Lala's eyelids fluttered open, the first rays of the morning sun filtering through the window and casting a warm glow over the room. Toumas was nowhere to be seen, but Lala didn't dwell on his absence, knowing his tendency to get caught up in medical emergencies. "He shalt be in some medical emergency this one doesn't need to know," she mumbled to herself, a hint of resignation in her voice.
Padding into the kitchen, Lala poured herself a glass of juice, the cool liquid soothing her parched throat. With the glass in hand, she settled onto the plush sofa in the living room, her fingers tracing the worn pages of a medical book. The words on the page blurred before her as exhaustion crept in, lulling her into a restless slumber.
A sudden jolt roused her from her unintended nap, the sound of shattering glass echoing through the room. "Damn!" Lala exclaimed, frustration evident in her voice as she hurried to clean up the spilled liquid and pick up the broken shards of glass, the wet fabric of her sleeping gown clinging uncomfortably to her skin.
Determined to shake off the remnants of sleep, Lala made her way to the bathroom. She filled the bathtub with water, the chill of it making her hesitate. Lala disliked cold water, so with a whispered incantation, she watched as the water began to swirl and bubble, gradually heating to a more comfortable temperature. "Ferventibus," she murmured, a flicker of her Aether dancing in her eyes before she eased into the welcoming warmth of the bath.
The steam enveloped her, tendrils of heat swirling around her like a comforting embrace. Lala's muscles relaxed, tension melting away as she closed her eyes, allowing the soothing water to wash away the weariness that clung to her like a heavy shroud.
Hours passed, the sun climbing higher in the sky, casting golden light through the windows as Toumas finally returned. His abrupt entrance startled Lala, the doors thrown open in a frantic search. His voice, laced with irritation, cut through the air as he discovered Lala, still in the tub.
"Damn it!" Toumas' voice rang out, filled with exasperation. "What the fuck do you have a bed for?" His frustration was palpable as he struggled to comprehend her choice of resting place.
Lala met his gaze not uttering a single word. "We have things to talk about... get ready ASAP!" Toumas said.
With a sense of purpose, Lala swiftly finished her bath and dressed, the fabric of her clothing sticking to her damp skin. Toumas stood on the balcony, the cool breeze ruffling his hair as he read through a letter, his expression one of deep concern.
As Lala approached him, she couldn't help but notice the way her wet hair dampened the fabric of her sundress. "What's wrong?" she inquired softly, concern etched in her features as she awaited his response.
"My daughter has pneumonia," Toumas' voice cracked with emotion, his words heavy with sorrow. "It's serious. She's been in the hospital for weeks, needing intensive care, intubation, and artificial ventilation." The weight of the news bore down on him, his shoulders slumping as tears threatened to spill.
Lala felt a surge of empathy for Toumas, a pang of sorrow gripping her heart at the thought of his daughter's suffering. "I must go to New York," Toumas spoke, his voice choked with emotion. "You go with me; I bought tickets for both of us, we leave tonight at ten."
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The suddenness of his decision left Lala reeling, a mix of emotions swirling within her. "How do thee want this one to feel? Thou did this without this one's opinion," she countered, a flicker of defiance in her eyes as she struggled to process the whirlwind of events that had unfolded before her.
"Are you against traveling?" Toumas' voice held a note of desperation, his gaze pleading with her to understand the gravity of the situation.
"Not entirely," Lala admitted, her voice soft but resolute. "But thou shalt consult this one first," she added, a hint of defiance underscoring her words as she stood her ground, unwilling to be swept away by the tide of events without a say in the matter.
As the clock struck eight, Lala and Toumas descended from their apartment, stepping out into the chilling embrace of the night. A coach awaited them, its presence looming like a shadow in the dimly lit street. Lala, sensing an ominous undercurrent in the air, turned back, her eyes scanning their surroundings with a wary gaze. A shiver ran down her spine, a premonition of impending danger whispering in the rustle of the wind.
"Lala?" Toumas' voice cut through the silence, his concern palpable. “What’s the matter?”
She met his gaze, a silent acknowledgment passing between them before she gracefully entered the coach drawn by two majestic white horses. The rhythmic clip-clop of hooves echoed in the night as they made their way to the airship station, the sound a steady cadence to the unease that lingered in Lala's heart.
Upon reaching the bustling station, a sense of disquiet hovered in the air, a subtle disturbance that set her senses on edge as she navigated through the crowd. However, as she stepped onto the airship, the oppressive feeling dissipated, replaced by the soothing movement of the aircraft.
Once in their private cabin as the aircraft flew, Toumas succumbed to sleep, his form relaxed in repose. Lala observed him with a mixture of emotions swirling in her chest, her gaze tracing the contours of his face with a tenderness that bordered on longing. Approaching him, she felt the warmth of his breath against her skin as she placed her hands gently on his shoulders.
In a moment of vulnerability, her eyes shifted hues, transitioning from a soft pink to a mesmerizing aquamarine blue, reflecting the depths of her conflicted emotions. With a trembling breath, she leaned in and pressed a fleeting kiss to Toumas' lips, a silent confession of her unspoken affections. Her hair cascaded around them like a curtain, enveloping them in a cocoon of fleeting intimacy.
The brief connection left her breathless, a rush of emotions surging through her veins. Tears welled in her eyes, their warmth a stark contrast to the chill of the night air. A sharp pang of regret pierced her heart as she pulled away, her expression a mask of inner turmoil.
"Why?" she whispered, the word heavy with unspoken anguish, tears tracing silent paths down her cheeks. Her features twisted in a mix of betrayal and sorrow as she retreated, seeking solace in the confines of a closet, her sanctuary from the storm raging within her.
Within the cramped space, she crumpled against the darkness, her hands fisting in her hair as she struggled to contain the flood of emotions. "This one is so sorry," she murmured to herself. "This one loves thee. What can this one do?"
In a moment of desperation, she turned her gaze upwards, her voice a whispered prayer to the heavens above. "Why have thee forsaken this one?" she cried. A sharp knock at the door shattered her reverie, and as she opened it, Toumas stood before her, concern etched in every line of his face.
He enveloped her in a comforting embrace, his presence a balm to her wounded soul. "This one is so sorry, Toumas," she choked out, her voice thick with unshed tears.
"What's wrong?" Confusion clouded his features, his brow furrowing in concern. “What are you sorry about?”
"Just a bad dream," she said, the words tasting bitter on her tongue.
Toumas held her tighter as he guided her out of the darkness of the closet, leading her to the safety of the bed. "It's okay," he murmured. "I'll be here for you."