Yaobikuni Holds Her Breath

Kanata finds himself at the edge of the water again, dim light and the lullabye hum of machines his companions. He breathes. Frost eddies in the air in the shape of his exhale, whilst the water agitates below. Sits. Slips one leg, then the other into the tank and remains there with his legs dangling beneath him, the water tracing ripples anew in the wake of his movements.

"Splish. Splash."

The dark shapes beneath say nothing back.

—

( Two planets and 617,000 kilometers ago a live battle had meant stagelights, song, and dance. )