Moonlight Meetings | Nichojoo | &Team

Chapter 1- First Meetings

  Yixiang could spend hours just admiring her beauty. The way she glowed and lit up the night sky held his attention firmly. As the phases came and went, so did the feeling in his heart. Nights of the new moon were lonely. No guiding light or a friend to speak to when the moon was dark.

  When he was young, his parents had always taught him to respect and provide offerings to the Goddess of the Moon if he wanted her blessings for a good harvest. And for him, he found company in the moon as well.

 As the way Yixiang was though, he would speak to the Moon every night as if she could actually hear him. And unknown to him, she could.

  The new moon was a chance for the Goddess to rest. In her domain of Heaven, she was able to relax peacefully these nights. A night to not have to illuminate the moon and have time for herself.

  Until she started to get offerings from a mortal on these nights. The man would scream endlessly about how he missed the light and wanted to speak to her, even if it was just one or two nights out of the moon cycle, it quickly became an annoyance.

  At first, she would shrug it off. Ignoring his yelling until he stopped and fell asleep. But he was a persistent man, continuing this cycle for years. It had gotten to the point that the moon palace workers would dread the new moon as well. They couldn't hear the offerings and prayers themselves but what they could hear was the Goddess groan loudly or scream in frustration after years of this nonsense.

  Finally, after five years of having her only rest days interrupted, she had enough. Summoning one of the messenger boys from her court, she ordered him to go down to Earth and tell the man to stop this nonsense. The messenger boy, named Euijoo, took on her wish and made his way down to Earth.

  Yixiang had just finished his offering on another new moon night and was now resting by the river. Yelling to the moon again as he had practically made it routine. " Oh beautiful moon, you have disappeared for another night. How I wish to see and be bathed in your alluring light!"

  He couldn't help but chuckle to himself. No one could hear him being as cheeky and poetic as he was. Remembering that his mother used to joke that he could get married easily if he turned his words to an actual lady. To this day, he can't tell if she really meant it.

  As he had finished laughing to himself, he was preparing to take in another deep breath to start again but was stopped suddenly. Before him, sprouted a beautiful glowing flower. His attention was now fully focused on the mystical flora. A bright blue glow emitted from it as he leaned in closer.

  It was otherworldly and the temptation to touch it became overwhelming. Reaching out his hand to touch it, his fingers met soft petals that sent a shock through him. He yelped and pulled his hand back to assess the damage.

  Luckily finding nothing, he looked back at the flower with curiosity. It was now glowing brighter until the light was blinding. When he was able to open his eyes again, he was stunned. The most beautiful person he had ever seen stood before him. Dressed almost like royalty but not quite. The same glow from the flower was faintly seen around him.

  The strange person gave a slight bow before pulling out a scroll from his sleeve and began to read from it. While he spoke, Yixiang stood up and dusted himself off, somewhat feeling embarrassed in his presence.

  By the time he finished reading, he realized he had actually heard nothing of what the man said before him. "Do you understand?" He shook his head, much to the annoyance of the man who sighed and started over.

  "The Goddess of the Moon has specifically requested you cease your prayers and hollering on the New Moon nights." Yixiang only nodded slowly but it was clear he was not still listening.