[PQ] From the Ashes, part 1

I am my mother's child, I'll love you till my breathing stops
I'll love you till you call the cops on me

Melita had somehow managed to avoid the Atheneum for a lengthy time, which was too bad, considering the wealth of information, awe, and mystery kept within its quarters. She’d been absorbed by every other little thing: power and prestige, might and fury, potential and annihilation, brewing her skips and steps into nefarious armaments. But when she saw Jigano’s notice, calling for assistance (but being none of the things he required, except will and tenacity). She had no magic to her name, her being, her existence. She had no skill with wood or stone, but she had the sunrise, the hole before her, and the dedication, the stalwart tangibility, to do something for someone, anyone. She and Fangorn entered the confines with obvious admiration – mouth agape, eyes twisting over the wares of books, of stories, of legends, of information that must have embodied so many things and essences she missed, she craved. They were like her mother’s voice and her sister’s hums, strumming along; there was an ache in her heart, in her fingers, to reach out and touch the yellowed pages, to understand and comprehend the layers underneath. But it wasn’t the time – she’d ventured too long already, and then lingered, further and further in, until she heard Jigano’s voice. The explanations made sense, her stare loitering on the gaping hole in the ceiling now – pondering what had caused it, rubble or ruin, cataclysms or merely time, eroding and casting everything away. But for now, the certainty of the task was at hand: grabbing hold of the rubble, and placing them outside. She could do that – it didn’t require any special skills. With a silent salute towards the bard, she and Fangorn maneuvered to the debris, tying her long, crimson locks back, out of the way, as the summer heat curled and coiled around them. After perusing for a few moments, Melita went about selecting several articles of wreckage. She grabbed hold and placed them in her arms, the little vampire gourd hissing at several smaller rocks, and snagging them in his fangs. Together, they began the trek back outside, placing them where they needed to be, and then continued, cycling back through. M e l i t a But in our darkest hours, I stumbled on a secret power I'll find a way to be without you, babe