[ME] save forever for me

Ashetta

And I know you're down and out now, but I need you to be brave
Hidin' from the truth ain't gonna make this all okay

As I linger at the edge of the gathering, letting my gaze drift across the shifting tide of faces, a smile tugs at my mouth when I spot Kiada. We never spent all that much time together—just enough to make the memories vivid. My favorite is easy: the night we got completely wasted and tore through the Hallowed Grounds like a pair of feral spirits, back when the barrier still loomed like a curse around us. It was reckless, wild, and one of the last times I remember laughing until my ribs ached. The sight of her now stirs something warm, and I find myself thinking—maybe, once things settle, I’ll reach out. Maybe it’s time.

My gaze slides back to my mother and my daughter, the two halves of my world, and I let the moment linger—just a heartbeat longer than I should. Then I pull away with care, stepping lightly toward a nearby table where the drinks are lined like little invitations. I grab the strongest one I can find and take a deep, grateful pull. The burn steadies me.

Drink in hand, I retreat toward the shadows, slipping back to where Vervain and Theea sit like anchors in a sea of noise. I’m drawn there without thought—because this time with my mother is fleeting, and selfish or not, I want to soak up every second before she’s pulled away again, before her love is needed by others who’ve waited too. For now, I can steal a little more of her warmth. Just a little.

And all the while, I keep my eyes on Remi and Ronin. There’s no way I’m letting the night pass without finding the right moment to speak to them—before they disappear into the crowd, as they always seem to do.

I see your pain
If you don't feel our grace
and you've lost your way