#* anelie

The contrast between the two was stunning--golden locks to black; gracefully translucent drapes to thick, tattered robes. The pair almost seemed lost as they meandered down the midnight streets, eyes searching this way and that for any clue as to where they had managed to lose themselves.

"Milady, the night is growing frigid. We must find shelter before you catch a cold." Emil watched his sister with eyes uneasy, though she seemed not to be listening. Her focus was elsewhere and that only seemed to worry him more. "If you don't pay attention, you'll--"

"EEK!" And there is was, Anelie tripping over the cloth of her dress and stumbling forward into a stranger, eyes drawn shut to curtain her embarrassment. "I-I am truly sorry!" Emil was quick to steady her, careful to keep his hands from making contact with her skin, but he was quicker to hide his face behind the carved mask. He bowed in gracious apology and moved back in effortless step.

scionsoftime

"Hm? Who is it—"

!??!?!???! On instinct, the princess’ hands were already gathering the magic to cast a strong healing spell upon the young woman covered in blood. It felt pointless to ask if she was alright (when she clearly didn’t look it), and even if Camellia were to try, the words likely wouldn’t have left her throat as anything more than deeply anxious utterances.

Wait...!

She shook as she stood in the doorway, eyes wide in terror at the warmth of the blood that dressed her clothing, rendering pure white red. She wanted to speak, to stop the girl because she knew something had been misunderstood here. "C-Cam...!" She quickly covered her mouth and stumbled a step back at the taste of iron that dizzied her senses.

vermiculusmagi

With the scent fresh flowers in the air, Anelie meandered through the aisles of the florist shop, admiring the blooms with an ill smile. She loved flowers and their beauty, but she couldn't help but remember their importance in her home world. Fingers gripping at the hood of her robe, she pulled the cloth over her eyes while following her friend through the establishment. She clenched her teeth in attempt to hide her nerves, forcing herself to move and breathe and tolerate it all.

It wasn't the same here, and she knew that. And as she took in the overwhelming aroma of flowers out of season, she couldn't help but think to herself, This is the scent of death. Only flowers that struggled for life emitted such a strong smell, and with their stems cut short, petals pruned to perfection, she only thought about the royal gardens in Sylvaria. And Seren. And the lives that each flower represented.

Invade my muse's personal space! Send "you're warm" to see my muse's reaction to yours randomly cuddling up to them.

The older woman was stricken with surprise as the warmth of a child met her side. In a sudden fit of confusion, she let out a gasp and scooted away enough to keep their skin from making contact, but almost immediately relaxed when she noticed that it was just a little girl. But who was this girl exactly...?

(Of course not! And I love Rise of the Guardians! It’s one of my favorite movies. ^^)

Anelie could feel herself choking. She was frantic, heart racing as the banging at the door resounded through the house. She didn’t know what to do, Her eyes flicked this way and that, trying to find something, just something that could help her. “Wh-What do we do!?” she said in a panic. Her voice was shrill, pained, fearful, and she couldn’t think clearly.

Bang.

Bang.

Bang.

There was no hope now. She lifted her hand, bringing up a small orb of light as the door was broken in. She let out a whimper. “Pitch…” She could barely breathe as the orb grew brighter and was lit aflame. “I-I love you.” She threw the orb to the ground, letting it explode and engulf the ground with its flame.

I’ll run.

She stepped back from the fire and bolted past her love without another word. She couldn’t get caught. She couldn’t get captured.

I’ll escape and bring a new life to light.

She could do it if she tried. So she ran and escaped through the back door. She knew Pitch would escape. She could trust in that. But she didn’t wait for him. She didn’t wait for anything. In her bare feet, darkened with dirt, but transferring their heavenly glow into the ground with each step in ripples behind her, she ran as far as her legs would allow.

After all, the light will always bring forth the shadow… and we’ll meet again…