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“well…” skyli murmured, at a loss for words as she glanced up at layla, then habasha through her fringe.
“i certainly didn’t expect that as our past lives,” habasha said, her hand to her chin and lips downturned.
once the two women had found they shared matching soul marks, which had been an experience in of itself; habasha had approached skyli with a new choker she had said reminded her of the general, who in turn had shown a great amount of trust by unclasping her old choker in order allow habasha to place the new one on her. it had revealed the mark of a thin red snake devouring its tail underneath, matching the same one habasha had on her right hip.
after the mutual suprise, they had ended up in agreeance and arranged a meeting with a rtawahist scholar, which led them to their current predicament after having their past destinies scryed within the stars — standing in silent contemplation in front of the scholar, layla, who nervously laughed and scratched her cheek.
“um, you know, i’m more into the theoretical part of my darshan… so i could be wrong?”
“no, i trust your abilities, layla. it’s why i chose you to do this and not someone else,” skyli said, arms crossing over her chest as she stared at the blue haired woman, who once again nervously laughed in response, before covering her mouth as she stifled a yawn.
“if that’s all, i, um, think i’ll head back. … if that’s alright?”
“thank you, layla,” skyli said, habasha nodding her gratitude towards the scholar. layla waved, yawning as she turned and left the two women behind in the pavilion.
“so, it seems our past lives were king deshret and the priest kasala. i must say, it’s something i didn’t expect, but of course very interesting,” habasha broached, watching as skyli’s nose scrunched up just the slightest.
“i agree that it’s interesting, but on a personal level, i’m not really sure how to feel.”
the shorter woman walked over to the steps of the larger pavilion, sitting down. the scribe trailed after and sat on the steps as well. she put her hand on her thigh, up and open, quiet as skyli reached out and placed her own atop. she ran her thumb gently over the back of the hand in hers, taking in the contrast between them: her fair skin to skyli’s tan; her blunt nails to sharp ones; and her soft palm to one that was calloused.
“i don’t believe we have to worry about their destiny affecting ours. this a different life for the both of us — a new chance. although our souls seem to continue on, we learn and grow, yes?”
“you’re right,” skyli conceded, a smile forming and a sparkle in her eye.
“i think we’re already headed towards a better course, one with no melancholy. do you know why?”
habasha let out an inquisitive hum.
“because i’d like to pursue this relationship with you. would you allow me to take you to puspa café tonight? not as friends, like we have been, but as something more.”
“i suppose i can set another quiet evening aside for you, general mahamatra.”
“good. i was worried that you might be intimidated by a date, but to reassure you anyway, it’s just a big raisin.”
habasha snorted, squeezing skyli’s hand.
‘yes,’ habasha thought to herself, ‘it seems we’re already on a greater path than those before us, whose efforts won’t be in vain.’