Chapter Text
Chapter 2: The First Dream
xXx
Splash
It was like being submerged in water.
Not in the fun way, like when we would play in the water flooded gully on a really hot day. Nor in the relaxing way, such as when mama would pour a pitcher over my head during bath time.
No, this was entirely different.
I had only experienced this once before.
I had been gleefully running around on the well worn slick planks that jutted out from the shoreline, completely ignoring my father's warnings, before blindly plunging into the surrounding abyss.
A sinking feeling of shock and confusion rips through the joy as my veins start pumping ice instead of warm blood. Panic chokes the air out of my lungs giving it back to nature as it bubbles back up to the surface; while heavy watery hands guide my body deeper into the depths.
The most memorable feeling of that memory is how time seems to crawl by and how distorted everything sounds.
This is how it feels as I clutch the red fabric clothing my father's shoulders as he runs with my mother in the middle of all this chaos.
Everything sounds strange.
I know people are screaming, I can hear them just as well as the sounds of blasters being fired and the explosions that are turning buildings to rubble. Yet at the same time everything sounds warped and distant.
My vision is obscured by smoggy dust. Anytime I try to look up my father tucks my head back down. When I do get the chance to see my eyes lock on my mother as she presses against my father's back or of her shaking smile when she temporarily stumbles behind.
It seems like forever before we stop. The metal doors of shelter fly open and we are safe. Both of my parents hold me tightly. Mama's fingers card through my hair as her lips press kisses onto my cheeks. Both whisper over one another and before I know it I am being placed down.
"I love you so much Din," she breathes between kisses as father mumbles into my ear.
"Please stay here, everything will be over soon."
"Don't worry we will find you." They both promise as the shelter doors close.
I want to believe that last part but the look in their eyes tells me something different. My mind and heart collide and mix with the surrounding chaos, and in that moment I force myself to believe their lie.
I watch as blotted figures pass by and dirt falls through the crack between the two doors.
xXx
Three years later...
There was a light breeze dancing in the air twirling through tall grass. Somewhere in the distance birds sang their notes while babbling water rushed along. Soft light caressed the skin of two slumbering children.
The young girl with wild silken curls spun from the brightest of flames doused in mulled wine softly stirred. Her jeweled eyes fogged with sleep took in the scenery around her with a lazy curiosity that could rival any Loth kitten's. Her honey cream skin glowed more lavender in hue beneath the candy dimmed light peeking between the branches above than the sun blessed skin of the foriegn boy laying haphazardly next to her.
Looking around I find myself in Dal'enda. There is so much to take in but the most significant part of this new place is the boy laying next to me.
"Hello?"
He must be sleeping still.
"Boy?"
"Wake up!" I shout while pouncing onto his unsuspecting form.
It does the trick as he shoots up faster than the weeds in Tantir's garden.
"Tion'cuy?"
Chocolate eyes glared at me cautiously like a new born calf faced with the unknown would. It took me a few moments to click together that the boy had spoken in my buir's tongue.
"Oh! Ni cuy' burc'ya!"