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Kasmeer sat alone. In the middle of the hustle and bustle of New Kaineng, to find a quiet spot was a bit of a miracle. She pulled her hair down from her bun, playing with the hair tie for a moment.
"You'd all love it here." She whispered as she stared down at the white tile of the street.
"I'm so proud of you." She hiccuped, smiling a little. Staring up at the illusion she had only conjured twice in the last decade.
"Thanks dad." Her tears dripped down her face as she continued to nervously play with the hair tie. Her dad sat across from her, the same man who had gone to jail over a decade ago. Who had tried to protect her brother.
"This is more than any of us could have imagined, sweetie. You've done so much to be proud of." Kasmeer hiccuped, smiling as he gripped her hands, trying to not completely lose herself in her tears.
"I miss you." Her whole body shook as she tried to contain her emotions. He reached out another hand to rub her arm gently.
"I miss you too." Kasmeer hiccuped again, her muscles twitching as she nervously shivered again.
"I-I wish I could share this. With any of you." The white tile became reflective as Kasmeer's tears pooled. Despite his hands on hers, all she could see was her own hands. The illusion broken in the reflection.
"Where's Kyle nowadays?" Her father asked softly. Kasmeer choked on a laugh.
"Gone. I don't know. And after you tried to save him from his own foolishness, I don't know if I care." Kasmeer looked into his eyes, a sad, distant look that wasn't just due to the illusion.
"That's not like my daughter to say."
"A lot has changed, dad." He hummed thoughtfully. Kasmeer sniffled and fussed with her hands again as he pulled his hands away.
"I have someone. Someone special I'm going to ask to marry me…" Kasmeer suddenly started trailing off. Her dad looked surprised but pleased.
"Is it the same woman from last time? The one you told me?" Kasmeer smiled a bit sadly, thinking about that conversation. A conversation from a few years ago - Kasmeer asking her dad if Marjory could ever forgive her for leaving after she was attacked.
"Yes. But. A lot has changed since then." He raised a questioning eyebrow.
"Oh? Do tell."
"Well, we're happier again. Once I forgive myself for leaving her then… I think we'll be in the healthiest spot since we got together. And it's time - it's just time for us to marry and enjoy each other. It's been a long ten years, dad."
"Has it really been ten years?" Kasmeer laughed suddenly, nodding. He smiled, the same honey soft smile Kasmeer had reflected in his older face.
"It has."
"Well, I know my daughter will treat her well. We raised you well enough for that. And Kryta will be stronger with your love." Kasmeer blinked tears from her eyelashes as he spoke, studying his face.
"Thank you, dad." She stood up and reached for him. He stood and gave her a tight hug.
"I love you, Kasmeer."
"I love you too dad." As the two embraced, the weight of her grip on him shattered the illusion. She hadn't been focused enough on keeping it steady.
It had begun to rain in New Kaineng. The sound of the rainfall was almost musical as it hit the tile and stone streets. Various jade tech devices sprang out of nowhere to provide shelter for pedestrians.
All Kasmeer could think was how timely the rain was. Now she could sit in a puddle and no one would know that there had been a puddle already as she sobbed. The ache of grief never left her heart as the rain drenched her, making her shiver as she choked on tears and coughed on emotions she held close to herself.
How lonely grief is in the rain.