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The Day You Healed My Soul.

Chapter 6

Between Past and Present

Sapphic Romance Fanfiction

Main characters Kit and Jade (Willow 2022)

A soft morning light gently awoke Kit from her daydreams, lulled by memories of Emma that still permeated every corner of her room. She got up, leaving her notebook on the bedside table, preparing for her new day. However, the events of the previous day had unsettled her, subtly manifesting themselves in her every hesitant gesture and the troubled look she furtively caught in the mirror.

Arriving at the restaurant, she exchanged a shy smile with Jade before plunging into work. The day passed between services and cocktails, complicit exchanges and glances that spoke louder than words.

Jade mentioned Boorman's invitation.

— Ready for tonight? she asked.

Kit hesitated, her eyes reflecting a deep uncertainty. Going to this party represented a confrontation with her complex emotions and with the spark that was growing inside her, a spark named Jade. She let out a sigh before answering.

— I'm not sure it's a good idea for me to come.

But Jade persisted.

— And missing the Boorman parties that the whole island is talking about, impossible. (She put her hand on her friend's shoulder.) It'll just be a chance to have some fun. We can go together if you like.

Although the idea of being at this party filled her with apprehension, she finally agreed.

The hour drew near. When she opened the door, Jade's sparkling eyes awakened a glimmer of wonder in her. A mutual attraction captured in their knowing glances settled in. Although still reserved, Kit took a deep breath, preparing herself to face the life that continued to unfold around her.

Once there, the two friends found themselves immersed in a magical, enchanting atmosphere. Strings of lights surrounding the façade of Boorman's warehouse projected their dancing glow onto Jade's sparkling dress, making her even more seductive. At her side, wearing elegant black canvas pants and a navy-blue silk blouse, Kit radiated an aura of mystery and charm.

The mystical sound of musical notes, at times soft and melodious, at others percussive, combined with the enchanting scent of jasmine, carried by a gentle breeze, overwhelmed Kit with a sense of fulfillment.

The two friends were mingling with guests dressed in extravagant outfits, when Boorman, as eccentric as ever, swapping his paint-splattered vest for a psychedelic jacket, matching pants and fancy jewelry, joined them. His eyes widened with an enthusiastic smile.

— You look radiant !

Jade looked at him and replied with mischief.

— Thanks Boorman, but don't go overboard..

He placed a hand over his heart dramatically

— You make a magnificent couple.

Slightly embarrassed, Kit quickly retorted.

— We're friends.

Just then, a female voice, full of excitement, rang out in the distance.

— Jade !!!

Elora radiated unreal beauty. Dressed in white pants that harmoniously emphasized her gait, matched with a lace bustier. The lines and sophisticated cut of her outfit highlighted her natural grace, caressed by magic. Her face lit up with a radiant smile, she rushed to embrace her friend. In a burst of joy, Jade made the introductions.

— Elora, let me introduce you to Kit.

Kit smiled warmly.

— Kit, this is Elora, the island's pastry magician and our invaluable baker. She's our bread supplier.

— Ladies, I don't want to interrupt this wonderful sentimental moment, but if you'd like to head over to the buffet. Boorman exclaimed, spreading his arms wide, revealing the hearty dishes just waiting to be savored.

— Great idea, I'm starving. Said Elora enthusiastically.

Kit discovered a buffet of a thousand colors, pyramids of exotic fruits, alongside rivers of melted chocolate flowing down gourmet fountains, and veritable edible sculptures with heavenly names. A variety of seafood dishes, refreshing and phosphorescent cocktails.

— You're right, Jade, Boorman doesn't do things by halves !

Jade picked up a skewer of delicately grilled seafood and handed it to Kit.

— Here, taste this.

An explosion of flavors caressed every taste bud on her tongue, between the salty sensations and the tenderness of the grilled, spicy seafood. Kit felt transported into an ocean of delights. Her gaze met Jade's, creating a silent sensory connection between the two young women.

— Little did I know that behind this eccentric being was a famous cook.

Elora hurried to reply to Kit.

— Oh no, it wasn't Boorman who prepared all these dishes, but his friend and my baker : Lori.

Kit smiled before answering.

— In any case, this Lori seems to be an artist in the kitchen. It seems like every dish is an edible work of art. And you, Elora, what's your specialty ?

Elora laughed softly.

— My pastries. They have a fairytale touch, especially my muffins.

Jade couldn't help but intervene and add mischievously.

— You're very modest, Elora. Lori didn't cook all by himself, and the names of each preparation are rightfully yours.

