C A L L A
It seems Calla's outburst has at last hit home, for no sooner does she finish but there's a shift in the air, and she could swear she hears a pop! as the sparkles and snowflakes dissipate. A more empathetic or emotionally intelligent person might be awash with guilt at the way Nova vanishes into herself, but what Calla feels in this moment is primarily relief. She hadn't realized how overwhelming, how overstimulating the show had been until it finally concluded. Now she takes a shuddering breath, feeling her calm return.
Not so for Nova, who declares that Calla doesn't deserve snowflakes - snowflakes, the Keeper is tempted to point out, she never asked for in the first place. But she says nothing, standing silent with fists clenched and jaw tight as Nova dramatically turns away, watching the blight of pink and blonde trudge off down the hill.
Then, with a sigh, she looks up at Luci, who has resumed his place upon the steps. "Let's give it ten more minutes, then get back to work," she declares, settling back into the shade to try and process what she's just endured.
[fin]
