At the curtain's call it's the last of all
When the lights fade out, all the sinners crawl
So they dug your grave and the masquerade
Will come calling out at the mess you've made
— Imagine Dragons
◇────◇────◇
Alessia paused, inhaling deeply as she momentarily shut her eyes, steadying herself, ignoring the sensation of her nose starting to tingle.
She was fine. Everything was under control. As long as she remained in the realm of dreams, she wouldn't have to talk with any of them. This could even be beneficial for her. Witnessing Aro, Caius, and Marcus thriving without her would provide the closure she needed to move on definitively.
Alessia opened her eyes again.
Aro occupied one of the chairs encircling the table, the count remaining at seven seats instead of the six she half-expected. His typically impeccable posture was somewhat diminished as he slouched over the table. Because she was positioned across from him, and didn't want to draw nearer, she was unable to view his entire ensemble. Nonetheless, she presumed he was clad in his customary attire, judging by the fabric draped over one shoulder and the absence of any stray hairs from his meticulously arranged bun. His fingers idly toyed with one of the pens she had given him, while a pink scrunchie adorned his wrist like a bracelet.
Alessia watched as he fiddled with the pen, noticing through the translucent plastic that the ink was nearing its end, soon to render it useless. Be that as it may, such details were inconsequential in the grand scheme. Both the pen and the scrunchies would inevitably run out, and she had no intention of replenishing them. Moreover, she harbored no inclination to allocate any more of her time to him or his mates than they rightfully deserved — which, in her estimation, amounted to nothing.
Thus, with a decisive pivot, Alessia made her way toward the door. If she was destined to dwell on the past in her dreams, she reasoned, she might as well make an effort to locate Agamemnon's house. Perhaps there, she could unearth some crucial information regarding the Troja—
Abruptly, Caius came barging up behind her, emitting an unmistakable growl. Although Alessia could have opted to simply ignore him and continue on her path, she halted in her tracks, focusing on his following words. Despite her relief at no longer sensing his emotions as she once did, she could discern the intensity of his anger from the subtle shift in his voice as he spoke.
"I don't know what to do with him anymore," Caius remarked, prompting Alessia to turn and regard him. She couldn't help but notice the visible bags under his eyes, and the pitch-black irises that reminded her of their second encounter. "Vampires don't get cold, and yet, Marcus is literally trembling, buried under five blankets and two layers of winter clothes. This is not normal."
Alessia felt a pang of worry creeping up inside her, a sensation she struggled to suppress with all her might. Marcus hadn't shown any concern for her; why should she care about his well-being? She had more than enough of her own problems to contend with.
Aro sighed deeply, pausing for a moment before lifting his gaze to speak. His eyes mirrored Caius', and his movements were deliberate and calculated. His voice, though oddly controlled, seemed to falter, as if he were attempting — and failing — to emulate the customary smoothness that Alessia had grown accustomed to.
"And we shouldn't be experiencing migraines, nor should we feel so exhausted that movement is a struggle, and yet here we are," Aro murmured, his sigh accentuating the weariness in his voice.
Alessia's attention sharpened at Aro's words, realizing with a jolt that she too was grappling with both migraines and profound exhaustion without any apparent cause. She resolved to listen intently to their conversation, hoping that it might shed light on her own afflictions.
"It's different, Aro," Caius asserted, his voice laced with rage. "We're managing somehow. But Marcus... he's wasting away. He won't communicate, won't eat unless we practically force him to. And he's even blocking us, so we can't discern his needs with certainty!"
"There's only so much we could do, even if he weren't," Aro claimed, his hand massaging his temples briefly, a grimace flickering across his face before he masked it. "We've had this conversation before. You know it's much harder for him than it is for us."
"I understand that," Caius intoned, frustration evident as he ran his hand through his hair. "But you're missing my point. Marcus may be more affected than us, but some of his symptoms are far from normal. If we don't find a solution, he'll succumb to madness far quicker than us."
"He won't," Aro denied, his voice weary, almost robotic, as if they had already traversed this conversation numerous times. "Everyone copes with loss differently. Marcus believes we've lost Alessia forever, so he's grieving."
