L [o/i] ve is a journey

The Girl with the Fox Mask (The First Day Part 4)| Lunaris

It took a while, but clearly less than it had taken her to untangle his hair before he left the bathroom. In the absence of a chair, Nerivie had seated herself on the bed, waiting for him to come out. He looked anxious again, not as much as before, but clearly not as comfortable. She hit the side on the bedside next to her. His hesitation dragged out longer than expected, and she wondered if she unintentionally crossed a line unknownst to her.

He eventually sat down and she grabbed the brush next to her: „We better comb it back, so the hair doesn't fall into your food. It would be a shame if you got gravy in it." She chuckled and his face lit up, like, it made suddenly more sense to him. Neri decided to only gather half of his hair in a bun on the top of his head, and have the rest stay flowing over his shoulders.

Then she sat back and looked at him, initally to make sure she didn't do a lousy job.

But not only was the job she did great, it was gorgeous. Because he was. The moon had found it's way into the small top window of the room, and shone on his back, brighten up the room. The way the gentle blue, nearly white light of the moon entangled in his hair, radiated his appearence from behind and reflected from the strains of his hair that touched his shoulders, giving him a celestial appearance, caught Neri by surprise.

He is handsome, no, he is beautiful! She thought, trying to gather her thoughts. Like the god of the moon himself!

And then, she remembered. Long, long time ago, the stories when she was a child. When she was just little, when she felt like there was nothing bad in the world existing.

She didn't realize how he tried to look into her face, beyond the fox mask that protected her from the eyes of curious people. It didn't sink in that all he saw were her turquiose green eyes, that were either like the ocean or a delicate flower from the northern hemisphere of the continent.

„Lunaris." She broke the silence whispering, as the memory pushed itself from the fog of her mind into her conciousness.

He blinked, in surprise, and then watched how she picked a strain of hair from his face and pushed it back.

„Lunaris. I think, that's a really fitting name. Would you want me to call you like that? If not, I can think of another." Neri added.

He suddenly grabbed her hand and held it to his cheek. It was a strange gesture of approval, but also, it felt... warm. His deep, dark eyes teared up a little, and he nodded, strongly, and smiled.

„Oh." She exclaimed, „I am such a clutz! I forgot to introduce myself! I am sorry! My Name is Nerivie. Please call me Neri. If you can. You...you can talk, right?" she asked.

He nodded, then hesitated, and shook his head. He was frowning, then he touched his throat, where his vocal cords were, and nodded. But he shook his head when he touched his lips.

Nerivie was confused by that. So, his voice was ok, but not his lips? Were they were literally sealed? Like they took his name, with magic? Infuriating! She needs to research this curse and lift it, somehow!

„So, your lips were sealedwith magic, too?" she asked pitiful.

Lunaris looked confused, again, and then sighed.

So, maybe his sighs are a sign of approval? She thought. „Well, let's get something to eat, shall we?" she asked and Lunaris nodded, still hesitating.

„Don't worry, we can eat everything you want. Steaks, potatos, fish, cake. Whatever you want!" she grabbed his hand and again started to pull him into the streets of Khalaria, against his hesitation.

There were food places to find, and menues to conquer! And stomachs to be stuffed!