'lo, everyone. /dismally, cradled in Adrian's arms/
Thank you for all your support. It means a lot to me. /takes a deep breath/ I'm searching for professional help right now, and believe me, it's one of the hardest things I've had to do.
Adrian: It's her pride.
Yeah. I'm having a few personal problems erupt, including some issues with my significant other. We're both too busy... /snuggles against Adrian/
I'm sorry, don't expect too many updates too quickly. I'm still busy, despite the fact I'm done with my SATs for now. I still have to study for school and eventually get my learner's permit. Thank you everyone, though, for your comments and encouraging.
~*~
Trinkets of the Soul
~*~
I soon left. The surface held none of its fascination for me any longer. It was dismal to me.
Sensing my despondency, the currents murmured about me, trying to allay my depression. But my chest ached with yawning darkness. Why did it feel as though I was so cold?
The palace loomed through the blue depths of the sea, spires of crystal and gold shining brightly. But not as brightly as his eyes under the light of fiery dragons and phoenixes under a dark night sky...
My family was waiting for me. I could hear that their songs for me. But the words mattered not. I pushed past them, dodging their loving embraces, and fled to my room.
~*~
The next days went past with sullen slowness. I ate little and spoke not at all, as the days soon melted into weeks and months.
The white marble statue was placed in the garden, in a spot I had designated for my own. It was in the shape of a circle, like the sun, ringed with fans of red coral. An enormous tree of red kelp grew in the center, branches drooping, like the trees I had heard of that grew on land, called weeping willows. I had my statue placed under the kelp and the red branches and leaves draped over Yami, caressing him.
Every day, I would sit at the base of the statue, looking up at that handsome white face and wish that he was smiling at me.
"Yuugi-kun," said Ryouji quietly, swimming up. I didn't look at him.
"We're worried about you. What is wrong? What happened up there that makes you so sad?
"Does it have to do with this prince?"
I looked up, at his kind, concerned face, and nodded slowly. He smiled sadly. Gently, he embraced me and pressed a kiss upon my forehead. "Do not waste away the years you have here for a mortal," he said softly. "Be happy here, with us."
I turned away from him and buried my face into the shoulder of the statue. My eldest brother sighed and swam away. I fell asleep where I was, protected by the kelp and embracing Yami.
I was dreaming.
Yami was looking at me with tenderness in his eyes. He was handsome, radiant, the most wondrous thing that the land had to offer. With a touch that could not have bruised water, he brushed hair from my face as I blushed.
His free hand was holding mine. He raised it to his lips, to brush a gentle kiss across the back. Blood rushed to my face and I cast my eyes downwards.
I then realized I had legs, that I no longer had my fins. I was human, and able to be with him on land! My heart soared as he smiled at me, ruby eyes glittering. His lips were upon mine, firm yet so incredibly gentle. His hands traced my body as he murmured so many loving things into my ear, ruby eyes continuing to watch me with that tender expression.
Someone shook me and took me away from my dreams. I opened my eyes, about to cry out as Yami shattered into a thousand wisps of color. My brothers came into view.
Malik took my hand, as I let out a sob involuntarily. He brushed my hair away from my face. "Yuugi-kun, we have something to show you."
I tried to draw away but Honda firmly pushed me from my perch. "You have been lingering here too long."
I sighed, resigned. They took me upwards to the surface, but a long, long way. The waters were lighter, shining silver cloth undulating above us as golden sunlight glittered. But my heart took no notice of the beauty about me.
It was dark by the time we reached our destination. My brothers went to the surface. There was that awful, awful sensation as my lungs adapted accordingly. I was gratified to hear my brothers attempting to discreetly hide their retching with very little luck.
After we all had somehow gained our dignities, Honda took my hand and pointed upward. We were looking up at a cliff, waves pounding against the stone. Above us, was a palace seeming to have been spun of glass and pale pearl. There were golden lights glimmering, and our sharp ears could hear music and laughter. But my heart jumped as I saw a figure looking out over at the sea. It was Yami.
He was resplendent in something black and shining, moonlight softening his dark hair. His face was creased in concentration as he gazed at the horizon. Quietly, my brothers left me to observe the prince.
I was so happy, to be able to see him again. Yet my heart ached in that I was so distant from him. It was a bittersweet joy.
~*~
"Malik, how long do we have to live?"
