After five hundred steps, the two reached the top. The sun was setting, creating a stunning scene, looking into the open ocean. The wind was cold, but it was a welcomed blessing. They set Lillian down and walked out to the banister. Lillian stood and hobbled over to join Charis by the balcony.
"It's breathtaking up here. I've lived here, in this town, most of my life. I still cannot comprehend how much I love this place." He said wistfully. Lillian agreed, "Me too, I like sunsets. They very peaceful." Charis didn't respond. A faint smile played on their lips. The sunlight toyed with their hair and danced in their honey colored eyes. The caws Of seagulls and the roaring waves below filled a comforting silence. Lillian slid down to the floor. Her legs hurt and exhausted from the days adventure. The balcony had planks of wood holding it up. So she could still watch the setting sun. She leaned on Charis's leg. Absentmindedly, Charis petted her hair. Leaving them in a comforting quiet.
A big, shaggy dog pranced up to their other leg. Followed by a cat who leapt gracefully onto the banister. Lillian moved behind Charis's leg. Fearful of the two animals, and hugged Charis's leg.
"Hm? Oh don't worry about Marsha and Sergei. They don't bite." He soothed. "Although, Marsha might want a whiff of you." They smiled. "W-Why?" Lillian asked nervously. "Marsha is a dog, curious by nature. Also very affectionate. So she licks." They explained, "However, She is very polite. Just let her smell your hand." Charis shrugged. "Sergei is an ass. A great companion, but an ass most of the time." Charis insulted vulgarly. Lillian wrapped her arms tighter around his leg and squeezed. Still to scared. Charis turned and sat cross legged beside Lillian. He took one of her hand and called Marsha towards them. The dog, a chocolate colored mutt, hopped over. She licked his face and set her snout in their lap. Sergei leapt onto Charis's shoulders. Settling there and kneading the skin and coat. Lillian glanced at her hand bashfully. She took a deep breath and touched Masha's belly. Testing the waters. The dogs tail wagged wildly. She turned over onto her back. Charis smiled at the pair. "How cute." He commented. "You even found her favorite spot." He smirked.
"I have?" She asked, impressed.
"Mhmm, she loves it when people rub her stomach. She also loved this." They rubbed her chin. Causing her to bark in delight. Sergei mewed in jealousy, bapping Charis's face. "Hey! Sergei, leave me alone-" Charis chuckled. Lillian scratched the same spot on Masha's chin. Looking over at the kitty. "I told you he was an ass. " Charis warned with a smile. Sergei's blue-grey tail whacked their nose. Charis cursed the cat as they picked the salty cat up by the scruff. Lillian watched curiously. Charis Lightheartedly scolded the cat as Masha stood to lay her head on Lillian's lap. Giving her a small 'woof'.
Lillian blinked and glanced between Charis and the dog. "She not like me?" Lillian asked sadly. "Hm? No, she likes you. Masha just does that." They shrugged. "But she made noise at me..." Lillian argued. "Yeah, don't mind it. Sergei does that as well." Charis reassured. Lillian accepted that answer and continued to pet Masha.
"Why they named Masha and Sergei?" Lillian inquired. "Sergei was my little brothers name, and Masha was my mother's. I cared about them a lot." Charis said softly, petting Sergei. "Ope, do they live with you? I mean not intrude." Lillian apologized.
"No, they passed away years ago."
"...sorry...did I make you sad?" Lillian regretted asking. "No...I came to terms with their deaths. It is still good to sit and remember them though." Charis nodded. "Okay...glad you are not sad." Lillian nodded, feeling awkward. She went back to giving Masha attention.
"Sorry, did I make this awkward?" Charis asked. Lillian shook her head, no. "I did not expect them to be gone is all."
"Eh, Sergei was mute. He wasn't as loud as the cat. That's something I miss." He joked, trying to brighten the mood. "Heh..." They chuckled, laughing at their own joke. Lillian smiled. Petting Sergei under his lil chin. "Sergei is cute." She told them. "Da, He is." Charis nodded. "Where you find Sergei And Masha?" Lillian asked, worried it might make the air more uncomfortable.
"Sergei came with the lighthouse. Kept the rats at bay. Masha was just a stray. She followed me home." Charis smiled patting Masha on the head. A horn blew making Masha howl, quite loudly. Lillian covered her ears. Charis flinched, almost dropping poor Sergei. They apologized to the cat. He held the kitty against their chest. "Argh...boats can be so loud." He complained. Lillian nodded in agreement.
"Aah, that means I have to start this then." They nodded to the giant spinny light. Masha barked and Sergei settled in Lillian's lap, kneading her legs. Charis walked inside and picked up a well-worn matchbox. He popped open a match and a cigarette. Setting the latter on his lip and striking the match against the metal table. "You may want to look away!" Charis called to Lillian. Lillian looked away and closed her eyes as they had ordered. With that, they lit their cigarette and tossed the match into the wood pile. From there, they moved to the side. Where a large metal bar. Was soldered to the light. Which he gripped and started to push. Charis's wiry strength was barely enough to get the light to spin. "Just needs a little push." They muttered to no one in particular as he pushed against the bar still.
The light blazed to life and began to spin. "Did you turn the light on?" Lillian asked, her eyes still closed. "Yes." Charis answered, sitting back down. They sighed softly, petting Sergei once more. "If you want I can take you downstairs again." He offered.
Lillian opened her eyes. "Downstairs?" Lillian repeated, looking back at the dwindling sunset that remained. She nodded.
Lillian gently set Sergei on the ground, and shakily stood. Charis picked Lillian up. Hefting her thighs up to his waist. Then started to descend the 500-step climb downward. This time however his hands shook against her. Probably from using all his strength to push the light.
