Chapter Text
Fireworks blasted, the impact shaking the mirrors below as bursts of colors dusted the adorned night sky. The booms did little to calm the visitor's headache as they stumbled onto the ever-repeating performance, eyes half shut from the overwhelming sights and sounds. Center stage was the performer, raising their hands to listen to the cheers echoed by no one. Their gaze crossed the audience of mirrors and candles left behind by skyfolk, taking notice of the drunkard at the top of the steps.
“Ah! Finally! The audience grows~! A common man with common tastes, nonetheless, did you enjoy the show?” They strode over, taking large steps to bounce with each one, heels clicking against the stage.
“You did fine- You know me by the way..?” They hadn’t seen most of it.
“Fine-? Only fine?” They playfully raised a brow.
“Wonderful. Fantastic.” Sarcasm seeped through, raising a hand, giving a weak wave and a dismissive gesture.
“Now you’re speaking my language.” They hummed, putting their prosthetic arm around the soldier, jostling them around, a warmth to them. “Now now, what brings you here? I doubt observing my performances was the only reason why.” Their eyes sought to connect with the others, but his gaze met the floor.
“Mh—“ The soldier didn’t take to all the movement and constant booming well, every crackle of the firework digging into their skull. “I… Can we go somewhere else first...?” He spoke slowly, making an effort to not mumble his words. Despite the entertainer’s quick movements, he leaned against them. A light tinge filled their chest, and the stronger light of the performer echoed through their own light, grasping onto it now.
“Hm-? Why’d you come here if you were just going to leave to go elsewhere?” Their brows raised.
“I didn’t think it’d be this loud, I knew you wouldn’t go to my place... And this is closer than the lamp...” He gave a long sigh, exhaustion and the lingering smell of dark water in their breath.
“You seem insistent on going somewhere for once, what’s gotten into you?” They asked, taking a closer look at the soldier, he appeared to be trembling.
“I’d just like someone around at the moment... Can we get out of here?” They urged again, speaking the second part louder.
“Ahh, so you’re after my company? I can surely provide that to an adoring audience member.” They hummed, playing their tone up. The soldier didn’t mind, he was glad they weren’t opposed to it, even if they were being a bit theatrical with it all. “Now, let’s head over to Mx. Lamp’s place shall we?” They helped drag him along, the graceful steps of the performer were hard for the soldier to keep up with at times.
“Thanks...” He murmured, the gentle winds and fading firework sparks obscuring his words before they made it to the other’s ears.
The clouds liked to make their place on the stairs to the stage, dealing with the strong winds was more an annoyance than anything. Neither of them could ascend or descend at will, especially not the soldier with their weakened light. They hadn’t received the blessings of the flying folk like the other spirits had been given. So they had to walk, flightless and chained.
The desert was extensive, their islands sparse and far from the next. Yet the light of the lamp reached the stage, the fireworks making little sound in the large jar, they were there. Rarely did anyone make the trip from one island to the next. Even the descendants themselves often only made their way only to the rose in the middle, a few of them would perch on top of their islands.To stare up at the stars or to relax, often with someone else alongside them. Disturbing them was met with contempt, it was easier to keep a distance from everyone, and it felt encouraged even.
The performer's arm had dropped back to their side, but the two still walked close together. They couldn't help but lean against the soldier in return, their boots sinking into the sands below as they slowly made their way across. Neither of them said anything, the soldier stared out ahead of them, with the entertainer glancing over at them frequently. They could see the building inching closer, for once, the entertainer wished the lamp had been further just so the walk could last a moment longer.
Eventually, the two were met with the base of the tower, the bottom held an entrance to the stairs to climb the large lighthouse. The stairs were in good condition, with no cracks or marks, as no one used them. The two had to break away to climb the steps, continuing their silence as they climbed the large tower that oversaw the desert, flicking on and off periodically.
The soldier seemed winded once they finally made it to the top, their days of fighting didn’t feel far behind them, yet countless years had gone by even if it didn’t feel like it. The dark water dimming their light did little to help their body. Their legs stiffened and knees buckled once they reached the top. “Woahwoahahey—“ The entertainer tried to keep them from falling, but couldn’t do much as the soldier collapsed onto their knees, blocking the fall with an arm extended.
The grating sound of chains scraping the floor and the new voices caught the attention of the lamplighter, the light flicking off as xe looked over xyr shoulder, eyes wide as xe glanced over at the downed soldier and the entertainer kneeling beside them. “I’ll be fine-“ The soldier says before the words ‘are you okay’ could leave the worker’s mouth.
“What are you two here for then—?” They gripped the lamp lighting equipment tightly, furrowing a brow. The performer removed the tattered cape from the soldier. They noticed him shivering even more than before, concern becoming evident on their face.
The soldier went to speak but found themself feeling embarrassed admitting their reasoning. Shame started to creep in, especially with the sorry state they’ve found themself in at the moment, still not feeling well. “They wanted company, that's all.” The performer speaks up over the low hum of the large diamond in the middle of the tower. “Figured you’d want some as well. I take it you’re too busy, however.” They explain, shooting a glance xyr way, their eyes meeting with the lamplighters as the lamp turns dim.
