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Post by June on Jul 25, 2023 4:15:30 GMT -6
"Tired? No... I feel quite rested, energetic even. I didn't know that something happened last night - why aren't you telling me about it?" Kumi was still concerned about her missing memories, but it was clear that Layla was going to be tight-lipped about it for now, so Kumi didn't have much hope that she'd get an answer. "Snake? You've asked that before, Layla - I haven't seen any snakes. Did something happen involving a snake? You can tell me, I promise I'll keep everything secret... Just, please - you're scaring me, Layla..." Kumi pleaded.
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Post by bepbopbren on Jul 28, 2023 19:44:47 GMT -6
Layla knew it was just a matter of time... Upon being inquired, she sighed before leaving the spoon next to the plate. She couldn't look Kumi in the eyes, not after what had happened... so, instead, she glanced at the door as if hoping for someone to come so she could change the topic but that didn't happen.
"I just... don't know what's happening either." Another sigh left her, at least, it seemed that breaking the silence had somehow made the inner struggle lessen.
"We had n uneventful night yesterday... Yes, we went to the festival but just that. I'm sure nothing strange happened, I was with you all the time but... but..." Layla's eyes moved to glance at Kumi's limbs again, failing to find any wounds or bandages after a brief inspection.
"What happened this morning... it seems like you can't remember but you were talking like a snake I... You were talking like a snake, hissing and wandering back to that bush." And then, with a slightly troubled look, Layla's eyes moved to glance into Kumi's... deeply from behind the glasses, Layla's hazel eyes pierced into Kumi's.
"I'm aware the jungle is full of snakes... they're uhm creepy creatures, mysterious... I was worried that maybe one of those snakes had done something to you last night or hm recently..."
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Post by June on Aug 12, 2023 11:39:55 GMT -6
"I was... Talking like a snake?" Kumi shivered. "I must have just been sleepy, Layla..." She shrugged, not having a better explanation. She was concerned about her missing memories too, but since nothing major seemed to have happened in the gap in her memories, she had to assume she'd just been so tired that she forgot about it. "No, not at all... I don't think I've even seen a snake in years. Though I have heard rumors about a big one that's eaten several young villagers, somewhere downriver - is that what you're worried about? You shouldn't listen to the ghost stories the villagers tell you, Layla, they're just trying to get a kick out of frightening a foreigner." Kumi tried to reassure her, but inside she doubted that's what had really happened. Something different had happened to shake Layla so thoroughly - but, Kumi had no way of knowing what, or even really guessing what.
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Post by bepbopbren on Aug 16, 2023 0:55:30 GMT -6
She couldn't believe it... After all that happened it seemed like Kumi wasn't worried at all. It seemed that Layla not being as cheerful as always was the problem... "No! That's not... I'm sure it was something else. It's all its fault, that snake... that" Layla shook her head and closed her eyes, the sudden motion made her glasses slip down her nose... she didn't notice of course, she was too troubled by her own thoughts. Upon opening her eyes again, she glanced deeply into Kumi's eyes... As if trying to read her cousin. Perhaps the snake did something to Kumi's mind, something she couldn't remember. Layla's eyes locked on Kumi's for a few seconds, expectant to spot any unusual reaction on her cousin... it was futile. A deep sigh left Layla as she pushed her glasses back up. It seemed like Kumi was truly unable to remember.
Layla's eyes locked on the food on her plate for a few seconds. Even if the snake had managed to do something to Kumi, she seemed to be fine... What could that creature could be up to?... Perhaps she needed Kumi for something? Maybe the snake needed Kumi to catch the other villagers. Somehow, it all sounded plausible to Layla's slightly paranoid mind. "I suppose there's no use... nothing happened, we're both fine. Maybe we need some rest" Layla's voice took a more dismissive tone, calming her cousin was the problem at hand... If her suspicious were right, either Kumi or the snake would try something sometime... all she had to was keep an eye on Kumi. "Let's just... pretend this didn't happen. I mean, vacations are supposed to be fun so..." Still troubled, Layla did her best to feign a smile "We still have a lot to do this summer... Let's focus on that shall we?"
