Remember Back When

Illusion closed her eyes, reluctantly allowing herself to be drawn into Talyssa's exercise. The ground's unpredictable shudders were as chaotic as her mind at this moment. But she tried to follow Taly's command. She searched through her memories, bypassing the mundane and the painful, until she landed on one that stood out vividly.

It was a memory of a stormy night, the rain lashing against the den and the wind howling like a feral creature. She recalled the warmth of the fire, crackling logs, and the sense of safety it provided despite the weather outside. She could almost feel the heat on her face and the softness of the body wrapped around her smaller frame. Her brother.

As the earth trembled once more, Illusion's heart skipped a beat, but she held onto the memory, grounding herself in its familiarity. She let the sensations wash over her, the memory of warmth and safety contrasting sharply with the instability beneath her feet.

Illusion opened her eyes slowly, letting Talyssa's words reverberate through her mind. She didn't respond verbally, but her expression softened, a faint glimmer of understanding reflecting in her eyes. She nodded once, an acknowledgment of the lesson Talyssa had imparted.

Memories, she thought, do define, hmm? An essence, was it? As she stood there, the tremors of the ground seeming a little less daunting, she felt a subtle shift within herself. The exercise had brought clarity, a reminder of holding onto what matters most. Cadaver. The girl smiled softly, her chest filling with a delightful warmth. How could she have forgotten? She stood, watching the ivory older man approach their teacher, and as nonchalant as she could; she listened in on the conversation.


illu