Chapter Text
In a world where invisible red strings connected people to their destined soulmates.
Lily, a hardworking middle aged woman worked diligently at a cozy coffee store. Near a corner ship. It wasn’t always busy so she didn’t expect much. Lily was completely oblivious to what the day had in store for her. The morning was uneventful but oh was that going to change. she expertly brewed coffee behind the counter As a man with brownish hair entered the shop. Looking to forget about his trouble for a while.
Lily never bothered to search for her soulmate and neither did Alex. Yet here they were, destined to be together. whether they wanted to or not.
Their eyes met and Lily couldn’t help the full body shudder that escaped her. Lily ignored it, shrugging this oddly unique behavior off as she welcomed the new customer.
"Hi, welcome to Brew Harmony. What can I get for you today…." Lily greeted, a friendly smile on her face but that smile soon fell as her eyes landed on her string that was connected to the strangers wrist.
Alex, captivated by the warmth in her eyes, replied, "Just a regular black coffee, please." He also noticed the staring and couldn't help but look at where she was staring. “Oh…”
As Lily prepared the coffee she couldn’t help but think of the fact that this stranger was his soulmate. their fingers brushed briefly, and a little spark seemed to ignite between them. During that brief touch, the invisible threads pulled and both ultimately glanced down at the string.
Handing him the cup, Lily couldn't resist asking, "Do you see it too?” Lily finally inquired just to make sure she was not to only one seeing the sting connect to his wrist to which Alex nodded
Alex, looking into her eyes, smiled knowingly. "Yes… I wow i just don’t know what to say um.” Alex looked awkwardly to the side he had never actually expected to meet his soul mate but it was a good surprise.
“Maybe we could start by introducing each other? I mean my name is on the name tag but yours is still a mystery.” Lily offered and Alex nodded before reaching out his hand to shake the other woman’s “It’s Alex… and by chance when do you get off your shift?”
Over the following weeks, their interactions with each other increase, often finding themselves in the presence of the other. Each time, the invisible threads responded to their shared moments, pulling them closer by the hearts. Was the feeling Lily described. A connection that continued to deepen.
Not all stories end up like this: others could be toxic whilst others could be more awkward. There was an exception to this ‘destined to be with another rule’
There was a woman named Evelyn. Unlike others, Her red string was easy to see. The whole public could which was strange. making her stand out. It was visibly broken, hanging there all alone without connecting to anyone else’s wrist or hand. This exposed a certain flaw in her connection that was like a public sign of her unique destiny or unlucky destiny if you will.
Society labeled her and others like her as Isolates forever meant to be alone.
This exposed flaw became a weight that accompanied Evelyn through life's interactions. Job opportunities slipped away, friendships faltered, all shadowed by the perception of a destiny bound in isolation. Yet, in moments of quiet reflection, Evelyn found strength in her uniqueness, seeking meaning beyond societal labels. Others however only found flaws.
As she stood beneath the starry sky, Evelyn questioned whether her destiny truly meant eternal solitude or if there existed a connection that transcended this rule. A shared humanity echoing silently, waiting to be discovered.
So, She often found herself day dreaming of someone that just was nonexistent. She tried everything in her power but no one wanted her. Why would they?
Evelyn's red string, usually known as a symbol of love, was now only a visible reminder of her solitary path. The fractured string symbolized a fate different from the intertwined connections celebrated by others. People saw her as someone destined to be alone, and this label shaped how society treated her.
Evelyn bore the weight of immense suffering. The transparency of her broken string became a symbol for exclusion. Even her own parents, swayed by societal norms, distanced themselves from their daughter.
In a world where invisible red threads delicately connected people to their soulmates, Evelyn's story began with a heart-wrenching chapter that cast a shadow over her entire existence. Unlike the usual joy that accompanied the birth of a child, Evelyn's arrival brought unexpected disappointment to her parents, Clara and Robert.
As Evelyn entered the world, a heavy silence enveloped the delivery room. The doctor, sensing the disappointment in the air, exchanged hesitant and uneasy glances with the nurses. Clara, exhausted and emotionally drained, was unaware of the so-called tragedy as the nurses claimed.
