The night was young and the moon still hung high in the air with its pale blue glow bathing the landscape. Today it was in it's waxing crescent phase and was only but a part of the moon showing. The moon was surrounded in a blanket of twinkling stars that seemed to warm the land with its covering. No clouds shrouded this lunar masterpiece tonight. Instead it was clear and true as if purity coursed through the very night itself. The night was silent as if everyone had an unspoken treaty about that night. Even the waves brushing gently against the shore didn't make even the slightest sound. The wild horses that roamed these isles seemed to be as mystified by the night like it was their own god. There was no breeze to rustle the trees and break the stillness that settled over this place.

A lone figure sat on the sand, with a steady gaze watching the waves crash silently on the shore then retreat back to the sea. That gaze watched intently as if a great ammount of action was going on, even though no noise or great action stirred the night. Her well worn hands settled over her knees as she sat on the golden sand gazing into the night and its entirity. Her jade eyes settled on the moon after a while of watching the waves. Her frame seemed to be illuminated by the moon as well as the area around her. It's lunar glow cast it's spell on her and she was caught. Her eyes were curious and she searched into the depths of the moon. From her stance, she could just see dark spots on the moon that did not even dampen the glow. This night had her forgetting everything else in the world and for one night, she could relax without having to think about real life and its troubles.

The mood that had settled over Meera, seemed almost contagious, for it had settled over her many farmilliars. Enzo lay behind Meera with his neck erect and face gazing out across the ocean with his ears perked even though no sound caught within them. Akira curled up in Meera's lap, eyes open and just staring into the moon. Venorik had settled in a tree near Marqee and both held a steady gaze on Meera. Both animals were usually active and scrabbling or soaring around the area, but tonight something told them that it was special. Something said to let this night stand for peace. Salmo had curled on Meera's lap as well but he sat also curled next to Akira. Unlike the other ones, he was asleep with his sides heaving up and down slowly while he breathed peacefully. Tonight was a time for reflection and just a time to relax.

Astalder tread along the golden sands of the Astendan Isles. His beautiful White and blue feathery wings were spread out to their full length. They seemed to glisten in the an light of the white sliver in the sky. His thin blade banged against his thigh noislessly as he left flat foot prints on the soft sand. He had left his harp somewhere by a tree on these islands the day before but left and forgot about it. With a swift kick off the ground, Astalder was in the air, riding the silent night and lowly flapping his wings.

In the middle of the palm tree infested Isle wa a golden piece of metal that sparkled noticably. Astalder began his descent and touched down without a sound. He retrieved his harp which stood a little lower than his waist and wrapped his arm around one of the golden rods. He walked until he was on the beaches once again and looked up at the star encrusted sky. They danced amongst themselves and twinkled randomly.

He had no idea that his best freind in Imythess was sitting on the shores as well just a small distance away. So, he gently layed his harp on the sandy beaches and made a small stool of sand for him to sit on. He made sure to pack it extra hard, remembering what had happened the dusk he had met Lilith. The sand had given up under his weight and he crashed to the ground with a thud. It was quite an embarassing moment for him, specially since he had only had a crush on Lilith then. He shook his head and chuckled softly.

Astalder retrieved his harp from the sandy ground and sat on the heightened mound of sand that he created. It seemed firm enough so he laid his harp on one shoulder and ran his fingers tenderly up with entire harp. From the shortest string, to the longest. It sounded fine. He began improvising a slow, magestic, and whimsical tune and could lullaby anyone to sleep if they were indeed tired at the moment. He would later call the piece 'Reflections of the Night Ocean'.

((OOC: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! ::happy birthday:: ::happy birthday:: ))

Meera wrapped her ivory and oceanic soft wings around her in comfort. One hand idly stroked a feather and caused it to shine against the moonlight casting a small reflection on the ocean. At that flash of light on the ocean, Meera brought her eyes down and looked at the moon's reflection on the ocean. It wavered as the tides shook the ocean, but the image never faded away. As she listened to the soft thud of her heart, she heard a faint song. It was strummed on some soft instrument and it seemed uncannily to be in tune with her heart. Meera was not fortune teller, but something said that this person was connected to her heart in some way.

Meera breathed out softly with a slight smile on her face. She turned her head to the side and saw a sparkling reflection of light. The moonlight was not bright, but it was bright enough to cause a reflection of light off of a shiny instrument. Meera's smile grew as she realized what instruments could cause that light. The first thought that came to her head was "a harp". With this possiblility, her mind thought over the few people she knew with any musical talent. Even though she ran over all of the people, one came immedietly to her mind, Astaldar. The first time she met him was at the thanksgiving feast and he had played the harp beautifully. She slowly picked up Salmo and placed him next to Enzo's warmth. At that motion, Akira looked up at her with a look in her eyes that asked "take me with you" Meera smiled and picked up Akira, then stood up. Her wings gracefully arched upards when Meera took a few soft steps towards the noise.

Enzo made a move to get up and follow Meera, but she shook her head and continued walking on. Akira snuggled closer to Meera's stomach as she carried her. Akira was just happy to be with Meera. Meera smiled and with her other hand, absentmindedly stroked her lovingly. When she neared the person, her smile brightened in identification. It was Astaldar. She did not break out into a run to greet him because he was still playing and the aire of peace was to great to resist. She walked next to him then sat down in the sand, crossing her legs and placing Akira back on her lap. She just listened to the music and enjoyed the peace.

