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</div>Ragged breaths plagued her throat; clouds of vapor surrendered to the cold as darkness surrounded her. Shakily and wearily, she searched through the thick void for signs of life, movement—anything that would reassure her that she wasn't alone. Clutching her heart through the fabric of her dress, she groaned in pain as the ache throbbed wildly against her chest. Wincing, she tried to stand, the palm of her other hand pushing off the ground. The snow crept in and around her fingers, pulling her down determined to keep her in place. One step and she fumbled forwards, her footing slipped against the icy terrain and fell hard a few centimeters from where she used to be. Confusion met with fear sent shivers up her spine. Emotions curled up in her throat, choking her to tears as she looked around once more; this time, panicking as the darkness overwhelmed her. Celeste couldn't see anyone, hear <i>anyone</i>—she was utterly alone. With a trembling lip, she urged her voice to be free from the panic that coursed through her veins, <span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(163, 143, 132)">"…Emillian? Emil!"</span> A pause as silence consumed her, <span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(163, 143, 132)">"EMIL!"</span><br/>
<br/>
A shrilling scream for the person she wished to see the most—her protector, confidant, friend, and partner. Her ears were deafened by the screams she wailed against the void. No one was there to hear her anguish, her desperate pleas for help. Until a hazy mist caught her eye…<br/>
<br/>
The void pulled back its curtains and showed her a dream of eternal spring. Cherry blossoms flowed effortlessly against the warm air and danced with the breeze as they were lifted, twirled around before landing on the soft green grass below. Stifling her cries, she watched in awe as the dream continued; echoes of laughter greeted her like a warm hug. The sound urged a chuckle from her lips as her mind was reassured that she wasn't alone—someone was here with her. As snow continued to fall around her, she found the strength to move forward. She had to hold on to this warmth and hoped that it would invite her in. One step after the other, she pushed herself forward until she was at the very edge between darkness and light. A light chuckle escaped as her face tickled with warmth from the hazy mist. <span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(163, 143, 132)">"Emil, is that you? Are you in there?"</span> Hope rekindled in her heart as she felt as though he was calling for her. Reaching for the portal, she grazed her fingers against the smooth surface; it was malleable and easy to get through. Walking toward the sounds of laughter, she left the void behind her.<br/>
<br/>
Then, she saw him…<br/>
<br/>
--------------------<br/>
After the altercation with the man… the entity—<i>whatever he was</i>, Celine rushed to find the shopkeeper for more answers. She had to know something. She was the one to warn her about always locking the box every night before she slept. The way she said it, too, gave her a chilly vibe as though it was dangerous to keep it unlocked. Now, after being so stupid, she knew what the warning was all about, but how was she supposed to keep it… him detained? It took a few days to track down the shopkeeper. The magic store never appeared in the same location twice and it felt as though the location kept appearing further and further away. Luckily, she was able to catch her in time—explaining in feverish detail as to what happened to her and her neck serving as evidence that she wasn't bat-shit crazy.<br/>
<br/>
"I was very clear in what I warned you about—," the shopkeeper lectured.<br/>
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<b>"I know! I know… and I'm sorry, but I was exhausted that night and it slipped my mind. I just didn't realize that that was going to be the result of your warning."</b><br/>
<br/>
"You <i>mustn't</i> take this lightly. You are in grave danger. The Sandman takes many forms, depending on who they are dealing with… But you—I've noticed it in the first time I saw you and sold you that box. You have something <i>within</i> you…"<br/>
<br/>
<b>"What? Me? What—what's inside me?"</b><br/>
<br/>
"No need to be alarmed, girl. It's been with you since you were born," pausing, the elderly woman smiled as her eyes glimmered, "Magic… it's in your blood. You just haven't awakened it yet."<br/>
<br/>
<b>"Magic?"</b> A confused and cynical expression masked her face as she couldn't, didn't want to believe what she was saying. <b>"I-I don't understand… There's nothing magical about me. My family, my grandmother—they didn't even…"</b> Her restless mind now settled into a quiet lull as she remembered something dear that her grandmother said when she was younger. Then, her mind quietly reminded her about the pendant and the reaction it had against the Sandman. Her warm brown eyes widened in realization as she stared back at the shopkeeper.<br/>
<br/>
"Yes, yes, so you <i>do</i> know. Magic is on your side. It will keep you safe if you believe. And I do believe that you were meant to be on this journey. It's destiny." Pausing, she rested a reassuring hand on her right shoulder, patting it gently as she took her arm and shook some courage into her. "My dear, you mustn't be afraid. Listen to that magic within you and let it guide you. <i>Only you</i> will know how to handle the Sandman. You were destined to meet."<br/>
<br/>
<b>"No,"</b> Celine scoffed, <b>"That can't be right. I don't want to—"</b><br/>
<br/>
A bright flash of light overwhelmed her sight as she shielded her eyes with her hands. The blinding light disappeared as quickly as it had appeared and the shop with its keeper were no longer there. Celine stood on the sidewalk facing the street among a crowd of people. Turning around, she was dumbfounded with what just happened and slightly annoyed that she didn't get concrete answers as to why this was happening to her. <b>"Destined? More like bad luck…"<br/>
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--------------------</b><br/>
Several days had passed and she made up her mind. She needed answers and if she couldn't get them from the shopkeeper, she had to try with the only one left. Celine made sure to wear the amulet around her neck; the bruises were healing, but it served as a reminder of how dangerous the Sandman was. She needed to be cautious as he was unpredictable. As soon as she unlocked the box, she kept to one corner of her room with her hand clutched around the amulet for protection. <i>'Grandmother, please protect me. I still don't understand what I'm up against yet.'</i><br/>
<br/>
Just like clockwork, the Sandman appeared before her eyes; each grain of sand swelled inside her room until they formed a figure. He was tall, slender, and well-defined. The Sandman seemed to tower over her in height, but as she tried to brace herself for his hostility, it never came. Today, the Sandman had other plans as he went straight for the door. He didn't want to fight nor was he looking for a fight. She knew if she allowed him to leave, she would never get her answers and she didn't know if other people would be in harm's way if they met him. She needed him to stay, but how? Taking a step forward, she tried to find the words to make him stay. But what would she say? There was no time to hesitate and instead, she pushed her amulet forward toward him as it shone brightly. It reacted in the same way as it did the first time; a blinding light pushed through the windows of her apartment and blanketed the room in pure light.<br/>
<br/>
At first, she wasn't sure if it was working, but she heard a scuffle near the corner in her kitchen followed by a thud. A cursed remark was sent her way and there she knew, she had him—for now. Lowering the amulet, the light subsided, and she was face to face with the Sandman, hunched in the corner of her apartment. Nerves took a hold of her for a second as it took her a moment to answer him. Swallowing her nervousness and fear, she kept her eyes on him, <b>"That's what I want to know—who are <i>you</i>? What do you<i> want</i> from me?"</b> It took her a great amount of restraint to not keep badgering him with countless questions about what he is, why did he try to kill her, why was he living in that tiny box, and why was she dreaming about him since she first bought the box from the shopkeeper. Questions upon questions plagued her mind and she barely heard his reply; she was overwhelmed with the situation, but she mustered the courage to try. The shopkeeper's words echoing over and over in her mind, <i>'Listen to that magic within you…'</i><br/>
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<b>"You're not leaving until I get some answers, so don't bother stalling."</b><br/>
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<hr class="bbc-hr"/><i>for</i> <a class="username" data-user-id="2570" data-username="Nocturne" data-xf-init="member-tooltip" href="https://blackdahliaroleplaying.com/members/2570/">Nocturne</a> </div>