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Columbina opens her eyes and sees Dottore's crumbling form, lunar energy shattering his body to the point not even ashes remains.
Her eyes sweep over the battlefield and—
Oh.
Oh no.
She immediately runs over to her side, gently cradling the broken puppet. The usual clear porcelain face now filled with cracks and sparks from electrical wires being pried open.
Theres a huge open hole on her chest and Columbina feels her heart ache.
Sandrone is so beautiful.
This is the first time Columbina has ever seen her. Has looked at her. She hugs her tighter, cradling Sandrone's body for too long.
Lumine says nothing, only putting a gentle hand on her shoulder. I'm here— The gesture says.
They give her space. As much as she's overjoyed to have saved Nod-Krai, has saved her nation, theres a heavy feeling in her chest.
Lauma gives her a gentle smile and hugs her tightly. "It's alright. We'll be alright, you can do what you want to do. You deserve it." The moonchanter says softly.
Columbina nods. Bidding a 'see you later' to everyone before teleporting to silvermoon hall.
In the moon statue where she usually sleeps, the kuuhenki surround Sandrone's broken body. Some fluttering sadly, some laying quietly.
Columbina says nothing. Only floating silently to sit beside Sandrone.
She says nothing as she fixes Sandrone's position, giving the puppet a lap pillow as she looks closely.
Gently tracing lines on Sandrone's face, to memorize, to look at what she had taken for granted. Even with all the cracks, she's so beautiful, so perfect. She was made with love, Columbina can tell.
Was this worth it?
Her "happy ending" in exchange for Sandrone's life.
Surely, this can't be real?
Maybe, maybe Sandrone is playing with her. She's gonna be alright. She probably has a back-up plan and finally she'd say nasty things to Columbina again.
Please, please.
"... Don't leave me."
She whimpers, tears falling on Sandrone's broken face.
With one hand, she gently holds Sandrone's cheeks while the other holds one of the lifeless hands.
She leans down, forehead pressing against Sandrone's own. Its so quiet. There's no sound coming from Sandrone. No whirring from her inner machinery, or even her key turning. Just pure silence.
"You have to come back."
She says softly, tears still streaming down her face, down to Sandrone's own.
"You have to come back to me, Sandrone."