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The hum of starskiffs in the air, the chattering of alchemists tending to their patients, the shuffling of boxes and supplies, footsteps that are light, heavy, all kinds on the docks of the alchemy commision.
Below, the calming waves rhythmically beat against the pier, a low lull that calms the heart, yet hides the ferocity hidden below the water.
Jiaoqiu stares off into the horizon, yet doesn't see a thing. His honey golden eyes are misted over, closed shut as he enjoys the salty sea breeze ruffling his hair and ears. His hand rests on the railing, gripping it as a tangible support below him.
His recovery at the alchemy commision is slow, but steady. The healers are definitely skilled, competent ones unlike him, and he's able to move around without much trouble besides a terrible ache in his chest.
However, despite all of the powers that the foxian cells contained, and the healer's prowess, nothing could restore the light in his dulled out eyes, finding himself surrounded by darkness.
At least...his efforts weren't in vain. Hoolay was defeated, his general was alive. Possibly cured, but it was too early to tell. All at the cost of one measly, pathetic healer. He'd be daring enough to say it was a worthwhile trade.
Jiaoqiu flicked his ear. He comes to this dock to look out over the sea when he can, just to soak in all the senses that he could. Lacking sight, already with a dull sense of taste, he has to get acclimated to using what he has left.
Morbidly, he wonders to himself if he will also lose each of the rest of his senses one day while protecting, fighting for something. One-by-one, until he has nothing left, all expended.
"You're thinking too hard again. Stop that."
Jiaoqiu twitches his nose, the faint scent of alcohol coming besides him. Since when did she sneak up on him? Maybe his hearing was duller than he thought.
"General, shouldn't you be in bed?"
"I should be saying the same to you." He hears the sound of footsteps, that familiar scent washing over him, something soft and feathery leaning carefully onto his shoulder.
"Just wanted fresh air. Fresh air is important for healing, being stuck in a stuffy room with the smell of sick all around is not good for your physical or mental health." He smiled as he felt her hand slip into his, the calloused palm squeezing his own.
"Well then, same here."A sigh, and then a pause. Her ears twitch against him.
Jiaoqiu laughed softly, grimacing as pain shot up his ribs. "General Feixiao, aren't you under strict orders not to be consuming alcohol in this state? And not just by me, but the head of the alchemy commision, the cauldron master herself?" He shook his head, sighing. "Always forgoing her doctor's orders, even if its not mine."
Feixiao laughed, the rumbles of her laughter sending vibrations against Jiaoqiu's shoulder. "Yeah, but it was a gift that general Jingyuan sent me. Told me to 'keep it on the down-low'."
Jiaoqiu huffed, shaking his head. "At least it wasn't enough to get you wasted. Who knows what damage you would've caused, especially here."
They stand there in silence, nothing but the sound of the waves and the distant chatter of the alchemy commision. Jiaoqiu wrapped his tail around Feixiao at some point, careful not to disturb where he could feel bandages.
It's just them, the sea, and the sky.
"Feixiao..."
"Yes, Jiaoqiu?"
"What color is the sky right now?" The hand in his hand squeezes a little.
"A beautiful honey-gold. A gentle blue fades into it, the sea reflects it."
There's tears falling from his closed eyes, warm and salty. He doesn't try to stop them, and he can feel an arm wrapping around his back, pulling him in.
Jiaoqiu can feel his body start to tremble, hiccups in his throat. "The sea?"
"A deep, deep blue. It does fade into a cyan where its closer to the Ambrosial Arbor, but it's blue for all the eye can see. The surface reflects the gold of the sky."
Jiaoqiu starts to sob, leaning further into her steady hold. "Feixiao... And you?"
Her arms wrap around him, gently rubbing his back. He hiccups and sobs, tears and snot getting everywhere.
"The same as always. A striking white, teal accents. Garments of a light grey and turquoise. And, ahaha, some bandages that the healers wrapped a little too tight for my liking. Nothing like my favorite doctor."
Jiaoqiu felt her lift his head up, a kiss pressed on his nose. "Turquoise eyes that reflect your beautiful, beautiful honey-gold ones."
His hiccups are quick, tears streaming down as he slowly lets everything out.
"Do you have any regrets?" Feixiao mumbles, almost a whisper.
Jiaoqiu knows he has many. He's done so many things he wishes he's done different, experienced pain and suffering of all kinds. Yet for some reason, standing there, with no sight, clinging to his purpose, he didn't feel anything, was even happy everything turned out the way it did.
But deep down, he also knew one thing, one regret that he did have.
Jiaoqiu shook his head, choking out his truth. "The only regret that I have, is not realizing that the last time we parted would be the last time I would see you. I regret...not engraving your image upon my memory further."
He shuddered, pausing so he could take a breath in between his sobs. "We're long life species. I fear... I fear that one day, I will forget what you look like."
"Then before that day comes, I swear to you. We will search the cosmos, we will bring your eyes back. An eye for an eye." Feixiao whispers back to him, gently stroking his head.
Jiaoqiu hugs her back tight, gripping the back of her coat as if he let go, she would disappear. He sobs, not caring at all if any stray alchemist or patient would come across the sight of the broken retainer.
She doesn't say anything as he cries, only holding him tight, occasionally pressing her lips against his cheek, nose, brow, neck. All physical reminders that she is there, that he is not alone in the darkness.