Through a glass, darkly...

[darkestbefore]

Who: Yona and friends, or those wandering by
When: Early in May
Where: Outside the Looking-Glass House, around Aefenglom, her cottage
What: Yona is drawn to her Mirror and comes away with more than she bargained for.
Warnings: sad things??? also spoilers for current manga arc, I guess...


A. Long-Sought Answers
( semi-open, to friends or anyone wandering by the Looking-Glass House )

[ She's not even aware of being drawn when she wanders out of her cottage early this morning, only that there's a restless feeling inside of her tugging, pulling... It's not until she faces the Looking-Glass House that she gets an idea of what's happening. Not that she's experienced this before, but she's heard of such things. Not resisting that pull she can feel, she steps inside and climbs the stairs, stepping into one of the smaller rooms that holds a mirror carved of bright cherry wood and carved with the intricate shapes of four entwined dragons. It's been so long since she's been here that she'd almost forgotten about it entirely, but as she reaches out to brush her fingers over one of the dragon figures encircling her mirror, there's not a speck of dust to be found on the frame.

It's then the reflection in her mirror wavers and she feels herself falling to her knees, vision caught by the reflection that plays out like a dream. It's like it opens some locked part of her memories as new knowledge flows in and settles into place, as if she'd somehow forgotten something as important as all of this. Which was impossible, with what she learns - relearns? - and as she watches memories spill out across that reflection. Familiar faces, familiar voices, ones she hasn't seen in so long now that she cries at the sight of them, missing them with a fierce heartache that reopens and burns through her again as she presses her fingers against the mirror's surface as if that would be enough to reconnect her.

And then the memories of finding a book, a memoir, penned in a delicate but unfamiliar hand, holding the secrets that have haunted her since that first fateful day when her world crumbled around her. The knowledge passed on from her aunt, a woman she barely remembers, but one who had held all the secrets she'd been missing to understand what had come about before of her mere existence. And then her father's words, that handwriting far more familiar but still something she hasn't seen in so long...

It brings up old memories she'd long forgotten. Brings new memories she struggles to acclimate with everything else she knows. And long after the mirror fades once more back into a mere reflection, she still kneels there, shaken, tears streaming down her face as she grieves - for what she now knows, for what she hadn't before. For losses that feel fresh and raw and new all over again.

She doesn't know how much time passes before she walks away from her mirror again, but there's something disconnected in her manner, her thoughts still lost in memories as she descends the staircase and wanders back out of the house. But even then, it's only to sink down on the stairs outside the Looking-Glass House, arms wrapped around her knees as she stares off into nothing, her eyes red and her cheeks stained with tears. ]

B. Heartache
( closed to her Bonded, close CR )

[ She's not even aware of how much of her emotions are leaking down her Bond. Her thoughts and her heart are in such turmoil that part of her is numb to it, the icy shock of grief. She ends up back at her cottage, although even she isn't sure how, not remembering her passage from the Looking-Glass House to there. She goes through the motions of making tea, but really, it's only to keep her hands busy. To do something, even as her mind struggles to come to terms with the new knowledge she holds.

But later she can be found out in her garden, cup of tea growing cold beside her as she stares off into nothing, deeply lost in her own thoughts. Her eyes are still reddened, still show signs of tears, but she sits quietly, subdued, the air of sadness thick around her. It's so deep she might not even realize if someone else approaches her - unusual for her. Ao is curled up on her lap, apparently asleep as her fingers absently stroke over the small squirrel's head, taking comfort in her presence, although there's something about the Princess at the moment that feels very... desperately alone. ]

Comments

[darkestbefore]

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. ]

[noblegarnet]

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?

[darkestbefore]

[ 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.

[noblegarnet]

[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...

[darkestbefore]

[ 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. ]

[noblegarnet]

[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.

[darkestbefore]

[ 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?

[noblegarnet]

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.]