At the opposite end from where Olivia and Quang's groups were gathered, a card table was occupied by four sisters. The atmosphere was vibrant compared to the tranquility of the other, quieter area.
– Yes, I finally won a round! – exclaimed one girl, throwing her arms up in jubilation – After losing more than twenty rounds, I finally won my first round!
The girl was 5'7" and had American features, with platinum blonde hair, diamond-blue eyes, and cream-colored skin. Her figure was as striking as her energy; she possessed the typical appeal of an elite cheerleader. She wore a blue sports bra and a matching skirt, holding her cards with a wide smile.
– Congratulations, Amelia – said another girl with a sarcastic smile – Let's see how many rounds it takes you to win again.
– Don't make fun of me, Zuzzana – Amelia replied, feigning annoyance, though her smile betrayed her – I'm not like you, always glued to online casinos. Beating you is a real achievement for me.
– Oh, come on, I'm not that good at playing either – Zuzzana retorted with a lazy smile – I just play a little more than everyone else… it's not that big of a difference.
Zuzzana was a 5'6" girl with pale skin and aquamarine eyes, with striking black hair that faded to light green. Her Polish features stood out alongside her nails decorated like snake scales and the sea serpent tattoos that gracefully undulated her arms and legs. She wore a navy blue cropped sweatshirt with a scale pattern, denim shorts, and black sneakers.
– Of course it is a big difference, Zuzzana – Amelia said with an expression full of mock indignation – Don't you agree, Gabriela?
– In this situation, I have to completely agree with Amelia, Zuzzana – Gabriela replied with an amused smile at her two sisters' exchange. – It's absurd that you think we have a real chance of beating you in most of the games. Out of the last twenty rounds, the three of us only won four, while you took sixteen.
Gabriela was a 5'8" girl with brown skin, hazel eyes, brown hair, and Venezuelan features. Her athletic build stood out beneath her sporty attire: a white baseball shirt with red details, white shorts, white and red sneakers, and a red cap with her name embroidered in white.
– Even so, it's always fun playing with you – the last person at the table finally said, her voice brimming with contagious happiness – Zuzzana, you always surprise us with new skills.
– Hey, don't get her so excited, Camila – Amelia replied with a playful smile, putting a finger to her lips to signal her sister to be quiet – We don't want her to get carried away and go back to that streak where she beats us ten times in a row.
Camila, the last person at the table, was a young woman of about 5'8", with tan skin, brown eyes, and brown hair, with Mexican features. She wore a simple white long-sleeved shirt, black yoga shorts, and matching sandals.
– Oh, come on, Amelia, don't spoil Camila's fun – Zuzzana said, bursting into laughter at her sister's gesture – Do you want to keep playing?
– Yes, of course, it's always fun to play with you guys – Camila replied, clapping enthusiastically at the idea of another round – I want to see if I can finally win one. Amelia and Gabriela have each won one; I'm the only one left to prove I'm learning and trying.
– We don't have much to do before lunch is served – Gabriela commented, nodding with calm excitement – A few more rounds are a great way to kill time while we wait.
– You're the only one left, Amelia – Zuzzana added with an amused expression, while her sister adopted a thoughtful look – Are you still playing? Maybe you can get another win.
– I'm going to play, even if I don't win the next round. This is personal now – Amelia said, accepting with visible excitement as her sisters giggled at her – Hey, don't make fun of me! You're making me feel sorry for my energy – she added, laughing softly as her cheeks flushed slightly.
While the pleasant atmosphere continued at the table, a few meters away Aisha was still sitting on the same sun lounger she had settled into upon arrival. Miriam, on the other hand, had moved some time ago to another spot, and her place was now occupied by two other sisters.
– Well, I suppose you have a lot to talk about, don't you? – Aisha said calmly, observing her two sisters – Any new projects you'd like to discuss?
– Well, I think it's best if Bastet starts – said the first sister, looking at Bastet, who was practically jumping for joy. – She's bursting to tell us about her latest photos. Bastet, go ahead; I can share mine later when I have more time.
Bastet was a 1.77-meter-tall girl with brown skin and sandy-yellow eyes, ash-blond hair, and distinctly Egyptian features. On her right shoulder, she had a tattoo of a woodpecker. She wore a black top, white sweatpants with a thin stripe in the same shade as her shirt, black sneakers, and a gold chain with a small gold compass clipped to her pants.
– Thanks, Nora – Bastet said enthusiastically, while her sister responded with a simple "it's nothing" – Well, you see… I've recently been exploring the high ground and the lookouts on the property's peaks.
– I visited many of them at different times of day and night, looking for the best angles for panoramic photos – Bastet continued, pulling out her camera with a gleam of pride in her eyes. She opened the gallery and held it up to her sisters – I only managed to take a few because getting the perfect lighting took quite a while.
– So this is what kept you away from the mansion all week?– Aisha asked, surprised by the quality of the images.
– Yes, well… my work as an adventurer and photographer requires dedication – Bastet replied, raising her chin slightly, proud of her work, her eyes sparkling with excitement at her sisters reactions – That's why I had to sleep outdoors for several days. But it was worth it. What do you think?
– They're perfect and beautiful as always, Bastet – Aisha said, and Nora nodded silently in agreement – Do you have anything else to show us?
– Unfortunately, no. This project took me longer than usual – Bastet replied, smiling awkwardly at Aisha's unusual praise – But well, now that I've shown you my work… Nora, why don't you tell us about yours?
Nora was a girl of about 5'7", with slightly tanned skin, crimson eyes, and dark red hair, with Canadian features. She wore a pale brown T-shirt splattered with paint of all colors, jeans, and leather boots. She completed her look with a beret of the same light brown shade, tilted slightly to one side.
– Well, I've been painting some pictures for the new guest quarters of the mansion – Nora explained in a soft, dreamy tone – Mostly landscapes inspired by Greece and Italy to decorate the area.
– Did anyone in particular commission them? – Bastet asked, intrigued, knowing that this project was related to the small renovation the family was planning.
– Not really. It was my decision – Nora replied calmly, just as Aisha finally lay down on the sun lounger for the first time since they had arrived – I want to support the new area project, even if it's just with a few paintings.
– Well, if that's the case, I'll come see them when they finish fixing it up – said Bastet, sighing with curiosity about the landscapes her sister had painted – And you, Aisha… what have you been doing besides training? Any new books?
– Just one, on the art of war – Aisha said matter-of-factly as Bastet and Nora immediately looked at her expectantly – Would you like me to tell you what it's about? – They both nodded at the same time.
– Alright – Aisha agreed with a soft sigh, preparing to summarize the contents.
Aisha began to explain the book, knowing full well that they would most likely forget the topic soon after. Bastet and Nora listened attentively, but their interest wasn't in military strategy or the philosophy of combat: it was in her. Only if any of the concepts coincided with a subject that truly fascinated them would they remember it later; otherwise, the summary would remain more of a gesture of familial connection than useful knowledge.