#kirill clockworker

Three children ran through the forest, laughing playfully.

“Kirill! You’re a slowpoke!” The girl who was furthest ahead giggled, sticking out her tongue at the boy who was struggling to catch up.

“Irina, be nice to him!” The blonde girl in the middle of them turned, smiling at the boy. “I think you’re perfect, Kirill.” Her face turned pink. “I-I mean – You’re fast enough!”

“Elluka loves Kirill, Elluka loves Kirill!” Irina laughed.

Elluka squeaked. “’R-Rina!”

Irina rushed to Elluka, throwing her arms around her. “Elluka, if you marry Kirill, will you still love me?” Elluka laughed in response.

“Of course!”

--

Two women walked through the forest, smiling happily.

“Has Kirill told you the good news, Irina?” Elluka asked, her smile becoming shy.

Irina snorted, rolling her eyes. “Are you kidding? He’s been telling me about his plans for weeks! Swore me to secrecy.”

Elluka laughed lightly. “I’m glad he did. The surprise was lovely.”

“I know. I’m really happy for you.” Irina’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. “It’s just…”

“What?”

Irina stopped, gripping Elluka’s hands. “If you marry Kirill, will you still love me?”

Laughing, Elluka took the other woman in her arms. “Of course, my dear sister-in-law to be!”

--

A woman chased a man through the forest, calling mournfully.

“Kirill! Kirill, wait!” Elluka’s hands, covered with blood, held up her long skirt as she ran.

Kirill kept running into the forest, laughing a jagged, broken laugh. “The musicbox has been silenced! Oh, Levia! It’s covered in blood!” His laughter changed to sobs.

“Kirill, please!” Elluka tripped, painfully twisting her ankle. There was nothing she could do as her now insane fiancée capered into the night.

“Lu li la, lu li la,” the manman sang as Elluka curled in on herself, sobbing.