Kosmikros Sisters

Aikirees and I spent some time around HQ in the early hours of the night. Not necessarily saying much, but just basking in the cool Empyreum night hearing the Moonfire Faire fireworks going off in the distance. I think the last time we had a moment to even remotely try to do this was well before heading to Tural and even working on our islands.

It was brief as it usually is, but felt longer. I think Aikirees just being there was support enough without having to say anything. The poor cats are having a rough go at things right now, and my old map desk’s papers seem unending even now. Of course, Miss Laureine assists when she can and I know Miss Lizicus tries to keep everyone in high spirits with her carefree approach to everything, but my rock has always been Aikirees. I’ve always been the one to look over and protect her, but now I really don’t think she needs all that much protection – perhaps she’s trying to do the same for me and the rest of us now.

I ended up dozing off into her shoulder at the sound of distant fireworks, with her fuzzy warm shoulder being a comfort for such tired ears. Once the moon had reached directly above us, I felt a gentle nuzzle on one of them and awoke as our sign that it was time to head to sleep.

We head into HQ and warm up next to the entry fireplace, but before proceeding down to the bunk behind the office, I head into The Archives for a moment. Meandering back to the far end of it, with an eerily glowing fireplace and rows upon rows of shelves littered with any sort of notes or loose maps that one could think of, are two mannequins I placed in there moons ago.

One was of my wedding dress to my dear Sirena almost a full year ago now, while the other is of my old Burgundy Room dress. I haven’t worn it in over a year, and I don’t know if I ever will again. Just gazing at it in the near-silence of the Archives brought back so many fond memories of that time.

I really don’t know how much time had passed, but in the crackling of the fireplace, I could hear the footsteps of Aikirees. She’s by no means sneaky, but her approach caught the attention of my ears as they angled towards her. I didn’t look away from the dress, but the next thing I knew was two fuzzy arms had wrapped themselves around me. As derpy as she can be, she always means well, and to all of the souls she has touched or met, they can also attest to this of her being as well.

She embraced me like that for a moment, not overly-tight but just enough to let me know she was there. Her newfound Hrothgar growl/purrs were a more obvious giveaway, but that was beside the point. I grasped and rested my chin into one of her paws for a moment, before we headed out of the Archives and to the bunks below.

“Thank you, Little One. We got this, as we always have.”

As for anyone out there reading this that might be having a tough spot; you got this. You kick so much tail, and you’ll continue to. Sometimes all it takes is that little reminder, but even if it looks like a lot of dark and no light, it’ll pass and that light will be back in full force. Just keep your light going, and keep kicking tail. I’ve had my malms of darkness as well, so it might not be the same sort of turbulent, but it will be light again.

Continue to be ‘zee awesome’sies,’ and y’all got this!

There she was, just sitting atop the Dawn Throne, on a clear starry night. Stargazing off into the distance with not a care in the world. Well, rather that’s what she would like any onlookers to think, but I knew better. Aikirees does have a softer side through her unrelenting optimism.

I watched over her that night, while she just gazed it away. I think she needed it, as a lot has happened and none of which even I’m sure of yet. She hasn’t stated what happened on her journey just yet, only the fact she was spared the loss of another life. Assuming that is the case, that doesn’t make me feel better as to what transpired.

I suppose only time will tell when she wants to talk about it. I just know that this moment of her doing this in Azim Steppe is important to her. She loves watching the stars, and I knew of a time before all of this, even before our journey onto the First, she did this very thing in this very spot, and looked outwards into the cosmos.

Once the dawn broke over the Steppe, I approached her not saying a word. Her ear flinched in the direction of my boots, but she didn’t look away from the rising morning light. Still not saying a word, I just hugged her, and continued to.

“It’s alright, Little One. you’re alright and you’ll continue to be. I’ll still watch over you and continue to protect you as much as I can.”

She glanced at me, and smiled a knowing one.