabbing some food at a place she liked to eat and showing off an arcade that she recommended to come at night due to the neon light show they always had.

"Hey, River?"

"Hmm?" River looked over, curious.

The guard gestured to their clothing. "How come you're so wrapped up? Are you cold?"

Though the question confused them at first, River soon understood what they were talking about and looked down at their clothes. They were wearing winter clothing, a puffy coat, jeans and a blue scarf wrapped around their neck. River wasn't sure how to explain it but decided on a simple answer. "Feels comfortable. I'm used to wearing this." They said. It wasn't the full truth but River wasn't ready for that conversation so early in meeting Phoebe.

Phoebe just nodded. River decided it was probably a good time to ask some questions of their own. "What about you? Do you always wear armor?"

The general's daughter laughed. "Of course not! Just during duty, though I'm starting to think I don't need to wear it as much for this job, you're not really getting into any trouble, are you?" Her eyebrows quirked, almost teasingly.

River smiled at that. "Only if you're not."

She laughed and continued. "I'm actually quite a fan of fashion! I spend all the money I make on clothes and accessories, sometimes new swords if I need them! It's a hobby of mine." As they walked, she turned her head to them. "Got any hobbies yourself?"

"Astronomy's a big one." River told her. Phoebe seemed to grin wider when they said it. "I like the stars, the planets, all the different types of them and, it's just interesting to me. There's so much we don't know about space."

"Isn't that kinda scary to think about?" She said, brushing her hair back over her shoulder.

But River shook their head. "No, I think it's fascinating. Whenever there's something I don't know much about, it makes me want to know more. My Mom tells me I have an unquenchable curiosity."

Phoebe chuckled, nudging them lightly. Her wings fluttered with her laughter. "Well I don't see anything wrong with that!"

A chuckle escaped River. "Me neither." River paused for a moment. "So do you like being a guard or is that just something you do because your mom does it?"

"Oh, I love it!" Phoebe grins. "Technically I'm only a trainee guard right now because I'm young. The next level training is only for those who are 18 or older but I'm trying to see if I can get an exception! Its kinda a long process but it might just be worth it!"

Phoebe starts to lead River away from the town and more around it. River can't tell if she just wants to talk more or if she wants to show them the sights but they don't mind either way. "It's my dream to become a General one day, just like my mom! I'd like to become the youngest General possible but that might be too ambitious of me."

"I think you could do it." River says without thinking. They believe it nonetheless.

Phoebe gives them a look, shocked by their blunt statement. "You think?" River smiles and nods. "We just met, how do you know?"

"I just have a feeling you'd make a good general. You seem pretty passionate and I don't think there's much life can throw at you to stop you."

Phoebe blinked, then broke out into a sheepish smile. "Wow, that's... I think I like having you around, River! Maybe you should be some sort of Life Coach."

"Now you're just saying that to flatter me."

"I'm being serious!" Phoebe gave them a little friendly elbow. "Though maybe I did want to flatter you a little bit... But you could! I think you'd make a great one!"

"Maybe." River laughed. They finally noticed it had gotten darker and nudged Phoebe. "C'mon, we better go home, it's getting dark fast."

Phoebe nodded and quickly started to lead the way back. She showed River back to their house and waved them off as they went inside. "I'll see you tomorrow!"

River waved back and said the same before closing the door.

They found the bedroom upstairs and put on some of the baggy pajamas they brought and just laid in bed.

River found themselves staring at the dreamcatcher above the bed. "Mom really likes these, huh?"

———————
I meant to get this one out sooner but things kept coming up but here!

Bit of a change of pace, a few chapters are going to be more peaceful to show off the characters I'll be using but it won't stay that way for too long. Think of it as a 'Calm before the storm' type situation!

Anyways, I hope this was entertaining! Phoebe has been formally introduced and more are to come! Be sure to comment your thoughts as I love reading all of them and they are greatly appreciated and commenting is a lot easier than writing and farewell!

—JustAnAtlantisWriter