The festival was in two days. Preparations were almost done, both in the house and on the festival grounds. People were busy with the final touches, and it was heartwarming to see everyone working together. By evening, everyone in the house was buzzing with updates about the festival and what we would all wear. From my room itself, I could hear everyone talking. I had just taken a nap, so I was a little grumpy, but I managed to get out of my room on time to see what was going on.
"What?! Only white? NAW PLEASE, DAD THAT'S BORING!!!" Anya's loud voice was ringing in the living room.
"Ah, there you are, Moon. Come here and have a look." Misaii took the moment to walk out of the discussion and invited me to join them. Though I wasn't particularly excited about dresses, I still sat with them to choose. It wasn't like I was not happy about the festival, but I just wasn't accustomed to wearing these glamorous gowns and dresses so often.
"According to the traditions, the flame-bearers wear white clothes to signify purity and transformation. That's just how it is, my love." Grandma tried to console Anya, who was nagging to wear a dazzling red.
There was an array of gowns, all white. Some were adorned with jewels, and some were decorated with laces. Each gown was beautiful in its own way. I picked one up from the pile and held it in front of Anya.
"This one would really look good on you, see?" I held out the dress. Anya reluctantly took it, but it took her just about a minute to get obsessed with the dress. She loved it. Dad heaved a sigh of relief, because to him, pleasing Anya was a big deal.
"Here, I think this one would really suit you well." Misaii picked up a gorgeous white gown for me. The off-shoulder top of the gown was adorned with detailed flower-shaped lace work, while it had a beautiful puffy skirt on the bottom, decorated with intricate designs. The whole gown was covered with little pieces of reflective stones and there were pearl chains right around the waist.
"Woah, that is so stunning!! Can I have that, please?!"
I laughed at Anya's childish behavior.
"Sure, you can ha-"
"Anya, no." Dad interrupted me and looked sternly at Anya.
"But dad, I-"
"No, Anya. Learn how to be content with what you already have."
Anya groaned in response.
"Dad, it's fine, I can just wear hers, it's alright."
Although I tried to make it better, Anya didn't accept the gown this time. I did feel bad for her, but dad advised me to let her be.
"Anyway, let's see what you have for the men?" Grandpa said, as Misaii obediently began pulling out the garments for men. My immediate response to what grandpa said was just confusion. Because deep inside, I was struggling to come to terms with Vic and his behavior. And well, of course not only his behavior, but the meaning of my visions about him. Everyone here thought that we were close, and advised us to go, but it wasn't really like that. At least… I didn't think so. After all, we weren't like Vlad and Anya. And considering how cold Vic was, he could never really be like Vlad anyway. The thought itself made me want to snicker, but I ignored it.
"Here. I chose this one for Victor. Do you like it?"
I was taken by surprise as Misaii showed me his outfit. But considering what everyone thought of us, I couldn't retaliate. These clothes were completely different from his usual attire- a dark cloak and pants underneath. It consisted of a shirt, which looked like a sleeveless coat- almost like a corset vest, and pants. Though very simple, the intricate designs on the shirt, and the beautiful finish on the pants really made them look beautiful. Anya had already made peace with her dress, and was now excitedly choosing clothes for Vlad. I had to take a moment to look at the clothes chosen for Vic.
"It's… it's nice, yeah." I said.
"Mhm. I think you both would look really great as a couple." Misaii said. Her words made me blush, and it made me feel a little uncomfortable since everyone was present. I got up from my chair.
"I- uh- I have some work." I said, and turned around, but almost as if I had bumped into a wall, I bumped into someone's chest, and staggered back a few steps knocking a few clothes down.
"OWW!", I shouted, holding the tip of my nose. "What the-"
I kept massaging my nose and looked up, only to see Vic in front of me, standing like the tall pillar-figure that he was, and Vlad standing behind him, smiling meekly at Anya. But almost to my horror, right the next second, Vic came running up to me and held me.
"Holy Eternia! I-I am so sorry, my love! A-Are you alright? Oh stupid me! I didn't notice you were turning around, I-"
That was the last straw. I felt SO weirded out by this guy, that I almost wiggled out of his strong grip. But immediately afterwards, I looked at the others in the room through the side of my eyes, staring at me intently, and laughed a little awkwardly.
"Ahaha, STAHP, Vic, I'm fine!" I said, almost hissing through my teeth, while Vic simply shot a sly smirk at me.
"Uhm- Victor, why don't you check the clothes we have here, for you? Come here-"
"Oh, no need for that, sir. I believe if Moon approves of it, it will be the best for me. I'm sure I'll look the best beside Moon." Vic interrupted my dad and looked at me with the same grin plastered on his face. Gosh that made me want to punch him in the face until his teeth fell out and he looked like Misaii.
"Eish, sorry Misaii." I thought, because even Misaii wouldn't deserve such disgrace.
"There is no way in hell I'm… I'm going with you." I said through my teeth. Vic gasped at it dramatically and almost fell to the floor.
"M-Moon, no, please! I-I promise I will be more careful, my dear! I won't be this reckless again! H-Here, should I caress your nose? I promise your boo-boo will be gone in a minute!"
