Even In The Grave, All Is Not Lost

Little Moon: Part 1

A/N: this chapter is dedicated to Nyko. I'm sorry you got shot to death man. Tough break. You seemed like a really cool dude.

Also, just assume that all of Nyko and Luna's conversations are in Trigedasleng.

. . .

"Acts of Kindness: A random act of kindness, no matter how small, can make a tremendous impact on someone else's life."

― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

. . .

"Don't jump," Nyko muttered in her ear. "These Sky People will race in after you and I do not fancy having to save them from drowning." His mouth twitched so she knew he was teasing her.

Luna rolled her eyes. "I'm not going to jump."

"Yes, but they don't know that. And these clothes become very heavy when wet."

She made a noise of agreement, familiar with that ordeal, and turned to survey the other occupants of the boat.

Her eyes fell on the woman who seemed closest to her in age. The little bird.

Nyko followed her gaze. "That one has a good heart."

Luna turned back to the sea. "You can tell that from one conversation?"

Her own conversation with Raven had not yielded such results, though she could admit that she hadn't been in the best frame of mind to notice their existence.

She had gone after Luna when she was upset. But she strongly suspected that action was entirely self-serving. Raven had been trying to alleviate the damage one of her own people had caused and, thus, prevent her from leaving.

She hadn't said that, of course, but Luna could tell.

She could always tell.

Raven didn't care about her, she cared about her blood. Same as everyone else.

But Nyko disagreed.

"I can tell that from her eyes. They've much to say." He settled closer to Luna, the touch of his shoulder against hers a comfort.

She wasn't convinced. "You've always seen the good in people."

Even when it isn't there.

He grunted. "So have you."

Not always.

Luna looked down, running a finger over the rail.

"I'm sorry about Artigas. And Lincoln," she murmured after the two of them had settled into silence.

It had taken her too long to say this to him. For over a week, they had been in each other's company but she hadn't been able to broach the subject of more death, more loss.

That was a disservice to Nyko, though, to all he had given her.

She owed him her condolences - for as little worth as they possessed - if nothing else.

Nyko's expression fell slightly, but a smile strained his face a moment later. "I will see them again."

The water in his eyes called to Luna and she blinked, fighting back her own torrent. She had cried every day for over a week. She did not want to cry anymore.

It only left her tired.

And defeated.

Wrung out of everything - good, bad.

Everything.

Likely, she would have much more to cry over in the weeks to come.

But today she would keep herself dry.