Kael stands by the table, her scarred arm visible, as Kavya and Naia join the circle of musicians and listeners in the warm, lantern-lit courtyard.Sūrya's ivory hand reaches for another chili-glazed carrot, tears streaming down her face, eyes wide with the burn.Naia walks confidently toward Kavya, who sits on a stone bench, her hand hesitating before settling, lantern light flickering warmly.Kael, Moss, and Sūrya sit on the seawall at night, the harbor's amber lights reflecting on the dark water below.Sūrya stands on the seawall, her fingers touching the mesh implant, eyes fixed on Moss, the lantern's warm light cutting through the dark sea.Kael and Sūrya sit at the ends of the table, sharing a meal with the Twelve Antarctikans under the soft, gray light.Sūrya's tears stream down her cheeks as she lowers a chili-glazed carrot, her eyes wide with shock and revelation.Moss sits on a crate in the glassworks courtyard, playing a six-string fretless instrument under the warm lantern light, his hands moving with confident imperfection.Naia, with a smear of kiln ash, reaches up to take Kavya's hesitant hand under the warm lantern light.Sūrya's boots slip on the packed earth as Moss steadies her, children trailing behind in the shadowed Tidemouth streets.
