Asra: Is 100% a Music Theory but in the Fun Way. He talks about jazz theory even though he’s never been in a jazz program. Definitely if he were to do performance, he would play guitar and be so insanely good at it. I feel like he specializes in early music to the point where he is AI-ing the Music Theory and History of the Mediterranean his third year.
Nadia: She is your Piano Performance major and she is Better Than You. Probably is an AI for the undergrad piano classes, and shows off how good she is at piano as her first year group students walk in. Super chill and offers to be your accompanist if you need it. Charges less because she knows a lot of people want her. Rents out practice room time to her first years.
Muriel: I wanna say Aural Skills is his jam. He just hates the In-Class Performances and HATES hearings with a burning passion. Has perfect pitch. Probably a flute player (I just feel like it fits ok). He is somehow realy good at atonal pitch patterns and would 100% trade answers for the melodic dictation with Asra.
Portia: I feel like Portia is a Music Ed major and this is based on the idea that she would teach sea shanties to her students during field experience. Is dating Nadia and they are a literal power couple. She’s gotta be a vocalist or percussionist. Those people are literally the most sleep-deprived.
Julian: Audio-engineering. Does all the recital recordings but doesn’t know what a tonic chord is. Is cheating off of Asra in Music Theory and pretends he can sing in his aural skills classes UNTIL the first ICP and everyone knows he can’t . Loves Taka Dimi for some reason.
Lucio: Lucio is the one guy that tried out for the music school like 3 times and got cut twice but his last audition was just valiant enough that he made it in. Was going to do jazz but now does Music Education because he thinks the requirements are less. Definitely a trumpet major.
AHH THE BEGINNING OF MY FIRST ARCANA SERIES. YES. This series won’t be too long, but shhh, I think it will be a fun one! Though I think my giddiness slipped a leeetle bit into the chapter.
Content Warnings:none
The train swayed lightly, wheels clacking against the rails in a rhythm dictated by gaps in the metal. Wind sped by it, or perhaps it sped by the wind, countless cars rolling into an equally infinite platform, hands shooting up into the air to grasp at escaping hats. With feathers and flowers, of brims both generous and slim, straw and woollen, all found themselves pushed towards the glass ceiling of the station, some unlucky ones startling the birds nestled over the support beams. Drumming of shoes, chatter mixed with laughter, some cries of overwhelmed little ones – a whistle, once and twice more, all the commotion turning into naught but a dream as the train sped off.
The train swayed lightly, wheels clacking against the rails in a rhythm dictated by gaps in the metal. Wind sped by it, or perhaps it sped by the wind, countless cars rolling into an equally infinite platform, hands shooting up into the air to grasp at escaping hats. With feathers and flowers, of brims both generous and slim, straw and woollen, all found themselves pushed towards the glass ceiling of the station, some unlucky ones startling the birds nestled over the support beams. Drumming of shoes, chatter mixed with laughter, some cries of overwhelmed little ones – a whistle, once and twice more, all the commotion turning into naught but a dream as the train sped off.
A fizzing sea of passengers behind their backs, Asra slid the compartment door open, both him and Anna being nearly swallowed inside, the crowd in the corridor refusing to thin out. His hand reaching to rub onto the sore spot on his back, the magician pouted, the entrance shutting behind him with an audible click. A crystal on the handle shimmered in mint green mist, the outside commotion thus beginning to quiet down, all to eventually cease completely. “Some people really do know how to make a good use of their elbows, don’t they?” he half-laughed, his attention drifting towards their accommodations.
The compartment, or much rather the room, was fairly compact, with the outside wall being in fact one large window, its pane stretching from the very floor to the very ceiling. In corners there hung black velvet curtains, kept in place with golden rope; the floor was bare, wood in shade of deep chocolate brown having been polished to the highest shine. Two beds were mounted on one wall, both donning white linen sheets, one stacked above the other and equipped with a ladder. Opposite of the beds stood a short cabinet, two neatly folded towels waiting on top of it expectantly, another door rising next to it to hide what would be a humble shower. Black, dark brown, white and gold – that, in short, concluded their quarters, Anna’s skirt being the only colourful thing for his eyes to settle on… Or perhaps it was the matter of the wearer, his lips turning into a soft smile as he watched her glance around, brown eyes shining with excitement. “It’s… A lot fancier than what I’m used to,” she gasped, falling back onto the mattress. “I still can’t believe we managed to win the tickets.” “Well, you better do, because we should count how many divinations we’ll have to do to pay for food,” Asra joked, setting his bag down. The bed dipped under his weight, a faint scent of lavender rising into the air. “This actually feels nice…” “Don’t you dare fall asleep now.” “Why? It’s comfortable…” he murmured, turning onto his side. “I want the lower bed, though.” “We can share?” “But will we fit?” “There’s only one way to find that out, no?”
The inside of the cabinet was quite spacious, all of Anna’s belongings taking less than half the space it offered. Faust slithering over the floor, she reached for Asra’s bag to push it onto one of the shelves, the voice coming from behind her stopping her mid-motion. “Anushka, can’t that wait?” the magician nagged, thus prompting her to stand up and turn around – and perhaps she’d be mad, had his eyes not been closing by themselves, her lover bravely fighting the ever-cunning sleep. Head propped on his hand, Asra pouted, white locks obscuring the frown. “Perhaps you should have waited a little with making yourself this comfortable,” she laughed. “You’re being cruel.” “Am I?” Anna hummed, lying down besides him. She shifted in her spot for a moment, the bed being a bit too narrow for her liking, the threat of falling off of it during the night appearing all too real in her head… Until his arm reached around her waist, setting her firmly in place. “Just a little bit,” Asra whispered, his nose brushing against the nape of her neck, his lips bestowing a light kiss upon the exposed skin. Anna shivered, his thumb stroking the lacing of her shirt, seemingly out of habit alone. “I… I suppose we do fit…” she mumbled, her back pressed against his chest. “Even if it’s a little tight.” “Do you mind?” Her cheeks grew mildly hot. Did she? No, no, the question should have been whether she even could mind… “No,” she admitted, entirely too focused on the shy touches of his hand and the way his breath tickled, too preoccupied to notice the snake gazing at them from above. “That’s good, Faust seems to have claimed that bed for herself,” he noted with a light giggle, his voice growing quieter with each word… Until his breath deepened, his arm still keeping Anna close. “Asra?” she called. “Aaasra?” Perhaps dragging out his name would work? “Oh, you’re impossible,” she chuckled, attempting to get up – to no avail, a disapproving murmur rising from his chest as he pulled her even closer. What else could she do, but shut her eyes and drift away as well? Anna obliged to the demands of the dreams, her half of his heart beating steadily as sleep claimed her.
