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“But that’s already crystal clear,” Amani said matter of factually as Tae had suggested that perhaps the satisfaction of hearing him admit his pain might lift her spirits, but she merely tilted her head, considering him with an analytical gaze… “Though, I’m saving that in my memories for first of a time,” He had then began to focus on her next words, surprise evidently in his voice as he questioned 'Wait, did I just become a lab rat ’
“Maybe,” She said, her expression not giving anything away, “But hey, at least you feel better than before.” She tried to maintain her composure, attempting to suppress the smile that tugged at the corners of her mouth. Turning away from Tae so he wouldn’t see the grin spreading across her face, she struggled to regain her stern demeanor. But it was futile. The absurdity of the situation, coupled with Tae’s bewildered expression, sent her into fits of giggles as she collapsed onto her bed. After some seconds, Amani finally sat up, her eyes sparkling with mischief, her earlier facade of seriousness completely shattered. “If you want, I could lie to you and tell you that you’re not a lab rat,” Her smile dropped for a bit, as she titled her head to look at Tae, placing her hand on his forehead to check for any increase of temperature, but thankfully there was nothing. “How are you feeling though?” She questioned her eyes on him.
Just as the mood had lightened, a playful breeze lifting the heaviness of their earlier exchange, Amani’s thoughts took a more serious turn. Her gaze, which had been drifting aimlessly, sharpened as she asked, almost casually, about her fiancé and her father. She expected some news, a tidbit or two to quench her curiosity, but Tae’s response left her more baffled than before.
He had heard nothing. Even he, who usually had his ear to the ground, had been left in the dark by her father—an occurrence rare and perplexing enough to warrant concern. As for Azriel, his silence was less surprising. Mystery was Azriel’s second nature and besides, “Right, Azriel does not like you much,” Amani mused, a glint of amusement flickering in her eyes as she glanced at Tae from the corner of her vision.
“You can’t blame him for that one though,” she continued, leaning her head against Tae’s shoulder in a rare gesture of affection, her voice tinged with teasing. “You always provoke him.” Though, Azriel was easily provoked by Tae due to their closeness, and it definitely did not get better after that party, “Remember the party, after we came out from there? He was so mad,” Amani laughed as she recalled a specific memory.
She finished smoothing the cream onto her skin, her eyes on Tae as he looked up at the ceiling, respectfully avoiding her as she changed, “True, but if not you then who, Renlin?” She had asked as if the whole idea of Renlin being mature was absurd, “Or what Inessa? You know she’s a coward, So for mature Dunmans we are left with Felicity and you, as unfortunate as it is,” She teased. Tae then went on to explain the situation, causing Amani to scoff- of course, that situation had happened, again, one would think that after a while, Renlin would get over the fact that Uncle Wes remarried, damn he most have been in love with both the old wife and Uncle Wes, probably wanted to be a trouple- bad case of incest right there. "It’s a good thing, then, that bigfoot thoughts amount to nothing, and will continue to amount to nothing, so just ignore him or use your magic,’ Amani said exaggerating the last part with a small smile.
When Tae asked about Renlin making a fool of himself, Amani rolled her eyes dramatically. “He was apparently hammered and went on this whole rant about Miles or something along those lines, had to get dragged off the stage by Jesse, and got in trouble with Adrian,” Amani explained.
She smiled at his playful eye-roll but quickly grew serious when the topic shifted. “Today,” Amani stated as Tae questioned when she got the dream., “It was a different scene, and for some reason, I feel like I remember it, like it wasn’t just a dream.” She expressed thoughtful, “She was standing there, her face blurry as always but it was obvious she was frightened, through her movements. She was screaming something about how the answer was not and she should not when her voice wavered, the scene flickered, and she fell to her knees before everything faded to black.”
Amani paused, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of the pillow on her lap. “ It’s strange because it feels so familiar, like it’s something from a long time ago that I can’t quite place. It’s unsettling. I don’t know if it means something, but it feels significant, like there’s a message I’m supposed to understand. It’s not just a random dream; it feels like a memory or a warning.” She looked into Tae’s eyes, 'Any idea what it could possible mean?"