Prism of Truth {Rajan and Lily}

[Lilith "Dice" Rahotep]

Lily had always been acutely aware of the world around her, her tetrachromatic vision allowing her to perceive colors and nuances others could only dream of. It was both a gift and a burden, especially now as she noticed the once-vivid colors around her tent beginning to fade. This unusual phenomenon unsettled her normally cheerful soul, like nails scratching down her irises as she stared deeply into one of the many paintings resting on the sand floor. She couldn't recall exactly which color was missing since she had named so many shades herself, but the more she stared, the more a hollow fear crept in.

In a huff of frustration, Lily left her tent, seeking the comfort of her siblings. However, she knew this wasn't a pressing issue for either Luca, the Gypsy King, or Luna, the Zeta to the Lupines. The Caravan had set up camp for a few nights, and she wandered through the sand, her hair whirling around her in the restless breeze. It wasn’t a comforting breeze; it felt as if it was urging her somewhere yet wasn’t guiding her where she needed to be. Her gaze drifted to the sky, and the unsettling feeling deepened as she noticed even less color there.

Lily meandered among the Lupines, asking after Luna, only to hear she was either on a run or hunting. Determined, she set her course for her brother’s tent. Her senses prickled as she felt the energy of someone approaching, and she reached out, catching Rajan’s hand and twirling him around. "Buy a lady a drink if you wish to dance," she teased, her smile warm but tinged with unease.

“How was your trip, Sir Raj?” she asked, linking her arm with his, giving him no chance to pull away. She led him toward Luca’s tent, sure he was on his way to report to her brother. “Did anything on your trip seem off?” she asked, casting a sideways glance at him. He looked regal, much like her brother, but he was more than that—a mystic, a magic user. “Say, do you use magic to keep your hair so perfect?” she chuckled, pulling open the flap to Luca’s tent, only to find it empty.

She released Rajan's arm, noticing a piece of paper fluttering in the wind. She grabbed it and read it aloud, “Try not to be upset, Raj. I have a date. I shall return soon. Your most handsome King, Lu.” Lily rolled her eyes, handing the note to Raj with a deep sigh. “Moon Pie is on a hunt or a run, and Sundial is off charming the winged lady. Who am I to complain about the missing colors,” she mumbled under her breath.

Despite her attempt at levity, the unease gnawed at her. She couldn't shake the feeling that the fading colors were a sign of something significant, something that needed to be addressed. But with Luna and Luca both occupied, she would have to confront this mystery on her own, which terrified her more than anything. She was the little sister, after all, and being alone was never something she had put much weight in.

[Rajan Khatri]

• Prism of Truth •

w/ Lily Rahotep

• "Hello to you too, little rani," •

Rajan reached into the tiny burlap sack at his waist, tied to the worn leather belt around his middle, plucking the last almond from within and tossing it into his mouth. The wind swirled around him with the comforting smells and sounds of his home as the caravan had stopped for a few days before reaching their home again in Nowhere. After being gone for a couple of weeks in a region with mostly drab surroundings, it was good to be back with his people.  

The large tent that was set up for the king towered above the rest as he eyed his destination. He couldn't wait to be done with reporting his findings to Luca and then sleep for a week in the comforts of his own familiar space and not the usual hard beds he'd had to endure on his travels. He could practically feel the soft fabrics of his colorful pillows and blankets that made up his bed against his skin, taunting to wrap him up in a cocoon that he would be grateful to never escape from. Or perhaps he could stand to stay awake a little longer to finally have some decent food instead of the bland plates he was presented at the taverns he'd stayed in.

Just as he was lost in the war on food or sleep, a graceful figure danced in front of him and took his now empty hand. Instinct already knew before seeing her face as Raj twirled, spinning the person in the same fluid motion to land at his side. Seeing her smile made him instantly grin in return, holding his arm aloft as she entwined them. "Hello to you too, little rani," he greeted in response with a small chuckle, using the nickname he'd branded her with many years ago. Hearing her inquiry made one of his dark brows rise. "My trip was fairly uneventful," he answered, wondering what Lily may be trying to uncover as he met her gaze. The young woman had always been curious, but this seemed very pointed. Before he could think more of it though, Lily was casting a joke his way that made him smirk while she pulled away from his side to head into the king's tent as he held the flap aside for her. 

