[AW] Strangers in the night

[Marisol]

who are you
when it's all over?

In the back of her head, over the sound of their hoof steps in the soft grass and the sweet song of the cicadas and the wind ruffling Marisol’s short hair, she hears the lines of an old poem she cannot quite remember: something about a pathless wood, and the sea, and a sweet kind of rapture. She wishes for a moment that this road lead closer to the ocean. But even from here it sends a bright whoosh of salt into the cool air that kisses her skin, and it comforts her to hear the far, far away beat of waves on the shore.

That is her kind of temple, and even that one bears Vespera’s name.

The air cools as the road winds into the heart of Terrastella. Shadows drop from the high buildings and the smell of herbs wafts from planters placed on windowsills. It is pleasantly quiet, save for the beating of wings and the song of bugs. Silent as always, Marisol is content to listen to Mephisto and Asterion talk just to each other as the trio wind from the dirt-packed path onto cobblestone, as they pass from moonlight into lamplight and silence to low chatter. The streets are mostly empty, but every once in a while a couple goes walking past, talking to each other in low murmurs; as they pass the temple Marisol catches sight of silhouettes in the dimly lit windows, and it makes her smile faintly.

The world has not changed so much that they cannot go back. She holds onto that like a Bible, like a well-worn book of poetry. A promise.

Where would you have me, Mephisto asks, and Marisol cuts her king a casual sideways glance. She thinks of the Dusk Court’s last meeting. Bodies. Bodies. The spear strapped to her side rumbles a little, as if in hunger, or thirst, or simple desperation; she appraises Mephisto’s wings like a butcher appraises a piece of meat and blinks in mute approval. 

I assume you have some experience defending yourself. Marisol slows her step just slightly, ducks her head at the stranger. Our flight unit would have you.

She is careful not to say needs you, lest their weakness become public.

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