Chapter Text
Devastation was the only emotion Sigrika felt following Denia’s death. She was devastated when she saw the text Denia had sent her after she had just rescheduled her work with Professor Mornye. She was devastated when Ms. Lucilla, Rover, Luuk(he insisted on a first-name basis), AND the odd Miko lady lied to her.
Perhaps she was the most devastated when she looked back at the corner of her room she tried to ignore. Sat there, in all its peace, was a hand-sewn plush. A teddy bear, marked with runes of love and hope and well wishes. A plush made of pure sincerity. In its little paws rested a card. Words that she never got to say. Words Nia never got to hear, nor read, nor see.
“Dear Nia,
I don’t really know how to start. Happy Birthday! This past year, you saved my life. You pulled me out of the trenches of my own mind. You took away the expectations everyone tried to weigh upon me. You, with your sweet bubbles and crazy nap schedule and adorable glee when eating, made sure that I felt…loved. So this is me saying it back to you.
Denia. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for holding me close, for protecting me. Thank you for carrying a burden I thought I had to carry alone. Happy birthday, and, most importantly,
I love you. -Sigrika”
But Sigrika was not, is not just her devastation. The denial came, just enough to create hope.