The garden of Eden feels smaller and emptier these days; but it may also just be her. Uriel is left only with the sickly sweet smell of rotting fruit and the pungent iron of burning stars. A strange echo of loss hums mournfully from the blade between her hands. The light flickers and the heat of it singes her feathers like fire.
Tikki comes once more, many years later. Her light glows ever redder, ever more like the skin of apples. That is how stars grow and live; but when Uriel looks at her, she sees only death.
There is this girl, Tikki begins, and falters. She starts again. Her name is Marinette.
A question lingers between them, tentative and fragile.
No, Uriel answers, absolute. The taste of humanity lingers in the corners of her mouth even now, ashy, bittersweet and hungering. Once was enough.
Happy Birthday, Carmen!!! I wish you all the stars in the sky and all the light in your life because you absolutely deserve it all! You are such a kind, caring, and thoughtful friend and I’m so happy you were born on this lovely day!
This is a companion piece to @paperskirts work “Once”.