Closed Cold and Clear.

[Albireo]

Spring 54, 513 AV. The Depths of Duality. Some nights were filled with work, only divided by regular times of rest in between. Some were elusive, dreams or nightmares of words, written, spoken, whispered, thought, words directed at others or the page of a journal alone. That latter practice had an air of silence and secrecy to it that the Ethaefal appreciated and treasured. Some nights were speechless though and those she spent roaming streets illuminated by skyglass or strolling through the Misty Peaks not far from the gates. It was always close and relatively safe spots her feet brought her to. Fear bound her to the city and prevented her from straying too far. The mortal body often forgot or buried it under a layer of vague resentment, but the ethereal form of the night understood better, saw more clearly. Despite that, thoughts were also weighing heavily on that head adorned by snow white horns, so she had lost sight of the way and walked into darkness. After a while it gave way to translucent blue: midnight and navy, sapphire and clear sky tones. Dark robes blending into the surroundings, Albireo approached the pond. Steps were slow and careful, surveying unknown territory, although it appeared as the epitome of peace and tranquil sleep. Still water reflected her Lord’s face next to her own. For a moment cobalt eyes rested on the image. It started to tremble. Taking a deep breath, she took a step back. The sights, noises and scents assaulted her senses and absorbed all thoughts or worries. It was as if she had left them outside the meadow. The next step had a rhythm. Her arms rose and opened, blooming pale as night lilies, as she slowly marched along the edge of the pool. Soon her body picked up pace. Motion of the arms broadened, steps quickened, fabric whirled and made leaves rustle, although the quiet was never disturbed. Whoever laid eyes upon the meadow that moment would see a silhouette reflecting moonlight off bare skin and majestic horns moving to silent music, blue shadows swirling and folding around her. It was prayer, it was ceremony and, above all, it happened in honor of beauty.

[Lu Gavima]

It had been heard by Lu that a place existed in the Peaks which was a place of Leth, a serene pool that reflected His light and was never disturbed by outside forces. His interest piqued, Lu waited for one of the night time patrols that passed through the Peaks before leaving the relative safety of the city. He had been out in the night before, but regardless of his skills, he felt that going alone was foolish.

Many of the others called him Little Brother, mostly due to his age. It didn't really bother Lu, as the leader of the Shinya had arrived at his position at a very early age, relatively. A pair of senior Brothers, though he did not know their names, agreed to show him where the spot was. Staff in hand, he set out, finding their pace challenging. It often occurred to him that though he trained regularly and often that it rarely seemed to be enough. He knew that the level of inner and outer strength he dreamed of required an ethic which he had not yet attained.

The woods were calm and quiet, once the long steps down to them was traveled. better than up, Lu thought to himself. before he knew it, the brothers stopped and pointed off toward a crest in the rolling foothills of the Peaks. "There. Be careful, Little Brother." Though he was not on duty and his nights were his own to spend as he wished, Lu liked wearing his uniform and so he moved off and up the path toward this place of whispers. The rustle of leaves in the trees and the occasional natural sound of various animals had his senses alert and alive. anything could be out there in the darkness, watching him and sizing him up. He did his best to stand straight and avoid giving off any fear.

His apprehension melted away once he entered the meadow. Leth stood high in this realm and his countenance was reflected in a pool of water which was preternaturally still. The serenity of the area was infectious and Lu felt no fear, only a calm similar to his deepest meditations. Leaning on his staff, he looked out and saw a creature undulating and gliding through the meadow, the light of her father glowing through every pore. Lu recognized her from the night of the Zith attacks. Her could not forget such a beautiful creature without the sweet nectar of Oblivion that Alses could conjure. He could only watch and appreciate the majesty of bliss that washed over her features under Leth's light.

Moving cautiously and carefully, he hoped to not break the spell of her rapture as he moved closer. His footfalls were purposeful as he rolled his heels and used the sides of his feet so as to not be the grating sound that could disturb this hallowed ground. His eyes moved to the perfect mirror of liquid and then to the perfect symbol of living moonlight as it danced across the tall grasses.

[Albireo]

Although it was intended to honor beauty, the dance was far from perfection. Imagination provided music, so the rhythm tended to be off. Movement was too expressive at times, lacking creativity at others. In the translation from emotion to motion, a large pat didn’t make it through. Still, the Ethaefal was absorbed in the creation of a tale. Her arms and hand gestures were painting into the cool air and her feet were carrying a thousand characters across the grass. Dance included so much more than words. To explore that potential, she continued. Although the rustling of fabric and swishing of lavender hair was enough to fill her ears, out of the corners of cobalt eyes a different kind of movement was noticed. It’d take stronger things than surprise to wake her from that artistic trance, but effects seeped into it nonetheless. Her arms fell, her feet dragged and her gaze avoided the shadow observer as the dance came to a natural halt. For a few moments Albireo listened to her own breath and any noises the other person made. Words were a necessity though, so she allowed them to break the fragile silence. The peaceful tranquility by the pool soothed her, extinguished any fears or doubts, yet a hint always remained. “Do you come as intruder or fellow observer?” As if to justify the question, her heart beat faster against her throat. The Misty Peaks had never appeared less safe than the city proper, but tales were abundant.

[Lu Gavima]

Her movements were fluid and Lu was fully caught in the sway and rhythm of the dance. The tranquility of the meadow and the stillness of the water only moved him more. He was forgetting himself, his mouth hanging agape. Thankfully the shadows hid this obvious social blunder.

However, they did not seem to hide his presence from her as the dance seemed to come to an abrupt end. She turned toward him and asked him a seemingly simple question. Closing his mouth with a slight pop, Lu opened it again to respond as he stepped forward into Leth's vision. "Fellow observer and friend, Lady. I know you told me not to call you that, but under Leth's light, I can think of nothing more fitting." Bowing fully to the statuesque moon daughter, Lu smiled and took a few more steps closer.

"Lu Gavima of the Shinya. Your dance was beautiful. It reminded me of my own type of dance beneath your Father's audience. He knelt under the moonlight to Leth, his eyes looking up at Him for just a moment." A few steps more. "My own dance is usually one of Projection and fighting stances, but I can definitely see a connection." Looking out toward the water, he asked, "What is this place?"