Cinder's knuckles were struck thick in white. A single candle light enshrouded her world the bleakness of pale orange glow. Cold flooring struck uncomfortably at her backside and feet. Arms tucked tight around her knees, pulling herself close. The flicker of flame danced anxiously in her golden eye, painting her skin even paler than it was in its active light. Her hair was drawn into her two crips strands just like Madame ordered her into. She was so tired. Neck burning with a crisp hot flame, evident was the yellow gem which hung from her neck. The metal grafted into it, burning brighter than the candle before the weeping child. Shoulders bobbed up and down, the distant ringing of the hotel carrying through her broken little hovel.
A crack of thunder and lightning shook her candle out, Cinder breathing in shock as she spun around. The shattered glass of her small pit firing glass and rain down with the veracity of the storm. Cinder's pale, sallow face widened in fear and horror as lightning zagged through the air. Catching the light post beyond her window in an explosion of fiery yellow sparks. Hailing down the street and into the windows with a flurry of burning waves. Cinder's left hand raised in panic, the heat already burning her skin from the mere proximity. Her right eye seeing the shower of sparks fall onto her. But one stray spark slipped through her boney fingers, its light growing in intensity before Cinder's eyes.
The candle danced to its same small beat. Darkness once more bathing the cottage. Cinder's hair, no longer tied down, was beginning to grow out once again. Its tufts falling over her eyepatched left eye. The curls blackened colour a stark opposition to the paleness of Cinder's skin. Though she was no longer sallow of weight, she was shivering. The racket of the rain pelting the roof of their snug home roared like shelling. The Wet Season was ending in a particularly voluminous downpour. But it wasn't the water that stressed Cinder.
The Fall Maiden was curled up, her long legs brought tight to her chest, golden eye staring into the flame. Metal gears whine quietly as she stirred, her place underneath the kitchen table only making that slight noise unbearably uncomfortable. Beside her curled form was her scroll, blackened from disuse. What the hair didn't disguise, however, in the creeping light of the fire. The etching of the jagged scar that ran around her neck was acutely highlighted.
Lightning. That's what made this night impossibly alone so spectacularly fretful. Candlelight was overrun in a bright burst of light, forcing the Maiden's eye to slam shut. Cinder's complete form crunching into the ground as tears brimmed on her face. Sniffing hard as the thunder's bellow shook the house. Candlelight quaked at the roar, similarly to Cinder's stifled muttering.
"L-Lila?" Cinder's voice stuttered out. Her flesh handshaking, the hold on the soft yellow scarf within her grip was drawn tight. It had been hours of constant downpour. The lightning, gods, it felt like it would never end. All the once-mighty Fall Maiden, now the broken Cinder from that warehouse floor, could think of was this woman. Lila had left just before the rain picked up. She had promised to be fast. "I don't want to be alone anymore…" Cinder mumbled, sniffing all the way through. Her eye burned red, puffy and terrified. It was as if each of lightning was resummoning that damnable contraption at her neck.
Another flash dug the metal digits into her shoulder. Bruising was evident by the pressure alone. The chill of the air worsened, Cinder's Maiden powers flinching with every burst. The scarred woman's breath could be seen in the fumbling light. Her skin prickled with the chill, the usual fire within her broken in the face of the storm.
But, the next bang and crash didn't come from a bright flash. Pots spilled to the ground from behind Cinder. The woman's breath was frantic as she spun around under the table. The chill of the room turned volatile, though not from Cinder. Craning her eye from underneath the furniture to see the kitchen, Cinder saw the window's latch was thrown open. Rain and howling wind spraying onto the floor and room. Scrambling in a moment of adrenaline, Cinder pushed herself, with shaking limbs, forth.
She didn't need to go far before the cause of Cinder's disturbance became apparent. In the kitchen sink, screaming loud was her howls, Cindy grumbled out. Cinder's voice was still partially muted, "Cindy!" She tried to shout, but it caused some spittle to rise. Forcing her cough. Cinder raced over to the window. Shaking hands, metallic and flesh, struggled to close the opened window in the storm's face. With some trepidation, Cinder's efforts slammed the window shut, the howls of the wind exchanging for the cat's own cries for attention.