Embarrassed, the young woman changed the subject.

— Welcome Kit to our enchanted world. Let yourself get lost in the magic that surrounds you.

Just then, a young man arrived, with casual elegance and a mischievous smile. He adjusted his jacket slightly, looked at Kit with an air of curiosity and declared in a soft, melodious voice.

— If magic hasn't enchanted you yet, Princess, perhaps a poetic melody might remedy that.

As he spoke, he approached Kit and curtsied, placing a soft kiss on the back of her hand.

— May I introduce myself : Graydon.

The young woman was taken aback by the man's long black hair flowing wildly around his face, and his beard accentuating his neat, elegant appearance, making him a man from a bygone era. He wore a dark suit with a white satin shirt. His vest, adorned with fleur-de-lis motifs, and a fine silk scarf accentuated his aristocratic style.

Elora smiled and answered Kit with a touch of humor.

— I don't know why, but he always thinks he's a prince from ancient times. (She turned gracefully to Graydon) My princely poet. she said before kissing him.

Graydon answered her lovingly.

— You radiate elegance, my love. I love it when you wear those refined pants and bustier. They enhance the sparkle in your eyes and your natural charm.

Exasperated, Jade retorted.

— We're going for a walk. she said, before walking away with Kit.

The two friends let themselves be carried away by the bewitching magic of the party, lost in the enchantment of a crowd vibrating to the rhythm of the music. The intoxicating phosphorescent drinks projected a verdant glow, reminiscent of fireflies dancing in the middle of the night in an enchanted forest. With every sip, a fruity explosion of exotic flavors ignited the palate. Every smile exchanged, every silence shared, forged a deepening emotional bond. Kit felt the weight of her emotions intensify, crescendoing, passionate, as she shared moments with Jade. Their eyes met, reflecting a glimmer of complicit tenderness.

A little later in the evening, everyone gathered around a campfire whose golden flames mingled with the blue of the starry night. Graydon played his flute, accompanied by local musicians improvising a gentle melody. The air was charged with aromas, a mixture of wood-fire smoke, the salty scent of the ocean and incense fragrances evoking a sense of mystery. The sea breeze gently caressed each member of the group, soothing them. Scorpia had joined them, snuggled up against Boorman, her eyes fixed on Kit.

As everyone was lulled to sleep by the music, Boorman took a deep breath and shared a few words with Kit.

— Graydon's parents have run the island's most famous family distillery for generations. They look forward to Graydon taking over.

— What does Graydon want to do ? Kit asked curiously.

Boorman smiles, delicately holding a cup of tea infused with local herbs.

— Well, he prefers to write poetry and play music. His grandmother used to say that music is a balm for the soul. He finds fulfillment in the arts, unlike the conventional family business.

Kit's face darkened slightly, her thoughts unconsciously wandering to Emma. She sighed before asking.

— Is it so difficult for him to reconcile his artistic aspirations with his family's expectations ?

Boorman shrugged his shoulders.

— I guess it's a daily struggle he has to face between his obligations and his choices.

Kit nodded and inhaled deeply, enjoying the sea breeze and the warmth of the campfire. She saw in Graydon's story her own emotional struggle.

The music gently stopped and the musicians put down their instruments. Scorpia turned to Elora.

— Why don't you tell us the story of the island's guardian.

Everyone cheered her heartily.

— Ok. A long time ago, a man seeking redemption for all his past deeds was lost at sea. Alone on his boat, doomed to certain death, he was drawn by a distant call. The benevolent spirits, protectors of the island and nature, had just saved his life. Discovering the beauty of this place, he let himself be guided by the songs in every tree, every leaf, every trickle of the waves.

Considered a living link between magic and the inhabitants, he became the island's guardian. Some say he's always there, his spirit linked to this enchanted place. In quiet moments in the middle of the night, it's possible to hear his whispers in the sound of the wind. Others claim to have seen lights guiding lost souls.

Lori arrived just then, and as she joined the group, he added.

— As much as this island has a bright, salvific side, it also has a side that will engulf anyone in the abyss of their soul.

Scorpia angrily stormed off.

— Damn it, Lori, you just ruined the mood !

But Lori insisted.

— Come on, Scorpia, don't tell me you've never felt there was something sinister going on.

Scorpia shook her head.

— No, I don't feel anything like that. This place is a source of healing and peace. That's all that matters to me.

— Fine, think what you like. But everyone knows that there can be no paradise without its dark side. This is the duality of all existing things. Shadow cannot exist without light.

To ease the tension, Boorman stood up and invited everyone to follow him.

