InsaneJournal

“You’re wrong.”
Who: Yuna, Luthien
What: Random meeting in a record store.
When: Recently, probably before the husks were around more.
Where: A record store.
Ratings/Warnings: PG-13 to CMA, but these two are pretty much just adorable.
Status: Complete!


Luthien was walking through the record store, checking out some of the other albums and records for sale. She hummed along to the music playing - not her usual style, it was sort of punkish, but she liked it all the same.

It wasn't exactly Yuna's style, either, though it seemed like something her cousin would enjoy. It was very upbeat and she found herself swaying back and forth to it while she flipped through a bucket of foreign records.

She was looking for older, classical works from Japan or China, if she could find anything.

Luthien winked at the clerk, “Why don’t you play something a little more...ethereal.” She enjoyed his reaction when he recognized her face, and then one of her songs started playing.

It wasn't the sound of people talking but the sound of the new music over the speakers that caused Yuna to look up and finally take in her surroundings. The music was really pretty. It reminded her of delicate cloth floating on a spring breeze, or flowing water.

"Oh, what is that?"

“It’s my new album,” Luthien said, though with a sense of modesty and without any sort of boasting. “I thought it might be more calming, so I requested it.” She winked. “And I signed a few things too.”

"It is definitely more calming," Yuna replied, with a smile and a nod. That she was in the presence of a musician with albums was no small thing. She bowed a bit, "It's... a pleasure to meet you, though I don't know your name. I apologize for that. I haven't really been paying attention to anything that wasn't medical manuals for years."

“Thank you. I’m Luthien.” she held out her hand. She even spoke with a slightly musical air, her accent sounding vaguely European.

Yuna took Luthien's hand and firmly shook it, "I'm Yuna."

It was a nice accent, one that made Yuna a little bit curious as to where the other woman hailed from. It was rude to ask, of course, so she just waved it off for now. She could probably find the musician's biography later on if she wanted to, "How long have you been making albums?"

“Several years now, but this is my first in this country.” The woman smiled, and when she brushed some hair from her face, there was a brief flash of a very pointed ear.

Ooo, that one was new. She'd seen all kinds of things that weren't quite normal since she started working at the clinic, of course. People with skin mutations and the like. But pointed ears, she couldn't say she'd seen a lot of. It was rather enchanting, "Where were you before this? If you don't mind my asking, that is."

“Monte Carlo,” Luthien explained. She smiled fondly at her home. “My family is still there, but I’ve come here to try to experience life on my own. And I have...had quite the experiences since I’ve gotten here!”

"It can be good to get out on your own and experience life. It helps you to understand that all of these scary things you thought you couldn't do... some of them aren't scary at all. We can do more than we think we can," Yuna replied, nodding her head a bit. Monte Carlo would explain the odd accent, though of course it didn't explain the ears.

“Exactly. And I think my parents thought I would be less likely to rebel. They didn’t approve of my last boyfriend.” And she hadn’t gone into detail about her current relationship...

"I think that's normal when people care. I didn't really get much of a chance to date when I was in high school or nursing school... Ben would have scared away anyone who stood a chance I think. Unless they were really worthy, to him." Yuna was sure of it, anyway. Not many people had made it onto her radar, either, but she felt a little ashamed to admit that.

“He is a good man,” Luthien replied. “It was just not meant to be.” Even if her heart sometimes yearned for Beren, she didn’t know what it would mean in this world. If he showed up and started dreaming, would their bond renew?

"It's sad to think of, though. Sometimes relationships just don't work out at all, even if you love someone enough. Even if both of you have the best of intentions," Yuna replied, her tone far-off. It was clear she was speaking from memory or experience, but not necessarily her own. She was mainly thinking of Lulu and Nikola.

“They don’t, no. Even the ones that seemed meant to be.” Luthien’s smile was bittersweet, but it softened quickly. “And sometimes, you find a person that makes your heart leap.”

Yuna ducked her head, "I don't think I can say I have ever experienced that, not yet. Or if I came across that person, I was so busy that I missed it. And now I'm not sure that I even want to bother, honestly. It seems like this place isn't... it's not the best environment for love to bloom in and stay stable in, is it? Maybe I'll find someone who makes me want to try, anyway."

