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..Chapters..
1. Content
2. Pain
3. Bitter
4. Try

[Content]

Long, slender fingers reached up to the blue eye of the sky, folding gingerly over the golden globe as if to bring a bit of that eternal warmth home. The ethereal fingers of the sun stretched far across the sky, not even a hint of the rosy tips peaking at the horizon.

Alethea Hywel sat up with the calming feeling of contentment. Life was simple, and she had all she could really ask for. Finally convincing herself to stand upright, Alethea quickly liberated herself of the accumulated dirt and grass. With the sun at its peak, she knew that lunch time was nearing.

Long legs glided over the sea of grass, almost unconsciously leading her home. It was a humble dwelling, far enough from humans and Fae alike to not disturb the wild creatures she worked with, but not so far away as to alienate herself completely. She was, after all, still a part of the court.

Walking around her living space, Alethea paused to watch the garden in the back. Most was food, however she was rather partial to flowers as well. Another woman knelt by the lilies, eyes closed as she took a deep breath of the intoxicating aroma of nature. Butterflies fluttered around the woman, as natural as if gliding to the nectar of a flower. Alethea loved watching her.

"Naomi Kimimela." Alethea called out, hands on hips with a mock look of rebuke, "I bet you skipped breakfast again."

The woman stood with an abashed face, dusting her own dress as she walked up to Alethea, "As I'm sure you did as well."

Caught guilty, Alethea smiled warmly and the two went inside. Lunch time was important, not only for them eating of course, but it was the time she prepared food for the others. She always served them before eating anything herself, and Naomi always waited for Alethea before eating.

Stepping outside, Alethea pulled on a thick leather glove and waited by the grove of trees. Soon enough, with the instinctual clock born to many, the speedy swoop of falcon wings announced the first arrival to dine. Thick claws dug into the leather, though Alethea felt only the weight of the bird as he perched, ruffling his feathers into a comfortable position.

Golden eyes flickered expectantly into her own golden eyes, and Alethea dutifully procured his food. When he finished, he gave her one last glance as if to make sure there was really none left, then flew on his way. It was such a simple gesture, but she loved ever bit of it. Their grace and speed were astounding, and she particularly loved their wings. Long and elegant, their guiding force in flight.

Over the course of the hour, five others came to her gloved fist, eating with greedy ease in her presence. The bucket she had brought was empty, the glove removed, and she returned home to the fresh Naomi-made meal.

The two ate in silence, both having long become accustomed to one another's being there. Time didn't really exist for them anymore. The plants around them changed, the seasons evolved and returned in full circle, but time was only a name for that which occurred naturally. Alethea was content with it all.

The rest of the day was kept busy by tending the lands around them, eyes kept to the sky for the occasional glimpse of the falcons. The sun began to draw its curtains, and twilight fell swiftly. Colors washed the sky, flowing as water to the sea.

Alethea sat outside to watch the twilight every night. It was from this habit that she discovered something not quite habitual. There was a distinct flutter of wings in the distance, though she knew her falcons would be off hunting in their own woods by now. Setting off into the lands cast in the twilight's last glimmer, Alethea found herself standing in the grove of trees once more.

Golden eyes glowered at her, flickering with something more ominous than that of a wild creature. It was the eyes of one hurt.

She watched the large falcon struggle, his wings obviously unwilling to listen to reason. Quickly fetching her leather glove, box, and leash, Alethea returned with a thankful breath that he was still there.

Using the leash was rather uncommon as Alethea usually had a calming aura, but against one whom was angered and blinded by pain, she couldn't take chances. Gingerly approaching him, she quickly leashed him, narrowly avoiding the sudden onslaught of talon and claws. They were deceptively sharper than the casual observer might think.

The struggle was fierce, but quick. The clammer of anger now inside the box was ushered back home to the adjoining room that Alethea had used to help birth the falcons in a safer area. She settled the falcon there, keeping him leashed to the perch so as not to hurt himself in whatever panicked frenzy he might throw himself into with all the changes.

It would take time, but she was content with that.

--

Notes:
The seventh falcon of twilight will be the one to change things for Alethea. She has always been content, but what is happiness and sadness when there is only the one ground to stand upon? Bit of foreshadowing >.>

Eyes are important. It is said that the eyes can be used to see one's soul. This too will be further explored. Naomi will be explored further as well X3 The lilies are a kind of hint, but I don't plan on delving too deeply into that aspect as I don't want others uncomfortable ^^;

babynames.com was used for nameage of characters~

[Bitter]

When awareness began to rip its unforgiving claws into the shroud of darkness, the first thing Alethea awoke to was the distinct feeling of pain. It started as a dull throb across her head, her hands and feet tingling with the waning effects of sleep. The pain abruptly became focused, the lances that flashed across her face as a thousand tiny blades.

A coolness suddenly dabbed at her face, gentle hands gingerly fluttering across, "You're awake."

The relief in Naomi's voice was clear, though Alethea couldn't bring herself any further from the numbing pain. Naomi continued, "You've been asleep for quite a while. I've tried feeding your falcons, but they don't seem to accept any but you. I leave the food out for them though, and they seem to come for that when I leave." Alethea could sense Naomi was trying to smile; she heard it in her voice, but there was the underlying pain of knowledge. She didn't even mention how the other falcon was doing.

