[SWE] It ends in fire

He had reached for Rory’s hand instinctively. To celebrate their victory, to reassure himself that what they were seeing was real, to… to simply share in the moment. He didn’t think about what to do when Rory’s hand turned to meet his, either, fingers clasping lightly in the taking and giving of relief and of a dangerously, tremblingly blooming sense of joy. He had not known what they had set out to do in the beginning, but he did not now regret going, leaving the safety of the barn to join his friends on a wild ride and a bitter battle against unseen foes that had turned their own hearts against them.

And every single one of them had been needed, from Rory’s summoned animals to Amalia’s clear head and true heart to Edy’s fierce strength and his own newly-fledged wings. They had almost killed each other… and they had only survived because of each other. Edy had saved Amalia, her quick thinking and mercy getting the young loreseeker to Vervain in time. Edy…

Who hung back, not meeting his eyes, but there was no time to go to her yet. Afterwards, he could, when she came forward to receive her own accolades, he told himself.  He turned to bow to the bird and pick up the gift she had for him and Rory. It was hot and fierce, a talisman against the dark and a weapon of two edges, but that mattered less at the moment than the Spark Bird’s own presence, her blessing on the Sanctuary that kept the monsters at bay and brought an early dawn to the world.

He turned to Amalia, wounded in heart but healing from Ludo’s well-chosen words and fresh purpose, and though his hand slipped from Rory’s, it was because Rory’s arms were filled with a laughing, crying young loreseeker and her hand was in his and Jigano was smiling again, hope rekindled in his heart. There was just one thing missing, and he glanced around, seeking a dark head and tussled hair. ”Edy?” he called, lifting his voice above the murmurs and prayers of those gathered. But… the girl was gone, and his sense of victory grew a little dimmer for her absence.

He had her scent now, though. He could find her later. He had some apologizing to do, now that the spark bird’s light was chasing away the lingering shadows the monsters had left on his heart and mind, like greasy fingerprints, smudged and soiled, that had prevented him from fitting his broken pieces back together again. Should have wasn’t good enough when she had to have been hurting to.

For the moment, though, he would allow himself to heal, and to wrap his arms lightly around Amalia and Rory as he bent his head to theirs in a laughing embrace that Isuma Reep!ed imperiously at their feet to be allowed to join.

Evie fear has favourites The light had stretched all the way to the Wordsworth home. It seeped in through the carefully placed blinds and into places that had not been as immaculately covered as they should have been. There was no yelling because of this of course, only the deep and weighty stare of her mother, and the way her father had paused, eyes narrowing where the light had trespassed inside, and then to his daughter. Weren't you in charge of securing this room? Those eyes and that silence seemed to say. They cared not at all that the mythical bird had landed, why should they? They weren't going outside. All they cared about was that they'd asked something of Evie and...well. Clearly it hadn't been done. After securing the missed seams and adjusting the blinds, Evie slipped out of the house and into a street bathed in light like she'd never seen it before. Tightening her coat around her, she plaited her long hair as she walked briskly down the street. She'd not run but it was cold, and perhaps the bird wasn't going to stay long. She really had no way of knowing. Fitting into the crowd, Evie headed towards a few recognizable faces: Rory and Amalia. Grinning, happy to surprise them (for Evie had never been out on LongNight before), she wound her way through the crowd until she reached her dark-eyed friend's side. "Hey you!" She called with a laugh, her smile plastered comically on her face with an air of tadaaaaaa, at least until she noticed the state of her. "Gods, what happened to you?" Then glancing to Rory, she raised her brows with surprise. "To...both of you?" don't let one be you

Table made by Sky!

R E X A N N A golden child, lion girl — tell me what it’s like to conquer. For the most part Rexanna’s Longnight had been relatively somber and slow with little excitement (if it could even be called that). At first, the minor mental breakdown that had resolved thanks to Bastien. Then, when Jigano had appeared with a blistered, harmed Rory and she had to open the door there were strict instructions about not doing that. Once she had helped them move the man to the Infirmary, there really hadn’t been much else she’d done. Sat around, drank, hid away, listened to the sorrow and pain around them with the monsters. But there was a chatter that had distracted her from the Rathskeller. People were cheering, chattering, mentioning about the Spark Bird. And she thought of when her and Deimos had given it offerings, a myth that she wasn’t certain would be real or not. As the doors opened and people began to flood out and toward the perch, she could see the light and the flickering feathers casting a calm and warm presence over the destruction of Longnight. She felt like cheering, as she followed the crowd to the Sparkbird. At first, spotting many familiar faces already gathered. She eyed Deimos for a brief moment, arms crossed and – was that a smile on his face? She bounded up beside him and offered him a bright grin. “It worked!” She hummed to him with a small wink. fearless child, broken girl — tell me what it’s like to burn.