Caius emitted an exasperated sound. "Because we did—"
But Alessia was already walking out of the house, tuning their conversation out. She refused to deal with this any longer. She simply had to leave.
As she stepped outside, she felt a sharp pain in her chest, a sensation that had to be entirely psychological, considering she didn't possess a physical body to feel anything.
She didn't want to entertain the notion that Marcus was supposedly grieving. The idea that he might be experiencing even a fraction of the emotional pain she had endured left her infuriated and oddly emotional. Angry because he had betrayed her the most, so in her mind, he had no right to grieve. Still, a foolish part of her still felt a twinge of sadness at the thought of his suffering.
Alessia almost wished to force herself awake, craving the comfort and safety of her own home where she could ignore the turmoil that had unfolded. Nevertheless, she resisted the urge. Firstly, because she refused to let them disrupt her life any more than they already had. Secondly, because sleep had become a precious luxury; each time she drifted off, it was a struggle to find rest, and she refused to relinquish it easily.
Thirdly, there was no necessity to do so. If Alessia sought distraction, all she had to do was venture out and explore the city, as she had planned. And that was precisely what she was going to do.
Outside, the mulberry tree stood laden with ripe mulberries, indicating that either it was nearly the same time as when she had last been here, or perhaps it was a year — or even more — later. Alongside the mulberry tree, the grapevines that Caius had tended to were still thriving. And on the other side of the mulberry tree, Alessia noticed a small sapling — a new tree taking root. It was still relatively petite, with oval gray-green leaves. Freshly watered soil surrounded it, darkening the ground. Alessia clenched her jaw, pressing on through the city. ̶C̶a̶i̶u̶s̶ ̶h̶a̶d̶ ̶i̶n̶d̶e̶e̶d̶ ̶p̶l̶a̶n̶t̶e̶d̶ ̶a̶n̶ ̶o̶l̶i̶v̶e̶ ̶t̶r̶e̶e̶,̶ ̶j̶u̶s̶t̶ ̶a̶s̶ ̶h̶e̶ ̶h̶a̶d̶ ̶a̶f̶f̶i̶r̶m̶e̶d̶.̶
Alessia resolved to find a means of appearing in different locations within the past. She didn't want to cease her visits to the past altogether — it was the opportunity of a lifetime to witness firsthand how people lived, their routines, the cultural nuances, and the differences from her own time.
At the same time, she no longer wished to appear next to Caius, Aro, Marcus, or their residence. Thus, Alessia resolved to train herself to gain mastery over her gift. After all, she was the one traversing time; there was no reason she should feel obligated to appear in a single location or alongside specific individuals. It was time for her to take charge of her own temporal journey.
Alessia pondered the possibility that her recurring appearances near Caius, Aro, and Marcus might be attributed to the supposed bond she shared with them. While she wasn't entirely convinced of its validity, it was the only explanation she had at the moment. According to Marcus, mating bonds were established at 17 years, coinciding with the onset of her dreams involving them. However, Alessia refused to accept this as the sole reason for her spatial constraints. She reasoned that if she could walk wherever she pleased, she should also have the ability to appear wherever she desired. There had to be a way to transcend this limitation, and she was determined to uncover it.
Alessia resolved to commence training her gift diligently, determined to master the ability to appear wherever she desired in the past. She questioned why she had halted her efforts to improve her gift previously. What had she been thinking when she decided to postpone her training, especially considering she had entertained the notion of seeking guidance from Aro ? Reflecting on her past decisions, she wondered why she had placed such trust in him. Why had she considered asking him for help knowing how he was? Why had she allowed him entry into her mind without reservation? Why had she— No.
Feeling her eyes burn, Alessia recognized the warning sign that she was on the brink of spiraling. Determined to avoid this downward spiral, she swiftly redirected her focus to other matters.
Alessia wandered somewhat aimlessly in the direction she believed led to Agamemnon's house. It had been some time since her last visit, and her memory, particularly in the past, was not entirely reliable. She couldn't be certain she was heading the right way, but she remained determined to find it through diligent searching. She focused on using her gift, ensuring she wouldn't let day pass by her.
