Rain dribbled down her caramel skin, merging with the burning tears slithering down her cheeks. Head milling just like the crowd around her, turning in circles as though commencing an interminable waltz. She stood in the middle of place de la Concorde, soaking wet, with a steaming heart, and a shattered soul.
She'd never let herself be subdued by sorrow, at least not on the exterior, but today... Today the world had required something atrocious. They'd stolen a person from her, the person that didn't condemn her to the title of a delusional dreamer, the one that held her tightly in moments of despair, the one that did not question her sanity. They'd taken him without consent, without warning, without her.
The bodies pushed her, oblivious to her shaking state, making the sensation of falling greater, eternal. It was a perfect setting to cry, she thought; the sun hid behind thick clouds of judgement, the rain pricked her skin like sharp needles, and the cold winds masked her numbness. Perfect.
Her hair fell back as she tilted her head toward the only witness above.
No words could release her, no smile or comfort could make the image of her brother vanish from her vision. Like a star amongst the clouds, she watched him fade, dimming in a slow rhythm. The lingering aches soothed at the ghost of a playful smile appeasing his face, and she waited. Her eyes shut and she waited for the sun to clear its way to the wretched soul that requested solace. For the sun she would wait, just as her brother had.
00| Laurent
Laurent cursed the skies as he ran through the crowd with his jacket as a sole shield to the pouring rain. His boots were soaked, little like the rest of his body except for his guitar, secured in a case that he nursed in his arms like a new-born child.
He stopped his run and leaned against the fountain in the square, he could barely see his way across the place, the wall of bodies was shifting only to showcase more people behind.
Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
Soaking his heartbeat seemed easier now than when he'd auditioned.
The audition had taken place hours ago, many candidates had been present, more than he'd expected, they were all crammed into the hallway outside of the studio where they had to display their talents in singing. It was the last round to the whole process. Most of them were wearing their best clothes and their best attitudes even though Laurent could glimpse the cracks of their façades at the rivals. He'd frozen at the calling of his name but the nudge of his friend had snapped him back to reality. He could've kissed Bastian after the nerve-wracking moment just from the support he'd given before and during the audition, but he'd received an urgent call from his family, and before Laurent could get the chance to thank him, he'd fled in his motorbike like some main character in an action movie.
The odds weren't in Laurent's favour, for every last one of the young men had been talented in their own way and he must have been ridiculous with the acoustic song he chose. Adding to that, he hadn't danced, he'd counted on his voice alone, which was utterly stupid now that he thought back to the decision.
He blew out a frustrating sigh before ceasing his walk.
Amongst the chaos, stood a still person; head toward the heavens and eyes firmly shut. Her fractured expression was the cause of his interest, the wet hair fell down in a mess and her uncovered arms were loose as though she'd let go. Despite it all, a ray of light bathed her skin in glorious adornment, her caramel skin had a golden shine to it, and her eyes opened to reveal dark onyxes.
Laurent couldn't decipher the motion of time, everything became a blur except for the fragmented piece of glass in front of him. Her long hair swirled as she circled, her arms lifted. It felt improbable with all the glares sent by the passers-by but she didn't mind, as though alone, she twirled and laughed. Perhaps she was simply mad, but Laurent had the slight impression that there was far more to her than the surface.
A hand fell on to his shoulder, disrupting the trance he'd been in.
Mira.
Mira watched him curiously, questioning him of his business here and shouting something he couldn't discern over the rain. At the lack of response, Mira grasped his hand and took him away to a shelter across the square before he could respond. Her umbrella shielded them both away as they rushed away from the centre of the square.