The sky shines differently today than it did yesterday

[employeeoftheyear]

[Perhaps to the surprise of no one, there is no after party after that trial. Two children were dead. Two children were dead over a simple accident and the Wizard cared more about himself than anyone else. But they won't give up, they can't give up. They had to keep fighting until everything's been set right.

At the Lobby ofrenda later that night, there are six origami pieces accoupling the other memorials. A penguin, a rose, an octopus man, computer, a music note, and the last one are of a boy and girl holding hands. Along with that there is a plate of strawberry cupcakes with blueberry icing and a note that reads:]

There is still hope and love in the world

Never let The Wizard make you think otherwise 💗

Comments

[mayavericks]

They're... comforting.

[She closes her eyes.]

The Balladeer and I looked at them together. When I was questioning everything we were offered this week. It reminded me of Starlight.

[fourbutts]

[ Ah. Janis's expression sobers a bit. ]

Guess it would. Not a lot of towers to climb around here, though.

[ She chuckles. ]

Still not my favorite thing to look at that I can't get in Chicago, though.

[mayavericks]

I wonder what would happen, if we tried to climb this building.

[She motions to the school, then shakes her head.]

Peregrine really is incredibly attractive, isn't she?

[fourbutts]

I mean... there is a way up to the roof now.

[ She just hung out with Spongebob there! But that second part gets her to snort. ]

Now, now, I know she's the hot one in this relationship, but that's no reason to put yourself down like that.

[mayavericks]

It's... a pleasant idea but. Starlight is a tragedy, after all. I think that is the last thing we need right now.

[Maya breathes out, just a little. It might be a laugh? Maybe?]

Not putting myself down. Just acknowledging a fact.

[fourbutts]

Guess so. [ A beat as she chews on her lip, then: ] Alright, time to get sappy.

[ She looks back from Maya to the stars, and... starts to sing, softly. It's to Maya, right now, but... she can almost see the split screen, wherever Peregrine is right now. ]

Weak, fake, easy to break
That's how I've felt recently

[ She turns bodily, pulling away to swivel around and look Maya in the eyes. ]

But you, make it
When you're with me
I'll tell you what I see

Plastic don't shine
Glitter don't shine
Rhinestones don't shine the way you do.

[ She stands, in the middle of this weird baseball field, under a night sky someone may as well have painted, looking directly at her girlfriend, pointing at her as she takes a couple steps back. ]

You are so real
You are so rare
I see you there, I see you

[ She spins, jacket twirling around her. ]

I see stars
So many stars tonight

[ And right back to facing Maya, but also trying to reach Peregrine in some sort of narratorly way: ]

You could make diamonds dull
You are so beautiful

I see stars
You shine as bright as day
I will look out for you
We'll light each other's way
You're my star...

[mayavericks]

[Maya certainly doesn't expect Janis to start singing. Even when she does, she doesn't anticipate the sheer scope of the song. They've exchanged snippets with one another, of course, and then again with Peregrine as well. But that's all so very different than being sung to.

And it's so... pointed. The Stars. Starlight.

She keeps swearing to herself that she won't cry. Yet Janis and Peregrine, these disagreeable women in their own rights, keep finding a way to make it happen. Her eyes burn, and this time she can't close her eyes fast enough to keep a few tears from slipping out.]

You know -- [Her voice is tight.] -- The same could be said of you.

I do not need to climb a tower. My star -- My stars are right here. My eternal wish.

[Is it selfish? Maybe. She could use the wish to change everything. And yet... here she is.]

[fourbutts]

[ It's not the end of the whole song, but she's not singing the original. She's making it her own.

Janis laughs a little, with all the energy singing a whole number has put into her, crossing back over to sit down by Maya once more. ]

I love you, Maya Tendo.

[mayavericks]

[She leans forward, pressing their foreheads together. Her hand rests over Janis's cheek, thumb tracing over the skin.]

I love you, Janis Sarkisian. And I am... sorry I took you for granted, today.

[fourbutts]

[ Janis presses her forehead back. ]

Kiss me and we'll call it even?

[mayavericks]

I think I can agree to your terms.

[She tilts her head enough to steal a kiss, as promised.]

[fourbutts]

[ Janis smiles into the kiss, then pulls back to hold their foreheads against each other again. ]

Boom. Even.

[mayavericks]

[Ugh. Hopefully the stars aren't too bright. It'll show how bad she's blushing over all of this. Stupid, sexy Sarkisian.]

Will you stay out here with me tonight, my Starlight?

[fourbutts]

I think the expression is "Take me, I'm yours."

[ She is just grinning like an idiot. This is embarrassing. ]

[mayavericks]

Oh? [She lifts her brows, just a little.] I would say "Don't mind if I do" but...

[Vague motions at the other two lesbians on the field.]

[fourbutts]

[ Janis tucks some hair behind her ears, slightly sheepish. ]

Not a lot of super private places around this school, huh?

[mayavericks]

What is it they say? Love finds a way?

[fourbutts]

Heh. I mean... unless they're planning on sleeping out here too, we have all night and they don't.

[mayavericks]

I suppose we'll just have to see what happens then, won't we?

[fourbutts]

Guess so.

[ She looks around. ]

What do you want to do while we wait?

[mayavericks]

[Maya lays back against the grass. She glances up at the stars, then back to Janis.]

We could look at how terrible the sky looks and poke fun at the Wizard? [No?] Or... talk about how we can win over Peregrine for good?

[Anything to keep moving. The longer she moves, the less time she has to think about everything that's happened.]

[fourbutts]

[ She laughs, lying back on the grass next to her. ]

Well, I think we're already on our way to winning her over for good, but if you have a next step planned I'm all ears.

[mayavericks]

Camping. But in the woods, rather than -- [She motions vaguely.] She has been working on her own project, hasn't she? Perhaps we can... make it a touch more romantic?

I'm not the camping type, of course but... I think the distraction would be valuable.

[fourbutts]

Yeah, camping sounds good.

[ She thinks for a moment and, not wanting to go fully into the talk about it they had... ]

She seemed a little nervous about the woods, though, so... maybe we camp up on the roof? I climbed up earlier with Spongebob, it kind of rules up there.

[mayavericks]

[Maya nods pretty enthusiastically at that.]

The roof is... a very good idea. Much more secure, at least.