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I was wondering if maybe you wanted to come check out your new room.

[The excitement in his voice is barely concealed. He sounds like a father about to surprise his kid with a brand new car.]

The finishing touches are done and...well, I figure you've waited long enough on account of me. I'm sure you'd like to get back into your own private space.

...

[because this is Cecelia, it takes almost a proper minute and then some to mark her page, put the book down, get up, tidy herself, get to the door, and crack it open a sliver to peer out like some kind of burrowing animal.]

Done, you say?

[and he's not covered in sawdust or bleeding from the head?]

[He's covered in a few spatters of paint, but it's all dry anyway. He's leaning on his cane with an excited grin on his face.]

Oh yeah. All done.

Want to come see it?

[she hesitates, eyeing him over carefully before deciding to actually open the door properly and slink out.]

...Alright. Fine. Let's see it, then. [ONE of us has to pretend to be too cool to be excited and stuff, and by gods she's teen enough to be that one.]

[Darin hurriedly makes his way over to Cece's door. Right off the bat, there's two things she'll notice. The first being a name plaque on the door made of carefully carved wood with her name woodburned very elegantly into it. There are a few roses made of metal sculpted around it, and some thorny vines surrounding the plaque, giving it a very 'woodland heiress' vibe. Also, there's a big ribbon across the door like it's some kind of present.]

Well, whenever you're ready.

Thi-this is...already rather, um... [excessive? indulgent? alarmingly personalized in a way that denotes a mindfulness to her personal tastes? and it's just a door.

she clears her throat, gulps, and decides to not try and finish the thought and just tug at the bow and open the door.]

[The first thing she'll notice is that the air in the room smells...well, it smells fresh. That's because in the four corners of the room there are small disc like air fresheners installed close to the ceiling. They're set to a timer and once a day they mist the air with a floral and ocean scent, something that denotes the woods but also, their proximity to the sea.]

[The room itself is painted in various green, browns, and blues, giving the illusion of her own private copse of trees. In fact, fake tree trunks have been molded into each wall of the room, as if this were the very edge of the forest itself. The carpet is entirely custom-made. Darin ordered it to make it look like leaves and grass and flowers, but in reality, it's a super plush carpet that Cece's feet sink right into.]

[On her left, the government issue bed has been replaced by a large, queen sized bed (with a canopy!), with large fluffy down filled pillows and several blankets and comforters. To the right, the vanity that Darin had made for her has been expertly fitted into the wall to maximize on space. The old stool for it has been replaced with a carved tree stump with a plush cushion on it to match the theme. Across the room, where her window once was, a set of french doors which are open just a crack allowing the breeze to make the white linen curtains billow into the room.]

[Darin waits for Cecelia to walk into her room before closing the door behind them. She'll probably notice immediately that there's no noise coming from any electricity in the house. In fact, with the exception of the small amount of noise coming in from outside through the crack in the doors, it's perfectly silent.]

[Though, she might notice one of the sounds belonging to a wind chime outside of the french doors...]

[There's a lot more to show her, but he'll let her get her first impressions out first.]

...Well?

Oh--

[there is no one thing focused on first, just a blast of change that chokes a startled sound out of her, one she smothers with her hand just as quick as it escapes. were Darin not directly behind her, she'd have rapidly backed out, but instead she just bumps him and freezes up in place. good chance to now gawk around and try to process all of the change.

as she does every time she's accosted by things so blatantly her taste, Cecelia chokes up on-the-spot and only moreso when she processes it is exactly that. the drapery on the canopy would be enough, but--]

O-oh...

[the walls, too?

she isn't even remotely close to recognizing the lack of buzz, because her head is buzzing enough as it is.]

[Darin's practically beside himself grinning. This was exactly the type of reaction he was going for. He sidesteps around her, careful not to accidentally bump her with his cane, and walks to the center of the room.]

So, there's a few things here that I want to show you. First of all...is this.

[He reaches up and pulls on a small cord with a hummingbird on the end. It turns on the light in the center of the room...which is filtered through a custom stained glass bowl-shaped covering that gives the illusion of sunlight filtering through the leaves of the treetops.]

This is the only electric item in the room. I stripped the entire room of any wires and made sure to soundproof it just in case. I did a little research and I learned that iridescent bulbs tend to hum, but incandescent ones are low wattage and are super quiet. It's not perfect, but it's the best this world's got. But I figure if we have to have a light, we can have fun with it. Check this out.

[He reaches up onto the glass bowl and rotates a small disc. As he does, the color of the light filtering in through the 'trees' changes to more reds and oranges.]

You can set this to summer or autumn, whichever mood you're in!

