Chapter Text
Once upon a time there was a railroad line. This line rode all the way to the Underworld. Many souls frequented the line. It was hard times. It was a world of gods, and men. Standing just outside the line, were three women all dressed the same. And you always heard them in the back of your mind. The Fates, they were called. Sisters in the art of weaving lives and cutting them.
A bar sat in a small, solemn town. Inside, stood Nicholas Scratch. He was humming softly to himself while he wiped down a table. Working on a song. A song to bring back spring and summer. This boy was mentored by Lilia Calderu, who stood at the bar watching him. Lilia turned her head as a door opened. Snow covered the hair of the girl that entered. It was cold, and the girl was looking for something to eat. Edith Scratch, Nicholas' younger sister. Edith and Nicholas were opposite. Nicholas saw everything in an optimistic light, whereas Edith was much more grounded and pessimistic about the world. Nicholas moved to grab Edith's order from the bar. He knew what she wanted. Had it memorized by now.
“Tell her what you're working on.” Lilia spoke softly to Nicholas. He nodded, walking over to Edith and sitting across from her. She was shivering slightly from the cold. “I'm working on a song. It isn't finished yet.“ Nicholas spoke, sliding the food over to his sister. With it, he also held out a long-since dead flower. She loved flowers. She gave him a soft smile, taking the food and the flower from him. ”But, when it's done and when I sing it, spring will come again.“ Edith raised her eyebrows. ”Come again?” She questioned softly. “Spring will come.” Nicholas' words came out as a promise. “When?” Edith questioned. “Well, that's what I'm working on. A song to fix what's wrong. Take what's broken, make it whole. A song so beautiful, it brings the world back into tune. Back into time. And all the flowers will bloom. When you come back home.”
Edith looked over towards Lilia, who had approached as Nicholas rambled. “Why would I come back home?” Edith questioned. “Maybe because he'll make you feel alive.” Lilia responded softly. Edith's gaze settled back onto her older brother. There was a hopeful glint in his eyes. Something she was used to seeing. Used to caving in, too. “Alive? That's worth a lot.” Edith mused, leaning forward on the table towards her brother. “Okay. So, when you sing your song, the one you're working on, spring will come again?“ Edith questioned. ”Yes.“ Nicholas said, matter-of-factly. ”Why don't you sing it then?“ Nicholas shook his head. “It isn't finished.” He started. “Sing it.” Edith continued. “You want me to come home?” Nicholas nodded. “Yes.” He spoke again. “Sing the song.”
Nicholas pulled his guitar around, adjusting it. his fingers brushed gently against the strings, making sure his guitar was in tune. He began to sing. As he did, Edith watched as the dead flower in her hand began to blossom and fill with life. “How'd you do that?” She questioned. “I don't know. The songs not finished, though.” Nicholas responded, carefully pulling his guitar back around. “Even so, it can do this?” Edith questioned, holding out the flower. “I know.” Nicholas responded. Edith's eyes widened. “You have to finish it.”
Nicholas was called to get another table's food. He stood and moved to the bar, Lilia following him. ”Where'd you get that melody?“ Lilia questioned. ”I don't know, it came to me. As if I'd known it all along.“ Nicholas responded, gaze flicking to Lilia. ”You have. It's an old song. A song of love from long ago. It's been a long time since I heard it, though.“ Lilia responded, leaning against the bar. ”You've heard that melody before?“ Nicholas questioned. ”Sure.“ Lilia hummed. ”Tell me more.“ Nicholas set the food on the table and moved back to Lilia. She took in a breath, thinking for a moment, before smiling towards the boy. ”Remember the tale I told you once about the Gods?“
”Which ones?“ Nicholas questioned. ”Rio and Agatha. Remember how it used to be their love that made the world go round?” Nicholas nodded. “Yeah, I remember now.”
Rio was queen of the Underworld. She fell in love with a beautiful woman, who walked up above, in her mother's green field. She fell in love with Agatha, who was gathering flowers in the light of the sun. Rio took her home to become her queen, where the sun never shone on anyone. But, without Agatha above, not one flower would grow. So, Queen Rio agreed that for half of each year, Agatha would stay with her down in the world below. But the other half, Agatha could walk in the sun. And the sun in turn burned twice as bright.
