middaeg | Through a glass, darkly...

[Mogget spends time around here because he can, because he's curious, and because he's sure he can smell the magic lingering around the place. More often than not it's deserted, but every so often he finds someone interesting lingering around.

The last time, it had been Soren, angrily arguing with himself in a mirror.

This time it's a young woman, leaving the house with an unreadable look on her face. He watches her pass by inside the house and follows her out, finding her sitting on the steps outside. The cat approaches and sits down next to her, looking up with bright green eyes. For once, he doesn'r start an interaction like this by pretending he can't speak.]

You saw something?

[ While she's not surprised at being interrupted - she's far from hidden away, after all, sitting out on the steps here as she is - she hadn't expected the figure that approaches her to be... a cat? Although she's seen monsters be able to change into their counterparts now, this is still new in its own way.

But she doesn't even have the mental or emotional capacity right now to wonder at that in awe or pepper him with questions as she otherwise might have. Instead, she takes a deep shuddering breath and gives a nod. ]

I did. Reflections of my home.

Hmm.

[He wouldn't have found the questions unusual. The fact she doesn't ask them informs him of two things as a possibility, and he senses that one of them is more likely than the other - what she saw is unsettling enough that the fact a cat is talking to her isn't something she feels she can query.

Mogget moves up beside her and sits down, looking up at her with curious green eyes.]

Unpleasant ones?

[ She tries for a wry smile, even if it comes out more of a grimace in the end. ]

Unpleasant truths. [ It's a quiet response, sadness lingering in her voice. ] Answers I have searched for, for a very long time. Although I'm finding that possessing them now... gives me none of the peace I'd hoped for.

That is often the way of things.

[Mogget has struggled, to varying extents since he arrived here, with the unpleasant burden of caring about other people when he sees them suffering. At first he was able to ignore it, but as time has gone by that has become more difficult... little by little.

Which is why, instead of walking away after making that statement and leaving her to her troubled thoughts, he stays seated where he is and looks up at her in silence for a few moments.]

Would it help to speak of it?

[ Maybe it's not his place to arrive without warning, without as much as a message on the watch. But Cú doesn't consider the possible ramifications of such lack of tact— and instead invites himself into a garden belonging to Yona. Been here often enough, that the route here he could take even with closed eyes.

For once, he doesn't use tree branches to travel and make a surprise entrance from. No, he makes his presence known by simply, and slowly entering the area of sacred green. The sadness like a mournful tune of a melody only felt somewhere around his heart.

He approaches without word, and sits himself down next to Yona. ]

[ She feels him approach more than anything. The awareness of him a constant comforting hum in the back of her mind. She doesn't look up right away - she knows she's a sight, eyes red and puffy from tears that don't seem to stop coming no matter how she tries.

Instead of looking towards him, eventually she just leans slightly to the side, resting her head against his shoulder silently, giving a soft little sniff that still sounds on the brink of tears. ]

[ Caster slowly puts his arm around her, putting a grounding hand on her shoulder. It rests light for a time of few breaths, that's how long he can make it before he clutches her closer.

He opens himself on her sorrow, not knowing what she mourns, but accepting all the feelings without judgment. ]

[ She doesn't resist. IN fact, the feeling of his arm tugging her close against his chest has her crumbling all over again, pressing her face against the soft fabric of his clothing, fingers clutching with a white-knuckled grip. Shoulders shake under his hand, but if she's crying, the sobs are utterly, eerily silent.

She can feel him fling open the Bond wide between them and she soaks up that heated warmth, the comfort of it.

It's only after several moments that she stills again, still resting against him. She may have gotten his robes a little wet, which she feels sheepish about as she loosens her hold, trying to smooth out any wrinkles she might have made. ]

Sorry, I...

[ Except she starts, only to trail off, because she's not even sure what she's apologizing for at the moment. ]

[ It's heartbreaking, seeing her cry in pain and being unable to make it go away. Not having answers. All he can do is be here, quiet and accepting. Any pain you go through, you don't have to hide it

Soothingly he strokes her hair, places a soft kiss on the top of her head. And just wills himself still, the pillar to lean on.

When she breaks the silence, so does he. ]

Shh— you don't have to apologize... [ Without thinking he puts his hand on her cheek. Another point of contact ] I'm here for you.

[ His words draw a tiny hint of a smile from her, as tearful as it might be, and she leans into the warmth of that palm against her cheek. Her eyes slide closed for a moment, just soaking up that warmth.

Even though her memories were still churning in her mind, this is so familiar and that's comforting in its own way. She sighs softly, leaning until her forehead can rest against his chest. ]

I was leaking down the Bond, wasn't I? I didn't mean to worry you.

Would you rather hold that inside, and pretend nothing hurts?

[ The question comes in slow, almost carefully— Bonds only are what they are because people in them share them. Closing it off, even if inspired by the care for those you're bond to, sounds like a way to deteriorate it. At least in his book. (A book of a hypocrite, alas)

His embrace tightens ]

You don't have to pretend with me, Yona.