Talking about her gift, Alessia recognized the opportunity to begin her journey toward mastering her ability and gaining tight control over it. She acknowledged that in her dreams, she already possessed great control, and she resolved to tap into those experiences to guide her efforts while awake. Focusing on the sensations and feelings associated with her successful control in her dreams, she aimed to replicate those states of mind while conscious, thereby enhancing her ability to manipulate time effectively.
Sadly, Alessia acknowledged that while awake, she struggled to achieve even a fraction of the control she possessed in her dreams. Though it was possible that she might never reach the same level of proficiency while conscious, she saw no harm in making the attempt.
As Alessia focused on accelerating time, she observed everything around her with acute attention. The sun dipped rapidly towards the horizon, casting long shadows as people hurried past her, appearing as though they were sprinting. Even so, within herself, Alessia felt nothing at all. It was akin to being a passenger in a speeding car, where everything outside rushed past while she remained stationary, simply observing. In this moment, Alessia couldn't help but wonder if she was moving through time or if time itself was moving through her. Neither of those explained why she couldn't feel anything different while speeding time.
Then, Alessia made the time go back, and observed as things started to go backwards. The sun, which had just descended, now ascended back into the sky, while the people who had passed by her a moment ago appeared to walk backward, including a woman carrying an object reminiscent of the one she had seen in Caius' home, perhaps containing water. This rewind of time was different from Alessia's usual experiences when awake. Typically, when she wanted to go back in time while awake, she simply needed to focus and imagine a clock going back, and she would appear directly where her body had been. The phenomenon of seeing events unfold backward intrigued her, prompting her to question why this discrepancy existed.
Alessia speculated that the discrepancy between her experiences of time manipulation while awake and while dreaming stemmed from the fundamental difference in her state of being. When awake, she inhabited her own physical body, which meant that when she rewound time, she returned to where her body was located. In this state, her consciousness was fully integrated with her physical self, preventing her from observing events from an external perspective. Having said that, in her dreams, Alessia surmised that it wasn't her physical body present in the past; rather, it was her consciousness or soul. In this detached state, even though she was experiencing vivid visions of the past, she was not bound by the limitations of her physical body, allowing her to observe events from an external viewpoint.
The realization was plausible and Alessia decided to accept it for the time being, knowing that she could explore its implications further later.
Next, Alessia slowed down time, watching as everything around her moved at a sluggish pace. In spite of the leisurely tempo of her surroundings, she continued to walk at her normal pace, finding it somewhat amusing to move effortlessly while everything else appeared to crawl. She couldn't help but wonder if this was akin to how vampires felt when they ran at incredible speeds. Reflecting on her experiences of being propelled along with them during their rapid movements, she couldn't shake the similarity in sensation.
Disappointed by her inability to locate Agamemnon's house, Alessia decided to redirect her steps towards the agora, a familiar destination she had visited multiple times while abstaining from materializing in the past due to her focus on studying for exams. Maybe from there she could make the reverse path and try to reach Agamemnon's house.
Alessia walked toward the agora, returning time to its normal pace, and experienced a peculiar sensation — almost as if something had snapped back into place within herself. While it didn't make much logical sense, she considered the possibility that it could be a mental response to the return to normalcy. Humans were accustomed to a certain pace of life, and the abrupt shift from extreme slowness to normal speed might have triggered a sense of relief or satisfaction. Despite the uncertainty, Alessia resolved to commit the sensation to memory, recognizing its potential significance in her understanding of her time-traveling abilities.
As Alessia repeated the process of slowing down time and then returning it to its normal pace, she eagerly focused on the subtle shifts in her own perception. Each time she slowed time down, she experienced a sense of detachment and a feeling of everything around her receding into the background. It was as if she were in a state of heightened awareness, where every detail became more pronounced and distinct. Conversely, when she restored time to its normal pace, she felt a sudden return to a familiar rhythm and flow, accompanied by a sense of grounding and alignment.
