For Day 1 of @cinnaphosweek
Morning–when the sun shines.
Exhaustion slowly sets in as Cinnabar comes to the end of their patrol route. Their heels sink into the sand as they make their way through the path that leads to the hollow and Cinnabar sighs as they begin to feel the weight of the long, lonely night set in.
Despite the heaviness of their limbs, Cinnabar knows that they cannot rest easy just yet. They pause, eyes turned to the sky, watching and waiting but the only thing Cinnabar can sense is the sound of the water as the tide washes against the sand.
Rays of sunshine begin to appear, breaking through the night sky and replacing the stars above.
It will not be long before the morning meeting begins and the others take over the daily patrols. Cinnabar can probably even hear Jade’s voice if they strain hard enough.
The sky begins to brighten even more, the sun slowly rising across the horizon and yet Cinnabar finds themself still lingering along the beach. The world around them slowly wakes but Cinnabar remains standing still, gaze never once leaving the sky above.
Mercury gathers at their fingertips, dripping to the ground and pooling on the ground. Cinnabar tenses, not daring to move a single muscle even as the sun begins to blur their vision. If something were to happen, now would be the time.
A loud shout breaks their concentration and Cinnabar blinks, focus lost. The mercury stills, hovering around them and Cinnabar flexes their hand, taking deep, steadying breaths. It does nothing to relieve the sudden tightness in their chest.
They do not even have to glance over their shoulder to know who it is. Cinnabar would recognize that voice anywhere. Only Phosphophyllite could possibly be so loud and grating so early in the morning and Cinnabar sighs as it gets closer and closer.
Ignoring the flush that builds along their cheeks, Cinnabar moves forward, hoping to put enough distance between them before Phosphophyllite manages to discover where they are. Hiding behind the fall of their hair, Cinnabar refuses to look back even as the annoyingly cheerful giggles fill the air.
When they reach the cove it is blissfully quiet but the sound of Phosphophyllite’s voice continues to echo in their mind long after.
>>AO3 link