[ Any other time, she might have given him a Look for that, because for Caster to be chiding her about pretending is irony of a different sort.

But for the moment, she just sinks into his embrace, soaking up the comfort from it. ]

I know. And... there has been enough pretending. Maybe if there had been a little less...

[ She closes her eyes when they sting again, fighting back another onset of tears. ]

[ Cú pressed his fingertips along her jaw, under it, directing her face up so he could gently brush off the tears, and place a kiss on her cheek. So close, he could almost feel, almost entwine with the emotions that weighed her. That's where he builds a bulwark of the faith he has in her ]

Tell me... Tell me your truth.

[ He quelled building anger, on whatever force is that made her feel such despair. ]

[ Her eyes close for a moment. She can feel that well of emotion deep within him. She takes shelter in it for a long moment, hiding in it, almost. Because everything in her own head right now felt so desolate and shaken. ]

I felt a calling this morning. To... Back to the mirror house. I'd never felt that before. it had never even occurred to me. I didn't even realize where I was going until I was just... there.

[ She rubs at her eyes, taking a shuddering breath. ] I saw... home. Memories. Memories I have now that I didn't have before, as if I'd dreamed of living a longer life there. It feels... confusing. And jumbled. But I know so much more that I...

[ She trails off, the words sticking in her throat and she takes a moment to gather the words that cut to the core of the heartache. ]

There are truths I have sought for a long time, before I ever came here. Truths and secrets that haunted me with no answer in sight. I thought... I thought if I could only discover them, that things would make more sense. That I'd be able to understand. That maybe my past wouldn't hurt so much.

Only it seems that discovering them have only tangled things even more deeply. There was no answers in the secrets. Only a greater conundrum.

[ One that she now had no idea what to do with. ]

[Sora doesn't pass by the Looking-Glass House as much as he used to. About a year ago he would check it almost every single day to see if anything changed about his own mirror or if any new and old friends would appear. Then it turned into every other week. Then every other month... Time stretches between each time he checks now, longer and longer. Maybe he's just settled into the world long enough, now. Content with it, happy with his life? Or maybe he just can't stand how much he misses the home he sees in the mirror sometimes?

When he passes by idly he's not expecting to see the girl there. Holding herself like she's just seen an entire storm...]

Yona? Yona!

[He quickly comes to her, sliding down to his own knees so that he can place his hands on her shoulders.]

Are you okay? What's wrong?

[ She jolts at the sound of a voice, her head coming up and her eyes, red-rimmed and puffy, meeting his. Feeling embarrassed, she quickly tries to wipe away the traces of tears on her cheeks, even though that's pretty impossible at this point. ]

I'm... yes. I'll be okay. I just... [ She stops and glances over her shoulder to the house that holds all the mirrors. ]

[Sora's expression still holds his worry. He follows her gaze up to the door to the Looking-Glass House and frowns softly.]

Did you see something in your mirror?

[... Or maybe it's something else. Maybe she went back to her world as some others have before. But she's back now!]

[ Yona nods, glancing back down to where her hands are gripped in her lap, her face twisting in a grimace. ]

Yes. I've never been drawn here like that before. I've heard of it happening before, but... this is the first time I've seen something in it that wasn't just my reflection.

You got to see your world again, didn't you?

[Sora has heard about this happening before. He has had friends come and go from their mirrors and sometimes come back with different memories...

But why does Yona look so sad and upset about that? Shouldn't seeing home be a good thing too?]

Did you see something bad?

[ She swipes at her eyes again, trying to wipe away the lingering remains of tears. ]

Something like that. Yes. Or... perhaps not saw for myself, but I learned of it. Found truths I'd been searching for for a very long time. They... were not what I was expecting.

[ Although she hadn't really known what to expect - not from any of it. ]

[Sora quickly moves to sit and cozy up right beside her on the step. His arm going over her shoulders to half-hug her in gentle support.]

That sounds like a lot. Do you wanna talk about it?

[She's listened to his problems in the past. If he can help her or just be a friend who can listen, he's here!]

[Ferran finds that it's much easier to deal with intense emotion when it's not yours, even if he can feel its effects—at least, when it comes to this kind of deep sorrow. Once he's identified its true source, he makes his way over to her cottage, not wasting time with terrestrial roads and paths; even though he's fairly certain whatever this has come from isn't urgent, he's nonetheless impatient to see Yona and offer her the comfort she clearly needs.

He lets himself in, feeling no need to announce himself, and settles his hands on her shoulders almost as soon as he sees her. There'll be plenty of time for words later.]

[ She doesn't even start when he lets himself in - she's long since used to Caster and Archer doing the same and she doesn't mind at all that he feels comfortable enough with her to do it as well.

The hands on her shoulders are warm and she leans into that touch a moment, silent, her cheek resting against the back of his knuckles, soaking up that contact, the comfort it offers, before lifting her reddened eyes to meet his. ]

Hi.

Hey.

[He smiles softly, gently rubbing along one of her shoulders in the hopes of soothing some of that grief. God knows how much that sort of physical comfort helped him at the very beginning of his own process, when everything was too fresh to even think about, let alone speak of.]

