Ring of Storms [1]

43.

Rae

The minuscule image of the Gladiolus petal illustrated a series of intricate lines and colour that emanated from the tip of its form to the middle in a web-like consistency. Minute rows of ridges added to its salient allure just as its cool violet hue danced in a kaleidoscopic manner. It was indeed a mesmerizing sight. One that stood for strength and integrity just as its name depicted.

Looking away from the optical microscope, I scribbled a few words onto a wire-bound, cotton-covered journal in a mindful, deliberate manner. As I let the words flow from within and onto the awaiting arms of the fine, linen paper:

Just as the Gladiolus unfurls her petals every morn

So, do I shed myself of yesterday's hurt and strive to be reborn.

Her strength I crave, her vibrancy a tale

Of what was before the heartbreak and stale.

However, just as the sun favours her shine

So will the Lords help in my rise

From the-

"Nara," I groaned, disrupted by the soft musical notes of the windchimes.

"I swear, it wasn't intentional," she whispered with an embarrassed smile and placed her hands on the gemstone tubes to stop their movement. "They were just too enchanting to resist," she added, caressing the resplendent artistic creations.

Each wind chime tube had been emblazoned with gemstones, aligned in a systematic, spiral progression, with ruby at the top, emerald and sapphire in the middle and aquamarine below. In their center, rotating through the aid of the wind current, was a moonstone who's pearly iridescent allure created a gravitating force that bound the chimes together.

On any other day, the sweet, harmonious melody emanating from their structures would have been more than welcome. However, today I needed absolute silence and a certain individual was hindering the manifestation of that request.

"Aren't your daily rounds to check if Rae hasn't gone bonkers yet over?" I deadpanned with an unamused expression as I cleared the petals away from the Corinth circular coffee table.

Clasped, gently, in my palms, I arose from my cross-legged position and placed them into a distillation apparatus which would assist in the extraction of their essential oil through the use of pressurized steam.

"Ha, Ha, Ha, pretty funny wise guy," she held her belly in mock laughter before she rolled her eyes. Then she moved closer to where I stood, interested in what I was doing. "Did you craft this as well?" she enquired, watching as I filled the boiler, halfway, with water before igniting the collection of coals within the brick furnace with a matchstick.

"Yes, I did," I answered, knowing that she wouldn't let it go if I didn't.

The flame of the fire floated as a ball of energy at first, pulsating with static energy. Nara looked at me in confusion and raised an eyebrow. However, I was unfazed by the sight because for some unknown reason ever since I was old enough to form full sentences, fire had just always acted that way around me. I clicked my fingers, inconspicuously, and the coals were immediately set ablaze with the flames of its essence.

It was something I usually did just for the fun of it. I mean like hell I could control fire. What a joke!

"Now back to my question, who sent you here this time?" I quizzed, watching the transparent tubes, connected to the top of the boiler, fog up. Soon the steam would power up the vaporization of the flowers' essential oil. Furthermore, with the addition of the timely flow of both cold and warm water, it would make its final destination to the pot-still where the hydrolat would be harnessed to be released via a small tap.