The Hourglass

Chapter II.

I must had been more tired than I thought; before my eyes opened, somehow I felt like I was back in my room. The feeling of nostalgia and familiarity rushed over me and I never felt so satisfied before. Perhaps I'm back in my old comfy room? I hope everything I had experienced the night before was just a dream. As I opened my eyes, I sighed with disappointment. Oh well, I'm still in the past. Not long after, I felt my senses were teased. There was a wonderful smell of meat, various herbs and vegetables being cooked.

Amelie: Bonjour, sweetie. I thought one of these outfits I've picked would suit you. If you're going to be using your magic properly, you should start dressing up like one.

Jasmin: Oh, did you buy these clothes just for me?

Amelie: Not exactly. They..they belonged to my daughter. She was roughly your size, I think. Anyway, I'll leave you to get dressed.

The dresses Amelie picked were simple and yet, it consisted a few intricate designs on the length of the dress which possibly resembled as flowers. The fabric was soft to the touch, possibly made out of cotton or linen. Of all of the choices that was in front of me, I felt drawn to one particular dress. The sleeves of the dress was off white in color, and small navy blue colored ribbons were sewed on top of the end of the sleeves. While the dress I've picked boasts it's navy blue color, there were also gold colored thread which were embodied across. After I washed my face with the water Amelie provided and got dressed, I returned to Amelie. She was cooking something delicious in her cauldron. Before she noticed that I approached, I heard her sweetly sung a song that was both beautifully composed and melancholy at the same time.

Amelie: La rivière était gelée, Les oiseaux avaient fui, Les champs étaient déserts et chaque rose est morte. Je m'assieds à côté de mon feu solitaire et prie pour que la sagesse vienne. Pour que le calme se souvienne ou que le courage oublie. [The river was frozen, the birds had fled, the fields were deserted and every rose is dead. I sit beside my lonely fire and pray for wisdom to come. For calm to remember or courage to forget.]

My grandmother used to sing me this song. Should I ask Amelie about my grandmother Elizabeth? Maybe she knows something about her, and how to save my family.

Jasmin: The song was beautiful.

Amelie: Oh, sweetie! I hadn't realised you were listening to me sing.

Jasmin: So, about Elizabeth Phélès. Was she your last apprentice?

Amelie: Before you ask, yes. It's the same Elizabeth Phélès who was your grandmother. Although, she was far too young to be anyone's grandmother when she trained under me.

Jasmin: How long was she your apprentice for?

Amelie: Not long at all, a few months would be the best estimate. Elizabeth was..stubborn and impatient. She always looked for shortcuts. Wanted to be the mistress of time, without putting any time to it.

Jasmin: That doesn't sound like the Elizabeth I knew.

Amelie: Well, she was much younger when she was with me. Oh, I would say no more than fourteen years old. The young ones think they know it all, yet know nothing in reality.

Jasmin: You speak as if you were ancient, yet you don't look that old yourself.

Amelie: Ha! I shall take that as a compliment. I am probably a few years older than you I guess and feel much older. Seeing so many different timelines, so many possibilities. It ages me internally, at least. I can see myself slowly withering away as time pass.

What?!

Jasmin: Then why do it?

Amelie: I never had a choice.