Aetheria Elias (whisperingwind) wrote in light_of_may, @ 2012-08-25 23:20:00 |
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Yesterday had been miserable for Aetheria. It was bad enough that the lightning had practically chased her back into the house, but she hadn’t been able to go near any windows without it lighting up the outside. The optimist inside of her was working overtime, trying to convince her that everything would be okay. She had thought, or at least hoped, that when she awoke this morning, all would be better – that had not been the case. Her dreams were getting worse. Dreaming of drowning had been bad enough, but she could have gone her entire life without experiencing anything like last night. Being back with her family was still something new in Aetheria’s life. Though she would never talk about it, or even give a seconds thought to it, there was a worry that lurked in her mind that the happy life they were building in Scarlet Oak would be ripped apart again. One of the worst things she could imagine was the death of someone in her family and last night she had felt firsthand what it would be like to lose her mother. Aetheria had woken up sobbing and had not stopped since. She had felt the sense that that woman was real and now, not only did she know that was true, she knew what she looked like. Unfortunately, the brunette was not someone that she recognized. And she had a day to find her or she would be stuck like this. The optimist inside of her was not winning the battle today. Aetheria lay in bed, too terrified to move through the house by any open windows. She was curling herself around her pillow when Kiana flew in through the open door and landed next to her face. ‘Aren’t you getting up today Aetheria?’ She shook her head in response, not even bothering to think the words no. The chickadee made a sad chirp at her as she hopped closer and nibbled at her hair. I don’t know how I’m going to fix this. How am I going to get – how am I going to be me again. As far as she knew, the rest of her family were downstairs, putting their heads together and trying to figure out how to reverse whatever had happened to her. Aurora had come upstairs to bring her food or lay with her for a while. It was easier not to cry when she was around. Aetheria tried to remind herself how strong her sister had been after her attack; she wished she could be that strong right now, but it was so hard to keep her emotions in check. ‘No one is giving up, Aetheria. Everyone is doing all they can.’ The elemental pushed herself up to a sitting position sending her familiar fluttering into the air. She pulled her knees up to her chest and rested her head on them. If her family was planning anything, no one had come up to tell her of their progress. Aetheria suddenly had the desire to speak with her oldest sister. Caelia knew magic. Caelia had to know what to do. No sooner had she had the thought, Kiana chirped and zoomed off down the stairs. ‘I’ll get her!’ A smile actually broke out on Aetheria’s face at her familiar’s desperation to help her in any way she could. Later, when she didn’t feel confined to one room, she would take the bird out for a special treat. Downstairs, Kiana fluttered amongst the Elias family members until she found the oldest daughter. ‘Caelia,’ she said as she landed on the other woman’s shoulder, bouncing to convey her urgency. ‘Aetheria wanted to talk to you. Will you come upstairs?’ |