We Two Are One

~1~ Life After Death

A familiar sweet fragrance. A warmth I had forgotten. Ah, is this death?

   "Rise and shine, Ameya!"

I hear Artie... Fate has sympathy for us.

   "Ameya! We have a lot to do today! Get up!"

What would we have to do in death, Art...? I slowly open my eyes.

Wait, this room... Walls painted in pastel colors, a warm quilt smothering me... A soft bed underneath...

   "Art, this is-!" I get up with a start.

   "My word, calm down. Did you have a bad dream?"

A voice similar to Artie's, however, the tone... This is not him.

I turn and meet a pair of eyes. Such an azure blue exists only in his eyes. Why do I see them here? I tear my eyes away from his and take in the entirety of his appearance. Tall and slender, with my ginger hair. My eyes widen.

   "Father...?"

I take it back. Fate has it out for us.

   "What's wrong, Amy?"

I feel my blood boil.

   "'Amy'? How can you still call me that?"

Why does he look confused? Actually, why does he look this... young? There is not a strand of grey in his hair. I see but a trace of his wrinkles from anger and worry.

   "Did I do something to upset you? I'll make it up to you in the town. We can buy you something after buying the gift for Lady Elsie."

This situation seems familiar. I take a moment to reassess. My limbs are small.

   "No... Why are we picking a gift for Lady Elsie?"

I notice my voice is squeaky. What am I, a mouse?

   "Well, you see, Lady Elsie is... Oh dear, I planned on telling you after receiving her answer. The gift is an engagement ring. I will make her your mother. You want that, too, don't you?"

I nod. I do not want it, but his decision cannot be changed. I am now certain, that I have returned to the past.

  "You are acting strange. I suppose you should stay and rest, Amy."

Why would Fate have me relive my life? To atone for my mistakes? Or must I watch over the world and ensure it does not end as it has? Does Fate expect such a thing of me? Am I the only one? Did Artie also return? Why were we separated? Rather than all these grand things, I want to keep us safe and, perhaps... happy. Yes, that is it.

   "I am all grown now, Father," I pout, playing it off to be the musings of an adorable child.

Father chuckles but abruptly stops to look at his watch.

   "Well, then... I will get the gift for Elsie," says Father.

I nod and watch Father's back as he leaves. That back used to seem so broad. Father, the Master of the Red Mansion, Duke Dureim Odar. I had believed him to be an unmovable mountain that surrounded and protected us. Only, I was not a part of 'us'. We were not a part of 'us'.

I clench these tiny fists that are mine once more. We will reach adulthood in this life. We will live normally, if that is possible... I will do everything to make us happy this time.

I plop back onto the pillows. I look at the innocent ceiling above, so pure and untainted. Its corners turn black, and my vision swims. Ah, is exhaustion hitting me? I close my eyes.

Death's embrace was warm but chilling. A sensation I could barely comprehend. My instincts were screaming in directions outside this plane of existence. Was it a good or bad encounter? Perhaps it was neutral, natural even. Like the ways of life. I feel vulnerable. I continue my introspections as my thoughts begin to enter my dreams.

Tomorrow, I will awaken rid of my inhibitions.

For now, I rest.