((thankies, Meera's getting a Gryphon!))

Astalder looked over the ocean with his blue and grey eyes. The glassy ocean reflected the skinny moon off it's surface. His eyes sparkled as the melody went on and on. It kept perfect tempo with the beat of his heart. It suited the mood perfectly. Then suddenly his hands moved rapidly acroos the strings playing four times faster than he had been jut earlier. IT wasn't that he was playing at a faster tempo, because he wasn't. Astalder was just merely playing faster notes. Musicians would know them better as thirty-second note. Tenderly plucking the strings, but still quickly, he played the song as his mind set it.

The song went into a ritard, or slowed down, until each note equaled two beats of his heart. Finally, his notes died away and all that was left were the echoes off the rolling waves. He put his harp to the side and put his hands on his knees. He looked over the sea smiling. Tonight was quite a beautiful night, it was a shame he was alone. He wished he could spend it with someone.

Next to him he could hear the soft breathing of a living being. Slowly he turned his head thinking it could be a chimp lost from his home in the forest. With a soft chuckle he spoke.

"Well, I suppose I do have someone to share this night with. Are you perhaps lo-Blah!" When Astalder's eyes finally found themselves upon an Elven figure he nearly lost his balance on his homemade stool. Squinting his eyes, he thought he could recognize who he was sitting next to.

"Is that you... Meera?"

((OOC: Oooh, what will his/her name be?! ::hyper:: ))

Her normal heart beat was almsot slowed by this peaceful song. It was just so relaxing. It made her mind lost into the music. When the notes quickened, so did her heartbeat but not to the extent of her breathing. Music had always done something to her soul. Not in a bad way, but it had a calming effect on her heart and mind. It dragged her away from reality and allowed her to think about the stroy behind the notes. Her eyes closed partway in meditation. When it finally slowed to a stop, her heart climbed back up to its normal pace. Meera opened her eyes all the way again but didn't move. Reality came back to her and she could once again feel Akira's soft fur and her chest moving up and down pleasently. A smile once again came on Meera's face. Reality could be painful sometimes, but living life was much more of a privlidge than having no choices or freedom. If she were somewhere else, she would not be having any fun or friends. Those things were what made life worth living. She sighed in contemtment.

Her face turned back to Astaldar for a moment. She saw that he was not looking at her. She wasn't going to say anything to disrupt whatever he was doing, until she saw him start to turn his head. She started to speak, but when he did, she stopped to listen. When she realized what he thought she was, she couldn't help but laugh. That sudden noise seemed so foreign on these barren isles. Meera laughed hard but softly. The look on Astaldar's face was something that would be remembered by her for many years after. When he finally regained his balance and got a better look at her. She finally nodded her head and said "yes Astaldar, I am indeed an elven person and not something from the forest" with a chuckled at the end. She would probably endlessly tease Astaldar about this. But only from time to time. At the laugh, Akira had stirred but Meera continued to pet her to soothe her and she settled back into her soft slumber.

((I added him to my farmilliars page if you want to look))

Astalder's face lit up at the sight of his freind, Meera the Horsemaster. Meera had been their many a time for him, and here he was, thinking she was a chimp of some sort. He knew she would probably never let him live that down. He seemed to be on a roll on the stupidity level. Ah well, at least he got laughs from it. He enjoyed being a preformer of comedy, even if it is accidental. With a sinister, yet playful look on his face, he got up from his sandy seat and tackle hugged Meera. His wings collected sand as he rolled around a bit. Such fun would most likely be unheard of in such a dormant area. He laughed as Meera's fox, Akira ran over and playfully lapped at his face. He ruffled his neck and looked over to Meera.

"It's so great to see you again Meera. How are you? How are your animals?"

((OOC: I apologize for the short post but I can smacked my face on a writers block... Those things are like pure lead man ;p))

Meera could not stop laughing, the only thing that paused it for a second was when Astaldar tackled her. She let out a small "oomfph" but bent easily with the motion. When she regained her breath she continued laughing and sat back up straight. She put her hands on the sand to give herself more balance and brushed one of her long brown strands of hair back behind her ear. She then took that moment to brush the sand that had collected off of her wings and shoulders. A red glow flecked her cheeks from smiling so much. She sighed, the night had been very peaceful and that she liked, but she knew all too well that her personality wouldn't allow that to feel comfortable too long. She let out another set of laughter sat back down on the sand again. Meanwhile, Kalani, who had been in her own void, had loped to Meera's side and stood protectively with her wings spread in an arc over Meera.

Absentmindedly, Meera placed a reassuring hand on Kalani. Kalani glanced at Meera for a second, then lowered her wings somewhat off of Meera. She still kept them flexed over her own body though. Only then did Meera answer Astaldar's question. She smiled again and said "As you probably just met, this is Kalani. She is not a new friend, she just keeps out of site. I'm afraid she's a bit protective of me at times. All of my other companions are fine." she continued while pointing them out. Marqee sat in a tree his head low on his chest. Akira sat perched somewhat on Astaldar with a small fox-like grin. Enzo had turned around unphased, then went back to his grazing. Venorik was no where in site though. This was not unusual, for when Meera wasn't asking him to do something, he was on his own schedule. Salmo, Meera didn't even bother to point out for he was sleeping soundly where Meera had left him.