we thrive in the moonlight 🌙

The camp was nestled between tall rock formations, mimicking the mouth of a cave. A ring of rocks encircles burnt wood, and a small clothing line to air out his garments. A basic tunic, pants, and a brown wool cloak are pinned to the line gently swayed in what little breeze that passes by.

The voice calling out took a few times to stir the Lunari awake. Grumbling as he tosses and turns in his sleeping bag, desperately trying to ignore the questions. Being in a shitty mood doesn't help the lack of sleep. But if they keep calling out... might as well indulge them so he could go back to sleep.

As he hears the last question, he reaches for his sleep shirt to put it back on. Quick fingers ruffle his hair to attempt to look like he didn't just wake up. He buttons his pants once more, and slips into his shoes.

Unpinning the tent's opening, he bows his head low to meet whoever has been yelling. Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, he unknowingly glares down at the young lady. Is it really that important to know who he is at such an early hour?

The young man stood before her with dark circles under his eyes. It's quite apparent that he is under the weather, considering the contrast between the rest of his skin. Pale, light as the moon that clung to the last hour of her daily cycle. Eyes of deep, rich jewel tones. Silk navy that blends into violet seamlessly. And as the sun begins to rise, her light shines down on him, flecks of twinkling stars in his eyes of night. His hair pitch black as a raven. Typically well-kept, in this moment, it is slightly messy. As if he ran a brush through his hair quickly before leaving the safety of his tent.

And so, when she finally hears movement and shuffling from inside the tent, her heart beats anxiously.

Then, her heart jumps.

From the tent emerges a tall man, and though pallid and subdued, his strength and capability are apparent in his frame and bearing. Instantaneously and instinctively, she knows that he is special in some way, that there is an importance to him, though she cannot tell how or why. She certainly hasn't met anyone like him before, and he doesn't remind her of anything.

Her stare is awed, and her usually agile and graceful bearing is stiff, like she'd forgotten how to move in her usual way. " Yes? " she repeats after him, meeker than intended. " You mean to say, you are alright? "

Then, to her dismay, he moves away from her, back into his tent, to... fetch water. She'd half-expected him to be done with her intrusion!

It's Taliyah's turn to sigh with relief when he speaks again. The fact that this stranger is not only unharmed, but receptive to her, is more than she could've hoped for.

Her shoulders relax, and confidence returns to her stature. There is an apprehensive friendliness on her sun-browned features. " I am good, thank you for asking. "

Then, to urgent matters. If only this were mere desert, bathing in the morning light, and a happenstance meeting of two travelers. " You survived the night. There was a breach the other day, so I'm... looking for anyone who might need help. You must be a seasoned traveler, and quite capable, to brave this part of the desert. Have you heard or seen anything unusual in the last days out here? "

He looks out to the horizon, sun beginning to creep above the dunes. Skies painted with a warming glow as the twilight fades away. And nothing but dead air. Between her speaking and his own answers, he hasn't heard anything beyond the low breeze sweeping by, and the last chirps of crickets for the night. With a slow shake of his head, he affirmed he heard nothing. Visually, on the other hand was a different answer.

Aphelios pinched his fingers together, and spread his hands in front of him. The ground has been disturbed by burrowing creatures. Though not too familiar with the voidlings, he's aware of what it does to their world. It wasn't like anything he's seen. Glowing portals of violet light in the sand. Eerie, and with no way to defend himself other than the minimal, he'd be doomed. "Small tracks that way," he points South with two fingers.

Finally taking a glance at the stranger's face, he sees someone of a timid nature. Seemingly unsure of herself, light-footed and ready to flee. Deeper skin and eyes, also uncommon for him to see. Nonetheless enchanting. Her eyes of precious stones and skin of chestnut. No hint of Solari regalia is an even better sign.

Oh, how rude of him. While the woman is seemingly safe, it's better to be safe than sorry. With a hurried gesture, Aphelios tells her to sit while he begins to pack up his belongings. Before doing so, he leaned down, stepping into the tent once more. Shuffling some things around, he emerges again with two plain brown robes, and a small cup. From a fresh canteen, he pours water into the vessel and hands it off to his... guest? Setting the robe next to the stranger, he flings his own on, and pulls up the hood to shield himself from the sand kicking up.