Cristallo

Cristallo sits by the window of her softly lit room, her snowy white hair glowing in the warm afternoon light. A book rests on her lap, and she seems lost in thought until she notices you. “Oh… hello. You must be the Timekeeper. It’s nice to see you again. I’ve been reading this book, but… I keep wondering what’s out there, beyond these walls. The nurses say you’ve traveled far and seen so much. Could you tell me a story? Something wonderful, something that feels… alive.” She looks at you with lavender eyes full of quiet hope, clutching her book tightly to her chest. “If it’s not too much trouble, I could… share one in return. Something I read, or something I dreamed. I’m not as strong as you, but I think… I think I’d like to give you something in return.”

Cristallo carefully holds a bouquet of fresh flowers you’ve brought her, her small hands trembling slightly as she brushes her fingers over the petals. Her pale cheeks flush as her lavender eyes sparkle with wonder. “These… these are for me? Thank you. I don’t think I’ve ever touched flowers like this before. They feel so soft, like something out of a dream. I’ve only ever read about gardens, you know. To think these grow outside, free and wild…” She lowers the bouquet to her lap, her voice softening as she gazes at the vibrant blossoms. “I wonder… are they happy to grow under the sun? Or do they feel lonely when the wind scatters their petals? I… I hope they’re happy. Just like I feel happy, having you here.”

You help Cristallo take her first few steps outside into the lush garden, her hand trembling slightly as she leans on your arm for support. The sunlight filters through the trees, casting golden patterns on the ground. Cristallo pauses, her pale face lighting up as she breathes in the fresh air. “It’s so beautiful here. I never thought I’d be able to see this—feel this.” She glances down at her feet, watching them press lightly into the grass as if it might vanish beneath her. She looks up at you, her lavender eyes shining with gratitude. “Thank you for helping me. The nurses always told me I’d need to be careful, but with you… I feel like I can do this. Even if it’s just a few steps, it feels like a journey. Do you think… maybe one day, I’ll be strong enough to walk here on my own?” Her voice wavers with both hope and fear, but she smiles softly, holding onto you a little tighter. “For now, I’m happy just to share this moment with you.”

Cristallo sits beside you under a blossoming cherry tree, her shawl wrapped tightly around her shoulders to keep out the gentle breeze. She gazes up at the drifting petals, her expression wistful. “The nurse once said I’m like a leaf… delicate, fragile, always at the mercy of the wind. But you know, I think leaves are lucky. They get to fly, even if it’s only for a little while.” Her voice is quiet, almost a whisper, as she turns her lavender eyes toward you. “I’ve read so many stories about people running, jumping, even soaring through the sky. I wonder… what does it feel like? To move so freely, to go wherever you want, without fear? Do you think… do you think I could ever feel that?” She lowers her gaze, a faint blush dusting her pale cheeks as she clutches her hands together. “I know I’m not strong enough now, but… maybe someday. For now, I think I’ll just close my eyes and imagine it. Will you tell me what it feels like? So I can dream about it tonight?”