Unia: Echo of Harmony

Night of the Departed Souls: Another Peaceful Day. Act 2

Rigel's feet found the rhythm of excitement, bouncing off the chair in a flutter of joy. "¡Yay!" she cheered, her jubilation painting the room in vibrant strokes.

"And she's bringing Diurnix along too!" Raquel exclaimed, her voice a mixture of surprise and delight.

"De veras? Really?" Rigel gasped.

"Sí, mi estrella," Raquel affirmed with a soft smile, her finger pressed to her lips, sharing the secret as if it were a sacred vow between their hearts. Rigel gave a nod, an agreement spoken without words.

"Want to go and say hi to Tabitha?" Raquel's voice was as inviting as the open door to the fiesta.

"¡Claro que sí!" Rigel's response was immediate.

"Then, let's go!" Raquel tossed aside the comb and let the robe of leisure fall away, revealing the grace beneath.

Rigel, her spirit now as untamed as the mane she wore, dashed through the door, the melody of her song trailing behind her like a ribbon in the wind: "From north to south, from east to west, Their watchful eyes allow no rest; For every trial, every test, They offer solace and suggest..."

In that fleeting moment of unguarded solitude, the sun's rays tenderly kissed the young woman's skin, and Raquel noticed the door left carelessly ajar. "You could at least close the door," she whispered under her breath. With a swift motion, she reached for the nearest dress, its soft fabric molding to her subtle curves, shielding her from the intrusive gazes of passersby.

As she stepped into the open air, the world outside greeted her with a warm wind, carrying the scent of the upcoming festivity and promise of joy. Rich with the anticipation of the night's celebrations, it filled her lungs, urging her forward in pursuit of her daughter.

Raquel's gaze darted ahead, seeking the silhouette of her spirited daughter. Rigel, a small figure of joy in the distance, skipped with a lively step. Her voice floating up, carrying a song that spoke of the Celestials' grace.

As Raquel quickened her pace, eager to close the distance between her and the fading echoes of Rigel's laughter, the path unfurled before her, lined with wooden homes draped in strings of marigolds and glowing lanterns. The air was alive with the clang of pots and the joyful laughter of children darting through stalls. Each nook of the settlement seemed to transform into a vibrant stage, a living tableau celebrating the memories of those who had once trod these lands.

The narrow, winding paths were lined with the overgrown embrace of nature reclaiming its space and slowing Raquel down. Meanwhile, Rigel threaded her way with the agile ease of a feline, her small boots finding their purchase among the tangled roots and lush green that overreached the path's confines. Her movements were quick and assured, as if the very earth beneath her was an old friend whispering the way forward.

"Rigel, slow down a little, will you?" Raquel's voice, tinged with the mirth of a mother's enduring patience, wove through the verdant tapestry of the path, seeking to temper her daughter's brisk pace.

Suddenly, Raquel's attention was drawn to a stain marring the hem of her dress—a splotch of earth unwelcome against the fabric. With an instinct as old as time, she plucked a leaf heavy with dew from an overhanging branch to dab away the offense. Yet, in her attentiveness to the dress, Raquel's balance was betrayed by a sudden, forceful clash, and with grace abandoned, she succumbed to the pull of gravity, her body meeting the earth below.

"¡Caramba, Raquela! What's this mess ya got into?" the man exclaimed, his voice rough with sudden alarm. "I swear my eyes played tricks on me... you're not hurt, are you? May the heavens be kind." His words stumbled into silence as he extended a hand roughened by seasons of labor. Yet, as his gaze unwittingly caught the glimpse of her form revealed through the slipped collar of her dress, a momentary lust flickered in his eyes, a testament to the baser instincts of man.