A train whistle sounded. Nicholas and Edith both shared a look, before moving to exit the bar. Agatha always came later and later every year, and she never stayed as long as she was supposed to. “Here she comes.” Lilia hummed from behind the siblings. “Are you wondering where I've been?” Agatha hummed as she stepped off the train car, a suitcase in hand. “She forgot a little thing called spring.” Lilia teased under her breath. “Been to hell, and back again. But let's not talk about hard times. Pour the wine, it's summertime!” Cheers came from the crowd.
It was summertime on the road to hell. There was a girl who had always run away. You might say it was in spite of herself that this young girl decided to stay. There was a poor boy with a lyre. The flowers bloomed and the fruit got ripe. And it seemed for a moment, the world came back to life.
“Up on top, we ain't got much, but we're living it up. Just enough to fill our cups. Baby, pass that bottle around, and let the poet bless this round.“ Agatha nodded towards Nicholas, a smile resting on her features. Nicholas took the bottle, holding it gently in his hands. ”To the patroness of all of this, Agatha. Who has finally returned to us with wine enough to share. Asking nothing in return, except that we should live and learn to live as brothers in this life. And to trust she will provide. And if no one takes too much, there will always be enough. She will always fill our cups.“ There was an ”I will“ from Agatha. ”And we will always raise them up.“
Nicholas turned his gaze towards his sister, taking her hand in his. ”To the world we dream about, and the one we live in now.“ Nicholas took a swig of the wine and held up the bottle. ”Cause right now, we're living it.“ He spoke, passing the bottle around as the party continued. Edith smiled at the festivities, quietly stepping away to let everyone else have their fun. Nicholas turned his gaze towards Edith, tilting his head slightly. ”Hey, what's wrong?“ He spoke softly as he caught up with her, taking her hand in his again. Edith turned towards him, giving a small shrug and smile as she looked around.
”I was alone for so long that...I didn't even know I was lonely. Out in the cold for so long, I didn't even know that I was cold. Turned my collar to the wind, that is how it's always been. All I've ever known is how to hold my own..“ She spoke, her voice soft for only him to hear. ”You take my hand in yours, and suddenly there's sunlight all around me. Everything is bright, and warm, and shining like it never did before. And for a moment I forget... just how dark and cold it gets. I don't wanna ever have to let you go. I don't wanna go back to that old life..“
Nicholas moved, pulling his little sister into his arms, setting a hand against her head. She leaned into his touch after a moment, closing her eyes. ”Say that you'll hold me forever. Say that the wind won't ever change on us. Say that we'll stay with each other, and it will always be like this.“ Edith's voice was slightly muffled against Nicholas' shoulder. ”I'm gonna hold you forever. The wind will never change on us. Long as we stay with each other, then it will always be like this.“ His fingers ran through Edith's curls, easing her. Edith leaned into her brother, smiling a bit.
Summer came and went a lot faster than anyone would have liked. A train whistled from way down below, coming for Agatha. ”Hear that high, lonesome sound of my wife coming up, to bring me home to the Underworld.“ Agatha spoke as she began to pack her bag. “Down there it's a bunch of stiffs. Sister, I'll be bored to death. Gonna have to import some stuff just to entertain myself. Give me morphine in a tin. Give me a crate of the fruit of the vine. Takes a lot of medicine to make it through the winter time.” Edith passed over a crate to Agatha, who ruffled her hair and took it with a slight smile. Edith smiled back.
They moved for the train station, Nicholas and Edith following the flow of the crowd. “Ms. Vidal is a mean old boss.” Someone spoke. “With a silver whistle and a golden scale.” Another chanted. “And she weighs the cost and your soul for sale.“ Another cried out. ”Sold to the queen on the chromium throne.” Someone added. “Thrown to the bottom of a Sing Sing cell!” Another cried. “Where the little wheel squeals and the big wheel groans, and you'd better forget about your wishing well.“ Agatha added in. The crowd fell quiet as a railroad car opened.
Rio Vidal stood in the entrance. She scanned the crowd, before her eyes fell upon her wife. She smiled. ”You're early.“ Agatha stated. ”I missed you.“ Rio purred out, a shade coming out and taking Agatha's bag. ”All aboard.“ Rio hummed, holding out her hand for Agatha to take. Agatha's gaze shifted back to the crowd. To her children. Rio spotted them too. Her smirk began to fade. Agatha took Rio's hand, and allowed the other to pull her up into the train car. Everyone watched as the train pulled out of the station, Edith and Nicholas watching as Agatha and Rio stared at them from the window.
