The dimly lit and starry nebula hung low on the rough stalactite ceiling. Its stars shone on their goddess with what little light they had. In return, the queen became a beacon for the lost souls that followed her.
Then the giantess stopped. Lotte looked up and saw they arrived at her palace, the ziggurat. Slowly and gracefully, the queen turned to meet the flock of souls. Her dark red eyes swam in the sea of darkness, taking in the masses of new souls. She pointed with her finger above a crevice in the distance.
The ashes and stones shifted, hardened and fashioned themselves row after row to a cluster of simple clay-like houses—empty and waiting for new occupants.
Obediently and with a slouch, the masses dispersed to follow the newly created path. Lotte followed them, but before that, she looked back. The giantess, alongside her scribe, had their eyes on her. Seeing how Lotte looked at them expectantly, they smiled and gave her a gentle wave.
There was something strange about this place. Lotte felt like she needed to obey whatever rules directed her body.
She ended up before one of the many clay houses. It was small. There was no window or door. It looked like any other house here, but she somehow knew it was hers. The interior was simple, furnished with one chair, a small table with a single set of tableware, and a bed on the side with no cover or pillow—everything was made from clay.
There were no colours, no warmth, or light. It was glum, plain and depressing. Lotte shivered. She was sitting at the table as stiff as a board. Her fingers and toes contracted as her mind went insane.
The stillness, the moment of nothingness—it drove Lotte’s mind to the edge. She shattered the tableware and flipped the table, yelling from the bottom of her lungs—ejecting any air she had.
Lotte breathlessly held her body to stop it from shaking. She couldn’t be here anymore; she couldn’t bear it.
Running outside the clay house, Lotte stumbled and fell to the ashen ground. The fall was soft, but it still hurt. Smearing the ash all over her face in a futile event to remove it, Lotte opened her eyes and took in the shock of what she saw.
People zipped through the burned streets of claystone and ash at such a pace that they became nothing but a blur. Blue flames danced like wildfire as they all passed by and around her. No one paid Lotte any attention. No one cared for her. No one dared to help or even look at her.
Lotte ran again, sprinting past anyone and anything, no matter how blurred they were.
She made the mistake of not watching out where she was walking and ended up in a desolate place of crumbling buildings. There she saw the empty eyes of attention directed at her.
However, she couldn't describe what was before her as human.
Three creatures with elongated, lean black bodies. Sharp and long, claw-like fingers with large hands. They had no mouths or ears—even if they had any, Lotte imagined them to be a grotesque side to behold.
Their large blue eyes settled on Lotte and approached her with a slow and careful gait.
Fear paralysed her. When one of them placed their rough hand on her cheek to caress it, an icy stare pierced her mind. She didn’t know what they were or what they wanted and was too afraid to find out.
“What a vivid soul. So full of irrationality and vitality.”
The creatures looked past Lotte to the source of the voice. Slowly, they backed away with each step the voice took until they left the place of their own volition.
Two gentle hands replaced the touch on her head, gently turning it up so they looked up at the face of a rugged, but suave man. His skin was like brass, and his hair of midnight blue fell over his deep black but sad eyes that locked with Lotte’s.
She knew this type of eyes after so many years of looking in the mirror. They were so full of sorrow—it hurt her heart.
“Hey there, wistful beauty.”
—✮—
“Hey there, sleepyhead, wake up!” declared Liara, pinching Lotte’s face until she yowled at her face. “Jeez, another one of your weird dreams, or were you shocked to see me?” Liara pulled up her sunglasses and shot Lotte a devious wink.
Lotte blushed and rubbed her cheeks. “Don’t push your luck.” She shoved Liara away, who laughed in response. “Where are we right now?”
“Good question,” Liara put her sunglasses on again. She crossed her arms and pretended to be deep in thought. They have been travelling from one place to the other without paying much attention to where exactly they were going.
Lotte let her gaze wander from the truck they were hitchhiking on. Sheep were grazing on the willow fields with tall buildings and a few skyscrapers following on the horizon.
They were reaching one of the bigger cities and leaving the countryside behind.
It was foolhardy. Even more so when almost no one understood English. Lotte would try to ask for directions while Liara was already planning for their next sightseeing tour. It really wasn’t smart, and Lotte would have never opted for this approach, but they shrugged it off.
In the end, it didn’t really matter. They enjoyed the trip and the other’s company. That’s all that mattered to them. Even if they occasionally got lost—A LOT.
“So, what are your plans on this fine Tyrsday, Missy and Miss Who–Threw–Up–On–The–Back–Of–My–Truck?” asked the truck lady who they hitchhiked on as she unloaded them at the edge of the city. She was a farmer who picked them up on the side of the road in the middle of the night.
