Snippet #2193233

BGM: Love Colored Master Spark (Because Touhou!)

As I came to my hopeful realization, I found that the one who had held me up until then had risen with a quiet squeak, and begun frantically adjusting his clothes. This sudden motion snapped me out of my reverie, and the embarrassment of my companion reminded me that I probably should have been blushing about now from the close proximity we'd landed in. Yet, somehow, I couldn't bring myself to feel ashamed this time, as though the hope I now held in remaining by Eden's side was enough to dispell any of the awkward things that doing so entailed. Either way, I searched my thoughts, and realized quickly that the only thing I felt now was happiness: joy at being reunited with the person whose presence I valued above all else.

[i]"Erm, Cleo?" The timid voice reached my ears over the gentle wind, and I rose along with my companion, tilting my head inquiringly as he continued with an unusually meek voice. "I think I'm going to change, so I'll see you in a few," He explained, then quickly left. I watched him go, and couldn't suppress a slight smile. So that was why he was embarrassed! He had been fiddling with his outfit a moment ago, and judging by the oversized nature of the clothes, they'd probably been badly mussed up by the landing. I hadn't even noticed - which was probably for the best, since if I had, I'd currently have been a scarlet-faced ball of shame - but he seemed to have been quite embarrassed by it, something which was rather unusual for him, given how straightforward and impassive he always was. He had always been the sort who, to me, seemed never to notice the little things people didn't like about him, and instead just always was himself, a trait I had always admired, but never been able to replicate. That extended to his interactions with others too, though, making his company sometimes very embarrassing, since he had little sense of personal space. This little display now just showed me that he did feel awkward sometimes, after all. Even if it went against his self-assured nature, it was a sort of humanizing aspect that nonetheless gave me a feeling of comfort, and so I merely smiled and watched him go, before turning to my own situation.

I was still in the pajamas I'd found in my room, just as he was. And, since he seemed to be at least feeling a little better now that he'd gotten down from the crow's nest - although I was still worried about his health - I didn't doubt that he'd want to go look around, which meant I, one who, at least, didn't seem to be sick yet, should definitely go with him, just to make sure he was okay. It wouldn't do to let my friend explore an unknown place by himself, and, on top of that, I had to admit, I was curious about this new place we'd ended up in, just as he was.

In that case, it was settled. I should go and get dressed, also, so that I'd be ready when he was. Quickly, I followed his path, heading to the small cabin I had claimed as my own, opening the door, and stepping inside. Like last night, I was a little nervous about getting dressed in here while two boys were on board and, in fact, close enough nearby that I could hear their voices. It sounded like Eric was talking with Ceridwen a few cabins down, while I could hear Eden's clear and entrancing voice as he quietly sang a song to himself, bringing a smile to my face. I remembered that song, and I remembered Eden singing it many times. That song... it held a whole new meaning, now that these days had come. Maybe I was just imagining it, but the words he was singing made it sound like he was longing for a past long gone by, and for the memories we still held, even now, to be spared from being forgotten and kept treasured in our hearts forever. And that feeling was one I could agree with, a beautiful longing I also felt deep within my soul. Whatever magic had brought us to this place must have heard that prayer, returned us to this old place and to the old memories we so cherished.

BGM: I Believe

Without even realizing it at first, I, too, found myself singing as I searched through the small chest of clothes in my quarters, expressing my longing for the old days in the form of a song I remembered also from that time. It was sad, and yet, I had always secretly felt that it somehow suited me, even if I never told anyone. Now, more than ever, those words carried a poignant meaning deeper even than the depths about which they spoke.

"Come to me when my tears are dry. I try to wipe my contorted cheek, but it becomes wet with tears falling one after the other." My words were at first quiet, but slowly began to build as I picked up the familiar melody, beginning again a song I hadn't had the heart to give voice to ever since the olden days. I wouldn't have dared to go beyond a simple whisper, even now - in fact, especially now, as Eden, with his sharp memory, might still recall the tune, just as I remembered and cherished the memories of the song he sang in the room opposite my own. Even if he did not, I worried that the words might raise his suspicions, something I did not at all want.

And yet, despite this, I found myself fighting to keep my voice in check, my words continuing to slowly rise in volume as I put more and more feeling into the old words, singing with all my heart as though nobody was listening. I knew Eden might have heard me now, had he been paying close attention, and yet somehow, even though I didn't want that at all, I felt as though I was trying to sneak the words past the watchful eyes of my own heart, fighting against my own emotions in a desperate, veiled cry for help, for recognition. But this struggle was a doomed one from the start, for I continuously glanced about myself nervously and stifled the sound of my words, letting only bits and pieces of the song actually rise to their full sound.

