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Penacony; the land of the dreams, the planet of festivities.
It shone brighter than the brightest light, so much that it was blinding.
Castorice couldn’t help but compare the hotel lobby to Okhema. With the endless floors and rooms, the greeting place itself was bigger than the state. How bigger would the rest be?
It was bustling with guests and staff alike, so much that she noticed Lady Cipher already wasn’t in sight anymore with her fellow heirs scattered around. Next to her was Hyacine, looking around and muttering to Little Ica about their surroundings.
She was fascinated; it was so different from all the places she had been to in Amphoreus: Okhema, Aidonia, Styxia… Even when thinking of different landmarks for her stories, she would have never been able to come up with such a fascinating view.
It all felt surreal. When the idea was first presented, it filled her with anxiety that she wouldn’t be able to go anywhere with many people. She wouldn’t be able to enjoy herself, it would just put unnecessary worry on Lady Tribbie and Lady Aglaea’s gentle souls, for they always tried to help her experience joy and connection. She would end up being nothing more than a threat to the people around, making them feel uncomfortable. Maybe the worst would happen, someone would accidentally bump into her and she would take their life away from them. At least in Okhema, and even when she studied in the Grove of Epiphany, everyone knew of her touch of death and therefore kept their distance from her at all times. But that wouldn’t be the case in Penacony, she had no right to disturb anyone’s dreams. She would rather preserve other people’s happiness over her own momentary joy.
Then came Miss Stelle’s voice, speaking of how they would be in a dream and in Penaconian dreams, death wasn’t present. She talked of how everyone was under The Family’s protection and how technically her curse shouldn’t work; if it were to, the person would just wake up in reality and would be able to come back to the dreams.
Before Castorice could raise more concerns, Lady Tribbie’s voice followed, ‘’No objections, Cas! You are coming with us!’’
How could she say no to that enthusiasm or try to refute Miss Stelle?
Seeing all her companions alongside her enjoying themselves was truly the biggest treasure of all. Even the Imperator had a genuine smile on her face instead of a smug one!
‘’Cassie, it’s so nice to see you happy! A smile suits your face so much, right, Little Ica?’’
‘’Doot-doot!’’
Castorice was phased out of her thoughts when she was added to Hyacine’s conversation, now two pairs of eyes on her.
She felt her smile involuntarily widen, that was just how Hyacine was like. She always made her feel like she too could love and be loved, her very being was the hug Castorice had spent her entire life yearning for.
While she was excited to travel with her friends, her heart warmed at the thought of getting to see new sights with her lover.
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They played a game introduced as one that was connected to ‘’The Holy Grail’’. She watched with a smile as Lord Mydei and Lord Phainon bickered as usual withLady Aglaea and Lady Cipher teaming up against Lady Tribbie, Lady Trianne and Lady Trinnon. Professor Anaxa skipped on to observe the little trinkets called ‘’curios’’ around the spaceship, meanwhile The Imperator and Lady Hysilens looked out to the city below.
It truly was the sweetest dream, being surrounded by the her friends and mentors she had cried and laughed with, people who had accepted her for who she was and never left her side even in death, for millions of cycles. Every moment filled with laughter used to feel so bittersweet, knowing their eventual end.
At last, the moments were deprived of bitterness and losses. She could bask in joy of watching them, knowing their future was one of another moments to enjoy.
Next to her was Hyacine, who had promised her window shopping after their recently finished match.
In dreams and reality, her beloved was now within her reach. She could hug her, kiss her, cuddle with her. The happiness she felt was indescribable, knowing even when they got out of Penacony’s dream world, Hyacine would still be within her reach.
The dream was her reality.
Hyacine gently took her hand, to which Castorice wrapped her own fingers around hers. Stelle had recommended some popular spots and shops, Hyacine seemed to follow her advice and make their next destination Golden Hour.
The Golden Hour really was as majestic as it had been described. There were Penaconian locals and tourists scattered around, colorful shops and eye-catching advertisements… Everyone and everything was so fancy; fancy in a way that seemed to have a different meaning compared to Okheman language.
Castorice couldn’t help but admire the view, knowing Hyacine was in awe just as much as they took their time with the shops and vendors. The variety was endless, from local trinkets to delicious food; beautiful clothing to a giant eye ball that spoke…
It was the happiest Castorice had ever felt, on top of her lover’s contagious elation. For hours, they went around buying each other and other’s gifts, trying delicacies that were either overly sweet. Turned out dreams did have a taste, after all.
Their shopping spree came to an end with Hyacine suggesting to buy herself a dress in purple and Castorice one in pink. ‘’Now it won’t be just our hearts that show the other but also our clothes, Cassie,’’ she had told her. As they made their purchase, Castorice thought of how Cyrene would want to quote this moment into As I’ve Written if she were there. The image of her teasing caused her cheeks and ears to flush red, which got her girlfriend to let out a soft laugh with her own cheeks having a hint of pink. Maybe they were on the same page, as romantic as Cyrene would say.
They walked over to the edge of the Golden Hour with their hands never letting go of one another. The sky was a beautiful shade of blue, overlooking many tall buildings above.
While Hyacine looked at the view, she was looking at her; wanting to talk to her beloved about how much she appreciated her being, their relationship, this new life. Alas, words seemed to fail her, she didn’t know where to start.
Her lover turned to her with an even wider smile than usual, a silent reassurance that words weren’t needed at that moment.
Instead, they shared a sweet, tender kiss - their first one - with the city behind them, their hearts forever in sync.