Zephyr Soren was used to being a blank slate, not allowing anyone in, not allowing anyone to see the grief that resided deep within.

The memories of the other timeline haunted Zephyr Soren.

He’d go to sleep and see his Other Self going mad.

He’d see both sets of memories from his Other Selves alter memories.

They weren’t complete but Zephyr dreaded to see the rest.

He realized one night what had changed. The seeds. If they hadn’t been intercepted by the Starlight Soul very likely he might have gone mad again. And he knew he had to change himself, he couldn’t keep himself isolated any longer. It was easy to think but very well different to put into practice.

He was used to the routine of classes, royal responsibilities, and his experiments before rest. Always keeping to himself.

There was one name that stood out to him in the memories of himself interacting with Vienna Thorne in the other timeline. It was her warnings regarding Adeena Nesrin.

He didn’t have her in any of his classes but he’d heard of her during his dinners with the rest of the staff and students.

She was a social butterfly, fluttering from one political ally to the next. She was vying for the crown princess position, it was obvious by her lingering looks at Prince Ravven Basilius. While he paid her no mind, she was like air to him something he could pass right through without a glance. In Zephyr's Other memories he’d seen how she went after not only the prince, but his alt personality and the shadow knight, Killian; gathering around her a dangerous group of men. And it led to the kingdom’s greatest supporter’s daughter’s death. He was sick to his stomach when he realized his alt personality from then had helped gather false information to convict the young woman bringing forth her demise.

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This time he would not allow himself to slip into madness.

This time he would make sure the kingdom wouldn’t fall into the hands of a selfish little girl.

This time he wasn’t alone in the world left with mere echoes.

Through one of his fellow teachers, he found Vienna Thorne’s schedule.

At the end of her Okren land studies class, he found her still with her hands stuck into the dirt and her eyes closed.

And he wondered what she felt.

She had the most interesting heritage, so close to Terra she must feel. So close to the stars.

“Excuse me?”

Her big brown eyes blinked open and she sat back on her heels, her hands wiping excessive dirt on her apron before standing and giving a small bow of her head.

“Professor, what can I help you with?”

“I wish to apologize.” For so much, he couldn’t even say aloud.

“Whatever for?” She tilted her head to the side.

He stared for a moment remembering the feelings from the Other’s memories, the emotions from the seeds he and she had planted on the other sides of Wofford.

“I was the one who sent out the seeds.”

That was not what he meant to say. She seemed confused for a moment before her eyes widened and looked at him with an almost barely concealed look of excitement.

“Are you…Could you?” She shook her head as if trying to gather her thoughts.

“I thought I was all alone but then the seeds sprouted. The melodies I heard...” Soren swallowed trying to not allow the wealth of emotion to show on his features.

“Then you were meant to hear them.” She spoke with a smile brighter than the suns'. “May I write a letter to my father?”

“Can you not…” He gestured towards the plants.

She shook her head, “It doesn’t seem to work with all plants and trees just certain ones Pop planted throughout Wofford over time, and well the new sprouts thanks to you.”

“I have some in my private office.”

She smiled, “I would prefer to hint the matter to my father via a letter.”

He’d forgotten himself, he wasn’t one of her peers. He was in a position of power, of course, she’d be wary and careful.

“I apologize I didn’t think.”

“I can only imagine how it must have felt not having that connection. I’ve had Pop even when I was away but…” She looked at him with sympathy and for the first time, he wasn’t irritated by the look. “Are they in pots could you bring them here on occasion?” She pointed at the observatory around her and he nodded that was something he could do.

“Then we’ll reconvene here perhaps tomorrow?” He looked over at the young woman and tried to not look too eager but she was kind and smiled.

“Of course, I never did get your name, Professor?”

“Professor Zephyr Soren, Lady Thorne.”