“In my defence…,” Liara began her cheap excuse, “...I had a terrible breakfast.”
“I warned you not to eat anything from the gas station in the countryside.” Lotte chastised her. “You could have gotten seriously sick.”
“Meh,” Liara shrugged. “I’ve had worse. My uncle can literally eat anything without getting sick. He got a stomach made of steel.”
“Sure, but you don’t!” lamented Lotte.
“Listen to your better half here. Seems like she’s the reasonable one between you,” commented the truck lady, making Lotte hide her face to avoid showing her red cheeks. “Anyhow, have a pleasant trip together. Don’t do drugs, don’t drive with total strangers and have fun. Enjoy the city, tschau!”
Unloading their belongings, the girls waved their goodbyes to the friendly truck lady. Now, with their travelling bags in hand, they made their way to the newest destination of their rebellious trip.
It was a historical city site famous for its churches and artificial channel systems with crossing boats and gondolas. Lotte and Liara hopped on at a nearby ferrywoman to use their chance to sightsee the city via the channels.
They passed several cafes and shops with riverside houses housing families waving in their direction. And the best part, there was a channel café where they finally got some proper lunch.
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“So,” Lotte started, sitting upright against one pillow on the gondola. “It has been three days, and we have visited several cities and towns on our little trip—even one island. You promised me you would tell me what’s going on.”
“Hmm,” Lotte could see how Liara was averting her gaze behind her sunglasses and munching thoughtfully on her sandwich.
Every time Lotte tried to address the topic, Liara switched gears, becoming lost in her thoughts, searching for a suitable distraction. Even now, Lotte could tell that Liara was hiding something with the way her eyes stared into the water.
“Liara, talk to me. We can’t postpone this much longer.” Even if Lotte wanted it to last forever, just to keep enjoying themselves, it would be wishful thinking. Nothing could last forever. Eventually, they will have to head home soon.
Liara kept munching on her sandwich silently. She was usually so chatty, chipper and approachable, but the past few days, Lotte noticed the wall Liara was building to keep Lotte from finding out something she didn’t want her to. Lotte couldn’t be mad at her for this—since she was no better.
“What a beautiful melody. What a voice. Let us be merry, shall we?” suggested the swooning ferrywoman and turned the boat toward the music.
—♫—
They stopped at a small docking station. Lotte and Liara listened to the melody of a three-stringed guitar. It was a slow tune with a powerful singing voice from a young man hiding his face under a hooded jacket.
“Hear me!” The man cried out in a mournful and powerful tone as the strings whirled into the sky, captivating anyone who walked by. “My friend, like a wailing woman shall I mourn. Lamenting bitterly.”
Peering from their little gondola, Lotte and Liara watched the weeping man sing with his trilling masculine voice. The lute only intensified his emotions as they tried to reach further heights.
“You were the axe at my side in which my arm trusted.
The sword in my belt and the shield in front of me.
My festive robe and the whole of my delight.
“An evil wind had risen up and stolen you from me.
Together, we travelled from the cedar forests to the uplands.
Overcoming the insurmountable. Facing every nightmare we met, together.”
The man sobbed, taking in with it the crowd, but he kept playing without a break.
“What heavy sleep has overcome you?
You are so silent, and you can’t hear me no matter how loudly I call out.
I cover you, my friend, veiling your face like that of a bride.
“When havens have been separated from the earth.
I hope to see you again.
My dear friend… my love.”
His singing ended, and all they could hear was the single string of the lute still vibrating in the air. A sombre aftertaste hung above Lotte as she felt a tear coming up.
The small crowd applauded the young singer with their slow rhythm, though he didn’t seem to pay attention to it. He simply adjusted his lute with tears falling on the soundboard.
“What a sad song,” whispered Lotte, catching herself and her emotions.
“Thank you for the ride. We’ll take our leave here,” said Liara, unloading their bags on the dockside. “Come on, Lotte, let’s say hi to him!”
Surprised by that, Lotte climbed out of the boat and followed Liara. She was used to this behaviour. It was nothing new to her, and she was curious about the musician as well—especially about his song.
“Heya!” Liara announced her presence with an arm on her hip and one in a wavelike motion as she came face close to the man. “What a great song. Did you write it yourself? My friend and I loved it.”
“Oh? Ah, yes, I did. I’m glad you… liked it.” The man looked past Liara and at Lotte, offering him a tissue. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” she said. The man wiped his tears. Even up close, it was impossible to make out his face except for the wave of midnight blue hair peeking out under his hood. “The song was very emotional… very,” Lotte pursed her lips, “personal. Did you… lose someone?”
The man traced his finger over the smooth soundboard as he kept his gaze down. “It was a long time ago. I already came to terms with the fact I’ll never see them again, but it’s impossible to forget. I dedicated this song to them. It helps me to process things.”
