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Prophet Destiny
Blossoming Seeds
Part II: Caught in the Wind
The following morning, the villagers gathered to the entrance. While the pleasantries between the departing parents and the other adults were exchanged, the fond farewells between children were just as meaningful, and much more heartfelt out of their relative innocence.
A small cluster of children stood aside as a hopeful red-haired girl with aquamarine eyes shared her final moments with her departing friend. She wore a deep blue robe.
“So… this is it, Yula? You’re actually leaving today?” the red-head asked with a sniffle.
The girl with prism-like eyes nodded.
“Afraid so, Arienne. This is it.” She answered plainly.
The pair briefly exchanged awkward smiles until tears began to flow from aquamarine eyes.
“I can’t believe it…we’ve been for all these long years, and now… it just feels really sudden to me, you know? It’s strange… it’s like time’s speeding up just for this moment…” the girl named Arienne confessed in a shaky voice.
“Yes… that’s strange, indeed. It makes you wish you could just freeze and preserve the moment to give you that hope… to be able to stay together like always…” Yula added with a faint smile.
Suddenly, Arienne rushed into her cherished friend’s arms and embraced her tightly.
“Yula!” she cried.
The departing flower maiden was taken aback at first, but then quickly recovered and held her in return with a tender, motherly expression.
“You were my first and best friend! You’re my sister, even if we’re not related! ” Arienne continued.
“You were my first friend and sister, too. And we’ll still be, I promise.” Yula assured her in a soft tone.
“T-thank you… but still… I’ll miss you… you always looked out for us… it won’t be the same when you’re gone…”
“I know… this is still very hard for me, as well. And I have a feeling it’s going to be that way for awhile, so that’s why I want you to take care of our friends for me.” Yula replied.
Sudden shock appeared on the red-head’s face.
“Wh-what? But Yula, I—“
“You’re the brightest girl I know, Arienne. Even if you can’t see it yourself, people are drawn to your usual cheer… it does them so much good, too, so I’d rather you keep it up than to weep for my sake. Keep the town in good spirits like you always do.” Yula suggested.
“Yula…” Arienne uttered reluctantly.
“You’re far more reliable than you realize. Please trust me.” Yula insisted.
Slowly, Arienne loosened her hold and faintly smiled back at her friend.
“Then I’ll try my best to keep them good and happy…” Arienne answered with great hope.
“Good. I want you to take great care of Gades, too…”
Arienne stared silently as Yula followed up with a nod.
“….huh?”
“Well, it wouldn’t be fair to deprive him of friendship just because I left, would it?” Yula answered with an awkward laugh.
“But… are you sure? Every time he’s hung out with us, I get the feeling he’s mostly around for your sake. It’s like to him, I’m just… there. Does he really like me?” Arienne asked shakily.
Yula stepped back, looking with disbelief.
“Wh…what?” Yula uttered.
At that moment, the anxious red-head brought her hands together and played around with her fingers.
“Yeah, you know most of the time he just sorta looks at me funny… and he doesn’t really all that enthusiastic whenever he speaks to me. I get the feeling he sees me as a nuisance.” Arienne confessed.
The light-blonde girl proceeded to look back uneasily for a few moments.
Eventually, she stepped forward and laughed heartily.
“N-no! No… not at all! I understand it’s hard to see it, but he really does care for you, much more than you think! He’s just very awkward around girls, you know! Give him some more time, and I’m sure he’ll warm up to you for sure! But please be gentle… he’s still sensitive about being with others.” Yula advised.
Arienne nodded slowly.
“I see… I’ll try, then.” She answered back. “I really like him, you know. Seeing you befriending him so easily like that… I’m a little jealous, actually.”
Yula’s face light up upon hearing Arienne’s words.
“Really? I thought I was just lucky, to be honest…” Yula confessed bashfully.
“No… it wasn’t luck at all…” Arienne answered seriously.
Yula paused.
“Huh? What do you mean?” Yula asked in a puzzled tone.
Arienne smiled faintly once more.
“It’s just… you’re so calm and mature, you know? I wish… I can grow up to be even a little bit like you.” She said.
“Thank you… I’m really flattered, but you don’t have to see me that way, you know? Besides, sometimes I wish I could be upfront and full of spirit like you are, so we’re even.” Yula answered.
Arienne was at first taken back by Yula’s confession, but then a sly smirk appeared on her face.
“Oh, I see… this about telling Gades how much you really “like” him, isn’t it?” she teased.
The bashful flower maiden froze where she stood.
“A-A-A-Arienne…” she stuttered.
The girl with aqua eyes giggled.
“I’m sorry… I’m still surprised… how shy you can be sometimes. I thought it would have come out eventually with how natural you are around him.” Arienne explained.
“No… I haven’t told him, yet…” Yula admitted.
She then recalled a memory of her gazing at a sleeping Gades, and gently pressing her lips against his, which caused her face to turn bright red in reality.
This prompted a puzzled expression from Arienne.
“Yula? What are you thinking about?” Arienne asked in an awkard voice, with her face nearly as flushed as her friend’s.
“What? Why?” Yula asked nervously.
