Luneya Asteria

“What have you done to your hair?”

Lhunye looked up from her pots of colors and frowned. The worry was clear on her caretaker, Mildred’s, face and in the shrill of her voice.

“Does it look bad..?” She asked, taking a few strands between her fingers and examining closely. She had thought she’d done a good job. To be fair the concern was not entirely uncalled for. There were pots scattered throughout her room; some filled, some empty, and all stained with her various attempts at creating a color she fancied. She looked a mess and her fingers and cheeks were stained with the evidence of her attempts.

“It’s not bad, no... It’s just very...” Mildred thought on it before deciding on a single word. “Yellow.”

Lhunye looked down at the crushed cow bitters that made the blonde she’d painted through her hair before adding some fresh ones into the pot. She looked at Mildred as she concocted more of the yellow paste.

“No one could tell it’s me though, right?”

Mildred’s brows furrowed in confusion.

“The Stira tribe prides themselves, as Keepers of the Moon, on their white hair. It’s what keeps us... them. It’s what keeps them so close to the Moon and stars.” Lhunye shifted, bringing her tail into her lap and began combing the yellow paste through it. “So... If the the last Stira has not white but yellow hair then she is safe from anyone who might try and apprehend her. Right?”

Mildred nodded slowly. She could not help the concern that bubbled within her with the way the young Miqo’te spoke. It was as if she was not speaking of herself. “This is true... However, how many other Miqo’te in the world are name Lhunye Stira?”

Lhunye stared at Mildred for a moment before turning her attention back to her tail. A thoughtful hum escaped her as she seemed to consider this. The chances that someone might know the given name of a single Miqto’te child from her tribe was slim but her surname definitely posed an issue.

She would have to give up her identity. It was a difficult decision for a child to make but it was one she would have to.

“There aren’t any, actually. My name is...” Lhunye paused. “It’s Luneya Asteria.”

There was a pregnant silence as each considered the changes. Lhunye, no, Luneya’s heart was sore but these changes were necessary. She had to be someone else if she wanted to stay safe and a Stira was not safe in this world.

“Luneya Asteria.”

Luneya lifted her head to look up at Mildred who approached her.

“It’s not very Miqo’te,” She laughed. “It does translate well though...”

Luneya cocked her head, one ear twitching to indicate her confusion.

“Of the moon and stars... It’s different and yet still you.”

Luneya’s cheeks felt warm. She didn’t quite understand why but it pleased her to hear. Like perhaps she might still be able to keep some of herself through this name. She would like to keep some of herself, even if only a little bit.

“And you will study conjuring?” Mildred asked curiously, picking up the pots that were empty. A subtle indication that it was time to clean up. “Perhaps archery. You’re very quick, I believe you’d make a wonderful archer.”

“Actually... I’d like to study the sword.”

Mildred looked at Luneya who gazed off somewhere far. It seemed the wall but what she looked at wasn’t here. Though Mildred wanted to disagree with the choice she felt compelled to agree. She wouldn’t dare ask her to relinquish so much of herself. Her memories, at the very least, should remain her own to do with as she pleased.