Forcing a coherent sentence to form, Alethea turned her face towards Naomi's general direction, "How bad is it?" Her voice croaked, strained from her screams and foggy from such a deep sleep.

Naomi hestitated, though Alethea already knew she would tell the truth. She finally spoke, her voice lowered, "I've been applying a salve to minimize the scarring, though they will still show, and I don't think you'll be able to use your eyes again."

Alethea turned her head the other way. The blindfold suddenly felt like a chain, though she didn't want to touch it to pull it off. It was likely her eyelids were just as torn, and she didn't want to even try to picture what it might look like.

It was funny. They were given longer lives in return for helping the nature that humans destroyed thrive, but it was that very nature that was determined to make that longer life worthless. Alethea thought of the falcon she had tried to help, bitterness washing over her. It all hurt.

"Rest, you won't be thinking very clearly just yet." Naomi whispered, tilting her head up and giving her a sip of water before resting her head on the back of Alethea's hand.

It was a long while before Alethea heard Naomi's breathing slow to the shallow, even paces that came with sleep. There was too much pain to fall asleep herself, too much to even think with. All she could do was simply lay there.

All she did was lay.

Alethea dozed in and out. The only recollection of time was whether Naomi was there or not. After a while, she realized it had been a few days. How many meals had Naomi made her eat? It must have been quite a few.

The pain was still there, though not as sharp. Somehow it felt like the pain would always be there. Alethea sat upright, her mind not quite so foggy. She wanted to feel guilty for leaving all the work to Naomi, but she couldn't quite bring herself to. She couldn't really feel much of anything. Pulling herself out of bed, Alethea gingerly walked across the room, her hands held out in front of her and bare feet stepping lightly. Had the door always been so far away? Her hands reached the handle, and she slipped through. Following the wall, Alethea found the back door to the garden. It was warm outside, and she could tell the sun was shining, mocking her.

Digging her toes into the warm soil beneath her feet, Alethea took a deep, shakey breath. How many years had she spent happily here? It was hard to bring the memories up against the void wall in her mind.

"Alethea?" Naomi's voice was brimming with concern, and she could feel her hand rest lightly on her arm.

"I just wanted to get out for a bit. That's all." Alethea didn't intend for her voice to come out so flat.

Naomi leaned her head against Alethea, gripping at her bared arms. It was strange wearing something that revealed her arms. Before she had met Naomi, she never really paid attention to what she wore, so long as it was acceptable. When they started living together, however, Naomi had taken to sewing. Alethea had gotten used to wearing strange dresses, colorful layers that gently flowed. She loved looking at the little details Naomi put in. The stitches that lined the sides, the little threads and ribbons that might have been snuck in as little eye catching points.

She missed the comforting weight of them, but in a way she could see where Naomi's new clothing was coming from. Her bare skin tingled against the air, hair standing on end with heightened awareness, almost an instinctual panic against the sudden blackness of the world. It was easier to feel what was around her. She trusted Naomi's good senses meant the new clothes looked just as good. Not that it mattered anymore.

It became a routine of sorts. Alethea would stand outside in the garden, doing nothing but standing there. Her mind wouldn't work around anything else. She could tell that Naomi was becoming more and more worried about her, but she couldn't find the willpower to change it any.

"Alethea.." Naomi hesitated behind her, "You can't go on like this."

When no reply came, Naomi persisted, "You're losing a piece of yourself each day. I can only imagine how much it hurts you, but you can't live forever like this."

"Falcons can see for further than our eyes could even imagine." Alethea's voice was distant, "Now I can't even try to catch up to them. I'm blind, that's about all there is to it. Nature has a way of picking off the weak by creatures higher on the food chain. Wonder what that would be for us."

"No, that's not all there is to it, Alethea." Naomi clutched at her shoulders, turning her face towards her, "It's not all about what you can see or can't see with your eyes. You keep thinking you're useless, but you're not. Did you know that butterflies are legally blind? Yet that doesn't stop them from living, and I still love them just as much. You haven't even tried!"

Alethea shivered in surprise when she felt the warm drops of tears on her arm. "You haven't even tried.." Naomi's voice cracked. Alethea stood there, listening to Naomi cry. Alethea bit the inside of her mouth, her face burning. She was scum.

Her shoulders shook in silent tears. Not once had she cried since she lost her sight, but now that was all she wanted to do. Her eyes couldn't produce tears anymore. She was angry at the world, hated it, but she realized that she hated herself more.

"I'm sorry, Naomi I'm so sorry." Alethea's voice was shattered and she fell to her knees. Her breath came in ragged gasps as they clung to one another.

"Even if you never got your sight back again," Naomi whispered, "I wish that you could at least cry." Naomi leaned forward and gently kissed the scars that escaped the reach of the blindfold, her own tears glistening on Alethea's cheek.

It felt like an eternity had passed before they fell into a calm stupor. Alethea spoke first, her voice weary with emotion, "I want to feed the falcons today."

--

Notes:
I haven't decided if she should be reborn with or without eyesight just yet. If she's born blind, it would be that her eyes are extremely sensitive to the light and everything is too bright to look at without causing a lot of pain. It would be interesting to work with, but not sure what sort of limitations that might put on me. Any suggestions?

The entire reason why Naomi is associated with butterflies is because I remembered reading somewhere that butterflies are legally blind. I really liked that concept, so I thought of all people she would be able to understand Alethea the most.