Mind some company?

I'm not sure I'm going to be very good company today, I'm afraid.

[ She offers him a wobbly smile and tries for a laugh, but it comes out more a tearful sound than anything else. ]

I'm sorry. I was leaking down the Bond, wasn't I? I didn't mean to...

[However successful Yona may feel she is with her humor, Ferran is glad to pick up that thread and reply in kind.]

It's only fair, after everything you've gotten from me.

[Even before the bond, she'd supported him through his crises, and as far as the Fae is concerned, he owes her so much more than a few hours of company in a rough time.]

Why don't I help you with the tea?

It's... it's nearly finished. WOuld you like to get some cups?

[ It gives her something to focus on for the moment, at least. Anything to give her mind something to do that doesn't involve a deeper spiral of heartache. ]

Of course, Yona.

[Her name is said as if it was a term of affection by itself; with how little Ferran calls people by their names in conversation, it's almost like his version of a pet name. He lets his hands linger on her shoulders for a moment before turning to find a proper set, wanting to help her with her distractions until she's ready to talk.]

What's today's blend?

Edited (please read what you're writing for god's sake ryoko) 2021-06-20 20:35 (UTC)

[ Her gaze comes up to watch him at the sound of her name, and for a moment her expression softens with affection before she turns her attention back to the task at hand. Carefully preparing the last touches to the little teapot, she carries it back to her kitchen table and sinks down into one of the chairs. ]

Daechu-cha. [ She gives it the name it had been known by in her homeland, offering him a small smile. ] It is made from dried jujubes - which aren't technically found here, but I've found a type of date that is similar enough to mimic it. [ A pause, before she rethinks that. ] Ahh... which is what jujubes are, if you don't have those where you are from.

[Ferran lets out a chuckle as he carefully sets the cups down.]

I know dates, at least.

[He may or may not be making a pun regarding a certain night's conversation—but either way, it's true. Since she's already taken her seat, he's glad to attend to pouring the tea himself.]

It's been interesting learning about the local ingredients, right? Figuring out how to make them work together...

[ She hadn't meant he had to do the work himself... but she doesn't argue when he goes to pour, offering him a small smile in gratitude.

She catches the pun, and if today hadn't been what it was, that would have gotten a laugh from her. But for the moment, it's just a warmth in her expression as she nods in agreement. ]

Yes, it has been. Or finding out something close enough to what's not here.

[ At least its a momentary distraction, the diversion in topics, even as she stares down into her cup, her mind still a far distance away. ]

[He'll take whatever positive response he can get, and he wouldn't dream of asking more of her right now.

Still, he becomes a little more pensive after her answer, pouring his own cup before setting the kettle down. He considers the "here" and the "not here," living in a different world, and how they have to accept each facet of the experience out of necessity...]

It still feels like a dream, sometimes. Like there's no way this could all be real.

Edited 2021-06-24 07:51 (UTC)

[ She wraps her fingers about her teacup, letting the warmth seep into her fingertips. ]

It does. But this is far stranger than any dream my mind could have created. [ Her lips crook for a moment before her smile wobbles a bit. ] I wonder, if we're here long enough, if 'before' will start to feel like the dream?

It is pretty elaborate.

[Instead of sitting down immediately, Ferran pulls his cup closer to where he's standing, a little closer to Yona than he would be if he had taken a seat.]

I guess it's possible, depending on who you are. But... there are things from before I don't think I could forget, even if I wanted to.

[He doesn't ask if it's the same for her, although he suspects it is; he simply places a hand on her shoulder again.]

Oh Princess...

[ He hadn't seen her in a bit. Since Yona isn't checking up on him, that means he should go seek her out. Give her a piece of his mind.

What he sees, however, is anything but the lively and energetic princess that he is accustomed to. He might see that she's a little down and slow down his walking pace...

But that won't stop him from sitting down in front of her. ]

Yona.

[ It takes her a moment to register the voice she hears calling her title. It's not until Vanitas sinks down to sit before her that she blinks and lets herself be drawn out of the endless circling thoughts she's been lost in for far too long now.

Reddened eyes blink at him before coming into focus, her attention drawn at last to the present and not into the horrible truths she'd finally borne witness to this morning. ]

...Vanitas?

[ Hmm. She hadn't even noticed him. That is mildly concerning. He frowns and tilts his head to the side. ]

All right. Why are you zoning out. It isn't like you to be so out of it that you sound like the lost little thing that you are.

[ Lost.

That was more accurate than he knew.

She shakes her head, trying to gather her composure and focus on the present instead of so very far in the past. ]

Sorry, I... [ She pauses, shakes her head and takes a deep breath. ] I was drawn back to the MIrror House this morning. Something... happened. I saw things in the reflection. Things I hadn't known before this morning but now it feels like... like I lived them all the same.

First time I've heard of that happening.

[ Then again, a great deal of people that he knows have returned from where they came from. None of them have particularly visited the Mirror House and have received visions of anything. Not yet. ]

So? Are you going to go on?

Through a glass, darkly...

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