"You don't like talking about them."

"No...I'm dead to them."

"Why?"

Alabaster sat down on the couch. "When I was five, my powers manifested. I accidentally rotted an apple in my hands... My family is well-known and rich. They're the Lunar Clan."

I'd heard of the Lunar Clan, but the name hadn't really stuck enough for me to wonder what they were about. "Go on..."

"They're famous for having no powers besides enhanced longevity, for centuries! Then I came along... If the news knew I had another power, their reputation would be ruined. So I hid it."

"Then what happened?"

"I hid it for several years...until I was twelve and I was attacked by some creeps. I defended myself, and my family found out.
My great-grandfather was overjoyed that I had a special gift...but nobody else was. So I...I ran away. They said I'd died in my sleep to avoid conflict."

"That's...that's awful."

"I agree. I still write to my grandfather, but...it's been so long."

"So how'd you get to...to Soleanna?"

"I traveled around, trying to find somewhere that felt right. My grandfather had given me money to reach the next continent, but I had to scrounge cash after that. I wandered for a while, then I heard whispers about Soleanna's project. I wanted to know if it was true."
She grinned. "I never expected to find a prisoner in that lab."

"I almost ruined your chances at freeing me...I didn't mean to hurt those people, I-"

"I know...we never do plan these things...but we have to move past that, Mephiles. You have to see yourself as more than what you once were."

"I want to, Alabaster...I just don't know how. It's hard to forget that sort of thing when your literal other half is hunting you down."

"We'll get him. I swear..." She took my hands, squeezing them tightly. "...and call me Abbie."