The sun was soon to set when the horns sounded, the noise startling the couple awake. Mildly panicked and confused, Anna pushed herself to sit up immediately, nearly falling off of the bed in the process. “What the…?” she let out, looking around frantically, the room being nothing like the inside of their shop. A sudden flash of light blinding her, she snapped her head to the side, dying lights begging to be sheltered within the walls of the compartment. Anna gasped. “Anushka?” Asra called, his arm snaking around her shoulders. He received no reply, although he needed none just regardless.
At first, the magician was convinced the sun had died, deep scarlet seeping into purple over the canvas of the sky, any blue having long vanished on behalf of lavender violet. The disk heaved, or perhaps it was air that trembled due to its closeness, golden trails sinking into the sea of grass, wispy tails of various plants having taken the part of uneven waves. However, the collapse was fast, even if the machine slowed down on its way over the tracks – the vegetation grew taller by the minute, cobalt stem-like trunks reaching to devour stars, mint green leaves supporting them from the ground. Slashed with magenta veins, they huddled in sizeable heaps, each swaying to a different song carried by the foreign winds, each expelling a robust cloud of an aquamarine dust.
Anna stood up, her feet soundless against the floor as she approached the glass pane.
Below the surface, yet above the ground, a school of fireflies floated into the reef of orange petal crowns, the few loose flowers slithering to form a garland connecting the grass giants – and they chewed slowly, gnawing away at any and all bark, yellow fluid seeping from their makeshift jaws as they sawed through what would eventually become monumental straw. The bright specks rose up, up and up, shining abdomens taking place of the constellations and rearranging the skies, yet refusing to provide any substantial light. The roles reversed, ground having decided to shine –
Asra followed in her steps.
– fluorescent glow softening the edges of the night. Capitulum lamps, veins lavishly covered in aciniform inflorescence lanterns, floating candle-like sparkles, all spread evenly across this human-less town, all fulfilling a duty without a cause.
His hand on her shoulder, Anna averted her eyes from the scenery, magenta shades reflecting off of her lover’s face, mixing with purples and lilac tones which decided to nestle in his hair. Violet eyes shone, although with celadon gleam, silver crystallising over the cupid bow of his lips as they turned into a smile – and whichever wonders the world would decide to show her in that moment, she was certain, she couldn’t will herself to look away from him. “The trip has begun,” Asra whispered against her forehead, her eyes fluttering shut for a moment.
Too far away, that he was, even when she could feel the beating of his heart resonating through hers.
Too sparse, that was his affection, even when his hand slid to the small of her back.
Too greedy – to measure Anna in one word, her hands reaching to cup his face, her thumbs brushing against his cheekbones. Too greedy, for she could burst – and for she loved even his eyelashes, the last sight her eyes savoured before he touched her anew, her lips parting sheepishly for any of his caresses.
The cool of the window seeped through her clothes, their foreheads still touching even after they pulled back from each other. “Watching the sea of grass until the very dawn – what do you say?” Anna asked, her voice raspy. “With you? Any day.”
@morgrims@sleepypotion I heard you were missing a valentine, so here I am with another Secret Valentine! ((Lucky me!~❤️)) I thought you might like that moment that Asra sees you in the ballroom that first time~ I know I do~ HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!!!❤️❤️ @thearcanasecretcupid
Agrees wholeheartedly with you when you decide you want one. Having kids right away wasn’t really something he wanted either. That way he has more time with you to himself ♡
You bet your sweet tushy he’s going with you for the appointment
Trying to keep you calm before, during, and after the procedure
With the complications of a shared heart, he may feel the pain when the cervix needs to be dilated or when they put the placement tube in.
He’s bent over from this bizarre, unfamiliar pain, doctor and nurse look confused
He brought all the things to try and relax you. Raspberry vine tea, pain meds, (possibly anti-anxiety meds), pads.
He was distracting you during the procedure as best he could
When he brought you home he dumps you in bed, all the blankets and heating pads and pillows dumped in an avalanche
While you nestle in he orders takeout. Probably something like pho so you’ll get some broth
More raspberry vine tea
Puts on comfort movies while snuggling you
Julian
He may have been hoping for kids sooner rather than later but it doesn’t crush him. He’d still like to go on adventures with you before settling down.
Made sure you ate a light meal and had a good amount of fluids before
The nurse and doctor kicked him out because he was being a general pain in the ass asking them if they did this that and the other thing and damn near took over himself
He’s got access to the 800 mg ibuprofen
Once he’s allowed back in after the procedure is over, he waits with you till you think you can walk to the car.
Becomes your overly protective healthcare advocate, going after the doctor asking questions you couldn’t
Damn near carries you to the car.
