An Eternity of Nihility

Chapter 18: Seam fibers

She was startled out of the dream she'd been in just a few moments ago. Sweat beaded her forehead and her sheets were soaked. Her breath was short and hot, and her eyes were wide with panic.

— Oh dear... More memories, she remarked to herself. It just doesn't stop these days.

She got up to go to her bathroom, still preoccupied by what she'd seen that night. She leaned over to her basin of water and washed her face, to take her mind off things, then brushed her teeth, before heading down her stairs to the kitchen. When she entered the room, she automatically looked at the clock on her wall, which read 4:50 in the morning.

— Always at this hour...

Exhausted, she ate a bowl of cereal before going for her workout, which lasted 3 hours. As she went to shower, she heard footsteps approaching. She turned around and realized it was her dog, Athena.

— Hello, sweetheart, she said in a baby voice, bending down to pet her. Did you sleep well?

Physically, her dog was the size of a Doberman, with bull's horns. Her coat was gray and white, so she didn't look dangerous.

— Woof!

— Today's an important day, she informed him as she picked up her bowl, because it's my first day at work. Oh yes, and it's my birthday. Hurry up, Athena!

Motivated, she put on a large brown top with a long skirt and stiletto heels. She returned to the bathroom to apply a pretty make-up. She put on a pinkish lipstick, which matched her golden hair, and glittery purple eyeshadow, to highlight her emerald-green eyes. As it was a little chilly, she grabbed one of her scarves and set off in the direction of the celestial towers. On the way, she couldn't help but worry that she was doing her job badly.

As she walked at a determined pace, she stopped abruptly and turned her gaze to a small abandoned continent to the southeast. As she stared at it, a flash of memory appeared in her head. She could see 2 women around a wooden table. Even if their faces were imperceptible, she could make out the royal blue hair and scarlet mane she saw every time memories came back to her. However, unlike usual, she had heard one sentence, spoken by the blue-haired stranger.

"Tell -ral... I... Come back?"

That was all she'd been able to perceive before the flash disappeared.

— It's happening again, she sighed. And there's that red-haired woman again. What's more, I didn't even hear her first name, she thought to herself.

She wanted to dig a little deeper, but remembered that school was waiting for her. Convinced she was going to be late, she ran as fast as she could to reach the silver tower. When she did, she stopped in front of her room to take a deep breath and put on a fresh outfit, and went inside.

As she pushed open the door, forty eyes automatically turned to her.

- Hello everyone! she exclaimed, full of confidence and enthusiasm. I'm Lycair and I'll be your teacher for your final year of sewing. This year's program will be mostly practical, with little theory. In fact, there will be no grades.

When she said this, some looked at her in incomprehension, while others whispered among themselves. One student stood up, confused.

— What's your name? Lycair asked, intrigued.

— Elerinna Madame!

— Lycair is enough, she said tenderly with a smile. Perhaps you have a question?

— Yes, how are we supposed to know if we'll graduate at the end of the year if we don't have any grades?

Amused by her student's predictable question, Lycair couldn't help but chuckle, before sitting down on her desk and crossing her legs, swinging them in the air.