[J] Hakugen's Chimes

[Mini DoII]

Journal Entry - Ying

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[Mini DoII]

11.27

The moon was a fat crescent suspended in a not yet completely black sky, presently alone in what seemed to be an endless stretch of deep blue velvet. There were a few planets visible, but the moon was alone in its part of the sky.

It was cold outside, but not unbearably so, thanks to the lack of wind that evening.

It was perfect.

Liang let out a quiet sigh, taking a long drink from a small bowl of wine set in front of him and staring out the open window. A lone, aromatic candle flickered beside him, wafting the scent of cinnamon through his room and casting dim shadows on the wall.

However, there were a few bright reflections cast on the windowsill, reflected off the tarnished metal of the windchime. Its few brilliant spots had caught the light of the candle and shone brilliantly, casting dozens of what could poetically be compared to stars on the sill, the wall, the desk... any surface the chimes could reflect to.

A smile crossed Liang's face, and he once again turned to the moon, hands instinctively reaching outward to grasp the flute that Ying had purchased for him earlier in the day. How she knew he was able to play -- let alone save the allowances necessary to buy such a gift for him -- was one of those mysteries Liang could never bring himself to contemplate deeply. To do so would be to look a gift horse in the mouth, and some things, he thought, were simply better as mysteries.

As he brought the flute to his lips and began to play, he became vaguely aware of the chimes. He was too focused on the melody he played to fully recognize what was happening, but not so much that he didn't notice the chimes seemed to accompany his playing perfectly.  

[Mini DoII]

11.30

The chemistry set was meant for a child.

Uriel couldn't help but wince every time he looked at it; the bright plastic holders just wouldn't do. It was enough that he had the cheap plastic beakers and test tubes replaced with glass, but still, it wasn't enough.

It would have to be.

Though he was small and moved only with the aid of a cane, he still somehow managed to move the large (for him) vessels with relative ease, months of practice allowing him to pour and mix with a minimum of effort.

He couldn't help but allow himself a smile; when he was alone like this, on Liang's desk, working with the chemistry set, he was content. Extremes of joy were something he'd long forgotten, but contentedness... that was good enough.

Still, he couldn't shake the feeling he was being watched.

A quick glance over his shoulder, and one of his wings twitched. Perhaps...? No. It couldn't be.

However--

He tucked his cane under his arm and flapped his wings, slowly making his way to the top of the windowsill and perching carefully on it, peering down at the windchime.

A moment's study revealed that he was still too far from it, and he sighed quietly, pushing himself gently off of the ledge and perching on top of the windchime itself. His wings flapped awkwardly as he struggled to keep his balance, but the risk had paid off.

A smile crossed his face.

He allowed himself to fall, wings guiding him safely to the desk once more. And he stared back up at the chimes, resting his chin on one hand thoughtfully.

He could see why Liang had picked that particular chime. There was something about it... something he couldn't quite place his finger on, but fascinating, nonetheless.

Another decanter was filled, and Uriel continued about his business. He paid the chime no more attention for the rest of the night; after all, a watched beaker never boils.