KiadA but god, i look at you and know, hell is just another place i'll go There is chatter, bright billowing cheers of joy that grates along Kiada’s nerves. But she follows them anyway. Auni steps alongside her, excited to go outside without having to try and protect anyone from harm. His antlers still glow, however, in an effort to add more protection – but he knows, deep down that the Spark bird has it handled. He just can’t help but try to add to it, to be a part of it all. Kiada, still clutches the note but tightens the furs around her as she approaches the Spark Bird, something deep within her begrudging the creature for being too late. But rationality sets in, and she knows it’s not entirely the creatures fault. But she wants to blame everyone else but herself, everyone else but Ru’in. It was easier that way. Yet she steps up close to the perch, standing beside a man she recognizes only from the meeting from what feels like years ago who now cradles a child in his arms. Auni remains by her side, ever watchful of the Spark Bird and its wonders. Kiada, if she’s impressed, she doesn’t really show it. She finds it hard to show any other emotion than the hollowness she feels. “Better late than never, I guess.” She says, not particularly to anyone, but likely loud enough for Ronin to hear. She ducks her head slightly as she contemplates leaving – to go home and sleep, to put away this terrible time in her life like she’d put all the others away, but she doesn’t. She crosses her arms, clutching the note and remains staring at the perch with puffy, red eyes. A stark contrast to the Luxere at her side, who looked as though he could be smiling as his eyes shift from the Spark Bird to Ronin as if Auni could help to comfort the man too. It is his calling, after all. And he’s a bit discouraged that Kiada’s mind is too far gone for him to have an effect on it. to keep you warm. and with bloody knuckles, you'd follow me anywhere.

coding

Phoebe When you need some shelter from the rain, when you need a healer for your pain, I will be there time and time again Phoebe had been equal parts shocked and terrified when she saw the others in the Rathskellar run out. There were monsters out there!! But...a shock of light illuminated the floor through the opening in the threshold and she blinked in shock. What on earth was going on? She rose from where she sat with the Palmers, as Emmett was sleeping and the younger two were not about to go outside for anything, and rushed to the door, poking her head out first. It was so bright! Her eyes squinted as they adjusted and she stepped out, still in the blue dress Remi had made her. She saw others looking up and so she followed their gaze to where the Sparkbird was. Her eyes widened and she gasped. It was beautiful! Such a magnificent creature...and it scared off the monsters for some distance too! The little star fishy from Safrin swam through the air around her happily. A bright smile curved her lips then, the first in days. She wished Emmett was up to coming out, certainly this would give him hope. But brown eyes caught another sight instead.  Remiith his arms wrapped around Samuel. She smiled warmly, pleased to see them still happily together. Not that she knew about their fight, but she could still be happy for them. Phoebe waved but didn't approach, not wanting to interrupt their moment.

Ronin had not expected any company beyond that of his sleeping baby, so when he sensed someone step up beside him he glanced at Kiada with mild curiosity. A wry and bitter smile flickered across his face and was gone, like a candle snuffed out. "Is it?" he asked softly; for the first time his usually jovial nature had been dampened to pessimism. Truly, the bird's appearance was something of a slap in the face more than a beacon of hope. At least to him. But it seemed to comfort others there, and he supposed that was still something. "At least it seems to be bringing joy to some," he remarked, nodding towards the group embracing near the perch, and the others standing in quiet peace before the creature. RONIN if there's one thing i'm good at, it's surviving

