[SE] shine so bright that the darkness can't touch you

The wind is at your back, the world is at your feet

Dragging her cart down the path, Nova bounces and hums, her sweater dress shifting to show off all the dreambirds she'd stitched into the blue yarn. She flicks her purple and blonde curls out of her face to look at Theea over her shoulder, the breeze still catching the strands to brush against the white star freckles of her cheeks when she smiles. "I'm glad you wanted to help! It gets so dark and I wanted to show off my lantern-making skills!" After her own lantern was rudely ignored at the festival, Nova got into a fit of creative juices, taking out her frustrations on the fabric and gems that she sewed together, wondering if making it better would have helped. Now she has an abundance of brightly designed lanterns piled into her cart and nowhere to put them but the great outdoors of Torchline for all to see. 

The path to the Miana Pool is shadowed in the afternoon sunlight, making Nova the brightest thing in sight until the water glitters ahead of them. It ripples and shines like diamonds, drawing her forward as she pulls Theea in her wake. The young woman had been so helpful with her flyers that she'd had to bring her along for this lovely adventure, giggling as she explains for the fifth time, "People will be able to admire them on their way back to the city!" Nevermind the fact that it would help them see in the pitch black. She would never do such a thoughtful thing without something else to motivate her.

Nova

Growing up is a pain, and it is what it is
Okay, It's not the end of the world

I grin when Nova calls back over her shoulder. Her energy is infectious—she’s practically bouncing, and I catch myself matching her step without thinking. I’m in my usual oversized coat and dark pants tucked into boots; hardly a candle to Nova’s glamorous flame, but that’s been true of every girlfriend I’ve made so far. Doesn’t matter. I like shining next to people who blaze.

We’ve had fun already—Nova’s probably-illegal antics in the dead of night were… memorable—and I’d been stupidly excited when she said yes to my help hanging lanterns. So far, every run-in with the Marin triplets has been fun in that chaotic, this-is-fine way.

"They really are beautiful," I tell her, meaning it. I’ve got a bundle of my own cradled in my arms—only five, and nowhere near as loud as Nova’s. Mine are more… classic. Pretty colors, shining glass I salvaged from the Celestine cleanup, sanded smooth and set into little mosaics. Only five compared to Nova’s many, many, many—but I’m proud of them.

The path bends and the Miana Pool flashes ahead, rippling like a scatter of diamonds through the shadowed afternoon. "Start here?" I nod toward the water’s lip. "Good place so no one walks straight into the pool. Maybe we hang a few extra so people can see the edge?"

I kneel to set my lanterns down carefully (not breaking them would be very on-brand for me today), then stretch up on the tippy-tips of my toes to loop the first one onto a stout guava branch. It catches the light and throws a soft bloom across the path, and something in my chest settles.

I glance back at Nova, a smile tugging. "So… how’s the design business going? Keeping you out of trouble, or fueling it? Has your rival showed up Karening at your door yet?"

There's always light where it burns

Theea

The wind is at your back, the world is at your feet

"I know, right?! They sparkle juuuust right." She giggles, her magic flickering to make the lanterns pulse in a moment of shimmering light that reflects off the leaves and the water ahead of them. Even Theea's give a small glow, the glass fixtures casting colors through the air that draw Nova's eyes with delight. "I like yours too!" They're not as good as hers, but that would be mean to say. 

Bouncing to a stop near the edge of the water, she looks at the area to survey the space for all the opportunities it could provide. She doesn't care about 'safety' or how it might benefit others, but Theea's suggestion still has her perking, twirling around in a flaring of color and fabric to clap her hands. "That's a great idea! They'll reflect off the water better here!" Then she rushes forward to grab the first pair of lanterns, placing one on a low-hanging branch at the edge of the waterline. 

Always happy to talk about her and her many talents, Nova shoots Theea a vibrant smile that holds a light of its own. "It's been great! I've had so many customers!" Standing next to her, she looks for her next perch while a mischievous smirk creeps onto her lips. "I haven't personally heard from her, but..." she leans a little closer, a wicked glint in her eyes as she says, "Caly says someone heard her talking about leaving." A cruel little giggle lingers as she skips away to place her lantern on a higher branch with the assist of her air magic, her fingers twisting elegantly to manipulate it up into the tree. "That means I'll have Torchline all to myself!" 

If they stay. 

The thought hits a little too hard, a small frown breaking the moment as she spins to grab her next lantern. They still hadn't decided what they were doing about Flora and Kaisel, and that means Nova doesn't know what to do - what she wants to do. She obviously won't separate from her siblings, but... will she be happy leaving Torchline? It's an annoying question that plagues her as she flicks her hair, assessing the path ahead to distract her.

Nova

Growing up is a pain, and it is what it is
Okay, It's not the end of the world

I glance over my shoulder at Nova, brows lifting. Someone leaving their whole home behind? That sticks in my ribs for a second. I don’t know much about running a business—or, you know, having a real job—but I manage a wry smile. "Maybe she’ll have better luck in Stormbreak," I offer, unsure of how hard it is to uproot a life like that. I'm only just now learning how to put roots down in the first place.

Her compliment warms me more than it should. Mine are pretty; hers are dazzling. There’s a difference, and it’s loud tonight. Safrin’s daughter blazes; I… glow. Nice, not dazzle. I tell myself not to shrink about it. Standing next to a sparkler doesn’t make a candle useless, right?

I tip my head at the lantern I’ve just hung: dark blue glass petals stitched with clear panes, the whole thing capped in gold. It throws soft navy and milk-white shapes over the path. "Call me sentimental," I say, reaching for another. But mine are for people I'm close to. Like a  Festival of Lights—but for the living."

