dark hopes

#talesofarcadia #toawizards #douxaire #ifwithoutyou

Notes: Text: an AU about the new timeline, the scene when Douxie Casperan/Claire Nuñez meets again.

This is my first time writing in English, might make mistakes. A special thank to my best friend Jelly @SilentJellyfish for all her help with grammar and correction of expressions, and for her kind and support. This actually a gift for her too. Also for those friends who are always kind and open mind, without you, I would never have been able to finish this story. This article is dedicated to my dear Jelly and to all of you who are most precious to me. I always appreciate it.

And of course, for my favorite magic two in the whole series. My cutest mentorship, I am trying to reconnect them to each other. Their deep connection shouldn’t be cut off so easily at the end.

Work Text: Indigo puff Take me where the sun shines from my mind Load up the guns And drive towards the place we left behind You’re the one, you’re the one, you’re the one Running through my brain It’s in my brain You’re the one, you’re the one, you’re the one You’re the one, you’re the one, you’re the one In my heart, in my bones and in my soul You’re the one who keeps me on my own

–Indigo Puff by Sundara Karma

~~~

The scene when Douxie Casperan and Claire Nuñez meet again.

—Was in the bookstore.

It was after school and Claire got a message in the early afternoon that GDT Arcane bookstore will be getting a number of the new reprint of Shakespeare’s play today. As a faithful fan of Shakespeare, how could she miss such a good thing?

Rushing in without meeting anyone’s gaze, Claire couldn’t wait to wander between the tall shelves of books. Her eyes finally stopped atop the line of brand new spines. She lifted her hand in some delight, only to find a wooden shelf that was half her head taller. Because of her concentration on trying to get the book, she didn’t notice the situation behind the shelf. When her hand finally touched the pile of paper, the person on the opposite side unexpectedly did not know, also quietly reached over a hand, and touched the book at almost the same time as she did.

She originally wanted to get the book and leave, instinctively stopping for a second when her hand was covered by something with a similar body heat just like hers, and she could sense that the owner of the hand had the same doubts. She then took a few steps back in surprise, causing the book to fall and hit her ankle, the pain made her fall to the ground at once. The sound of someone’s footsteps came from far to near, and the anxiety of its owner was visible.

“I’m sorry, are you alright??”

The first thing she noticed was the person’s apologetic and concerned tone. It was a youth’s voice in a British accent with a hint of huskiness. But for some reason, his voice seemed to come to an abrupt halt the moment he saw her. She paused too, as if she had heard this voice with the same words at some point, an odd sense of familiarity spread through her brain, and Claire almost didn’t feel the pain of her ankle. There were so many blurry images flashing through her mind that she couldn’t see them very clearly.

Then she looked up.

Moon but with hazel color, collided with her vision unmistakably. It felt like a quiet night and she was wrapped in the soft moonlight and submerged into the deep blue sea.

And the cerulean-colored hair on his forehead, the same as hers.

“Do-” she saw his eyes widen in vain when she was almost speaking something unexpected, he looked at her with some incredulity.

“…Sorry… but, have we met before?” she was still put off and asked this question instead of her original thought. Claire regretted it as soon as she said it, her face instantly turning red. Before getting an answer, Claire struggled to stand, but the person across from her had stepped forward and gently held her shoulders as if he had done this action many times, and she could regain her footing and stand safely.

She finally noticed the record book under his armpit and the work tag in front of his clothes, Claire realized that he is an employee of the bookstore.

At the moment she was hesitant. The youth has bent down again to pick up the book that had dropped in the chaos. He patted off the dust that fell on it carefully and then handed it to her. In that small moment, Claire saw a shallow scar hidden beneath his strange bracelet, and at once, that odd familiarity swept over her again, but she still couldn’t make out a reason for it. Trying to give up that thought, she took it somewhat matter of factly and saw the title on the cover was that of Hamlet.

“You’re here for the reprint of these plays, right?” The youth asked after a little while. Claire nodded as an answer, she thought it was clear already. He acted as if he was sizing her up. But what was this? She was expecting to hear a response to her question. Although it was a bit presumptuous, like an outrageous foreign movie.

“A little more than kin–….” the person’s voice suddenly cut in.

“–and less than kind.” And so she carried on his words, without thinking twice. Claire noticed the curve of the youth‘s mouth rise after she finished this sentence.

It seemed like some kind of game and finding the fun in it.

“While memory holds a seat in this distracted globe. remember thee!” She continued this code play.

“Tis in my memory lock’d, And you yourself shall keep the key of it.” As the youth answered, she could see herself in his eyes.

And for a moment that strange feeling flooded her thoughts once more, although it was silent all around, Claire felt deafened. She was about to say something when she heard the youth’s chuckle.

“Seems you’re also a big fan of him.”

Not expecting him to say that Claire was stunned at first, but then she thought he was telling the truth. The youth gave a friendly smile, infectious in some way, and she grinned back.

“Yes, I think I am.”

She watched as he put a tick in his record book, at which point she walked alongside him in the direction of the exit.

“For the answer to your question…” She suddenly heard him say. “I think the answer is no, but only temporarily.” For a moment she didn’t understand what he meant exactly. But by now Claire was approaching the door to the bookstore, she turned back, her gaze falling back to his.

The youth looked at her and smiled as he continued. “But I believe time cannot be an obstacle. Some people are born to know each other. ” He pointed to his chest as he was saying this, and Claire instantly understood what he meant when she saw the object. It was a moment of mixed feelings. It was as if she had heard the breaking sound of the iceberg and then with warm river flow through her chest instead.

She knew she had a lot of things she wanted to say that had lingered on her lips. It was only when she looked into those eyes that she suddenly lost the ability to express herself again, or rather, she didn’t know what to say, a right way that seemed unobtrusive and just right.

The moment she hesitated to speak, the youth’s voice once again stripped her from her restless mind. “Next week, there will be a reprint of Romeo and Juliet. ” She heard him pause for a second, and then continue. “I’m looking forward to see you again,” He paused again for a moment and smiled, “The Unknown Fair Lady.”

A dream itself is but a shadow.

But even so. The shadow is there but in a different form. It may even be the key to helping people reclaim that memory, and time is the key to unlocking all the mysteries.

There was nothing left for them to fear in the days to come.

Claire looked intently at the person in front of her that was smiling at her, and eventually, she heard her voice coming from what sounded like a great distance, the waves rolling up the sand and becoming blurred in the breeze.

“Yeah, see you soon.” She responded to him with the same gentle smile.

“See you soon.”

Notes: I hope that long afterward, there will still be people who remember that there was a silent and sound redemption outside the stone gates of the lady of the lake. They eventually rescued each other from self-doubt, helped each other recognize their strengths, and became important to each other on their journey of growth.

Death, separation, are just the end of a journey, they are not enough to be feared. What is truly frightening is complete oblivion.

I always believed that they would meet again and carry on their connection. No matter what timeline they are in.

The point is, what choice will you make?

See you soon.