Fire and Ice

Chapter 17: Dream Theories

I smile as twist a large blade of soft grass between my thumb and pointer finger. After it breaks apart from my constant attention I release the bits and let them float away in the gentle breeze. My attention shifts down to the red-and-white blanket underneath me. In the center of it rests a large, woven basket packed with all kinds of treats and a bottle of what I assume is wine. My hands fly up and touch my hair which is tied in a tight bun. My ears and neck are draped with diamonds and I'm wearing a dress that is made of a fine silk that resembles the colour of water.

The scene around me seems almost fairytale-like, and I have to take a moment to breathe it all in. Bright and colourful birds sing their sweet tunes as they fly into the trees covered in pink flowers.  A ladybug flies down and lands on my leg. My smile gets bigger as I let it crawl on my finger for a while before it flies away. 

"You are so beautiful." a man says to me, his voice breaking the fantasy around me.

Gasping, I look up at the faceless boy sitting across from me. "Who are you?" I ask him growing desperate to know who my mysterious visitor is.

"You know who I am," he says with a slight shrug and in a tone that shows the hurt he is feeling at my inability to recognize him.

"Dude, if I knew who you were I wouldn't be asking!" 

He sighs and shakes his head. He slowly gets up and with his head angled to look down at me, he snaps his fingers. The serine meadow is gone, floated away just like the blades of grass and I'm once again standing in the cold bedroom in the tower. 

My red dress and jewellery are gone and I'm wearing the snow-white nightgown that hugs the floor again.  My hair isn't tied up and is flowing down my back like it was before. However, my appearance isn't the only thing that has changed, resting my hand over my heart I feel all the hurt, sadness and frustration return to me.

"Vanessa!" the faceless boy calls out to me again with his hand outstretched. 

Turning around to face him my eyes land on the bright orange flame symbols on his arm, only this time it looks as if the flame is alive and moving. 

"Why am I here again?" I ask even though I know he won't answer me.

"Vanessa." 

I scoff and shake my head. "I told you the last time I was in this damn place my name is Vega. I don't know who this Vanessa girl is but obviously, she isn't here. So why don't you leave me alone and go find her." 

His hand drops and resumes its place at his side. We stand in awkward silence for a short while before he takes a few steps closer to me. He doesn't stop until his body is almost touching mine. 

"Maybe I already did," he whispers, and not even I can deny how much love is in his voice. 

"I think someone dropped you on your head as a baby," I laugh.

Even though I can't see his mouth I have an innate sense that he is smiling. 

"Look at you always with the snarky comments." 

Neither of us speaks, instead we stand still looking down at the floor our hands hovering in the air so close to one another.  After a while, I look up to the spot where his eyes would be if he had any. "Please just tell me who you are," I cry, my frustration has suddenly turned to sadness and tears are running down my cheeks.

"You know who I am."

I scoff. "You are useless." I take a few steps back and rub my forehead with my fingers.