Silverlight Terrace I see you standing there, but you’re so far away

He remained as a sentry at his outpost. Quiet. Unmoving. Although life away from his parents had weathered Melaneus' baby fat away, he knew how he now towered. Tall, ungainly. Sprung up like ambrosia amidst fields of wildflowers.

And she was a wildflower - now taller than many - this Moongirl who danced towards him, dotting the winter hill like a late-blooming starflower. He caught sight of her between the patches of green peeking through the dusting of snow, and his breath, billowing in great wisps before him and framing her as though in a dream, stilled in the air.

That is how these meetings always went - like a dream, only this time, he felt strange in his own skin. The sight of her stirred a warmth in his chest that felt like the lightning of a summer storm.

The energy crackled beneath his sternum. So different, from the gentle way she approached. Did she feel the lightning, too?

Melaneus did not linger on the question, but found himself bowing low to her. Easing to his elbows. Asking, if he might join her winter's dance.