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Post by June on Sept 19, 2023 2:34:39 GMT -6
"You're right - speaking of which, my mom was showing me something just a second ago, you might like to keep it as a souvenir!" Kumi perked up as Layla half-heartedly suggested focusing on the vacation. Kumi reached over into an envelope on the other side of the table, pulling out a photograph. The light flashed off it's glossy surface as she handed it to Layla to look at - it was a photograph of the village's rooftops, and high above them the massive red moon dominating the sky from last night. "I'm so glad that we got to experience the festival together. It was so beautiful, wasn't it Layla?" She sighed happily.
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Post by bepbopbren on Sept 27, 2023 0:38:18 GMT -6
Reassured, Layla sighed... seemingly more relaxed, her shoulders slouched a tad. Layla's feet tapped on the floor for the next minute; having that weight lifted off her shoulders rendered her wordless, struck by contemplation while absentmindedly looking at the plate on the table. She lost track of time, snapping out of it when Kumi had stretched to reach the other table. Blinking slowly, Layla pushed her glasses back up her nose before reaching to push aside the plate; food had been left untouched for obvious reasons. Eager to move on, she leaned onto the table to see the picture Kumi was trying to show her.
The gleam made Layla blink a bit more than usual; instinctively, Layla removed her glasses to rub her eyes, putting them on the table while bringing the photo closer to her eyes. "I didn't think your mom liked photos; she seems a bit old-fashioned sometimes. Well, considering photos aren't really a thing here. Let's sssee..." *Upon laying eyes on the photo, Layla's train of thought halted. Her sight became absorbed by the red moon; that was all she could see. Her mouth rested agape as a cold shiver ran down her spine, just as if the chill breeze of the night was caressing her spine "B-Beautiful... that's right. A pretty red moon... P-Pretty... eyes" Layla lowered the photo, her eyes piercing into Kumi's from behind it. "I'm glad it happened too... I'm sure it will happen again... I'm sure we will have fun again..." Suddenly, Layla stood up. Without saying anymore, she began to walk towards the room she and her cousin shared... swaying her hips in a bold way, perhaps a bit unusual for her...
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Post by June on Oct 4, 2023 4:23:14 GMT -6
At first Kumi grinned, pleased with herself that she seemed to be cheering her gloomy cousin up - but then the glasses came off again. Even without eye contact, Kumi found her mouth beginning to hang open as her mind began to cloud over. "S-she doesn't... She just, wanted something that would h-h-help... Help you... to R E M E M B E R..." She spaced out completely at the end as she tried desperately to maintain her normality and to answer Layla. She thought she must just be tired again, and tried to shake off the feeling, but all that awareness was blasted out of the poor, hapless girl's mind the instant Layla's eyes locked with hers. So much exposure, from last night to just barely a little earlier this morning was wearing down on Kumi. She felt the meltingly beautiful piercing pupils of Layla's eyes melting away at her, eroding her defences further. Now they were less so defences, and more like a slippery slope that had been repeatedly carved into her that made it all too easy to slide right back down into being a sleepy little Kumi again. The new Kumi softly smiled as she thought to herself that she was such a good, good girl for being so defenceless against her mistress, so easy to make obedient again. Well-trained. And the obediently trained serpent's pet didn't fail to follow after Layla, into the room with the hammocks.
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Post by bepbopbren on Oct 27, 2023 0:18:52 GMT -6
As Layla paced towards their room, slowly... the world around her blurred with a reddish tinge that somehow kept the image of that big, bright, red moon fresh in her mind; it was all she could see... Even Kumi's words and presence seemed to be fading. "Remember..." All she could do was drone Kumi's words back through the silence of the small room. She could see her... even though the image in her mind was still blurred, she could see the silhouette of a woman smiling while a supernatural glow seemed to emanate from her eyes.
Ssilly Layla... don't look too deeply; you'll feel sleepy if you do. The hissing chuckle that came after made a cold shiver run down Layla's spine and even though it had something unsettling to it, the reverberance it caused in her mind seemed to soothe Layla's concerns until they felt silent. A daze was the best way to describe Layla's condition; the voice seemed faint, lacking the energy to bring her down into the depths of trance but it was powerful enough to make her sleepwalk.