Trying to memorize the sensation, Alessia struggled to find the right explanation. It was like a shift in consciousness, a momentary disconnection from the usual flow of time. Yet, there was also a profound connection to the present moment, a heightened awareness of her surroundings and her own existence within them. It was as if she were witnessing time itself in flux, experiencing its ebb and flow in a way that she truly wasn't used to.
And this was enough to lift her mood, because it was fascinating.
Ignoring the growing pain in her chest, Alessia reflected on her past experiences and realized that she had never consciously focused on how she felt during her time-traveling adventures. Before, she had been more preoccupied with observing the events unfolding around her, akin to watching a movie. Her attention had been directed outward, towards the interesting guys and beautiful scenes playing out before her, rather than inward, towards her own sensations and experiences.
It occurred to Alessia that perhaps she hadn't noticed these sensations before because they hadn't occurred previously, at least not consciously. Now that she was aware of what was happening, she recognized the importance of paying attention to her own internal state. Awareness, after all, could affect how people perceive things and how the body responds to them.
There were numerous studies exploring the effects of awareness on perception and cognition. These studies have demonstrated that heightened awareness can lead to various changes in perception, decision-making, and behavior. For instance, research has shown that awareness can enhance concentration, allowing individuals to focus more effectively on relevant stimuli while filtering out distractions.
Furthermore, beyond heightened awareness, significant events or new information, often, by themselves, reshaped people's overall perceptions. It was akin to a house of cards collapsing and rebuilding itself on new foundations. This understanding emphasized the dynamic nature of human perception, constantly evolving in response to new experiences and insights, and made her think about something: now that she was aware of what being a promised human really entailed would her awareness change too?
Alessia hadn't given much thought to the topic, as her current state of mind wasn't conducive to delving into such complexities. She acknowledged that she hadn't truly contemplated what it might mean for her. Additionally, Alessia was unaware of the full extent of what a connection to a vampire involved, as Aro, Caius, and Marcus had purposefully withheld information from her, seemingly underestimating — not caring about — its relevance to her life.
Feeling the weight of uncertainty, Alessia recognized the importance of seeking out reliable information regarding what it truly meant to be a promised human. Apparently this designation wasn't something she could simply choose to disregard, even though she harbored doubts about the credibility of the sources that had provided her with information thus far. In fact, if she found more trustworthy sources, and they told her that there was a way of distancing herself from this fate without losing the privileges of being a promised human brought, she should contemplate it.
She mulled over the potential consequences of no longer being a promised human. On one hand, she acknowledged the benefits of her scentless blood, which deterred vampires from transforming her against her will and reduced the likelihood of them harming her. However, she also recognized the danger posed by her "characteristic scent," which could attract hostile Children of the Moon. If she were to lose that scent, she might be safer from werewolf threats, but the uncertainty of what exactly would happen if she ceased being a promised human weighed heavily on her mind.
As Alessia caught sight of the agora ahead, a sharp pang in her chest compelled her to halt, shuddering, her jaw clenched tight. The pain had suddenly became impossible to disregard, exacerbated by her growing weariness.
She had no reason to out of nowhere feel exhausted; after all, she was merely lost in a dream. The only other instance she could recall feeling such overwhelming fatigue in a dream was during that peculiar day in the Uraei, a memory Alessia had desperately tried to bury. There seemed to be no connection between the two events: one involving Alessia's attempt to observe Ramesses, the other her endeavor to reach the agora. For all that, as she pondered, a dreadful realization struck her. The common thread between both occurrences was undeniable: Alessia, in one way or another, was physically distancing herself from Aro, Caius, and Marcus.
Still, it didn't add up; Alessia had left Aro and Caius in their home multiple times before, spending countless hours in the agora without feeling any fatigue. There was no logical explanation for why this time would be any different. Despite her skepticism, Alessia found herself compelled to pursue an experiment: she decided to retrace her path back to Caius' residence, her only lead. To her surprise, as she neared the house, the exhaustion began to lift. But just as she approached the doorstep, she woke up.