Rajan studied the grand space that was notably empty. His hands clasped behind his back while he ventured further within, eyeing the note that floated on the invisible wind. An impatient breath of air pressed from his nose as he was slightly frustrated at not being able to finish his mission to completion. However, it also meant he could likely go back to debating on whether he should eat first before drifting off into what he hoped would be an uninterrupted sleep or instantly knock out and be ravenous when he awoke. Rajan's ears perked up as Lily read the king's words, pushing his needs aside for the moment. 

A woman. Of course. He hummed his amusement at Luca's words, hoping that the king was at least enjoying himself with the valkyrie he seemed taken with. Raj was just about to ask what Lily had been up to in his absence when he noticed the worry that creased above her nose. He walked over to where she stood and stepped into her line of vision in an effort to break through her deep contemplation. "Missing colors?" he questioned, taking the note from her, but not even glancing at it. Rajan of course knew that Lily saw the world differently from most people, so those words would only make sense to someone like her. "What are you talking about, princess?" 

[Lilith "Dice" Rahotep]

Lily always felt an inexplicable sense of comfort whenever Rajan was around, a soothing presence that seemed to wrap around her like a warm, reassuring embrace. It might have been the way he embraced her eccentricities, so different from the more conventional Luna and Luca, or perhaps it was how he never missed a step when she dragged him to dance by the fire, their laughter echoing off the cavern walls into the endless night. Above all, Rajan treated her musings with earnestness and respect, while others dismissed her as a whimsical artist lost in her own imaginative world.

As Rajan's taller silhouette came into view, his presence gently pulled her from her thoughts, and she couldn't help but offer him a bittersweet smile. “You know about my ability to see more colors in the universe than most people?” she asked, her voice a mix of wonder and melancholy. “It began a few weeks ago. I was painting a serene lake at sunset, capturing its beauty. But when I looked back at the scene, the color between the vivid reds and oranges had vanished.” She sighed softly, the breeze playfully teasing her hair.

“I soon realized more colors were fading away,” she continued, gently clasping Rajan's hand to direct his attention to one of his rings, which had once been adorned with bright orange stones. “What color do you see now? Those stones, which used to be so vibrant, are now a dull gray. They once sparkled with lively shades of orange and delicate yellow striations that danced in the light. But now…” Her gaze remained fixed on his hand, filled with a poignant yearning for the vibrancy that seemed to be slipping away.

Others in the caravan might have thought her insights were just eccentric ramblings, but for Lily, the fading colors felt like a creeping nightmare, a loss she couldn't quite fathom. Perhaps her ability to perceive beyond the ordinary was merely a transient gift, slipping away like a forgotten dream.

“Forgive my worries; I've just returned from a long mission. You need nourishment and rest,” Lily said, her voice carrying gentle concern. Lily attempted to replace her worried expression with a bright, natural smile, as the wind danced through her hair. “Please, take the rest you deserve. I will figure this out,” she reassured him with genuine warmth. As she twirled around him, needing to escape the king's tent. Lily was determined to solve this mystery, to bring back the colors that painted her world with meaning, and perhaps find comfort in the vibrant hues she had cherished for so long.

[Rajan Khatri]

• Prism of Truth •

w/ Lily Rahotep

• He always believed she saw world through the eyes of the gods, no doubt the ancestor of some beautiful visionary deity of time past that painted mountains and skies and oceans into their very existence. •

Rajan stood attentive and unmoving as Lily began, a hand wrapped around a fist as his arms locked behind his back. It was the stance he usually could be seen in whether the setting be casual around a bonfire of revelry or standing beside his king during a gathering when he sought counsel. His pensive gaze stayed on the princess's, the worry lines still pulling her brows together as she spoke her unease into the world. It seemed she had been keeping this to herself for some time now.    

