Shii was her light, her joy, her hope and every silver lining underlighting the roiling storm. It was a reason to step lightly, a cause to fight for and the quiet calm she could never seem to find on her own. Maea shivered with premonition in the soothing weight of Mort's presence, and when he held out his hand as though cupping something she couldn't yet see, her own hands came up to hover reverently around that empty space. Aching, to think it might contain the one she had lost, just on the other side of the veil. To know that they were well, and still the same as always – it was the who had changed after all these years. Forthe better, she hoped, but... changed all the same.
With the instructions a smile of pure relief brightened her expression. "I will do it properly," she promised, grateful enough to weep if her cheeks hadn't already been lined with tears. "Thank you, Mort; for the chance, for listening – I will never forget this kindness."
Whether she succeeded or not was now up to her. Long after Mort had left, she lingered before the shrine in thoughtful vigil. When the sun rose, so too did she; Maea had some letters to write.
[FIN]
With the instructions a smile of pure relief brightened her expression. "I will do it properly," she promised, grateful enough to weep if her cheeks hadn't already been lined with tears. "Thank you, Mort; for the chance, for listening – I will never forget this kindness."
Whether she succeeded or not was now up to her. Long after Mort had left, she lingered before the shrine in thoughtful vigil. When the sun rose, so too did she; Maea had some letters to write.
[FIN]
Maea
These words are my own, from my heart flown
