[color=lightgray] [center][h3][color=D2691E]Farim[/color] & [color=E77298]Anastasia[/color] [/h3][/center] [h3][center][color=D2691E]Part 3[/color][/center][/h3] [color=D2691E]Time:[/color] Nightime [color=E77298]Location: [/color] Lover’s Lake [color=D2691E]Interactions:[/color] [@Infinite Cosmos] Munir [@Tae] Mina [@ReusableSword] Roman [@Helo] Callum [@Tpartywithzombi] Ariella [hr] [color=D2691E]”M-Mother?”[/color] Anastasia looked around in utter disbelief. She had no idea what Farim was on about at this point and saw absolutely nobody in his line of sight. [color=E77298][i] “What the heck?”[/i][/color] She stared at him for a long time until something finally clicked. Fear slowly crept into her expression as everything dawned. [color=E77298][i] Did Roman literally summon the dead with his magic bags he threw in the fire?[/i][/color] For a moment, she was frightened by the idea of creepy ghosts appearing in her vision, but then she realized the idea actually exhilarated her. She finally exclaimed with fists tightly clenched at her sides, [color=E77298] “Are you seeing ghosts!”[/color] Farim nodded quickly, eyes still darting between what he saw and Anastasia’s face. [color=D2691E]”Yes. Well, at least one of them is someone I know is dead. My friend Malik from my childhood.”[/color] Farim took a hand and reached out to grab the ghostly fingers that were attempting to caress his cheek. [color=D2961E]”The other is a face I barely remember from my days as a child. And she calls me her hayati. Her life. That is something a mother calls her child back home. But she is….supposed to be alive…”[/color] Farim felt a shiver running along his back at the thought. Losing a mother he barely knew to means he did not know was beginning to weigh heavily on his mental state. Whether or not this entire “vision” was real, Farim felt a bubbling sea of emotion in the pit of his stomach. [color=E77298] “Shit… Well I don’t know if it’s actually ghosts or hallucinations since I am not seeing anybody. ”[/color] She commented with a frown. Then again, she wasn’t sure if there were spirits that would want to visit her. As she fixated on his facial expression once more and her frown only deepened. Anastasia reached out to rub his shoulder comfortingly, however he did not seem to notice immediately. [color=teal]”Farim, I wish I had more time with you. There is so much to say, but just know that I love you and that I so very much wished to see you everyday. Ever since your father separated us I prayed we could meet again. And finally I can see your beautiful face, sweetie.”[/color] Farim’s jaw dropped as he heard the words. [color=D2691E]”Now she spoke again - and she just said something only she would know!”[/color] His expression started to shape into one of panic. Farim gripped onto Anastasia’s arms and looked at her with a plea in his eyes. [color=D2961E]”Please tell me this is not a real thing. I cannot bear the thought of what this spirit vision implies!”[/color] His voice rose to match his rising emotional state, but a soft murmur broke out as he felt a tear roll down his cheek. [color=D2961E]”I am scared, Anastasia…Scared that this is an omen of my mother’s passing. Real or not, what if I never get to see her?”[/color] She cradled his face in her hands hastily and gently wiped his tears away with her thumbs, [color=E77298] “Shh… It’s okay. .. To be honest, I don’t know what the fuck is happening, Farim, but I am right here to help you through this… “[/color] Anastasia’s hands shifted from his face to his shoulders and down his back as she transitioned into a hug, soothingly rubbing his back. Though she didn't release the embrace entirely, she created enough space to meet his gaze once more. [color=E77298] “Maybe ask her some questions?”[/color] She suggested. It wasn’t until the calming touch and embrace of the princess had Farim realized just how heavily he was breathing from anxiety and the mental stress of the moment. The world around them seemed to simply fade to black as he focused on what he could, and turned his eyes to the ghost of his mother while still holding Anastasia. He nodded as he began his line of questioning for the spirit. [color=D2961E]”Wh-what is your and my name?”[/color] [color=teal]”Farim Ibn Hafiz Kadir. And I am Nafia Kadir, one of the last consorts your father let conceive his child. I know it is tough to see me like this. If there was any other way, I would have chosen differently.”[/color] The outline of her face became more clear, and a slight frown showed on her face. [color=D2961E]”And what happened to you on my 6th birthday?”[/color] His face resolved for a moment, and his hands held onto Annie’s tightly. [color=teal]”Your father ...thought it best to separate us because he felt you were soft. He said my soft parenting would only make his young prodigy into a weak man. So he placed me under house arrest in a small no-name town to the west of the capital. Somewhere far from you, but close enough for his spies to silence me if I should escape.”