— My faithful friends, it's time to honor our tradition of wishing lanterns.

He led them to a place where piles of lanterns twinkled like will-o'-the-wisps.

Jade, whose face was bathed in the soft light of a lantern, shared with Kit the secrets of this enchanted custom.

— It's an ancient tradition. We write our wish on this small parchment and place it in this lantern. We release it into the sky, and the universe makes it come true. Here, your turn.

She handed Kit a small piece of parchment and a lantern. The latter hesitated, skeptical at the idea, and murmured.

— A wish... Between the possible and the imaginary.

Enthralled by the mystique of the moment, Jade urged her friend to accept.

— You do have one wish, Kit. Everybody's got a wish.

— After all, we're on a magical island. she replied with a smile.

Kit took the small piece of parchment and the lantern and set off on her adventure. As she wrote her wish, it seemed to her that this intimate gesture carried meaning, as if each word placed on that small piece of parchment simultaneously connected her to Emma and freed her from her suffering.

As they launched their lanterns together, watching their ascent until they disappeared into the starry background, Kit, her eyes riveted on her wish, let a slightly melancholy thought turn to Emma.

Graydon roused them from their reverie by wrapping his arms around both of them, and with a big smile, shared the existence of a mystical presence at the party.

— Ladies, would you be up for an escapade into mystical territory ? A reliable source tells me that the island's most exceptional adventure teller is attending the party.

Kit and Jade exchanged glances. Without giving them time to react, Graydon led them through the crowd, directing their attention to a small, secluded tent. The red sails danced in the night breeze, giving off a subdued glow.

Before leaving them, he spoke passionately.

— Ready to let yourself be guided through the twists and turns of spiritualism ?

— I think when it comes to magic, or whatever you want to call it, I'll be fine. Kit replied dryly.

But Jade, her eyes sparkling with excitement, was no longer listening to her friend.

— Absolutely, Graydon, we're ready. she says excitedly.

She ignored Kit's skeptical look and headed for the little tent. Kit sighed before following her, murmuring to herself, "You look too much like Emma, Jade."

Graydon left them, winking and smiling.

Inside, an enigmatic woman awaited them, seated at a small round table draped in a white velvet veil, on which rested various esoteric tools. Her hands, gloved with fine black lace, were clasped in front of her, and her mysterious allure was accentuated by a long, dark cloak that concealed most of her body. Her untidy, deep-black hair framed her face with indiscernible features, concealed by the flickering light of the candles on the table.

With a graceful wave of her hand, she invited the two friends to sit down. The young women complied, looking at each other in silence before taking their seats.

The fortune-teller gently took each woman's hand, her gloved fingers gliding tenderly over their skin. Despite the aura of mystery that surrounded her, this woman seemed imbued with benevolence. When she spoke, her soft, melodious voice echoed in their minds.

Whispering, she said :

— Together, we'll explore the depths of your soul, where your most secret aspirations and deepest fears reside. I invite you to surrender to this experience, to let go and trust the process. Be open and honest with yourself.

She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply to harmonize her own vibrations with those of Kit and Jade. After a few seconds, she lifted her eyelids and stared at the two friends, but her attention was particularly focused on Kit.

— There are so many shadows in your Kit eyes, the past intertwined with the present, both linked by a strong pain in your soul, a burden you can no longer carry or hide behind that bandage.

Kit shivered at the words, the candlelight flickering to the rhythm of her anxious heart. Her voice trembled slightly as she asked:

— Who are you, anyway ? How do you know my name and what do you know of my pain ?

Preoccupied by what she had just heard and her friend's reaction, Jade gently placed a comforting hand on her arm while whispering softly :

— It's all right, Kit.

The fortune-teller smiled slightly at Jade's reaction, then took a deep breath before answering Kit.

— I am the messenger of the past and the present. I see beyond appearances and feel the soul's deepest emotions. Your pain is so visible in your aura, a suffering that has haunted you for far too long. What remains is an absence, a love, both unfinished. Your father knew the secrets of this island. Your beloved Emma left you a flame that consumes you.

The words struck Kit like an icy punch to the soul. Her heart raced, sweeping away any attempt at inner calm. Not knowing what to think or feel, between anger, sadness and perhaps hope. She tried to conceal her emotions, but the tone of her voice betrayed her when she asked :

— My father... What do you know about my father ?

Stunned by the evolution of the session, as she became aware of the intense pain linked to this absent father tormenting her friend's soul, Jade tightened her embrace on Kit's arm to show her presence and support, addressing her with a look of solicitude.

