Dreaming About Blue Sky

Raella's first thought when coming to Starlight Academy was that the school was Big. Very Big. It had since then become a goal of hers to explore the entire school compound bit by bit and save even the most minute details in her memory. Most would start exploring the buildings before diverging into the woods however, Raella got it just a little mixed up. Hence while the forests were made known to her, much of the building itself was left a complete mystery.

Perhaps she was drawn to silence or perhaps it was the shadows which seemed to call her name but somehow, she found herself wandering along the winding corridors in the dead of the night. Again. Gardens, forests and anything that had to do with nature would definitely make one of her favorite areas to go to but rooftops considerably less; she could fly after all, what was the point of standing atop a tower admiring the sky when you can soar in it? That being said, the moment Raella spotted a sign directing her to the rooftop, it was as though something sparked a fire of curiosity within her, propelling her to proceed on.

And so she did.

Climbing the seemingly endless flights of stairs, she eventually ended up on a rather well-lit platform on the roof. Upon scanning the area, she soon noticed the presence of someone else, hidden in a darkened corner. Slowly but casually, Raella approached the person who looked immersed in their own world as they stared upwards and with good reason; numerous stars carpeted the sky, their gentle luminescence appearing brighter under the dark cover of night.

Around a meter away from the girl, Raella began to recognize the rather familiar dark curls framing her head. Quickening her pace, she paused right next to Hwum before leaning herself against the railing as she sparred a glance at the sky. With her voice coming across smoothly and her tone languid, Raella finally broke the silence. "It's a beautiful night isn't it?" Turning her body sideways to fully face the dragon, she then continued "Didn't expect to see you here. Is there anything you hoped to find in the rooftop?"

It did surprise Raella how the other opened up to her so easily, however she didn't question it. After all, she had done something similar before with a complete stranger much less. Perhaps, it was something in the atmosphere which prompted the other to speak her woes but regardless, this time, it seemed that Raella could help.

Being a nature enthusiast, Raella always thought of her perfect eyesight as a norm and couldn't imagine living in a world of monochrome. Looking at the woman before her and knowing she would never experience the color which Raella took for granted sparked a sense of empathy which settled in her gut.

Even the stars had color.

"You know..."

Taking Hwum's hand into her own, she leaned in closer such that their faces were a mere inch apart. Extending her wings, she then wrapped Hwum in a tight embrace as she spoke once more, her voice coming across as a soft whisper.

"I could show you. The sea, the sky, the clouds, I could show you everything."

Releasing Hwum from her embrace, Raella then grasped hold of her senses and weaved the threads of energy together into a perfect illusion replicating the exact same area. The subtle glow of lamps, the numerous stars blanketing the darkened sky and the gentle luminescence of the crescent moon all completed with the dancing breeze of the night. Overcast shadows of the forbidden forest loomed in a distance however they were but a mere speck in the extent of vision. The rooftop gave them a bird's eye view of the school grounds below and Raella illusion's incorporate every minute detail: fern green plants glowing an almost lime shade under the white light, grey pavements with basil colored grass decorating the sidelines and even adding in an occasional flash of light dyed every color of the spectrum.

Raella watched in silence, her lips curled upwards in amusement as Hwum experienced the different colors around her. Despite being just an illusion, she felt as though she had granted a blind child sight, even if it was just temporary, inevitably vanishing in a short while.

T-this is...what did...?

Letting out a light chuckle, Raella leaned back onto the railing in a relaxed posture as she gave the other girl a bit more time to take everything in.

"I have power over the illusions. It may not be the real thing, but it's the best I can offer."

It certainly was endearing, watching the other glance around as though she were placed in another dimension, however, to her, it probably felt that way. As odd as it sounded, something about her response had made Raella yearn to give her more. To show her the existing world and beyond. In that moment of bliss, perhaps it was forgivable to be just a little delusional. As Hwum begun to cry, Raella was slightly taken aback but quickly slipped back to her calm composure. Placing a light hand on Hwum's back, she eventually pulled her into a warm, comforting embrace.

"Where would you like to go?"