Once he’s settled you into bed or on a couch, he starts to make a nutritious dinner with ingredients with the proper nutrients for recovery
But he has chocolate cake at the ready
Takes off work till you’re fully recovered
Reads poetry or a book a loud to you until you fall asleep
Secretly keeps an eye on you while you rest
Nadia
*assuming here that the IUD is for hormonal balance rather than contraceptive use*
Filters through all the doctors available to select the best one. Perhaps she had one herself and recommends that doctor to you
If she had gone through with getting an IUD before (makes sense with how much she hated Lucio) she has all the things done for you so you don’t have to so much as lift a finger
She finds the time or schedules around your appointment and holds your hand and massages your arm during the entire procedure
Everything was ready when she brought you home from the procedure
Treats you to a luxurious spa treatment
You’re so relaxed from the procedure and the spa treatment you fall asleep right into her arms
Edits Down Here
Muriel
He almost takes it the wrong way when you bring up the IUD. That you didn’t want kids *with him* specifically. He has a tough exterior and has built walls (literally and figuratively) to protect his emotional self.
It was a long discussion and working through his emotions at the same time. He may never have considered kids, the thought may have never crossed his mind until this discussion. But what he wants is whatever is best for you.
Doesn’t entirely know what to do to help before the procedure
Doesn’t know what to do other than to hold your hand during the procedure
His very presence in the room intimidates the hell out of the doctor and nurse
He waits very patiently while you recover in the room. He’s probably rubbing/massaging your arms, maybe laying a large warm hand over the space where it hurts.
When you’re ready, he carries you home
Does not let you do anything for yourself. Makes you food, helps you move around.
As fragile as possible
Portia
*assuming here that the IUD is for hormonal balance useage and the like rather than contraceptive*
The conversation wasn’t much, she wasn’t entirely concerned about the why, much more about the when and how.
Cottagecore Portia prepping the bed or couch with all the blankets and pillows and heating pads *before* so that ee won’t be fussing with it after
Makes a homemade casserole, soup, or something in a crockpot. Crockpot would probably be best if it’s cooking while she’s with you at the appointment, possibly gets Mazelinka involved
Reminds you to wear warm fuzzy socks so your feet don’t get cold during
May or may not have swiped 800mg ibuprofen from Julian’s supplies
Consoles you before, during, and after.
Trying to keep your eyes focused on her face when the pain is at it’s worst
After it’s over and she brings you back home, she keeps a timer for when to take the next pain meds
Mother hen
Maybe a crochet or knitting or embroidery project to keep you occupied?
Feeling like she’d want to watch “who-done-it’s” with you as well
Won’t even let Pepi touch you
Lucio
A what
Mixed feelings about no pregnancy/no kids. He’s probably not the most responsible person to take care of kids anyway.
Once he’s beyond that conversation he’s your advocate and *only* the best of the best doctors and nurses for you
He’s not entirely certain as to what to do
When you wince or gasp from pain he’ll get furious at the doctor and nurse
Very possibly it’s you trying to calm himdown
Possibly gets kicked out of the room by staff
After he’s allowed back in for your recovery you have to explain to him the pain is perfectly normal
“Why didn’t you tell me? I would’ve gotten you/demanded stronger drugs”
Or perhaps you told him prior to the operation and he somehow swings stronger painkillers
At home he hires staff specifically to take care of you around the clock
If you had separate living arrangements, he’s having you in his bed post procedure for maximum snuggling
Might even ban the dogs from the bedroom so they don’t accidentally step on you
Online shopping time for comfort time passing and buys whatever on a whim
Something Lost, Something Gained (Part 3, NSFW, 18+ in the red)
•
•
•
“What happened?”
I turned to Past Me. She moved her arm in a wheel again, disrupting my vision. We were in Vasuvia, if it was called that then. The memories flashed quickly but there was a pattern. Always living in the shop, finding lovers, pretending to age, living life, taking long trips, returning to my shop claiming to be the descendant and claiming the property. Over and over. Keeping up appearances, visions of travels. Passionate love, painful heartbreak, death, moving on, but always returning to my shop in Vesuvia. There were children, too. I didn’t see visions or memories of pregnancy. Perhaps adopted? It went on and on, and the city itself changed, too. Chaotic downfalls and dramatic rises. I was drawn to the magic of this place. Apparently, this was my home away from home. Memories showed occasional visits to the land I originated from. Memories in the cave that Asra had taken me to. I thought it was my first time there, but that isn’t the case. Passionate romance ensued, rituals carried out, a lot of meditation sessions. The cave resembled the one in my own land. Also a secret room in the shop appeared several times, underground. A staircase hidden behind a rock wall of the shop. Decades flashed before our eyes in mere seconds, centuries in minutes. I couldn’t help but contemplate the number of lives I’d touched, loved, and missed.
We briefly stopped on one memory in a little town. I was there to visit the salt flats. A terrible storm rolled in and delayed my departure. My memories had shown several terrible storms, this one contended in the top ten. People around my memory self thought it was the end. The gale force winds were certain to destroy buildings. Once the storm had blown over, as quickly as it had come, everybody came out to inspect buildings and check on each other. Thankfully nobody was killed. They were joyful till they saw pieces of a wrecked ship. One older woman in particular was worried, apparently her girlfriend was due to come in. A few hours past when a ship came into view. Lilinka, was that her name? Was relieved at the sight of the ship. As soon as the ship was docked and the gang plank down the two women ran to each other, hugging and kissing, obviously shaken by the storm that could have killed the other. Two red headed children came down the gang plank. One taller and gangly, the other so much younger. They looked pretty wretched. My past Memory self couldn’t help be pushed in by the swarm of adults and children alike, surrounding the two kids and the two women. “I found them on some wreckage. They lost their family in that damned storm,” announced the woman who had come from the ship.
“Oh we’ll keep them till their family comes to claim them,” Lilinka said without doubt, the entire town murmuring in agreement.
“What if we don’t have any family left?” Asked the young boy in concern, holding on to, presumably, his little sister for dear life.
“Well then welcome to the family. This is Nevinon, we look out for each other here,” announced Lilinka. “Now let’s get you two out of those sopping wet clothes and something warm to eat, yes?”
