Manipulation

You clean your mouth with a napkin and place it beside your plate. “I understand your perspective now,” you say flatly, “Identical twins are quite special. If it’s alright with you, I’d like to do a short individual interview.”

“Miss Squirter, are you trying to say I’m lying?” Briley says with a bitter face.

She’s already taking offense. What a pain. “Briley, you’re taking this the wrong way. The president may look shaky now, but the old president was young once as well,” you say conspiratorially.

“I don’t understand what you’re trying to say.”

You sigh, “I’m saying the benefits of siding with the president now will turn into gold in the future. She’ll remember us, the ones who helped her out when she was under siege.”

“I’ve already explained that we are leaving.”

“Briley, I respect you. I know the hard work you did to marry into the Solomon family,” you say with a beguiling smile.

Briley looks at you with shock and a bit of a blush. You’re surprised that blood is still flowing through her bony body. “How did you know?”

“My mother married into the Squirter family. I also had kids with a powerful old family though he unfortunately died young. But I can understand what you endured to marry into a prestigious family.”

“Thank you. I’ve only received derision and jealousy. It’s nice to get some recognition.”

“Well, all that to say, having the Solomon name doesn’t guarantee prestigious suiters. However, the president has connections with alums and their sons. In the end, it only benefits you to cooperate,” you say, leaning forward dominantly.

You can see greed in Briley’s eyes. Finally, she’ll be more cooperative, you think, as she says, “I think you're right. Our young president needs our help.”

With Briley pacified and breakfast over, you step out to have tea with the mother of the identical twins. You sip your tea, then venture a question, “Are you close with your girls?”

“Of course, I’m the only one that can identify them,” She responds with a confident smile. You take some time chatting with her, but it’s mostly just idle chatter. Briley is prideful and arrogant, making her unpleasant to converse with.

“I enjoyed chatting with you,” you state while gently taking Briley’s hand. They are bony and feel fragile as you squeeze them. Still, you managed to keep in contact long enough to enact the KDK.

Next, you head to the identical twin’s room. You’re surprised that the girls stay in the same room. The room is pink and full of whimsy, like a young girl’s room. The room is symmetrical, and the furniture matches on both sides.

The twins curtsey to you and say, ““Hello, Miss Squirter.”” Their curly blond hair, round face, and dimples make them look cute. They move identically, and you wonder if they spent time practicing.

“Hello, girls. Thank you for your time. I want to assure you that I won’t relay anything you say to your mother.”

““We understand.”” Their expressions remain blank, so you aren’t sure if they believe you.

“It’s like looking at a mirror. I can’t tell you apart, but your mother said she never gets it wrong.”

The twins giggle, “She gets it wrong more than right,” one says, “It was enough that we feared we had our names wrong!” The other says.

“I see,” you say with a smirk. “Which of you would like to talk first?”

“I will,” the one on the right says.

You head to the tearoom and boldly sit next to her. “You don’t mind?” you ask.

“No, Miss Squirter.”

“Please introduce yourself.”

“I’m Mally.”

“Mally, it’s nice to officially meet you. Is there some way to distinguish between you?”

Mally shakes her head, “There’s nothing. Mom likes us to look the same.”

“Do you want to leave the school?”

“Does it make a difference?” Mally shrugs.

You smile and take Mally’s hand. “You’re underestimating me,” You boldly state.

Mally looks confused, “What do you mean?”

“I can easily convince your mother. But if you want to leave, I won’t stop you.”

There is a pause as Mally stares at you. The shock from the kdk seems to restart her brain as she leans forward and says, “Amazing! I don’t want to.”

“I see,” you respond supportively.

“Are you sure you can change Mommy’s mind? Mommy always gets her way, so you’re my hero,” Mally continues, looking at you with stars in her eyes. You’re surprised by her visceral reaction. She continues, frustrated, “Mommy doesn’t eat because it makes her look pathetic. She cries and makes a fuss to get her way. If we leave, we’ll be stuck playing house with mommy forever.”

You spend some time chatting with Mally, and she seems like a strong girl who has been suppressed. Once you finish, you ask her to send in her sister. Mally appears to have a new lease on life as she leaves.

There is a knock on the door, which surprises you. “Come in,” you call. Holly… Or you assume she’s Holly enters. Her hands are intertwined in front of her, and she shuffles towards you.

“Hello, Miss Squirter,” She greets you again with a curtsy.

“You don’t have to feel nervous,” you say, patting the couch.

Holly delicately sits next to you, her back straight and tense. When she was with her sister, they had the same mannerisms, but now There is a noticeable difference. You slide over and encompass the poor girl’s hands.

“Thanks. I feel weird when Mally isn’t around,” Holly confides.

“She seems energetic and bold. Perhaps you are more reserved like your mom?” You question.

Holly makes a disgusted face. “Please don’t compare me to mommy.”

“Sorry,” You apologize and squeeze her hands. “I want to ask if you want to leave the school?”

“No!” Holly emphatically replies. It’s good to see she can be bold as well.

“Mally isn’t forcing you?”

“No, of course not. Mally never makes me do anything I don’t want,” Holly says with conviction. You notice the hidden meaning in her wording with a smirk.

You continue to hold her hands as the shock hits you. “You two seem very close. Do you ever wish to look different than your sister?”

“No. Well, mommy would never let us.”

“But if she did?” You press.

“I’ve thought about it, and so has Mally. We might change our look, but overall, we’ll match each other,” Holly says with a face crunched in thought.

You reassure Holly that you will convince Briley to let them attend the university. You chat a bit before letting her go. Briley quickly joins you afterward to try to gather information. You deflect her and excuse yourself to the bathroom.