“Mh… I understand. It’s- No, you’re right, I’m busy.” Xe frowns, but when xe goes to flick on the lamp, xe hesitates.
“Sorry to bother you then, I shouldn’t have disturbed...” He glanced away from them, feeling guilty for disturbing the peace, already backpedaling. The lamplighter simply sighs. They turned their back to them, and the structure lit back up, the soldier squinting at the sudden flash of blue into white.
“Well- What made you decide to trek out here tonight..?” Xe then asks, prodding for information. “Not like you to leave your island.” They state when it’s not common for any of them to leave.
“I’m not exactly having a normal night…” They give a forced laugh. “Haven’t had anything to drink in… I don’t know.” The soldier admits, moving to rest a hand over the light core in their chest, it’s dull, sometimes it lights back up for a moment, only to return darker. They look ill every time it dims, beads of sweat forming, eyes low to the ground as the bright light of the lamp fades along with it.
Both the lamplighter and performer seem concerned. “You still reek of dark water.” The worker muttered, not believing them.
“I’m surrounded by it. Hard not to smell of it.”
“Well, that explains why you’re trembling and sweating more than a fresh star in the storm,” the performer comments. “But- what made you decide to hold off today..?”
With both of them staring at him, he felt the words catch in his throat, he knew the answer but putting it into words was difficult. Recoiling mentally as his mouth stayed agape, struggling to find the words to make his feelings and actions sound reasonable. When everything they do feels absurd, it’s hard to talk about it.
“I…” As the words began to flow, so did the tears, dollops of light formed in the corner of his eyes. “Shit-“ He immediately moved to cover his face with a hand, shrinking away from the two. The silence hung heavy, but the lamp stayed dark, the performer still knelt beside them, the two were listening, waiting.
“I’m just….” He begins to mutter out, the gentle moonlight bouncing off the tears of light. “It’s not the first time I’ve tried to stop, it’s just the first time I’ve stopped and left… I keep thinking that every time I stop I have a chance at feeling better, for a moment at least, but my whole body aches. The thoughts crawl back; It’s hard… I’m just so exhausted and I wanted to give myself a chance, maybe this time it’d work out. But I’ve just begun to disturb you, that’s all I’ve accomplished.” They stare at the floor, watching their tears seep into the concrete below.
“I don’t know why I bothered, you both seem content with your work.” Despite explaining, the two didn’t answer back for a moment. The silence hung heavy in the air as the soldier quickly tried to stop the tears from flowing. “I should be going now-“
“Soldier-“ The lamplighter finally responds, reaching a hand out slightly, requesting that they stay. “I’m sorry- I don’t know what to say. I haven’t been around.” They stand under the large support in the middle, fidgeting with the lighting equipment as they look away.
“I figured giving you a little push might’ve made things worse, I’m not sure; people are hard. I’m not going to chase after you, but I implore you to stay a moment longer dear, I’m not bothered at all.” The entertainer adds on quickly after the worker finishes, the lamplighter nodding in agreement.
The soldier looks between the two, taking his turn to be silent as he wipes away the tears in his eyes, the tears shifting from ones of guilt to those of relief. “I can’t pretend I know what it’s like, but if we’re going to be stuck here like this, till who knows when we can at least not handle things alone.” They look to the floor as well, their words more confident than their posture.
“…Yeah and… I’m sure- we could use the change in pace too.” The lamplighter sounded uncomfortable, every word being forced out of them, despite agreeing. “A break would be nice…” They force a laugh at their own comment. Xe was fidgeting with their equipment and the performer took notice. The soldier had just begun to stare at them, unsure of what to say, he felt dumbfounded at the support. He felt a hand on his shoulder.
“Why don’t you come over here then.” The performer beckoned. That seemed to be the ‘okay’ the lamplighter needed, after a moment of contemplation did they step away from all xyr gear, moving to sit near the two of them. With that, the entertainer relaxed, sitting in a more comfortable position, and moving to lean against the soldier.
“What are you doing..?” He had other questions unsaid, why were they being so kind to him, they weren’t strangers, surely. But still, he had isolated himself, and cut them off, they were still kind and trying to be there for him. Perhaps they had their own things to gain, which didn’t seem all that bad. Honestly, he didn’t think they enjoyed their situation either in the slightest, despite his earlier statement.
“Your light is low.” The performer responded, he had cried some of it out, the soldier moved their hand to expose their core again, the light of the performer helping to keep his own flame alight, and some of the achings in his knees subsided. He then felt another body press up against him, the lamplighter leaning against the soldier as well, the warmth emulating from both of them was something incredibly foreign to them.
They sat back as well, relishing in the comfort of the two leaning against them, part of them felt overwhelmed, their light pulsing faster than usual; both the nerves of spilling their woes and the new light were scarily new.
The performer looked past the soldier and over at the lamplighter. “When’s the last time you’ve taken a break dear…?” They ask, curious.
