Chapter 10: Embarrassment Under The Moon
Year 0002, I-II Month: The Imperium
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They Who Ruled the Night Skies
Three moons rule the night sky of Centuury, their radiance unbound by mortal laws. They illuminate the land below, guiding the lost and watching over the world with an ancient, unwavering presence. A celestial sisterhood of justice, they have been Centuury's most treasured jewels since the dawn of time.
The eldest, 'Thea,' the largest and most resplendent, glows with a golden ethereal hue. Her light cascades across the landscape like liquid amber, touching everything with a warm, protective embrace. She is the pillar of justice, vigor, and vitality, revered for her love of all living beings and her absolute disdain for those who dwell in darkness. The people believe that when Thea's light shines brightest, truth cannot hide, and deception withers away like morning dew under the sun.
'Arley,' the middle sister, burns with a fiery red glow, painting the night sky with crimson brushstrokes. Her light pulses with an intensity that mirrors the heartbeat of the world itself. She embodies the spirit of warriors, the brave, and the guardians who stand against the evils of the night. She is the protector, the relentless flame that never wavers, even in the darkest hours. Legends say that those born under Arley's watchful gaze possess an indomitable will and fierce courage that cannot be broken.
Lastly, the youngest and most beloved, 'Lunark,' though smaller in size, is closest to Centuury, her presence stronger than that of her sisters. Her emerald glow is mesmerizing, enchanting those who bask under her light. Delicate tendrils of green light dance across the night, weaving patterns that seem to whisper ancient secrets to those willing to listen. She is the giver of life, the patron of fertility, and the guardian of those who cultivate the land. Farmers pray to her for bountiful harvests, and healers seek her blessing for their remedies.
Together, they are the stark protectors of the night, their combined light chasing away the darkest shadows that might otherwise consume the world. And he, August, had always been an admirer of their beauty, often spending hours gazing upward, tracing their paths across the velvet canvas of the night.
But tonight, he could not revel in their splendor. Exhaustion had overtaken him, and he had succumbed to a deep sleep, his mind overwhelmed by the relentless ringing of upgrade notifications that had plagued him throughout the day. The incessant chimes had been like small hammers against his consciousness, eventually breaking down his resistance. Now, he lay motionless on the hard ground, his head resting on Gel's lap, oblivious to the world around him and the worried eyes that watched over his sleeping form.
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The Collapse That Worried Gel
The morning after his collapse, Gel had painstakingly dragged his larger frame back into the house, her slender arms straining against his weight. She was determined to shield him from the elements so he could get the rest he so desperately needed. Beads of sweat had formed on her brow as she pulled him across the threshold, her jaw clenched with effort.
She knew he had been pushing himself for days, working tirelessly to build a wall that would protect their modest home from wandering beasts and curious predators. The strain had been evident in the darkening circles beneath his eyes and the slight tremor in his hands when he thought she wasn't looking. He had likely overexerted himself, pushing his body beyond its limits in his determination to provide security.
It was the only conclusion she could come to as she watched him sleep, his face weary from his labors yet somehow peaceful in unconsciousness. His chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, offering her the only reassurance that he was merely exhausted and not seriously ill.
In his absence, Gel took it upon herself to handle the chores he usually managed. She wasn't particularly skilled at domestic tasks—her life before meeting August hadn't required such knowledge—but she did her best, especially when it came to preparing a meal. She chopped vegetables with clumsy precision, stirred the pot with uncertain movements, and seasoned the broth with hesitant pinches of herbs. She knew she couldn't rely on him forever; sooner or later, she would need to master these everyday skills.
After multiple tastings, adjusting flavors with a critical tongue, she decided that the meal was, at the very least, edible. It wasn't the culinary masterpiece she had hoped for, but it would nourish them both, and that was what mattered most.
Night had fallen by the time she had finished everything, the three moons casting their combined glow through the small window of their home. With nothing else to do, she gently placed August's head on her lap, watching over him as he slept. They remained like that, motionless, for hours, the only sound being the soft whisper of their breathing and the occasional creak of the wooden house settling.
As time passed, she found herself gazing outside the window, lost in thought. The emerald light of Lunark caressed her face, offering a strange comfort in the quiet solitude. Then, unexpectedly, August stirred. A small groan escaped his lips, and his body twitched as though he were fleeing from something unseen in his dreams. His movements grew erratic, fingers clutching at invisible threats, his face contorting in what appeared to be pain or fear.
Gel tried to wake him, her concern deepening with each failed attempt. She called his name, first softly, then with increasing urgency. She shook his shoulders gently, then more forcefully. Nothing seemed to break through the veil of his troubled sleep. Seeing his distress, she panicked. Tears welled in her eyes as she watched him struggle, feeling helpless against whatever demons haunted his dreams.
And then, in desperation, she slapped him. The sound echoed in the small room like thunder.
