A Change of Scenery (Crystal)

[Anime]

Mel Astor rolled up the sleeves of her worn-and-ragged, flannel shirt, as she took a seat on the stairs of her porch. She had finally finished moving all the boxes into the rooms they belonged in, the essential furniture had been assembled, the movers she'd hired were just pulling away, and, now, it was breathe easy.

Mel ran her hands over her legs. Mel knew she'd overdone it today. She wasn't use to heavy lifting and standing on her feet for hours at a time anymore. It saddened her that she could fall so far so fast, but what could be done? She'd had her moment in the limelight. It was a lot shorter than her critics had predicted, but all she could do was tell herself that she made it farther than most ever did. 

Looking out at the expanse of houses that occupied the neighborhood, she wondered if this place could bring her the peace that she'd been unable to find in London. 

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Astra stepped out of her house and glanced toward the house next door. Mel's house. She smiled at her neighbor before realizing how depressed she looked. She bit her lip and jogged toward her. "Are you okay?" she asked.

[Anime]

Mel looked confused for a moment before quickly mumbling, "I'm fine." She gazed down at her feet. "Just a bit tired and all. I spent most of the day settlin' in. I didn't realize how much work moving was until now." She offered a small smile, realizing she hadn't introduced herself yet. "I'm sorry I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Mel. Mel Astor. I'm your new neighbor." She rambled on.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"Astra," she introduced herself. She tilted her head slightly to the side. "You sure you're okay, Mel?"

[Anime]

"Nice to meet you Astra," Mel said, "and, I am fine." She took a seat on her stoop before gesturing to Astra to join her. "I've just never been all that good at interacting with new people." She lied easily.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Astra smiled. "That's okay. But you really should get out there and try to meet people. This is a nice city, other than..." She trailed off, realizing she shouldn't really be mentioning this to Mel.

[Anime]

"First I have to decide if I want to stay in this city." Mel looked curious as Astra trailed off. "So, tell me 'other than...'what?"

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Astra gave a sheepish smile. "Well... surely you've heard."

[Anime]

"I don't know anyone here." Mel pointed out. "Who would have told me anything about this place?"

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"Well, it's the Dracones," Astra said. "The local gang."

[Anime]

"I don't foresee gang activity being a problem for me." Mel shrugged. "I tend to mind my own business."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Astra nodded eagerly. "Of course. Besides, they pretty much stay on the south side of town."

[Anime]

"I'll make a note to mind my own business there especially." Mel smirked. "So, Astra, tell me about the Dacones."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Astra pursed her lips. It wasn't a topic she liked, mostly because her parents yelled at her whenever she brought them up. "Well... they're supposedly made up completely of ethnicities other than white. Their leader is Anders, and he's supposed to be pretty badass."

[Anime]

"Ever have any run-ins with Anders or the Dracones?" Mel wondered.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Astra laughed. "No way. I think I'd be dead if I had. Most likely of a heart attack."

[Anime]

"You're too young to have a heart attack." Mel pointed out, amused.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"Not true," Astra said. "Teenagers can have heart attacks. It's just a lot more rare."

[Anime]

"I meant: You're too young to not want adventure and like danger." Mel chuckled. "But that is just my opinion."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Astra looked down, a slight blush rising to her cheeks. "Not all teenagers have to be reckless."