KiadA but god, i look at you and know, hell is just another place i'll go Ronin isn’t the only one in a sour mood – Kiada, too, fits in with the bitterness at the Spark Bird’s late arrival. Only she finds it hard to say so aloud – finding it easier to suggest the idea that at least the creature had come, even if it was too late for her and her heart. But he hears him when he speaks, poising a question that might be a bit rhetorical in nature but she remains staring at the Spark Bird on its perch nonetheless. “Too late for me.” She says quiet, while Auni stares at Ronin and the babe with a little wiggle of his tail. His antlers glow a small amount as he shifts on his cloven hooves. Kiada turns to face Ronin and lets her icy, puffed gaze sweep across the child before landing on Ronin. Her scarred side of her neck flickering in the light with the large “X” marking casting shadows. “But I guess misery loves company.” She offers, noticing how she seemed to drift to this open spot, and not beside where the others had gathered to cheer and hug and rejoice. She sighs quietly but returns her attention to Ronin. Her thumb mindlessly rubs against the paper in her hand. “I’m sorry for your loss.” She offers before leaning down to run her fingers through Auni’s fur, to try and calm the creature from his joyous celebration when in the presence of two not quite festive people. Though despite the sorrow the two felt, there were still two innocents in it all. The child, and Auni, not knowing much better. Not understanding what happened. Kiada doesn't know what's happened to Ronin, but she can guess. And she relates to the idea she has in her head more than she'd like to admit. to keep you warm. and with bloody knuckles, you'd follow me anywhere.

coding

WESSEX out of the night that covers me The light seeps in through the cracks in the window coverings that she reassembled; at first Wessex thinks she must have lost a day or two, and then she foolishly experiments by putting a pinky finger ever so briefly into the beam of light. Nothing. Ok then. What is it? If it’s bright enough to reach out here, it could be anything. So she exits the farmhouse, quickly locking the door behind her. The dogs are inside, they’ll be ok. And then she runs - as fast as she can in the faux daylight, runs and runs and finds the source. The Spark Bird. Well hot damn. The Natural pauses at the edges, watching the bird with something akin to awe and respect. This is an important moment - she should be enjoying it more! But there are other thoughts on her mind, other… things to do. She can’t stand around and just stare at a bird. Calmly, but with an air of exacting determination, Wessex walks amongst the crowd until she finds the faces she’s looking for. Rory. Amalia. There are others she might look for but these two… Wessex looks at the two of them, completely disregarding the white-haired man in their company. A hundred words bubble up in her throat, but all she can manage is, “Leave a note next time.” And after a moment’s pause, “I have news about the monsters. We should talk soon.” Heavy emphasis on soon.   She has no idea they’ve saved the day. How could she? black as the pit from pole to pole i thank whatever gods may be for my unconquerable soul

DEIMOS And in your darkest hour, I hold secrets flame The wild, vivid flames settled against his piercing stare, combined with fire and ice, made him recall days spent watching his father feed infernos, create the most illustrious conflagrations, and as a boy, they’d been the best sort of demolition and intrigue. He’d witnessed danger, but not beyond the realm of control; Ignatius had been capable of contorting and coiling the ethers of embers long before Deimos had ever taken his first breath, and it’d provided the sense of precision and meticulous nature the Reaper devised for his own invocations. But it’d never be the bright, earnest upheaval of blazes and coals; his were stark and sudden, draining and devouring, a consumption of life in silent, effortless wakes, withering, decaying, slowly sinking into oblivion without a warning, without a notion until it was too late. His daydreaming concluded at Rexanna’s presence at his side: comforting, familiar, without preamble or necessities. Perhaps it was the sense of blended lives and parallel journeys, the relative ease of those who’d long since been acquaintances, secrets and subterfuges locked in age-old alliances, between the realms of the past and the present. He quirked his brow at her, arms still crossed but features resonating with deep amusement; a chuckle, a grin, still stuck on his mouth. He wouldn’t give them any due credit for the arrival of the Spark Bird: that had been by others far more in-tune than himself, but it’d be nice to believe their offerings, however minimal, minute, and miniscule, had done something to urge the embers onward. The Reaper’s tones were light, in accordance with the fire, the luster, the radiance of the hour. “And we survived.” In the madness, in the turmoil, in the unwinding, unleashed acrimony, he considered it a victory. master of nothing place of recoil and grace

Rexanna <3

S E I J I

---

The light spills in from everywhere, it seems. In around the edges of the covered Rathskeller windows, under the doors — insistent. Inviting. Seiji is not among the first to go out and greet it. He lingers in the tavern a little while, watching the people mill past, wondering if Kiada is safe up in the infirmary. If she sees this. If he should find her. But she is grown, and probably in better hands than his.

Eventually, he makes his way out into the night, only to find it ablaze. After so long indoors, Seiji lifts a hand to shield his eyes, blinking against the onslaught of light. It's as if the sun has settled down upon the streets of the settlement. But gradually, his eyes adjust, and he can make out the shape of the bird, the crowd gathered around it. "Spark Bird," he thinks aloud, a smile growing on his features.