He plucked his lute. The sound vibrated through their bodies and rattled at their heartstrings. “I’m sorry for your loss,” expressed Lotte. He nodded in response. Curious about his appearance Lotte tried to get a better glance at his face. Somehow, she felt like she knew him.
“Eyeing him, huh?” chuckled Liara, nudging Lotte. “He looks like he’s over 20. I don’t think it’s a good idea to start something with teens like us.”
“It’s not like that,” Lotte dismissed Liara’s obvious tease, not feeling like falling for it. She leaned closer to the man. “You seem familiar. Do I know you?”
The man lifted his head a little, revealing his brass skin and a pair of black eyes that shone like onyx stones. He had sad, gloomy eyes. “Who knows?” he answered with a chuckle, pulling his hood tighter. “As big as the world appears to be, you can always find a familiar face.”
“That’s a rather philosophical answer,” pointed out Liara, stepping next to Lotte.
He lifted his head again and kept one eye on Lotte. He smiled faintly. “The world is enormous, with plenty of people to meet, eh?” He spread his arms. “Since you are sightseeing, I believe you want to check out the city centre, no? There should be a wedding right now.”
Liara gasped in shock. “How did you know?” Lotte pointed at their bags, embarrassing Liara for her dim moment.
“Thank you. We’ll check it out. Here’s some change for your song. Again, it was beautiful. We cried.” Lotte tipped the man some money onto his unusually empty ornamental bronze plate. Giving one last glance to the man. The man waved at her, but she still couldn’t shake off the feeling she knew him.
The sad pair of onyx eyes, the brass skin and midnight hair. There was something regal about him, but didn’t seem to belong here.
“Look, the city hall opens its doors,” pointed out Liara from their bench to watch the event. People gathered and clapped merrily as onlookers joined the crowd out of curiosity.
“Liara, can we please talk about it?” pleaded Lotte, taking her hand in her own. Liara continued to look away. “I know you want to share something with me. Please… don’t keep it to yourself anymore.”
“I…” Liara hesitated. Lotte patiently waited for her. She would always wait for her. “I don’t have the right words for it,” Liara laughed nervously. “Wow, I never imagined it to be this hard, haha…”
“It’s ok, take your time.”
Liara took a breath. “Remember when I said I had a secret I wanted to share with you?”
Lotte’s heart skipped a beat. “I do. Why?”
“It has something to do with it, but I can’t bring myself to say it. I’m nervous.”
Lotte’s heart beat faster. She didn’t fear that Liara might notice—she hoped she would. Was it finally the time to confess her feelings for her?
“I have something to say, too,” said Lotte. She should do the first step; it would make things easier for them. It was the right timing. Now or never.
“Oh?” Liara curiously raised an eyebrow. A drop of sweat rolled down her forehead. “Guess I can’t delay it either if you have one to share, too.”
Lotte couldn’t wait anymore. The more seconds passed, the more obvious her blush became. Her heart beat harder and harder in her ribcage. She had to do it now.
“Liara, I-“
The festive cheers of the crowd interrupted Lotte’s confession, drawing Liara and her in to watch it. The church’s doors opened wide, presenting the new couple to the world. First came out the bride. She wore a snowy white wedding dress and threw the bouquet into the crowd, only to land in Liara’s hands.
“Got it!” Rejoiced Liara, holding the bouquet to Lotte with a wide grin. “Wait, that means I am next, no?”
“I guess you are?” Clapped Lotte, only to be surprised by a second bouquet that fell into her own hands. “Huh?” Confused, they both looked toward the bride, only to find a second one dressed in a suit.
Arms linked with one another, they waved at Lotte and Liara. It was a wedding between two women. Not something Lotte had ever seen in her life. She fell into a reverie towards the newlywed couple—making her imagine her own moment one day. Something that could come true now as the signs pointed it out for her.
A white dress. A moment of happiness as she pictured herself in this very moment with Liara by her side. Maybe today was the day she could confess her feelings?
“This is… certainly unexpected,” pointed out Liara, not having seen this turn of events coming either. “And clearly not seen often- wait, what’s happening?”
Heavy shouting interrupted the joyous moment of the wedding as a crowd of rowdy townspeople made their way to the ceremony. They threw insults and curses at the couple. “Oh, this is not going to end well. We better leave- Lotte?”
Lotte’s memories recoiled once again. Specifically, the very first thing ever engraved in her mind when she was still a child—the violence of a mob ruining a moment of true happiness. Something Lotte had rooted for was crushed once more. The image in her mind shattered to pieces.
All that Lotte now saw was how the mob coloured the couple’s faces in deep red.