She and the other woman hearded the two children into a building. Glad that something good came of the tragedy, my memory past self made my way home.
Once again the years flew past and slowed down to about over a decade before the present.
My memory past self had claimed ownership of my shop after my “aunt” died. I had been living this new life for a bit when a familiar fluffy white haired stranger with the most beautiful purple eyes began to appear in my life. My memories played out and stilled to this memory.
My memory past self was at the very familiar bakery. I was on my own, asking for a loaf of pumpkin bread.
The fluffy white haired, purple eyed stanger sat next to me and also requested a loaf.
“Are you going to introduce yourself? I’ve noticed you following me around for nearly half a year now.” She said to them.
“That’s why I’m here. My name is Asra.”
Salsi brought the loaves over, still warm. I paid him with a coin and I asked for some tea.
“Sure thing!” He winked, and Asra paid by healing the cuts, scratches and bruises on Salsi’s hands.
My past self glanced at Asra, surprised.
“You practice magic as well?” My past memory self asked.
“Well…” Asra blushed. “Not nearly as well as you.”
“Oh?”
“Do you remember the night of the last masquerade?” Asra asked my memory self.
How could I forget? A stranger swept me off my feet and disappeared.
“I do, it was quite eventful. Why do you ask?”
“Do you remember meeting a stranger, dancing and laughing, feeding each other?”
“You wouldn’t happen to know who it was?” My past memory self asked suspiciously, with a coy look in her eyes.
Asra began to blush. “Well, that was me.”
A socially awkward silance as Selsi poured us each a cup of tea. My past self seemed to be enjoying this.
“Now why did you sweep me off my feet at the masquerade and disappear like that?” My memory past self asked before taking a sip of the tea.
Asra looked down to avoid my eyes. A very familiar snake popped out of his bag.
“Oh well hello!” My past self leaned in to take a closer look at the snake.
“Her name is Faust,” said Asra, brightening up a bit. “You can pet her, she’s friendly. She particularly likes chin scratches.” He took her full body out of his bag and onto the counter.
“Very nice to meet you Faust!” My memory self said, gently scratching her chin. She looked very friendly.
“That reminds me, I need to head home and feed Bast. We can continue our conversation there, oh mysterious handsome stranger,” my past self said rising from her chair.
“Gladly lovely lady. You didn’t tell me your name?” Asra collected Faust and put her back into his bag.
I could sense my past self stiffen. Which name shall I use?
“You’ll learn that in due time,” she said coolly, taking Asra by the hands, apparently reaally in a hurry to get home. They waved Selsi goodbye.
The walk home to the shop was awkwardly quiet. Asra must have been thinking wildly.
“Is Bast your pet?” Asra finally broke the silence.
“Do NOT let her hear you refer to her as a pet,” my past self laughed. “No, she is my familiar. As I imagine Faust is to you?”
Upon hearing her voice, she popped her head out from amongst his garnments.
Asra was visibly relieved but still a bit tense.
“Yes, I’ve had her since she was an egg. A very special present.”
“I found Bast in a dump,” my memory self snorted with a chuckle, putting Asra further at ease.
“Really?” This was the first time Asra had smiled, at least since the masquerade.
“Yeah,” my memory self scratched at the back of my neck.
We were finally at the shop. I made tea and invited Asra to the back room, making sure to keep the sign on the store door “closed.” And the light out.
“Now, you never answered why you disappeared on me after the masquerade, I was quite heartbroken,” my past memory self flirted with him.
Asra looked down again, fingers fidgeting. Perhaps thinking of an answer. Perhaps that’s when my past self noticed the dirt and worn out clothes.
“I don’t have that great of a living situation at the moment,” Asra finally confessed. “I live with a friend who doesn’t do well with people. At all.”
My memory self nodded, wondering who this friend was.
“Also,” Asra interrupted my, her thoughts, “your magic is far superior to mine. Though I do have a few tricks up my sleeve.”
“Well, how about this,” my memory past self, so confident and sure of herself. “You can live here in exchange for helping at the shop, and we can exchange ‘tricks’ what do you say?”
Asra looked stunned, possibly speechless.
“That way you can’t get away from me,” my past self winked with a coy note in her, my voice.
“Yes, sure, i-if that’s okay with you?” Asra answered hesitantly.
My memory self laughed. Bast finally came down the stairs and made her appearance. She wasn’t in her largest shape-shifting size, but not her smallest, either. She sniffed through Asra’s stuff, apparently stealthily enough not to draw attention.
“By the way, that is Bast,” I, my memory self, pointed. Asra nearly jumped out of their skin. Bast raised her head with Faust all coiled up on her head. Asra had to take a few calming breathes before answering, eyes glued to the very large house cat whose head was large enough for a snake to comfortably sit on.
“H-hello,” Asra finally got out, visibly calming down but still very on edge.
Bast looked at my memory self.
“Food?” Bast pawed at my leg.
“Yes yes here you go,” my memory self tore a piece of the pumpkin bread and fed it to the giant cat.
“You… you feed her bread?” Asra asked.
“Not usually, as a treat. She seems to like pumpkin. I can’t keep any pumpkins inside the shop. Autumn is a real challenge when everyone has their pumpkins out.” She, I, answered causually.
Asra started to laugh.
Thus was the beginning.
Memories began to speed up again, like leaves falling from a tree in autumn. I felt as though I could reach out and grab one. My arm unconsciously reached out, but my double at my side grabbed my arm, brought it down, and once again put her finger to her lips.
“These are critical memories, so that you know what really happened,” said myself in the black cloak. Our gaze returned to the scenes playing before us.
It must be 5 to 10 years. Asra and my memory past self were living comfortably. I had met the mystery friend who lived on his own now in the forest. I didn’t blame him. I had seen the tournaments myself.
