Fate Weaver's convergence

C55 Opening breeze, fading flowers 2

"Beryl..."

The voice of a young girl uttered the Lamia's name; youthful energy and excitement filled its tone, the tail of the name's owner moved idly from side to side, signaling its disinterest in the call.

"Berrryyyyylllll."

A shrill voice cut into Beryl's perception, drawing attention from her hands that she'd spent what felt like an eternity staring at. She'd been actively trying to 'make' the water that she watched one of her mothers summon instantly.

"Hey, Beryl!"

The concentration was shattered instantly as a sharp flick caught Beryl on the forehead, now leaving a stinging sensation in its place.

"Owww! Hey!"

Beryl held her forehead, her eyes tearing up as she looked up to the girl who'd just broken her away from her fantasy.

"Aisha! Why?!"

Beryl complained, raising her body as her tail coiled.

"Because! Dummy! You've been doing that forever! Didn't you say you wanted me to take you to the flowerbeds?"

The blond-haired girl, Aisha, chastised Beryl, stamping her feet in frustration as Beryl continued to brush aside their plans for her newest interest.

"Sorry, I just got really caught up! Mama splashed that one guy really hard! I wanted to try and make water like her!"

Beryl held her hands aloft, mimicking the motion of splashing water upward. With the motion, the small Lamia shifted, having to correct and save herself from her own fall.

"Beryl, Miss Sophie or Cressa wouldn't be happy to see you copy them; they said to wait until we get big."

Aisha shook her head, her expression showing a hint of disapproval.

The memory of Beryl's past played through her mind as she curled within her own coils.

"All the time I could have spent with you, wasted... I don't-"

Beryl was whispering to herself, stifling her speech as she felt tears working themselves outward. She craned her neck to look over the edge of her tail, the floor within view; thinking of the book that was just out of view.

I don't want to lose Vaughn... or Kiyomi... I can't see it happen again. But- how? They were brave but-

Beryl shivered in place, her trembling form causing the bed to creak momentarily.

Scared... I have to get stronger... Stronger... like Vaughn... like Kiyomi... but if they're in the way-

The image of the Bulette being roasted alive by the lightning flashed in her mind.

I can't do magic like that... not if it means they'll be in danger.

The young Lamia sat beside herself for what felt like hours after pushing her friend away, her mind traveling in circles as she brooded on memories she'd never intended to draw out.

Okay, Lorn said Mom should be here. Hopefully, I'm not running around for nothing.

The sun had already set over Brenton, the light just barely shining across the mountains as the sky took on a purplish hue. With the Lanterns flooding fresh light across the streets, and the bustle of the evening, the city came to life in a different way. The tune of the city's residents spending their leisure time. In most places, walking around at this hour as a kid would be dangerous; thankfully I was untouchable because of the culture. The only unpleasant feeling was the occasional gust of wind carrying the chill of oncoming winter. I'd almost enter autopilot as I sought out Claire's storefront if not for the sound of adventurers arguing just ahead.