Post by Riley Sorsa on Jul 8, 2021 14:48:48 GMT -8
It was another hot night in Vegas. The winter Courtier had called it early, giving them self a chance to explore the new city they called home.
Salt Bar.
It wasnt the largest or the most well advertised Queer bar in the area, which is what drew Riley’s attention, they were looking for haunts.
The line fed through the front door, slowly inching forward step by step. Riley was lost to their thoughts and trying to avoid the leers of passing strangers, before they absently noticed they were close to the door. Fishing out their ID they turned to the bouncer. How the Bright one had not noticed the Ogre before came as a shock. Their hair was swept back, their face cut and angled. Their left eye was slightly swollen and a muddied yellow from the healing Bruise. They wore a loose fit shirt with rolled up sleeves. The metal protruding from their skin dimly reflected the Bright One’s Illumination. The ogre had a smile on their face, amused by the Darkling being taken off guard.
“Hi” Riley said as their wits returned.
“Hi” said Linden.
All of this had been Lindens idea.
Their breath caught in their chest. The air churned and twisted into a knot, before a rising heat raked their flesh. That was the first sign that something was wrong.
Riley gasped silently for air, but none came at first. Each repetitive attempt was met with a small leak of air into their lungs. At last they let out an audible inhale, staggering and loosing their balance. Falling out of line of the routine.
The other dancers pivoted at the sudden stumble. Normally there was a snide comment or a repermanding from the choreographer, but those around the Bright one were struck silence by the anxiety and fear in Riley’s eyes.
The moth could barely croak out a feeble ‘ I have to go’. No one stopped them, never before had Riley left rehearsal early or in such a state. In Riley’s hurry, they did not see the concern in their eyes.
They are our Shield, our rock. They keep Archie grounded, me in check.
Riley had become a regular at Salt Bar. Cruising in after work at one of the strip clubs early in the AM or sometimes taking a night off to just have some of their own fun. Tonight was one of those nights. The moth sat next to Linden at the bar, both of them nursing a beer.
The Bright One chattered away reporting the latest gossip from the clubs, stories of work or of love. The ogre listened, smiling and nodding along, before dropping a joke, or asking a question. It was normally like this, Riley had learned early on that the Metal flesh was a stoic type, hard to open up and soften all too happy to listen. It would take time to crack that shell, time and patience. Riley figured not to pressure Linden. After all, they had all the time in the world to ask questions later.
They were the heart and soul.
How did they come here? Riley’s mind was drowning,all they could feel was the drumming of their heart. Their body seemed to pulse with each beat. Their skin crawled, growing tight, pulling taut across their back. They felt as if they could split, and peel in half.
The memory of the journey felt like a fleeting dream. Their hands traced along the garden terraces, their eyes flicked and traced the shining lights. The air was hot, filled with laughter, distant music and chittering.
The brightone pushed open the back gate to the large walled backyard. Their cellphone nearly dead, messages and missed calls left unanswered littered its notifications. It was already dark, how much time had passed? The pale light from the swimming pool split into chromatic aberrations, distorted waves and blurred shapes bathed the backyard. Were they crying? They didn't remember starting to cry. Their hand reaches up to touch their cheek to make certain, before a figure comes into view.
Despite the blur of their vision, Riley knew who it was.
We’re family because of them.
It was late, or perhaps it was early. The sun had begun to paint the eastern sky. The Ogre and the darkling paddled along together. Both tired, weary from the events that had just transpired. The drugs from Imbolc slowly fading away, leaving behind dry mouths and pounding heads. Riley was walking Linden home, or perhaps Linden was walking Riley home. Neither had said, instead falling into a silent understanding. The moth was buzzing in their mind about all that had transpired. But their thoughts kept pulling to a moment against a wall.
‘I don't think anyone is ever going to love me’
Riley looks to Linden, observing the creases of their face, the weight of their eyes. There was sadness there. Riley repeated and edited what they said in response. They wanted to say something, tell Linden that they were the bright ones best friend. They instead remain in the comfort of silence.
This isn't real, it can't be.
They staggered forward towards Archie, their feet now for the first time feeling sore and weak. Their legs wobbled under the sudden strain. The momentum brought them forward as the other figure met them halfway. Their hands palmed against his chest.
“Lin-” the moth croaked, their voice catching in their throat, strangled into silence. They didn't need to tell him, he knew already.
What will become of us.
In that moment their strength gave and Riley fell to their knees. The pain of the tiles smashing into their legs felt muted and distant. They could finally feel the tears upon their face. Their hands weakly grasp out, gripping Archie for support.
