. Moon, Stars, and the Sky .

[Nymiane]

A loud yawn emitted into the crisp morning air, it was a bit chillier than usual, and the very thought of it sent a shiver up and down the spine of Rei Moonstar. She squinted her eyes slightly, her yellow eyes slowly adjusting to the change of light. Then another yawn emitted from her, and shortly after a sigh. She stretched her arms up above her head and then stood to her feet. The young woman was tall, and though she was lithe in frame, it was proportional. Her hair grew to be beyond her buttocks, the hue changed depending on the natural lighting, for within the moonlight it was pure white, and within the sunlight it was a pale blonde.
Rei seemed to be in her early 20s if even that. Her features were soft, and juvenile. Within her eyes held innocence, which seemed to fool all, for within she was actually far beyond her peers experiences.

A giggle crept out of Rei’s mouth.
”Onward now!” The soft melodic tone of her voice entered the air. A tone that would match that of an adolescent’s, sweet and perhaps naïve?
Rei nodded her head forward and closed her eyes, a clenched fist thrust itself into the air, and then she giggled again as she took off into a run. The white robes that adorned her frame whipped around in the faint breeze, and they wavered all the more violently as her speed increased.
”Wahee!!!” She cried out.

[Ryu]

A quiet man slowly passed by the lovely lady, comming from the same direction she had, though his footsteps gave no warnning of his approach, no sound of twigs being broken, or earth being displaced with each soft footfall. He seemed to yawn, not having noticed the girl for abit as he walked by. Apparently he was sleepwalking, or just very tired and barely looked around. He brushed his eyes, hearing her give a "Wahee" sound. He looked up from under his hood, dark brown piercing eyes looking out at the lovely lady. He blinked, muttering to himself

"All right..I've been half asleep walking again..."

He looked around, finding himself near some wooded area. Well how far had he been walking, and where? He sighed. He only did this when something beyond his own mortal mind compelled him somewhere here or there. So fate had him walk this way..but for what purpose. Pulling the hood down from his head, long dark strands of hair fell down past his shoulders, as he approached the only one near him

"Hello miss..sorry to bother..but..where are we?"

[Nymiane]

Rei hummed to herself as she whizzed by the man, her hum began to sound like that of a machine. She opened her eyes (yes, she had them closed,) as she passed the man, her feet slowed their pace, nearly dragging themselves upon the ground. She squealed as she nearly lost her balance and then began to skip toward the man. Rei’s eyes closed again and she proceeded to skip towards him, only realizing she was too close when she bumped into him, head first.

“Ahh! I’m so sorry!” She bowed her head over and over, repeating she was sorry as well. She only stopped when he spoke, her head popped up and a smile drew her lips upward. A finger pointed toward the sky.
”We are in the Wintermoor!”

Rei blinked a few times, her yellow eyes watching the man before her, inquisitively. She wrinkled her nose up, and she too allowed her hood to fall from her head and down to her back. Strands of white (or was it blonde?,) fell down past her shoulders, and bounced in a waving motion down past her bottom. There they hung, moving with their own life, in their own breeze. She giggled, her eyes squinting as her face softened.

[Ryu]

*He smiled at the girl, enjoying her...energy he could say. From first glance he could tell she was rather energetic, and it pleased him to meet people like that. He had one to often run into the sad, "worry about me only" sorts of people. He looked at her for a momment, something about her so...different from the people het had met before. Something besides her energy...was it her hair? Her Enthusiasm? Maybe something like that but he couldn't place a finger on what was truely different.He simply shrugged his shoulders, banishing the thought as he smiled at her, thinking he was..well thinking to much

"Ah..Wintermoor...thank you..."

Wintermoor?He had no idea where this place was.How long had he been walking asleep. He shrugged. He might as well enjoy it.He had run into this girl for a reason so he might as well get to know her

"Ah...well..hmm..oh yes..my name is Tatsunoshinn...I thank you for telling me where I am..if I may ask, what is the name of the lovely lady I have just crossed paths with?"

He stuck out his tounge, his speech sounding so formal.Whenever he greeted someone new he always talked like that. Force of habit and all he figured, though he never liked it. He moved his hand to where she had bumped him, rubbing it again

"Ack...stronger then a ram..hehe"

[Nymiane]

Rei nodded enthusiastically, over and over, and, over. She stopped once she became light headed, and then stumbled. A hand placed itself over her mouth, shielding her soft lips, and it also muffled her giggle.

The sun was shining ever so brightly in the morning sky, and it grew stronger as the moments passed by. As the light grew stronger it seemed to illuminate Rei’s figure, her milk white skin seemed to absorb, rather than deflect the light.