[she's so rarely stricken speechless like this, and it shows: Cecelia remains mute as he shows off the feature, barely understanding what she's watching or hearing because the audacity of the gesture being this grand and actually real is having quite an effect.

moreover, because she's known Darin long enough to realize this isn't a trap. there's no catch to this -- that's not what he does. he just...does...this.

when her vision gets to blurry to focus, Cecelia blinks tears back, keeping part of her face obscured behind a hand slowly curling into a fist against her mouth.

she's been very busy being reclusive and bitter, yet the first thing offered in coming back out is...something like this?

she feels a little dizzy.]

[He's still not done.]

You know, you're probably wondering about storage. Well, I have you covered.

[He makes his way over to one of the sculpted tree trunks with a knothole in it. He sticks his hand in and Cecelia should hear an audible click...]

[The furthest part of the wall nearest the far wall leading outside suddenly slides open, revealing a walk in closet and her own personal bookshelf.]

But, I've saved the best for last.

[He ushers Cecelia over to the french doors, which he throws open to reveal the balcony he'd promised her so long ago. It's a small, half circle balcony with the railing carved to look like braided tree branches with carved flowers pock marking the railing. On the right, a box set into the railing for Cecelia to use for gardening if she's so inclined. To the left, a braided rope swing with a long pillow lining it for her to sit and relax in, and on the center, a little place for her to put a book, potentially a diary, evidenced by the little feathered pen holder built into slanted wood.]

...So, thoughts?

[after being guided through these facets like some sort of zombie, Cecelia is set before some kind of fairy tale balcony.

and when prompted for words, she has, again, another small, strangled sound as a reply that can barely make its way out of her.

this is far, far too much. he's still hobbling around with a cane, and this is what he can make? without any other reason beyond the fact he can, because she's certainly not warranted it, especially not of late.

if he so much as pokes her too hard she's liable to crumble to dust.

like she were breaking into a store filled end-to-end with ceramic, Cecelia moves of her own accord and lets her fingers eventually graze the rail just enough for feeling, but barely much more, lest it, too, crumble.

it's too much.]

V...Vana... [she gulps and sucks in a fast little breath.] It's beautiful.

[Darin takes a step back, filling the doorway leading out to the balcony. He sets his cane in front of him so he can lean on it with both hands overlaid across each other on the top.]

[As he speaks, his voice softens considerably but still retains its warmth and pride.]

...I'm really glad you think so. I'm...sorry it took so long. This month hasn't exactly been very kind to me...but it gave me plenty of time to do research, planning, and designing.

Listen...I know that, as long as you've been here, you've had a serious problem adjusting to...all of this. If I'd known you had so much trouble meditating, I would have done something sooner but...

I wanted to give you a place of your own. Your own sanctuary.

You're probably thinking that this is too much but...well, I wanted you to start feeling like this place is home, however temporary.

I wanted you to feel like you could feel at home. With your friends. With me, Allura, Fuu, and Hikaru...

And...I know we don't always see eye to eye but...

I hope this shows that you can always come to me with a problem. That I'll always be there to help you if you need it...

[she gulps back a sob, shoulders drawn up and braced against it. this is a losing fight, much like her fight to stay distant and wary and careful in all things.

gods, even the companions she came to call friends never promised her more than the moments they had at-hand; everyone was already raring to go their separate ways when all was said and done. some already had. there was going to be no happily ever after with everyone about! the fact she was swept up and away from that realization kept it at bay for a while, but she's already spent plenty of nights and pages ruminating on that fact.

nothing gold can stay, read a poem she'd chanced across. ain't that the truth?

yet here she stands in something that could be mistaken for a little piece of a palace...and it's said to be hers? at just the cost of staying. staying with people, who actually are inclined to stick around.

gods.

she hears Darin saying something like there to help before she turns sharply on her heel and lunges forward to hug him, squeaky, unintelligible sounds muffled because of it. it's fine -- she doesn't know what she's trying to say anyway, either.]

[Normally, Darin knows when a hug is coming. He's adept enough at reading a room to know when someone's emotions have boiled over to the point where a hug needs to be shared.]

[Darin was not expecting this hug. Not in the slightest.]

[He barely manages to lift his cane out of the way before Cecelia collides with him and a soft 'oof' escapes him before he has any other sort of response to what's happening.]

[For as long as he'd known her, Cecelia was so prickly. He couldn't necessarily blame her; from what she'd admitted to him about her upbringing and those around her, it was plain as day as to why she always had her defenses up. Maybe it was because those defenses seemed so alarmingly familiar to Darin that he couldn't help but want to break them down. But what he'd do after they were finally broken down was a mystery to him. To be honest, he never thought he'd make it this far on account of his penchant to do or say something particularly stupid that was sure to set her off.]

[But here she was hugging him and sniffling into his chest and...well, for the first time since he's been in this world, he felt like he'd really done something amazing. Something so inherently good that he just felt warm knowing he brought someone he cared for so much happiness.]

[He never wanted to let go of this feeling.]

