Novalis, the Genius Magineer

"I have decided to send you on an errand my sister requested of me, in my stead."

Hubbageebrixagrushmah?!

"Novalis! Are you listening to me?"

Dumbly, I nodded my head. I was listening, but not paying attention. Does that count? I didn't care. I was entranced by her dress. Dark purple velvet, luxuriously soft, ran down her chest and lithe body, dissolving into a black satin skirt by her waist. It was held to her body with crisscrossing straps on her back, allowing her wings room to be free. The straps crossed her back until they were nearly at her tail, at which point the two sides of the dress converged into a v shape which met the skirt. Two straps over her shoulders held it snug over her heart, and it left her forearms bare. The satin skirt flowed due to the lustrous tail it hid underneath, billowing in a way only the Royal Sisters could obtain. Braided into her hair were strands of silver silk, which were all connected to her tiara. The effect was flowing streamers of silk through the night sky, or at least that's how my numb mind interpreted it. On her right forearm was a bracelet of intercrossing bands of white gold, traveling from just above her hand to her elbow. Finally, to complete her outfit this evening was a necklace. A beautiful necklace. Thin silver chain. Large gold pendant with a sapphire the size of her eye. Glinting. Shiiiinyyyyy.....

"Novalis! At attention in my class!"

Her voice, coupled with a loud clapping noise, shook my attentions to her face and cleared my mind more effectively than my mother's voice waking me up on a schoolday. She looked smugly at me as I remembered where I was and guiltily dropped my gaze to her floor. Which was immaculate, by the way, so shiny and reflective. Shiny...

"Nooovaaalisss... Waaaake uuuup... My, where is your mind today?"

I shook myself again, trying to clear the last vestiges of stunned amazement from my mind. Here I was, at class, and I was moonstruck (hmm, interesting word choice, brain) by Princess Lunara's dress again. I think I have a thing for fashion all of a sudden. I looked from the floor at met her deep turquoise gaze, doing my best to remain professional and reclaim my mind.

"Let me guess. The dress is too much, yet again?"

I almost nodded, but she sighed at the end of her statement. I looked at her and noticed that she seemed disappointed, and for the first time in my life, I lied. I shook my head. I told her that I was merely tired, having been up all night before studying, and all day today meeting her sister. She seemed to perk up a little bit, bringing her gaze back to meet mine. She gave a small smile, then turned to her balcony door, vanishing through it with naught but a whisper of fabric. I followed her outside, pausing at the doorway in amazement.

The sky that night was astonishing. The various stars gleamed brightly, and the moon seemed very large. I could even make out stars and nebulas the naked eyes usually could not. Looking over to Princess Lunara, I saw her busying herself setting up her telescope, humming softly as she worked. She was always so happy during these sessions, seeming to be vibrantly alive when teaching. As she busied herself with setting everything up, I leaned my head back, opened my clasps with my left hand, and reached into my bags for my own things.

Using magic I levitated my quill, parchment, and books out, and reclosed the bags before setting them aside for the moment. I set everything up in front of me, and began to write.

June 17th

Princess Celestina Year, 9,048

Novalis Shiningeye

The night for this class is bright. The moon is approximately twice its normal size. Several galaxies normally invisible to the naked eye are within sight. Everything is bright and clear, so airborne molecules tonight are low. Tonight's class will be on further than normal galaxies, which are normally hard to see even with our telescopes, which would account for the closeness of the view. My notes on this night are as follows:

After writing the introduction to my notes, I patiently waited until Princess Lunara had finished getting the telescope ready and called me over. I joined her in gazing through the telescopes, listening as she named each new star I saw. I periodically returned to my notes to write down their names, along with any notable features. One star in particular caught my interest. Helios, the last star for the night.

Helios, our final topic of the night. It is the central point of its solar system, and the eight planets surrounding it orbit it, unlike our own Sun. What is most strange is the third planet orbiting it on an elliptical path. This planet seems capable of supporting life. In fact, not only is it capable, it DOES harbor life. Whether or not that life is able to respond to us is unknown to Princess Lunara, but she does know that it is populated dominantly by a race of humans that seem to be unable to use any form of sorcery, even basic. She and Celestina have both tried contacting the planet, albeit with disastrous results. The magic Lunara used over 3,000 years ago caused twelve magical catastrophes, scaring the inhabitants of a large desert country, which subsequently caused a migration of sorts. Celestina also attempted, also with poor results. Nearly a thousand years later, she tried to instill good magic onto the planet, but it all magnetized to one man who seemed to actually have an affinity for magic. It gave him incredible magical skill, even allowing him to resurrect the dead, but the others seemed to grow afraid, nailing him to a piece of wood crossed with another. After these failed communication attempts, Celestina and Lunara withdrew from contact.

PS: I should mention this star to Lyrica, she always was fascinated by possible other humans. I guess she was right with her theory about humans being stranded during the Human and Celestial war.

After recording all of my notes, and taking her nightly test, I packed my things to leave. Just before saying good night to her, however, she asked me to wait.

"I told you earlier that I would be sending you on an errand."

She did? Oh... yeah... oops.