”Mhm!” As the man went on to tell her his name, she smiled ever so brightly. ”Tatsunoshinn, what a nice name!” Rei was nearly beaming, sincerity plastered upon her face, and as he furthered his words her eyes grew large, and crimson painted her face. Her face grew blank for a few moments, and then she smiled and clasped her hands before her chest.

”Rei! My name is Rei!” She nodded and then noticed he stuck his tongue out. Again she blushed, this time she puffed her cheeks out as she held her breath. She did not know whether he was making fun of her or not, and so she chose not to respond to that reaction.

[Ryu]

"Blah..no one likes it whem I'm goofy..and Rei..a lovely name for a lovely woman. It's my honor to meet you"

He extended a hand out to her, wanting to help her up.Yup, he definitely felt like he was supposted to meet her.She had such energy and drive, and seemed so nice, it couldn't have been accident he walked right into her. He did notice her skin seemed to...absorb the light. It seemed odd. He'd probabbly ask her about that later . Right now he'd simply get to know the basics of this beautiful young lady

"So Lady Rei...what brings you out here? Are you on a quest or some such? We seem miles from civilization...or I could be mistaken..totally new to this area...so..not quiet sure where civilization is around here"

He stuck his tounge out again at her, giving her a bright smile

[Nymiane]

Rei’s mouth grew small with that comment, her lips were puckered, but held tight against her teeth. She blinked a few times and laughed it off, her hand waving at him to dismiss what just happened.
” Perhaps it’s because they don’t know if you are being goofy or not.” She said, half laughing, then stopped abruptly as her ears heard the last of his words. Rei bowed her head and clasped her hands before her face, giggling, and blushing. A ‘thank you’ was issued in between the giggles.

The woman’s face took on a bit of a serious expression for a moment, and as she saw him extend his hand she thought to herself. I don’t want to refuse his hand, for it might offend him, but on the other hand I don’t want to be a bother to him either. Oh.. Decisions.. Rei accepted his hand, gently grasping upon it she pulled herself up, and immediately bowed her head, her yellow eyes staring at the ground.

”Thank you.. I’m sorry, I am klutzy, what can I do to make it up?”

She glanced upward, her head still bowed. A quest? Hm, perhaps. Oh yes, indeed, it was a quest! Soft laughter came from her and she nodded.
”I live out here. My house is beyond the tree line.” She pointed toward the direction she came from, and though one could not see it from where they were standing it was a decent sized house for a single woman to live in by herself, no maid or the like.”Out here there is little civilization, but- Oh, silly me! I am heading toward town, do you want to join!?! Wintermoor is a small town, or village, but it’s delightful!” She drew near to him, her face lighting up as she awaited his response.

[Ryu]

He took his time to respond to each of her comments, thinking he had angered her in some way for a momment when she made her mouth small. He paused to think

"I always think I'm giving off a joking attitude..but guess it's only in my head...guess I'll stop with the being goofy..though I don't get to do it enough..anyways...don't worry about being klutzy...you seem to move gracefully enough..and we all make mistakes.As for going with you..I'd be honored.I'm in a strange place I hardly know and I'll be escorting a a energetic young lady.I think that would be best for me"

He bowed his head to her, showing her respect he would show anyone he would encounter

"So tell me more about this place as we walk. I like to know as much about a place as I can..so I don't stick out too much..and I also like to know as much about my traveling compansions as possible, so if you'd like to tell me anything about yourself I'd be honored to hear, though I have no qualms in answering questions about myself either

[Nymiane]

Rei’s expression was replaced by a saddened one, somehow she had offended the guest, and so she began to plead with him. ”Please, don’t stop because of me. I am too dim witted at times to realize when someone is kidding or not..So please, don’t stop just because of me..” After she spoke, she smiled softly. Warmth embraced her cheeks, as the crimson returned again at the kind gesture of respect.

”Well, near my place is what outsiders would call the ‘boonies’ I believe..” Rei began to go on, giggling. ”But not far from where you probably came from is the center of the town. It has shopping centers, schools, businesses, and the like.” She almost seemed bored with that idea, but she smiled and still continued. ”I’m sure you would much rather be there than out here! There are creeps out here, so I’ve been told..”

A few moments passed before Rei realized what she said, and immediately she began to apologize, she went on to explain that she did not mean that he was a creep, that just because he was a man did not mean that - but, she wasn’t a creep either, not that she didn’t find him attractive, but she.. Oh and she went on to further apologize for blathering on about nothing and consuming his time and drowning his ears with nothing but………She inhaled deeply and then puffed out air…

”I’m sorry.

