#Tales of Eperumn

[artillunis]

«For those who find the comfort in dark embrace of the night»

Cress. That’s what they called her. Not the name she was given but the one she chose, or rather a nickname. After all, going around with a name most see as bad luck wasn’t the most discreet nor clever, but a silly nickname that children so often would give each other, on the contrary. It made her forgetful. But most importantly it put a wedge between herself and her past.

Illūnis. No, it was something else? It mattered not now as that forgotten thing was a name given to a child of the Nyx family, to their first born, to a girl with eyes of bluish silver. So many hopes, so many plans. It belonged to someone that she long left behind, buried deeply in the past, forsakened, forgotten. That’s how she’d like it to stay.

How naive and stupid, isn’t it? After all, even the simplest of names hold great power.

[artillunis]

Blue Hour

Coolness of the early morning laid upon the city. Late stars still shined bright enough for bare eyes to see. Only in far east redness of two Suns slowly crawled onto the sky, spilling warmth like paint. Reds spilled into yellow, yellows into blue. Light blues gradually replaced darker tones, signifying the end of Night’s rule.The world will soon see their first rays but only in several hours. Right now there is still time before two fire disks take over. A moment in between the change of powers.

Another wave crashed onto the shore, burying woman's toes in white-gold sand. Light breeze played with her long hair, some of her red-gold waves neatly tied in braids that formed a small bun at the back of her head. Tiny jewels and golden beads sparked in pale light. 

Eyes shut, she took a few steps forward, entering chill water. Monotonous movements of waves were so alluring, so welcoming. With no hesitation she went further and further until she found herself nearly waist deep in water. Blue fabric of her attire turned dark as water touched it.

Eos. She was named after a dawn, after the morning sea and its golden rays that danced on the surface of the water, after half asleep nature and still cold air.

Minutes passed or maybe hours, she wasn't sure. After all, time did not matter. Not at dawn.These were moments for the soul to be free, unseen by greater powers. Woman sighed, she was not alone. A man's hand gently touched her shoulder.

— «I knew I’d find you here» — a familiar voice spoke from behind.

A smirk appeared on the woman's face.

— «Am I that predictable?» — her tone both playful and slightly offended.

— «Only for me»

— «Good» 

Woman opened her eyes and turned around facing the intruder. Eos knew too well the man in front of her. Erebus’ pearl-white curls were still a bit messy after night sleep but not less pretty. Eyes like the silver moon and soft smile she loved so much. 

— «What?» — woman giggled

— «Nothing, just admiring my wife»

— «Aren't you afraid?»

— «Of what exactly?» — man chuckled. 

— «Ohhhhh» — Eos played pure amazement — «Don't you know of dark..» — Desperately trying to hold a laugh to sound serious, she continued — «…And treacherous magic tricks possessed by witches of the Sea?» — A woman took several steps, running her hand over his shoulder  — «Aren’t you afraid of getting tricked?» — Step by step, slowly she circled around the man — «Or bewitched?» 

Eos waved her arm for dramatic effect. Erebus gently grabbed her waist.

— «I’ll take chances» — he whispered. 

— «I can steal your heart» — she giggled.

— «It's already your»

Eos giggled even harder.  

— «Hey» — man chuckled letting her free. — «Im try to be serio-»

Sudden splashes of water interrupted his speech. 

— «That’s childish yo-» — he couldn’t finish. Unexpected push completely imbalanced Erebus letting gravity do its work. Woman’s laugh rang in the air.

— «Okay then» — the man said, grabbing Eos’ hand. Quickly realizing what was about to happen, the woman protested.

— «Don't you dare-» 

But Ereb gently dragged her down to him. Now both completely soaked in water, young people laughed.

In a second everything was filled with warmth the moment golden rays appeared from the horizon. The change of rule was complete as Suns took their rightful place in the sky.

[artillunis]

Storm

Mighty roar shook dark skies overpowering the sound of heavy drops bouncing off the ledge. Leaden clouds hung over the entirety of the horizon, like black velvet. Somewhere there, hidden from mortal's eyes, second and third moons entered their zenith. 

Bright splash of light illuminated the small room. Dark grey bricks, that covered all walls, gave a sense of protection and calm. Its darkness brought out furniture of silver oak, making it sparkle a bit. 

Strong gust of wind yanked heavy curtains as if they were made of petals. Another rumble shook the air. 

In the midst of it all, a young girl sat beside the window. Long hair was messily falling down Cress’ shoulders, yet there were still several small braids holding. Her bluish eyes curiously studied the view below. For a while her gaze followed rushing clouds then slipped onto trees, watching as their trunks and branches bent in elaborate dance. A little further, behind trees, grand waves crashed against the shore. Eventually she locked her eyes on drops of rain. Girl slowly twisted a lock of her hair between fingers. 

She once overheard adults calling rain "The cries of Mother Nature". Weird isn’t it? Calling it tears as if rain was something bad or tragic. Don't they feel relief, especially after long months of heat? Others did not see farther than the ruination it sometimes caused. She didn’t know which thought she disliked more.

Girl sighted and closed her eyes, feeling drops of rain on her face. 

Storms brought her weird comfort, even in their might there was calmth. How come something so destructive in the eyes of others, be so beloved by her?

“You will be their storm one day” — a cold voice whispered at the back of her mind, sending shivers down her body.  

Sudden creak took the girl out of her thoughts. She shook her head and looked around. In the far corner a shadow moved. 

— “Who's there?”— she said quietly yet firmly.

Friendly "Meow" came from the same direction the first sound did. 

— “Skia!” — girl giggled.

With no reason to hide anymore, the "shadow" quickly hopped into the windowsill. Two paws gently tapped the girl's face and a tiny pink tongue licked her nose. Giggling once again, she stroked black silky fur. It seemed every time she found herself unable to sleep, one particularly persistent cat found their way to her. She never figured how: there was no way they climbed here and sneaking through any other entrances was impossible. Several encounters later, she gave the cat a name, calling them "Skia" as a shadow from where they had tendency to appear.

Cress grabbed a piece of dried meat she earlier "borrowed" from the kitchen for her friend. The cat "accepted the offering" and perched on her lap, purring in content as she scratched behind their ear. Once again lightning bathed everything in white light, followed by a song of thunder. 

“Soon Child”