August jolted awake, confusion flashing across his face as a burning sensation spread across his cheek. A distinct red handprint now marked his skin, the perfect imprint of Gel's small hand emblazoned upon him like a badge.
He blinked rapidly, trying to make sense of the situation. The wooden ceiling swam into focus above him, followed by the concerned face of Gel. He turned his gaze to her, who was sitting beside him, eyes brimming with unshed tears, her hand still suspended in the air.
"Umm... what happened?" he asked, his voice laced with confusion as he gingerly touched his stinging cheek, wincing at the contact.
"I... I didn't mean to..." Gel stammered between hiccups and sniffles, tears slipping down her cheeks like crystalline rivulets. "You... you collapsed... and I had to drag you inside... and you wouldn't wake up... I got scared... and then... then you started moving in a wierd manner... and I didn't know what to do…"
August listened patiently, deciphering her snot-filled, tearful explanation. Eventually, he pieced together what had happened: he had collapsed in the field, and Gel had pulled him inside, cooked a meal for them both, and let him rest on her lap. But when he had started thrashing in his sleep, she had panicked and resorted to slapping him awake, her fear for his well-being overriding any concern for gentler methods.
Embarrassment washed over him as the reality of the situation settled in. He had been sleeping in a girl's lap for who knows how long. His already flushed cheek deepened in color, turning him into a ripe tomato. The heat spread down his neck and to the tips of his ears, a physical manifestation of his mortification.
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Embarrassed, Food Improvement?
Once he composed himself with a few deep breaths, his heart rate gradually returning to normal, August turned to Gel. "Let's eat," he suggested, desperate to move past the awkward moment. "You must be hungry after taking care of everything today."
As if on cue, Gel's stomach let out a low grumble, a sound so at odds with her delicate appearance that August couldn't help but smile slightly.
Quickly wiping away her tears and snot with the back of her hand, she nodded and fetched some wooden utensils from the small shelf where they kept their meager kitchenware. They sat together in silence, eating the meal she had prepared. Steam rose from the bowls, carrying with it the aroma of herbs and vegetables. The food was simple, yet more than palatable—a testament to her effort and growing skill.
A quiet awkwardness settled between them, the weight of their earlier embarrassment lingering like an uninvited guest. August pondered what to say, his mind racing through potential conversation topics. What does one even talk about after such an event? The weather? The progress of the fence? The strange dreams that had caused him to thrash about?
In the end, he chose honesty.
"This is good," he admitted after a few bites, the flavors melding pleasantly on his tongue. "It's… moreish. I could easily have another bowl."
Gel's eyes widened slightly before she beamed at the compliment, her entire face lighting up with joy. It was the first time August had praised her cooking—or anything she had done, really. The simple words meant more to her than elaborate flattery ever could.
"Thanks..." she murmured, a faint blush coloring her cheeks, turning them a delicate shade of pink that complemented her childish features.
August, too focused on his food and his own thoughts, failed to notice the effect his words had on her. Instead, he concentrated on filling his stomach, which had been empty for far too long.
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Talking to The Moon Goddesses
After finishing their meal, they readied themselves for sleep, arranging their bedding on opposite sides of the main hall room, where the central hearth was located. The day's events had left them both physically and emotionally drained, ready for the embrace of slumber. But just as August was about to drift off once more, he suddenly remembered something important—his [Personal Panel].
He had meant to check it, yet in all the chaos that followed after unlocking it, it had completely slipped his mind. The notifications that had overwhelmed him earlier still needed his attention, but his body demanded rest first.
With his eyelids growing heavy, each blink lasting longer than the one before, he decided it could wait until morning. There would be time enough to explore this new aspect of his existence when the sun rose again. Instead, he turned his gaze skyward through the small window, casting one last glance at the moon's shining above, their combined light painting the room in hues of gold, crimson, and emerald.
A quiet chuckle escaped his lips. "That must have been quite the embarrassing sight for you, Ms. Moons," he muttered under his breath, addressing the celestial bodies as if they were old friends who had witnessed his moment of vulnerability. "A teenage boy being slapped awake after sleeping in a girl's lap. Not my finest hour, I must admit."
It was barely audible, spoken to no one in particular, a private moment of self-deprecation before surrendering to sleep.
But unbeknownst to him, three celestial deities had been listening. And as they observed the boy from their place in the heavens, they each broke into amused grins at his innocent lamentation. Thea's golden light seemed to pulse with silent laughter, Arley's crimson glow flickered like a chuckling flame, and Lunark's emerald radiance danced with mirth across the sky.
For in a world where gods walked among mortals and magic infused the very air, perhaps the moons truly were watching, bearing witness to the small, tender moments that made up a life. And perhaps, in their ancient wisdom, they found joy in the simplicities of human existence—the embarrassments, the kindnesses, and the quiet words spoken to the night sky.
With this thought floating in his mind, August finally surrendered to sleep, the watchful eyes of the three sisters keeping vigil over him and Gel as they slumbered, ready to face whatever the new day might bring.