The implications of what had just transpired left Alessia in a terrible mood, worsened by the discovery that while the persistent fatigue and slight headache remained, the discomfort in her chest had lessened.
Alessia observed herself extremely closely, noting that while the pain in her chest didn't continue to lessen, she experienced no difficulty breathing or migraines. Even the exhaustion seemed to diminish. While this was positive in one aspect, it also meant that despite her efforts, the troubling connection she supposedly had with Aro, Caius, and Marcus was persistently attempting to draw them together.
Because what else could it be? A week that she distanced herself, she felt as though she was teetering on the brink of collapse, yet a mere day in their presence was enough to alleviate her exhaustion. It felt inherently wrong to Alessia. She loathed the notion of being almost dependent on someone in such a manner.
For the first time in her life, Alessia entertained the thought that perhaps she should have allowed Marcus to be dismembered. If she had, she might never have found herself transported to the past, and she wouldn't be grappling with these complexities now. She held onto the hope that in the present, some event would have occurred that would reveal her ability to time travel. Then, she would use it for ordinary purposes, living a peaceful life untouched by the burdens of her supposed soulmates and the dependency that seemed to stem from the moment she looked into their eyes.
In the very next moment, Alessia nearly regretted her fleeting thought. A sharp pain pierced her chest, accompanied by a wave of dread, sorrow, and a hint of desperation at the mere notion of Marcus' demise. However, it lasted only a moment — an almost regret. She quickly reminded herself that this was her mind, and she retained the autonomy to think whatever she pleased.
In fact, Alessia refused to be dictated by this supposed bond. If it demanded her proximity to Aro, Caius, and Marcus, threatening punishment as if she were the one who had committed the offense, she resolved to do her utmost to keep her distance. She would explore alternative paths to improve her quality of life and protect herself, determined not to succumb to the whims of this horrible connection.
Now, as she reflected on it, Alessia found herself circling back to an earlier thought: she needed more information about what it meant to be a promised human. Perhaps there was a way to extricate herself from this fate and avoid enduring such torment again. After all, Aro himself had mentioned that it was possible to reject a mating bond.
Of course, Alessia recognized that having clarity on this matter was crucial for making well-informed decisions about her future, especially in a world where she couldn't rely on anyone else. She understood the necessity of caution in seeking this information, realizing that the sources she chose and the individuals she confided in could significantly impact her safety and well-being. Therefore, she resolved to approach this task with careful consideration, ensuring that she gathered information from trustworthy and knowledgeable sources while safeguarding herself from potential threats or ̶m̶o̶r̶e̶ betrayals.
Alessia contemplated whether she had any contacts who could provide her with information. Aro, Caius, and Marcus were immediately dismissed; she didn't wish to engage with them, and she couldn't trust they wouldn't attempt to manipulate her once more. Didyme lingered as a possibility, albeit uncertain. Although she hadn't disclosed any details before, Alessia remembered Didyme asking her to recall that she had tried.
Now Alessia recognized that Didyme was referring to attempting to disclose information about the bond. Nonetheless, Alessia harbored doubts about whether Didyme had genuinely made a concerted effort beyond mere insinuations and occasional mentions — Didyme could have undoubtedly shared more if she had truly desired. Yet, Alessia couldn't shake the thought that perhaps she was unfairly attributing blame to Didyme for the actions of others — a tendency ingrained in society, always quick to hold women accountable for the misdeeds of the men in their lives, instead of holding the men accountable themselves.
Alessia concluded that she couldn't affirm anything with certainty, but it appeared that Didyme had, at the very least, made an attempt. Alessia recalled that Didyme had even requested a conversation with her...
Of course, Alessia couldn't dismiss the possibility that Didyme's intentions might be entangled in a larger scheme orchestrated by her brothers or even herself to see people she cared about happy. It was conceivable that Didyme's loyalty lay primarily with them, and any semblance of friendship she might extend to Alessia could be part of a deceptive ploy. Moreover, Alessia realized that Didyme's unique ability to induce contentment could be a potent tool, especially considering Alessia's lack of exposure to such manipulation. If Didyme chose to employ her gift on Alessia, she could become highly susceptible, even to the point of accepting anything presented to her, possibly leading to dependency and exploitation.
