While usually lotus children don't remember anything from their past life, these three each have one single, isolated event burned into their souls. The event can be anything, something big, something small, something happy, something tragic; they may not even remember it's significance. Whatever that event was, however, these three children know instinctively that it had to do with one thing, and that thing is friends.
Your Choice :: Black Bamboo
Guardian Info :: Byeoung-Keon Gyeong (Byeoung, BK), he is an 18-year-old British-Korean. Unlike most European-Asian children, he appears more oriental. He has shoulder-length hair; one side is neatly combed while the other is left messy and spiked. Byeoung also hides his brown eyes behind thin-framed glasses. He is a college student with an icy stare, but is actually more than happy to converse with others. He is formal and polite, acting more like a businessman than anything, but also has a playful side. BK has a business mindset to match, always listing the pros and cons, calculating the tradeoffs. This is why he is opportunistic and treats everyone equally, but does not hesitate to not participate in something if he believes the risk to be too much or does not benefit him.
He belongs to a wealthy family (on both sides). However, Byeoung does not get along well with his father’s side since his father is British and various family members do not approve of Byeoung’s Oriental appearance. Not welcomed, he has left his parents’ abode to travel around the world as a merchant, sometimes staying in one town longer than another.
Your Story :: Yoru did not often wake up perfectly remembering her dreams after the first few minutes. Byeoung-Keon had told her that it was normal. For the first few minutes or so she would be able to recall the happenings of her dream, but afterwards it would disappear into thin air, dissipating like smoke. Most of the time, this held true. Her eyes would burst open, pulled out of her deep sleep. Yoru would spend the next few moments recounting her experiences in her sub consciousness before jumping out of bed and hurrying to prepare for the rest of the day. Then the lotus child would hop down for breakfast, ready to eagerly inform her guardian of her recent dream, only to realize she had forgotten everything. Byeoung would inquire what was wrong and Yoru would deny his worries. Just another dream turning into oblivion.
This dream was particular, though. Most of Yoru’s dreams were pointless, senseless. However, as her small feet crunched through the snow and icy snowflakes brushed her face, leaving burning kisses, she felt oddly nostalgic. It was freezing outside, but the scene was oddly familiar. Yet she could clearly recall Byeoung-Keon never taking her to a clearing in snowy winter. Where was this?
Her breaths came out in wispy puffs, evanescing into the background. It was cold, very cold, but Yoru was unafraid of the deep chill seeping in her bones. She was a tough girl. A little snow was nothing!
Fingers dipped in frost managed to securely wrap themselves around the flute in her hands, Yoru’s safety blanket. Everything was familiar yet unfamiliar. She felt insecure in this mysterious world of the unknown. Bringing the instrument to her lips, she blew a few notes. The soothing melody that flowed out of the flute calmed her Tense muscles relaxed and she closed her eyes, immersing herself in the music.
It was met with ringing laughter and approving giggles.
Yoru instantly ceased her playing and lowered the rod, apprehensively searching around the clearing. There was more chuckling as the snowy wind wrapped her in a gentle blanket, a voice whispering, “You always play the flute beautifully. Play some more?”
She met the request with a baffled expression. Yoru would gladly oblige, but who was speaking? Noticing her bewilderment, another voice sang out, “Not there, silly. Over
here!”
It pulled her towards a certain direction in the forest. Cautiously she stepped towards the empty woods. The snowflakes were falling slower now, dancing here and there.
Another laugh. “Now look up!”
She did, and what she saw surprised her. Up in the treetops were two children comfortably lounging on large, sturdy branches. Well, why were they up there? Yoru frowned, feeling rather insignificant standing here on the forest floor while they laughed and played above her.
As they began to climb higher, she gawked at them and hurriedly rolled up her sleeves. “Hey! Wait for me,” she called out and secured her flute to her belt. There was no way Yoru was going to let them even
think of abandoning her!
So she jumped and clung to the tree’s trunk, the rough bark pricking her through her silk sleeves. Small, determined arms reached out to grasp nearby branches. Leaves and twigs scraped and scratched her clothes and skin, but Yoru paid no heed. Her narrowed eyes focused only on the backs of the other two children, grinning at her. Their smiles ignited a stubborn fire in her heart, warming her numb fingers and bestowing a burst of energy that enabled her to finally reach the pair. They held out a hand each and with one last jump Yoru took them both, victoriously beaming.
“It’s about time you got here! What are you, a sloth?” joked the longer-haired one.
The other stood up and stretched his arms, winking at Yoru. “All that matters is that the gang’s all here,” he answered in a sagely voice.
Settling herself on an empty tree limb, Yoru curiously gazed at them both, legs swinging back and forth. “So what do you wanna do now?”
The long-haired child gracefully leapt to another branch, easily keeping his balance. “That’s a very good question, but I’m pretty particular to hearing your flute again. It always helps us pass the winter together.”
“Good idea! What do you think?” agreed the other, casually seating himself next to the girl.
She was flattered. Was her playing that skilled? Her face flushed red with pleasure. “I’d be delighted,” replied Yoru, sliding out her flute and pressing it to her lips.
Then she played, and this time when she played her heart soared. Her notes were lighter, airier and mirthful. Playing for herself of Byeoung was nothing compared to this. Yoru felt like she could play forever.
So time flew, the flute’s notes floating through the air and mixing with children’s laughter.
That was when reality rudely decided to barge in on her pleasant dream. She could hear her guardian’s voice echoing down the halls, urging here to get up and have some breakfast.
Curiously blinking, she rose out of bed. Why did that dream feel so real? Who were those two? It felt like Yoru knew them from a long time ago. The questions that plagued her mind never left, even as she changed and trudged to the kitchen.
The most peculiar thing of all, however, was that as the day went she could still remember all the details of the dream, crystal clear.
Friendship is never completely forgotten, after all.
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