"A- A 'boo-boo'? What was I- a toddler?"
Vic took a step forward, and I ran away, like a scared kitten. It was difficult to understand what was wrong with him today. Did he have a few too many drinks? Or is he just trying his best to act like Vlad and "fit in"? Either way, I was NOT having it.
"No, no, no, no! No- no need! I-I'm okay."
"Oh, Gosh, okay, then. We're good, now?" Vic said with a sly smile.
While continuing to smile at everyone in the room awkwardly, I nodded. Everyone in the room heaved a sigh of relief, while I could feel the embarrassment burning me. I could've just had the Earth swallow me whole than this happening in front of everyone. Gosh, that was embarrassing.
While everyone went back to their conversations, I managed to slide towards Vic. Anya had already taken up the attention of the whole crowd by then, especially because Vlad was present there. Taking the golden chance, I hit Vic on his bicep as hard as I could. To that, he just turned to look at me as if he was just touched by a fragile twig.
"WH-" realizing that I was almost about to be too loud, I controlled myself and then continued, "What the hell was that even? What are you trying to do?!"
Vic turned his body towards me and smiled slyly. Right the next moment, he leaned closer to my ear, speaking in a hushed, raspy voice.
"You think only Dione was capable of winning challenges? Vic as well never gave up without a fight." He whispered, as his breath on my neck gave me goosebumps. I gulped and took a step back, and then straightened up to look him in the eyes. Vic straightened up too, as if nothing just happened.
"You really suck at this, Vic. This is not how you… take up a challenge. Plus- that acting wasn't even good."
"Mm yeah? So… why don't you put up an act better than me? Show me what you've got?" Vic took a step closer, and almost covered me with his body. I looked away, blushing hard.
"I- I don't… I don't understand. What are you talking about?"
Vic crossed his arms against his chest and tilted his head a little.
"Hah, I didn't think you'd back out so easily."
"This little BRAT-" He was really testing my patience wasn't he? All these years of going to Yoga practices and practicing guided meditations early in the morning- he was really putting everything to the test. I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths.
"Calm down, Moon. You're too good to be stressed for THIS man, and over something so petty. Shh! Shh! Calm down." I spoke to myself to calm myself down, and then looked at him again.
"Aw, look at you! You look so cute when you're stressed. Especially when you're stressed over me." Vic said as he raised a hand to touch my cheeks, but I held them before he could do that.
"I am not going to play your games, Vic."
"Okay, okay, fine, Miss Feisty." He chuckled and bent down a little to match my height.
"You can forget about it easily, Moon. But I cannot. I have been a true lover, a devoted one, and I'll always be. But can YOU be equally as devoted? Can you be true to your words and be loyal? Hm, Dione?"
His last words made my eyes widen.
"I- I am not… Dione. I'm Moon."
Vic smiled.
"Are you?"
His smile made my confidence falter. I almost felt like I was losing my identity, when Vic held my palm and squeezed it in his. His touch almost made me melt, as if in some kind of magical trance.
"You know who you are, Dione. Recognize yourself. Please, for me."
Vic's words were a whisper, but when I looked into his eyes, those same words were sparkling in his eyes as pure passion, grace, and compassion. I was lost in his gorgeous blue-green eyes, yet again, diving into a sea of memories…
"1330: The Royal Mansion, ten years later.
I was never a deep sleeper. Sleep was always a necessity for me and never a luxury. Hence, I could never sleep too deep. Especially after spending so many days at the school, I had given up on sleeping properly. However, the feeling of sleeping in my own bed was different. There was just something so peaceful about it. But the fact that peace was always short-lived for me was becoming unavoidable with each passing day.
The squeaking noise of my window woke me up. Though I was used to waking up at random hours, sometimes, it would really take a toll on me. My heart was thumping loudly, but I kept my composure and got out of bed. My hem of my long night-dress dragged on the floor behind me as I walked up to my window and looked outside. There was no one.
"I can swear I closed it… Then wh-"
Before I was able to understand what happened, two hands grabbed me from the back. While one grabbed my waist, the other covered my mouth, muffling my screams completely. I felt like a helpless chicken in the hands of a butcher, squirming and wiggling, trying to break out.
"Shh, shh! I-"
But I was a little too quick to act. I rammed the back of my head right against my abductor's chest, and although he didn't wince, he did stagger a bit. I took the chance to forcefully pull his hand in front of me, and I threw him aside, pressing my elbow on his throat.
"YOU'RE DEAD NOW, YOU-"
The light infiltrating from the window lit up the face of my abductor, as I quickly moved back and gasped, covering my mouth like a shy girl.
"Vic! What the hell?! Have you lost it? Why would you-"
Vic laughed out loud and I had to cover his mouth this time to stop him.
"Vic!! STOP! You'll wake everyone up, you dumbass!" I whispered close to his ears, and he finally stopped laughing, grabbing my wrist and instinctively pulling me closer. Losing my balance, in no time, I was once again in Vic's arms.