With Agatha gone, the cold came back. “She came too soon. She came for her too soon. It's not supposed to be like this.” Edith turned as Nicholas spoke. “Well, until someone brings the world back into tune, this is how it is.” Edith watched as Nicholas turned and walked away. “Hey, where are you going?” Edith spoke as she caught up to him. “I have to finish the song.” Nicholas spoke as Edith grabbed his hand. He stopped, and turned towards her. ”Finish it quick. The wind is changing. There's a storm coming on.“ He pulled his hand from hers. ”We need food.“ Edith stated as Nicholas began walking away again. ”We need firewood.“ She added. He didn't seem to be listening. ”Did you hear me, Nicky?“ Edith called after him. ”Nicky?“ She called again. She watched his receding figure, and sighed, holding the flower he gave her against her chest. ”Okay, finish it.“
The ride to the Underworld was filled with silence. It usually was the last few years. The train stopped, and Agatha exited first. “In the coldest time of year, why is it so hot down here?” Agatha started, turning towards Rio. “It's hotter than a crucible. It ain't right and it ain't natural.” Rio followed Agatha out of the train. “Love, you were gone so long. Sweetheart, I was lonesome. So I built a foundry in the ground beneath your feet. Here, I fashioned things of steel. Oil drums, automobiles. Then I kept that furnace fed with the fossils of the dead. When you feel that fire, think of it as my desire for you.” Rio hummed, reaching for Agatha's hand. She pulled her hand away.
“Is it finished?” Edith questioned as she approached Lilia, who was watching Nicholas. “Not yet.” Lilia hummed out, turning her gaze to Edith. Edith crossed her arms, frowning. ”Is he always like this?“ She questioned. Lilia nodded. Edith turned, and went to look for food and firewood.
”In the darkest time of year, why is it so bright down here? Brighter than a carnival, it ain't right and it ain't natural.“ Agatha stated once more. ”Sweetheart, you were gone so long. I was lonesome. So, I laid a power grid in the ground on which you stood. And it was electrifying when I made the neon shine.“ Rio motioned to the neon. ”Silver screen, cathode ray. Brighter than the light of day. My love, when you see that glare, think of it as my despair for you.“
”They can't find the tune.“ Nicholas stated. ”Nicholas.“ Lilia started. ”They can't feel the rhythm.“ Nicholas spoke again, adjusting his guitar. ”Nicholas!“ Lilia tried once more. ”Queen Rio is deafened by a river of stones and Lady Agatha's blinded by a river of wine. Livin' in an oblivion. Her black gold flows in the world down below, and her dark clouds roll in the one up above.“ Nicholas was speaking to himself. ”Look up!“ Lilia tried again, but the boy was not listening. ”And that is the reason we're on this road, and the seasons are wrong. The wind is so strong. That's why times are so hard. It's because of the gods..the gods have forgotten the song of their love."
Edith was looking low and looking high, but there was no food left to find. It was hard enough to feed herself, let alone somebody else. Edith was a hungry young girl. “Give that back!“ She shouted as someone took her bag. She was no stranger to the wind. “It's everything we have!” Edith shouted again, moving after the thief. But she had not seen nothing like the storm she got caught in. It only took a minute, but the wrath of the gods was in it. And then it came, like a strike out of hate. A rattlesnake bite, right on Edith's leg.
”Every year its getting worse. The Underworld, hell of Earth! Did you think I'd be impressed with this neon necropolis?“ Agatha hissed towards Rio, causing her wife to recoil slightly. ”My love, what have you become? Coal cars and oil drums. Warehouse walls and factory floors? I don't know you anymore.“ Agatha's voice softened slightly. ”And in the meantime up above, the harvest dies and people starve. Oceans rise and overflow, it ain't right and it ain't natural.“ Rio moved towards Agatha, her face hardening.
”Sweetheart, everything I do, I do it for the love of you. If you don't even want my love, I'll give it to someone who does. Someone grateful for her fate. Someone who appreciates the comfort of a gilded cage, and doesn't try to fly away the moment Mother Nature calls. Someone who could love these walls that hold her close and keep her safe, and think of them as my embrace of you.” Rio turned and walked away, leaving Agatha watching after her in seething silence. Rio had souls to collect, after all.