[Ryu]

He smiled and shook his head

"It's fine my friend.I undertand..you mean...other people can be creeps...we can all be good or bad people regardless, so best just to guage each new person with optimism and a little weariness...but anyways...I like it out here..it seems nice..just like to see much about the place as I can. So maybe after we go to town, check out the place, see to whatever everands you wished to do..then maybe ya can show me your place.I bet it's real nice and not part of these boonies thing at all..right?"

He actually diddn't mind her talking.At times he would travel alone, only the sounds of nature to keep his ears occupied.He rather enjoyed listenning to people talk, even if it had no foreberance to what was going on or held anything of importance.He stretched out abit, finally getting the last bits of sleep from him, giving her a nice comforting smile, showing he had no worries about anything

"Anyways while we head to town tell me about yourself.I haven't met such a lively person in such a long time..and to be honest it gladdens my heart to meet one such as you?

[Nymiane]

Rei giggled and rubbed the back of her head, lightly. She smiled as she trotted along side of the man, and was glad he did not take her stammering in the wrong way. Too often, she would let her thoughts fly out in words, which she did not want heard. She wrinkled her nose up and scratched her temple with a pointer finger. Not in the boonies? She thought, and then giggled.”No, it’s in the boonies all right! It’s beyond the tree line, very secluded. I’m sure no one could hear you scream!” Rei blinked a few times, shivering as a chill ran up and down her spine. They were her words, and they even crept her out. In the back of her mind she hoped the house wasn’t empty when she returned..

”Oh, errands, errands indeed! If you do wish to accompany me back home, what would you like to eat?! I’m a spectacular cook! Mhm!”

Rei grabbed a hold of his hand and gently tugged on it as she ran forward, thus she was somewhat yanking him as she did so. A giggle came from her again. Then her face took on a serious expression as he inquired about her. Therefore, her pace slowed back down to a walk and she released his hand.

”Oh, you don’t want to hear about me. That would be troublesome. Oh, I do have a brother though! You wouldn’t know we were related though..” She sighed softly, her eyes shutting for a moment. ”What about you?”

[Ryu]

"What about me...well my full name is Tatsunoshinn Suou..I'm an...crusader you could call it?I pretty much go around trying to help people is all. I do what I can...though I'm not all that special and what not. I mostly just walk around, traveling the countryside, enjoying the scenery, meeting new people..that sort of thing.I haven't really found a place to settle into yet as a base of operations. Always something wrong one way or another, or me getting my butt kicked out one way or another"

He liked it when she held his hand, his touch rather col,d savoring holding onto something warm.However, by the release of her hand, the slowing of her footsteps, he figured it was best not to ask her about herself..untill she knew him more or something

"Ah..well I guess if your house is there..thats good.I thought boonies was an insult..but..I' just overreading into everything.And I bet I would be honored to meet your brother if he's half nice as you"

He kept walking behind her slowly, his stomach grumbling.He was trying to figure out what would be best for him to eat
"Hmmm...maybe some potatoes or something..some soup..something simple and filling...anything to feed my appitite!"

[Nymiane]

Rei smiled broadly, the smile grew so wide that it actually caused her cheeks to push her eyes close, or at least near to it. She immediately rushed into his personal space, her face inches from his and her voice emitted.
”Oh, it’s so nice to meet you, Tatsunoshinn Suou! It sounds like you have an interesting life!” She spoke as if it were the first time hearing his name,. She moved away from him and then proceeded. ”My full name is Rei Moonstar. Kind of an odd name, but quite fitting I think!” She closed her eyes and pointed an index finger to the sky, her face then took on that of a serious expression. For a moment or two the expression remained and was replaced by it’s kind cheerful nature again.

Rei traveled ahead of the man and began to travel down another path, (it crossed paths with the direction Tatsunoshinn had originally came from.) It was another path that seemed to wind on for what seemed an eternity. The path was obviously well traveled, mostly from farmers and the like out in the ‘boonies’, and those who were lost.

Suddenly Rei’s tummy grumbled, her hand fell to her stomach and she blushed lightly. When the man said he would be pleased to meet Rei’s brother, Kane. Who was in no way similar to Rei. Not in appearance, or personality. She sighed softly and flicked a strand of hair from her visage.

”How does leek soup sound?”

[Ryu]

I think it sounds wonderful...I'm so hungry....mmm..just the thought makes my mouth water...do you have potatoes?I do so love potatoes...and tomatoes...and..well..all right lots of things..hehe..."

