[PQ] This Little Light of Mine

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 was grateful for Isuma and Fangorn’s interactions, hands taking turns scratching at fur or stems, keeping her somewhat together despite every nuance persisting in breaking her apart. Jigano’s voice interrupted her ministrations, glancing up at the soft inflections, and nodding. She hadn’t known the lad very well, but he’d always seemed helpful, and she’d greatly admired his insistence and bravery at the forum with Zariah. She extended nothing else though, hunkering and nestling down into Isuma’s warm frame and Fangorn’s pulsing growls, attempting to finish up on her task. The final décor, thankfully accompanied by both companions, instigated her urgency to grab some paint and thread; a lighter, almost sienna brown hue to accompany the darker slate of the lantern, and some charms to hang from the sides. After collecting her assortment, she returned to her table and got to work. Her trembling hands made the painting difficult, a few growls occupying the space where Fangorn had ceased in them; taking more and more time to apply the design of a donkey along one side of the lantern. By the time she’d finished that portion, she was so frustrated by her dulling efforts, that she moved onto threading a few charms, and even knotting them was still difficult. She raised her lips in a small hackle, bordering hisses; losing the meaning of the ceremony entirely, irritated and exasperated at herself. 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

EZRA

Mission accomplished: by the time it's done ol' silver Fox has basically made your lantern for you, and you're a little bit buzzed on wine. Decorations are all that remains, and your ears prick up, suddenly more invested because here at last is something you excel in.

Snatching paint and a brush from the stump, you begin to construct a dainty motif around the perimeter of the simple lantern, bringing it to life. On first look it may appear to be a simple composition, stripes and circles, boring geometric shit.

On second look it is plain as day that you have in fact covered the thing with a ring of skillfully composed dicks.

"There!" you announce with a flourish, winking at Jigano. "The perfect send-off to our lovely queen."

isn't it lovely, all alone

heart made of glass

my mind made of stone

All three of his fellow lanternmakers reached for paint, but there was enough for everyone, brushes and all. Melita made the most use out of the different decorations he had made available, while Jiao went with elegant simplicity in a way even the weary bard could admire. At first it seemed like Ezra was taking a page from the Fae's book, painting black on red with designs that were simple but skillfully executed, and Jigano left each of them to their chosen tasks.

Melita's growls did not go unnoticed, and he looked to her worriedly from time to time as Isuma tried to soothe her. He had his hands full of his problems, however, as his attempt to stitch Isla's sutures into the lantern's fabric ran up against the shaking of his fingers, and he was soon bleeding little prickles of blood from his attempts. Thankfully the lantern was black, so he didn't ruin it, but he ground his teeth together and stubbornly persisted through his anger at his own weakness. 108's lantern was easier at least: merely pinprick designs in the shape of stars and constellations against the white paper of its walls.

"Thank you, everyone," he managed, reining his temper back as everyone completed their lanterns, each a light of remembrance for some soul that had touched them deeply. (And what he didn't know about Jiao's lantern wouldn't hurt him.) Ezra's designs, once finished, were unexpectedly cheeky... but also entirely fitting for the one he intended it for. Jigano gave him a tired smile, nodding agreement. "She'd love it. It's got most of her favorite things. Fire and dicks." It was only missing alcohol, but he forbore mention of that, not wanting Ezra to try and find a way to add it in during the solemn festivities.

Melita's anger was a palpable thing, and he quietly left her to focus on her painting as he bid the other two farewell and began to clean up, bundling the remaining supplies into the table cloths. "It suits Emmett well," he said quietly when she released the brush at last. "Thank you for making it for him." He hoped that mention of the young man's name would pull her out of the temper she had fallen into, but he was too tired to coddle her today. He had a long walk back to the farmhouse, and impatience and irritation sizzled uncomfortably close to the surface of his thoughts as he left the honeybee girl and her gourd with their lantern and crossed back into the Hollowed Grounds.

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Thank you all for joining! Here ends the Lantern Making PQ for Leafchange 309!