Jade Fern Grove I was wild, chasing stones.

@Julien

It was well past midnight when she finally made it to somewhere secluded, but even so, she could not fathom sleep; her coat was a mess, she had not eaten anything since before her visit to Elysium, and her spirits were quite low. Somehow Ibis was too energized despite the worn feeling of her body, likely she was overtired and made manic by it, and so she paced within the confines of the forest. The ferns trembled softly as she moved through them in the dark — besides that, all was still and quiet.

She had thought about returning to the Lost Creek to ask after her mother. Maybe Seabreeze and Olive had left the mountainside because of the quaking earth and found safety there, with her father? 'Find them tomorrow, ask them tomorrow,' she thought to herself, reciting it as  mantra: 'tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow...' Yet she could not shake the feeling that it was futile, this attempt to find them, if that's what this was. Ibis wasn't sure if she was comfortable returning there after some thought, but she would put off her decision until the morning.

As she trailed through one thicket of forest or another, she came upon a gap in the trees that could've been caused by the recent struggle of the earth. Trees braced by trees, roots pulled up or split, and a clearing in the canopy overhead that seemed out of place to her. Ibis lingered on the edge of the forest clearing with some caution, wondering if it was safe — but nothing shook, and barely anything moved even with the billowing northwind overhead. So, she began to investigate and gradually cross the open expanse of disheveled dirt and exposed greenery.

She got partway when the gleaming moon made an appearance. The heavy clouds parted long enough to produce a spotlight of silver, shifting all the colors around her in to a myriad of argent tones; the cream of her coat paled further, and the warm accents took on a sheen for a brief interval. The girl sighed, watching the heavens with a heavy heart and burdened mind.

lost my first post so please forgive this redo :^)

He moved down from the mountain once more. Admittedly he was made nervous by the earth's rumblings. Every time it shook it seemed to send free some stones. What happened if it sent down a large boulder? Who might be the victim of its arrival? He grimaced at the idea as he slipped eastward. Off he went until he encountered a grove.

The silence of it all welcomed him. His thoughts lifted away as he admired the place around him. Why couldn't they have ended up here? He supposed it might be because there was no pack here. That aside it seemed the thrive. Small creeks here and there with all sorts of greens around him. It was lively and welcoming.

Things opened up around him though. The earth had done damage here but...oh. The heavens had split too and down came moonlight upon a feminine figure. It was oddly dreamy. Pale sheen, bathed in moonlight. He couldn't help but awkwardly gawk at her. All manners he ever had were forgotten in the moment.

She had not spoken in a long time; not since her communion with Okeanos at least, and in fact, she had no idea where her brother had ended up after. So involved in her own sorrows as she was — he could have been lurking somewhere within the grove too, and maybe he was in an attempt to give her space. Perhaps he was with Ereshkigal and the two were becoming fast friends. For now Ibis was alone and the exposed feeling she held while standing there, in the moonlight, felt too heavy. She let out a sigh, unknowingly covering the sound of foot falls behind her; the stranger was not seen, not heard.

The girl let out a small croon in the night, perhaps to warm her throat in preparation for singing, but the feeling that usually accompanied Ibis' urge to express herself did dwindle, and the sound rose and fell swiftly, dismissively. Would it matter if she sang, here? Would her mother hear her, return to her? The moon winked behind a thin cloud then, and Ibis could no longer look at it. Her head drooped to the level of her shoulders as she re-oriented herself with her surroundings. It was at this point that she caught sight of something pale, glimmering, just out of reach behind her.

Oh, she breathed, feeling shock come and go. The stranger looked ghostly in the silverlight and Ibis' first thought was, 'where is Okeanos?' but she was not frightened. They looked as stricken as she did for that instant. She called out to him, Hello, and her ears twisted to the sound of her own voice - she almost didn't recognize it. It was quiet, shy, and sad. In an effort to make a better first impression she cleared her throat and drifted through the clearing towards him, keeping a safe distance just in case he was a danger - or in case she lost her composure. I.. I mean, good evening.

Even when the girl turned around to face him, he didn't seem to stop his gawking. Then she spoke and something in his brain switched on. Anxiously he shifted his weight as the awkwardness of his staring caught up to him. Had Antha been here she likely would have popped him on the back of the head for being so weird and rude.