They screamed.
Salt Bar.
It wasnt the largest or the most well advertised Queer bar in the area, which is what drew Riley’s attention, they were looking for haunts.
The line fed through the front door, slowly inching forward step by step. Riley was lost to their thoughts and trying to avoid the leers of passing strangers, before they absently noticed they were close to the door. Fishing out their ID they turned to the bouncer. How the Bright one had not noticed the Ogre before came as a shock. Their hair was swept back, their face cut and angled. Their left eye was slightly swollen and a muddied yellow from the healing Bruise. They wore a loose fit shirt with rolled up sleeves. The metal protruding from their skin dimly reflected the Bright One’s Illumination. The ogre had a smile on their face, amused by the Darkling being taken off guard.
“Hi” Riley said as their wits returned.
“Hi” said Linden.
All of this had been Lindens idea.
Their breath caught in their chest. The air churned and twisted into a knot, before a rising heat raked their flesh. That was the first sign that something was wrong.
Riley gasped silently for air, but none came at first. Each repetitive attempt was met with a small leak of air into their lungs. At last they let out an audible inhale, staggering and loosing their balance. Falling out of line of the routine.
The other dancers pivoted at the sudden stumble. Normally there was a snide comment or a repermanding from the choreographer, but those around the Bright one were struck silence by the anxiety and fear in Riley’s eyes.
The moth could barely croak out a feeble ‘ I have to go’. No one stopped them, never before had Riley left rehearsal early or in such a state. In Riley’s hurry, they did not see the concern in their eyes.
They are our Shield, our rock. They keep Archie grounded, me in check.
Riley had become a regular at Salt Bar. Cruising in after work at one of the strip clubs early in the AM or sometimes taking a night off to just have some of their own fun. Tonight was one of those nights. The moth sat next to Linden at the bar, both of them nursing a beer.
The Bright One chattered away reporting the latest gossip from the clubs, stories of work or of love. The ogre listened, smiling and nodding along, before dropping a joke, or asking a question. It was normally like this, Riley had learned early on that the Metal flesh was a stoic type, hard to open up and soften all too happy to listen. It would take time to crack that shell, time and patience. Riley figured not to pressure Linden. After all, they had all the time in the world to ask questions later.
They were the heart and soul.
How did they come here? Riley’s mind was drowning,all they could feel was the drumming of their heart. Their body seemed to pulse with each beat. Their skin crawled, growing tight, pulling taut across their back. They felt as if they could split, and peel in half.
The memory of the journey felt like a fleeting dream. Their hands traced along the garden terraces, their eyes flicked and traced the shining lights. The air was hot, filled with laughter, distant music and chittering.
The brightone pushed open the back gate to the large walled backyard. Their cellphone nearly dead, messages and missed calls left unanswered littered its notifications. It was already dark, how much time had passed? The pale light from the swimming pool split into chromatic aberrations, distorted waves and blurred shapes bathed the backyard. Were they crying? They didn't remember starting to cry. Their hand reaches up to touch their cheek to make certain, before a figure comes into view.
Despite the blur of their vision, Riley knew who it was.
We’re family because of them.
It was late, or perhaps it was early. The sun had begun to paint the eastern sky. The Ogre and the darkling paddled along together. Both tired, weary from the events that had just transpired. The drugs from Imbolc slowly fading away, leaving behind dry mouths and pounding heads. Riley was walking Linden home, or perhaps Linden was walking Riley home. Neither had said, instead falling into a silent understanding. The moth was buzzing in their mind about all that had transpired. But their thoughts kept pulling to a moment against a wall.
‘I don't think anyone is ever going to love me’
Riley looks to Linden, observing the creases of their face, the weight of their eyes. There was sadness there. Riley repeated and edited what they said in response. They wanted to say something, tell Linden that they were the bright ones best friend. They instead remain in the comfort of silence.
This isn't real, it can't be.
They staggered forward towards Archie, their feet now for the first time feeling sore and weak. Their legs wobbled under the sudden strain. The momentum brought them forward as the other figure met them halfway. Their hands palmed against his chest.
“Lin-” the moth croaked, their voice catching in their throat, strangled into silence. They didn't need to tell him, he knew already.
What will become of us.
In that moment their strength gave and Riley fell to their knees. The pain of the tiles smashing into their legs felt muted and distant. They could finally feel the tears upon their face. Their hands weakly grasp out, gripping Archie for support.
They screamed.