"Tristan! You're here! The music? How was it?"
Ira stopped, hearing that melodic voice, deep with an accent that caused her left shoulder to twitch and her eyes to go wide.
It was a nostalgic accent that brought back the feel of sand under her feet, the sound of lambs under the shade, safe from a bright, glowing sun. She stepped forward, suddenly feeling so small; her tiny feet digging into the sand as she looked out to a shepherd calling out to her in rich the voice of her father. Her head turned, and she saw an older woman next to him, holding a large jug of water on her head while waving for her to come to them, her red eyes glittering with a mother's genuine warmth and love.
She was about to walk to them before hearing a young toddler laugh caused her to pause. She recognized that sound, turning her head to look into the nearby caramel eyes of Ori. He was laughing as a tall young girl petted his head, running her fingers through his short, wiry curls.
Ira felt her eyes water, seeing that girl, watching that unforgettable face turn towards her. Bright silver eyes, eyes that glowed like moonlight, had come across her dark, crimson gaze. That young girl smiled, her lips parting to call out to Ira, her hand reaching out, beckoning her.
Ira reached out with her left hand, her small fingers stretching to hold that welcoming hand, towards that warm light as her heart was pounding like drums in her ears. "S-Sister..."
"Babe? Are you okay?"
The scene vanished as quickly as it appeared; the heat of the sun gave way to the cool night breeze. Below her feet was pavement, and her left shoulder was trembling as a sudden sharp pain cut into it, stabbing it, reminding her of what she no longer had. She looked around, disoriented, her right hand gripping her forehead as she chuckled, staring at the ground, "Nothing...it was nothing ...she's not here..."
Tristan bit his lips, his hand moving to stroke Ira's back, trying to soothe her, "Sweetie, it's okay-"
"Oh! Ira, is it? I hope you were a gentleman."
The voice returned again and slowly began to lift her head. Her left shoulder started to tremble as she took in black boots with a silver buckle and gray slacks over muscular yet svelte legs. Her blood-colored eyes moved up towards the buttoned-down white shirt with a black cardigan and then to a strong jaw with dark, satin skin. Full lips with small scars curled up into a slight smile as that jaw tilted slightly.
Ira hesitated that sharp pain going from her left shoulder and up to her neck made her pause.
It was the soft touch of Tristan stroking her back that gave her the strength to look up into silver eyes that glowed like moonlight. Eyes that burned into her mind, the same eyes of the one she had waited for so long. The one for whom she kept her promise, even in those dark, hellish days.
The person she vowed never to forget.
Yet, there was not a hint of recognition in those eyes.
Not even the foggiest memory.
The one who she had been begging to see for nearly twenty years... had absolutely no idea who she was!
Ira gritted her teeth beneath her lips, before forcing a smile, "Tristan, you never told me about her."
Tristan's' eyes widened, and he released a stuttered chuckle, "I just-"
"Oh, he didn't, of course. Embarrassed by me, no doubt!" The woman laughed, the sound sending more needles of agony into Ira's nerves, "My name is Eva. I'm Tristan's guardian-"
"Roommate." Tristan interjected, glowering at his guardian, "I'm not a kid anymore."
"You are not, indeed" Eva tilted her head with a nurturing smile, her hand brushing a wild black curl from her face to behind her ear, "Not when you have this lovely woman with you. Though where is your tie?" She stepped forward towards Tristan, her fingers reaching out to button up his shirt, "I told you to wear one."
Tristan's' cheeks turned a bright shade of pink as he stepped back, "Evie, come on!" His hands reached to touch those buttons, and Ira could not help but notice his fingers lingering on them.
Eva sighed, one hand moving to touch her forehead as she shook her head, "I'm only trying to help." She turned to look over to Ira, her head tilting against, and her brow lifted as she noticed the trembling shoulder, "Ira, is your shoulder okay?"
That smile was still plastered on Iras' face as she shook her head, her hand moving to massage her throbbing joint, "I'm all right, nothing I can't handle." She moved her hand away, standing straight and using all of her willpower to stop her trembling. She pointedly moved away from Tristan, leaning back against the car, her eyes back on this woman.
This coward.
Her eye twitched slightly as words she did not mean spilled out with crumbling ash from her mouth, "Thank you for your concern."
Eva stepped forward, those eyes still filled with pity, "It's just...I know that is an old wound, but it seems that you are in pain-"
Tristan stepped forward, placing a hand on Eva's shoulder, his touch gentle, "She's just tired, Evie. You don't need to butt in all the time."
Eva stopped, sighing softly and rubbing the back of her head, her hair wrapped in a tight bun, "You're right. My apologies, Ira, I didn't mean to cause you discomfort."
Ira felt her eye twitch, her smile faltering as she gazed back towards the ground, "It's not a problem, Eva."
She was not sorry enough.
She was nowhere near sorry enough.
Not yet.
Eva nodded, her hand rubbing against her neck before she smiled again and motioned over to her home, "Would you two like to come inside?"
Ira's hand went back to her shoulder, gripping it tightly, her heart pounding in her ears as a coppery taste filled her mouth. Everything started to smell like burning flesh, the breeze burning her skin. She was losing herself, trying to cave in away from the flame that was her bubbling rage.
It was Tristan's voice she tried to focus on, desperate to use anything to distract her, "Hey Evie, I'll meet you inside in a bit. We're gonna stay out for some more air."
Eva looked over to Tristan before her eyes shifted over to Ira. Her eyes narrowed slightly, before she chuckled, the sound rich and melodic, "I suppose I have overstayed my welcome." She turned to face Ira fully, bowing her head, "It was a pleasure to meet you, Ira." She had a smile on her face as she gave a small wave, "I hope that you feel better soon."
Ira looked up, forcing a thin smile, "I will." Her voice was calm, not a tremble to be found.
However, as the coward moved back into that dilapidated house, she finally released the snarl she had been holding back.
The coward didn't even remember her and didn't remember their promise!
A promise she kept.
A promise she sacrificed nearly everything for!
The coward didn't even remember it!
It hurt.
A soft touch went to her shoulder. This touch, in any other circumstance, would've pulled her from the brink.
Yet it only worked to push her off as his words from their first meeting ringing her ears, mixing with the pounding sound of drums, "Do I remind you of her?"
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