el aleph

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"It's one of my favorite spots." Larissa couldn't help the small grin that tried to tug on her lip as she over looked the balcony. If she timed it right, they'd be getting a rooftop preference from one of her students with in the next couple of minutes.

“Is something wrong?” she asked. “You can always talk to me.”

Her lips curved into a soft, almost apologetic smile. “I just hope you know this is coming from a place of care, not meddling.”

She felt a pang of heartache at those words, but reminded herself that their situation had not changed. They were not back together. Pearl had clearly moved on, even though Farah now realized that she never really had. Still she managed a smile. "Of course it doesn't. But I would like that."

That smile told her nothing. Still, Pearl kicked off her shoes and curled up beside her, fingers reaching tentatively for Farah’s back. She traced small circles along her shoulders through the fabric. “How’s the pressure?” Could she really do this without her actual feelings betraying her? Farah was one of the few people she had never lied to, but the truth right now would cause more harm than anything.

“This is a bit embarrassing to admit,” She started her confession and followed by avid gestures and a rambling that contradicted her aforementioned apprehension. “I think more people are starting to see me. And not in the way I want to, of course. I mean literally catch me where I stand. I’m a Vanisher. I vanish. I’m supposed to not be seen when the situation calls for it.” She paused momentarily from her hearty rant to ease her shoulders down from their tension. “In just the past month, four people have already seen through my invisibility. I’ve followed all the advice an infamous serial felon could ever afford to give, but I still can’t figure out why this is happening to me.”

She started pacing, it always helped her think. What else could be giving Agnes’ position away? “Or… perhaps it’s not something related to sound, but rather patterns? If you’re often in a certain room or around certain people, they might have come to assume you’re there. Whether you actually are or not… Do you believe that might be the case?” She stopped, turning now toward the Vanisher to study her reaction.

“Alright, I’ll address the specter first to clear any doubts you might still have.” With a tilt of the head, she encouraged her colleague to follow her. She made her way through the dance floor until she reached the other side of the room. “Enjoying the party?” she asked softly, approaching the ghost. To her surprise, the spirit neither responded nor shied away, simply stared... eerily, unblinkingly. “Not much of a talker, huh? That's alright. I'm Fern. Nothing to be afraid of here, just trying to help.” she turned, seeking Farah and her input.