"I have nothing to hide, but I don’t want to show you my pain. I am still dreaming deep under the sea. I am still floating beyond the sunshine all around me," I carried on with my tune, slowly rifling through the chest until I found a rather striking outfit I liked. Evidently, the magic that had placed us all here, had given me another chance, had also decided to grant me the sort of unusual and eye-catching apparel I could never have gotten for myself back home in my tower. Immediately, I drew it forth, sorted it out, then slipped out of my pajamas and into my new attire - after double-checking to make sure nobody was outside the door, of course.

"From the deep, deep bed of the sea..." My voice was building again, rising as the song neared its chorus. Slipping the top of my pajamas off and folding it on the bed, I took up the first bit of my new clothing, a snugly-fitting, sleeveless white blouse made from a material that, to my astonishment, felt like real, genuine silk. It was an absolute, pure shade, but was trimmed with navy blue, drawing a contrast that seemed to suit me somehow - perhaps because of my own pale skin and blue-colored hair. Of course, a sleeveless garment would have been a pretty silly thing to wear by itself, given the somewhat cold sea air outside, but thankfully, I had more than just the blouse.

"I believe you hear my voice, even if I fell down forever. Everyone has departed across the sea," I continued, the words giving voice to my newly-kindled hopes, and, curiously enough, summarizing my situation quite well, almost as though the song had been written solely to describe this exact moment. Continuing to sing, I now took up the next piece of my outfit: an oversized overcoat made from a thicker material, but lined with the same soft, silky substance as the blouse. The garment was almost comically long, running to a point just above my ankles and splitting into two dramatic, flowing tails around the waist. Its cuffs, meanwhile, were lined with white lace that went up a little way past my wrists, making it appear as though my hands were poking out from inside some sort of shell. This coat's color scheme was the exact opposite of the blouse, with a navy blue exterior and silvery white lining, as though I was wrapped in some kind of a cloud.

"Why do I feel comfortable, wandering alone in this dark cold place?" I carried on with my song, swiftly stepping out of my pajama pants and folding them along with the top, then sliding into a soft skirt, the hue and composition of which matched my new duster, with a blue outside but white lining, and even a thin, small trim around the bottom of soft white lace, matching the over-the-top and yet somehow elegant appearance of the rest of my... unique... apparel. Topping this off with thigh-high black stockings to keep my legs warm and an admittedly somewhat silly two-tailed windflower scarf of white silk, I finally donned the most important piece of my clothing: a wide-brimmed, ever-so-slightly pointed navy blue hat, decorated with a single white ribbon and lined with matching lace on the inside. I glanced at a small looking glass on the nearby chest, and gave a smile of approval. Even if most people would probably say the outfit was ridiculous or stupid, I loved it. It was unique, unheard of, and special: a memorable wardrobe for a witch who wanted to be just as memorable. I hummed the next few lines of the song, brushing back my still somewhat matted hair, hoping to keep it at least mostly straight and presentable after the rather disheveling ordeal of the storm on the previous night. Thankfully, it seemed like my hair's standard bleaching had managed to survive the water it had been exposed to, although it was now somewhat duller in hue thanks to the water. I pouted slightly, missing my hair's distinctive bright blue shade already, and preferring it infinitely to this blue-gray color. Still, it was better than ordinary old brown...

"I believe someday I’ll be able to accept everything, even if I cried and lost it all..." I had forgotten most of the words that came after this point, and ended up skipping to a point that I remembered a little better. "I believe, even in the dark, your voice casts a ray of hope. Take me away and guide me through to some place where I can breathe... Please come again when my tears dry. As soon as I wipe them off, the tears roll down again. I have nothing to hide, really, I just don't want let anyone see me in agony where I lie, still dreaming, at the bottom of the ocean, not even knowing which way is up or down. Floating with the sunlight all around me, at the bottom of the deep deep ocean..." I trailed off, at last finishing my grooming and, sweeping back my coat in an overdramatic fashion, I abandoned the song and turned to stride out on deck, hearing the voice of my friend calling me out, which abruptly halted my singing session.

Striding somewhat nervously onto the deck - even if I liked the outfit, I wasn't sure what Eden would think - I grinned sheepishly. "A-alright, I'm coming. Do you like the outfit?" I asked shyly. "I found it in my room and thought it looked interesting, so... If it's silly, I can always put it back and see if I can find something different..." I fidgeted with a side-curtain of my hair a bit, my gaze alternating between the deck and my companion's stoic expression, hoping that after what he had said about the old me that he wouldn't mind the somewhat witch-like appearance I now presented.