Trails of Intertwined Stars: Chapter 74 {Part 1}

~Chapter 60: Paper Plane~

Jiu lay in bed, controlling his breath as he tried to focus after the dream. Touching physical things in the dream had made his limbs odd, and tingly. He wasn't sure how long it took, but he started to regain his sanity once the light of the morning started to flitter through his thin, paper-like curtains. He tossed over, trying to regain some sort of semblance of where he was, and to ground himself in that reality. His expression soured as he was faced with a neatly cut suit, hanging on the wardrobe handle in his room. Of course...the wedding.

The manor was a buzz that day, with everyone dressed lavishly as they prepared the ballroom in the manor, and the area they would be holding the chapel. That morning, Jiu found himself quite resenting the inside of the busy house, and stepped outside of the patio; to catch a breath of fresh air. It was a lovely summer's day, no doubt about that. He made his way over to a bench to sit down, but found himself stopping as he glanced down. Lying on it, seemed to be some sort of discarded photo. Curiously, the ghost picked it up and examined the black and white etchings upon the thick sheet of card. He couldn't help but smile, seeing a photo of Leora the day the guests had arrived; drifting asleep on the bench. He stopped, as his gaze hovered over her neck. Unmistakable hands, clasping horridly at her throat. It made him feel sick with dread just looking at it. Images of last night flooded in his head, picturing Duncan sat in that horrible chess plain; plotting to bring Leora's demise. In a moment of protest, Jiu folded the photo up into a paper plane, not wanting to picture what Duncan wished to do to Leora; folding it so the image was hidden within. With a sigh, he brought the plane behind his shoulder and thrust it high up. The wind caught the sheet, and let it drift up and up into the summer breeze. Jiu did not notice the plane fall down onto a balcony of the manor, connected to Leora's room.

Nor had he realised that Leora would be standing on that very balcony that morning, sighing softly to herself, lost in miserable thoughts of the wedding and Lord Bramston's actions. Neither he or Leora had noticed each other. The girl only did when she saw the paper plane thud softly on the floor, by her feet. Her eyes shone slightly and she reached down to pick it up, marvelling at the little creation. She'd never seen something like it before.
"Jiu!" Leora called, smiling.
The ghost spun around in a moment, eyes wide. He had not expected to hear or see her that day. She was dressed in a beautiful blue and white dress, with flowers playing in her hair. It suited her. Leora giggled at the sight of him speechless, holding the paper plane tight. Then, she pulled the paper plane behind her head, and thrust it out as the wind rose. The plane fluttered a little in the breeze, like a swallow, before it twirled and dipped; drifting down. Jiu jumped up and caught it, smiling a little and Leora's delighted laugh and clapping.
"Again!" She beamed, practically bouncing on the balcony with delight at the creation.
Jiu laughed softly, and threw it back up for the girl to attempt to catch. The plane spared up high, and Leora pushed herself against the balcony wall, trying to grope for the plane with a delighted expression.

It drifted around her three times from the summer breeze, all of those three times, the girl had not managed to catch it. The paper plane came soaring back down, headed straight for a bush. Jiu rushed after it, not particularly wanting it to get lost in the branches and the game to be finished. However, upon grabbing it, the general found he chucked himself into the bush; the branches broke his fall. Leora watched with wide eyes, before bursting into laughter; clapping her hands. Jiu re-emerged, grinning as he dusted himself off. He straightened the ever so slightly crumpled wings of the paper plane, before, once more, thrusting it high up into the sky when the wind rose. Leora watched with wide eyes as the plane was sent above the roof of the house. It then turned, and travelled around from the breeze, like an elegant bird. She watched as it made its way back. With a decisive run, she stretched her hand out; leaning over the side of the balcony to catch it. She yelped, nearly falling over the side; desperately digging one of her hands into the wood so she didn't. As she hung over the side, one of the flower from her hair, drifted out. Jiu ran up to catch her, but when realising she was safe and she wouldn't fall, he rushed to grab the floral decoration. It resulted in the ghost jumping straight into the bush, holding the flower above the foliage, in victory.

Leora watched with wide eyes, hanging off the edge; before bursting into laughter.
"Nice catch!" Leora laughed, kicking her legs to help stand back on the balcony floor.
Jiu scrambled out of the bush and walked back over, putting the flower in his hair. Then, he curtseyed, earning another laugh out of Leora. The girl giggled, throwing the paper plane back into the air, as it twirled around; Jiu made his way to catch it. Perhaps the danger of vengeance could wait...