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There’s no doubt about it: Edo Star is a beautiful planet.
Edo Star is typically surrounded by a vicious ion storm, but for the first time in Amber Eras, the storm has moved to another part of the region. The Express wanted to take advantage of this rare occurrence to collect supplies and make more connections along the Silver Rail. Himeko suggested that we camp out for the night. March 7th was quite keen on the idea, and so the rest of us followed suit.
Dan Heng and March 7th set up their own tents, as well as Himeko’s and Mr. Yang’s. Hal and I both set up a larger tent to share together.
I sit upon a hill, my back against a tree, to view the city from a distance. I read in the Data Bank that Edo Star was home to the ‘Houses of Music’ and I cannot say it’s disappointing. From this distance, the ballads from the city are carried in the wind, nothing louder than a whisper. Because of the ion storms passing, I can see stars glittering from afar.
March and Dan Heng are conversing around the bonfire they’re constructing. This helps me to discern Hal’s quiet footfalls behind me.
“Hey,” I say with a slight smile, not turning my head. I fluff my wings a bit before folding them to make room for Hal to sit.
I turn at the sound of grass rustling as they sit down next to me. I catch sight of an object in their right hand.
“Is that my ukulele?” I ask, knowing the answer already, but tilting my head in curiosity anyways.
Hal nods. “I can’t remember the last time you played…” they say.
Catching on immediately, I respond. “I don't really remember either,” I say with an awkward smile. “However… if you wanted me to play, all you had to do was ask.”
I reach over to them to take the concert ukulele into my grasp. The mahogany wood base is smooth, but the dust settled on the fretboard gets on my fingertips. I run my fingers along the fretboard, collecting dust along the way, then wipe my hand on the leg of my shorts.
Sighing, I glance over at Hal, who is still looking at me expectantly. When I give them a mischievous grin, they look confused, then I take my left wing to scoot them a little closer to me.
We both let out a chuckle before Hal gasps. “Oh, look!” They say, pointing up to the sky. I follow their gaze and see the bright lights streaking the sky. Meteors…
‘That’s perfect…’ I look back to Hal with a soft smile as I set the ukulele in my lap. I glance back down at the fretboard as I place my pointer finger on the first fret of the E string. I stretch my fingers out to the correct placement for the starting chord. I strum once and an Fmaj7 rings out.
The familiar words reach my lips as I drape my wing over Hal’s shoulder…
“Meteor shower… quick take cover but the hues in our hair compliment one another.” I move my fingers along the frets to the chord progression: Fmaj7, F, G, Csus2… Each movement practiced, knowing. My voice is a little rough from misuse, my breathing not quite even.
Hal slowly sways to the melody as I continue, “I’d sell my own bones… for amethyst stones, ‘cause purple’s your favorite color…”
“Missing pieces of my skull…” I take a shaky breath, “I’ll sew on patches of my own soul.”
“There is nothing you or I can do… so let the stars fall.” F, C, Dm, Bb, F… My movements on the fretboard feel like its own dance. “‘Cause from up here… the sky’s my thoughts and we’re all so… small…”
I allow the final chord to ring out as I stare up at the sky. I set the ukulele down on my right before taking a moment to glance at Hal. Their look of awe makes my heart flutter a little.
They don’t say anything, they just lean into my shoulder with a content sigh. I reach for their hand, pulling it up to press a kiss on their fingers.
“You know I mean it, right? When I say that I’d give anything for you?”
“…I know.”
_____
The Express was supposed to visit the Planet of Festivities, however, we received a distress call…
From Edo Star.
Apparently, it was under siege by the Anti-Matter Legion. We would’ve missed the signal if the IPC hadn’t sent a follow-up message requesting the Express check in on the planet.
When the Express arrived on Edo Star, I was the first to step out.
‘I know this place…’ I distantly recall.
It was exactly where the Express’ camping spot had been the first time we were here. But… it was unrecognizable.
The earth beneath my feet was scorched. The tree we had once sat against is gone, only the stump remaining, crisp and dark. Beyond where the tree once was, the city lay in ruins, silently.
No song. No melody. Not even a note…
And…
No Emelyn.
‘I’m always too late… aren’t I?’