[He lowers his arms and drapes then around Cece's back and just lets her get her emotions out of her system the healthy way.]

[Nothing more need to be said right now.]

Dariiiin, this-- [once she has enough composure to pry away, makeup all messy (sorry for your shirt) and still looking beside herself, she can at least start to weakly whine and scrub at her face.] This is too nice! I-I'm scared of even breaking something...! N-no one's ever...done anything this. Egg-ex-extravagant for me before...!

Hey, no worries! If you break something, I'll be there to fix it.

The point is that you enjoy it, Cece. This is your space for you to do whatever you want!

But, most importantly...this is a safe place for you to come and let yourself be...

Well...you.

Judgment free zone.

[in a weak scoff:] Gods, that's a lie. I can judge plenty enough by myself, thank you.

[she takes a swipe at her eyes with the back of her hand, turning around partway to look toward the bed. it's actually a dream. there is no way this is real!]

How the hell did you do all of this...by yourself? You're insane...

I was bedridden for like two weeks. You think I'm one to sit still?

That was more than enough time to research materials, call in custom orders, and sketch everything out. After I shook that cold, I had more energy than I knew what to do with!

And I can't say I did everything myself. I mean, I'm not exactly a high class lady. Allura helped me think of some of the finer details. Like the air fresheners in the ceiling? All her. Which reminds me, I'll show you how to change the cartridges later. You can pick any scent you want and it's really easy to do.

O-okay. [well, that explains colors matching a bit, she thinks.

...maybe.

she's seen some of the shirts Allura buys on a whim, so she's still finding this beauty and coordination suspicious.

either way, the prospect of Allura having a hand in this has Cece gulping on fresh guilt. she's...not always been the nicest to her, no matter how many olive branches were extended her way. that might just be out of defense, but that's not really a good excuse, especially in light of...this.

a bit hoarse:] I...really don't know how to...I mean. You're going to tell me I don't have to pay back anything, but that's stupid. But...

There is one thing you can do for me. It's not a lot but...

If you really want to do something in return?

Just enjoy this.

Be happy. Be content. Use the space to feel safe and comfortable.

That's all I...that's all we want. For you to have a place to smile.

[gods. she doesn't even have to tell him how saccharine that sounds! they've discussed that before, too, back when he was more snot than man.

she also doesn't have it in her to try and be snide in reply; this is far too humbling and big a thing to sour with that.

this just seems impossibly good that there just...has to be a catch!!]

...Thank you. Really.

[He laughs.]

You're welcome, Cecelia.

Hey, why don't you go check out the braided rope swing I hung up. Let me know if it's too high for you to get into easily. I can lower it if you need me to.

O-okay...

[she gives up a brief, timid bit of a smile before ducking her head and turning away to face it, hesitating to look it over more carefully now that her eyes aren't just full to the brim with tears.

after some hesitant poking around, she sits herself down, looking about herself and being a bit extra fidgety. it's weird having an audience! but she's not going to complain, because he did all of this, so...she just flashes another quick, sheepish smile in his direction before looking away.]

[Darin can't fight the smile forming on his face. She looked so pleased to have a place of her own...]

... ... ...

[It happens so suddenly then. A tug at his peripheries...like something pulling at the frayed edges of his consciousness. It feels like things are getting blurry, like reality itself is shifting, warping, the boundaries between universes becoming translucent for just the briefest of moments.]

[It strikes him then. He knows what this is. He knows what this has to be. Cold sweat breaks out on his skin, his heart rate spikes to the point where it's practically inside of his throat. Familiar sounds come rushing back to him. The night after the events of Uyreka, Dromas' proclamations, the look on Iris' face when his true identity was revealed.]

[He could see them now. The last thing he saw right before being brought to Heropa; the twin moons hovering ominously in the sky, casting the world in an eerie purple palor...]

[His world. Anmaral.]

[It was like he was experiencing the haze of a morning after a dream-heavy slumber, where your mind races to try and catch all of the escaping details before they're burned away by the morning sun. He tried his best to hold onto names...faces...]

[It was disappearing like smoke, slipping though the cracks in his consciousness.]

[Fear slowly fades as he rushes to burn whatever he can into his mind. Engrave it into his very soul. He wants to call out to Cecelia, but already his voice is in another reality. He wants to tell her not to worry. Not to be scared. To tell everyone on his behalf that he loves them and that he will find a way back. To tell the one most precious to him to wait for him.]

[But since he can't speak, he steels his gaze and firms his jaw.]

[Wait for me guys. I'll be back. I promise...]

[Cecelia's wind chime catches the breeze, the clinking and clanking somehow sounding more hollow than before...]

[Only to be accompanied by the sound of a cane falling to the carpet as soundless as the departure of its owner.]

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adamantlyardent - 2019-07-19 01:35 (UTC) - Expand