Vindecia

[Elfling]

Hush little baby, don't say a word..

All was still.

Within the house, ironically dubbed 'Rising Sun', there was no movement. The grates were silent, bringing no warmth. No animals scurred beneath the floorboards; no insects crept inside to escape the harsh chill of winter.

Exquisite woodwork decorated nearly every part of the house with some form of a sunrise. Over the mantles of the hearths, the stillness of sunrises were there. They were etched into the railings of the large staircase leading up into the second and third floors. In some places, upon the walls, bright colors refused to be completely dampened by shadow, and only in paintings did she view the sun.

She was in none of those places.

Momma's gonna buy you a mocking bird..

Deep within the bowels of the house, a door that was kept locked was ajar. From within, the smell of old cloth wafted, just faint enough to tickle the senses. Just on the inside of the door, a small head of a hobbyhorse could be seen, barely shifting as if it had just been rocked moments before.

In the middle of the room, Vindecia sat. There, she was surrounded by toys.. everything from small stuffed dolls to twin rocking horses to twin wooden swords which had been propped up in a corner. There were two of everything. Two beds, two wardrobes for clothes, which held identical, faded cloth within. Two of everything.. but Vindecia.

If that mockin' bird don't sing..

It had been a week, perhaps longer, since Jarek had come. Since things had started to fall apart in her head. She hadn't wanted to remember, but he had triggered it.

Her skin had slowly faded back into its pale lack of color, and her eyes had darkened once more to their deep plums. She wasn't hungry, of course, but the feeling of life had driven her mad, and so, she purged it. Purged the Life out of herself, again. It no longer existed, anyway.

'She is my Adara.' It had been said, and the words rang within her head again. How long had it been, now? She had lost track somewhere. 'Do you know what it means, that he has claimed you as his Adara?'

No tears welled up within the lifeless expression, as it slowly looked round and round the room. The dark gaze traveled from one sight to the next, taking note of the duality of everything.

His Adara.

"But you never explained what happened should I not follow him to the afterlife, Matron.." The voice whispered to the empty room. Empty room, empty heart, empty soul. The Dragon had temporarily revived it, brought breath, and life.

She would have him.. for no other purpose than to be sure he *never* did such again.