15.5 Fic: Mirage Reflection 3

A fucking library.   Who’d have thought she’d be dancing in a library right now of all places, having fun?   Certainly not me, she thought to herself as the music swelled and the brassy tones of the ensemble filled the chamber.   A spin, a twirl, a laugh.   A library that breathes, she mused, letting her hair float behind her in a billow of clouds.   She couldn’t relate to anyone’s desire to study, but to spend time in a place that listened and sang and danced – THAT was something she could understand.   Nagging the other two to join her was instinctual. Although they might refuse, Mirage considered that they could both probably use a moment of silliness.   Cri’s giggle interrupted the thought, and Mirage couldn’t help the grin that flashed across her face.   What a gift to be able to hear that sound again!   Cypher’s expression, for once, was hilariously easy to read - trepidation, anxiety, and a naked desire to be literally anywhere else besides here in this room, being asked to dance. Unfortunately for him, Mirage was feeling particularly charismatic, so it wasn’t long before - with the added pressure of Cri’s graceful flight – he stumbled his way forward towards her outstretched hands.   The song’s rhythm resonated in her bones like crystal, inviting her to match its beat and as a woman who rarely questioned her impulses, she let herself be swept away, leaping and twirling until the room began to spin.   In a moment of dizziness, she felt fingertips brush her palm. Unthinking, she tightened her grip and let the quiet strength in that hand spin her out before reeling her back in.   No feathers, she noted with shock. Since when does CYPHER dance?!   Just as her back bumped into what was presumably his chest, she heard him murmur, “It’s like I said. Just because I don’t use them…”   Oh god.   Goosebumps raced down her spine and her breath caught in her chest.   The tavern, all those months ago - he’d casually thrown out some of the most wildly romantic things she’d ever heard, and now he was reminding her.  

I’d walk forever to be with you.
You know you’re beautiful.
Mirage, you shine.
You set me free.

  Just because I don’t use the skills, Mirage, he’d finished making his point with a self-satisfied smirk and a wink, doesn’t mean I don’t have them.   Mirage swallowed at the memory and felt heat suffuse her face. He spun her again, and she darted a quick glance up at his face.   Is he teasing? He’s just teasing, right?   The warmth in his gaze was gone so quickly she couldn’t be sure she’d seen it, replaced immediately by discomfort and shyness, but just for a moment, she’d thought - no. No way.   The room around her drifted out of focus and for a second, she’d forgotten what she was doing, why they were here. She forgot everything but that look on his face -   What the fuck?   Out of a sense of self preservation, she lowered her eyes and caught the sheen of a thin scar running across his throat. Her heart sank at the sight.   As gracefully as she could, she stepped back, swaying to the final notes of the chorus as the song came to an end.   I did that.   She heard herself speaking, although her voice sounded far away. “Thanks for taking this little detour with me, guys. We can go back to the books if you want, I just needed to move for a bit.”   Their responses rang in her ears, although she couldn’t repeat their words if the lives of everyone in Auria depended on it.   Following them from the room, one thought battered at the walls of her mind:   What was that?