if tomorrow brings new hope, i hope it brings you
Amalia arrives early in the company of Deimos, a collection of her own fortifications in tow. Though she lacks any real ability to construct or create, she likes to hope this inadequacy is supplemented by knowledge: she is the only Natural in their small assembly, the only one to have survived more than one Long Night before. More than that, she is armed with a collection of baked goods: biscuits, bread, crackers, cookies, enough to last for the week of Long Night without growing inedible with time. For days she has been working, throwing herself into the task of creating edible munitions. What else can she do, what else can she contribute, as everything feels like a looming catastrophe?
Sitting at a table in the corner, the Shield watches as others arrive, Jyoti trilling at each in turn and seeking out attention and affection from them all. It is strange, she thinks: a year ago she would have known none here, and now she can count the entire group among her friends, and even dearest. A year ago she had nearly no one, and now she has a family. Amun aside, there are many she loves here, and she smiles quietly at each in turn. Jigano, still a little haggard but warming every day; Kiada, as dear as a sibling or child, a fierce creature she yearns to protect with every fiber of her being; Remi, the unexpected companion, fractured yet stronger than she could ever be; and Deimos, Deimos, her lover, her general, humble and mighty, stalwart and brave.
Together, she thinks, they will be ready. This year will be different. This year will be safer.
This year she will not be alone.
Sitting at a table in the corner, the Shield watches as others arrive, Jyoti trilling at each in turn and seeking out attention and affection from them all. It is strange, she thinks: a year ago she would have known none here, and now she can count the entire group among her friends, and even dearest. A year ago she had nearly no one, and now she has a family. Amun aside, there are many she loves here, and she smiles quietly at each in turn. Jigano, still a little haggard but warming every day; Kiada, as dear as a sibling or child, a fierce creature she yearns to protect with every fiber of her being; Remi, the unexpected companion, fractured yet stronger than she could ever be; and Deimos, Deimos, her lover, her general, humble and mighty, stalwart and brave.
Together, she thinks, they will be ready. This year will be different. This year will be safer.
This year she will not be alone.
Amalia & Jyoti
