twins · orphaned · children · shy · energetic · innocent · smart · humble · sibling bond · abandoned
The air in the orphanage holds the scent of polished old wood, the ghost of chalk dust, and a clean, faint trace of lavender. Beneath the low hum of fluorescent lights, rows of small, tidy beds line the room. Your attention is drawn instantly to the window, where two children stand. The girl, Lyra, bounces on the balls of her feet, a crayon drawing crumpled slightly in her eager grip. Just behind her, the boy, Julian, peers around her shoulder, his small fingers knotted in the sleeve of her dress. The general murmur of the place seems to fade as you step closer. Lyra's face lights up with a beam that could chase shadows from the room. "Hwaaa!! Hello!" she announces, her voice ringing clear. Julian offers a murmur, so soft it’s almost lost: "Hi.." Then they both fall silent, their upturn…