The fortune-teller continued to address Kit in a soft, soothing voice.

— Explore this island, Kit, discover its mysteries, dive deep into your soul. It's time to release those emotions and thoughts that hold you back. Don't be afraid of what you might discover, for it's in exploring your deepest truths that you'll find peace.

Caught up in rage, a storm of fury swirling inside her, Kit stood up abruptly.

— That's enough!!! She exclaimed as she left.

Jade turned back to the fortune-teller, her face marked by concern.

— Sorry.

But before she could leave the room, the mysterious woman called out to her.

— You were destined to meet in this place, Jade. Your destinies are intimately linked.

*******

Overwhelmed by her emotions, Kit decided to isolate herself, and as she walked through the drunken, joyful crowd, she felt a mysterious call that guided her towards Boorman's warehouse.

As she explored this unusual place, a temple of heaps of objects, each stranger than the last, the lights flickered, creating dancing shadows on each shelf. Her footsteps led her to the motorcycle. She turned to Emma.

— What am I doing here, Emma ? I don't know what to think, what to feel.

She placed her hand on the motorcycle seat, closed her eyes and let the silence wash over her.

Suddenly, a presence at her side broke the stillness of her thoughts. Kit reopened her eyes and saw a shadow approaching her. For a brief moment, she thought she saw Emma's face, but as the figure took shape, she realized it was Jade. Jade gave her a sympathetic look.

— I'm... I'm sorry, Kit, about what happened at the seance. she murmured tenderly.

But as her friend remained silent, looking back at the bike, Jade tried to soften the situation.

— Are you going to restore it ?

Kit took a deep breath and nodded her head.

— I can’t.

— Kit, accepting Boorman's offer doesn't mean you'll betray Emma's memory. (She paused before adding.) Do you think she would have wanted you to stop living ?

— What do you know about what she would have liked or not ! You don't know her !

— Kit, listen to me, I...

Jade tried to calm her down, but Kit, her fists clenched, took a deep breath, her emotions still bubbling up inside her, and cut the conversation short.

�� Coming here was a terrible mistake !

She left, leaving Jade alone, silent, meditating on what had just happened.

When the young woman returned to her group of friends, Scorpia couldn't help but intervene when she saw her sister's sad face.

— Where is she ? Scorpia asked sharply.

— Stop it, I have neither the desire nor the strength to argue with you. Jade replied in exasperation.

In order to calm the tension between the two sisters, Elora addressed Jade gently.

— Come with me.

She pulled her away from her sister and began to question her.

— What happened ?

— I hurt Kit's feelings unintentionally by mentioning Emma. She locked herself in her anger. she replied sadly.

Elora took her hands.

— It's painful for her, caught between her past emotions and the present. Find her. Just tell her you're sorry. I don't think her anger is directed at you, but rather at herself.

*******

Kit walked along the moonlit beach, seeking some solitude to soothe her spirit. She gazed at the horizon, where the stars, twinkling on the surface of the ocean, lulled her soul with the gentle melody of the waves. The solitude and contemplation of this natural immensity were for her a refuge from the emotional storm that overwhelmed her. When she turned her head, her gaze met that of Jade, motionless, a few yards away. Without a word, a torrent of emotions passed between them. The gentle breeze caressed their faces and accompanied Jade's footsteps, an echo of tenderness vibrating in the air of that magical night.

She stopped beside Kit, their eyes gazing at each other. She spoke tenderly.

— I'm sorry Kit, I didn't mean to hurt you. I know how hard it is for you, this suffering you're going through.

Jade gently took her hand. Kit shivered involuntarily at the touch and, against all expectations, welcomed the gesture by tightening her fingers around Jade's.

— I'm sorry, Jade, for getting so carried away. I don't know how to deal with all this, my emotions, my pain.

— You don't have to face it alone.

Kit smiled slightly, then let herself go against Jade. The two women remained silent, lulled by the gentle melody of the waves. Their heartbeats were in tune, and a feeling of peace washed over them. The moon illuminated their silhouettes. They remained entwined, enjoying the moment.

*******

Alone at home, Kit couldn't get the fortune-teller's words out of her head. Sitting on her bed, she tried to understand the meaning of her words.

She murmured to herself, "What connection could my father have with this island ?"

Just then, she plunged her hand into the cover of her notebook and pulled out a photo of Emma. As she looked at the portrait, she thought back to the vision of the warehouse.

« Were you really there ? This place is driving me crazy. »

She thought, overwhelmed by a mixture of confusion and apprehension.

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