Northstar Vale We're fallin' like the stars

1C°, currently it is clear and set during the night. Located in Northstar Vale, the great pillars | ooc notes: thread to assign zodiac! feel free to use it for a trade! <3 | tagging: @Atwood

As the day faded into night, the Empress sought out their newest member and guided him to the place that she found was best to view the stars within the Empire's walls. We will see what guardian constellation has brought you to us today. Carefully she padded up the side of the cliff up to the clearing between the positioned rocks. The skies were thankfully clear tonight, making it easy to see the twinkling bodies above.

I like to believe that these constellations could help guide our people grow, as inspiration and maybe something to watch over them in any dark moments. Let's see which of the 12 guides you. It was a simple way of putting it, and honestly, but maybe it would inspire a few and that is all that mattered.

he'd roused easily upon reiko's arrival and slipped into step behind her, gazing upward. he knows the constellations she speaks of, but this is a new way of seeing them. what hung in the sky the day he left, he wonders, and what might it mean?

instead, he asks, "so everyone here has one of these guardians?" fascinated by the concept. elysium hadn't done this, no, but it reminds him nevertheless of olive and her witchcraft; he knows the stars do more than we might think.

Yes. The word is uttered gently. Cerulean eyes searching Atwood for a moment while pale lips turned into a kind smile, soon after she turned her attention to the stars to guide his eye to his guardian constellation. Do you see the lightly curved line of stars? That is your guardian, Aries. Funny enough, the headstrong constellation is what was looking down on gentle Atwood, a total opposite to what she has seen Atwood to be thus far. 

I wouldn't have thought the headstrong and fiery symbol such as the Ram would be your guardian, but perhaps it will encourage you to grow even in the most challenging situations. It might even be good for him to be influenced by such a strong guardian, it would certainly be interesting to see what would come of it if he chose to listen to its guidance.

he follows her gaze and nods. he's not old enough to have seen aries with his own eyes before; the constellation rose while he was traveling away from okeanos, alone. but he's heard the name. tracing the sloped line of stars, he feels a flicker of kinship, feels his mouth curve into a smile at her comment. headstrong and fiery, huh? suddenly, he's seized by a strong sense of rightness: okeanos had been gentle and earthy, his mothers delicate and fluid, air and water. a different sort of strength than fire, all consuming, passionate, chaotic. 

he imagines the willows of elysium up in flames with a scandalized thrill. "i hope so," atwood says, "how do i listen to it?" okeanos told stories about the stars, but never in a way where they were active agents--more symbolic representations. curiously he twists to look at reiko, and adds, "what's your guardian?"

Atwood seemed interested in the guardians, bringing a smile to the empress' snowy lips as he asks questions to gain more knowledge. Believe and trust in them, by allowing them into your life. That is how you listen. Though not a religion per se, every now and then the idea of the constellations being gods of some sort could be possible to some. To her, they were more so of a concept to grasp and look toward for inner strength. Remember, every accomplishment is done by you, not them - they simply guide you to grow. She clarified.

Mine is Pisces. The two fish swimming in harmony; they remind me to remain grounded and not be swept away by dreams and fantasies. Especially now she turned to her guidance to keep going, every day a new struggle, but finding that's strength to move on regardless and remain in reality than losing herself in a fantastical dream to try and hide from the truth.

her words make sense, but her implicit approval at his questioning blooms within him, filling him with warmth. not that atwood has ever lacked for love, not really, but he can't help but feel he's found something he's desperately missed. 

fiery. headstrong. he commits these adjectives to memory, taking a seat to peer more closely at the sky. after a pause he says, "thank you," and ducks his head. he raises it quickly, thinking already ram, ram. "i, uh, appreciate the chance to grow."

We can end this here if you'd like! Feel free to post again or archive <3

Perhaps arbitrary to some - to others like Reiko, and clearly, Atwood here, having something to look up too during trying times could be beneficial to their own personal development or mental health. It brought a smile to the Empress' face to see the young boy light up at the opportunity. She too turns her attention onto his guardian stars, silently wishing them to bring him nothing but luck and goodwill. The time of aries being visible would soon come to an end, but they would always be there behind the veil of darkness for Atwood - just as Pisces has been there for Reiko. 

I look forward to seeing you blossom. Speaking from her heart, she lingered for a little while longer before leaving Atwood to either linger in this new guardian's presence or continue to familiarize himself with his new home. This was his new beginning, after all, something he would take at his own pace.