Good evening. He parroted back in a deep but soft voice. I was just, just...um. Shut up, Julien he thought because oh goodness he really was making a mess of all of this. It didn't need to be this disastrous but it seemed he was keen on making it that way. The moon. Admiring the moon. It seemed like the easiest thing to settle on. I guess you probably saw it too, huh? He found himself back on track with social normality even if the topic was odd.

His voice was so small at first and she nearly didn't hear him, but then he seemed to notice his shyness too, and made himself louder. The moon — Ibis' eyes went skyward and she tipped her head to look at it again, feeling somehow purer because of the light, thin as it was. The clouds soon obscured the moon entirely, the world going from a shining silver to a sad grey which she felt, powerfully, as she adjusted to focus again on the boy. He was a point of light which persisted in the gloom; pale and smooth, she drifted towards his diffused light.

Ibis did not want to converse with anyone right now, not really anyway, and she wasn't sure if company was the greatest asset in her current state; but it was better to be around someone friendly even if they were a stranger, at least better than sitting and dwelling in the moonlight over all the changes in her life. Her losses, her failures, the various paths she could take and no definitive answer for which path was the right path. So for now she'd bask in the company of the boy as long as he'd let her, even if she was preternaturally quiet.

She did try to break the stillness though; it was only fair.

It is a magical sight, she says. He'd already broken the ice with his floundering, and she would have been intrigued by him, charmed by him, if her mind wasn't already full to the brim with so many thoughts. Something trembled a ways deeper in to the forest and she turned her attention to it — maybe it was Okeanos blundering around in the dark — but nothing came of it, so she turned back to the stranger and smiled thinly, playing at the charade of contentedness.

Are you from around here? It sounded like a line, and she immediately felt flush with embarrassment for how awkward she felt, the corners of her lips curling as she lets out a giggle and looks away for a moment, feeling her cheeks warm.

"It is a magical sight,"

Yeah, it had been but he wasn't really talking about the moon. Not that he would ever say that because despite all of his floundering, he wasn't that awkward. Or confident. It depended on how one looked at it. Then she stirred the direction of the conversation elsewhere. Some weight was lifted off of his shoulders as the threat of being weird seemed to be distant now.

Then she giggled and looked elsewhere. Julien, despite all of his masculinity, was no man. He was a boy and she was being all cute-like which meant he already lost the battle for composure. He couldn't stop cracking a grin of his own before returning the laughter. It was like her giggle had been infectious. Hey, what's so funny? His own laughter broke up his words but the sentence was clear enough to understand surely. Long neck craned out to get a better look at her with his own moonlight eyes. The smile never once left his face as he waited for her answer.

She didn't know how to do this. This, the whole, being around other people that weren't your brother, thing. It was easier with Ereshkigal because they were both girls, both eager for the bond of sisterhood. Here, with this stranger, Ibis couldn't help but feel like a fish out of water; her giggling was met with the pale boy's own laughter and in hearing it, she felt the embarrassment fluttering inside of herself die out. 'He probably thinks I am absolutely batty,' Ibis thought as she took a deep breath, trying to push away the rest of her emotions before they could sweep in and take over. The last thing she wanted to do was open that door and let the sadness through.

Hey, he quipped, what's so funny? And she wanted to say, nothing, because that's all she had right now to give him. Nothing. All she'd been left with after trying so hard with everything and everyone. For a moment Ibis watched him and her eyes glossed over a little bit, blurring, transforming him from the charming boy to a smudge of off-white. She was thinking of all the paths she could take, considering where this one might lead.

Soon she snapped out of it; it wasn't more than a few heartbeats.

Its like a fairytale, she tried to explain, placing another practiced smile upon her face. I mean, 'A lost girl roams the forest in the moonlight, and who should find her, but a white knight,' doesn't that sound a little funny to you? He did not look like a knight really, but maybe one day. He was young, well kept, and seemed to be healthy as well as pure of spirit so far. Ibis wondered what sort of tumult lived beneath the cloud-like exterior; what struggles did he keep locked away and buried deep? It was impolite to ask such hasty questions.

