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Endellion lit up at that, then dimmed just as fast. “You’re seeing me as I remember myself. It’s easier to pretend. I’m afraid this is not how you’d find me currently.”
“Oh? And where might I find you?”
Her head tilted, thoughtful before she shook it. “I cannot say.”
Lunara nodded and looked out over the park, glad for the snippet of peace, even if she didn’t know why she was there.
“For the same reason I presented this image to you instead of the truth,” Endellion murmured. “It’s easier than reality.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re being remade as you sleep. There’s no harm in being blunt about it because you already knew that. Felt it, like the coming springtime.”
An odd way of putting it, but true. It was the only real thought she had as the Occurrence took her. Well, that and—
“Don’t worry about that dark filth. They spoke true, in more ways than you can ever imagine.”
They. The voices.
She was desperate to know. “Was that the—”
Endellion’s mouth went flat, one brow raising, and Lunara instantly knew the answer she’d receive if she finished that question.
I cannot say, so do not ask.
Easier said than done.
“Good. You’re learning.” Endellion giggled. “That makes everything easier. It’s nigh impossible when you’re dense.”
Without thinking, Lunara scoffed and shoved her shoulder. “Menace.”
Endellion went blank, a mask of utter confusion settling over her angular face as she ran a hand over the spot Lunara touched. “It’s been…a very long time since someone touched me in a playful manner.”
Lunara recoiled. The way she said it, one would think it had been years and years. “I hugged you the first time I saw you a couple months ago, if nothing else.”
“Huh.” The Oracle blinked, glancing around as if she was seeing their surroundings for the first time. “Oh. This is when we are. So many pieces, all moving… I get lost sometimes.” She transformed in an instant, grinning ear to ear. “You just brought down your first Occurrence.”
Strange to hear it said like that, when she barely played a part. There was little in the way of control or choice involved. She was bathed and pampered, stood in the Hollow, took some stairs, and was consumed.
“This is better than I thought,” Endellion mumbled. “Yes. Much better.”
“Why’s that?” Lunara tried to remain neutral, but Endellion’s manner was confusing at the best of times—which this didn’t seem to be. “What is this, exactly?”
“Ah. One moment.” Her eyes glowed brighter and went distant, seeing far beyond anything Lunara comprehended. “Ooh. This is when we are!” She grabbed Lunara’s hand with a squeal. “There!”
She pointed and Lunara followed the gesture across the starlit park to a fountain gushing on the other side. A young girl sprinted to its edge and leaned over, dipping her cupped palms into the sparkling water.
“Wait for it…” Endellion was practically vibrating with excitement, one finger dancing in the air. “Any second. And…now. The beginning of it all.”
The moons’ light flared at her words. Beams wove their way down, straight to the child, gleeful in their cosmic sprint. Right at their fore was a glowing moth.
Its fluttering tails sparkled as it dove, leading the charge of moonlight as if it was the one calling it down. A spin and sway, and it landed on the girl’s back with her none the wiser, luminescent wings fanning as the evening rays hit.
“What do you mean by the beginning of it all?” Lunara asked, transfixed.
Endellion waved her hand and the whole scene rushed backwards until everything froze. “Since this is when we are, you get to look!”
Lunara did, taking in the sight of that child partway to her destination, hair streaming behind her. So singleminded. So small and innocent. Lovely, really.
