[PQ] [RQ] resurrecting reasons

everything I let go

He helped place stones amidst the altar, either humbled or bothered and potentially both, head down, eyes narrowed, ignoring Zuriel’s intentional glances. Only when Noah approached did he shy away from the purposeful, dutiful business, eyes flickering back and forth from Sentinel to blue goldstone and back again, as if he’d misunderstood. Half of him wanted to balk, afraid he might mess it up, and the other portions beheld widened eyes and the potential to do something really cool. His father and Iskra had made this after all, and he’d be able to place it amongst the altar, where it’d be special and around for everyone to see. “Okay,” he granted eventually, at war with himself, gingerly taking the stone. “Let me know if it’s not right though,” which Noah probably would anyway, given how he didn’t like it when he’d spoken to birds.

Cupping it in his hands diligetntly, he waited until everything was situated, and then he placed it rather reverentially amongst the gathered portions, so the radiant glow remained immaculate and a key fixture on the shimmer and luminescence.

--

Erebos helps build the altar and places the blue goldstone.

Erebos

has claw marks on it

Nina

The devil that you know
Looks now more like an angel

Nina nodded as Noah determined that her collection was sufficient, and then returned to her search, determined to find only the best stones for their second altar. When they had found enough, the Keeper helped to build the rocks upon one another, tucking in smaller stones among the larger for stability. And then, eventually, their second altar was erected, and it was time to place the blue goldstone - and Erebos was offered the honor, drawing a small smile to Nina's lips.

She'd expected more exuberance from the youth, but he seemed bothered still by what had happened with the ningo - or perhaps she was reading too much into things. She did not know children, after all. But then he agreed, and cautiously placed the blue goldstone just so. Nina smiled at him, but said nothing, waiting for Noah's determination of whether it was placed correctly or not. For Erebos's sake, she hoped that praise was forthcoming.

---

Nina helps build the second altar and watches Erebos place the blue goldstone.

I'm the life you chose
And all this terrible danger

Their movements had found a shared rhythm. No wasted motion, no stone forced where it did not wish to sit. The Citadel wind moved around them, tugging at their cloaks and hoods, but it did not break the focus that had grown between the three of them.

Noah selected each stone with the same careful attention he would give to setting a trapline or choosing a path through ice. When a stone slid even a finger’s width too easily, he turned it. When it resisted slightly before settling, he left it. Nina’s choices continued to anchor the base with steady confidence, her stones broad and patient against the frozen ground. Erebos worked the smaller pieces between them, bracing gaps and locking the larger ones together so that the structure tightened with each addition of the blue goldstone. Every layer seemed to understand the one beneath it.

The altar rose slowly, and they had enough materials to build another sister altar next to it. Together they set it in place.

The sun was starting up brightly at this point, casting shadows of their finished work. Noah bowed his head slightly, breath fogging in the cold. ”Safrin’s light will stand here. Great work!” he said with gratitude.

---

Great work everyone!

FIN

If this is all the love my spirit can give

Just take it back tonight