Whatever he had expected, it had not been what she provided. His laughter may have died out but there was a smirk settled across his scarred features now. I mean...sounds pretty nice to me. She had given him such a wide window to say something charming — something knightly — and he had mustered up all of his brain cells to say that. Admittedly it wasn't the greatest thing ever said but it was better than nothing.

How does the fairytale end? He carefully asked as he searched her face for some sort of guidance. Was he being too bold? Was it off-putting to her? Julien wasn't trying to be weird but he truly lacked experience with this sort of stuff. He had been cooped up (not really cooped, he didn't mind them) with his family this far and had only had his first taste with the world away from home. So he hoped that if she didn't appreciate his advances that she'd at least let him down easy.

She was too tired; it played out across her face the most, the sleepy blinking of her eyes, the continued mirth in her voice when she wasn't feeling at all cheerful or happy; she was so tired, having lost so much and been left to deal with it as best she could, knowing deep down in her heart that Mal might've had the right idea about the world, but she looked at her current company and chose to see the light instead. Bad things happened and you dealt with them as best you could, and Ibis was doing her very best. Sleep wanted to come to her but she had this boy to keep her company, and his interest in the story kept her mind awake. She smiled again; that cold, detatched expression barely reaching her eyes, but in the dark it wouldn't matter. The moon had slipped away from them and it was not like the stranger would be able to tell how heavy she felt.

'The girl speaks to the moon, unaware of her company. When the moon slips away, she finds the knight and,' It was difficult to know what to say, so she went with the first thing to come to mind: 'he swears to protect her in the dark, until the moon can light the way. He is shining like a beacon, pale and proud, and she is like a little moth fluttering about.' To add to this, she does as she tells. Ibis drifts around him and looks him over cautiously, curiously, rounding about him until she's standing on his opposide side. He has some scars she had not noticed before, but they make him look other-worldly. He has lived a life she cannot fathom, and interest sparks in her eyes. Where have you come from? She asks, taking the role to heart within this pantomime.

His heart hammered in his chest and for a moment he wondered if that was a good thing. Her words painted a beautiful picture in his mind. He was tempted to hold onto the thought but, why? They were living it at that very moment. He would revel in the reality of things for once.

Moonlight eyes watched as she flowed around him. Something in him desired to reach out to her, make sure she was real and not just some ghostly siren. Manners would have him stay relatively still though. A distraction from his own thoughts was graciously offered in her question. Originally, far away. He admitted with an almost distant look through the forest. It was short lived though as he looked back to her. Now I'm in some place called Diaspora. The way he said it made him sound like — feel like too, really — a stranger in the place. He didn't want to talk about him too much though. He had never been very good at it.

Do you have a name? He inquired softly before a small smile broke his features. I figure if I'm to protect you until the moon can lead you, Oh how he hopes the moon doesn't return so soon. ...then maybe I should have something to call you.

Far away was not much to go on; less-so was Diaspora, and even though Ibis had ventured throughout this valley she had not encountered the wolves of the mountain range, so she remained oblivious to how close they really were. It sounded new and different though and garnered further interest from her. She would have asked for more details - all in the guise of the story she was fabricating, ridiculous as the situation may have felt to her - but then the pale knight asked for an important distinction.

Who would she choose to be, in this moment? Ibis; the emotional, hard-working, innocent girl who had just lost everything? Or perhaps she would continue to be Cerulean; she had fared better of late, having met Ereshkigal and spent so much time becoming someone new, someone that could be better. What would appeal the most to her knight --?

Cerulean, she drawls. And you, my moon knight?

"Cerulean,"

His ears cupped forward with interest, an easy smile settling on his face. Pretty name. The complimented flowed from him with ease this time. As time ticked on he grew more comfortable — confident — in her presence. I sort of like the name Moon Knight. He would tease before carrying on to give a proper answer. Julien. The name was offered with a careful dip of his head. He wondered if the name would be charming enough for her, if it was the name of a man who could fill the role of a knight.

What would you like to do until the moon comes back for you? He may have been playing the role of a knight to protect her but it was her decision of what they did to pass the time.

