The door slams open, startling the one sitting at their desk. Their face is enveloped in gold, creating shadows and shapes on their form.
Photos rest on the table, ones of just Ataegina, ones of friends and family, and ones of the group; Yuexia, Polaris, Ataegina, Millane, and Theta all smiling, huddled next to one another. Yuexia and Polaris holding hands, their sword and spear resting in between them. Ataegina, Millane and Theta standing, bent towards each other with their hands on Polaris’ and Yuexia’s shoulders. It was their first gathering during the month of stars. The entirety of Sol came together to celebrate the festival, thanking whoever was up above for keeping their loved ones safe. The paper cranes that day still were floating on the sea, the lanterns still illuminated the streets, and the world was right. But now, the world is not right, she is not right. Is she alright? She doesn't know. Not anymore.
“Yuexia? Are you alright?” Ataegina calls, her voice soft and welcoming. She's always been that way, kind and optimistic, the light after the storm. Maybe that's why she was chosen by the sages to be the leader. Does she know what loneliness means, has she ever experienced it? She's always been surrounded by people, there has never been a day where she's been seen by herself. There's always someone, anyone by her side. She’s never been alone, so how could she be lonely?
No, Yuexia, don't say that. You were surrounded by people for most of your life too, and you are lonely. Her consciousness replied.
“Yuexia?” Ataegina's in front of her now, her hand resting on her shoulder. Yuexia doesn't even realize that she's been consumed by her thoughts until now, with Ataegina purifying and soothing her; maybe that's why she was chosen, not because of her actions or her personality, but for her ability to soothe, to be their salvation, their small piece of Eden. Yuexia crashes into her, their shadows combining into one, she sobs and sobs into Ataegina’s shoulder, feeling guilty about the snot staining her shirt, but Ataegina is eden personified, she was a god on earth, sent to save. There was no way she would be upset, not when the same girl who was wailing alone at 5 in the morning was now looking for deliverance.
.
5:10PM: the dining room, the center of the world, the month of the sun and moon.
“You’re kidding! She did that?” Someone laughs heartily, their laugh as boisterous as a trumpet doing a solo. Yuexia swirls the tea in her cup, smiling passively when people pass her by.
I am you and you are me/solitude