Story Setting
In a small English town in the 1980s, Emily and Sophia are two very different women whose lives are turned upside down by the presence of two male protagonists. Alex is the second son of a large local hereditary family, a seemingly ordinary farmer who carries a family secret. Benjamin, a mixed-race photographer of one-quarter Indian ancestry, has inherited his family's classical Indian divination spells. In this vintage-inspired town, the fates of the four intertwine to unravel a complex tale of love, secrets, and superpowers.
In England an small town in the 1980s, the sunlight poured through the sparse clouds onto the stone-paved streets, giving the old town a warm coat. The market in the town was bustling with the sound of vendors selling and customers bargaining, forming a vivid picture of the marketplace.
The streets are lined with Victorian-era buildings, their facades stained a soft gray-brown with age, their roofs covered with greenish-black tiles, and iron signboards hung under the eaves with the names of the stores engraved in elegant script. The sunlight poured on these buildings, outlining their outlines even more distinctly, as if they were the work of a painter's brush painstakingly depicted.
In the center of the town is an old fountain, the water is so clear that from time to time coins fall into the water and make a crisp ringing sound. All kinds of stalls are placed around the fountain, some selling fresh fruits and vegetables, some selling handicrafts, and some selling antiques and old books. Each stall has its own character, and colorful parasols like blooming flowers add a touch of brightness to the market.
The vendors stood behind their stalls, their voices loud and enthusiastic, some in English, some in Scottish dialect, and some in Welsh, a mixture of languages that created a unique symphony. They shouted and bragged about their wares, attracting passing customers. Customers, on the other hand, walk between the stalls, selecting the goods of their choice, stopping from time to time to bargain with the vendors, their faces brimming with satisfaction and joy.
In one corner of the market, there is a stall selling fresh flowers, which is filled with colorful flowers, including roses, tulips, lilies, and many unnamed wildflowers. The scent of the flowers mixed with the smell of the earth was refreshing. An old woman was carefully packing a bouquet of flowers for a customer, her fingers were rough but her movements were unusually dexterous. She smiles and talks to the customer as if sharing the secrets of the flowers.
At the other end of the market, there was a stall selling bread, filled with a variety of breads, from whole wheat, to white, to those with nuts and raisins. The aroma of the bread filled the air and made people salivate. A young baker was busy, his arms covered with flour and a satisfied smile on his face. He skillfully kneads the dough into various shapes and then sends it into the oven, and in no time, the golden-colored bread is freshly baked.
At the edge of the market, there was a row of open-air cafes, their tables and chairs placed on the street, and under the parasols sat customers in twos and threes, enjoying the sunshine and the leisurely afternoon while sipping their coffee. A young woman sat in the corner of the café, a cup of steaming latte in front of her, her fingers gently stroking the rim of the cup, seemingly feeling the temperature of the coffee. Her eyes drifted to the market from time to time, observing the people coming and going, her eyes revealing a hint of curiosity and yearning.
The sunlight cast dappled light on the stone road, and the pedestrians on the street wore all sorts of clothes, some in traditional kilt, some in modern jeans and T-shirts, and some in vintage long dresses and bowler hats. Their costumes were colorful and contrasted with the surrounding buildings and the colors of the market.
On the other side of the market, there was an old church with a large bell hanging from its belfry, which rang out at exactly the right time every full hour, echoing over the town. The church yard was filled with roses, and the fragrance of the flowers was delightful. An old priest was sitting at the door of the church, a kind smile on his face, his gaze gentle and deep, as if he could see through the heart.
At the end of the market is a small winding river, the water is crystal clear, the river bank is full of willows, willow branches dancing with the wind, as if waving to the passing pedestrians. There is a stone bridge on the river, the bridge is carved with exquisite patterns, under the bridge the river gurgles, from time to time there are ducks playing in the water. At the other end of the bridge is an open meadow with a few cows and sheep scattered on the grass, which leisurely graze and enjoy the sunshine and tranquility.
The whole town is like a living painting, with every detail filled with the flavor of life and the precipitation of history. The sunshine, the stone paths, the old buildings, the bustling market, and the pedestrians wearing all kinds of clothes form a cozy and harmonious picture, which makes people can't help but be mesmerized.
Emily's shop is located in the corner of the town, an old building with ivy-covered facades and lace curtains on the windows. Inside, the workshop is filled with the aroma of fabrics and dyes, the walls are covered with a variety of clothing designs, and sewing machines and various tools are placed on the tables. As night fell, the lights in the workshop were dimly lit, and Emily was alone, sitting in front of her sewing machine, her hands busy, but her heart filled with loneliness and frustration. In front of Emily's eyes lay the garments she had so meticulously designed - from elegant gowns to exquisite hats, each piece was the fruit of her heart and soul. However, despite her impeccable craftsmanship, the passersby at the market seemed to ignore her work and rush past, causing a tinge of loss to well up in her heart. She gently caressed a light blue dress, her favorite piece, and silently prayed that someone would appreciate its beauty.
From time to time, her eyes fell on the designs, each one epitomizing her dream, each stroke the fruit of her heart's work. However, the coldness of the market made her begin to doubt her own talent and whether anyone could truly appreciate her designs. She sighed softly, and the needle and thread in her hands continued to weave a bridge between her dreams and reality. A customer finally arrived in front of Emily's workshop, an old woman who was in awe of her hats. A long-lost smile appeared on Emily's face as she patiently tried on the hat for the old woman, her heart rekindled with hope. Not far away, Benjamin's camera was focused on this scene, and the corners of his mouth curled into a smile.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the town, in the bar, Sophia was busy. Her warmth and fire attracted many customers, and her smile was as warm as the warmth of the fire in the bar, making people want to get closer. Her Scottish accent stood out in the crowd as she talked to each customer and made them feel welcome. Though her warmth and fire attracted many customers, she had a secret in her heart that she didn't know. From time to time, her eyes drift to the corner of the bar, where she keeps her favorite book, and between the pages are letters she has written to her distant relatives, filled with thoughts of home and confusion about the future.
Benjamin, on the other hand, is on the streets of the town, capturing life with his camera. His camera captures Emily's loneliness and Sofia's passion in an eternal moment. His eyes are sharp and seem to be able to see through people's hearts, but he hides a secret in his heart - he has inherited his family's classical Indian divination spells, which makes him see the world in a different way.
Benjamin's darkroom is a place of mystery, the walls are covered with photographs he has taken, each telling a story. He stood in front of the enlarger, carefully developing the most recent photographs. His brow was furrowed and his eyes glittered with apprehension of the unknown. He noticed anomalies in some of the photos that seemed to portend supernatural forces. He knows that behind these photos lie the secrets of the town, and he must uncover them to protect those he loves.
At the edge of town, Alex stands on the high ground of his family's farm, looking out over the vast fields. In the back of his mind, he is anxious about his upcoming 35th birthday. As the heir to the family, he knew he carried a heavy burden, but his heart longed for more freedom. His gaze fell on the distant church steeple, which seemed to hide his unknown destiny.
Alex's family study was a place steeped in history, with shelves filled with old books and family records. He sat at the desk, flipping through the yellowed papers, trying to find clues about the family's secrets. His brow was furrowed and his eyes glittered with apprehension of the unknown. He knew that his upcoming 35th birthday could be the turning point in his destiny. His heart was full of struggles, the expectations of his family and his own confusion made him feel an unprecedented pressure.