#marligone

After The Spotlight Fades // [AO3] (link in reblog) 

Chapters: 30 // Word Count: 50,126

Part 1 of Of Ringmistresses & Remains series

 “I think about dying but I don’t want to die.” Antigone said. “My problem is the opposite. I want to live, and escape. I feel as though I am trapped here, there’s so much to see and to do but I somehow still find myself doing nothing at all.” She sat up, gesturing towards the sea. “I’m still here in this existence and I cannot quite figure out how to get out of it.” 

The ringmistress gazed at Antigone as she stared off in front of her, eyes trained on the dark ocean, the moon reflecting silvery slivers upon it. 

“I spent so much of my time believing I would take this secret to my grave,” she murmured, pressing a hand to her chest. “I didn’t realize how gracious it is to let myself live.” 

Silence fell over them. Antigone narrowed her eyes, hunching her shoulders. She felt as though she had ruined their moment with her rambling. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” Marlene brushed her hand against Antigone’s cheek . “I find you endlessly fascinating.”