"As you know, the Summer Solstice is quickly approaching. The day my sister visits the nearby town of Starville to raise the sun and celebrate her birth. She is sending her faithful student, Dusk Etherea, to Starville to oversee the preparations. This is a lot of work for one person, even one as talented as Miss Etherea. So my sister asked me to go. My schedule is unfortunately busy, but seeing as you are my proxy, I will be sending you in my stead. You will accompany Miss Etherea to Starville, and cooperate with her in setting up. Maybe you can make some friends while you're at it."

Friends? Oh no... Last time I tried to make friends I got into a fight over my eyes. People, especially humans, were a little intolerant of differences at young ages. I learned that the hard way. But this was a request by Princess Lunara, I would not turn it down. I would go to Starville, set up the celebration, and get back to Soluna as soon as possible. I didn't need to make friends along the way.

I did find it interesting that I, personal student of Princess Lunara, and Dusk Etherea, the renowned magical prodigy, and personal student of Princess Celestina, would both be overseeing this project. Miss Etherea and I had both gone to the same University, and although we studied different majors, mine being Astronomy and hers being Magic, we often shared some courses. She was like me, in a way, always studying, hardly ever making any friends. This was a girl I don't think I'd mind working with.

I nodded my acceptance of my mission, and bidding her farewell, I returned to my home to get ready for my trip to Starville.

The first thing I needed was proper attire. A set of black slacks and a dark blue button up shirt for the festivities, and a set of black shorts and a black t-shirt to walk the town with. As it was the middle of summer, and I had to check on preparations in various parts of town, I figured I'd rather not be sweating when I met new people. After the clothes were settled (I wasn't planning on staying for long, so a couple outfits was fine) I then packed them up along with my toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, and brush into a suitcase. A party for Celestina was going to have Lunara present as well, obviously, and I wasn't going to embarrass my Lady with an uncouth appearance. I also packed up a couple star charts and my notebook for some self study during my free time.

After getting everything I could think of packed and ready for the next day, I went downstairs to join my family for dinner. Mom had made a spectacular spaghetti dinner, replete with tender, juicy meatballs and a savory sauce. The noodles were cooked slightly al dente, just as we usually liked them, and a side of wine and fresh garlic toast complemented the dish. As usual, mom's cooking was magnificent. I went over my plans for the following couple days, reiterating I did not plan to be gone longer than three at the most. Mom decided to pack me a travel lunch, and asked if I wanted to bring one for Dusk. Considering how scatterbrained she was in school when it came to anything not her studying, I figured it wouldn't hurt. 

After the night wound down a bit more, I finally climbed into bed, mentally tired from meeting the Queen in a more intimate setting. She gave me my Brand when I graduated, but that was a typical ceremony. In person, she's much more than I ever expected. Chuckling softly at how little privacy I had with both sisters, I drifted off into a dreamless slumber.

Princess Lunara's POV, speaking to Celestina:

"So, sister, are you satisfied?" I asked as I sipped our nightly tea together.

"He's quite charming, if a bit timid. I do not find him lacking in personality. And his eyes are quite attractive to look at as well."

"I'm sensing a but, sister. Are you displeased about something?"

Tina closed her eyes, sighing a bit to herself. I knew this look. She had it often when talking about her own suitors. 

"I daresay he's far too timid. He does not see himself in the light that he should as your Chosen. It almost seemed to shock him that we only take one potential student at a time. Did you not make that clear to him, my dear Luna?"

I thought back, bemused. I don't think I ever did really go over that tidbit. But then again, I spent half the time with him teaching, and the other half sneaking through his daydreams about me. He hasn't even noticed me slightly altering the dreams to deter from his self discipline. I keep pushing him a bit to see how he'd react, but he always reigns himself back in control. 

"I don't believe I did mention it, come to think of it. Between teaching him and amusing myself in his daydreams, the subject never came up."

"Sister, you have such a bad habit there. Remember the last time you meddled? She thought your dream guiding was forcing her to fall in love with you, and refused to acknowledge her own feelings, and that left you heartbroken."

I looked down, knowing it was true. But with Novalis, I felt something different.

"I understand your concern, and you don't want me to be heartbroken. But I feel he's different. For one, before he even thought to himself that he did like me like that, he was already enamored with me to a degree. I did show you that picture he took of me, yes?"

"Show me? Every cleaning servant in this castle knows about that picture you have above your bed. Does he know?"

I balked at the question. Did she think I let him into my bedroom already? What kind of woman does she take me for?

"Of course not. But let's change the subject. You had something you wanted to discuss?"

"Hohoho... I'll let you off the hook for now... But yes. As I said, he's far too timid, so we're going to train him. I still have that statue, you know. The one made by our uncle."

"Eww. Why would you keep that foul thing?"

"Well, I tried to throw it out a few times, but never could go through with it. I think our Aunt is messing with Fate again. Perhaps for this very reason."

Tina and I spoke at length into the night, planning and plotting on how to make Novalis a better suitor. Hearing how mad he got during their conversation, and how that led to this plan by my sister, I began to get into it as well. This could work, right?