A Crown of Flowers and Stars

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Recording Doc One: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QeMCBCjihtooAs2xPn2l0PZz_Wkf4zVsrowJuceRqxU/edit?usp=sharing

Recording Doc Two: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1duVoE5RVVdfoqHoZBhPL6DUUczGQ2NGAGgn_XG7Q4Lo/edit?usp=sharing

Thank you everyone for participating in the Sweet Sixteen Switcheroo! Hope you guys enjoyed prom night and dealing with the wondrous world of teenage emotions! Please reblog this post to get your activity for participating!

“O-of course, Miss Frey.” Forte responded quietly, expression softening a bit. Hearing that was a bit of a relief to her, even if the other girl couldn’t remember.

It might be difficult at first, knowing Frey wouldn’t recall any of their time spent together, but perhaps they could make new memories here. Besides, she wasn’t about to abandon her old friend, not when she seemed to need her the most.Theirs was a bond Forte wished to protect even if they had to start over.

“No matter what has happened, or what may happen, I will always be your friend.” A gentle hand upon the other’s shoulder punctuated her words, and she meant every one. If Frey did not want to be treated as a stranger, she would not treat her as such as long as she was comfortable.

With a smile, Frey nodded. That was a relief, hearing her agree to that. She was scared that maybe she had hurt her too much, or something of that nature at least now she knows that she hadn’t.

@dearestfrey

•｡ ✿ ‘𝒮tar light, star bright… ♪’ Sofia cradled her little star in her loving arms, rocking gently as she calmed down the fussy baby - sitting idly on a bench in front of the planetarium. As she promised her friendly acquaintance and hopeful friend, she ensured that this slice of her schedule was free and dedicated to visiting her while she was working. In all honesty, she was rather excited to attend one of the showings that they would be willingly to present to the young mother and her daughter, for it had been such a long time since she immersed herself into as enchanting of an experience as this - why, it must have been when she was a child on the mainland. Certainly, this planterium would be of similar quality - if not better, considering that her relations with and fondness of the people in this planetarium would make this even more pleasing. With that, Mia finally calmed down and cooed softly, sucking on the pacifier provided by Sofia while she was placed back into the stroller - and without a further ado, she entered the facility.

So when a particular guest comes about with her baby, she had to go to them immediately. A personal tour, of sorts! She had someone take over the tour she was about to begin leading and headed over to the mother.

Clorica was a rather empathetic person though her expressions barely showed that or anything else for that matter. But when someone was feeling hurt or down, the butler could feel it in her heart and when Frey started to cry, she wanted to hug her like when they were kids, but she couldn’t. And the words that followed explained everything.

There were no words that Clorica could offer to help console her in that moment. She couldn’t imagine the pain that must cause her and how that affected her everyday life and the simplest of tasks. Everyone was now a stranger to her, yet, everyone knew who she was.

Although Frey didn’t know her, Clorica felt that a hug was needed. She closed the space between them and wrapped Frey in her arms for a warm, loving hug. It pained her to see her family like this, especially when she didn’t know she was family.

“It’ll be okay. That sounds impossible, but it’s not. You only need time. Think of it as a fresh start to do everything different… Or the same. You can do things that you never thought possible before.”

Frey suddenly felt warmth envelop her. A comforting warmth that just let her be like this for a while. She listened to the woman, hiccuping a little because of the tears that wouldn’t stop running down her cheeks. She was right. It was just a brand new start, just another chapter of her life opening up to her. Things that she couldn’t do before, well, there were no restrictions anymore because she couldn’t remember!

Frey supposed that was her message, anyways. It took her another few moments for her to really settle down again. She was glad she wasn’t alone in these moments, despite it being really embarrasing.

He watched her work pretty intently, his brows raising at a few points out of surprise. She wasn’t exactly perfect with tying the line, but it was certainly better than his first few hundred attempts.

Once she was done, Dylas inspected the line more closely, seeming to be judging harshly. His next words, however, betrayed his look. “It looks good, especially for your first try. It took me a while to get it right myself. Good job.”A small smile tugged at his lips, proud that he was able to teach someone.