“Always a pity, ones so pretty and young.” Rio's voice came from behind Edith, who was looking around with confusion. Her eyes settled onto Rio, whose arms were crossed and whose body was leaned against a pillar. “Hey, little songbird. Give me a song. I'm a busy gal, and I can't stay long. I got clients to call, I got orders to fill. I got walls to build, I got riots to quell. And they're giving me hell back in the Underworld.” Edith stared at the woman, quiet for a moment. “Cat got your tongue?” Rio teased. “Hey, nobody sings on empty.”
“I want a nice soft place to land. I wanna lie down forever.” Edith spoke. “You got something fine. You shine like a diamond down in the mine. The choice is yours if you're willing to choose, seeing as you've got nothing to lose and I could use a canary.” Rio offered. Edith looked around. Suddenly nothing is as it was. ”Where are you now, Nicholas? Wasn't it gonna be the two of us? Weren't we birds of a feather?“ She spoke mainly to herself, causing Rio to tilt her head and approached. ”Hey, little songbird. Let me guess. He's some kind of *poet* and he's penniless? Give him your hand, he'll give you his hand-to-mouth. He'll write you a poem when the power's out. Why not fly south for the winter?“
Edith looked around. Rio's hand was cold as it gently grasped Edith's chin. ”Look all around you. See how the vipers and vultures surround you? They'll take you down, they'll pick you clean if you stick around such a desperate scene.“ Edith's head turned, seeing the scene before her. ”See, people get mean when the chips are down.” Rio hummed softly. She produced a small slip into her hand, holding it up as she let go of Edith. Then, she held it out. “What is it?“ Edith questioned, taking the slip. ”Your ticket.“ Rio spoke, nodding towards the train that was approaching. Edith watched the train stop, before looking back at Rio. Then, she climbed aboard.
Nicholas sat in a clearing in the woods, strumming his guitar. His eyes shifted up. ”Ms. Calderu!” He greeted. “Hey, the big artiste. Aren't you working on your masterpiece?” Lilia hummed. “Where's Edith?” Nicholas questioned. “Why do you wanna know?” Lilia retorted in a question. “Wherever she is, is where I'll go.“ Lilia let out a soft hum, her smile faded. ”And what if I said she was down below?” Nicholas furrowed his eyebrows. “Down below?” Lilia nodded. “Down below. Six feet under the ground below. She called your name before she went, but I guess you weren't listening.”
“No..“ Nicholas breathed out, getting to his feet and pulling his guitar around to rest on his back. Lilia folded her hands in front of her. “So...how far would you go for her?” Lilia questioned. “To the end of time. To the end of the Earth.” Nicholas stated. “You got a ticket?” He faltered. “No..?“ Lilia nodded. ”Yeah, I didn't think so.“ She sighed out. She clicked her tongue. ”Of course, there is another way but... nah, I'm not supposed to say.“ Nicholas perked up. ”Another way?“ He questioned. ”Yeah, around the back. But that's not easy walking, kid. And It isn't for the sensitive of soul, so..do you really wanna go?“
Nicholas nodded. ”With all my heart.“ He stated. Lilia smiled a bit. ”With all your heart? Well, that's a start. How to get to the Underworld, you'll have to take the long way down. Through the underground, under cover of night. Laying low and staying out of sight. There's no compass, baby, ain't no map. Just a telephone wire and a railroad track. Just keep on walking and don't look back until you get to the bottom land.” Lilia watched Nicholas begin his journey, walking away from her and starting his trek to the Underworld.
”The River Styx is high and wide. Cinder bricks and razor wire. Walls of iron and concrete, hound dogs howling around the gates. Those dogs'll lay down, they'll play dead, if you've got the bones, if you've got the bread. But if all you've got is your own two legs, just be glad you got them.“ Lilia's words rang in Nicholas' ears as he walked. A determined expression settled on his features. ”You're on the lam, you're on the run. Don't give your name, you don't have one. And don't look anyone in the eyes. That town'll try to suck you dry. They'll suck your brain, they'll suck your breath. They'll pluck the heart right out of your chest. They'll truss you up in your Sunday best, and stuff your mouth with cotton.“
Words began to form in Nicholas' mind. A song for his sister. For him. For both of them. Something to keep his determination. The keep him from wavering. From turning around. He had to save her. ”I'm coming, wait for me. I hear the walls repeating. The falling of my feet, and it sounds like drumming. And I am not alone. I hear the rocks and stones echoing my song.“ Nicholas spoke to himself. He took in a soft breath. ”I'm coming.“