Kakania stares through the doorway that Lucy left open.
The echos of their conversation are swimming in her mind.
"You cannot, or you do not want to?"
"Both. I can neither use my arcane skill nor do I want to."
"I can't control it, but, Isolde ..."
Kakania: Isolde ...
Kakania: I'm the only one who can help her.
"I'm the only one who can help her, aren't I?"
"Then ..."
"Just this once, I will try my best."
Kakania: I will ...
She bows her head.
Relax. It's just an arcane skill. Like you've cast countless times before.
It's the arcane skill passed down to you through the Vingler family—look into the mirror, and it will reflect whatever is on your mind.
Kakania: exhale
Kakania: Tell me.
Kakania: Um ...
It feels like a lifetime since she last cast her arcane skill. There's nothing in the mirror. It's as blank as her mind.
She doesn't even know what question to ask.
Kakania: For crying out loud! What am I doing?!
Kakania: This is ridiculous. It's not even a full mirror!
Kakania: How can I do anything with such a small fragment?!
Kakania: Such a small fragment.
Kakania: Fragment ...
Kakania: I need a new mirror. Something bigger and newer than this one, like, umm.
Kakania: A hand mirror?
Before she knows it, the shard in her hand has transformed itself into a hand mirror.
It's clear and familiar, but much too light.
Kakania: Hmm?
Kakania: This is ...
At this moment, she realizes that the mirror in her hand is simply an illusion. It plunges her into a fragment of her memory.
???: Welcome, my friend.
???: Here, this gift is for you.
Kakania: Oh, no, I couldn't possibly take this. I haven't done anything to deserve such a valuable gift.
???: Shh.
???: It's because of your help that I can now walk with you along the river! That arcanum license, though a forgery, is quite valuable to me.
???: So, please accept it. I'll be glad to be free from its whispers.
Kakania: Wait, it can talk? Zemfira, don't tell me you pulled this out of some ancient tomb or something!
Zemfira: Heh-heh. Take it, and then I'll tell you.
Kakania: You know, a hand mirror wouldn't be my first choice.
Kakania: The mirrors I use in my treatments can generally be placed independently, either on a table or the ground. This reduces the risk of them breaking during the session.
Kakania: ...
Kakania: It's a safety measure. Just to be sure.
Kakania: So, you see, I wouldn't know what to do with this, despite my desire to hear the story behind it. I always prefer table or full-length mirrors.
Kakania: They're safer, easier to place, and more convenient for patients.
Zemfira: I understand, my friend.
Zemfira: You're saying that this hand mirror is merely a gaudy plaything rather than a useful tool.
Zemfira: But when people first created the hand mirror, they were looking for simplicity and convenience.
Zemfira: In the end, though, they became rather meretricious. Attractive in appearance, yes. But of little practical use.
Zemfira: Just like arcanists, isn't it?
Kakania: I beg to differ.
Kakania: Arcanists aren't like that at all. We have much to offer the world.
Zemfira: Then you should take it.
Kakania: What?
Zemfira: Your arcane skill, so intriguing, yet horrifying. People, more than anything, fear their true desires being revealed.
Zemfira: So you need a container to hold all those overwhelming desires.
Zemfira: I know, I know. You already have two or three mirrors that are much wider and taller than this one.
Zemfira: But to have so many mirrors and not a single one to be held in the hand?
Zemfira: Well, the collection is incomplete, is it not?
Kakania: Not at all. It simply isn't necessary.
Zemfira: You don't have a hand mirror, how can that be? My friend, you simply must have a mirror.
Zemfira: A hand mirror for yourself.
Kakania: Well ...
Kakania: Alright, I'll take it. Thank you, Zemfira.
Kakania: Oh my, it's heavy. Has this been painted with tempera? And I must say, I don't recognize any of these patterns.
Kakania: Well, here it is. My very first hand mirror! A heavy, well-decorated, expensive medium for my treatment. Better put it away carefully.
Kakania: Actually, yes! I've made up my mind! I'll take it back and show it to everyone. I wonder what Elbert will say after I so vehemently refused to get a hand mirror all this time.
Kakania: Now, Zemfira, would you please tell me the story of this mirror?
Kakania: Hm?
She looks around. There isn't a single person to be seen.
Kakania: Zemfira? Where are you?
Kakania: Where did you go?
Kakania: Where's the mirror? Where's Zemfira?
???: You've come to the right man, Doctor.
???: Zemfira set off for the Caucasus some time ago. Didn't she tell you she was going?
Kakania: She ... Wait, Illich?
???: I heard she gifted you a talking mirror. Then, I'm sure you'll be interested in this, too.
???: It's a talking porcelain basin! If you wipe it down, fill it with clean water, and light it just right,
???: you can use it as a mirror as well!
Kakania: I'm sorry. What are you talking about?
Kakania: Or, rather, why are you here?
Kakania: In the Foundation?
Kakania: ...
Unable to answer such questions, the illusion is broken. It fades away, along with the mirror in her hand.
Slowly regaining control of her mind and body, Kakania returns to the ward once again.
She knows this will happen again. It's only a matter of time. All she can do is ...
Kakania: exhale
There's a file on the table. The Foundation has clearly expressed their requirements and suggestions within it, much like Lucy has told her.
Kakania: Help ...
As she scans through the file, Kakania comes to a decision.
Kakania: Yes, I need their help.
Kakania: To help her. To regain control of my arcane skill.
She presses the intercom button above her bedstand.
Operator: Laplace Rehabilitation Center, how may I help you?
Kakania: This is Klara Vingler.
Kakania: I agree to appear in court as a witness of the incident, and I will support the study of this "Storm."
Kakania: And I will also attend therapy.
Operator: I see. Please stay on the line.
Operator: We'll reroute you to our specialist to make the necessary arrangements.
