Author's Note: Special Thanks to iWTBAT and Alphagor for proofreading
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The scene fades into a sight of a rainy day where Nat is standing in front of Alpa's house. Alpa’s father told her to wait for a few days after her return. That in itself is understandable. She still can’t get what she saw out of her head. It was enough to make her scared of even meeting her again. After a bit of foot shuffling and second thoughts, she resolved herself to knock on the door.
Knock Knock
“Who is it?”
“It’s Nathan, sir.”
Alpa’s father Broch opened the door slightly ajar. His eyes told her everything about the current situation. Instead of speaking, she turned around and started walking away. That was until she felt her hand being grabbed. She looked back to see the man’s remorseful eyes.
“You waited long enough.”
Neither of you spoke on the way to Alpa’s room. What is there to say?
When you set eyes on her, all those emotions you numbed yourself to started coming back
Those same blank eyes stared back at her.
She sat down on the chair next to her bed as her father explained the situation. “I… have a better idea what happened to her from asking around. But first, let me show you something.”
“How are you feeling, Alpa?”
No response.
“Do you know who I am?”
No response.
Her father gave Nat a look as if to tell her to brace herself.
“Can you stand?”
A nod.
“Stand up.”
Alpa stood up.
“Sit down.”
Alpa sat down on the bed.
“Spread your legs.”
Nat, despite being a teenager, couldn’t help but look away when she complied.
“Close your legs and tuck yourself back in bed.”
Alpa did just that, her eyes never changing.
After a long silence, Nat forced the words out of her throat.
“D-did… What did he do to her?”
Broch couldn’t bring himself to look at Nat.
“According to the doctor, she is physically healthy. But…”
The silence was thick.
“It seems some of her core essence is missing.”
Unlike the usual cloud essence that cloudfolk take in all the time, core essence is irreplaceable. They carry the cloudfolk’s identity and are responsible for keeping the body’s form as they grow up or heal from wounds. The core essence fills in the roles of many essential body parts, such as internal organs, their reproductive organs, their memories, their consciousness, everything that makes them an individual and not just a formless cloud. It was generally accepted to be a representation of their soul.
“What parts were taken?” Nat asked.
Alpa’s father shook his head. “Physically, she cannot sire children anymore.”
As Nat glanced back at Alpa, she noticed that her features seemed a little more… exaggerated. Her breasts were a little bigger. Her lips and hips were a little fuller. It was as if she was forced to mature further too soon.
Her father nodded. “They also noticed her essence was slightly damaged. But other than that she has no real injuries.”
The temperature in the room seemed to drop. Alpa’s blank stare burrowing into both of them.
“The doctors don't really have a way to measure consciousness as part of the core essence, but you can tell, right? It feels like part of her soul is missing. The doctors say that’s not really the case, that it’s all still there. It’s just… not all the triggers are responding, they say.”
She was damaged, both physically and mentally. She was nothing more than a doll now. A doll incapable of living their own life. Neither of them want to say it directly.
“Thank you for having me here.”
“Of course.”
Nat left without saying anything else.
Is this what it means to grow up? Is this what happens outside of town?
Nat glanced at the kids playing in the streets, knowing full well that this won’t last for them. Not for anyone.
This town is a cage. Its inhabitants are lambs waiting to be used.
When Nat got home, all it took was a look at her face for her parents not to bother her.
When Nat got in her room, she sat there in silence. The tears did not stop flowing for the rest of that night.
Amidst her discord of thoughts, Mary’s image came to her.
How could she be so free?
……………….
The scene faded away leaving behind Nat still in her teenage form. It seems her conscience is starting to break away from the memories.
Rieletta is not sure if it was because she got bored from watching memories or what, but instead of manipulating her victim indirectly, she decided to do something more direct. She disguised herself as slutty Mary and instead of dominating Nat on the spot, she just sat down next to Nat and waited in silence.
Nat looked towards Rieletta with disgust. “You would never let yourself look like that.”
She is not sure why herself, but Rieletta complied and changed her form into a more normal version of Mary. Perhaps she could get more information in this form.
“Why?” Rieletta asked.
Nat wouldn’t meet her gaze. “You are strong. I knew that when I first met you.”
Rieletta raised her eyebrow. This seems to be a good angle to talk about Mary and learn more about Nat's feelings for her.
As if to respond to Rieletta's thoughts, the darkness warped as another memory formed.