It was an average day, Bast had gone out hunting for herself to eat like she had done a thousand times before. My past memory self was heading back from foraging in the forst to stock the store. I, she, was minding the cobblestone streets when she, I, bent over in pain. Even though it was a memory, I could feel the pain. Visions of my people in a firey battle, cousins, brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, aunts and uncles fighting and dying in an apocalyptic battle. I, my memory self, my past self at my side, and I my present self felt the flaring pain of all my people being wiped out. Flashes of a familiar humanoid goat grinning amongst the visions of my people falling. Images of my brothers in particular rang in my memory. I, my present self, was finally able to breathe after my memory self collapsed in the street. People gathered around as I blacked out. I clung to my double at my side.
“What the hell!?” I whispered in a pained breath.
“Our people, family and kin, were all killed in a tragic battle. All of them. We are the only one left.” My past self huffed with her hands on her knees, trying to stand whilst supporting my weight.
“And we felt that?” I question. She nodded. As we recovered, the next memory played out.
My memory past self woke up in a bed not ours. Not even familiar. All senses on alert, she quietly got out of the bed and realized she wasn’t even in her own clothing! Just some odd blank white sheet gown. What the fuck was this!? Her eyes looked around, collecting information like she had done so many times on a battlefield. As if in a theatrical performance and on cue, the door opened and a very tall man with gorgeous, unruly red hair walked in, attention entirely devoted to whatever he was reading in his hand. He closed the door with his hip, and strode across the room. It was a bizarre moment, he must not have noticed that she was up and standing out of bed. He was entirely fixated on his reading as he managed to put food into a bowl and place it on the ground for a dog to chow down. She watched in bizarre amazement as this very tall, lanky and *very* attractive man finished his chore without having to move his eyes from whatever it was he was reading. He didn’t even notice she was out of bed until he was right in front of her and reaching for an arm to check for a pulse. When he didn’t find an arm immediately, he looked at the bed with worry and shock written into the lines on his face and bolted up when he finally realized he wasn’t standing even a foot from her. In which he tripped over his own two feet and fell backwards.
He definitely hit his head and was swearing in a language not unfamiliar to me. Her. My memory past self.
She spoke the equivalent of “excuse me?” In the tongue he was swearing in. Another comical facial expression of shock as he looked up, mouth open but nothing came out.
Finally remembering himself, he scrambled up.
“You’re awake!” He exclaimed. The amount of shock in that statement worried her.
“Where am I? Who are you? Why am I in this… this garment?” My memory past self readied herself for a fight.
“This is my clinic, you were brought here by some people after you passed out in the streets. Please, please calm down my name is Julian. Julian Devorak. Please sit back down and let me check you over,” he said with his hands up in a surrender or “i mean no harm” kind of way.
It was a very tense few moments while she contemplated what her next move would be.
She eyed him carefully. He was in a doctor’s uniform, though aren’t those uniforms usually white?
She relaxed herself and sat down, eyes almost glaring.
“Dr. Devorak?” She said questioning his credentials.
“Yes, as for your other question. You had to be changed, your clothes had been soiled by the ground and you were out for three days. I couldn’t figure out why you wouldn’t wake up-”
“Three days?” She relaxed a bit more, realizing the last thing she remembered was being on the ground in agonizing pain. It made sense.
“I apologize that there was no one here with you when you woke up,” he spoke as he checked for pulse, heart beat, etc. “You’re in the back room with Brundle since the front is often busy,” he visually looked over for bruises or cuts, checking her head for any sensitive spots. “I-I was reading up on comas and people not waking up, even though your pulse seemed regular and normal and you were breathing. You had no fever,” he pulled off one of his gloves and held the back of his hand to her forehead. “and… well here you are. Awake and aware. Everything seems fine, but it bothers me that I can’t figure out why you collapsed in the first place, or why only now you’re waking up.” He sat down on the bed next to her, his eyes gazing at nothing. She could see the gears in his head running overtime.
“I’m so sorry where are my manners. You must be starved after not eating for three days and, and I’ll go fetch your clothes and things. I had your clothing laundered, I’ll fetch them,” he raced out of the room. When the door was closed she flopped on the bed. She heard the dog slowly come over to her. She rolled over and gave the dog some good pets, her own mind racing. She couldn’t think for long, she was feeling weak, in more ways than one. Food sounded good so she didn’t resist.
When he returned with her clothes and bag a thought occured to her.
“There wasn’t any funny business while I was out, right?”
“I had to check to make sure you didn’t pass out from menstruating-” he started explaining.
“You WHAT?”
“Just a check, and I’m a legitimate doctor! It was nothing to worry about and my assistant can verify I didn’t do anything… inappropriate. If she hadn’t quit on me,” he suddenly looked exhausted. “I’ll look her up if you want to verify-”
I didn’t need to. Er, she, I, didn’t need to. I sensed he was telling the truth.
“Well, you promised me a meal. Let me get dressed.” She shooed him out. She rested for a second with her back to the door, listening for the sound of him walking away.
When she was satisfied that he had walked a good enough distance, she busied herself with getting dressed, making a mental note to ask who his launder was. Everything was so clean. Was that lavender?
Even though we were watching a memory, I could smell the fresh linen mixed with lavender fragrance.
As I, she, stepped out, she noticed he was at his desk in the corner writing something down. She could see his handwriting from the door and shuddered at how he could possibly read it, let alone some poor assistant. She gave the door a soft kick to get his attention. He bolted up.
“Ah, yes. I was thinking of this quaint little spot, it’s got this lovely tea that has a smokey flavor that I’ve been craving for a bit. Not to mention I don’t want to expose you to too much, seeing as you’ve just woken up.”
In rather graceful moves he got his coat on and opened the front door of his clinic, bowing, “After you.”
It was late morning, judging by the sun’s position in the sky. They made their way to the promised tea room. It was a bit underground. Even from a distant memory I, my present self, could taste the first bite of some sweet bread and chowed down through slices of warm bread, sandwiches and soup.