“Mh...” Xe seemed uncomfortable at the question, shifting in xyr spot again. “Intentionally..? A very long time. I don't like disobeying orders.” Xe gave a long sigh, shrugging xyr shoulders as xe fixed xyr hat. The entertainer didn’t like the specification of ‘intentionally’. “This isn’t about me though.” They add on.
“No no, keep talking about yourself, talking about me just makes me feel bad,” the soldier states with a very weak laugh.
“That makes two of us then.” The lamplighter echoes the awkward chuckle, then they would look back over at the performer. “What about you..? You don’t seem to take breaks much either…” Lamplighter directed the question back at them.
“Hm? Well, I don’t want to be out of practice. Truth be told, death doesn’t do well on the body. But, I like the company, greatly .” Their confident smirk fades quickly. “I know you two don’t leave often, and the others are even further from us, so while I could be working on getting back my skills, this is a rare opportunity to have. I hope that changes, I’d be lying if I didn’t enjoy having someone listen to me for once.” They gave a long sigh before feeling an arm wrap around them, it was from the soldier, there was still a light shake to them, but they didn’t mind, they immediately leaned into their hold.
“I hope so too.” He adds on, despite feeling a plethora of emotions, both good and bad, with doubt and anxiety crawling in the back of his mind. The sheer fact that there was light being shared and company being had was like a warm blanket, waves of relief washing over him. The lamplighter is quiet, looking mildly dazed as they stare into the distance, since putting down their equipment, the exhaustion is quickly catching up to them, outweighing everything else.
The silence didn’t feel heavy anymore, but rather a comforting feeling, with words not needing to be exchanged. The lamplighter’s hand absentmindedly brushed against the tipplers, nervously drawing back when they realized. The soldier reached for the Lamplighter’s hand, brushing back as an invitation, to which xe accepted, holding hands gently.
The lamplighter’s hand was calloused, years of work having worn on parts of their palms, even if they wore gloves; In return the tippler’s hand was much more cracked and scarred, broken from their line of work, though they wouldn’t want to call it that.
“Soldier?” The entertainer's voice calls out after a moment.
“Hm?”
“I was wondering, do you plan to return to your island..? Because I do have space at my place. I feel like being around dark water might not be the greatest help in your situation.”
“...What? I’m sorry? Are… Are you sure-?” They struggled to not stumble over their own words.
“I think I made myself clear, the backstage is a lot more spacious than you think. I assume you reached out to us for support, and that’s what I’m offering. I know I’m not the greatest helpline, but the least I can do is give you a proper place to stay.”
“...I-? Surely y-”
“I wouldn’t be offering if I wasn’t sure dear.” They cut them off. He took a moment to absorb the information.
“I… Thank you. I’m still just a little lost.” He admitted.
“What’s confusing you?”
“This is all just… Hard for me to grasp is all. I’m just shocked you’re doing all this for me-”
“Darling, do you forget you’re my friend? Sure I may be better off currently; However you’re my companion, and I quite enjoy your company. You’re a good listener and I enjoy your presence. You’ve got problems, yes, but that shouldn’t damn you to a life or afterlife of misery, my dear.”
“...” He just stared at them, before a soft smile made its way to his face, a sight the entertainer hadn’t seen much of, they smiled in return. “Thank you... I‘ll... I’ll take you up on your offer..”
“Glad to hear my idea was great.” Their smile widened. While the two had been conversing, the lamplighter had fallen silent. Xyr grip on the soldier's hand was weak and xyr chest rose and fell in rhythm. They were very clearly asleep, their hat had fallen to the floor and their face was pressed up against the soldier. The entertainer looked over at them, giving a light laugh. “Guess our conversation was a tad boring.” They brought their voice to a whisper as they joked.
“Well, they’re finally getting that break they needed… Xyr light must be burnt out…” The soldier murmured as he looked over at the lamplighter. The hard worker finally at peace was a rare sight to see, xyr furrowed brows relaxed. With their hat off, their slicked-back hair that broke into tufts was exposed. Their lips wore a passive expression, not a scowl or intense look in sight. Both of their inner lights weren’t in the greatest state, but the light shared between them helped them both. The soldier stared at them before his attention was taken away by the entertainer.
“Looks like you’re stuck here.” The entertainer chuckles.
“I don’t think I had much of a choice, to begin with.” They mutter as they give the entertainer a light squeeze. The soldier let out a deep sigh they didn’t know they were holding. Both of them stayed quiet. Everyone just paused for a moment; They would relax. Which is something none of them have done in a long while.
The soldier’s gaze would cross over to the sight of the desert, the translucent manta cooing gently as it soared around the garden of roses. They had never seen the desert from this view before, it was lovely. They noticed the mountain in the distance, despite the crash of lighting constantly striking, it wasn’t heard from here. The soft winds and sound of their light pulsing in sync were much louder, even than the fireworks that became ambience. They felt at ease for once, and it wasn’t long till the entertainer and soldier followed the lamplighter, falling asleep gently, as a proper rest was often denied for them.