It did not surprise him, however. Many didn't know what to do with her explanations of how the world looked and felt to her which was so different from the experiences of the masses. Though Gypsies were certainly more accepting than others, most didn't know how to relate to Lily either in her way, and Raj knew that was likely a lonely place to be. He thought it perhaps a gift from The Wind to walk the lands as she did. He always believed she saw world through the eyes of the gods, no doubt the ancestor of some beautiful visionary deity of time past that painted mountains and skies and oceans into their very existence. 

He let Lily pull his arm from behind him as she examined one of the many rings he wore on his rough hands. Rajan noted the stone she was speaking of, but it still appeared the same to him as it always had. He only tilted his head slightly in response with a slow blink before looking back to her in silence. It was enough to convey he didn't see the jewelry as she did, but he didn't miss the desperation that filled her eyes which longed for an understanding he couldn't give.

Too long was the quiet between them that she was quickly waving the entire matter off and he watched as she exited the tent after wishing him a well rest. Raj's gaze lowered back to the unchanging rings on his hand as he moved his fingers against the sporadic rays of sunlight that filtered through the tent's fabric. He sighed deeply through his nose, chestnut hues lifting to the tent opening for a beat before hurrying through them again.   

Stepping out, he looked up and down the row before spotting Lily weaving through their people. Rajan hurried his steps and caught her elbow, leading her between two large tents set aside for cattle in order to gain some privacy as well as a bit of quiet. It was rarely ever quiet being with the caravan. It was why he treasured the late nights in Nowhere; While everyone slept, he would walk into the desert and find nothing but silence with the wind, moon, and stars to keep him company with his thoughts.

He waited a beat before speaking, hoping that she wouldn't take his suggestion as some dismissal of her truth. "Perhaps you should speak with one of the seers," he offered quietly, nodding his head in the general direction of the rest of their camp, where a few of the gifted Gypsies could read cards, stones, and glass to see glimpses in time, past, present, and what was to be. "We could gain some insight on where to start looking for answers." Raj put a small stress on the word 'we' so she knew he intended to aid her in whatever way he could.   

"I'll get a few hours of sleep and meet you here again when the market opens." Despite their having stopped in a town just before reaching Nowhere, the caravan still planned on opening to the public to bring in more wealth. Shows, food, dancing, and other forms of entertainment by the Gypsies would be for sale to the masses that night. If they were lucky, they could get into one of the seers' wagons before the lines grew long with desperate people hoping to get their lives changed by mostly nonsense visions created with happy endings that always yielded more coin. At least the seers wouldn't treat one of their own that way.

A soft breeze swirled around them then, lifting their hair and settling a sense of comfort on Rajan. He knew the signs The Wind would sometimes give and it seemed it wanted Lily to find out more. As awful as it sounded, Raj hoped there really was something wrong going on in the world because the alternative meant Lily may be unwell. He didn't let the worry show. Instead, Rajan presented his usual reserved smile, before bowing his head slightly to her and backing away into the crowd. "Get some rest yourself, rani."

[Lilith "Dice" Rahotep]

Lily felt the warmth of Rajan's hand on her elbow as he gently guided her away from the bustling chaos of the caravan. The transition from the vibrant hubbub to the quieter space between the tents felt like stepping into a sacred sanctuary, a place where her thoughts could breathe and expand beyond the confines of the world that often felt too loud and overwhelming.

As Rajan suggested speaking with one of the seers, she caught the sincerity in his eyes, a reflection of their shared understanding. His mention of 'we' wrapped around her like a comforting blanket, and she felt a surge of gratitude for his willingness to stand beside her in this quest for clarity. “You always know how to make me feel less alone, Rajan,” she murmured, her voice soft like the evening breeze that danced around them.

She looked up at him, the sunlight filtering through the fabric of the tents casting intricate patterns on the ground. “I’ve often thought of the seers, but there’s a part of me that hesitates. What if they cannot see what I’m experiencing? What if they only see shadows where I long for light?” Her fingers absently traced the outline of the dull gray stone on his ring, her mind swirling with the possibilities and uncertainties that enveloped her.

As the silence settled between them, she found herself drawn into Rajan’s calm demeanor, a stark contrast to the tempest of emotions that threatened to engulf her. “But perhaps you are right,” she conceded, a small smile breaking through her earlier melancholy. “Their insights could be the key to unlocking this mystery.”