Held her newborn daughter in her arms. The invisible threads that were supposed to symbolize connection and love seemed to unravel in the presence of an unspoken sorrow.
Robert, standing by Clara's side, couldn't hide the disappointment etched on his face. "This wasn't what we expected," he muttered, his words a painful echo in the sterile room. Robert however still held his wife’s hand.
Clara, tears welling in her eyes, looked down at the fragile bundle in her arms. "She's our daughter, Robert. We should be happy." Yet she herself wasn’t happy with the outcome.
"But look at her string, Clara. It's already broken. What kind of future can she have?" Robert's voice carried a weight of expectation that Clara had to agree.
The disappointment at Evelyn's birth set the tone for the years to come. The fractured red string, visible even in the earliest moments of her life, became one of many challenges that she was destined to face. The societal judgment that accompanied this tragedy was reverberated through her childhood, shaping the exact narrative of her future if she ever made it that far.
As Evelyn grew, the weight of her parents' disappointment only increased. The unspoken words, the lingering glances of disapproval, and the pervasive sense of inadequacy became the backdrop of her formative years. Evelyn’s parents were always one to beat around the bush so this was to be expected.
In moments of solitude, Evelyn would overhear hushed conversations between her parents. "She was supposed to be our joy, Robert. What went wrong?" Clara's voice, tinged with regret, echoed through the empty corridors of their home.
Robert, wrestling with his own disappointment, replied, "We can't change the past, Clara. But maybe distancing ourselves will spare us from further disappointment."
The conversations always left Evenly empty and filled with self hatred. At one point she went as far as thinking it was her mother’s fault that she was like this. Another could possibly be that this was her retribution for her past life and their crimes.
And so, the early disappointment at Evelyn's birth became an important chapter in her life. The fractured red string forever being there to mock Evelyn. The broken red string, initially a symbol of love, was only something that meant hopelessness. will later morph into a visible reminder of the unspoken sorrow that marked her journey through a world quick to judge and slow to understand.
The threads that were meant to bind families together had unraveled before Evelyn's very eyes, leaving her to navigate a life where love and acceptance remained elusive.
Evelyn's job search proved relentlessly challenging. Despite qualifications and determination, each interview ended in rejection, highlighting societal judgment. No one wanted a deject like Evelyn.
The job market, indifferent to her potential, left Evelyn questioning her worth. Seeking solace in the stars, she faced the struggle alone, distant from her disappointed parents. Afterall hiring her would only lead to decrease in sales.
The elusive nature of employment opportunities defined Evelyn's journey, yet she clung to hope that someone would recognize her strength and untapped potential beyond the visible flaws and so Employment opportunities remained elusive, and difficult to come by when every time she managed to get an interview she was ultimately shut down.
Evelyn adjusted her slightly worn coat as she entered the interview room, her eyes carrying a mix of hope and trepidation. The panel of interviewers, a trio of stern faces, scrutinized her as if searching for flaws beyond what was visible. The room, once buzzing with a neutral ambiance, now seemed charged with an unspoken tension.
The lead interviewer, a middle-aged man with an air of superiority, glanced down at her resume. "Evelyn, we appreciate your interest in our company. However, we do have some concerns," he stated, his tone carrying an undertone of skepticism.
Evelyn, maintaining her composure, nodded. "I'm ready to address any concerns you may have," she replied, her voice steady despite the uneasy atmosphere. SHe had prepared for this interview. Any questions they had she could answer.
The woman to his left, with a disapproving frown, pointed directly at Evelyn's broken red string. "This," she said, her tone dripping with disdain, "is not what we typically see. It sends a message of instability, and our company values stability."
There was no question in that sentence.. Evelyn didn’t have an answer to that concern.
Evelyn took a deep breath, preparing herself for the familiar discrimination she had faced countless times before. "I understand it's unconventional, but my qualifications and skills are what make me a valuable candidate. This red string doesn't define my abilities or dedication to my work."
The third interviewer, a younger man, chimed in with a condescending smile. "We've always believed in a harmonious workplace. Individuals with... unique situations might disrupt that harmony."