“If you like soup that much I ought to get you some recipes from Maz,” Julian spoke before taking a sip of the tea he had been craving. “Oh hell just come over to my place I’ll make it myself. She’s on ah… a trip.”
“Careful, I may take you up on that offer,” she remarked.
“Please do,” he said sincerely, but with a hint of playfulness to his voice. He chuckled into his tea.
He moved onto straight black coffee and I tried some of that tea. It was nice and probably rare, but it wasn’t to my liking.
“I was thinking-”
“There’s trouble,” he smirked. That smile. Omg that smile.
“Seriously,” I, she tried to make herself sound serious. “You took good care of me while I was out. If you’re short an assitant I’d be happy to help you out at the clinic. And try some of those soups you mentioned.”
“I’ll do you one better,” he leaned in, putting his mug down. “I’ll take you on as an apprentice if I can get a discount for some of the ingredients in your shop.”
She deadpan stopped.
“You are the shop owner on the corner, right? That’s what the people said when the brought you in,” Julian started.
“OH MY GOD MY SHOP!” She quickly gathered her things.
“Yes, I am, I have to hurry and check on it, we’ll discuss just how much this "discount” you want in exchange. Swing by after you’re done for the day. Thank you for the meal I really enjoyed it.“ She paused, and turned to look at him again.
"And the company,” she said with her own smirk.
Julian smiled.
“I’ll see you later then,” he raised his mug and finished off his coffee, but she was gone before he could get up.
She sprinted down streets and alleyways, and finally crashed into the door of the shop. She was rustling in her bag for her keys when the door swung open.
“THERE YOU ARE!” Asra yanked me in and locked the door shut.
“WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!? I was so worried,” Asra pulled me in for a bear hug, nearly crying.
“In a nutshell, I collapsed a few days ago and have been in a doctor’s clinic. I’m fine.”
I could feel the pressure of that hug in the present. Instinctively my arms raised to hug back, but I looked over at my past double in the black robe. I brought my arms back to my sides. In sync, we both looked back to watch the memory.
“Where’s Bast? Why didn’t she find me?”
“I thought she was with you? She hasn’t returned either.”
Faust popped her little head out, showing concern.
“Maybe she’s with Muriel,” Asra suggested. In my heart if hearts, I knew she wouldn’t have stayed with Muriel and his wolf familiar. Especially if I had been in trouble. My mouth felt dry, in the memory and now.
“Asra, Asra listen. When I collapsed, I had visions. Unpleasant ones, I still feel weak. I think my connection to my magic might be severed,” she looked in Asra’s eyes.
“You do feel weaker. But I don’t think it’s completely severed. Here, try something simple like summoning light,” Asra suggested, even more concerned than myself.
I did the spell and it worked, I tried others and it was evident that my power had become weaker.
“Let’s see what the cards say,” Asra headed to the back room, still holding onto my hand for dear life.
Asraa shuffled the cards, and I picked out one and flipped it over.
“The Devil?” I asked allowed.
Even though past memory me was confused, things were starting to make sense. My other self in the black robe nodded.
“You are starting to realize,” she waved her arm in the motion of a wheel in front of me, obstructing my vision. Memories hastened. Asra and I checked with Muriel, he hadn’t seen her but would look for her. Inanna didn’t look optimistic, and began sniffing the grounds immediately. The doctor swung by the store, luckily while Asra was away, and we set a 30% discount on the herbs and oils in my inventory in exchange for apprenticeship. The work at the clinic helped keep my mind off my troubles. Temporarily. Otherwise if I wasn’t at the clinic, I was at the shop. If I weren’t at either one, I’d be in the woods searching for my familiar. My heart ached for her and my ability to practice magic was crippled. Asra was patient and helped me practice and relearn. Asra knew I needed to keep busy, and didn’t question my apprenticeship with the doctor. Of course both romances ensued. I was lost, my people had been wiped out and my familiar was gone. Muriel reported that the didn’t find anything in the forest. Even if she had died they would have found something.
Again memories fluttered past. One, which I think is a particular favorite, I made slow in front of us. It was during one of Asra’s trips to find answers where I was left on my own. It was a long day at the clinic, people were starting to get ill. Julian and I had gone out for drinks and as he was escorting me back to my shop, a thunderstorm rolled in and began to rain. Julian clinic was closer so we rain in the rain laughing and full of life. We took refuge in a favored city garden with flowers that glowed. Starstrand. Deadly starstrand. Julian pulled me in close to himself. We were both soaked, and breathing heavy from our run. His mouth was so close and his lips looked soft. He kissed me, I kissed him back. We both had the same desire in our eyes and decided to head for his place. More than once we stopped along the way and made out in the pouring rain, grabbing at each other. We finally reached his clinic, which similarly to my shop his living space was above his work space. He pushed me up against the door, his mouth seeking mine and vice versa. The smell of him and fresh rain made for a heady sensation. When I was finally shivering from the cold and wet clothes Julian carried me inside and up into his place. We hurriedly stripped each other of our soaked clothing, heated open mouth kisses. Oh that first time with him, he was damn ready to please repeatedly that night. It had been so long. We were still at each other like rabbits when rays of the early dawn filtered through the windows.
“Oh, Julian, our businesses. We should- OOoh,” I moaned into his shoulder as he slipped into me again.
“We’re closed today,” he practically growled.
Finally, exhausted, we fell asleep intertwined.
We were rudely and suddenly woken up by someone banging on Julian’s clinic door.
“Doctor, I really need to see you!”
Julian, disgruntled and possibly regretting choosing his career, threw open the window.
“I’ll be down in a half hour,” he shouted to the person pounding on the door. He shut the window but looked troubled.
“What is it?” I asked him. My past memory self didn’t know, but dread creeped into my chest.
“I-it’s nothing. I guess I should have opened regular hours today. Let me get washed up and you can wash up while I take care of my patient,” he kissed me on the forehead and then the nose.