Though she confessed she might be a bit paranoid, the mere thought made her shiver. Alessia couldn't shake the unsettling notion, prompting her to seek out alternative sources. Anyhow, she found herself at an impasse, lacking trust in anyone else she knew. Ramses was out of the question. Nefertari, while apparently very centered, didn't inspire confidence due to her association with Ramses and the threat she posed to Alessia if Ramses' words held any truth. Athenodora, while amicable, was also viewed through a lens of suspicion, Alessia knowing that Athenodora already possessed more knowledge about her than was comfortable. Lastly, Sulpicia, though seemingly friendlier, wasn't exactly a better option, as she suspected Sulpicia's friendliness stemmed from a desire for information, possibly fueled by Alessia's connection to Marcus. In this predicament, Alessia found herself isolated.
Adding to her predicament, Alessia realized that even if she wanted to reach out to any of those individuals, she lacked the means to do so, unless she intended to embark on an endless journey. Thus, there was another advantage Didyme held over the others — Alessia knew Didyme's whereabouts.
Contemplating her options, Alessia weighed the potential risks against the benefits. Was it worth subjecting herself to the presence of Aro, Caius, and Marcus in order to possibly communicate with Didyme? Alessia supposed that it might be, even though she wanted to keep distance. However, before making any decisions, she resolved to observe Didyme closely to ascertain whether the older woman was someone she could trust to provide answers to her questions. If her observations yielded a positive assessment, Alessia would then consider finding a way to interact with Didyme.
With a determined nod, Alessia redirected her focus towards her other objective: improving her quality of life and finding more ways to protect herself from the supernatural.
After scouring the internet, Alessia compiled a list of potential actions to enhance her quality of life. Not-so-surprisingly, most of them boiled down to fundamental practices beneficial for any individual: engaging in physical exercise, adopting a healthier diet, and so forth. Alessia decided to kickstart her journey by taking up running. While she acknowledged she could never match the speed of a vampire, she believed it would still boost her physical fitness. What's more, with her decision to cease training with Caius, she resolved to discuss with her father the possibility of enrolling in a martial arts class or some form of combat training.
Anticipating her father's likely objections to spending money on additional activities, Alessia braced herself for the inevitable complaints. At least, she reasoned that if she could leverage the publicity of her Instagram account — albeit one she rarely used — to showcase her commitment to self-improvement and express gratitude towards her father, it might help sway his opinion. Despite knowing she would endure a barrage of complaints initially, Alessia hoped that ultimately her father would relent, albeit begrudgingly, especially after being publicly acknowledged on social media as a great father.
Alessia deliberated on what martial art would be most effective against vampires and werewolves. Recognizing that brute strength might not be her strongest asset, she narrowed her options down to Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, both renowned for their practical applications in self-defense and not necessarily reliant on sheer strength. With her decision made, Alessia set out to find nearby facilities that offered classes in either discipline, ideally within close proximity to her home or university. She hoped that the cost wouldn't be prohibitive, as affordability would be crucial in persuading her father to support her endeavor.
Alessia couldn't believe she was seriously considering joining a martial arts class, but the harsh reality was that she lacked any means of defense, and the thought of her own vulnerability was unsettling. She was adamant about not becoming a victim — whether it be from external threats like werewolves or even the vampires themselves. Despite her initial reluctance, Alessia acknowledged that her sparring sessions with Caius had inadvertently bolstered her stamina and resolve, a boost further fueled by her morning dance routines.
Furthermore, the threat from Ramesses continued to cast a long shadow over Alessia's thoughts, stirring up a persistent anxiety that she had attempted to ignore. Despite her efforts, she couldn't shake the lingering unease caused by his ominous warning. While she begrudgingly admitted that Aro's attempts to console her hadn't been entirely in vain, the memory of Ramesses' words remained a haunting presence, resurfacing the anxiety whenever she remembered.
