NOT HIGH ENOUGH

Nova

Clever as the devil

Nova runs onto the bridge without hesitation, feet slapping the ivory surface like it's made of stone rather than a porous structure. She jumps to a stop on something that looks like a giant vertebrae, sparkles falling around her as she inspects the bridge. "It is bone!" 

Crouching, she knocks a fist against the ivory, blonde and turquoise hair falling down to frame her face. "What do you think it's from? Is it one creature? Thousands? How long has it been here? Who made it?" A million other questions run through her mind. She doesn't know if Aithne has any of the answers, but she doesn't really care, inspecting it to see if she can replicate it.

and twice as pretty

I didn't come here to make friends
We were born to be suburban legends

Aithne follows along, content to play the tour guide for now. She's fascinated by Nova's literal sparkle, the way glitter seems to wind itself around her on an invisible current. It's even more subtle against the stark white of the bone, but somehow that just makes it all the more intriguing. Does she do it on purpose, Aithne wonders, or is it some passive ability that she can't turn off?

"Told you," she retorts good-naturedly. Hopping up to sit on the railing, the Ancient kicks her feet in the air. "I think it's a bunch of different ones. Apparently there are some ghostwhale bones and even some tulmhainar shells. But if you ask me, most of them look like dragon bones, from a long time ago." As for the rest, Aithne can't even hazard a guess. The bridges have been here forever, as far as she's aware, made by some long-dead people. Or maybe a god. That might make more sense.

When you hold me, it holds me together
And you kiss me in a way that's gonna screw me up forever

Aithne

Nova

Clever as the devil

Jealous of Aithne's sudden vantage point, Nova straightens like a spring being released. "Dragon bones?! That's AWESOME!" She leaps up onto the railing, throwing her hands out as she dances along the thin wall of bones. A light breeze caresses her cheeks, ruffling the pink yarn of her dress as she spins around. 

"You know, I got gold dragon scales from this one guy. I'm gonna make something for my sister! I just haven't decided yet. Maybe a bag? Or a pair of shoes? I don't have enough for a dress yet, but his girlfriend said they'd give me more!" Giggling, she twirls, her foot treading dangerously close to the edge where she stops to look at Aithne. She hinges at the waist, eyes intent on the Ancient as she asks, "What do you think I should make her?"

and twice as pretty

I didn't come here to make friends
We were born to be suburban legends

Nova is predictably excited by the prospect of dragon bones, and Aithne grins in response. "Right?" she says, delighted. She watches as Nova hops up onto the railing to dance along the spines of creatures unknown. Giggling, the Ancient joins her on the opposite side of the bridge, making it a game of how far she can push herself without toppling over into the water.

"Ooo, golden scales?" she half-shrieks, instantly intrigued by the thought. "Oh my gods, that would make killer armor. Can you imagine an armored dress made of dragon scales?" Aithne can. "But, hmm... okay, what's your sister like?" Because not everyone can appreciate something like that. For all Aithne knows, Nova's sister is some prim and proper lady who's afraid to break a nail or something.

When you hold me, it holds me together
And you kiss me in a way that's gonna screw me up forever

Aithne

Nova

Clever as the devil

Leaping across a nob in the railing, Nova considers Aithne's suggestion. She tilts her head up, humming as she walks without looking at where her feet are going, a feline in every sense of the word. "Mmm. Armor would be nice, but she has a necklace that makes a protective barrier that sparkles." She throws a grin at the Ancient, letting a layer of golden sparkles settle over her skin like the magic of her sister's necklace, like a sparkling second skin. 

Nova lets it fall away as she bounds farther down the bridge, giggling as she thinks of her incredible sister. "She likes bright gold stuff! She's like a ray of sunshine!" Spinning, she throws out her hands, light bursting around her in a brilliant display that would blind people if it was nighttime. 

An idea comes to mind, her mouth flying open in a gasp. "Let's see if we can find inspiration at Jack Tar!" Maybe one of the shops along the docks will give her an idea of what to make.

and twice as pretty

I didn't come here to make friends
We were born to be suburban legends

Aithne watches as Nova walks without looking, envious of the young woman's feline ease. The Ancient is more fyrhund than molten tiger, herself, or maybe she'd have the same level of grace. Either way, she watches where she steps as she prances across the railing. "Does everything you make sparkle?" Aithne asks, genuinely curious now. "I love sparkly things."

As for Nova's sister, liking bright gold stuff doesn't give Aithne much to go on, but it's clear that Nova loves her sister dearly. The Ancient wonders what it's like, to have family you don't loathe on principle. For herself, she's not even sure if her folks made it out of Stormbreak before the fall - and she doesn't much care, if she's being honest.

But then an idea strikes Nova, and Aithne is quick to dismiss thoughts of her family in favor of a new adventure. "Let's go!" she says, sprinting down the bridge to leap off the railing. "Last one there buys the pizza later!"

fin

When you hold me, it holds me together
And you kiss me in a way that's gonna screw me up forever

Aithne