Arienne then placed a hand on her chest.
“My heart’s…pounding… I feel something… heavy…coming from for some reason…” Arienne answered.
“I-I’m sorry… it’s just… embarrassing…” Yula replied reluctantly.
Arienne looked back sympathetically.
“Oh…”
After the exchange of discomfort, Arienne stepped back a few paces.
“You know… if you ever see him again… probably when the two of you’re are finally grown-up… maybe you should tell him.” She suggested.
Yula reacted with a peculiar glance.
“Why are you telling me this?” she asked curiously.
The red-head then offered a sunny, although particularly cryptic smile.
“I’m just saying what I think is best.” Arienne replied sincerely.
Yula nodded.
“Alright then. I’ll think about it.” Yula grinned.
“So… I guess this is my turn, then?” a curious voice inquired from behind.
Both girls turned around to see their raven-haired friend sporting a humble smile.
“Ah, Gades! Of course! You deserve a chance to say goodbye as much as the rest of us!” Arienne cheered as she wiped away a loose tear.
She then stepped aside, allowing the boy to approach Yula. He then brought a hand and gently pat Arienne on the head.
“It was very considerate of you… letting out your feelings like that.” Gades told her in a soft tone.
Deep Gratitude swelled within behind Arienne’s humble smile.
“…t-thank you…” she uttered in a meek voice.
Yula witnessed this sudden kind gesture with an amused giggle.
“There… now you won’t have any regrets that way, right?” Gades asked.
“No... I’m glad, actually. It doesn’t feel so bad, anymore.” Arienne answered.
“Thank goodness…” Gades said while letting out a sigh of relief. “I’m happy to see things resolved between the two of you. I’m not sure what would I have been able to do if you didn’t go through a proper goodbye.”
Arienne glanced at the awkward boy.
“Of course I wouldn’t let her leave without saying goodbye! It was… just really hard for me, you know?” Arienne pouted.
“Trust me. This is a rather moment awkward for me, too. S-sorry if it sounded like I doubted you so easily.” Gades admitted sheepishly.
“No. I’m okay. I was crying badly yesterday, so I know what you mean, but I’m all fine now.” Arienne assured him.
“I’m glad to see things resolved between the two of you, as well.” Yula interjected.
Both children suddenly turned to face her.
“Ah! Yula! Er, sorry…” Arienne said.
“No need to be sorry… I actually wanted to see the two of you talk together at least once before I left here. Now I’m sure you two will be fine.” Yula answered.
The pair looked at her curiously. Then Arienne started walking away.
“Arienne? Wait a minute! You don’t really have to leave us like this… you’re a close friend, too.” Gades cried now.
“No… I do. I think you two need this time together like this.” Arienne answered.
“Arienne?” Gades asked again with a puzzled expression.
“Ah, I think… we should just do this her way, then.” Yula answered with a shrug.
Gades sighed.
“…alright… if the two of you insist…”
With that said, she further distanced herself, then witnessed the two whom she come to see as her siblings from afar.
“I pick up this overwhelming feeling between the two of you. I’m not sure if I’m right, but think this feeling… is that “special feeling”…but, we were told this shouldn’t even be possible when we’re just boys and girls. But if it really is possible… and you two share that “special feeling”, then I’m jealous... that both of you were able to find it before any of us. Yula, I can’t dislike you, but I’m a little worried. I don’t know how you’re going to keep yourself happy, but good luck. I’ll be rooting for your reunion.”
Gades took a brief moment to look around him, then focused his eyes back on Yula.
“Well then… I guess we’re kind of by ourselves here, again...” he said.
“You should make the best of it, then…” Yula replied as she brought a hand close to the lone lilly in her hair.
Gades then grasped Yula’s other hand, which caught her off guard quite a bit.
“Then I’ll start off with this: Congratulations.” He said as he shook her hand.
“Th-thank you.” Yula uttered.
Gades nodded back.
“From this day forward, you’ll be the first between the two of us to set off and accomplish our dream of exploring the outside world. I’m a little envious, to me honest.” Gades proclaimed.
“I am deeply honored for this chance… but, it feels a little out of place, somehow. I still wish you could be fulfilling it with me, you know? It was dream we shared together, and it would’ve felt more… right that way.” Yula admitted.
“… It doesn’t really matter.” Gades said reluctantly. “As you said, feel privileged for the chance so early. And don’t worry, I can wait for my time to come. I’ll be out of here next year once Father’s done tutoring in the Magic Arts, and our family will be heading off to Cirian City to continue my education in the local academy. The journey there should take a little while. Even if a year’s time might have you a good long time away from this place, maybe we’ll see each other again, possibly sooner than we realize.”
Yula looked back with intrigue.
“You sound like you have plenty of hope for the future right now. You’ve certainly changed, haven’t you?” Yula grinned.
“Really? Heh, I guess I have.” Gades answered in a pleased voice.
“Yes, really. You used to be so quiet when we first met, and now you’ve been more engaged lately. I’m amazed, actually. And to see you come out like that really makes me happy.” Yula added.
“I owe you for that much. Thank you.” Gades answered promptly.