She looked down at her hands, "Yes, I suppose someone might change my mind."

“You’re wrong.” Luthien’s voice changed subtlety and softly, taking on more of that musical quality. “A place like this, is the best place for love to bloom, because without love, what are we but hollow shells without hope? Romantic love, brotherly love...shines a light in the darkest places.”

"My... she was like a big sister to me..." Yuna trailed off, and shook her head, "The dreams made her life difficult, her relationship with her husband and everything. I want to believe you. I have a lot of love for the people in my life. All of my foster brothers and sisters, my cousin, my patients. I think that gives me that hope you are mentioning, but romantic love just seems... so complicated."

“Well. It is. And the dreams complicate matters.” Luthien smiled sadly. What it would mean for Elphaba if they bonded. It seemed romantic but it was a life-long link. Luthien was more than happy to be mortal. But she worried still.

"They do, or they seem to. I haven't dreamed yet, myself." Yuna agreed, with a slight nod. It was probably a good time to change the subject. She tilted her head to the side a bit, "This music really is beautiful. What inspired you?"

“Everything.” Luthien waved her hands around. “Life in general. But the dreams helped, once I had them. I dreamed of beautiful lands and magic and grand adventure. I wanted to capture that with my voice. There was one song I didn’t record though.”

"I have to admit you have me curious, now. Why didn't you record it?" Yuna arched one of her brows at the woman. She was already convinced that she was going to buy as much of her work as the store had available - a missing song wouldn't change that, but there was more to the story.

“It’s a very personal song, and one meant for only certain ears.” And she wasn’t sure what effect it would have on mortals, the song that changed her Fate.

Though Yuna couldn't know all the underlying reasons Luthien had for not recording a song like that, she did understand that some things were personal. She nodded her head, and smiled, "I see. There are... definitely some parts of us that we should let stay private, instead of sharing them with the world."

“It’s increasingly hard in this world,” Luthien agreed, nodding her head. “Everything is so connected. That’s not always a bad thing. But it can be.”

"It must be even harder, being a famous musician as you are. And I'm sure that it will get worse the more popular you become. But... Well, I just hope that you keep yourself as you are. You're very nice, and I think it's good that you keep some parts of yourself just for you."

Maybe she was getting a little ahead of herself, but Yuna was already worried about this woman, even if they never managed to be anything more than brief acquaintances in the store.

“I just need to learn how to use that twitterer thing,” she replied with a laugh. “I can barely understand Facebook.”

Yuna laughed, “Well I can’t help you there. I don’t think I even have either of those. I barely keep up with that Valarnet and it was mostly so that I could better network with the patients we get at the Clinic.”

“The valarnet is interesting. It helped me promote my album.” And meet interesting people. “I’ve made friends there, though my...special friend I met at the gym.”

"Your special friend, oh?" Yuna raised her hands to her mouth and tried not to giggle girlishly. That wasn't really becoming in a woman her age, but she couldn't help it, "It's good to know you have someone like that in your life, then. I hope it... doesn't go badly for you. I mean that. I know what I said about relationships before, but I more meant that for myself than other people."

It made Luthien grin. Laughter was a good thing, regardless of one’s age! “Someone as beautiful as you will not be alone forever.”

"That's very kind of you to say, but... well, I suppose we'll have to wait and see. I think it would take someone very special to even catch my eye, and then he'd have to get through Ben and survive Rikku. There aren't too many that can withstand all of that. I imagine..." Yuna trailed off, clasping her hands together, "... If someone should get through all that, they'd be worth the potential heartache."

“If they did, then you know they’re the one.” Luthien couldn’t help it. She hugged Yuna. The woman seemed to need it. “I’m sorry if I dredged up pain.”

"Oh no, please don't be sorry. It's... not even my own pain so much as someone else's. We carry those weights for those we care about, sometimes. But you gave me something to hope for. I'm really glad." Yuna hugged the woman back, not at all concerned with how strange that situation might be to someone else. Luthien was like a shining light, she had a warmth about her that was hard to deny and even harder to dislike. Yuna couldn't help but be drawn to it.