Chapter Text
Skating was just a past time, she's thought about quitting on multiple occasions, and each time Aglaea would find a way to bring her back. Truth be told, It wasn't all that bad but it wasn't that great either, there was... nothing about the sport that made her really like it. Part of the reason why Aglaea's attempts always seem to work aside from her excellent persuasion skills is that unlike some, what mattered to Cifera wasn't the prestige — it was Aglaea's praise. To her, it meant everything.
Of course, Aglaea never forced her to continue. It was more of a gentle push to keep trying in hopes that some day, Cifera herself might be able to find some semblance of joy in it.
The seamstress saw potential in Cifera, the girl was always quick on her feet and clearly had a talent on the rink. The woman talked to the girl about trying figure skating and Cifera had no complaints, it looked fun; it was, until it wasn't. She skated for fun unlike her peers, while they were skating to achieve a dream, Cifera skated to pass the time. Even then, she kept going because Aglaea seemed happy that she has something to work on.
Knowing this, she kept on participating even when her thoughts showed no sign of changing; to her though, this was enough. That was until... she met the gaze of someone in the crowd.
The encounter happened around a month or two ago, specifically during the 20XX National Championship event.
Within the closed arena, the crowd cheers with anticipation as the light flickers and point towards the new rising star of Okhema. Cifera by then, with her stunning charisma and eye catching moves, had already gathered quite a large number of fans. Her stunning performance in the free skate segment only solidified their choice to support her.
The crowd erupted as Cifera landed a perfect jump once again. Photographers and fans alike quickly jump at the moment to capture the beautiful sight the light gray haired lady. The way her hair framed her face and the charming expression made everyone swoon with delight — a very good sight for her fans.
The sound of her blades scratching the ice below as she quickly moves through her routine to the beat of Speed of Light. Her rather free willed style pairs well with the song and her agility makes for some interesting moves. One would akin her to that of an enthusiastic cat on ice.
An excellent choice if you ask her, it totally fits her vibes. Though, Aglaea would point out how odd that description was. Not that she listened, of course. As long as her skills were appreciated, they could describe however they'd like.
With this, it'll only be a matter of time before she'll be qualified to represent Amphoreus in this year's 20XX Winter Olympics that will be hosted in their native soil.
With Cifera finishing the last moves in her routine, she ended the performance by slidding into a spread eagle, her body moving across the ice cold rink with ease and grace. Body tired but satisfied, gaze overlooking the arena trying to find her mother. However, instead of a pair of green and yellow eyes…
From the crowd, Cifera's focused gaze caught sight of lilac hues; she pauses her movements. Time stood still in that moment, the gray haired girl stood frozen. Her sole attention was pointed towards a young lady to whom those lovely shades of lilacs belonged to.
At first glance, her appearance was… ethereal. Cifera took notice of her long and beautiful lavender hair tied in the form of braids that sits on her shoulders. Thought, what truly captured her attention wasn't that… it was her eyes. They glimmered… like constellations in the sky; they were also filled with admiration towards her — Cifera.
Now, that part REALLY made her brain short circuit. Nah, she must've seen it wrong. Wait, pause actually. Say, even if it was admiration, why is she bumbling just because of that? Plenty of people have told her the same thing so realistically this shouldn't affect her at al-
Cifera double checks (and praying the girl didn't think she's rudely staring) then closes her eyes 'Nope yeah no, that's clear admiration from her cute face oh my god' She concludes. In the slang of the youngsters now, she's cooked. Down bad even.
Love at first sight? Maybe. Well, more like crush at first sight. Is that even right? Okay now, she's just going insane. This feels like one of those cheesy romance movies that Cyrene made her binge watch with Phainon.
Cifera couldn't understand why the mere sight of this person sent her on cloud 9, she can't explain it but something about this girl had her heart doing cartwheels and frolicking on the grass like a happy cat. Which is a good feeling, by the way!
Before she could further dwell on the matter, her attention was turned to Cyrene's call and she realized she must've been lost in thoughts for who knows how long. Not wanting to post-pone her rest, her legs make quick work to exit the rink towards her friend but not before taking a quick count of the rows.
Now, Cifera attributes most of her achievements to some training here and there with a little (huge) dash of luck on the side. That's just how she rolls, so the girl is no stranger to chance encounters in life. That's why when she and this gorgeous stranger happened to lock eyes one day in the arena, something within Cifera urged her to get to know this person.
And what better way to do so than by hounding Cyrene, a fellow writer and by a complete coincidence, a skater also, for answers?
As soon as she's off the ice, Cifera makes quick work of taking off her skates and (not so) gently placed them somewhere near the bench, Aglaea would have her head if she were to damage those new pairs of skates this early into the season. Grabbing the water bottle provided for her on the table, she chugs half of it to quench her thirst. Now hydrated and definitely focused, she immediately struts to an amused Cyrene, who's been watching her erratic movements ever since she finished her routine. The gray haired skater comes to grip her delicate shoulders with the force of a very frazzled cat.
"I. Need. Help. Now."
"Cifey, what can your lovely cute friend here do to help ♪" Cyrene stood with a grin that's close to spelling trouble. Cifera would know, thats her signature look; The little prince can vouch for it. "I don't suppose this has something to do with you spacing out before, hmm?"
Damn, okay maybe either she WAS being rather obvious about it or Cyrene's just awfully perceptive today.
"Look to my right, up on the 4th row seat," Cifera quirks her head to the right and Cyrene follows "girl with lavender hair, braids. Cute but don't look too long! She might notice." She said as if the entire arena isn't eyeing them right now but whatever. Purple eyes quickly spot the person in question; no doubt she stands out amongst the crowd with her appearance. Despite Cifera's words, Cyrene squints at the stranger, something about her looked insanely familiar but the girl couldn't put her finger on it.
Usually the pink girl would already be chatting but with how serious she suddenly is, Cifera questions if she counted the rows wrong. "Peachs? Girl, she can't be that hard to fin-"
A delicate hand springs up to close her mouth, "Hush Cifey, patience is a virtue!" After a few more minutes, as if someone finally lit up the light bulb in her head. Cyrene turns to Cifera, amethyst eyes crinkling with amusement like she's just found another love story to read, "She looks familiar."
The gray hair paused, she said nothing but her expression is practically shouting 'well what are you waitin' for spill it on me girl??'
"That's Castorice, my friend. A journalist from Styxia's Post House," Doing a double check towards the seating area once again "yeah yup, that's definitely her♪" Cyrene gives Cifera a thumbs up and puffs in satisfaction at recognizing her pretty friend. And Cifera, with this revolutionary news, gawks at her pinky friend with wide eyes.
It dawned on her, 'Oh my god, i might have a chance.'
Purposefully ignoring the internal crisis her companion is going through, Cyrene hums happily, "Y'know, we should greet her! It's been so long since we've last chatted~"
"Hold, we?"
"Yes, we."
"Peachs, i'm not r-"
"Um, excuse me…"
The two were interrupted by the timid voice of a girl with lavender hair, almost like the certain someone that Cifera saw and promptly hounded her friend for answers.
Oh, oh.
She's here, standing, in front of Cifera. Time seemed to have slowed the moment the two lock eyes together. Her heart felt like it skipped a beat or at least that's how it felt. Describing the feeling is hard, especially when it's the first time this has ever happened. Sure, Cifera read her fair share of romance novels that she stole from Cyrene's bookshelf, and sure it did spark something inside her but never this... intense. Her stomach felt like butterflies flying around and her heart is doing summersaults on the imaginary field inside her body. But gosh, everything in the world just seemed to click when her cyan eyes met those pretty lilac ones.