Radiance: Part One

V4: Tetchy

Aut the 14th, 5694 CE; 3000hrs

Vyrik wasn't known for having intense moods. No one knew what to expect when he decided not to get out of bed on the morning following his chat with his father. Hettie fussed about around him, fluffing pillows and pouring him glasses of water. He'd told her to reschedule all of his appointments, as he was far too depressed to go about his day. Mental-health days were normal, it just wasn't normal for him to take one.

"Why does sorrow envelope you so?" Hettie sighed at him.

"I do not wish to discuss it now." He grumbled, snuggling further into his duvet.

"Will you at least eat?" She began to sound distressed. He didn't want to make anyone else's day any harder.

He sat up, pulling the blanket up with him. "I suppose I shall eat, but I want to take my meals in here, today." He sighed, not wanting to look at her face. He did make himself look though, and was no better for it. "I do not wish to worry you, Hettie. I am distressed today. I have happened upon news that I'm unable to process properly and it has upset me. I think I will be okay, but today I am not."

She nodded. "Your father told me about it. I do not think you should worry. The glow has never been wrong before. It's more than just fate, Vyrik, it's in your body's code- your blood is wrought with it. If it helps, sleep on it. I'll come back in a few hours with some lunch. Take whatever time you need."

She gave his arm a light squeeze and crossed the room to shut the curtains before leaving him to fall back into his depressive slumber. He sunk back beneath the covers and sighed. The tightness in his chest slackened as a tear escaped his eye. It had been long since he'd wept. He let the sorrow flow out of him, wetting his pillows with his desperation. He was young and admittedly quite afraid. He had always been so excited for the Glow.

Growing up, Vyrik had vivid fantasies of his soulmate. They would be beautiful and they would be...exotic. He had always said his soulmate would be eye-catching and they would just fit and everything would be perfect. He dare not let himself put Lydaleigh into that slot. But if he slipped, if he let his walls down for only a moment, he realized that she did fit... so very, very well. So upsettingly, sickeningly well. He sobbed into his pillow until sleep took him under.

In slumber, Vyrik found himself adrift in a strange dream. He was surrounded by a wonderful pinkish glow, quite delightfully entombed by it's radiance. He couldn't see anything else, and he had trouble thinking coherently, but he felt so comfortable that he didn't entirely mind it. It was as though he was being given the retreat from himself he'd been silently begging for.

When he awoke, he felt more rested, and the sadness seemed to have left him. He sat up in his bed and stretched. His chest still ached, but he did his best to ignore it. Not long after his waking, Hettie came into the room with a platter of food. She smiled at him, setting it down in his lap and reopened the curtains to let in the midday light.

"You look a bit better, dear." she smiled kindly at him.

"Well thank you. I do feel a bit better...I had...I had a very nice dream." He looked to the platter of food and dove in, finding himself utterly ravished.

"I'm glad," she smiled at him, warmly. "Please don't stay in bed all day. Your father is worried. I'll come back for the tray in about half an hour. Perhaps consider going for a walk through the gardens, or to the beach? I just implore you not to squander the entire day indoors, sir." she said, sounding quite a lot like his mother, rather than his aide.