Ficlets

Idle Chatter

As we move toward an empty pool, Lilac begins to sing. Her voice is beautiful, but soft, reaching only my ears as I walk behind her. Her hair billows at the sides of her face, and she turns to look over her shoulder at me. I feel a smile flit across my face, alighting on my lips for a fleeting moment, and her grin breaks.

We sit by the pool, laughing and chattering as Ishkar climbed the rocks aroud the water. The large, gentle fish in the pond remain unperturbed as he reaches his tiny hands into their pond. His fingers outstretched, ever reaching for the flowing tails of the serene spirits in the water.

Lilac’s brow furrows, and her tone grows quieter, more serious, “Orchid,” she begins, stroking my soft red skirt with her fingertips, “If the emperor died, where would you go?” I paused for a moment, and felt my face freeze. Such talk was frowned upon, but the emperor was getting older, and it was a legitimate question.

“The desert, I suppose.” I replied, my voice hollow. I feel fear.

“Could I come?”

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