My elder brother stared at me, lavender eyes wide and almost frightened. "Why do you wish to know this?"
I was playing absently with a ball of ivory. It was a curious thing, carved with intricate patterns of holes until it looked like lacy white coral and showing even more balls inside of it, one inside the other. As I moved it, the many balls clicked and rattled.
"I want to know," I said flatly. I raised my eyes to look at him. "Because you said I have centuries to live."
"Three centuries," Malik said softly. "We have three centuries. Mortals rarely live to see half of one." He sat by me and touched my cheek. "Yugi- kun, we have longevity, life to enjoy the pleasures of this earth. Mortals have so little. Your prince will die and leave you to mourn him after but a few fleeting moments of life."
"I would trade all my centuries to be with him," I said, quietly. "Even if I only have a few fleeting seconds."
"He is a mortal, you are of the merfolk," Malik told me. His voice was rough and his eyes filled with pain. "He cannot live down here and you will not survive on the earth.
"It doesn't matter!" My heart was fluttering, molten ball of pain.
"And he has a soul, Yugi," Malik said softly. "Even in death you two will be parted."
"What do you mean?" My heart was now ice.
"Mortals have souls. That is the essence of what they are. After they die, they go to Paradise, to live in eternal happiness, and perhaps come back to earth to take mortal form again. We do not. When we die, we become sea foam on the waves, we do not even have a grave for our loved ones to visit." His eyes looked at me.
"I want a soul then." Simple things like that would not deter me from my love.
"A soul is just not gotten." Malik was flustered now, in sorrow and frustration.
"Then how can I get one?" I demanded, eyes flashing dangerously at my elder brother.
"It is not known... Yugi- brother-" He tried to touch my shoulder, embrace me.
"Get out." My voice was cold.
"Yugi- please-"
"Get out!" I screamed.
He got up, slowly, actual fear in his eyes. I hurled the ivory ball at him with all my might. He fled, and the trinket hit the wall. It shattered and the pieces slowly fell onto the ground.
That intriguing little toy was broken. Shattered, like what my brother did to my dream.
~*~
A/N: Interesting, no?
Actually, I'm starting to type up the next chapter as of this moment. So sit tight!
Thank you for all your support. It means a lot to me. /takes a deep breath/ I'm searching for professional help right now, and believe me, it's one of the hardest things I've had to do.
Adrian: It's her pride.
Yeah. I'm having a few personal problems erupt, including some issues with my significant other. We're both too busy... /snuggles against Adrian/
I'm sorry, don't expect too many updates too quickly. I'm still busy, despite the fact I'm done with my SATs for now. I still have to study for school and eventually get my learner's permit. Thank you everyone, though, for your comments and encouraging.
~*~
Trinkets of the Soul
~*~
I soon left. The surface held none of its fascination for me any longer. It was dismal to me.
Sensing my despondency, the currents murmured about me, trying to allay my depression. But my chest ached with yawning darkness. Why did it feel as though I was so cold?
The palace loomed through the blue depths of the sea, spires of crystal and gold shining brightly. But not as brightly as his eyes under the light of fiery dragons and phoenixes under a dark night sky...
My family was waiting for me. I could hear that their songs for me. But the words mattered not. I pushed past them, dodging their loving embraces, and fled to my room.
~*~
The next days went past with sullen slowness. I ate little and spoke not at all, as the days soon melted into weeks and months.
The white marble statue was placed in the garden, in a spot I had designated for my own. It was in the shape of a circle, like the sun, ringed with fans of red coral. An enormous tree of red kelp grew in the center, branches drooping, like the trees I had heard of that grew on land, called weeping willows. I had my statue placed under the kelp and the red branches and leaves draped over Yami, caressing him.
Every day, I would sit at the base of the statue, looking up at that handsome white face and wish that he was smiling at me.
"Yuugi-kun," said Ryouji quietly, swimming up. I didn't look at him.
"We're worried about you. What is wrong? What happened up there that makes you so sad?
"Does it have to do with this prince?"
I looked up, at his kind, concerned face, and nodded slowly. He smiled sadly. Gently, he embraced me and pressed a kiss upon my forehead. "Do not waste away the years you have here for a mortal," he said softly. "Be happy here, with us."