After a few seconds, Layla reached her room. With a dreamy grin on her face, she walked towards the window ; she sat on the floor, glancing up as if waiting for something to appear in the sky despite being unable to tell what it was. "Remember... the pretty moon..." That's right... she was waiting for her... she was waiting for the moonlight so she could see her again. Before she knew it, she had started to hum a melody she couldn't recall where she learned.
How long had Layla been humming that tune?... How long had she been staring into the blue sky?... She wasn't sure. It all became clear only after the sound of a familiar voice called her name. - "Layla... Layla..." It was faint, as if the person calling for her was far away. -"LAYLA... LAYLA!!!" It was approaching... It made her think of her family. Layla blinked slowly, and just as if waking up from a dream... everything became clear. Her pupils shrank, being greeted by the bright blue sky blinded her for a second. "I'm here?... I mean, why do you raise your voice like this?" And then, the image of her aunt standing under the doorframe made her pout; as usual, she was yelling at her. Layla rubbed her eyes as she slowly came back to her senses. -"Stop lazing around! You have laundry to do, don't waste sunlight." "Yes... I know, I'll uhm go in a second...."
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Post by June on Dec 1, 2023 10:16:14 GMT -6
Kumi had followed Layla, and at Layla's humming, she sank down to the floor and fell into a deep sleep to the melody. When her mother, Layla's aunt, stormed into the room, her loud shrill voice failed to pierce the deep slumber that Kumi dwelt in. Noticing her daughter being 'lazy' like Layla, she shook Kumi by the shoulders. "Wake up, you silly girl! Wake up!" She shouted. Kumi's eyelids opened drowzily, a dopey grin spreading across her unsuspecting face as the last vestiges of the trance held her. The fragile hypnotic balance of her mind was then popped like a balloon, as her mother unceremoniously slapped her hard across the face. "That cousin of yours is a bad influence! You're becoming lazy like she is! Now you get up and do some cleaning, young lady, and hop to it!" Her mother bellowed, Kumi shuddering in shock, unsure in the aftermath of her trance quite where she was, why she was there, and even who she was. The line between Kumi and her sleepy little counterpart blurred as Kumi struggled to kick her slowed brain into life. "Y-yes, mother..." She managed with a yawn, nursing the red mark the slap had left on her cheek. Her mother stormed straight out with a huff.
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Post by bepbopbren on Apr 20, 2024 18:03:20 GMT -6
Even though some strange confusion was still lingering in her mind, her Aunt had a way of making her focus on things; perhaps it was the slight discomfort that being pushed into tending to chores brought. As soon as her Aunt left the room, Layla sighed as her left hand reached her neck. It took her about a minute to compose herself and glance at her cousin who seemed slightly shaken by the sudden interruption of their dreams... "Huh?..." Layla blinked slowly as if the sight of her cousin had caused her to remember something... the fleeting image of Kumi staring into her eyes. How odd... was it a dream? Why was she dreaming after breakfast? For a moment, her mind was filled with questions... the hand on her neck slipped down and moved to tap on her chin while her eyes gazed deeply into Kumi's, trying to make sense of the myriad of thoughts running wild in her mind. Her lips parted, she was about to ask something when the sound of a bird chirping and flying near the window made her snap out of thoughtfulness. As Layla's gaze moved to the window, she remembered her chores... "What time is it?... I-Is it already noon? This isn't good, we must hurry if we want the sunlight to dry the laundry" Hastily, Layla stood up; her hands darted to the skirt that hung from the hammock. "Your mom will make us fan laundry dry if this happens again..."
Although hasty, the day went by without much happening; nothing besides the usual chores at least. Laundry, sweeping and a battle against the trees to replenish the kitchen's fruit basket; enough to make Layla's body sore. The sun was starting to set on the horizon, if not for the morning's unfortunate scene she and Kumi would have had more time to hang out; it was getting late again, and the mood to play with her cousin was already gone; all she wanted to do was enjoy the sight of the sunset as she sat by the hut's entrance step. Her feet were playing with a small rock on the ground, flipping and un-flipping it with the tips of her sneakers as her palms rested on the step. Unlike most villagers, she wore her sneakers most of the time. Haunted by thoughts, Layla would gaze into the horizon as she tried to rely on Kumi to soothe her busy mind "Are things always like this over here? I have been thinking about this for a while... I'm not trying to say it's boring... no no, I'm just..." A deep sigh left her "I suppose that for me, it's all novel so there's certain charm to this but I was wondering if it was the same for you. Aren't you bored of having the same happen everyday in here?"
