it slowly comes back to her. elysia didn’t often think of her dreams. too much going on during her waking times. suffice to say, being back had only come at a mild shock when she remembers that she’s been here before. which is also a scary thought because when she had been here last, she had been much younger, much more naive. regardless, she does, in fact, remember how this works. different apartment though… housing? there was a lot of wandering around the first hour, memories flooding back. oh spirale, had she missed you? it was hard to say but here she was once more. best to settle in, though it appeared she only had one roommate in this four bedroom place. which…haha, she was used to.
then, before too long, she’s fluttering about and moving things. again, she’s far too used to being here again. she does wonder if her shop is here as well. her mind is all over until the familiar ring of the phone catches her attention. oh she hadn’t even…
the name she sees is familiar and suddenly, there is a longing. it’s so deep, like it’s filling in a hole in her heart she hadn’t realized. it’s only for a moment though, even as the flood of memories flood back, this time circling around one face: clementine’s. their first meeting, oh how awkward it had been. just an outing, she remembers getting food for her. she remembers taking her out. when they had their memories shifted to becoming a family. for all intend and purpose, clementine is her family, regardless of this odd situation.
so of course, when she finally answers, “if it isn’t my darlin’ clem… it’s been a long time, hasn’t it?” or has it? hard to say but elysia herself is quite older but is clem… ? “i half expected you at my door rather than give me a call.”
the seconds ticked and the tiny ball of hope and anxiety grew with each unsuccessful dial. one. two. three. four. five. si— wait. ears tuned into the sudden silence, met with a voice that’s all too familiar, yet she can already hear the difference within elysia on those words alone. her heart leaps, relieved to hear her name but the sense of melancholy still remains. why? maybe it’s because there were still various unknowns between them.
elysia disappeared following the aftermath of the fantasia war. after some struggle, clementine vaguely thinks that she must’ve been sent home around that time too. in her case, time passed much faster in spirale compared to the amount she spent home. barely two weeks and she found herself back around halloween. just like the first time.
realizing how long she had been quiet since elysia spoke, she fumbles for a moment and speaks up, ❝ ... i — ❞ she stops again, letting another beat pass, unsure of how to respond. with a shaky breath, clementine attempts a small smile to herself, trying to keep herself together. she’d rather not break down on the phone if she could help it. it didn’t feel like it was working. ❝ ... i have no idea where you live anymore, ely. you know i would. ❞
