She stared at the ground, unable to sleep. She sat up silently, folding the quilt and setting it down next to Puck. She walked outside, leaning against the wall. She thought back to Machina, shivering at the memory of all the pain she saw that day.

A feathery blue moth landed on her thumb, weighing nothing at all. It soon fluttered off toward a dark figure in the center of the carpet. Ash stood in the middle of the room, surrounded by glowing white flowers, eyes closed as tiny lights swirled around him. They shimmered and drew together, merging into a luminescent faery with long silver hair, her features so lovely and perfect. Ash opened his eyes as she reached for him, her hands stopping just shy of his face. Longing shone from his eyes, and the spectral faery moved right through him, dissolving into tiny lights.

(Can she see what he sees?)

(Yeah)

She knew who the girl was right away, Ariella. She stayed silent, turning her head back to the scene outside. She wouldn't speak about it, she didn't want to even look at him anymore.

Ash suddenly whirled around, his eyes widening at the sudden interruption. Seeing her, several emotions crossed his face--shock, anger, shame--before he sighed in resignation and turned away.

She stepped outside, looking around curiously before walking around the building. She ran her hand along the wall, leaving vines in her wake as she looks up at the sky. She continues to ponder as she walks around blindly.

He shook his head, his eyes never leaving the specter as she swayed and twirled over the glowing carpet, butterflies drifting around her. He started speaking loud enough so Claire could hear if she would listen. "This is...just a memory." He sighed, and his voice went very soft. "She was always happy here. The flowers...remember."

She hummed as a sign that she was listening, her back still turned to him.

This was Ashs memory of Ariella, perfect, happy and full of life, a yearning so great it was given form, if only for a moment. Ariella wasnt here. This was only a dream, an echo of a being long departed.