Evelyn felt a pang of frustration but she tried to remain composed. "I believe diversity contributes to a richer work environment. My unique experiences and perspectives can bring value to your team."
The lead interviewer leaned back, steepling his fingers. "Evelyn, let's be honest. Individuals like you are often labeled as someone destined for loneliness. How can we be sure you won't bring personal issues into the workplace?"
Evelyn met his gaze with unwavering determination. "My personal life doesn't impact my professionalism. I've faced challenges and i’m a diligent and hard worker. I'm here to contribute to the success of your company."
The diligence and determination didn’t get her very far though.
The panel exchanged skeptical glances, and a heavy silence hung in the room. The lead interviewer finally spoke, his tone dismissive. "We appreciate your time, Evelyn. We'll be in touch."
They never called her back.
compelling her to scavenge coins on the unforgiving streets for survival. Compassionate souls, usually quick to lend a helping hand, turned away when confronted with the stark reality of Evelyn's severed connection.
“Oh dear Celestia.. Why am I so unlikeable? What did I do to deserve this?” Evelyn would often say to herself as she looked at the pretty white stars wishing she would shine just as brightly. “Is…my star really so dull?” Evelyn asked herself one day. No answer was given to her.
Evelyn was never well liked.. All throughout school. She had a chance to be someone great, someone that would make great accomplishments for the world. Except. The world didn’t wish to give Evelyn a chance.
Her life unfolded as a series of painful chapters, each marked by the unkindness of others. The absence of familial support and societal rejection left her with no solace. The streets became her reluctant refuge, where every step echoed the solitude she endured.
In the quiet and solitary moments that marked the end of her life's journey, she found herself enveloped in a profound loneliness that had been a constant companion throughout her existence. As the inevitable moment of her farewell approached, there was a poignant surrender to the isolation that defined her being.
When the time finally arrived for her departure, the somber occasion of her funeral became a desolate scene, devoid of any comforting presence. Not a single soul came forth to pay their respects or share in the solemnity of her final moments, leaving an echoing emptiness that mirrored the solitude she had known throughout her life.
The absence of mourners spoke volumes, underscoring the poignant reality of her departure an exit from this world met with a profound silence, a stark contrast to the bustling connections that often define such occasions.
Yet, in a tragic irony, as more individuals with broken strings emerged, the cruelty expanded. Society, instead of fostering understanding, allowed prejudice to deepen. The once discreet judgment evolved into a collective disdain for those labeled as forever meant to be alone. The growing number of broken strings did not inspire empathy but rather fueled a worsening cycle of discrimination, perpetuating the pain experienced by those already marginalized.
In the complex web of connected lives, where people's bonds were supposed to create stories of love and togetherness, the visible breaks in the once-hidden red strings played a surprising role. Instead of bringing out compassion, these breaks led to more unkindness, tearing apart the social fabric that was supposed to keep everyone close.
As the fabric of our connections unraveled, it didn't bring us closer but made the ties we shared weaker. This weakening bond left people, like Evelyn, feeling even more lost and alone, drifting in a sea of disconnection. The hope for togetherness gave way to a sense of isolation, as if the threads that held us together were slipping through our fingers, leaving us grappling with the challenges of loneliness.
As the breaks in the red strings showed weaknesses, they unintentionally became signs of exclusion, making those already dealing with judgment feel even more isolated. In this unfolding story,
Zhongli hummed a small sound as he shut the book. He would read it at a later time. At the moment he had an interview to head to hopefully it would not go as said in the book. Zhongli took a deep sigh as he stood up and headed to his bedroom.
He opened the closet door taking out a pretty old bur formal suit that looked quite new, Zhongli changed into the suit as he decided weather to pick a bow or a tie. Ultimately deciding on a Tie.
Before heading out Zhongli made sure sure to tie the red string completely around his wrist whilst covering it with his long sleeved shirt… Zhongli looked down at the string that was wrapped around his ankle.. It looked pretty. The bracelet suited his ankle.
The broken string was hidden from view but…. His resume would probably already have his ‘condition’ on it.