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Post by June on Apr 22, 2024 14:52:34 GMT -6
Kumi dashed around helping to get the chores done with Layla - Kumi found it a bit easier, being used to the chores in her everyday life. When at last everything was more or less done, she was glad to finally relax on the porch with Layla. Layla sat on the step below the door, whilst Kumi dangled her feet from the slightly raised platform next to it. She watched Layla play around with the rock, wondering whether she ever got tired of wearing those shoes and socks - surely in this heat they got sweaty and itchy? Looking at them made Kumi feel especially glad that her feet were bare. "They're not always like this - sometimes mom leaves to go travel to another village for market or to visit relatives." Kumi joked with a little giggle. "But I'm not bored of it, because it's just normal, it's life. Would you say that you get bored of your ordinary life back at home?" Kumi asked, looking up from Layla's sneakers.
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Post by bepbopbren on Apr 23, 2024 22:07:27 GMT -6
"I see... I guess I should have imagined it..." Still abstracted by contemplations, Layla muttered to herself; her sneakers stopped playing with the rock and were now swaying subtly as Layla's gaze remained locked on the sunset. The sky was already tingeing with a soft, orange hue; it was that time of the day when the jungle fell silent, the diurnal creatures go to sleep while those who lurk in the night are still waking up. Layla's gaze moved up, giving one last glance at the clouds before the end of the day. Kumi's reply was somehow what she expected but only made sense after hearing it from her cousin; being a villager... having lived all her life in a small village like that... It was only natural that Kumi's concepts of 'boring' and 'exciting' were already calibrated to fit the village's lifestyle standards.
A deep sigh left her, and soon after she began to wonder if the same situation could apply to her. Perhaps she was too used to her life in the city... Suddenly, a strange feeling invaded her mind; it was a strange mix of regret and uncertainty, the kind that starts with a single question... 'What if-' "I suppose that sometimes I do. Life in the city is simple and complicated... Sometimes it feels as if it was all sorted out already; I know what I should do to achieve enough stability to live but... Even though I would like to try other things, I'm not bold enough to venture and risk losing that path-" The sound of a metal clank cut Layla's small ramble short; probably it was her aunt finishing dinner "I-I suppose we shouldn't keep her waiting; after what happened this morning I guess it's best not to push our luck..."
Layla stood up, patting her rear to shake off dust before stepping back into the house; after a couple of steps, she turned back to make sure Kumi was following her. And then, as they paced into the kitchen... Kumi's mom's inexpressiveness told Layla she was right in being cautious. Layla sat down at the usual spot, her hands on her lap as she tried to focus on the food and not to look into her Aunt's eyes; perhaps, if she avoided eye contact with the woman everything woul- "You didn't apologise to Granny Ranna, did you? Because of your laziness, she had to carry water to her hut..." Of course, Layla and Kumi wouldn't be spared... "Helping the elders is our..." A deep inner-sigh left Layla; it was the same expression she used whenever she was lectured. She knew her Aunt's words were important but for some reason, the idea of being lectured always awoke that rebel side of her that told her to ignore other's words. Her Aunt knew that expression... it could only lead to one outcome. Dinner went on much more quietly than usual and once it was over Layla was the first one to stand up and head back into Kumi's room... The voice of her Aunt was lingering in her mind so she rushed to lay down on her hammock and put her earphones on, hoping to silence that voice in her head...
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Post by June on Apr 26, 2024 7:05:15 GMT -6
Kumi opened her mouth to respond to Layla, but then she too heard the noise her mother was making back in the hut, and nodded agreement as Layla suggested they go inside. As soon as they were inside, of course, mother began to berate them both. Kumi looked at Layla and realised that Layla struggled much more with this than she did. Spending a whole life being raised by her mother, Kumi was used to this sort of thing and easily coasted through it. "Yes mother" or "No, mother" at just the right points in her diatribe, and mother would continue ranting in a low rumble of thunder. Long ago she had learned that anything more or anything less could instigate the storm. Once it was over and they settled to eat, Kumi kept looking over to check on Layla, but couldn't think of anything to say that would both cheer her up and pass the approval of her mother, so she too continued to eat in silence. As Layla left the dinnertable, Kumi made to follow her, only to make a small yelp as she felt a hooked finger holding her back by the neck of her shirt. "You're going to help me to wash up." Mother snapped. "Yes, mother." Kumi sighed.
