An opportunity

Vel rubbed the sleep from his eyes and groggily called out “Come in!” The door opened a little, and an adorable little face framed by shining blonde hair popped into his room. “Are you decent, Brother?” It was unusual for Viella to be the one waking him up, Vel wondered what this was about “Yes, little sister, I am still under my covers you can safely come in.”

His little sister slipped into the room through the barely open door and quickly shut it behind her. She seemed nervous as she made her way over to the chair on the far side of the bed and sat down.

She seemed nervous, was fidgeting, and avoiding eye contact. She also hadn’t said anything since sitting down. The situation felt pretty awkward to Vel, he wondered if he should reach out and feel her mind, but for the first time he was a bit torn. With Adeline it had been very clear that he did not want to use his powers on her, with Rose on the other hand he had not felt bad about it at all. Viella was a complicated case though. She was his little sister who he loved, but it was clear that his family had gotten to her at least to some degree in the last few years.

Vel was saved from making a decision for now when Viella suddenly blurted out “Did you really save Adi from a monster?” He was taken aback. Viella looked a bit flushed and was clearly still nervous. “How do you know about that; did Adeline tell you?” Viella’s eyes widened “So it’s true then, you really did that?” Vel thought he should be mostly truthful here, if Adeline had indeed told Viella the truth about the encounter, she had no doubt done so with good reason. “I wouldn’t say saved, I put myself between it and her and then it ran off, but it’s not like it attacked us or any-“ He was interrupted by Viella letting out a little sob, throwing herself forward, and to his great surprise hugging him. “Oh, thank you thank you thank you for saving Adi! I’m so sorry Vel, I’m so stupid for listening to Father and Dina.” What she was saying devolved into babbling from there, mostly more apologies and thank yous. Vel was surprised, to say the least. It hadn’t been long since he and Viella had been close, and it was clear that she hadn’t fully been turned by the rest of the family, but this seemed like an almost suspiciously strong reaction. He decided that he needed to put aside any qualms he may have and make sure it was genuine, even though he was pretty sure it was, it would be prudent to check. And then perhaps he could calm her down with influence.

Vel hugged his little sister back and reached out to feel her mind. Out of the ones he’d touched so far, hers was by far the least defended. It was also awash with a plethora of emotions. Guilt stood out prominently, as did love and fear, and there was definitely some regret too. A myriad of other weaker ones registered too, and all were rising and falling fast. Viella was clearly very emotional. He was completely convinced this was 100% genuine. Which begged the question, why? He and Viella had of course been close in the past, and she had never fully turned against him the way Amordina and Chielynn had, but what brought about this complete change of heart? She had mentioned Adeline telling her about the beast, was that really it? Perhaps this was a good time to try probe.

Then again, this was his little sister who he still loved, not Amordina or Chielynn. He had already invaded her privacy by feeling her mind, why escalate to probing when he could just try asking her first. Vel squeezed her tighter briefly to signal the end of the hug, then let her go and pulled back as far as he could, which wasn’t far as the bed’s headboard was right behind him. Viella seemed to understand that the hug was over though and she also pulled back and sat on the edge of his bed, wiping away some tears with the back of one hand while the other found one of Vel’s and held it. “I appreciate the apology, Ella, but why now? Because of what Adi told you?”

Viella nodded “Kind of.” She interrupted herself by loudly sniffling. “I was talking to Adi last night, just like about how our day had been, and she talked about the two of you riding around the estate.” She paused there and Vel, who was still feeling her mind, felt an increase in the regret and guilt she felt, as well as a bit of shame. “And I said something really stupid, I am not even sure why I said it. It was like something Dina would say, like I was saying what she’d expect me to say. Please, I don’t want to repeat it.” She looked at him almost pleadingly. So, Viella had said something mean or demeaning about him to Adeline, which had no doubt set Adeline off. That would explain why she’d told Viella what happened on the ride, even though they agreed to keep it secret, Adeline held little back when it came to defending her brother. Vel didn’t really feel the need to know what exactly his little sister had said to set off his twin, he could tell she deeply regretted saying it, and hearing it out loud would just cause both of them pain. “You don’t have to repeat it, Sweetie, I know you didn’t mean it.” She flushed a bit when Vel used one of the many pet names he’d regularly used for her when they were kids, and Vel felt an upsurge in love and happiness, as well as something more surprising. A tiny bit of arousal flared to life. Huh, that sure was interesting. It was just a flicker, but it was there.

“And then Adi blew up at you?” Viella actually giggled a little at that. “Yeah, she was furious. She berated me about what a great brother you are and how you deserved better from me. Then she asked what Dina and Father had ever done for me, when was the last time they paid me any attention except to tell me to not spend time with you.” She teared up a little again and Vel squeezed her hand in what he hoped was a reassuring way. Judging by her emotions it did help a little. “She was completely right of course. Dina and Father don’t give a crap about me. You and Adi were there for me way more than Dina and Father. I was so excited when they showed more of an interest in me again, but it was just to try to turn me against you. I’m so stupid, I’m so sorry, Vel.”

The sadness on his precious little sister’s face, coupled with the very real regret and pain she was feeling, broke Vel’s heart. Before he could say anything or offer forgiveness though, Viella went on. “Then Adi said I was taking the side off people who’d never do anything for me against a brother who’d do anything for me, and she told me about how brave you were on the ride when you saw the monster.” Another loud sniff. “I’m really glad you saved Adi, I love her. And I love you too, and I’m sorry for being such a bad sister the last few years.” Her emotions proved the truth of what she was saying beyond a doubt. Love and admiration dominated at the moment, but longing, regret and guilt stood out prominently too.

Vel reached out to cup her cheek and raised her head, so they made eye contact. “It’s okay, Ella. I know you’ve been under a lot of pressure, it’s not really your fault. And even if it were, you know I could never stay mad at you, Princess.” She flushed when Vel used her favorite term of endearment. The wave of relief she felt nearly overwhelmed Vel’s mind, but he managed to pick up on another flareup of arousal, much stronger this time. Without giving it too much thought, he decided to use influence. Before the arousal had a chance to fade again, he reached out and pulled Viella in for another hug. “I love you too, Princess.” He whispered it directly into her ear, the arousal grew stronger. He increased it cautiously, then did the same for her feeling of guilt and the admiration she had for him. He slowly stroked her back as he held her, and as her arousal increased he felt her sniff his neck. “You know I’m not mad at you, Ella, but if you want you could do something to make it up to me.” She pulled back from the hug, and her tear-streaked green eyes met his blue ones. “I’ll do anything, Brother.”