The flair rocketed through the air before dispersing into a brilliantly loud, bright display. Candy shielded her eyes, still quite sensitive to light, but at least it was helping her. Or, at least she thought. Every time she did so, it would alert more drones, the surroundings around the ship littered with their mechanical corpses. Ever since fixing the ship, she had thought about flying off to find her again, but staying put felt … safer for some reason. Plus, she didn’t want to put in all of this work and wait for nothing.
Just as she had done before, she waited, scythe in hand, for any attackers. When none came, she sat, and waited, for any sign of Kanaya. Just as so many times before, she did not come.
With a sigh, Candy turned to head back into the ship.
> -- There is bustling heard in the distance. Whirring, if one listens close enough. But it is not their time. Not yet. For now, they are allowed this moment. For science, of course.
Kanaya hasn’t seen another living soul in over two sweeps. The idea that something beyond desolation, isolation... That there is more that could be there for her, it’s almost too much to think about. She is strong, steady in her run. The flair must have been at least a mile away, and it takes painfully long footfalls to race to it. The last sparkles flickered out minutes ago, but she thinks she knows the way. What if she just, what if she just -
“Karkat!” She shouts, chest heaving, heavy. Tears flow from her eyes. She prays it isn’t a trap, a cruel joke. She shouts her name until her throat is raw, and her maw is already so dry. One, two, one, two. She’s got to be there, she has to be.
And that’s when the metal hull is in view.
The Sylph’s eyes widen, hot tears streaming down her face, threatening to melt her skin clean off. It flickers with white light, and a final burst of speed is all she has in her. And then, and then!
The ship, no one is there. There is no one here, as she looks frantically. There’s a sealed port, god, that must be the door. Fuck, come on! Kanaya, without even thinking, runs up to the door, and tries to open it with trembling hands. Her breath is shallow, eyes wide and bloodshot. No. No, no! She makes a fist, and bangs on the door with the meat of her palm. “Candy! Candy, I’m here, it’s me!” She carries on like this for a moment, so weak, so tired. Her tears have stopped, and she’s slid to her knees, feet tucked under her skirt. Her knocks have turned into light taps.
“It’s me, let me in.” A quiet sob as she leans against the door, not even with enough sense to message Candy that she’s there.