He heard his stomach growl again.He really wasen't lying when he said it sounded wonderful.He could practically taste that soup.He tried not to drool, thinking of how good it would taste, but not wanting to seem like a slob around this lady

"Hmmm..wow..Rei Moonstar...thats an absolutely beautiful name...has two of my favorite things...the moon and the stars..I so do love sometimes just to sit...relax...enjoy the beautiful scenery...ah"

The thought of nature finally calmmed his stomach down, as he was deep in thought.His mind drifted to the times he had spent looking into the moon and the stars when it was a lonely night.A serene smile went over his face as he walked rather energetic himself

"So can I help you cook?I do love cooking..I consider it an artform myself"

[Nymiane]

”Mhm! I have plenty of tomatoes, but not potatoes.. Well! I guess it’s a good thing I’m on my way to the shop!” She giggled and began to pick up the pace, they moved from a woodsy road, to more of a main road. It was open land, and though small farms, and fields of crops dotted the land, beyond that, in the not so far distance, one could make out the center of town.

I wonder where you are Kane.. It’s been too long, you worry me. The last time I saw you we had drifted even further apart. No one would know we were related, let alone twins.. Rei sighed softly and then turned to look at her guest.

”Oh! I couldn’t have you help, you’re the guest after all! But if it would please you, then you can help. I’ve never had anyone help me with cooking before. I think it would be a pleasant change for once, you know?” Rei’s words drifted toward the end of her sentence, and then her mind began to drift, it had also been a while since anyone had actually visited her.. Why, the last person to visit was her brother, and that was over a year ago.

[Ryu]

"It would be my pleasure..cooking is fun..long as ya don't burn yaself or cut yaself..hehe.I do love to dabble in making food when I can. Ack..no..must...get..mind..off..eating!"

He smiled, giving a light laugh, as he stretched out slightly. He hummed abit, following the main road now.Well least he could get a lay of travel this way, making a mental note of the more traveled roads.Place seemed nice..maybe he could establish himself here somewhere. He kept thinking about how he arrived there. Maybe this was the sort of place he was seeking.Or maybe the lady was to help him in someway.He shrugged, his thoughts drifting back to food

"Mmm..you..don't think we could buy a snack at the store in town do you?I practically feel like I'm going to crumple with hunger...heh..."

[Nymiane]

Rei laughed softly and her smile grew bashful.
”Oh, I haven’t done that in a while!” She said so casually, her yellow eyes then fixated upon the horizon. People were rushing about, children running to get to their classes on time, and then the bell rang, loudly.

”Mhm! I’m hungry too. I don’t think I can wait.” She suddenly stopped, then popped up in front of the man, inches from his face.”We could always eat some rice balls to hold us over!” She giggled madly and then began to dance toward the center of town. The thought of the rice balls made her stomach growl all the more, and so she quickened her pace yet again.

[Ryu]

*He chuckled, enjoying her playful attitude, looking around, watching people and children run about from here to there.It was always a nice thing to look around, see the sights, hear the laughter of kids meeting as they went to school and so on. However the thought of riceballs quickly took his mind away from these thoughts, as he followed her quietly. He could just imagine those rice balls...he licked his lips hungrily

"Hmmm...so what kind of varities they have here?And you usually don't find riceballs in places like this honestly...glad to see I am mistaken

[Nymiane]

A few of the passing children giggled and pointed at Rei, she simply waved and smiled, giggling right back at them. A sigh passed over her lips as her stomach growled even louder, her cheeks filled with a crimson blush. Mm, she could smell the rice balls now, and her mouth began to water, which only fed her stomach more hunger pains..

“Ooh, any kind really! They weren’t here up until a few months back, but the lady who owns the shop decided to make them!”
Rei bounded over towards the stand, she waved to the woman behind the stand, who immediately fetched Rei’s favorite rice balls, umeboshi. She then turned around to regard her new companion.
”And what would you like? It’s on me!”

[Ryu]

*He shook his head as he approached the shop.

"No no..I'm the gentleman..I'll pay...your showing me around..it is I who owe you something..so let me pay for this stuff"

He ordered the same as her, taking the food carefully as he was offered.He sighed mentally.He wanted to devour this thing in one gulp, but people were around.He ate slowly, which only made his stomach growl louder.He blushed abit himself, as he turnned around , and when no one was looking, stuffed his face. Turnning around, he pulled out a couple of gold coins

"Mmm..thats delicious..I'll take...5 for me..and 5 for my friend over here as well