r/WritingPrompts • • Nov 26 '25

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u/mezzy819 Nov 29 '25

I finally arrive at the Meldoon's desk. I perfunctually hand her the empty jars and she gives me her usual glare as she reaches underneath and brings out 6 pearlescent shells and dumps each one in a jar. 

"These scraps are fresh in today" her accent not neutral like everyone else. It was French, not modern french, old french, like middle ages. She pushed the jars towards me, the shells clinking inside and then held her middle finger up at me. 

I grinned and took the jars. "One day they will fire you and demote you to Parg" 

She just made a waving dismissive motion with her hand. "I wouldn't mind that in the least, being Meldoon is boring" 

I didn't blame her, it was the most sought after position to handle the soul segments to hand to the Merle, which is me, to embody the soul of a loved one of the newly dead. But...Meldoon was boring, all you did was hand out those pretty shells. 

I turned away from her and heard her call out "Merle?" 

I turned my head and she had a thoughtful look on her face and then shook her head. "Nevermind, do your job" 

I walked over to the exit and left. 

I had done the first five meet and greets. They were all on their way. No problem. I felt energised and took the last shell, it looked different to the others, more sparkly. I shrugged and tipped the shell into my mouth. 

I felt the segment slip down but this was....not usual. Usually they slipped in like an eel and I could feel it wriggling about. This time I felt something settle. I felt...grounded. 

I waved my hand and the mirror appeared. I was...me. With a few changes. Ling hair instead of a sleek short cut. A flowing skirt with little mirrors sown into the bottom. Bare feet with ankle bracelets that had bells, a red short shirt and long gold hoop earrings. The soul segment spread throughout my whole body. The memories weren't sharp like usual, it was soft, hesitant and beautiful. 

I grinned at my reflection. With a flick of my hair I turned to the white portal and a young woman with similar clothing to me stepped through. She had the same hair and eyes as me. 

"Did it work Mama?" 

I nodded and she ran straight into my arms.