i was so sure i knew who i was Who: Aetheria When: Early Morning Where: Elias household
She was the dark haired woman in her dreams again. Everything was much clearer this time around, a fact that she noticed because she could not recall “her” son’s alarmingly blue hair in the first dream. She didn’t have time to marvel at the color before she was suddenly swimming. The water felt natural, as though it were just another extension of her body. From the dark blue of the water, Aetheria guessed that she was in the ocean, pulling herself further out to sea with every stoke she felt calm and at peace, as though the element were cradling her gently. But the comforting pressure began to grow more and more oppressive. The weight on her grew until it became crushing, and when she opened her mouth to scream out in protest, water rushed in and filled her mouth and lungs. She was drowning, but it didn’t make any sense because she knew she couldn’t drown. Aetheria gave one last gasp, searching for air, when suddenly she found herself sitting upright – safe in her bed. She looked over at her sister, thankful that her fitful dreams had not woken Aurora. She drew her knees up to her chest, much too alert to settle back into sleep just yet. As her senses began to become more aware, the light sound of raindrops hitting the window called her attention. A storm! It was just what she needed – what both the twins needed – to help them feel better. All it took was a few seconds and already Aetheria was feeling soothed from her dream.
That woman. She was so much more than just a figment of her imagination, she was sure of it. Though she couldn’t explain why, Aetheria was certain that she was a real person, and, more than that, she couldn’t get over an overwhelming urge to meet her. How exactly she was going to do that when she didn’t know the woman’s name or even what she looked like, was lost on her, but she knew that she needed to.
The blonde reached out and began to lightly comb through her sister’s hair. Her entire life she had been tied to Aurora, one half of a whole. They shared everything together: the same element, the same level of abilities, and on a day like today, they could even share their thoughts and feelings. What other set of twins could claim to be as close? But now, with no explanation or cause, she didn’t share her sister’s element. It was one thing to be different from her family (her dad wasn’t an air elemental!), but she couldn’t, couldn’t be different from Aurora. What if this meant that they could no longer connect through the storm? Silent tears began to stream down Aetheria’s face at the thought of never being able to be in her twin’s mind again. The elemental wiped the tears away as she turned to get out of the bed. She didn’t look up at the window as she left the room and walked toward the bathroom closest to them, just hearing the sound of the rain beat against the house was enough for now.
She stopped in front of the mirror first. Aetheria studied her face, down to every detail. There had to be something about her that was different on the outside to match the changes going on inside of her, but there was nothing. Anyone to look at her would have no idea that she had lost her element; it didn’t seem right. Fresh tears streamed down her face as she turned away from her reflection and headed downstairs, hoping that being out in the fresh air might make her feel more like herself.
Aetheria slowly opened the front door, standing on the threshold for a moment while she watched the rain. A part of her didn’t feel right going outside without waking Aurora first, but another part of her needed to feel the rain against her skin, to reassure herself that everything was normal – or would be back that way soon. She took one step, and then another until she was out on the grass and completely out in the rain. The drops of water might have felt cool if the air had not been so thick with the heat. Her hands came up, open palmed, to collect the water in her hands. Water. Sure, the element blended so well with Air, but it wasn’t her. It didn’t feel right or natural. As though it could sense her thoughts, a roll of thunder sounded in the distance. Coming from a family of Air elementals, with a mother who could call lightning at her whim, Aetheria had never learned to be properly afraid of a storm. Then again, she had never had a reason to be – until today. There was a loud crack and lightning struck the ground near the street by their house. Her hands dropped to her side and she stood still, taken back by the sudden flash of light. Aetheria barely had a chance to steady herself before another bolt landed a few feet closer, much too close for her comfort. The storm no longer felt welcoming as it usually did. With new found urgency, she turned to go back inside. Her steps were quick, but not quick enough when the lightning struck a third time, less than a foot away from where her last step had been. Aetheria released a raspy shriek as she moved into a run, not stopping until she was through the front door and back in bed beside Aurora. She tried her best not to shake as she gripped her twin tightly. Someone had to fix this, fix her, as soon as possible.