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| The days of sweltering heat had passed, where bodies clung to the cloth that adorned them, seeking shelter from the relentless sun in the inviting shade of the alluring palms. The nights of eternal darkness had gone, where stars lay scattered like glittering diamonds on black velvet and the coolness of the hours was welcomed with eagerness. The immortal cycle of life and death spiraled, an enigma swirling in a cycle of confusion, with no set beginning or end, just what was at the moment. Autumn had destroyed the land, bringing death in its quiet, cool touch. The death was to prepare it for winter, where the land would remain as it was, unmoving and still. Autumn's part in the play of the seasons had been fulfilled, and it left as quickly and quietly as it had come. In the vacant spot the fall had left, winter strode in on its high heels of frost, securing that life would remain still for the few month's that it clutched in its grasp. For the moment, the world was in the cruel hands of Winter, its slender, frostbitten fingers keeping a tight grasp on all that wished to break free. It had happened right at the time when winter was dawning. It loomed beyond the horizon, where no one could see it, but everyone knew it was there. Everyone knew it was coming. It was slowly awaiting its time to reign supreme, when the entire world would be in its hands. Cold winds had rustled the dry leaves that autumn had left behind, announcing the snow that had yet to come. At the time, autumn had been on the brink of surviving, using its entire being to stand strong against the forces of winter that would overtake it, no matter what. Yes, it was at the time, near the end of December, when it had happened. She could recall every little detail about it: the exact date, the way her fingers froze stiffly inside the cashmere mittens she had been wearing, the pink and green scarf she was wearing around her neck, the white coat that adorned her small figure. Even the scent of the snow as it fell from the sky. Everything about that day was so clear to her, even now, five years later. On this day, the snow was falling, slowly and silently, just like it had that day so many years ago. She could remember how her mother had left through the front door, calling that she would be back in a few minutes. A few minutes... Back then, a few minutes wouldn't have mattered. Now she realized knew a few minutes could mean the world. Anything could happen in a few minutes, so it wasn't okay to let the days pass by without a fleeting thought. That wasn't good; that would just leave one with regrets. The lithe form of Jaceuilyne Laevingstone stood, staring blankly into the sky. A calm aura surrounded her, emanating from within, and expanding outward into the open grey sky. The path along which she stood was bare, except for the occasional rustling leaf that tried to escape from the cold wind. At the moment, one of the breezes rustled her ear-length violet tinted hair and threw the locks backward, the fury of the wind making her close her eyes until it passed. Drawing her thin coat closer around her body, Jace started walking again, her steps even and paced. The thoughts of the seasons flooded through her mind, the cycle repeating itself and ceasing to exist in her thoughts. New Year's had been almost two months before, and, just like every year, it reminded Jace how her birthday had always left her so excited for New Year's. It had always been her favorite holiday, up until her father's death. Now, for her, New Year's was just another day to spend alone. A sigh escaped her thin, pale lips, and her pale violet eyes wandered over the jagged stones of the path she had been walking on, cemented and compressed to perfection. They looked so perfect, the path did; undisturbed and untouched. Jace, however, knew the truth. Nothing could ever be as perfect as the stones that seemed to fall into place with one another, fitting together perfectly, each edge cushioned by the subsequent one. She stood now at the edge of the forest, watching the sun chase the moon out of the sky. Anticipation made her pulse quicken, but only her eyes betrayed the sensation that filled her; her body remained as still as the rocks below the riverbed adjacent to her. As sunlight overtook the valley spread out beneath her, the sky filled with magnificent shades of purples, blues, oranges, and pinks at the ungodly hour of dawn. Birds flew in their flocks above her, their gleeful cries announcing the start of another day. Another day... Although tomorrow never came, Akiaiko knew that there would always be another day to look forward to. Now, as she took just a few steps forward, the tall grass that had tickled her legs just moments ago, coming up to nearly her knees, faded to small spurts occasionally brushing her ankles by the time she reached the river. The water rushed along, with enough force to carry Akiaiko herself, and it took care of various debris of nature, hastily carrying it down its path to nothingness. She bent down slowly, letting a single finger dip slightly into the swift river. It was cool to the touch, but not frozen like most of the other waters in the area. For a while, she just sat on the river bank, watching the stream flush downhill is swift rapids. The currents seemed to stop for nothing, just like time. For the moment, however, that was okay, because that was just how it was. |