She is so tired, but it makes the game easier. The story is simple enough to keep straight in her mind, and Ibis is honestly too tired to be worried about her behavior at this point; while she is usually very easy to embarrass, she's almost dopey in this moment, finding it easier and easier to talk to this rogue male—utterly trusting, as if the boy was a figment of her imagination. He is charming, from his calming voice to the faint glow of his pale coat; her belly is aflutter and Ibis doesn't mind at all.

Julien, she murmurs to herself, trying to remember this fact for when morning comes. Maybe by then he'll have faded away like mist, clinging only to the tips of the grass as glittering frost. Maybe he's only here because she's so sad and alone, and needy, but she doesn't want to think like that—doesn't want to consider she could be befriending a ghost, gone when the sun appears again. Another loss to add to the pile.

What would you like to do until the moon comes back for you? The boy poetically blurs Ibis' sense of reality, and she smiles, wondering to herself if he notices the rhyme. Her smile lingers as she drifts closer, brushing the cold tip of her nose against his cheek to test if he was really made of moonlight, and her smile grows a little when his flesh slightly gives way. Tell me about yourself, Sir Julien. Where do you come from? Ibis feels warmth in her cheeks, and settles to her haunches beside the boy as if a spell has been cast over her—or maybe she's so tired she's inebriated by his company.

She was enchanting in a thrilling sort of way. Perhaps she worked magics of affection, cast spells of charm. That was an amusing thought to him. Did she have magic in her veins? Fueled on by moonlight and the mere energy of nature? He had half a mind to ask but admittedly...he was still a bit too bashful to do that. Playing pretend in a role she made for him was easy enough. It was not so easy to take the leap of faith — of creativity — with her.

He toyed with the thought of telling her where he was originally from but the idea was smothered in his mind. He would likely only find somberness if he went on about his roots. The mountain they (him and his sister, of course) lingered in now was pretty enough to perhaps spin some grand imagery. It's a lonesome place. Like the earth made it to be hidden, tucked into a sleepy hollow. It hides a beautiful sight though. He settled in beside her as he gave her a moment to begin painting the image in her mind. There's a lake that no doubt makes the place livable. Shimmers in the light. I bet tonight it would be radiant. His last word had his voice fall into a hushed whisper.

She could imagine this place he spoke of, painted with such simple terms, and as the images slowly came to life in her mind she closed her eyes; it was probably not a good idea to close her tired eyes like this, as soon she might just drift in to a dream of this hollow, but... It was too late.

Ibis envisioned a place like Elysium first; her childhood home filled with whispering willows, their tendrils cast in silver light. In the center was the lake — crystal clear in the chilled air and reflecting the moonlight, radiating with it. She imagined it would carry a mist, and she sighed inwardly to think of such a calm little place; Julien's voice kept her tethered to the waking world until he was finished, at which point she had to loose another sigh to jar herself awake again, fully.

It sounds lovely. She comments. Her voice is low, quiet, so sleepy — whatever alluring spell she had cast to keep him close during the telling of the tale had, perhaps, backfired. Ibis didn't want to fall asleep yet, tired as she was. His company was so nice, and she found herself easily trusting that she could slip away here beside him without worry. And yet, you are here with me. Mm.. Not that I... Mind... As she spoke she sort-of drifted, warmed by his nearness. Ibis didn't know what she was saying anymore.

sorry for the wait, figure we can probably wrap this up x:

It was not hard to see that she seemed lulled. Either by the time of night or by his rough story telling. It felt rude to keep pestering her for attention only because he could not sleep.

And I will stay until morning light, if moonlight doesn't return for you. He wondered if she might find his little hint in the words. It would not be awful to have a small nap before dawn and move out when the first sunlight broke through. There has to be a more comfortable place for a moon moth to wait out the clouds. A soft hum as his head turned to look for somewhere.

Its ok! :> I'll fade it.

As she drifted in to a light sleep, his words came to her. They were light incarnate; a glimmering cloud that sounded more like wind chimes than a voice the further she went in to a dream world. She heard him, her eyes closed, everything trying so hard to focus and to stay awake—but those words and sounds became like lyrics, a song, accompanying the flickering images of a pale man in the moonlight. Whether he stayed with her in the physical world or not, the girl was fast asleep and unaware if the knight lingered alongside her.