003 - Sunrise

You never forget the adrenaline pumping through your veins, or the air that runs through your hair, like a comb that smooths out every kink in the locks. Or maybe even the mere scent of fresh rainwater that pools on the mud floors of the forest. The dash in the forest is always something unforgettable and irreplaceable.

The leaves rustle gently, the grass bows to your feet, but the wood does not creak when your toes bounce off the surface; in fear that it will break the silence that is so highly-sought in the forest. Only when you want it to, will it open it's lips, and sing to you the symphony of the earth.

I'm not scared of breaking the branches, because they were here before me, and will sit strong long after I'm gone.

A morning run? I hated the idea of physical exercise, but I'd do anything to escape the emissary's meeting today. The mere idea of listening to the old men's rambles shook me to the core. Never again.

"Morning, good morning!"

I don't even bother glancing at the source of the voice, the mere brashness and adenoidal sound gives its owner away.

Over my head casts a shadow, as she leaps over me. Our eyes meet for a split second.

The dark azure eyes would pass as black to the untrained eye, but having seen them almost a billion times, it only reassured the identity of my pursuer. They reminded me of the boundless eminence of the ocean; waves that shattered earth, and cruel tides that drowned sailors.

For a mere fraction of a second, I felt her cool breath against my face. Minty. But smelled distinctly of seawater. I suppose she did pay a visit to the beach after all like she said last week.

"Why so gloomy today?" she chuckled, as she matched my speed and pounced off the branches beside me, "Smile!"

I shot her a nasty glare. I employed my brain to think of any sort of scathing remark I could use against her.

"Running this fast must be a chore for you,"

"First of all, that's rude, it's six in the morning, second, no, I've actually been-"

And there she went on rambling again. After all this time I'm not sure why I never got sick of it. Selene was just... Selene. It didn't matter who she was talking to at the moment; as long as you had at least a single ear and half a brain cell, the relentless string of speech would never die.

"I'll see you at the clearing," and I quickly accelerated past her.

"Wait! I was going to tell you about... my...!" she grumbled, but I knew her annoyance wouldn't last. Anger was not really her thing.

~

Over the forest, high from the kingdom lay a small clearing. A tiny patch of grass that separated itself from the tall trees, ending abruptly with a steep cliff. I'd visited this place many, many times, only in the night. Most days the sun just didn't feel right on the skin.

She made no footsteps when she sauntered towards me; I wasn't sure if it was just her natural agility or maybe perhaps the grass in this forest had some enchanting properties too. I acknowledged her presence when she took her seat next to me. The grass was soft that morning. Remnants of the fresh dew stuck onto the fabric of her gown.

"What's up? You're not a morning person so there's got to be a reason you're out of bed at this time."

"Mind you, I'm totally a morning person," I lied through my teeth, "Okay, no, I'm just dreading another Consul meeting."

"So... I assume you're here to watch the sunrise! That's great, over the past ten years, the Sun's shone brilliantly over the kingdom, very nice. It's almost like it gets brighter every day! Though I'm not sure of-"

Very slowly, my ears tuned themselves out of the moment. I might almost turn back to that damned meeting if she continues.

Then she stopped.

The first rays of sunlight emanated from beyond the mountaintops. They said it was a border to the unseen and the unknown. Past our kingdom lay a wasteland where our Ruler's grace never touched. Nevertheless, every day the Sun rose from beyond even there.

The shimmering beams basked the kingdom in a warm glow. Every brick road was illuminated in the tears of the brightness.

The sun and I cast our gazes upon her at the same time. She giggled softly as she raised her hand to her eyes.

"You look so dumb! It's like your first time seeing a sunrise!"

She wasn't wrong.

"In the two thousand or so years I've been here, I don't think I've ever seen the sunrise properly," I shied away.

"NOOOOO WAY!!!!!!!! You mean you've never seen it up from here? I'm bringing you up here ever morning from now on, and you'd best comply!" She giggled, "What? Say something!"

I don't think I could've at that moment. I was almost jealous of the light for looking at her. The sun cast it's perfect sheen on her face, lighting up every or speck of gold on her skin. I'd never witnessed the beauty of a priestess of the moon, basking in the glory of her counterpart.

"Hey!" She jabbed me on my shoulder.

I caught my breath. Had I looked too long? Damn it, don't ruin your chances, man.

"Sorry, sorry, just admiring your stupidity."

"HEY!!!" She punched again, harder., "That's mean!"

My palms felt tingly on the grass. Another magical property? Or maybe that's what humans use to call butterflies in your stomach. No idea.

"I should probably get going before they find out I'm gone."

I yawned, then got up from the ground. "Nice seeing you around, Selene, I enjoyed it." I chuckled, then turned around.

"W-Wait!" She grabbed my hand, "Stay..."

"Huh?"

"Stay with me a little longer. Just a little bit. I'm sorry I talked too much, I know I got carried away, it's just that I was so excited that someone finally accompanied me, no one ever does that, so I'm super grateful, but you don't have to stay if you don't want to, oh I'm so sorry I hit you, I didn't do it on purpose,"

She couldn't see it, but if I had a heart it would've skipped multiple beats and I'd have dropped dead on the spot. Had no heart, but I couldn't stop my cheeks from burning. Ahem.

"Fine, fine, I'll stay," I sat back down next to her, albeit slightly closer? "But if I get into any sort of trouble, I'm taking you in, priestess."

"Really? Really you'd stay?" She flustered. Was flustered the word? Hm...

"Ah, shut up and enjoy the Sun."