I turned away from him and buried my face into the shoulder of the statue. My eldest brother sighed and swam away. I fell asleep where I was, protected by the kelp and embracing Yami.
I was dreaming.
Yami was looking at me with tenderness in his eyes. He was handsome, radiant, the most wondrous thing that the land had to offer. With a touch that could not have bruised water, he brushed hair from my face as I blushed.
His free hand was holding mine. He raised it to his lips, to brush a gentle kiss across the back. Blood rushed to my face and I cast my eyes downwards.
I then realized I had legs, that I no longer had my fins. I was human, and able to be with him on land! My heart soared as he smiled at me, ruby eyes glittering. His lips were upon mine, firm yet so incredibly gentle. His hands traced my body as he murmured so many loving things into my ear, ruby eyes continuing to watch me with that tender expression.
Someone shook me and took me away from my dreams. I opened my eyes, about to cry out as Yami shattered into a thousand wisps of color. My brothers came into view.
Malik took my hand, as I let out a sob involuntarily. He brushed my hair away from my face. "Yuugi-kun, we have something to show you."
I tried to draw away but Honda firmly pushed me from my perch. "You have been lingering here too long."
I sighed, resigned. They took me upwards to the surface, but a long, long way. The waters were lighter, shining silver cloth undulating above us as golden sunlight glittered. But my heart took no notice of the beauty about me.
It was dark by the time we reached our destination. My brothers went to the surface. There was that awful, awful sensation as my lungs adapted accordingly. I was gratified to hear my brothers attempting to discreetly hide their retching with very little luck.
After we all had somehow gained our dignities, Honda took my hand and pointed upward. We were looking up at a cliff, waves pounding against the stone. Above us, was a palace seeming to have been spun of glass and pale pearl. There were golden lights glimmering, and our sharp ears could hear music and laughter. But my heart jumped as I saw a figure looking out over at the sea. It was Yami.
He was resplendent in something black and shining, moonlight softening his dark hair. His face was creased in concentration as he gazed at the horizon. Quietly, my brothers left me to observe the prince.
I was so happy, to be able to see him again. Yet my heart ached in that I was so distant from him. It was a bittersweet joy.
~*~
"Malik, how long do we have to live?"
My elder brother stared at me, lavender eyes wide and almost frightened. "Why do you wish to know this?"
I was playing absently with a ball of ivory. It was a curious thing, carved with intricate patterns of holes until it looked like lacy white coral and showing even more balls inside of it, one inside the other. As I moved it, the many balls clicked and rattled.
"I want to know," I said flatly. I raised my eyes to look at him. "Because you said I have centuries to live."
"Three centuries," Malik said softly. "We have three centuries. Mortals rarely live to see half of one." He sat by me and touched my cheek. "Yugi- kun, we have longevity, life to enjoy the pleasures of this earth. Mortals have so little. Your prince will die and leave you to mourn him after but a few fleeting moments of life."
"I would trade all my centuries to be with him," I said, quietly. "Even if I only have a few fleeting seconds."
"He is a mortal, you are of the merfolk," Malik told me. His voice was rough and his eyes filled with pain. "He cannot live down here and you will not survive on the earth.
"It doesn't matter!" My heart was fluttering, molten ball of pain.
"And he has a soul, Yugi," Malik said softly. "Even in death you two will be parted."
"What do you mean?" My heart was now ice.
"Mortals have souls. That is the essence of what they are. After they die, they go to Paradise, to live in eternal happiness, and perhaps come back to earth to take mortal form again. We do not. When we die, we become sea foam on the waves, we do not even have a grave for our loved ones to visit." His eyes looked at me.
"I want a soul then." Simple things like that would not deter me from my love.
"A soul is just not gotten." Malik was flustered now, in sorrow and frustration.
"Then how can I get one?" I demanded, eyes flashing dangerously at my elder brother.
"It is not known... Yugi- brother-" He tried to touch my shoulder, embrace me.
"Get out." My voice was cold.
"Yugi- please-"
"Get out!" I screamed.
He got up, slowly, actual fear in his eyes. I hurled the ivory ball at him with all my might. He fled, and the trinket hit the wall. It shattered and the pieces slowly fell onto the ground.
That intriguing little toy was broken. Shattered, like what my brother did to my dream.
~*~
A/N: Interesting, no?
Actually, I'm starting to type up the next chapter as of this moment. So sit tight!