Shui stared out at the shimmering lake. Despite it being nighttime, the surface of the lake shimmered with light from the street lights surrounding the lake. Gentle waves lapped at the shore of the lake, emitting a lulling sound and calming Shui down.
Sighing softly Shui leaned back on the bench that she was sitting on. It was one of many benches overlooking the lake, giving a picturesque look to the entire area.
A moment of silence later Shui muttered softly, "I shouldn't have snapped at him..."
Shui knew that Icarth could live his life however he wanted. He was free to go wherever or do whatever he wanted. It was just hard to digest for her.
Why? Because Shui knew Icarth and Emmia since they were both 4. 10 years. That's how long she had known Icarth.
Icarth, her, and Emmia were practically inseparable at the academy. Although she was close to both twins, Shui was closer to Icarth because Icarth helped out at her dad's restaurant from time to time.
If it was at that time, Icarth would tell her almost everything. And so would she.
'Simpler times,' Shui thought with a tinge of resentment.
Everything was fine until that day. The day when Icarth had a fight with his big sister. The day that Icarth started to distance himself from everyone around him including Shui.
'Maybe I should've reached out to him on that day...' Shui thought ruefully. At that time, Shui was extremely confused. And to be fair, she still was at this time although for an entirely different reason.
At that time she had given Icarth space, which had led to him pushing her away. Maybe if she had talked to him things might be different.
Just maybe...
"Ahem." A voice behind Shui cleared their throat.
Surprised, Shui turned her head to see Icarth walking towards her.
Following Icarth with her eyes, Shui watched as he sat down beside her on the bench.
The pair sat in silence as they gazed over the lake enjoying its calming lull.
Finally, Icarth cleared his throat and turned to Shui.
"So...why are you so mad?" Icarth asked straightforwardly.
Speechless, Shui stared at Icarth for a few seconds before responding, "Do you really not know?"
"....I mean I know a little.." Icarth said hesitantly.
Pursing her lips, Shui decided it was better to just apologize.
Opening her mouth, Shui started to say something before Icarth cut her off.
"I mean, we're just friends why are you so mad at me disappearing for a while?"
'...just friends...' the words rang in Shui's mind as a wave of anger welled up inside her. Apologizing to Icarth flew out the window as Shui listened to Icarth speak.
"I'm fine anyway. And-"
"Stop," Shui snapped as the wave of emotions burst forth.
Icarth stopped and stared at Shui confused.
In response, Shui glared at Icarth.
"Just friends? Does the fact that we've known each other for 10 years not mean anything to you?" Shui threw her words at Icarth.
"I mean, we've not been talking that much over the past few years.." Icarth started.
"And whose fault is that?"
"...."
"Heh," Shui gave an angry laugh. "You don't even think I'm that close of a friend to you, do you?"
Silence.
"What happened? Can't even respond?"
"You don't even talk to me properly anymore. No matter how hard I try nowadays, you just brush me off with an excuse like your sleepy, or you have to train?"
"I mean, am I not worth even talking to anymore?"
"Not worth your precious time?"
"Not-"
Shui stopped herself after noticing the look. Icarth's pale red eyes, gleamed in the street light, shining with indifference.
"Nevermind. Looks like I'm not," Shui muttered with resignation.
Just like always, silence met her. It was like talking to a wall.
"Just leave," Shui requested after a while. Nodding, Icarth stood up and slowly headed back to the dorm.
As he was leaving, Shui heard a word that broke her heart.
"....troublesome...."
A good few minutes passed as Shui just sat on the bench. Her mind was blank. After unloading all her insecurities onto Icarth only to get ignored, Shui felt empty inside.
'Maybe it's for the best....' Shui thought flatly. Frankly, she had seen this coming for a long time. But she had still hoped for the best and that Icarth would still consider her to be close.
"Ahem," a voice called out from behind Shui. Thinking it was Icarth back again, anger welled up once more inside Shui.
"Icarth what do you want now-" Shui snapped. Turning around, she suddenly froze.
Standing there was a woman with a very confused look on her face.
Embarrassment flooded Shui as she tried not to blush too hard.
"Ah, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to- I mean sorry for- I," Shui fumbled for the right words when she heard a light laugh from the woman.
Shutting up, Shui felt her face burning in shame.
"Calm down," the woman said with a wide smile. "Can I sit here?"
"Yeah, sure," Shui responded trying not to bury her head into her hands.
Watching the woman sit down beside her, the first thing that struck her was her fire-red hair, very similar to Shui's own.
But the woman's red hair seemed to undulate and flicker almost like flames in the wind, feeble yet persisting.
Shui lost herself in the woman's hair until she heard the woman clear her throat again.
The woman's amused face made Shui feel like she wanted to die from the embarrassment. This was the second time in just 10 minutes.
"It's fine girl," the woman calmed her down again, not trying to hide her amusement.
Shui decided it was better to not say anything and just nodded in agreement.
The surprise of the unknown woman's arrival drained away leaving Shui an empty shell once more.
Noticing this, the woman asked, "What's wrong girl?"
Shui flinched slightly at the sudden question.
Gazing at the woman, Shui didn't answer. She didn't completely trust the lady who had shown up, and Shui chose not to answer.
"Something personal huh?" the woman asked when she didn't receive a response.
"Well, you don't need to tell me then. I actually came here to talk to you for a reason." The woman continued with an eerie smile.
Shui raised her guard. If the woman had a specific reason then the meeting wasn't a random coincidence.
"Actually I felt that your gift is similar. I felt a sort of calling from my gift." The woman started out.
Shui felt her eyebrows scrunch up in confusion.
'A calling from your gift? What is she talking about?' Shui thought.
"It's like every part of me is being commanded you know? To help you. I can tell that you can't control your gift. I can help you with that," the woman's smile widened.
"How do you know that?" Shui asked narrowing her eyes. The woman's smile no longer felt amiable. A certain fanaticism was seen in the woman's eyes as she locked eyes with Shui.
"Oh, my gift told me. It's also pretty obvious with how the universal energy revolves around you," the woman commented.
Shui felt a chill run through her body.
'She's dangerous,' Shui thought with concern. If the woman knew how to see universal energy, it was highly likely that she knew how to control it as well.
"Just let me help you, I can guide you to your true potential," the woman continued, her voice bordering on insanity.
Shui scooted away or tried to when she hit the edge of the bench.
"Oh don't run away, I won't hurt you," the unknown woman stated with fire burning in her eyes.
Shui felt her blood run cold when she realized that those were actual flames in her eyes.
'Should I activate my gift? No, I can't control it...What do I do?' Shui thought furiously.
The woman suddenly raised her hand to grab Shui.
Shui felt her heart rate spike and almost activated her gift right then and there if not for a voice that interrupted the two ladies.
"Hey Shui, that's where you were," A familiar voice called out and a hand grabbed the woman's outstretched hand stopping it in its tracks.
Shui tilted her head to see Icarth there, his familiar red eyes coldly staring down at the creepy woman.