I continued to wander in the dark.

Like Sam, I live for this cold harsh reality —
for a little light,
and to burn,
and to keep on burning,
until I burn to ashes.

Tonight was different.
As I wandered, I wanted something more than a little light:
I wanted to burn bright —
just a little brighter,
just a little stronger,
just for tonight.

I followed the little light towards darkness where it shone warmly on unfamiliar ground —
on unfamiliar places —
on unfamiliar faces.

It flickered; I flickered.
It stopped; I stopped.
It silently hummed in the stillness of the night.

I grabbed it and traded it —
for a little warmth,
for a little comfort.

I burned up.

---

I picked myself up from the ashes.
I rose up and cried horribly.

I let out a deep sigh.
Like Acheron and Sam,
I found myself truly living in the waking world.

Photo credit: https://www.go-astronomy.com/constellations.php?Name=Circinus

With the Circinus in my night sky,
I traced the Pyxis in yours.
It pointed north —
it pointed starward.

I let it be my compass.
I dared navigate the stars through its traces.
I dared to share my night sky,
but as I headed in the direction it points to,
I lost my celestial array to yours.

You see, Circinus was the only constellation I saw in my night sky.
Now, I can't even trace anything —
not even circles —
with my life
or my eyes.

"We've entered the storm."
- Bronya Rand, Honkai: Star Rail

———

It's raining.
I let out a deep sigh as the cup in my hand waits to meet my lips.

The cold continues to fill my room.
The milk slowly cools.

I look outside —
and as I do, the winds whisper to my ears.
They tell me about you:
about how you try to weather the storm —
about how you yearn for pensive moonlight —
for clear night skies —
all this time.

I smile wryly as rain pours inside my room, too,
wetting my face almost instantly.

It's a pity.
It really is.
It really is a pity we've entered the storm.

Photo credit: https://stocksnap.io/photo/rain-raining-1AGVMUXMYI

"We've entered the storm."
- Bronya Rand, Honkai: Star Rail

———

I was asked earlier if I love rain or the rainy season in general.

I used to love rain.
Used to. Not anymore.
It has already lost its charm.

The only things I love about it now are
the milk I get to drink to keep myself warm
and the cold it brings to my decrepit room.

But yes, I still wish for rain.
The heat's killing us lately.

I am thankful for rain,
but I don't look forward to it.

Or don't I?