Matilda: Silver divination stand, white silk, pearls soaked in night dew ...
Matilda: Hmm, what else lunar materials do I need ...
Matilda: Alright! Let me see how much frankincense and myrrh are left ...
Matilda: Cool, just the quantity I need.
Matilda immerses herself in the work on the desk. She checked the installment of the curtains repeatedly, making sure the moonlight will precisely shed on the orb.
A low noise is growing in a vessel not far away from her.
But she has no clue at all.
Matilda: Okay, all set. Incense basin, my incense basin ...
She turns around.
Matilda: Ahhh!
The incense basin falls, making a hollow sound on the Soumak.
???: ♪♪
A pair of pointy ears emerge from behind the basin.
Matilda: You again! Annoying divination sprites!
Matilda: You are not stealing anything from me this time!
???: ~♪
Her attitude doesn't bother these transparent creatures at the moment.
Unlike any ordinary critters who always act in a group, only one or two of them are more than enough to get people in trouble.
Their thin, slim hands grab hold of the edge of the silver incense basin. They are flying towards the window.
Matilda: Hey! Where are you taking my basin?! Stop it!
She jumps up the windowsill and grips the other edge of the basin.
Matilda: Ugh ... Looks like you need a good lesson to understand why you shouldn't do this!
Matilda: Wait and see. I'll let you know the consequence of messing with Ms. Matilda Bouanich!
COMBAT
The silver basin falls to the floor, knocking a shallow crater on it.
Divination Sprite: × ... ×!
The sprites are crawling under the window, looking flabby and weak. Apparently, they have taken quite a shock.
Matilda picks up the basin and wipes out the dust.
Matilda: Ha, he who laughs last, laughs best! It's me, ME!
Divination Sprite: ♮♭♮♯♭♯♮♯♭!
They burst out an incomprehensible curse, sneaking away from the window with drooping wings on their backs.
Matilda: Ugh ... these troublemakers. I'm exhausted.
Matilda: It's kinda late ... Oh! Thank goodness, I didn't miss the high tide!
Hurriedly, she starts to restore the order on the desk.
Matilda: Set the props ...
Matilda: I can't be distracted again. Divination takes my full attention and energy ...
However, there's a knock on the door.
Matilda: ...
Matilda: Ahem! The high tide caused by the moon is coming. Let me see, estimated to start at 20:45.
Matilda: Three minutes to go.
Matilda: Gotta purify the orb when the high tide starts to make sure the divination is correct ...
The knock comes again.
Matilda frowns.
Matilda: Calm down, calm down. This is the key moment ... Whoever it is, I must not be distracted!
Matilda: Alright ... Focus, focus.
Matilda: Eyes closed ... Focus ... Imagine my body rising and falling alongside the tide under the blessing of the moon ...
Matilda: And she is on the other side of the sea ... waiting for me to find her ...
Matilda: Time to burn the incense ...
Matilda: Show yourself in the orb, Sonett- ...
Sonetto: Matilda, are you there?
Matilda: ...?!
Matilda: Wh-what is ... going on?
Sonetto: I am sorry, but I think I heard your voice.
Sonetto: I need to ask you ... a favor.
Her voice sounds different. Exhausted, almost rusty, as if it were coming out from an old cassette.
Matilda: C-coming! Um, w-wait a minute!
Matilda: I'm, uh, busy! W-Wait there and be patient!
In a great panic, she pulls up the silk, covers the orb, and sticks the both of them into a corner of the couch.
The door opens.
They both stand inside the door frame, toe to toe, blocking each other's way. As they awkwardly try to move, they go up and retreat in the same direction, as if this were a tango tutorial.
Matilda eventually steps back and lets Sonetto in.
Matilda: Now tell me your request! Wh-what brings you to the bright and intelligent Ms. Bouanich at this time?!
Sonetto: ...
Sonetto forces a smile on her face.
Sonetto: Could you please read the future for me?
Matilda sees something she has never seen before on Sonetto's face.
They sit down by the orb.
Myrrh is quietly burning next to them.
Matilda: Alright. Now is a good time to ask the moon for help ...
