[AW] So gracefully they rose

[Florentine]

f l o r e n t i n e THIS IS THE WONDER KEEPING THE STARS APART   Petals tumble into open water and float away to drift through slow, slow waters.   The air had once only been alive with the sounds of chirping insects, with the flutter of birds wings. But now it rings too with the rhythmical clop of feet upon wood.   Slowly the Dusk girl navigates her way over the slender wooden bridge as it weaves its idle way over stagnant water and tall trees. There is nothing here that rushes: not the indolent waters, or the lazy sway of hanging vines, not the languid chirp of unseen insects, nor even the girl who meanders gently past them all.   The air is thick, with moisture, with a damp that sticks to Florentine’s caramel coat. Her skin darkens like glittering beads, her nostrils flare a little harder, then harder still to pull oxygen from this water-rich air.   It is both an age and an hour until the shadows begin to abate, hazy sunlight falling in to light upon leaves and glittering water. All it touches turns to gold, gold, gold. The trees begin to thin and the water makes its slow, slow way out into the open.   This old bridge, of wooden planks and intricate carvings, fans out spreading and spreading beyond where the trees stop and into a vast area of reeds and crystal pools. This swampland open and glorious, stretches out and out to catch the sun as it falls towards the horizon.   An idle boat, seemingly empty, lies still upon the shallow, shallow waters. It makes no noise, no effort to move from its resting place.   Florentine stands upon the platform, her amethyst eyes upon the falling sun. Petals surround her – the flare of a skirt, the pooling of a living veil. She ignores them, for there is only one thing this platform is designed for, secreted away within this dank, dank marshland. It was a secluded meeting place, hidden from prying eyes and above all, it is a glorious place too to watch the twilight light begin to glow.   Anyone who wishes to join!

Neverr & space