[/color] Farim’s face began to show a grim expression. He turned to Anastasia and frowned. [color=D2691E]”Whatever this drug may be, I think Roman is right on how it lets us connect to the spirit world. I am seeing the face of my mom and friend clearly and she is naming things that only she would know. I…”[/color] Farim paused for a long while, stuck in the shock of the moment. [color=D2691E]”I’m sorry, Annie. If my mother really is gone…”[/color] He trailed off, wiping a tear from his face only for another to fall right behind it. His words failed him so all he could do was tightly hug her as he buried his face into her shoulder for a moment. Anastasia hushed him and drew him close tenderly, her hand continuing to rub his back soothingly. As she held him, she found herself at a loss for words, a familiar feeling for her, as comforting others wasn't her forte; she typically dealt with her own problems by attempting to ignore them altogether. Additionally, she was coming to terms with the realization that Farim was indeed witnessing the apparition of his deceased mother, which was mind-boggling. Her gaze made its way to [b]Munir[/b], who probably didn’t know his aunt was dead either. [color=E77298] “... I’m so sorry, Farim.”[/color] The two specters looked at the pair with a mixture of bittersweet expressions. Currently neither of them could see it, but Nafia reached over to rub the back of Farim’s head in a comforting gesture. [color=teal]”It will be okay, hayati. It seems you are in much better hands than I could hope for.”[/color] She smiled, and turned to face the princess. Nafia figured she wouldn’t hear it, but perhaps Farim would pass the message when he was less frantic. [color=teal]”You’re a sweet woman. Please take care of him for me. He is a gentle lion who could do so much, but that potential could be used for dark and abhorrent things. If you both end up marrying one day, consider this my chance to say you have my blessing, sweetheart.”[/color] She smiled softly and simply stayed by her son’s side, cradling the back of his head as her presence began to fade against the background. Once he felt the presence fade, he looked up one last time and through tear soaked eyes choked out his last words to her. [color=D2691E]”Hafiz was wrong about you, Mama. I love you, and thank you for everything.”[/color] Nafia smiled and mirrored the words [color=teal]”I love you, Farim.[/color] with a final breath as she passed to what one could assume would be the afterlife. Malik’s ghost lingered, as if tied to Farim’s physical self. But he simply sat back and let the two have some “alone time”. With a solemn smile, Malik turned to wander the campgrounds. As the presences faded, Farim still in shock over the spectacle, he looked at the Princess with soaked eyes. [color=D2691E]”I am sorry for being such a … party pooper as you may say. I think I am better….but I would like to stay here with you for a while. Everywhere else feels so much more lonely right now.”[/color] Anastasia still had entirely no idea what was happening, but she accepted that she did not need to in order to be helpful. [color=E77298] “Sure… You wanna do something fun, maybe to make you feel better?”[/color] She paused and glanced toward the others. [color=E77298] “Maybe we can invite the others and all go for a night swim in the lake after this ceremony. Could be a good way for us all to wash off all these heebie jeebies.”[/color] The details of her dress and the scenery around him continued to sharpen and dull at random intervals. But her words came through crystal clear, prompting Farim to nod. He felt a little tired - but that was likely due to his horrendously bad vision more than anything else. [color=D2961E]”You always have such pleasant ideas.”[/color] He sniffled. [color=D2961E]”Although I did not bring with me any swimwear. Will that be an issue?”[/color] Farim chuckled as he attempted to make light of the situation at hand. [color=E77298] “Nah you can just go in your underpants, oooorrrr [i]naked[/i]. “[/color] She winked and gave him finger guns, before casually announcing, [color=E77298] “I go in naked all the time and I’ve never had any problems.”[/color] She then clapped her hands together decidedly and looked around. Spotting a tree stump, she skipped over and climbed on top of it. Subsequently, she put her hands on the side of mouth to add more volume to her voice as she hollered loudly: [h3] [color=E77298] “HEY! Party at the lake after the ceremony! We’re going swimming!! …Bring your own BOOOZEEE!”[/color][/h3] Farim couldn’t help but cough slightly as she mentioned skinny dipping so casually, but with her casual finger guns he let out a short chuckle. [color=D2961E]”You are an interesting woman.”[/color] Anastasia nodded in agreement in reaction to this statement. Her grand announcement made him also realize that others would be present for any displays of skin or debauchery. He figured if things seemed dicey he would just use his underpants anyway, so he looked around and took note of who would voice interest in such an event. With a volume of voice only the two would hear he spoke to her[color=D2961E]”Perhaps I shall do just that - let us see how courageous I am feeling in the moment.”[/color] He stood up, brushed off his robe, and sniffled one last time to clear up his sinuses. For the moment his mood was lightened, and so he reached a hand out to her with a soft grin. [color=D2961E]”Before such interesting shows of self can be made. Come back here and let me enjoy some more time for us to dance before we go swimming.”[/color] He hummed aloud to her. She smiled and took his hand, [color=E77298] “Okay! Dancing time! Lead the way.”[/color] [/color]