Turning down to the sink, Cinder had to lean heavily onto the counter as she glared at the cat. The pair were in similar states. However, Cindy's fur was matted to her thin frame. Fabric Cinder had made for the stray to cover her missing eye. It was torn and weighed by mud. Ignoring her fear, Cinder found some resolve in herself. "What happened to you, little one?" Cinder said, going to the sink. Leaning all the way down to put the pair closer as the cat wailed. Their large amber eyes meeting, Cinder ran her hand over Cindy's head and back, the cat leaning into the touch heavily. "My little girl, you're frozen." Pale fingers came under the cat's chin. Scratching was rewarded with a low purr. The calming of the cat's buzzing let Cinder's heart rate settle. Though the chill at Cinder's hand was still apparent, the cat making an indignant huff as she retracted her fingers. "Come on, bud."
Cinder's palms maneuvered under Cindy's front arms. Little meows of protest made Cinder scoff. Holding Cindy to her chest, she could feel the chill of the wet fur. "Let's get you warm, kay?" In reply, Cindy murmured into the crook of Cinder's neck. Nestling herself into Cinder's form, Cindy found a comfortable position nestled in the bend of Cinder's elbow. The rain felt distant as she maneuvered them across the room, "It's okay, dear. We'll get warm, don't you worry-."
A clap of dull light stunned Cinder for a moment, the thunder trailing weakly after it. Knees turned weak for a moment, the thunderous cry of the storm beyond the walls terrifying her to stunning degrees. But before Cinder could shut down, Cindy's shock had a touch more meaning. Sharp claws jettisoned from her paws and feet, slipping through the knit of Cinder's clothes and into her form. The sudden and intense pain drove adrenaline into her system.
Bringing herself to get a hold of herself. The stinging of the cat's talons drove Cinder's breath from her, "Cindy!" She spat from under her breath. "What are you?-" The crackling of the thunder passed as she spoke. A hard exhale and comprehensive eye glance to the clinging cat accompanied Cinder's smile. "You hear that?" Cindy squeaked, "Yeah, the storm's passing over, my friend." Chiding the cat in her baby talk voice, Cinder's metal finger waggled in front of Cindy's face.
The smile stuck for a moment before Cinder sighed again, holding Cindy still as she crouched and went under the table. Blowing out the small candle, grabbing the scroll as well. Cindy squirmed a little in her hands as Cinder got back up, "Hey, look, we're gonna call mom." Cinder smiled at her friend. Metal digit flying over the scroll, Cinder eventually got to the video call option.
After a few moments of ringing, the woman of Cinder's dreams came on the screen. "Cinder?" Lila's voice was a little scrambled, but her picture was at least solid. Columns of books lined the scene behind her, the bookkeeper and that one warrior Cinder remembered mulling about. "Lily!" Cinder squeaked in excitement but had to shake herself a little to get her tone back. "How are you? Are you okay?" Cindy glared a little up at Cinder, the poor cat shaking her head all the while. "I-I'm fine, how are you?" Lila's voice rested intensely in concern, "I'm so sorry, I should have been back sooner. I know the storms bring back some-." Cinder saw the near tears her partner held and was quick to shake her head. "Lily, nono! Don't worry about me. Look who came by!" With a smile, Cinder tilted the scroll to Cindy.
A relieved-sounding sigh came through the scroll. "Aw, oh good. I was worried that our little one there was out still." Lila said, Cinder just catching the tired smile on her partner's face. "So," Cinder began, twisting the camera back up. "When are you coming back?" Lila took a moment, leaning back from the scroll, "Well, it's not quite cleared up in the town yet. Two more hours, tops?" Not to lie, a little enthusiasm left Cinder, but she was still glad Lila was okay. "Right, that's fine. Be safe." The Fall Maiden managed through her pout, "I'll let you go then."
Lila was quick to smile at the disheartened Cinder. "Aw, I'll be home soon. I love you, Cin." Pout rescinding at those words, Cinder beamed wide. "I love you too, Lily. I'll see you when you're home!" The pair disconnecting.
With a brave and solitude huff, Cinder raised Cindy out in front of her. "You wanna bath?" She asked with a little waggle of her head. In return, a meow met her, accompanied by the smallest 'blep' one could see. Cinder mimicked the cat, smiling as she stuck her tongue out. "Alright, let's go get you warm, bud." Declaring loudly as she carried Cindy off to the bathroom.