Matilda: Clean your hands in the silver pot, and put them on mine.
Matilda: Okay. Now sit opposite me, and gaze into the orb.
Sonetto: Okay.
She does what she is told. She sees nothing but a clear whiteness in the orb.
Matilda: Are you here to confess, to interpret a dream, or to seek the prophecy of the crystal?
Sonetto: I am here to confess ... and to seek the prophecy.
Matilda: Tell me about the vision in your heart.
Sonetto: The vision ...?
Sonetto: Hmm ...
She looks at the orb. The shape of the sphere becomes blurry and gradually fades out in her sight.
Sonetto: I ...
Sonetto: See myself falling ...
Sonetto: There are two broken decks ... They were originally one piece.
Sonetto: Every time I get closer to one deck, the other one sinks.
Sonetto: People on it will fall with it.
Sonetto: I can feel the coldness of the deep water, and the pains when they struggle.
Matilda: Are you sad about it?
Sonetto: ... I ...
Sonetto: I feel fear.
Sonetto: ...
Matilda: I see ... Which deck would you like to approach intuitively? Can you recognize the people on them?
Sonetto: I ...
Sonetto: There is something bright on that deck, just like ... Timekeeper and Druvis ... It is warm there.
Matilda: ... You are attracted to it subconsciously. It guides the way of your heart.
Matilda: What about the other?
Sonetto: The other deck ... makes me feel comfortable, as if I have spent a long time there.
Sonetto: I can trace back every step I take.
Matilda: Perhaps that symbolizes your senses.
Matilda: Sonetto, are you having trouble making a choice?
Matilda: I can see the conflict ... between your instinct and senses.
Sonetto: ...
Matilda: I heard you attended the committee's meeting today.
Matilda: Anything happened?
Sonetto: I said something wrong.
Sonetto: I was not properly prepared ...
Sonetto: I was unable to help Timekeeper and Druvis; instead, I created a deeper misunderstanding.
Sonetto: What choice should I make ... to resolve their conflict? Stalemate like that ... really scares me.
Matilda: ...
Matilda can't find a word.
She sits there frozen, covering Sonetto's wrist with her palms.
Matilda: The bright deck ... seems closer and larger.
Matilda: Have you ever thought about following your heart?
Sonetto: ...
Matilda: Sonetto, maybe you can try following your instinct for once.
Matilda: Maybe something unexpected will happen.
Sonetto: ...
Sonetto: I tried.
Sonetto: ... Four years ago.
Sonetto: I let them go ... That was the worst decision I have ever made.
Matilda: ...!
Sonetto's hands are on the orb again.
Sonetto: I am ready. Please tell me the right choice.
Matilda: ... Okay.
As the chaotic snowflakes disappear, the shape of the orb is becoming blurry again.
Crystals emerge in thin air ...
... One after another, they build up a symmetrical and balanced ship.
Everything has its trace to follow, its logic to function.
Matilda: "The reality has shown itself."
Matilda: "Take the path you have already taken, walk the way you have already walked."
Matilda: "You shall benefit from listening to the voice in your mind, as it is not yet time to dock."
Sonetto: Listen to the voice in my mind ...
Sonetto: I see.
Sonetto: I should not have hesitated.
Sonetto: Thank you, Matilda. Your divination is very helpful ... My mind is very clear now.
Matilda: You're ... Ha, of course you should thank me!
Matilda: You should have known the resourcefulness of Ms. Matilda Bouanich much earlier.
Matilda: For your information, those seeking my help must make an appointment at least 15 days before the divination, otherwise, they won't even get to see me!
Sonetto: Haha.
Matilda: ...!
Matilda: ...
Sonetto: You were very serious during the divination ... Even your tone was different from usual.
Sonetto: However, I am more familiar with the way you talk now ... It reminds me of our time at school.
Matilda stands there, transfixed.
Sonetto waves at her and walks out of the room.
Sonetto: Thank you for making time for me, Matilda.
Sonetto: If you need my help next time, please let me know.
Sonetto: Good night.
The door is carefully closed behind her.
Matilda: ...
Matilda: !%$#...&*...