No facades, no masks, just them and a sea of illusions. Raella liked this, whatever "this" meant. What Hwum was seeing barely scratched the surface of the limits of her illusions yet, unexpectedly, it was enough to move her to tears. With her a calm voice and a placid tone, Raella continued: "In this moment, I could take you anywhere in the world. Distance and time are but trivial matters now."

Proving her point, Raella curled her fingers into a fist and painted a picture of half day, half night. White clouds drifted aimlessly through the air, playfully mingling and obstructing the resplendent sun rays whilst the schoolyard remained partially shrouded in shadows.

With foreign arms wrapped around her waist, Raella let out a barely audible gasp but melted into the embrace nonetheless. Strange how she swore she'd done this before however this time it felt different, as if a million emotions surged forth like an unpredicted storm, raking havoc yet ever soothing like the tranquility of dusk. Then, all this multiplied tenfold when the other took her hand so naturally yet so enticingly.

"I..."

Now in a state almost equally astounded as Hwum but instead of colours, it were her own sentiments, she barely noticed her illusions falter ever so slightly. No matter how much she thought, how far she searched, somehow, she couldn't put a name to what she was experiencing. Raella loved helping people; she loved the idea of using her powers to let others experience something they otherwise would not. But this time, it was her love for all that and more. Not wanting to ruin Hwum's view, Raella steadied her illusions, enhancing the colours to appear as vibrantly as she could possibly imagine. Lips curving into a faint but genuine smile, she then clasped her hand, entwining their fingers together in a gentle grasp as the faint pink on her cheeks further intensified.

"Of course."

As if she were an artisan tasked to weave the most resplendent tapestry, Raella stood before her boundless canvas and weaved. Tendrils of energy were easily manipulated to sew her art seamlessly, like fire bowing to the will of its master.

Cold, harsh, and piercing winds of the summit howled in a distance, so close yet never near enough to harm Hwum. Gone were the dull cement coated floor, replaced with crystal-like snow that reflected the gleaming sun's rays. Azure dyed the backdrop, only obstructed by few other mountains in the range and whatever lay below were shrouded in a dense blanket of fog.

Tightening the grip on Hwum's hand to a firm hold, Raella leaned in, her actions guided solely by her instincts. No longer masked by her perfected tone, she let her authentic voice escape and her vulnerability finally made visible.

"I'd love to show you anything."

Pausing, she kept her gaze on the other for a few breaths as a thin silence, save for the beating of her own heart, hung in the atmosphere. Words barely contained perched on the tip of her tongue, fighting to escape her lips should she gather the courage.

"And I want to show you everything."

A place that you love... a place that you love. Hwum's words echoed endlessly as if Raella were trapped in an infinite tunnel and a recording was played on repeat. At that moment, she was at a loss of what to do. If Hwum had requested to see a definite place or destination, that would be feasible but a place that she loved? Raella knew she liked Starlight Academy; the people, the atmosphere and not to mention the lively and well-nourished gardens and forests. But love? She wasn't so sure. For the first time, Raella let her illusions have a will of their own, connecting them to her thoughts and imaginations and letting go of her control as she weaved the landscape subconsciously.

Finally, the last facade had been stripped away.

Azure oceans stretched toward the knife of the horizon, it's clear and pristine waters shifted and rippled in the gentle, warm seabreeze. White sand, almost as pure as snow buried their feet like a comforting blanket, while sharp cliffs towered over them in a distance. Raella was home again. Breath slightly hitching in her throat, she glanced around the beach, taking in the familiar sight. There was a point in time where she did love this place. Calm, tranquil and peaceful, it was close to perfection. Then she began to notice it. Masked by the rhythmic crashing of tides, a heavy, lonely silence hung over the barren and isolated beach. Eventually, a splitting replica of Raella's younger image manifested out of thin air yet she too was alone and sat idly by the coast. Just a small, insignificant speck in the vast vicinity. Letting out a shaky breath, Raella focused her attention on Hwum once more, her smile still present yet her voice was forlorn.

"Welcome to my home."