mdseiran

Not deleting yet, but soon I think. This is for then.

A soft breeze whispered through the trees and grass, the sound suspiciously like a song, only heard by those who listened for it. The leaves seemed to dance to its tune, floating gently in an elegant pattern, one of them occasionally finishing the dance and slowly floating downwards to land on the ground. It had finished its purpose, and now it was time for it to rest.

She tilted her back slightly, letting the wind tug at her braided hair, almost violently, urging it to join in this dance. Her lips curved into a small smile of their own accord, her hands moving to untie the long braid, testimony to the years that had passed. She remembered when she had started growing her hair longer, the day vivid in her memory still. She would never forget.

Strand by strand, the auburn locks slipped through her fingers, streaming behind her head in a colourful wave. The small, black ribbon she used to tie the braid with slips from her fingers and is lost to the wind; she won't be needing it anymore. She simply stands there for a while, enjoying the sensations. When was the last time she'd felt this much peace and contentment? The last time she'd stood still to appreciate the beauty of something? The last time she'd had the time and desire to do so...she couldn't remember. She regretted that, a little bit. But there was still time to make up for all she'd missed.

The blade of her dagger is silent as it slides from the sheath, slipping into her hand with unerring familiarity. Smile growing wider, she grabs her hair back from the wind and gathers it in one hand, pulling the mane over her left shoulder. She combs her fingers through it almost lovingly before hefting it all up and, with one swift slash, cutting it off till it reaches just above her shoulders. The wind fairly purrs, estatically lifting up the strands and running off with them, but she merely smiles. She won't be needing it anymore.

The dagger is replaced by a comb that she quickly runs through the remaining mass, before standing back and looking herself over once. She felt light without all the heavy armor strapped to her. Her pants were simple and plain, fashioned of black leather, fitting snuggly around her legs. On her upper torso was a simple shirt, white for the contrast, with sleeves that have a slit starting from the elbow and trail off to a much wider design, her bare arms appearing almost frail surrounded by them. High-heeled boots, almost hidden under the pants. The every-present locket, the leather backpack, and...the shawl. A tattered shawl, seemingly made from black smoke that disperses at the edges. The one momento she'd had, always kept safe in her backpack. It was out now, laying over her shoulders. Today, she would wear it.

Her step was quiet and light as she moved over the soft soil, taking care not to stand on twigs or dry leaves. She didn't want to give away her presence, not quite yet. It wouldn't do to be too startling, since it had taken her weeks to find the correct spot, and now that she had, she was not letting go. Certain of her direction the closer she came, she headed towards a barricade of shrubs hiding her destination from view. She knew it was behind those shrubs, what she was looking for, as if an unseen force was pulling her there. Using the agility she'd installed in herself since childhood, she quietly slipped passed them. Her first glance showed her a fairly sized lake, shimmering in the sunlight. It was quiet...almost too quiet. She took a few more steps forward, eyes quickly scanning the surrounding area, thoughts a whirlwind of confusion. She knew she wasn't wrong, and that this was the place. She knew, and there should be pro-

All thought was quickly cut off as the next step took her to the ground, landing with a small, almost inaudible 'oof'. She tilted her head slightly to take a peek at what had tripped her. Oil. Of course. That thought was, again, cut off by a claw suddenly appearing at her neck, swiftly and silently, the wielder hidden in the shadows, unidentifiable no matter how much she squinted. But she knew who it must be.

"Why were you following me?" Of course she would've noticed, no matter the precautions taken. A mirthful grin played about the woman's lips despite the dangerous situation. It had been a foolish mistake to think she could keep her appearance secret, but at this moment, she didn't care. This is what she'd been waiting for.

"Because you're hard to track down and I didn't want to do it twice. Besides, I missed you."

There was no tremor from within the darkness, no movement to indicate the claws had shifted in the least, so she kept still, eyes trained on the shadows. She could feel a pair of eyes keenly observing her for several minutes but ignored it. The minutes trickled steadily by, and she lost count of how long it had been before the claws withdrew from above her and she dared to sit up, casting an amused glance in the person's direction, and then merely settling herself on the ground - away from the oil - waiting for the next step.

"Why did you come...?" There was the faintest hint of uncertainty in the voice she had not heard in so long, and her heart ached wanting to sooth that. But it wasn't time for that yet...

"To be with you."

"...why?"

"Because I want to. Because I can."

There was some subtle shifting, and when the voice came again it was nearer. "What about Haden?"

"History. We've been divorced for a few years. That speck of dust finally left my eyes."

"Why, Sei...? Why now?" A soft whisper, a breath against her right ear that made her shiver, head instinctively tilting towards the source.

"Because I waited for you, and you didn't come. And because I care. A lot."

There was stillness, and her breath caught in her throat at the idea that she might have walked away. But then, soft arms embraced her from behind and she let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. Her arms moved to rest over the other's, leaning back against her frame, head landing on her shoulder. Her red hair mingled with her black locks as Seiran tilts her head, lips planting a soft kiss on the other's collarbone, the only bare skin she could reach in her position. And slowly, the person smiled, a soft smile that made her look years younger. Lifting her hand, Seiran lets it stroke over the woman's cheek, her voice a soft whisper. "Welcome home, Ceri..."

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