Welcome Home (Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle) *Fai/OC*

01. Sacrifice and Flight

Viola sat at the side of the river, absent-mindedly watching her reflection in the water as her hair flickered between colours - bubblegum pink to sky blue to downy white and back again... Glamouring magic, the ability to change one's appearance, was a skill that all citizens of the world of Illuvere possessed. And like everything, some people's magic was stronger than others.

Viola took every opportunity she could to practice with hers, in order to hone her abilities. Colour pigmentation was easy - whether it was the highlights in her hair, various skin tones or the tints in her irises. It was the body itself that was more difficult. She couldn't do much to change her figure, general face shape or even the lengths of her fingernails.

The most she could manage besides colouring was increasing the length or volume of her hair and adjusting the shape of her eyes. But even that didn't last for very long. She was still constantly learning, however. She did live with a mage after all.

The great mage of Illuvere, Tayenn, was actually who she was currently waiting for. And it wasn't just for another lesson this time. It was much more important. Tayenn already knew it - Viola could tell. She'd seen the knowing look in her eyes when she'd come running back to the cabin that morning, insisting that she needed to speak with her. But Tayenn had still needed to attend her morning rituals first.

Even though she knew Tayenn wouldn't be much longer now - her rituals were always finished by noon - Viola was getting anxious. But then that was more over what she was intending to do.

She couldn't stay here any longer. Not after what had happened last night, and then again this morning... That had just been the final straw. She didn't feel she had a purpose here anymore. She didn't belong. She'd done everything she could to help and it had just been thrown straight back in her face.

Never again. Viola wasn't going to sit around and watch the person she loved suffer any longer. She'd tried and she'd failed. So now she was going to run.

Where to? She didn't know and she didn't really care. Just anywhere but here, she thought to herself as she dragged a hand through the water, disturbing the surface so that now all she could see was a rippling blur of colours as she continued to switch her hair back and forth.

She'd just settled the colour into a deep wine red when the reflection of the water was suddenly consumed by a lush grass green. She didn't need to look up to know that Tayenn had finally joined her, but of course, she still did - into the beautifully carved face framed by long flowing hair the colour of fresh apples, into those startling golden eyes.

"Have you been sat here brooding whilst you've been waiting for me, child?" she asked.

Viola got to her feet and looked her teacher directly in the eyes, light turquoise meeting gold. "I took the time to think. And I'm certain of my decision."

"And what decision is that?"

"You already know what I want to do," replied Viola. "I know that you've already figured it out."

"Whether I have or not is irrelevant," Tayenn pointed out. "This is not a guessing game. You must tell me your intentions yourself if you expect me to help you."

"I want you to send me to the dimensional witch," said Viola resolutely.

"And why is that?" Tayenn prompted her.

"Because I don't belong here! This world doesn't feel like my home anymore. I can't even help my only family, no matter how hard I try. I can't stay here and watch her fall any further," Viola swore. "I want to find somewhere that I can belong and where I can be of use. I don't really know if that place exists... But I still want to try."