Moreover, any solace Alessia once found in Aro's attempts to console her now seemed futile. Following recent events, she was convinced that her current reality was devoid of encounters with Aro, Caius, and Marcus because they either met their demise — and no, the thought did not make her chest hurt — or respected her desire for distance. Regardless of the reason, she took comfort in the assurance that she was liberated from their presence in her present life.
◇────◇────◇
Later on, Alessia reached out to Julia, sending her a message to propose a discussion about their professors the following day. Secretly, Alessia had already formulated a plan to persuade her friend to join the martial arts class with her, hoping they could choose which one to pursue together.
Then, Alessia decided that all she needed to do that day was create a single origami piece. This time, she fashioned a tiny butterfly with delicate folds. Satisfied with her creation, she set it aside and headed straight to dinner, for she was extremely hungry.
As evening descended, Alessia lamented the likelihood of appearing next to Aro, Caius, and Marcus due to her inability to train her gift. Exhausted and weary, she knew that attempting to time travel in her current state would only result in her collapsing. However, she remained resolute, determined to commence training her gift the following day. With any luck, she hoped to avoid any unwanted encounters with them in the near future after she hopefully had observed Didyme enough.
That night, Alessia found herself once again in the coven's living room, experiencing a powerful sense of déjà vu as she noticed Aro seated in the exact same position as the day before, with the pink scrunchie on his wrist and the same blue pen in his hand. Moments later, Caius entered, and the feeling of déjà vu intensified as the conversation unfolded in an eerily familiar manner, mirroring the events of the previous day with uncanny precision. Alessia couldn't help but feel a sense of strangeness and incredulity at the repetition of events, leaving her bewildered — it had been a long time since her dreams had repeated like that.
"I don't know what to do with him anymore," Caius growled. Once again Alessia noticed the visible bags under his eyes and the pitch-black irises. "Vampires don't get cold, and yet, Marcus is literally trembling, buried under five blankets and two layers of winter clothes. This is not normal."
"And we shouldn't be experiencing migraines, nor should we feel so exhausted that movement is a struggle, and yet here we are," Aro sighed, voice sounding strange.
Yes, she was witnessing an exact replay of the previous day's conversation. While she could easily search for Didyme or expedite the dream in some way, she came to a revelation: Alessia wouldn't need to engage with any of them directly, not even Didyme, if she could simply overhear the information she sought. With this in mind, she decided to remain where she was, observing quietly in hopes of catching what she needed to know without having to interact with anyone.
"It's different, Aro," Caius snarled, enraged. "We're managing somehow. But Marcus... he's wasting away. He won't communicate, won't eat unless we practically force him to. And he's even blocking us, so we can't discern his needs with certainty!"
"There's only so much we could do, even if he weren't," Aro muttered, obviously suffering a headache. "We've had this conversation before. You know it's much harder for him than it is for us."
"I understand that," Caius argued, running his hand through his hair. "But you're missing my point. Marcus may be more affected than us, but some of his symptoms are far from normal. If we don't find a solution, he'll succumb to madness far quicker than us."
"He won't," Aro negated, emotionless. "Everyone copes with loss differently. Marcus believes we've lost Alessia forever, so he's grieving."
Caius emitted an exasperated sound. "Because we did—"
This time, Alessia made a concerted effort not to tune out the conversation and resisted the impulse to leave the living room in uneasy. Despite her reluctance to engage, she recognized the importance of gathering information.
"—lose her," Caius affirmed. "Why are you still trying to convince yourself of the contrary? You described to me the state of our bonds; we all can feel the strain and its consequences."
Alessia arched an eyebrow. Strain? This was an interesting choice of word. Caius could have employed a myriad of terms to describe the situation. To depict their supposed bond, he could have said it was weakened, or anything else, but he chose the word "strain" — suggesting a force tending to pull or stretch something to an extreme or damaging degree.
This could mean nothing, considering that his language was different from hers. Although in Brazilian Portuguese it was not normal to refer to a relationship and the bond between people as "strained," in his language it could be normal. Still, it was an interesting choice of wording, and she sharpened her attention. Especially because he said "the strain and its consequences," as if implying that some things were happening as a result of this strain.
