<div class="floatleft">(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/9b/a8/a8/9ba8a85444c1547fb8802c487a17b89f.jpg)</div><table class="bbc_table"><tbody><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr></tbody></table><table class="bbc_table"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Name</strong> Reseda "Resse" Kai (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=300764.msg14701758#msg14701758)<br/><strong>Time/ Day</strong> The hour leading up to midnight, New Year's Eve. 1999.<br/><strong>Location</strong> New York City (Outskirts)<br/><strong>Tagging</strong> Ice blue light figure (Pisces Spirit Mentioned)<br/><hr/></td></tr></tbody></table><br/><table class="bbc_table"><tbody><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>     That winter had not been too harsh, luckily. Being outside of the big city, it was much harder to keep the place warm even despite their best efforts. Reseda Kai tossed another two logs into the roaring fireplace as she shivered, her thin frame bundled in a few layers of sweatshirts and a light jacket. Off to her side was a canvas, laid out on a little blue tarp besides a set of spray paints, and it was half finished. Her fingers too cold to work outside anymore, Reseda had brought in her work when her fingertips had numbed, careful to keep it out of the way so that the paint would not be ruined. A sunrise peeking over snow covered trees had been captured within the canvas and paints, and she smiled as she picked up a few more cans. She shook them, testing the amount left in each, before hearing a <em>clang</em> in the kitchen. <br/><br/>     “Ma’?” she called out, her soft voice almost lost among the crackling flames of the fireplace. “What are you makin’?” It was New Year’s Eve and like the few years before, Kellan was nowhere to be found nor heard from. She scowled as she closed the fire off, the feeling of guilt riddling her as she heard more pans clink in the kitchen. He blamed her for a lot, and she could hardly defend herself. What good was a little sister who couldn’t even remember the face of her father? From the other room, she heard a muffled <em>’snacks!’</em> before smiling. Pushing herself back onto her feet, Reseda yawned with a stretch as she turned on the television. It was exceedingly late, the news already on the ball drop in Times Square, and she settled onto the sofa. The scent of food wafted her way thirty minutes later as she was watching one of the performances, and as footfalls came from behind her, Reseda tilted her head back. <br/><br/>     Nadia smiled down at her daughter, “Snacks!” <br/><br/>    Reseda giggled as she took the plates, letting her mother settle in beside her. There was leftover pizza from the place down the street, some homemade biscuits, and a few pear slices. While the array was not something she’d normally make, Nadia looked immensely pleased with herself. “Thanks, Ma’.” <br/><br/>    The two settled in to finish watching the performances. Minutes bled away until it was time to ring in the new year. Reseda took both plates to the kitchen and rushed back, holding her mother’s hand as they stood up to watch the ball drop. From ten, they counted down, eyes sparkling in hope for the new year, and with a pang of sadness in their hearts that they were missing someone, but it was almost there. <br/><br/>    <em><strong>5...4...3...2...1…</strong></em><br/> <br/>    “HAPPY NEW YEAR!” the two women shouted as they turned towards one another, planting a kiss upon each other’s cheek as they hugged. Nadia picked up a glass of wine, one she had been nursing since before the countdown, and Reseda was about to sit back down when she swallowed. Her tongue felt like cotton in her mouth as it dried up, and she coughed. At first, she thought it had been the screaming, but she was unable to confirm her suspicions. Instead, as she turned to make her way to the kitchen, she felt herself pitch forward, that nauseating feeling slamming into her as she felt like she was falling, and her vision went white.<br/><br/>    Her first sight after the blinding light was water. A shrill scream left her as she fell, her stomach lurching again, as she hit cold, crisp waters. The rushing of water echoed as she tried to hold her breath, only to find that she was no longer falling, but floating. It took her a moment to open her eyes and she gasped. What should have been dark, muddled waters of the ocean, was actually crystal clear for her. Vibrant coral and reefs were below her as she floated along with hundreds of brilliantly colored fish swimming along and zipping out of her way. It was during that time that she found herself not simply floating along at random, but rather following a noise. A tune, one similar to that of a song, was calling to her, beckoning her forward. Curious, and rather confused, she followed it to what seemed to be a figure but she was blind to their features by the ice blue glow they had. <br/><br/>    Yet… it looked like they were extending a hand out to her. <br/><br/>    For a moment, she hesitated. What was this place, these sights, and this figure? They were logical thoughts to cross her mind, but she shook her head before reaching out, compelled to touch. Her fingers brushed against a cool warmth, and she gasped. The figure had left something in her hand and made sure to close her fingers around whatever the item was before she heard the sharp, high pitched scream. At first it was agony, then the water seemed to recede, leaving her with an ominous vision. Featureless figures discarded upon a desolate ground, lifeless and cold. She yelped as she tightened her grip on the item handed to her until she looked up at the glowing thing again. <br/><br/>    “Help…” came the musical whisper. Reseda felt herself slipping as her vision started to go black, the plea reaching a crescendo that was deafening,“Help… <em>HELP!</em>” <br/><br/>    A shout escaped her as she opened her eyes. Her mother Nadia hovered over her with tear-filled eyes, but relief crossed the elder woman’s face. “You’re awake, thank the gods,” she said before embracing Reseda. Disoriented and concerned, the twenty three year old groaned as she pushed herself up to sit on her own and winced at the throbbing in her head. “O-Ow… Ma’, what happened?” Panicked hazel hues blinked at her. “You passed out and… and…” Reseda tilted her head at her mother’s words, opening her mouth to speak when she felt the need to swallow again, this time her throat feeling even worse. <br/><br/>    “Water,” she begged. <br/><br/>    Her mother brought over one glass, then two, three, and a few more. After the seventh glass, and a content sigh, Reseda felt like she could speak freely again, "Ugh, my head still hurts. Did I hit it?" <br/><br/>    "No," Nadia said. "You sort of just lurched forward and nearly gave me a heart attack!" the elder woman put a hand over her heart for effect. "If it had not been for the fact that I was watching you this whole time, I wouldn't believe that it was you."<br/><br/>    Reseda blinked at her mother, "What? Why?"<br/><br/>    "You... you look different," was the reply given. "Completely different. Your body started to change after you passed out. You had me worried sick!" <br/><br/>    Reseda's closed fist tightened and she winced. Opening her right fist, she released an audible gasp as she stared at the little talisman in her hand. A small piece of jewelry that looked like a raindrop in the middle of it (https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/intermediary/f/6807df76-8f52-45c3-b59f-cbcb1bc13b35/dcomuko-b494db95-c0cc-4a89-9ecc-c50d995dfa91.jpg/v1/fill/w_600,h_900,q_70,strp/water_spirit_silver_talisman_with_aquamarine_by_gwillieth_dcomuko-fullview.jpg) was in the palm of her hand, and she gulped. She had a strange dream and... "Ow!" She winced at the immense pain in her head as she tried to recall what she had seen in the dream, but to no avail. She did remember something being placed in her hand, though, and this little item seemed to be it. But... but how did she acquire it if she had dreamt it up? <br/><br/>    "What... What is going on?" she whispered. <br/></td></tr></tbody></table>