~Hakurei Shrine~ > Kosuzu's Grand Bookstore
Phantoms of the Past (Completed!)
Myschi:
You should, because now I - and probably anyone else who reads this - am (are?) sad. ._.
And I don't think Lunasa got killed, she just left.
Poor Lyrica, though... It wasn't even a clean death! *weeps*
RainfallYoshi:
Another day? what was Layla continuing to get out of bed for anyways? Lunasa was gone, Lyrica and Father were dead? all she had left was Merlin now. That?s right, she still had Merlin. As long as she at least had Merlin in her life? she had reason to continue to greet each day. Thinking this way made Layla feel a tad better and she slid out of bed with a yawn. Just as she did there was a knock on the door and a male servant walked in with a bow.
?Miss Layla, Merlin asked me to tell you to get cleaned up and attend lunch in a half hour.?
Before she could respond he gave another short bow and walked out, probably attending to other duties. What was up, Layla wondered. Merlin never had a servant come fetch her for lunch like that. It was then that she realized she had slept in. Oops. She shrugged and ran to the bathroom, washing up and getting dressed. She felt so good after being cleaned up she actually managed a smile. Today was going to be a good day! Layla cherished the good days, they came much less frequently than they used to. She ran into the dining room where Merlin had set the table. There was someone else there that Layla had never met.
?Just in time sister. This is Madame Julie. She?s from a very prestigious cooking school in France.?
Layla blinked confusedly before remembering her manners. ?Pleased to meet you Madame Julie,? she said cheerfully as she curtsied gracefully. She then took her seat at the table.
?Well Madame Julie, there should be no more delay. Let us eat and enjoy each other?s company.?
They all began to dig in, Layla took care to keep up her best table eating manners in front of the prestigious guest. She ate slowly to be sure she was perfect. They were having Merlin?s specialty, a chicken and turkey chili with homemade rolls. It was one of Layla?s favorites.
?This is quite exquisite Miss Prismriver. You certainly have a fine finesse in the art of cooking,? Madame Julie commented as she finished her bowl. Her voice was very sophisticated and had a hint of arrogance in it.
?Merlin has always cooked for us. We all love her cooking so much, she?s very talented.? Layla gave a large smile to her sister as she bragged on her.
?Yes I can see that. Well Miss Prismriver, I won?t torment you any longer. You are definitely prime material for our school. You are accepted. The first semester begins next month so be sure to start packing your things and find a way to France.?
Suddenly Layla had a horrible feeling in the pit of her stomach. Merlin wasn?t going right? She wouldn?t leave Layla all alone right?
?C?Congrats Merlin??
RainfallYoshi:
?I?m not going Layla,? Merlin said gently as she closed the front door. Madame Julie had just left and they had gone to the front door to see her off.
?R-Really?? Layla nearly wanted to jump with joy, her excitement filling her with energy. She wouldn?t be left alone! This was? great? As soon as Layla looked at Merlin?s face she knew she couldn?t let this end this way? even if it caused Layla a great deal of pain.
?But Merlin? you?ve always dreamed of going to a prestigious cooking school like that. Ever since we were little. You can?t give that up, why would you??
Merlin sighed and turned around to stare out the small window next to the door. The trees outside were bare and shook in the cold winter wind. She watched Madame Julie?s carriage roll off into the distance.
?I can?t leave you here by yourself. Lunasa is already gone and we?ve lost Lyrica. We have to stay together as sisters.?
Layla started to cry, but she forcefully wiped the tears away. Merlin was always closest to Layla, they had been best friends since they were born. That?s why? that?s why Layla couldn?t bear the guilt she would feel if she was the reason that Merlin didn?t follow her dreams.
?Did you forget what father said about your pendant Merlin? Did you forget what that meant and how you should live your life??
Merlin took grasp of the silver trumpet hanging around her neck with her left hand. She hadn?t forgotten, not once. This was her dream? and father would have wanted her to follow it.
?Layla? I??
?Not another word Merlin! I? I won?t be able to forgive you or myself if you give up this opportunity! I still have the servants to take care of me here, I?ll be fine! Don?t give up on your dreams for me!?
Merlin turned around to face Layla, her eyes were filled with tears but she had a huge smile on her face. She walked up and wrapped her little sister in a huge hug.
?Thank you Layla? I?ll start packing.?
Layla returned the hug and watched as Merlin ran upstairs. She knew she had done the right thing? so why didn?t she feel any better?
Myschi:
And I thought it couldn't get any sadder... ;_;
RainfallYoshi:
Layla stared idly out of the window as snow gently fell from the sky. She used to love the snow more than anything but with all of her family gone she? just didn?t really care anymore. She wasn?t sad or angry, rather, she just felt emotionally numb. She sighed and decided that she needed to get out of the house anyways. She couldn?t remember the last time she had gotten outside and she might as well get out while it?s this pretty outside.
Layla pulled on her snow boots and put on her finest jacket over her dress. Mittens and earmuffs were added for extra warmth and comfort and she was ready to go. She walked her way through the mansion and to the backdoor in the kitchen.
Outside it was beautiful. The fountain was turned off but there was water still in it, frozen solid and giving a clear reflection of the gray, cloudy sky. She smiled a bit as she listened to the constant crunch of snow beneath her boots. Despite all that had happened to her? something as simple as snow still managed to help her mood. She made her way towards her favorite place in the garden, the hedge maze. She decided to do a route different from her usual one, but she still knew the maze by heart. She took twists and turns and wandered around for awhile before she decided she would head back to the house.
She started making her way back and as she rounded a turn she found that she was in some other part of the maze she had never been to before. This? was new. She continued onward anyways, the strange thing being that their ceased to be any more turns on her way down this new path. She almost felt as if she was being led somewhere. She wandered forward for what felt like a long while before she found herself walking out into a large opening in the maze.
Ahead she saw an unrealistically large tree. It was a cherry blossom and its massive branches were filled with pink petals. That?s strange, these didn?t thrive in winter. Just as Layla was wondering where she was and how she had found herself here, someone appeared in front of the tree. The woman?s hair was as pink as the blossoms on the tree and she wore a long, elegant blue dress. Upon her head was a blue cap with a white cloth triangle that had a swirly design on it.
?Hello Layla, I am Saigyouji Yuyuko.?