#femslash 22

Sun dried petals coat the bottom of the music box’s hidden compartment, and old parchement holds onto the last remnants of charcoal, sketches of Maryse, whom Jocelyn can’t forget.

The music box comes to life with a gentle melody, melancholy waltzing off with memories Jocelyn locked away a long time ago, a ring on her hand like manacles snapping shut, tied and bound to a man of power. Valentine gathered clout and followers, until his power consumed him, only leaving ashes in its wake.

Children chase each other, bursts of magic flickering after them like fireworks in the making. The oldest, with wolfish features and pointy teeth, sends a tiger of sparkles hounding down the narrow alley and the children scatter with gleeful cries.

Aline lets them run past her and watches Helen lingering in the dark alley of the Shadow Market. The blonde looks like she doesn’t want to move away, but eventually she does, stepping inside Aline’s favorite teashop. Aline rolls her eyes at her date. For all her bravado, Helen is out of her depth here.

Aline skipped class again to attend a protest, and Helen sets her school bag on the empty seat next to her. The class starts, no ones takes attendance and most of the post graduate students doze off, noses dipping into their cups of coffee.

While Aline is off changing the world, Helen soaks in knowledge, every tidbit of information a step closer to actually saving the world. The future lies in front of her, a blank slate to write history, their stories on, and Helen intends to make it hers indeed, with Aline right beside her.