“We can try casting the line now, if you’d like.”

It was a bit nerve wrecking to have him stare at the line like that. What if she made a mistake somewhere? It looked okay enough, but what if it wasn’t good enough? 

However, he had praised her! She did a good job, and he was smiling. That means that she did okay-- especially since whenever Frey had seen him around he had always looked so serious. Frey returned his smile with one of her own, with stars practically in her eyes.

Since she did not respond for a while, he felt as though he was obligating her to stay to help him. She was free to do whatever she wanted, and he had no right to take her precious time. It made him a bit uneasy as time passed, but he made it seem as though it did not bother him. Her response was rapid, and before he knew it she was gone. He felt relieved that she in fact wanted to help, due to her enthusiasm. He took out his notes for the charts and began to piece them together while she had gone off somewhere.

When she had come back he smiled in understanding and gratitude. She had decided to help him outside of work hours. It was rather funny that he was explaining this to her, but he didn’t mind. He loved sharing knowledge with others.

“Okay so the Earth is at give or take zero degrees on the x axis and three hundred thirty to three hundred twenty degrees on the y axis, as a little starting point.”

Frey walked them over to a table outside the observatory, with an umbrella on top for shade. It would be better after all, if they could just sit down and look at the charts, not blocking the way for other people!

As Kiel unfurled the chart and put his notes down, Frey stared at the chart in wonder. There were so many things on there! Hopefully with two heads they would be able to figure this thing out without needing the Wizard’s help.

✧ “Ah…” Vishnal nods, a smile of his own blooming easily enough. He’s not totally inept around strangers– he can’t be, if he wants to get the job that he wants. “So you’re an adventurer? That’s so cool~.”

✧ Already more exciting than he can ever dream to be. This girl is prime friend material! Maybe one day they can adventure together, and find something amazing… But he’s getting ahead of himself. They don’t even know each other’s names yet! “I don’t sail much.” If at all. “And I’m new to Arcadia, too! Th-that’s what you mean by ‘here’, right?” Gods forbid that he already messed something up.

✧ “I’m excited,” he continues, looking out on the horizon as if he could possibly see the land by now. (He can’t.) “I’m moving there, first time really away from home!”

“Yup that’s what I mean!” Frey nodded. “I’m hoping to meet one of my cousins there, actually!” Frey sighed softly, looking into the horizon as he did. She was glad the people on this boat were really friendly. Hopefully the people in Arcadia were just as friendly as this man next to her! 

“I remember being really excited when I left my home too, but it was really scary sometimes,” she laughed a little sheepishly. “I was alone most of the time while I was adventuring on the mainland... And I sometimes got into situations I couldn’t handle alone. I was really lucky. But I hope you don’t have to go through things that I did when I first moved out! Adventuring is really hard sometimes...” 

“I think that would be best at the end to be honest! Where else are we going?” Frey was eager to go, so she skipped along into the boat and watched as they left harbor. This really was going to be her first time going into the open seas-- as far as she remembered anyways. 

[✿] — He nods, in total understanding. Over the years, his lack of memories had gotten… easier, to deal with. But it was never easy. The burdening weight of his guilt and many regrets still hung heavy over his shoulders, and the undying yearning for the unreachable — made worse by vague, shapeless memories — continued to spur his actions even now.

“Yeah, it IS a lot.” He agrees, “But it’s better than having nothing at all, right?”

To feel like a complete blank slate, like he had in the beginning, and like he was sure she felt after first losing her memory… that was the saddest, most loneliest feeling in the world. One that he still grappled with now, at times. Not knowing who you were, having no one to help you, or be in your corner… it wasn’t something he’d wish on anyone.

“Hey, so what are you doing now that work’s done? Heading home, or…?” Glancing up and noting the setting sun, Raguna turns back to her. “If you are, I could walk you if you want. The roads can get pretty unsafe at night.” If not because of monsters, then because of the thieves who liked the lurk in the shadows.

“We could stop for a bite to eat on the way, too.”

