The Ruler's Rift

To Feed, To Sleep

Celeste had heard through the grapevine that Lance and his troupe moved on from Sharcandia, which nailed the coffin of her concerns. Her thoughts shifted to calm beaches, clear skies, and starry nights. So many worlds offered a comfortable vacation, testing and challenging the lovers to pick the best destination - they faced little argument and settled on a planet of mostly water, full of hotels and used as a resort by its god.

Space flights proved expensive but more surprisingly they boasted impressive popularity. Celeste and Lucy accepted they'd have to wait for their trip; two weeks, to be exact. Between days and nights, their need for the trip only thrived. Tea began to fail Lucy. The medicine grew weak - perhaps her proteins only misfolded further. Celeste swore she could hear them while Lucy lay awake, crinkling like bent paper. The demon scrambled for methods to lull the Sharcanid to sleep. Each one showed promise before the inevitable betrayal. Music failed; storytelling failed; sex failed. Everything failed.

Despite her desperation, Celeste feigned hope as the two finally stepped off the metal spaceship and onto warm sand. "Whoa, look at it, Lucy!" The demon cheered. She pointed to coral the size of skyscrapers, sprouting out of the shore and reaching toward the bold sky free of clouds. Crystal water lapped up at the towering, colorful structures.

"It's...really pretty," Lucy sighed. Her enthusiasm flickered beneath her exhaustion like the dying flames in old coal.

Celeste hugged Lucy close, letting the sharcanid lean on her. "Don't worry, Lucy," she soothed as other tourists walked past them. "This is just what you need. The fresh air will help you sleep better than anything."

"Thanks, Cel."

The Mystearlian nodded and trotted forth excitedly. The sand squished under her boots and she longed to remove them, to sink her claws into the shore and let the moist beach seep up between her toes. "Listen to the waves...I'm sure they'll help you," Celeste cooed as she walked with Lucy to their hotel.

Upon checking in, the two hurried up to their room, booked on the highest floor where trees swayed just out the window and the sky poured in. Celeste set down their luggage as Lucy collapsed onto the queen-sized bed. "It's comfy..." she muttered into the pillows.

"This is great!" The demon squealed. She bounced on her toes. "Look! It even has a mini fridge! Oh, imagine all the food we can put in here!"

"Don't you think the god of this place could've given us regular fridges? He governs several worlds, doesn't he?" Lucy yawned. She didn't move.

"He turned so many of his planets into resorts, did he not? I suppose you have a point, then." Celeste agreed. She swatted her wrist. "Ah, who cares!? They're cute when they're small!"

The insomniac weakly laughed. Celeste welcomed a smirk and leaned over the bed. She hummed, "Want to come down to the beach with me? I know you're just dying to see me in a bikini."

Lucy rolled over with a groan. Her tail drooped over the bed's edge without a single thump. She sighed, "Yeah, but I'm also dying to sleep...you should go by yourself for now."

Celeste's grin withered and she turned her eyes away. "Oh. I thought you slept some last night?"

"No." Lucy shook her head.

"Sorry..."

"I haven't slept in forty-eight hours, I think. Ugh, it's blending together." Lucy's jaw clenched and she rolled back onto her face, as if to smother herself to sleep.

Celeste pulled back and squeezed her arms as if the summery beach became a tundra. "Come join me if you feel up to it," she muttered, fishing her bikini and towel out of the luggage. Brow furrowed and eyes narrow, she left the room.