IC Date: 10/28/2025

Tempesti had spent more time than she intended sitting in the old guard post poring over the botanical books. Then eating a couple of the energy bars she’d brought with her for breakfast. Then making sure she was staying hydrated. Then taking a few minutes more to make sure she hadn’t missed any exact matches between the books and her photos. Until there was nothing else to do. No excuse for anything but walking through those doors and facing whatever memories might be hiding within. She tightened her braid for the hundredth or so time and walked into the senshi’s private quarters. The soft, dusty smell of neglect drifted through the air as she passed the threshold into the decrepit chamber where Elysia had spent so much of her life. The sight of what seemed like a thousand plants and pots brought a bit of a smile to her face. Some things, apparently, transcended lives. Though they were overgrown, unlike the plants in the greenhouse they seemed to have been selected and cultivated specifically to fit within a residential setting. This room definitely needed a pass with the push broom. She wasn’t able to throw them out the door like she was the petals by the shrine downstairs, but she could bring some garden bags with her next time. The empty panes in the stained glass windows weren’t large enough to accommodate enough The senshi was already thinking of a next time in this place. That was a surprise.

Casting her gaze around she surveyed the ancient chamber. Tempesti had to imagine that it had looked worse not too long ago, that it had restored itself the same way other areas of the capital had. Not that she would trust the furniture enough to sit on it just yet. Still, it was beautiful. In a sad, somewhat decrepit way. An ethereal chandelier of cascading crystals in the form of flowers and butterflies cast its soft light across the room, accompanied by colorful stained glass lanterns hanging from the vaulted ceilings. How many nights had Elysia spent alone in that enormous bed, small under covers that remained voluminous even under the weight of centuries?

A small, sad assortment of musical instruments sat on stands beside a bench in front of the windows. Somehow in all of this she had hardly considered the music of this world, but it seemed that even Elysia had carried it with her. It made sense in the context of her other memories, melodies mingled during a rare visit from friends. Bacchus was there, she knew that much. He wasn’t usually playing himself, mostly teasing Elysia and his brother for their seriousness as they played. Saying things she wouldn’t have dared to say herself. Acting as though he was somehow her brother too. She smiled slightly. Even if in this current life her memories of their friendship were limited, she was grateful to have the chance to help him. After all, it seemed that he’d helped her.

On the bench beside the instruments a small, round metal box caught her eye. Its design was ornate, bearing images of twin birds, not any species she recognized, surrounded by a colorful floral array. A jewelry box maybe? She fumbled about for a latch for several seconds before finding a bump of some sort. Maybe a button? No, pushing on it didn’t do anything. Maybe a knob? Turning it between her fingers, she was surprised to hear a series of soft clicks before the lid popped open to reveal a golden figurine of a bird perched in a golden tree among the branches of a colorful forest. To her delight, the bird’s beak opened and a gentle melody began to play.

Her eyes drifted shut as the song enveloped her, far richer than any mere music box should be able to manage and for every moment the melody played she could swear that she felt safer. Lighter. Intoxicated with the perfume of some alien blossom warmed by a summer evening. As it faded the echoes of the feeling lingered, as did the smile on her lips.