In a two story off white bungalow that was on the edge of the city limits of Pyxis city and young Indian lady was in the kitchen finishing her breakfast. That young lady was Katherine Varma, and Katherine was currently grumbling as she looked at her phone.

Katherine, or Kat to her friends, was seventeen and she had a warm chestnut skin tone due to her Indian heritage. She had long black hair that was half way down tied with a dark red ribbon, her eyes were a dull shade of grey eyes, and she had a pear shaped body. On her forehead was a red bindi, she wore an off the shoulder long sleeve red shirt, and above the knee black asymmetric skirt.

Kat was an alien called Vulkein and she had a human shape without a shift stone due to her having a human mother. In Vulkein culture she would be called a Vulkein Fledgling, and unlock all powers of the living star alien race little by little as she aged, until she turned twenty five. For now she could only shift from her alien form to human form and limited pyrokinesis.

Kat put her phone on the island in the kitchen and put her dishes away in the dishwasher, “It’s saying to rain on Saturday,” Kat muttered as she rubbed her temple and looked outside to the rain pouring.

“What’s happening on Saturday that rain could ruin it?” An older woman’s voice asked and rounding the corner was Kat’s mother, Chanda Varma.

Chanda stood about five feet and six inches tall, and her skin had a similar rich chestnut tone as her daughters but patches of white skin due to her suffering from vitiligo. She had a major white spot over her right brown eye, and her other eye was almost covered by her bangs. She had long black hair that was kept out of face with a yellow bandana headband. 

She had a red bindi on her forehead like Kat and around her neck was a necklace with gold pendant with dark blue jewel embedded in it. She was wearing a light blue wrap top, similar yellow sash around her waist, and a pair of dark blue capri pants. 

“There’s a meteor shower that is happening that night, and Eris and I were planning to make it a date night.” Kat said as she turned around to face her mother. 

“Sounds romantic, does Eris know about this plan?” Chanda asked as she walked over toaster. “I know she doesn’t like taking her Impala off road as it’s not built for it.”

“Of course she knows, she’s the one that suggested it.” Kat said as she used her hips to fully close the dishwasher. “We were planning to take her truck out there.”

“She has a truck? I thought she only had the Impala.” Chanda said and raised a brow with interest. “She is finally finished working on Impala?”

“No, she is still tinkering away with that Impala, but the truck was her side project to take a break from her main project.” Kat said and she smiled seeing her catching up with her mother in height. Kat was only four inches shorter than her mother and was hoping she would be at least the same height or taller than her mother when she turned twenty-five.

“Do you need a ride to school?” Chanda asked as her toast popped up from the toaster. “Or do you already have a plan?”

“Eris texted me that she will be picking us up this morning,” Kat said as she picked up her phone. “Oh heads up, you probably have a visit from her mother as she is visiting her sister.” 

“Thanks for the heads up,” Chanda said and glanced out the kitchen window to spot a familiar red impala pulled up in front of the house. “I think your ride is here.” 

Kat got up to look out the window to see Eris’ impala and smiled at seeing it. Kat rushed over to the front door and she slipped on a pair of grey heel boots that gained her two inches.

Kat looked at her phone when it dinged, “Coming out in second.” She mouthed as she texted Eris back. Kat grabbed her dark blue hooded coat that had reflective strips similar to a firefighter would have on their coats and her black laptop bag.

“Bye, Mom!” Kat called out as she opened up the front door. “Say hi to dad for me!” 

“I will, and hope both of you have a good time at school.” Chanda called out and glanced out the window again. “Also tell Eris to keep that beast under the speed limit!” Chanda heard the door close and saw Kat rush to the red impala.

Chanda let out a small sigh as the house became quiet with her alone in it. She rubbed her jaw line while her gaze drifted to a family photo hanging on the wall. ‘Hope he returns home soon…’ She thought before returning to focus on making herself some breakfast to eat.

Kat got into the passenger side and slid in the passenger seat, “Hello there, Hot stuff~” Eris flirted and leaned towards Kat. Kat leaned to Eris and the two had a small kiss before Kat got buckled up.

“Mom told us to tell you to keep to the speed limit.” Kat said after her seatbelt made a loud click. “Are we going to pick up Rory as well?”

Eris shifted into drive, “Not today, it’s only us this morning, Firebug.” Eris smirked and Kat snorted at the nickname. “I always keep this under the speed limit while driving the public roads…that can be proven.” 

Kat lightly pinched Eris’ side and Eris faked wincing from the pinch. “Behave.” Kat whispered before shifting to a more comfortable position in her seat. 

“I’m always on my best behavior." Eris teased and Kat just rolled her eyes. “Anyways, do you want to drop you at the front doors or east doors?” 

The east doors were closer to the library and that was where Kat liked to work on large essays or other homework. “West doors this time, the chess club is gathering up.” Kat said.

“Right, the clubs are starting back up this week.” Eris grimaced and Kat couldn’t help herself from chuckling from Eris’ reaction. “Hey! You don’t have to dip and dodge all the sports club nuts.”

Kat started to laugh harder as she had flashes of her big strong and brave Eris running away from hockey club recruiter or the time Eris hid up in the rafter of shop class when lacrosse club recruiter came into the classroom to bug Eris to join them.

Eris just snorted as she turned up the volume on her music and Kat stopped laughing as she noticed the song playing. Kat's smile grew bigger as she realized it was Elvis Presley’s song ‘Burning Love’ and Kat’s smile growing was due to this song was their song.

Kat was sitting in front of a chess board and reading a book while waiting for her opponent to make a move. The room the chess club was set up in was once a storage room but it cleared out for one of the clubs that didn’t need to be outside. There were other tables with chess boards and other members playing games.

Her opponent, Cale Brooks, was having a minor internal mental breakdown to his next move and what Kat was going to do. He normally was an overconfident and prideful chess player but whenever he faced off with Kat, he overthought everything. Kat found he had less major mental breakdown if she didn’t fully focus on him and did something else like reading a book.

Cale finally made his move and Kat glanced down at board only to move her queen. “Check.” Kat said and returned to reading. She could still see Cale’s eyes widen and twirling his blonde locks as he thought.

At first she didn’t understand why Cale would do this and she had asked why he did but Cale couldn’t fully explain it well. It was Rory who came up with a reason and that reason was because of the ‘Varma Stare’. Rory explained it was Kat’s facial expression that got very serious and would make it feel like you were nothing but a bug to squish.

With some experimenting Kat found it only affected people with very sensitive emotions and while beings on Eris’ caliber found it very cute due to her soft features. If she had more of her father's or older brother’s features maybe it would have a greater effect on everyone.

Cale finally made his move and Kat glanced at the board before moving one of her knights. “Check mate.” Kat said and closed her book. “Good game, Cale.”

Cale let out a loud sigh and slumped into his seat as if he was melting, “Why did I have to go against you first?” He muttered and rubbed his face. “Why couldn’t I face one of the new members.”

“Because you have a bad habit of running them off with your personality.” Kat said as moved the pieces back to their start positions. “And we need to work them up to you if we want them to join.”

“Which is easier if they don’t have to deal with you~” A familiar female voice said and Kat felt that person hug her from behind. Kat could tell by just the smell, which they smelt like Marigold flowers, who it was and wasn’t phased by their hug.