[P] meet at the sea

[Marisol]

THE ARCHIATER.

This morning, for the first time in her life, Marisol had not been ashamed to read in front of other people. Normally it’s a secret talent. And in the back of her head it might have stung, just a little—she is a warrior, after all, and what purpose would poetry serve her country?—but she had noted them struggling with the words on the stone and couldn’t keep herself from assisting. She’d dragged her feet, maybe kicked herself for it, but didn’t let her voice shake when she read the thing out loud for them.

Just like Juliet it’s morning again.

And lovers leap…

It had felt a little foolish. Romeo and Juliet? A poem about love, leading to a set of armor? But the more people on the job the better, and anyway, there was something about the little girl that had made Marisol smile. That in itself was unusual. Most kids were whiny, sticky, and obnoxious, but this one had eyes like a wildfire and wasn’t lacking for enthusiasm. Marisol had been more than happy to accompany her and her unnamed friend to the cliffs after they’d discussed the clue.

Now they’re cantering from the fields to the sea, Charlotte at Marisol’s side and Sirius soaring overhead. Marisol finds herself watching him with upturned eyes, envying his wings. They are beautiful in a way that she’s never seen before, a way that speaks of the place where the sky meets the earth and all the spots of stars inside it. It must be nice to be beautiful. And inarguably so. The sound of Charlie and Sirius’ laughter clanging in Marisol’s ears sends a soft joy soaring inside her chest, and though worry still tugs at her as she thinks of Senna, and Elif, and all those other predators, she feels lighter. More hopeful. The cool, salty wind ruffles her hair as she runs, and each breath feels brighter and brighter.

They come to a stop at the edge of the cliff. Sirius soars down to meet them on the bluffs, and Marisol peers toward the sea as they talk to each other, one ear flickering as she processes it. They’re good points. Prudence should be being worn, and its special charm… well, those are both questions Marisol can’t answer quite yet. “It’s been missing so long… we would wear it, if we knew where it was.” She laughs just a little. Her head drops, closer to the ocean. “Someone older than living memory hid it. And it’s special—mostly to Terrastella—because it has Vespera’s blessing.”

Not that anyone knows what that particular blessing is. This whole debacle would be a lot easier if any of the old notes had survived—if the Ager was still in use, or if Marisol had found the first clue before it became headline news.

But for now searching is enough.

@isra <3