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Post by bepbopbren on Apr 28, 2024 18:32:25 GMT -6
Layla hadn't felt that way in a long time. It wasn't common for her to sleep with her earphones still on; that night, she just wanted to get her mind off things for a little while. The hammock swayed slowly as Layla -who had a pillow over her face- allowed herself to become absorbed by the music. How long had she been lost in contemplation? It wasn't clear to her, but after a while... after her emotions had stirred enough, her inner speech overtook the music... Thoughts about her mom, her cousin and her aunt, of course...
Layla frowned, shuffling on her hammock after the first flashback of earlier's argument stung in her mind. "Why is she always like this? I wasn't asking for her leniency, but..." A deep sigh left her. "I suppose she doesn't understand-" "This is so funny~ Have you always been like this? What am I saying? Of course, you have always been naive like this." "H-Huh?" It was... strange. It was her voice, but why did it sound so different? Layla curled up in her hammock for a moment... she didn't know what to say. "Why are you hoping for things to happen? Why are you hoping for things people to change?... It's much easier if you do it yourself?" "That's strange? Besides this strange situation, I mean having two 'me' chatting like this. Trying to talk to Kumi's mom isn't a good idea. Didn't you see what happened?" "That's not what I mean"
And then, another sting in Layla's mind... This one caused her to bring her hand to her forehead and rub it tenderly as her eyes remained closed. She heard a strange echo in her head, not the kind that carries words but the kind that elicits images and sensations: coils slithering through the jungle grass, soft, hissing laughter, the reflection of a reddish moon on a rippling pond, and... Kumi? Yes, it was Kumi staring ahead at something... turning slowly... smiling as her eyes swirled... P-Pretty colours... "You can make her change, you can make them all understand... you can make them all bend" "I... I..." A warm shiver ran down Layla's spine as another scene was shown to her. The sight of her aunt, and she was apologizing? She sounded strangely calm, blissful even. Layla had never seen her aunt like that: that smile... it was contagious. It made her want to smile, too. Layla felt as if someone held her hand, guiding it... lifting it and pulling it forward... "Soon it will all be clear" "Soon..." The feel of the room's cold floor under her feet made Layla's toes curl. It was already midnight, even though she believed she was still in the hammock... Layla had stood up, guided by an invisible hand...
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Post by June on Apr 30, 2024 0:31:45 GMT -6
Kumi and her mother finished washing up as darkness fell and the moon rose in the sky. Kumi thought about the washing machines Layla had told her about - much quicker than doing all the cleaning and drying by hand, she thought regretfully, rubbing a callous the day's work had given her thumb. She was about to go and join Layla in their room, but mother put a hand on her shoulder and beckoned. "Come to my room for a moment Kumi, I want to talk." She said, and Kumi followed her, unknowingly leaving Layla totally vulnerable to the moon, alone in the other room. Kumi's mother sat cross-legged on her mattress, and patted it to invite Kumi to sit down too. "Kumi, I was disappointed in you today. You know it's not like you to be lazy." Mother said. Kumi was surprised - she was used to scolding, but it had been a long long time indeed since a 'serious discussion'. "I - I'm sorry, I'll try harder." She mumbled, looking down and fidgeting with her fingers nervously. "It's clear your cousin is having an influence on you... I almost wonder whether... Whether you're thinking it'd be better to move to the city." She continued, and Kumi looked up, surprised anew. The surprise must have been plain enough on her face, as mother kept on talking without waiting for Kumi to respond. "I would like for you to stay here in the village with me, but hearing about all these conveniences Layla has, you seem to have stopped working as hard. If you really do want to move out there... Well, maybe next year you can go and see Layla in the city, to see if it suits you." Mother continued, speaking reluctantly. Kumi wasn't sure how to respond - she very much wanted to take a trip to see Layla, but the idea of leaving the village altogether was... She wasn't at all sure how she felt. "But you'll have to work hard for it, alright?" She concluded, and Kumi just nodded.
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