Challenge [249]: Lights

[synchroshatter.livejournal.com]

Title: Lights
Challenge: [249] Candlelight
Word Count: 228
Spoilers: Major BBS spoilers. Like, really really.


When the darkness builds around her and threatens to cave in, Aqua lights candles in her head.

She lights a candle for the father who’d died before she’d had chance to write him into her memories.

She lights a candle for the mother who’d loved her enough to give her up for a chance for a better life.

She lights a candle for the master who’d taken her hand and led her carefully through to adulthood.

She lights a candle for the first friend, the one who’d given her an equal to spar with, to measure herself against.

She lights a candle for the second friend, the one who’d given her someone to teach and care for in turn.

And then she lights candle after candle for each and every friend she met on her journey, for each and every smile or laugh, for each and every bond forged in far distant worlds.

She lights one last candle for a little boy running after his friend on the beach.

Her mind blazes up with the memories of everyone she has ever known and loved, forcing the darkness away from her. She smiles as it slithers away, feeling hope again, knowing that she can’t be here forever after all.

The shadows will return- they always do- but for a while, huddled on the shores of nothingness, she is safe.

Comments

[darklight90.livejournal.com]

This is so pretty :3. The repetition of 'she lights a candle' lends a softness to a dark scenario.

[synchroshatter.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I actually wrote it in bullet point form first then figured it worked better that way. XD

[kiaxet]

Your writing is always very powerful, and this is no exception. Not gonna lie - I teared up at the last line. It's masterfully crafted and somehow very peaceful. Well done. ♥

[synchroshatter.livejournal.com]

I feel really bad for Aqua. Even watching the secret ending, she's kind of hopeful, but so weary. So I guess this was an attempt at a happy(ish) ending of sorts...?

Thanks for reading! ^-^

[iki-teru.livejournal.com]

Holy hell, you gave me the chills like woah. This, oh this was so lovely and sad at the same time and I just.....

dslfkjdsfkldsjfkldsj marry me?

[synchroshatter.livejournal.com]

I'm glad to hear it had a powerful enough effect without any heart damage this time!

if yes, i can haz ring now? heheh ^-^