in the crystalline knowledge of you

Audra took in a deep breath. There was a solemn silence in the air, like the sound of a goodbye. The thought hit Avantika suddenly and her eyes widened. Her heart sped up like maybe if it moved fast enough, it could make her brain work the way it was supposed to instead of sitting paralyzed. She wanted to cry, "No! Stop!" but she didn't. She just stood, hoping in the way that one could when one couldn't do anything else. She was frozen.

Suddenly, Audra's nose touched her cheek. Avantika stared down at her, flushed and surprised. It would be a shame, she thought, a damned shame if they weren't together at the end of this mess. It was all she could think. 'I-I didn't w-want you to forget me if s-something happens,' she explained. Avantika replied fiercely, "Nothing's going to happen. I'll fight death itself to make sure you get home safe."

She watched as Audra put the potion to her lips, her promise giving her a newfound trust. It was nothing, mere superstition, but what else did she have?

"Speech"