✿ The Splintering ✿

✿ chapter nine ✿

Q had a bright red apple clutched between his teeth and a sparkle in his eyes. I was getting used to this. To seeing his bright eyes every time I entered the mirror, and feeling the quaint euphoria that came with having a place entirely my own. Before I had time to reach him, he was already walking away from the tree stump he had been sitting on. I jogged towards him, letting myself go in the earthly symphony of birds singing and leaves crunching beneath my weight.

"Where to this time?" I questioned, slightly out of breath from trying to keep up with his gaping step that could only be created by someone of such a tall stature.

"I want you to meet somebody," Q said. I tilted my head in confusion. Why was now so different? Q had been fairly clear in our previous meetings that it would be a dire situation if anyone were to find out I was in the mirror. But here he was telling me that it was finally time to meet someone else inside of the mirror. I trailed behind him, slowly becoming tired of his quick pace. Q stopped in front of a tree, much like the rest, with an intricately carved out door with incomprehensible lettering. "Don't make me regret giving you a push in the right direction. This game is becoming far too long, and I have become exhausted trying to get you to find the clue on your own,"

"Clue?" I managed to spit out. Q shook his head and pushed the door open. I stepped in behind him, careful to close the door behind us. Unlike previous traveling I had been doing, this environmental change was less drastic because on the other side of the door was an equally ominous forest. The difference between the Neitherlands and here, however, was the range of earthly noises that bumped around in my mind. This forest felt lived in, and alive. Like there was an entire world out there. We walked for an hour or so, before the trees became less dense and the tops of grass and mud made huts became visible.

"Follow my lead. The locals in these parts are weary of strangers," Q whispered before grabbing my hand in his. I let him lead me, the way I would imagine him leading me on the dance floor. It felt rhythmic. Each step was perfectly calculated, and I found myself stepping in his shoe prints. The small village was roaring with life. There were kids in nothing but their skin, running around the small creak that cut the village in half. I watched as mothers washed their face in the creak, and fathers hopped over it to greet others on the opposing side. At first, no one noticed my staring. However, the bang of a drum stopped everyone in their tracks and they immediately turned to Q and I. No one spoke for the longest time. That is until a young girl, no older than myself, with cascading waves of white hair stepped through the crowd. She looked between Q and I for a few seconds before smiling. Her smile send waves of light energy through the air, the sort of feeling one would get after seeing a puppy. It was almost surreal for a smile so good and uncorrupted by the world to exist.

"Q!" She practically squealed with excitement as she rushed towards us. She gracefully leapt over the creak, only allowing the train of her white flowing skirt to touch the surface of the crystal water. She wrapped her arms around Q's neck. I felt the gentle sting of jealously as I stood awkwardly, watching their passionate embrace. "You brought a guest," She cleared her throat and backed away from him.

"I'm Jun-" I extended my hand to her but Q cut me off before I was able to formally introduce myself.

"She's just a friend," Q muttered. He turned back towards the girl and lovingly placed his hand on her should. "This is Ripley, Daughter of the Adiaphines people, and Child of the Sea," He introduced. The girl, Ripley, bowed her head.

"That's quite the introduction," I mumbled is as polite of a tone as I could muster. "I'm afraid I don't know what that means," Q looked to me and nodded his head.

"The Adiaphines are an ancient tribe deeply connected to natural world. These woods belong to the world Nirin. A place flourishing with the power of the natural spirits. The Adiaphines channel water specifically to provide for their people," Q explained in an almost narration type voice. "Ripley is the only living child of the chief, and soon the be the Queen of the Adiaphines," I watched as Ripley nodded her head approvingly, and longingly stared at Q. It made me sick to my stomach. I was a visitor in a world that Q had established relations in, and I felt nothing but lost.