Seiji recognizes a few faces in the crowd, but he approaches none of them. Instead, he is content merely to join the people gathered, his features soft with joy. Anyone looking closely might also see exhaustion written into his expression, as well. Longnight has indeed been long, and sleep scarce. This explains his silence, and the slight strain to his expression, as well. Seiji blinks up at the spark bird, at the people around him, and breathes freely for the first time in several days. "Thank you," he murmurs, though he doubts the bird can hear.

The rain is full
of ghosts tonight

Amalia I took the stars from my eyes, I made a map Warm, happy, safe. She inhales the scent of the two men happily: Rory, dark and sweet like fresh tilled earth; Jigano, crisp and musky, parchment and fur. Hair tickles against her nose, and she isn't sure whose it is. She does not know how long she has been here: all she knows is that she does not want to leave. They have been through fire together, touched death itself and lived to tell the tale. In this moment, bathed in the light of a mythical creature and wrapped in the arms of her newfound friends, the discontent girl is at blissful peace. For the first time since she nearly died, Amalia feels safe, whole... alive. Alas, nothing so perfect can last forever, and sooner than she would like a familiar voice pulls her away. Extracting herself quickly from the men's embrace Amalia turns to find Evie there, the redhead an unexpected sight on Long Night- but then, nothing about this Long Night has been expected. A blush quickly covers the girl's cheeks, suddenly self-conscious about the intimacy of the moment, the way it looked and seemed and felt. No longer wrapped in Rory's arms, she feels miserably cold and terribly alone. "Evie!" the quiet baker exclaims, hurrying to her friend's side, the remnants of a flush still bright on her unusually pale face. "Isn't it incredible?! We fixed the perch, and the Spark Bird came! Just like nani used to say!" With a sweeping gesture of the glowing antler she indicates the creature sitting and glittering in the square. Her voice is haggard, tired, but full of a bolstering happiness, reverent awe. The excitement is giving way to exhaustion, but Amalia is not ready to concede defeat. She would rather sit down here in the snow than leave the incredible glow of the Snow Bird's light. She wants to say more, but then Wessex appears, and Amalia's smile falters as her dark eyes widen in joy and relief. "Wessex-" but she does not know what more to say. I'm sorry we left? I'm happy you're safe? I died, like you? In the end she says nothing, cannot get anything past the lump within her throat. She can only extend her hands to the Ascended, a million emotions written clearly across her tired face. One hand still hopefully in Wessex's and another reaching for Evie's, Amalia turns back to the Spark Bird, a shy and hopeful question tugging at her lips. "Will you sing with me?" she asks, voice trembling, looking from Wessex to Evie with dark eyes wide. "Please? The way we used to, before...?" Before grandmother died, and the world grew darker. Before they aged out of childish things. Not daring to wait for an answer, Amalia takes a breath and begins to sing a simple song, familiar to anyone who grew up in Caido. She can only hope that the others will join in, and they can finally serenade the Spark Bird properly. "Long Night comes and darkness creeps Into your room as you fall asleep Hush little child, don’t you fear Soon the Spark Bird will be here! Spark Bird, Spark Bird, light our way! Make the Long Night bright as day! Spark Bird, Spark Bird, come this year! Yours is the song we long to hear! Wings like a storm and eyes like a fire See as the bird flies higher and higher Bringing light to the world below Setting Caido all aglow! Spark Bird, Spark Bird, light our way! Make the Long Night bright as day! Spark Bird, Spark Bird, come this year! Yours is the song we long to hear! So build a perch and leave a gift! Whisper to Rae your dearest wish! If we are good and do not cry, Soon the Spark Bird will light the sky! Spark Bird, Spark Bird, light our way! Make the Long Night bright as day! Spark Bird, Spark Bird, come this year! Yours is the song we long to hear!" Please feel free to have your character know the lyrics to the Spark Bird Hymn and sing along~ And I knew that somehow I could find my way back

People were laughing, crying, speaking silently to one another or merely standing in reverent silence all around her. Most seemed to be reaching out for loved ones, holding them close as though to make sure it was not all a dream, so that if the bubble burst and the nightmare returned, they would åt least be together. Maea glanced around, feeling somewhat out of place where she stood by herself. The light emitted from the beautiful bird was too strong for her failing eyes, she could not look at it for long before the pain became intolerable, but... looking at those gathered around was rather painful too.