I looked down at the floor at our still wet clothes we had viciously ripped off each other the night before.
“Uh, what about our clothes?”
“I’ve got spares I can change into. I think there might be a nurse’s clothes packed away. I’ll find it once I’m done washing up,” he gave me one more squeeze and headed to the back of the living space.
Julian got cleaned up and had set up clean warm water for me. He left the nurse garments for me.
I came down after I had properly cleaned and changed. Julian spotted me and rushed towards me.
“I want you to go home, quickly. And stay there. This doesn’t look good,” he looked over his shoulder at his patient. He had drawn the curtains around him. “Please, go home and stay home. I’ll send a message when I can,” he pushed me towards the door. I turned on my heal, face landing into his chest.
“I’m your apprentice, remember? It can’t be that bad…” I began to protest but Julian cut me off.
“Yes, it can. Please, go. Get some rest and eat well, and we’ll see about you continuing later,” he pushed me outside and right into some more people who looked terribly ill.
He pushed me right through the gathering crowd. “Go!” He sounded absolutely urgent and allowed the ill people in.
I felt hurt. I made my way back to my shop. I was exhausted and I still felt weak from when I collapsed weeks ago. I couldn’t help but notice the streets we not as loud as they usually were.
I closed the door to my shop and slumped to the floor. I guessed something might be going around and I should probably take stock, people will be asking for herbs and tinctures and other home rememdies.
I made my way up the stairs into the living quarters to find Asra sitting on the edge of our bed. By the look on their face, the answers he found weren’t good. He noticed the clothes I was wearing.
“We should leave Vesuvia,” Asra said bluntly.
“What?”
“There are warning signs, something very, very bad is going to happen,” Asra had risen from their spot on the bed and held my hands. “We need to leave.”
My double at my side waved the memories on to speed up.
The next memories were difficult and painful. The Red Plague had broken out. Julian and I were issued plague masks to wear while treating people in our clinic. Asra still pestered me to leave Vesuvia while we had the chance.
The Palace summoned doctors from all over when the Count came down with the plague himself, including Julian. He tried to keep his clinic open whilst working in the palace. We saw countless gut wrenching deaths in his clinic. It didn’t help Julian when Brundle passed. We had to make a decision: should we close down the clinic, advise people to go and die in their homes, and work full time at the palace? Or stretch ourselves thin to the point of breaking. Julian and I couldn’t bring ourselves to abandon the people of Vesuvia, so we chose the latter.
But the casualties escalated. Businesses closed down, everyone quarantined. Healthy people fled. That’s what Asra wanted to do.
“We’ve got to go!” Asra had never raised their voice with me but I could tell he was getting desperate.
“I’ve got to stay and help. These people need our help! We can’t abandon them!”
“We can’t save them! It’s time to save ourselves. They’re going to close the boarders tonight!”
“That’s ridiculous! Julian - Dr. Devorak says the source are the beetles…”
“It doesn’t matter!” Asra slammed their fist into the table. “There’s a place far from here that I have, we can go there and ride this out…”
“I won’t abandon the city-”
“THE CITY IS DYING! THE COUNT HIMSELF IS DYING!” Asra was screaming.
“What about Muriel? What if he gets sick?”
“He’s far from the city. He and Inanna will be fine!”
“Is there no one in this city you care about?” My eyes looked into Asra’s, searching.
“You,” Asra started to tear up.
Emotions boiled up. Even in the present I could feel the lump in my throat.
“I’ve got to stay,” I managed to get out in a whisper, tears rolling down my face.
Asra stood up and kissed me, he kissed at my eyes.
“I’ve got to go,” Asra’s voice matched my own hoarseness and emotion. He grabbed his bag, tossed his scarf around his neck and his hat with that odd feather.
“I’ll come back once you’ve changed your mind,” Asra kissed me good bye. And then they were gone. I slumped down on the floor, crying. I’d felt heart break in my long lifespan but it never hurts any less. I managed to lock the doors, climb up the stairs and into bed.
The very next day I woke up feeling pretty terrible. I assumed it was just from crying most of the night. I washed up and dressed to work down at the clinic. The door was locked, thankfully Julian had given me a spare key for when he overslept. People were already gathered outside.
“Give me five minutes,” I bolted the door behind me. It was oddly quiet. I went up to Julian’s living space. I found a note on the bed.
“'My Love,
I’ve been summoned to work full time at the palace. We’ll keep in touch. Don’t open the clinic anymore, just make house calls. There is no cure yet, that is what we are working on here. Just make them as comfortable as possible, and write down whatever information you think relevant.
I do think it goes without saying I love you. Be strong, we’ll see each other through this. I know we will.
Yours,
Julian ♡”
I slumped to the ground beside the bed. When would I see him again? Rubbing my eyes, I wasn’t ready to face today. I had no choice.
I made my way downstairs, wrote a sign that the clinic was closed and to wait for house calls.
I put my plague mask on and came outside to face the people whose eyes had started to turn red.
“Please stand here, I’ll be collecting names and addresses. The clinic is closed and I will be making house visits.”
I nailed the sign to the door and locked and bolted it. I took names and addresses and the crowd dispersed.
The memories started to flutter again, I already knew what became of me. My past self and I decided those memories did not need to be addressed. They fluttered past, even though we passed through them quickly I could feel the loneliness, the pain from the disease. And then the flames of the furnace.
We were once again surrounded by the white fluff. I felt so many emotions at once.
“We were weakened intentionally so we would be susceptible to the plague,” my past self finally spoke. “We were severed from our people, and our familiar. It was intentional.”
I looked at her. I knew it was true. And I knew who the culprit was.
“So he has Bast?” I said aloud, more of a statement than a question. She nodded solemnly.
“I had to walk this path of memories with you before we merged. Our old age has lots of memories and it could have killed you, us if I hadn’t taken this time to show you.”
I nodded, understanding.