Aro blatantly disregarded Caius' words and pressed on with the previous subject. "Give our Marcus some time; he'll be better soon enough."
Caius stared at Aro, clenching his jaw. "What's gotten into you? Since when did you become the optimist instead of the overthinker? You're well aware that if this strain persists, we're all doomed."
Alessia felt her heart skip a beat, an odd and unwelcome sensation stirring within her before she firmly pushed it aside. They could jump into a volcano for all she cared.
Aro's expression morphed into a complex array of emotions, a kaleidoscope playing across his features. Slowly, he raised his hand and rested his cheek on his open palm, his gaze unfocused as he stared into the distance for a prolonged moment. Finally, he turned to Caius and responded.
"We all uncover new facets of ourselves when circumstances demand," he highlighted, rising from the chair. "I've already made plans for every possible situation, and as long as the three of us remain united, we won't meet our end so easily, unless Alessia outrightly rejects our bond."
Oh. Alessia could reject the bond, then. But what exactly did it involve? Would there be repercussions? And if so, would they be worth it? How would she even go about rejecting such a bond? ̶S̶h̶e̶ ̶p̶o̶i̶n̶t̶e̶d̶l̶y̶ ̶i̶g̶n̶o̶r̶e̶d̶ ̶h̶o̶w̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶m̶e̶r̶e̶ ̶t̶h̶o̶u̶g̶h̶t̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶i̶r̶ ̶e̶n̶d̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶m̶a̶d̶e̶ ̶h̶e̶r̶ ̶f̶e̶e̶l̶ ̶u̶t̶t̶e̶r̶l̶y̶ ̶d̶i̶s̶m̶a̶y̶e̶d̶.̶
"I'll see Marcus now. You should eat, my beloved," Aro asserted, seeming outwardly composed despite his peculiar movements and the evident bags under his eyes, planting a tender kiss on Caius' lips. "I sense your hunger, and you won't be able to safeguard us by depriving yourself. You and Marcus are the same."
"I'm accustomed to going without food," he affirmed solemnly, making Alessia's stomach churn with the implication. "I would still be capable of protecting you both. Neither you nor Marcus would be able to defend yourselves right now."
"We're fine," Aro dismissed. "You know the war is nowhere near here, and those disgusting mongrels all gravitate toward it because it's an easy means to hunt humans without detection. There are no threats at the moment."
Caius was reluctant, but with some persuasion, he relented. As soon as he acquiesced, walking out of the house, Aro's neutral expression crumbled, a fleeting glimpse of something almost manic flickering in his eyes before he ran his thumb over the scrunchie on his wrist and returned to his facade of exhaustion, heading towards another destination.
Alessia fought back the tears that hovered at the brink of escape — tears she hadn't acknowledged until they pressed against her eyelids —, and headed toward what she remembered was Didyme's room, choosing not to follow Aro.
Alessia reminded herself of all they had done, repeatedly affirming in her mind that she no longer cared about them. It became evident that her emotions remained unsettled, refusing to be disregarded as much as she wished they could be.
It seemed likely that Alessia would need to continue avoiding Aro, Caius, and Marcus for some time longer, unless she wanted to try to work her emotions through exposure.
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Notes:
As you can undoubtedly see from comparing this chapter with the others, this one is strange. Sometimes, it even appears to jump from one thing to another, and Alessia's emotions and reactions are not really felt or what one would expect; they appear almost random most of the time in her train of thought.
This is happening because, 1) people are all different, and 2) even though Alessia truly believes she is doing fine, she is in no way 100% well, which is reflected in everything, including her gift. The truth is that while you can present an outwardly fine appearance and even convince yourself that you are perfectly fine, your thoughts will always betray you. Therefore, because this is Alessia's pov, things appeared this way.
In another matter, the summary is not a reference to Alessia. It's a pointed reference and criticism of Aro, Caius, and Marcus!!!
I hope you picked up on the details of this chapter, lol, and I hope you liked it <3
Don't forget to drink lots and lots of water :D (and maybe leave kudos and comments *wink*