She was just about to turn and leave when a familiar tune reached her through the murmur of voices. A lullaby she had heard so many times before, one she used to sing herself when there was no one else around to hear. Maea paused and turned to see who it was that sang, and found herself humming along with the words; quietly at first, but more boldly when no one interrupted. Come the second verse, she raised her chin and joined in, her voice deep and clear and full of emotions the could never have expressed with word alone.

"Wings like a storm and eyes like a fire
See as the bird flies higher and higher
Bringing light to the world below
Setting Caido all aglow!

Spark Bird, Spark Bird, light our way!
Make the Long Night bright as day!
Spark Bird, Spark Bird, come this year!
Yours is the song we long to hear!..."

Suddenly she did not feel quite as alone anymore; there were others here who had endured same as she, who knew what a miracle this truly was... The Outlanders could never understand, not truly. They had seen one LongNight, the Naturals had lived a lifetime of them, and not once har anyone come to save them from the darkness and the terror before.

Not until now.

"Mm... and for me as well," Ronin agreed, tearing his attention from the Spark Bird and the light that hurt his eyes back to Kiada and the tiny Luxere at her feet. He arched an eyebrow briefly, watching the soft glow of his not-quite-antlers and thinking, for a moment, of his own dragonet waiting in a solemn guildhall for him to return. Swallowing hard, Ronin shook that thought away and forced a smile for his companion. He snorted a laugh. "That it does," he mumbled. "And I'm sorry for your loss, too. Would that this night had never happened..." It is too late for that now, though, and Ronin felt weariness seize him in cold fingers. Aoife nestled against his neck and began to shift, suggesting that the guildmaster was about to ruin the festivities with a hungry baby's cry. "I'd better go," he said. "It was nice to... stand with you, for a bit." RONIN if there's one thing i'm good at, it's surviving

RORY

There was one thing missing: the firecracker, but as Rory had stepped outside with Jigano he hadn't seen her. Confined to the Infirmary, he hadn't had the .. well, guts? Time? Permission? Energy? Something; to go find her. And then he had Amalia in his arms, holding her close, thinking about how she had sat upon her bed in the Infirmary. How much better it was seeing her this way. Closing his eyes, he breathed in her scent.

It had been a long, long time since he had hugged someone like that. Since he had been held.

"Yes," he breathed back at her. They did it.

And then Jigano's arms wrapped loosely around the two of them, his white-haired head leaning against theirs. Rory had no words for what he felt, no real thought of what he was doing. His arms remained around Amalia, but somehow, his balance shifted subtly, to press his side slightly against Jigano.

Family, he thought. It felt like family.

He wanted the moment to last forever: the baker's slender body in his arms, the feeling of holding her as much as he was being held, and Jigano standing so close.

Close enough to touch. And this time, Rory wasn't more unconscious than conscious.

But nothing lasted forever. A voice that was familiar to both him and Amalia had her pulling away from the embrace. He looked past her to see Evie, and gave her a bright grin and a wave. "So, yeah, Long Night is what happened to us," he filled in after Amalia spoke. Without noticing, he drifted closer to Jigano, and took a moment to look around at the those gathered. So many he had never seen before... And among them were Remi, Vervain, Phoebe, Deimos and Melita; Rory tried to catch their eyes and give them little cheery waves.

Then Wessex was there.

Wessex was there: Wessex, who they had left behind at the farmstead. Wessex, who had defied her nature to stay with them. Wessex.. he should've treated her better. Owed it to her, almost; a strange feeling, really. Before the Festival of Lights (and her death after that), she had merely been a customer. But there, in the sea of darkness lit by lanterns, a connection had been made.

Amalia seemed at a loss for what to say and tried to take her hand, but Rory decided that the Ascended's image be damned. "Wessex!" he cried, and unless she physically ran away from him (or punched him in the face, or equally forcefully displayed her displeasure) he would wrap his arms around her in a brief, but forceful, hug—one that spoke volumes of how much he had come to care for her. "I am so, so sorry we left like that. And I'm so, so glad you're okay. And yes, monster talks." He nodded.

But not now. Not here. He wanted to remain afloat on his wave of awe and joy and pride in his companions. He wanted to stay in the moment where he was immortal, invincible; not a hero, but a warrior all the same.

Then Amalia began to sing the Spark Bird Hymn, and Rory joined in, too. He heard other voices rise out of the night too, and as he sang, he once more drifted towards Jigano's side, as if the white-haired man was his anchor in the sea of people.

as if you were on fire from within,
the moon lives in the lining of your skin.