Yula’s face flush ever so slightly as her hand slowly crept to her chest.
“What can I say? You’ve been such a kind and convincing friend all this time… and I’ve always admired that about you.” He continued.
“…Gades?”
“You’re the strongest person I know. That might sound odd, but I mean it with all my heart. I owe you for so much…. for all you’ve done for me… for everything you’ve taught me… and for all the wonderful things you’ve shown me… I doubt I could ever properly repay you for it all, but… you have my gratitude.” Gades concluded.
The humbled boy had to wipe his teary ruby eyes, while Yula stood back in amazement.
The harshest, most painful of memories with him started to swell in her soul, which was soon compounded by the numerous treasured ones she made with her precious friend.
After much reflection, a sudden thought dominated Yula’s mind.
The determined flower maiden reached out to Gades hands and clasped them firmly, yet gently.
“There is one thing you can do to repay me!” Yula cried.
Gades stared into Yula’s eyes, caught completely off-guard by her sudden conviction.
“Yes?”
Yula then bowed her head with a calmed expression, and brought their united hands closer to her chest.
“No matter what happens in the future, under whatever circumstances… I want you to promise me to always remain yourself. Please… “ Yula asked in a solemn plea.
Gades remained silent. His eyes were still focused in the strong compassion of his friend’s.
“You’re a good person. Despite any doubts, this is what I know for sure, and I’m certain others will see this about you. I’m afraid… what may happen to you after I’m gone, but I’ll choose to believe in you…I don’t want you to sacrifice who you are, so please promise me this.” Yula stressed.
The ruby-eyed boy pondered over his friend’s words.
A flash of a horror only the two of them had seen, followed by an unnerving aftermath, haunted him immediately.
He had seen those same solemn eyes and concerned tone from his friend only once or twice before, and he understood what it meant.
After a gradual exhale, Gades gave a nod.
“You have my word.” He replied.
Yula nodded back, then flashed a tender smile. She released the young boy’s hands, but then outstretched her arms and embraced him gently.
“You’re very kind… I know awkward you still feel about everything around you, but I don’t mind. I really like you… I like who you are, and I look forward to seeing who you’ll become. I’m sure you’ll grow into a great man that I’ll want to meet.” Yula shared.
The ruby-eyed boy’s heart pounded, overwhelmed by a foreign feeling once more. It was a wonderful feeling, yet at the same time, something frightening to him.
Soon enough, he managed to regain his composure and shared a soft smile of his own.
“And I’m sure you’ll grow into a wonderful lady. You’ve already been great as you are now.” Gades replied humbly.
“Thank you.” Yula uttered gratefully.
The young boy then wrapped his arms around her and brought her closer. The two remained in embrace for as long as time allowed to. To these two special friends, and to those allowed them, it was as though time decided to be quite generous in preserving this one moment.
Eventually, the two parted and looked at each other once more.
“Please enjoy yourself, Yula. You have the whole world ahead of you now. And I’m curious to know what it will show you.” Gades said.
“And I look forward to sharing with you what I’ll learn.” Yula replied.
She then took a step back and did a slight curtsey.
“Goodbye then, Dear Gades. Let’s continue looking for all beautiful things around us, okay?” Yula said in a whimsical tone.
Gades nodded in whole-hearted agreement with a smirk.
“Goodbye, Yula.”
The amiable pair resumed to savor their last memory until it was time for departure.
Yula turned away and headed towards two adult figures patiently waiting on the other end while stroking the portion of hair by the lilly adorning it. She then faced the villagers one last time and waved them farewell, with those remaining waving back. Finally, the family made their way through the path leading into a surrounding forest, and out into the world that they were secluded from for so long.
Eventually, the three disappeared from sight. Yula maiden laid a clutched hand to her chest, smiling fondly with all her precious memories intact. But gradually, her eyes began to tear. Her body also began to tremble, and her smile wavered. The hand close to her chest also clutched it ever so tightly.
“I don’t understand… everything was perfectly fine. I was happy in the end… I was okay… so then, why…”
Her body leaned forward, and her composure drastically slipped.
“Why does it still hurt so much?”
Suddenly, the family halted.
“…Yula? Yula? Is something wrong?” her father cried.
The flower maiden was swiftly swept off the ground with a gentle embrace.
“Honey, it’s okay… it’s natural to feel that way when you have to say goodbye.” Her mother told her softly.
Still, the girl continued to weep regretful tears without restraint.
“…. Dear Gades, I’m so sorry… I couldn’t hold it in any longer…”
---
While the formal goodbye has been done gone, two children still remained remained, gazing at the spot their beloved friend once stood.
Arienne’s eyes averted to Gades, and noticed a single tear shed.
“So… despite what you said, you’re sad to see her go too, huh?” Arienne teased.
She then focused on his whole face, and her eyes widened as she saw an entirely different pain and realization that struck him.
The solemn youth’s ruby eyes continued to shed silent tears as they gazed without wavering.
“…She’s crying…”
 Chicken Yuki · Fri Oct 05, 2007 @ 01:03am · 2 Comments |
