Chapter Text
The flame of the hearth crackled softly as it consumed the remaining firewood, the pittering of raindrops on the window added to the ambience. It was peaceful in the House of the Hearth, a rare day where the children were free of missions and had gone to bed without a fuss after their surprise guest had lulled them to drowsiness with her gentle lullabies of a language long forgotten. Arlecchino sat on the couch, reminiscing about the day — the shock of Columbina standing at her front door, the excitement of the children from having another Harbinger as their guest and the angelic tunes that had flown through the House for the rest of the day.
The sound of clothes rustling broke her out of her thoughts and Arlecchino looked over her shoulder to see Columbina fiddling with a case of sorts. A violin case, apparently, as Columbina pulled out the instrument, painted waited with beautiful pink accents and patterns of birds and flowers. “You don't mind, do you?” Columbina asked while readying her violin. Arlecchino merely shrugged, turning back to the still dying flame in the hearth with its comforting warmth. The tunes of Columbina’s violin started wafting through the air, beautifully haunting in its comfort, giving the illusion of a simpler time that never quite existed, yet felt so vivid within Arlecchino’s mind. A melancholic melody, a steady feeling that mixed with the gloom of the rain and the embrace of the flames dancing in their demise.
A custom piece, a musing of Columbina’s inner world revealed to many, yet understood by so few. The soft glow of moonlight shining through the little spaces between the clouds shone on Columbina, so specific as if it were her own spotlight, or perhaps the moon simply knew of its goddess. The showpiece continued to soothe Arlecchino’s heart for several more minutes, wrapping her into a sense of comfort — a sense of home and belonging. She belonged here, in the House of the Hearth, with her children alive and at peace, and the evocative tunes of Columbina’s creations following her to the end of time.
The piece came to an end, drawn out in a low tone, mournful to the finale with all the things that Peruere could have had, all the things Arlecchino tried to give. The violin was sealed shut with the clicks of its case and the owner descended onto the couch, cuddling up to Arlecchino’s side. The latter wrapped her arm around Columbina’s waist. “Did that satisfy you, my lord?” The goddess whispered, her fingers idly fidgeting with Arlecchino’s clothes. “It was beautiful, like always.” The Knave responded, a hint of wistfulness in her gaze as the reflection of the flames lit her almost lifeless eyes. Nothing going on in her head, truly.
Columbina nodded, suppressing a yawn. The elation of events prior have taken a toll on the goddess, the draining of her energy making itself known now that everything had died down. “We should go to bed.” Arlecchino remarked when she noticed Columbina’s half-asleep state. There was no response for a few seconds, and Arlecchino wondered if she had already fallen asleep. Then, though, Columbina’s angelic voice mumbled. “Carry me to bed?” Arlecchino merely sighed, obliged nonetheless when she rose and picked Columbina up.
The woman was so little, so light, Arlecchino felt as though she could snap her in half, fragile like a moonlight itself and equally as precious to hold in one's hands. Walking through the silent halls of the House without a hush to be heard was always strange to the Knave, the sounds of children staying up past their bedtime or trying to sneak out after their curfew had become a constant in her life rather quickly. But everyone was asleep — or at least quiet — even the girl in her arms had fallen into slumber.
Arlecchino finally arrived in her bedroom after climbing countless stairs and walking through too many hallways — having a large house was nicer when she wasn't exhausted. Tugging Columbina into bed was relatively easy, and after changing her clothes, Arlecchino followed. The fluff of the blanket and her body sinking into the mattress made her drowsier than ever as she cuddled up with Columbina, holding her small frame in her arms. All was well and peaceful, and sleep soon overtook Arlecchino.