Momma, What's a Moon Crystal? [Sterek] [Short Story]

Chapter 8

After a hearty breakfast and Derek's fifth cup of coffee -he also asked for a few cups to go- the pair were venturing across the street to the small museum. As they enter, a large mural of the mountain and valley greeted them; a few other people walked around the building; Stiles, on the other hand, bee-lined to the large Moon Crystal shining in the center of the room. 

Derek was stood frozen near the entrance; he'd never seen a Moon Crystal this big, the biggest one that was ever in his families home was maybe the side of a football; this was easily five times bigger. "Holy cow, Derek, you have to get a closer look at this!" Stiles exclaimed.

"Interested in the Moon Crystal, are we?" A gentle old voice asked from behind them. The man was easily in his late 80's, white hair covered the top of his head, and a cane helped steady the man. 

"Oh, hello," Stiles smiled at the old man. "Do you run the museum? The waitress at the restaurant said that he would be able to tell us more about the Moon Crystals."

"That would be me; what would you like to know?" The man asked, looking at Derek. "Perhaps we should talk in my office." He turned and began to slowly walk behind a curtain. 

Stiles and Derek slowly followed behind him; the room was large and well lit; it looked like any other office. "Why would a human and a young wolf want to know about Moon Crystals?" The pair were taken back by what the old man said.

"What are you-"

"I watched your eyes change as you stared at the Crystal boy, I might be old, and my senses are going, but I know when a werewolf walks into my museum." The old man chuckled. "Most wolves have given up on the old ways, so what might you want to know?" 

"My family was killed when I was young, but I remember our house being filled with Moon Crystals; my mother wore one around her neck that was shaped like a heart. I want to have something to remind me of those times, I want to give my mate their own special crystal, I want to teach my pack so they can do the same," Derek stepped closer to the old man. "Please, tell us everything you can." 

"Well, firstly, you'll have the most luck finding a Moon Crystal around the time of a full moon; that's when they shine the brightest. When it's daylight, you'll have a hard time finding them, so search at night. So you're here at the perfect time. They grow in the roots of trees, preferably Cedar and Fur trees. Never break the tip of a Moon Crystal. The whole crystal will die; you must take it from the base. They also can't get too hot, they don't mind the cold. Oh, anywhere above 1,500 feet elevation, is where they tend to grow more often, anything lower and they take longer, and well they're like any other living or growing thing, they're picky." The old man stopped tapping his cane on the ground as the thought. "That's the best I can do for you. I could tell you stories, but with how my memory is, it would take a few hours." 

"We have hours," Stiles said eagerly. He looked to Derek, making sure it was okay. He was learning so much, and he wanted to hear anything the man could tell them. Stiles was taking note the whole time as well; he wanted to make sure that these ended up somewhere that Derek nor the rest of the pack could forget them; he'd even make sure Deaton got a copy for his books.

"Well, if you insist. Take a seat; I'll tell you about how I found that big one out in the showroom first."