Lily took a deep breath, letting the air fill her lungs as she contemplated their next steps. “I’ll rest, and then go See Daya when she opens.” As Rajan prepared to leave, the soft breeze returned, swirling around them like a gentle caress. It felt as though The Wind itself was urging her to embrace this journey, to trust in the unfolding of her path. “Thank you, Rajan,” she said, sincerity lacing her words. “I will find the colors again, and I will bring them back to our world.”

Lily returned to her tent, the familiar surroundings offering little solace as her mind raced with thoughts of color fading and the weight of her worries. She settled onto her mat, hoping to find rest, but instead was plunged into a nightmare. In her dream, a black orb loomed before her, pulsating with a sinister energy as it slowly drew her closer, its void threatening to swallow her whole. She felt an icy grip around her heart, panic rising within her as she struggled against the pull, screaming in silence, unable to escape its dark embrace.

Suddenly, she jolted awake, the remnants of the nightmare clinging to her like a shadow. Heart racing, she knew she couldn’t stay in the tent any longer. The urgency to seek answers propelled her out into the night, weaving through the dimly lit paths of the caravan until she spotted the flickering lanterns illuminating the line for the seers’ some in cart’s some in tent’s.

As she hurried toward the tent of her cousin Daya, she felt a mix of trepidation and hope. Daya was known for her keen insights and accurate readings, and Lily clung to the thought that perhaps she could help illuminate the darkness that had settled over her world.When Lily reached the front of the line, she found Daya seated inside her cart, a curious expression on her face. “What’s up, Lily?” she asked, arching an eyebrow as she noticed the urgency etched across her cousin's features.

Taking a deep breath, Lily poured out her heart, explaining the strange phenomenon of colors fading from her sight, the weight of despair that had settled in her chest, and the chilling nightmare that had plagued her. “I know it sounds odd,” she added, her voice shaking slightly, “but I need to know if there’s something wrong—something I can’t see.”

After some coaxing, and sensing the genuine fear in Lily’s eyes, Daya agreed to perform a reading. “Alright, let’s see what I can find,” she said, gesturing for Lily to take a seat across from her. With a trembling hand, Lily extended her palm to Daya, feeling the warmth of her cousin’s touch. As Daya closed her eyes, the atmosphere shifted, charged with anticipation. “I see… darkness,” she murmured, her voice low and steady. “The world around you is gray, the dunes to the west being the darkest, devoid of color… and there’s something at your feet.”

Lily’s heart raced as she envisioned the black orb from her nightmare, the same one that had threatened to consume her. “No…” she whispered, the dread pooling in her stomach. And then, as if conjured from her fears, the vision unfolded before her—an image of herself, screaming at the orb, helpless against its malevolent grasp.

“Lily!” Daya’s worried voice broke through the vision, urgent and concerned. “You have to confront it. This darkness… it’s a part of you, but it doesn’t have to control you.”

Lily's hand trembled as she reluctantly pulled it away from Daya, the weight of the vision still heavy in her mind. “Thank you,” she murmured, tossing a few coins onto the table before Daya could protest. Without another word, she bolted out of the cart, her heart racing, and stumbled around to the back, where the night air struck her like a cold wave. Bending over, she fought against the overwhelming urge to throw up, the vision and its implications swirling violently in her mind. West. Dunes to the West. That was the only direction that had resonated from Daya's reading, echoing in her thoughts like a relentless drumbeat.

As she slowly lowered herself to the ground, she pressed her forehead between her knees, desperately trying to steady her breathing. Each inhale felt heavy, weighted down by the gravity of what she had just seen. She had to find Rajan and share Daya's message with him, but the thought of moving felt like an insurmountable challenge at that moment. The world around her blurred as she concentrated on calming her racing heart, the cool earth grounding her. She could feel the urgency pulsing beneath her skin, a reminder that time was of the essence. With each breath, she tried to clear her mind, focusing on the bond with the wind “Please bring him to me.” she asked the wind, “Raj.”