“What will happen when we merge?”
“We will be whole again,” she said simply.
“We can tap into the energy that surrounds us. We are still a great and power magician. We can take it further and tap into our memories, the years spent practicing all sorts of magic. We have one more advantage,” she said, with hope in her voice.
“And what is that?”
“We can tap into the spirits of our deceased people. They have always been with us, I think you must have forgotten that when we lost our familiar. Our ancestors will give us enough strength,” she held my hands.
“Enough strength to do what?” I asked.
“To become what we once were. Powerful Witch and Warrior. We will get our familiar back and win this battle,” she said with certainty.
“As we speak our body is changing, the muscle memory will return. The strength we once had will return. And our people’s spirits will be with us.”
“Will I remember?”
“Yes. It is time to merge. You know what we knew and what we must do,”
She looked me in the eyes. My face, my hair, my eyes.
“The past and choices have led us here. To this moment. It is time to take the present into our own hands and make the best of it. Our destiny awaits,” she released my hands and opened her arms to embrace.
I hugged her back. Myself. She is me and I am her.
The white cleared, I gasped for breath. It must not have been more than thirty seconds outside of my walk through memory lane. Asra was by my side, their parents making their way towards me. The woman with the spear was on the table hunting Lucio down. The courtiers were throwing a tantrum and the Devil was yelling at them because something had obviously gone wrong. Everything was in slow motion at first but the next thing I knew Asra’s parents were hovering over the both of us, Muriel and Julian on my other side.
“Are you okay?”
“How do you feel?”
“Are you hurt?”
I felt my body changing, just as my past self in the black robe had said. Energy, so much energy.
It was almost too much to take in. Everyone peering at me.
Main 6 when Apprentice recovers their memory, and turns out they are hundreds, perhaps thousands year old witch. + powers that existed before dying and coming back to life return and with a vengeance:
Asra
Knew it from the start, or suspected something like this
Even if they didnt know how old you truly were, they knew you were powerful and power in magic comes with practice and time
They keep refering to teaching apprentice magic as “giving back what was yours”
Still amazed. Even more amazed.
Julian
For the first time in his life he’s speechless
His rational science/medicine brain is trying to understand how it’s possible, you can see the mental gymnastics going on in his mind by the look on his face
Adds to his amazement that out of all the people in the world, you chose him
Takes a bit to adjust, but hey he died and came back and so did you, what’s just centuries old knowledge to add to the pot?
Nadia
Didn’t see that coming (despite her connection to the Arcana)
Perplexed at first, but all the more respect
Wants to know your secrets
Your age old knowledge and wisdom makes you far more valuable to her than her courtiers
Muriel
You know that classic shock sprite? That’s the initial reaction
He’s seen some stuff. In the Coliseum, in the woods, as an orphan on the streets, etc. But this doesn’t compare
But after learning about his people, where he came from, he can sense the age, power and wisdom emanating from you
Probably the quickest to get over the shock and simply accept it, right after Asra
Portia
The E X C I T E M E N T
Bouncing like a child in a candy store, she’s living a real life of one of the books she likes so much
Wants to learn E V E R Y T H I N G
Lucio
“No way”
Definitely get more respect from his mother
Probably will bring it up time and time again and have the longest time to accept it
We all know Julian has the “murderer’s brand” on his left hand and the question begs as to when there was time to brand him? Was that something done when he initially confessed, and was part of his punishment? Or was it something he had done to himself willingly later during his travels?
Hands can be very painful tattoo spots because it’s shallow and his hand structure (his structure in general) has little fat tissue.
So imagine he’s just confessed to the murder, in some jail cell. His delicate, thin hand aggressively tattooed/branded. The throbbing after, having to disinfect and bandage it himself.
Asra - he’s known you for years,he knows your favorite braiding styles, whisps or no whisps, your favorite hair products. Hell, he’ll conjure up some flowers on the spot to put in the braids. If he can’t get your hair to braid, he might use magic he’ll massage your scalp so tenderly.
Julian he just loves touching you, any excuse for physical contact. His long, elegant fingers lovingly untangling the toughest tangles and snags, years of practice with his own unruly locks. He’ll massage your scalp, your face, your neck. If he can’t braid your hair for any reason, he’ll be all over caressing your scalp, face and neck. “Helps the lymphatic system drain my dear, it’s doctor’s orders” Julian is most likely to turn simple hair braiding into bedroom play.
Nadia this woman’s hair game is so strong, she’s made it into an art. And she makes a masterpiece out of your hair. All the tools of the traid at her disposal, what she normally uses for herself she uses on or in your hair. Flowers in braids after bath, or elegant hair pieces tucked in for formal occasions. Perhaps even matching hair pieces! If her skills can’t work in your particular hair then simple hair play will do.
Portia FLOWER CROWNS FLOWER CROWNS FLOWER - slips all kinds of flowers from her garden into the braids she delicately creates. Perhaps she’s picked up a few tricks from Nadia about taming hair and braiding. Soft ray of sunshine
Muriel He only knows practical braids, ones to keep hair out of the way during work or combat. Nothing for show. But gentle persuasion aid Muriel’s confidence in handling your hair, and his own later on. He’s most likely merely enjoying feeling the texture of your hair and enjoying the close proximity to you. He may find difficulty in handling your hair if his hands are too large. It won’t matter, he enjoys the closeness.
Lucio as much as he would love to play with your hair, his alchemical arm may limit his physical ability to handle hair (slipping through metal fingers, perhaps accidentally cutting strands off!) In such a scenario, he would have the finest hair dresser do your hair for formal occasions, but in private and intimate settings he tries his best at loose braids. He doesn’t really know what he’s doing tbh and may need guidance as he keeps his hair short.
Apologizing here because I’m falling asleep and can’t really finish.
what if I made a general Arcana discord server, would anyone be interested? set up for discussing and creating things for the Arcana along with a few general channels for things