I hook a violet-and-silver one to the neighboring branch. "Blue for my mom," I murmur, then nod to the violet, "and this one’s for my dad." I doubt she really cares about the why, but... do I ever fucking shut up?

I’ve only got three left; I don’t want them clustered. Partly so they’ll be seen. Mostly so I can find them later and smile.

I scoop up one of Nova’s next and immediately earn a constellation of glitter across my sleeves. Of course. No one exits Nova's orbit un-sparkled. I huff a laugh and pretend not to be charmed.

Her smile flickers, though—just a heartbeat, a slip of curtain. Nova’s frowns are usually costumes; this one looks like skin. I file it away gently and step to the edge, careful as a cat not to swan-dive into the Miana Pool, and hang the lantern low where it can scatter light along the edge.

"You still working at the Hanged Man while you’re designing?" I ask as I tighten the tie, glancing back with an easy grin. "Two jobs is impressive. I’m still figuring out what I want to do for anything, let alone… income." The word feels funny in my mouth. "So I’m taking notes where I can."

There's always light where it burns

Theea

The wind is at your back, the world is at your feet

"Maybe!" It's not like Nova cares one way or another, as long as the woman is out of her way. She has work to do, and she doesn't need anyone stealing clients, least of all an old lady.

Happy to move on from the loser, she tilts her head adorably, intrigued by the idea Theea presents. She holds one up one of her lanterns, looking at it in a different light. The yellow glass nearly glows on its own, casting a ripple of golden light across the ground as she moves to place it, a hum of consideration glittering around her. "Hmm. I guess this one kind of looks like Caly, and this one is darker than the others." The second one she grabs is a blue-black fabric that ripples in the breeze, stitched with silver stars. Regardless, Nova shrugs her shoulders, dismissing the sentiments and any deeper thoughts or meanings on the matter. 

Unaware that her frown had been so thoroughly analyzed, she moves a little farther down the path to hang the Caly lantern onto a branch, wind rustling leaves as it guides the glass up. She lets the praise reinflate her mood, her smile reappearing with a glittering vengeance. "I am! Although even between the three of us, I'm sure we could use a hand every now and then - if you're looking." Obviously she'd have to check with the other two, but Nova is pretty confident she can sweet talk them into letting Theea bus some tables or wash the dishes. Bouncing a little higher, she looks over her shoulder at Theea. "It'd be so much fun!"

Nova

Growing up is a pain, and it is what it is
Okay, It's not the end of the world

I can’t help smiling as she draws the lines between her lanterns and her siblings—even if it comes out like an afterthought. I wonder, sometimes, what the inside of Nova’s head looks like. A kaleidoscope? A fireworks shop? Whatever it is, the Marin devotion is unmistakable. Even while she breezes past the sentiment, she handles the “Caly” glass and the star-stitched one with that extra sliver of care, like her hands know what her mouth won’t say.

I drift farther from the pool, boots whispering over sand and leaf-litter, and claim the head of the trail. It feels right—first impression, last thing people see when they head back to the city. I rise onto the tips of my toes and hook a rainbow lantern where a branch branch forks. Sunlight and water catch in it, throwing quiet bands across the path. Next, a dazzling pink-and-green one that looks like early spring—new shoots through old bark, flower against thorn. In the thick dark of LongNight, a little memory of warmth won’t hurt. I have to be honest, Nova's work really is lovely.

Nova’s offer lands, and I grin, rocking back down from my stretch. "I’d love to help," I say without playing cool about it. "Odd jobs are kind of my thing. That and trading baked goods." I tap the coin Flora gave me where it hangs on a cord at my throat, tucked under my shirt for luck. I still haven’t spent it; superstition tastes sweeter than currency.

I angle a look at Nova as I reach for the last tie. "If you couldn’t do what you’re doing now, what would you do, you think?" I ask it lightly, like I haven’t asked myself the same question a hundred times. "Like—no design, no Hanged Man. What’s another life you’d pick?"

There's always light where it burns

Theea

The wind is at your back, the world is at your feet

Theea would be delighted to know that Nova's mind is like an abstract piece of art with far too many colors and textures for anyone but her to understand; plus the added chaos of music somewhere in the background mixing with bright explosions and a constant stream of countless different glittering trains of thought on rails that look more like tangled yarn and - ...You get the point. It's a wonder Vesper gets anything done around her. 

Luckily, it's her baseline of functioning, and the shimmering Hybrid bounces to the next branch while a maelstrom of half-formed thoughts float in the iridescent rippling of her mind. She twirls another finger, guiding the Vespy lantern up onto the end, making sure the weight is supported before she spins to grin at Theea. "Good! Your cookies were delicious!" Especially after she'd obliterated Kai's cupcakes (burned icing makes them splatter nicely against walls), they'd enjoyed the homemade desserts that much more. She'd appreciate having them after a long shift at the bar. 

She's suddenly gasping at the indignancy of Theea's questions, placing a hand to her chest like a piece has just been ripped from her. "If I couldn't design?! I wouldn't even be me!" It's almost as bad as asking what she'd do if she didn't have magic or shifts. It sounds like a nightmare, and Nova scrunches her nose with obvious distaste for the idea. "I'd have to travel a lot to find anything remotely acceptable to wear." Then she turns to the cart and the remaining light fixtures. 

In answer to Theea's question, perhaps that would make her a merchant? She couldn't care less, more concerned that no one else seems to bother selling dreambird dresses or starry jean jackets that are sewn with actual stars. Still, as she grabs a twinkling pale blue and mauve lantern, Nova skips down the path to place the last ones. "That's it! Let's go get some food!" Grinning at Theea, she leads them and their empty wagon into the dark, on the hunt for something delicious. 

[FIN]

Nova