Like Something from a Dream [Astraia!AU]

[thecutdiamond]

Ever since the dark-haired man (Gustave Asarlai, the love of her life several lifetimes ago) stepped out onto the Green, things have changed. Rachel (Astraia?) knows the two newcomers were surprised when she'd stepped forward and began speaking not only in a tongue their people alone knew, but with a familiarity one woman alone used with the Magician. Honestly, everyone on the Green at that moment had been surprised.

Rachel (Astraia?) included. 

Since then, flashes of memory have returned, striking at random. It's difficult to tell whose it is-- Rachel's or Astraia's or the handful of lives lived in-between-- so often she doesn't even try. Lets the snippets try to sort themselves out. Trying to see if the ones she can tell are of her oldest self line up with the tale the visitors tell only gives her headaches.

The flashbacks themselves leave her halting mid-step no matter where she is, eyes glassing over. Looking into a past so distant, it feels like little more than a dream.

(More and more, though, she begins to believe it isn't.)

Comments

[thecutdiamond]

"What have I done, Säde?" she queries lowly, "All that time ago I failed to stop a war-- instead likely encouraging the bloodshed with my death. And now, with all the possible knowledge of what happened in that war-- useful knowledge which may be able to bridge the gap between our two peoples and fix what I failed to before-- I find myself entirely unable to recall anything but-- fragments."

And as for how she feels about what she has done as Queen before this situation came about well-- that is another matter entirely.

[ishineon]

"Don't say that. Did you wish to die? Did you order them to kill you? No. And it's been centuries since. We should not have to rely on you to bridge anything." She tilts her head. "If anything, it is they who should make amends. They sought us out. They didn't even expect you."

[thecutdiamond]

She sighs, hand running through her hair once more.

"Perhaps, but we were both in the wrong." And she's not certain, really which of the 'we' she is thinking herself a part of when she speaks, "And so both of us will have to work towards the mending."

If that is really what the Arcana came for at least; how she hopes so.

[ishineon]

Her fingers tighten a heartbeat longer, and then she's stepping back, taking her hands away. "Well, it won't help if we don't- pardon the pun- put all our cards on the table. It doesn't matter if you don't remember. They do. Can you not find some way...?"

[thecutdiamond]

She nods thoughtfully, "I will speak to Gustave." And there is a warmth in her voice when she says the name that isn't necessarily from Rachel.

"There was love between us, once, and that love tends not to fade when rendered apart suddenly." Despite the 'us,' the murmur is more from the Queen than the Star, a shadow passing over her face at the memory of her lost love of this life, "Perhaps he will speak plainly for the sake of that love, if nothing else."

[ishineon]

"He seemed willing enough to." Going by the reaction when Rachel's memories had come rushing back.

There's little they can manage when their only advantage is the reincarnation of a tragically murdered love.

[thecutdiamond]

But what an advantage it may be if utilized correctly.

"Tomorrow, then."