Frey smiled. Maybe it was his attempt to reassure her when he said that? Whatever it was, it worked. It was better to have nothing at all. That feeling of waking up in that farmer’s bed a few months ago... It was horrible. She was sure Raguna felt the same, seeing that he had the same problem as she did. But... He probably dealt with it longer than she had too. So... Knowing that she would be ok in the end was fine.

An accident? Forte practically felt her heart drop into her stomach. It wasn’t a joke, Frey didn’t remember her. Her panic was real, sending a twinge of anger through her at the thought of something or someone doing this to her friend. A feeling followed by the guilt of not having known, of having ignored warning signs something might be off.

“Miss Frey, please-” she reached out to offer a reassuring hand, but stopped short. They were strangers now, or at least to her they were. It would not be appropriate to offer that kind of consolation.

“My apologies, I was unaware of this. I did not mean to upset you.” She bit her lip, disappointed, but determined. They would have to start from the beginning. With right arm crossed at her shoulder, and a slight bow, she continued, “I am Forte Rook, we met on the mainland while I was enlisted in the Norad Army. Please, do not fret remembering if you cannot.”

Frey saw Forte reach out to her, but instead decided not to. It hurt her deep, seeing that. They shouldn’t be strangers, and yet here they are. Frey took a few deep breaths as she listened to the woman that was talking to her.

Forte Rook. That was her name. Frey knew she had said it before, but it was only now that she registered it after her state of panic. Even if she didn’t remember, it would be better if they didn’t keep this much distance between them right?

Whenever life around her seemed like too much (too many expectations, too many disappointments, too many mistakes), Maya found that the best solution was to look up. The sky, with how big it was, always made her problems feel small. It always had a different personality to discover. And when the too muches became too many, she would just stare at it for a while, uncovering its character for the day with her gaze.

Sometimes it would have its three-in-the-afternoon personality: clear blue, with bright clouds liked whipped cream. Sometimes it would have its morning-rain personality: all grey and white and wet. Maya’s favorite, however, was its clear-night personality. That’s when she could see the stars peeking through the dark, like bright jewels sewn in onto black velvet. They seemed so close, Maya thought she could reach out and pick them right out of the sky.

Of course, that was impossible.

But perhaps it was that very impossibility that drove her to visit the planetarium in the first place. To feel a little nearer. A little more intimate. A little less like the impossible was untouchable.

“Woah…” The word escaped in breathless awe as Maya walked inside. It didn’t take long for the ceiling to catch her attention. She craned her neck back, short wisps of hair falling behind her like a curtain, eyes drinking in the constellations and planets like they were endless pools, catching all that shine and sparkle and reflecting it right back. Is that really what was up there the whole time, invisible?! Footstep were approaching. Someone was standing next to her, she knew, but Maya couldn’t glance away for a moment. “Look at all that!” she said instead. “There’s like, a thousand wishes up there!”

Frey had to get to work quick. She was running late, and god knows what they would do if she were late. (In truth, Wizard would probably do nothing, but she didn’t want to risk anything.) Maybe she shouldn’t have stayed up last night making sure that the Wizard would eat. It was worth it though!

Stepping inside the planetarium, she smiled. It’s something that’s always made her feel like home. She never really knew why, but maybe it was all the stars and the ornate decorations. And certainly this person whom she had never seen before had thought so too. Maybe she was a customer? Frey tried to get past her to clock into work, but it seems that whoever this was realized she was there.

Forte’s excitement melted away into confusion first, followed by disappointment. Perhaps it was a joke though? Albeit a bad one.

“You do not know me?” She wasn’t really sure how to even proceed. After everything they did together, maybe it was a doppelganger… “Y-you are M- Frey, yes? It’s me, Forte, we fought together… that monster on the mainland!”

Frey blinked a little. Forte? That name didn’t ring any bells, and she certainly didn’t look familiar. Maybe she was mistaken? But she knew her name...

With another pause, thinking about it hard, she then remembered something very vital. She didn’t remember anything from her life before Arcadia. So anyone she had met before... would also be out of the question. Realization hit her like a truck and she slowly started to panic.