"Vic!" I whispered, but smiled like a shy teenager. My cheeks were flushing red, so I had to look the other way to avoid looking him in the eyes. But Vic gently held my chin with his fingers and turned my face towards him. He was smiling. Every bit of him looked God-like in the pearlescent moonlight. And in his eyes, I could see myself- an eighteen year old woman, grown up, my height reached up to his chest, and the same old dark brown eyes and brownish golden locks were reflected in his eyes. There was something else too, hidden deep inside his blue-green eyes. Something that made me want to get even closer to him.
"Did I scare you?" He asked. His question brought me back to my senses and I pulled away, looking angrily at him.
"Vic, what else do you think I would be if you enter my room in the dead of the night through the window, and then wait in the shadows to pounce on me? YES, I was terrified, you moron! And I could've hit you!"
Vic stifled a laugh.
"Okay, okay, I'm sorry."
"Shut up." I said, as I moved closer to him to check up on him. "Did you get hurt somewhere?"
I kept checking him all throughout, while he kept staring at me and smiling.
"WHAT?!" I snapped at him.
"Huh? Uh- nothing, no, I- I'm fine. Totally fine." He smiled again as I sighed and moved back.
"I swear on Eternia if you ever try to scare me like that again, you monster!" I pouted like a little child and furrowed my brows, crossing my arms against my chest as I looked away from him.
"Ah, Dione, come on! I said I was sorry. Don't be mad at me. Okay, I promise I won't scare you like that again."
I stayed silent, and then, a wave of happiness and excitement ran through my body, as I felt Vic's strong torso pressing against my back while his hands wrapped around my neck. He hugged me from behind, burying his face on my shoulder.
"I'm sorry. I just couldn't control myself. I was missing you so much."
"So you decided to sneak in at night and scare me?"
"I can't help my traits! I am a wolf, after all!" Vic giggled. His warm breath on my neck gave me goosebumps.
"Mhm? Well, even I'm a witch. Trust me on this one, if I wanted to, I could turn you into a frog right now."
Vic pulled away immediately and I stifled a laugh.
"HEYYY! NOT A FROG, THOUGH!" He almost whined as I laughed out loud, not being able to control myself.
"Oh yeah, then what should I change you to?" I said, and Vic pressed his thumb to his chin and tapped his cheek with his index finger as if he was thinking about some game plan, and then said, "What about… your husband?"
My ears were burning, as my cheeks once again turned crimson. Vic took a few steps towards me and embraced me, speaking thousands of unspoken words through his lingering touches all over my body, making me crave more…"
"Current time:
"Moon? Moon, is everything alright? Moon!"
"Huh?" Misaii's voice brought me back. I took a few deep breaths and gulped to calm myself down. What I saw in the vision almost left me breathless, but… where was Vic? My eyes scanned the whole room, but Vic wasn't there. How the hell did I even get that vision? Up until then, I only got visions when I slept, or was unconscious. And now… it almost felt like Vic hypnotized me into having this vision. So… is it really true? Does Vic really know magic? Is he… not human?
I shook my head and anxiously looked around the room.
"Misaii, where's-"
"Victor and Vlad? They left just a moment ago. Ah, these silly kids. They just came, took their clothes, and left. They could've at least listened to your dad and stayed for dinner."
"Oh… hm." Although my response came out too dry, I tried not to sound too uninterested. But my heart was pounding in my chest wildly. Is that what Vic meant by 'recognize yourself'? Was that…how deep a relation he had with Dione? It was hard to calm my mind and my heart. Both seemed to be at a race, and my body seemed to burn up with the tension. But then, Misaii touched my shoulder.
"My Lady, is everything alright? You look so pale."
"I- um… yeah, I-"
A wild thought crossed my mind. This was a war for me. Even though I had all these visions, I couldn't connect one vision to the other. But I had to make it happen. And the only one whom I could trust with it, the only one who seemed genuine enough for me to talk about the visions without the fear of looking like a fool, was Misaii.
"Actually, Misaii, I was uh- I was thinking maybe you could help me with something."
Misaii moved a little closer.
"Yes?"
"Um… I… sort of… haven't been sleeping well lately. I kind of… keep having these dreams, and… I really can't seem to find any information on these dreams. Can you um- help me?"
I couldn't understand if it was a smirk, or a concerned lip curl, but Misaii paused to think for a moment. Then, she turned to look at me, making me freeze. Her eyes- I saw something in them. Something that made my blood run cold. For the few seconds that I could see it, I tried to understand what it was. But I could only see myself, Vic, Anya, Vlad, and someone else… a really dark energy, almost burning us completely. Misaii blinked, and it was all gone, and in front of me was Misaii's ever so kind looking face, smiling at me.
"My Lady, are you sure these aren't just normal dreams?"
"I- uh… yeah…"
She paused to think again.
"If you say so, it must be something important. I… will try my best to help you, My Lady. But just- do not stress over it too much, okay?" She caressed my cheek.
"Mhm." I said.
"Come by my room after dinner. I'll see what I can do, okay?"
I nodded, and Misaii left. I couldn't understand my reality anymore. It was all a blur, and I could understand that I was standing on the edge of two realities merging together, and the result was probably not fruitful at all.