If You Lost Your Soul On the Underground

[man_nav_naudas]

WHO: Raivis and Everyone
WHEN: Wednesday afternoon, May 4th- evening to ???
WHERE: Liberty's Botanical Garden
WHAT: To honor that which has been misplaced, misguided, and in the remembrance of everything or the forgetting of only one, bring a candle and let your troubles burn.

Comments

Solitary

[lizzypan]

It wouldn't take long.

Elizaveta slipped into the park silently, keeping her head down. She didn't really know how these things worked, but it was a chance for her to settle some feelings that still hung around her stomach. She walked over to a park bench, setting down a few candles.

Then, slowly, she breathed in and remembered.

One candle was lit for Francis. She lighted this mostly for Gilbert, who she knew wasn't about to get over his friend's disappearance so soon. Francis had taught her a lot of things, and he was underneath it all, genuinely sweet. She moved on.

The second one was lit for Lili. Her dear, sweet Lili. Tears were already welling in the back of her eyes as she remembered their last conversation--a mature, dressed up Lili about to get ready for her date. Brushing aside her tears, Elizaveta picked up the next candle.

The third for Gupta. It still hurt to think of Gupta, because he had left without telling her or anyone anything. She knew he had been lonely for a while, but she had never thought... She prayed that he was well. He would always be allowed back at her place anytime. Anytime.

Fourth, Ludwig. Somehow, through a turn of events, they hardly knew each other while still feeling like they had been growing up together along with Gilbert. He was, deep down, a sweetie. Elizaveta had thought he had more reason than to just... up and go again, but she would survive. She would take care of Feli and Gil and things would be okay.

Elizaveta stared at her last two candles and breathed out shakily. Alright.

The fifth candle was for Sadiq. She hated him, oh she hated him so much. She hated his facial hair, his accent, his oldness, his smell, his getting Gupta... she hated how fond they became of each other. After that dream, something had changed between them. She couldn't help but cry, thinking of all the people who had left her recently. No, she still had one more to go. The most obvious one of all.

A sixth candle stood for Mr. Edelstein. He had been so special to her, had paid her and made her feel welcome-no, she was getting moony. It was time to move on with her announcement. She took a minute to watch the candles, the first one close to dying already.

"Everyone," she murmured, "Thank you for being there for me. It's been tough, the last few weeks. I've had to make hard decisions, and it doesn't seem to be lightening up anytime soon. But because of you guys, I'll do them. My life is actually pretty good right now, so you should come back." She paused to blink away her tears, "Please, just come back. I won't ask questions. I'll just... welcome you home."

Another pause.

"Actually, I'm not that lonely anymore, you know. It's funny, because now that almost all of my friends are gone, you'd think that I would be. But that's because I'm not carrying everything by myself anymore. Guys I... I have a boyfriend now. It's Gilbert. Are you surprised? I was too. But he's been here my entire life, and I only just noticed after thinking of all of you-I would be so much more wrecked if he were to leave me. He's the most important thing to me right now. I l-love him. So wish me luck. I'll catch you lot a-around."

Her voice faltering, Elizaveta kissed the side of her lighter. Then, she bowed her head to the candles. The air inside her felt lighter.

She had finally said goodbye.