The library's fiction section was slowly losing new books for the young redhead. Exasperatedly, she shoved a careworn fantasy back in it's place and furiously glares at the self. I already read that one. I don't want to read it again. Disgustedly looking about, she tossed curls and bit her lip in a rather childish way.

The Library had become something of a shelter to her these past few days, avoidance of her own emotions the top of the priorities list. She was confused about Nath, and Athrym and Naul, and her own desire for freedom from this school. Vienda had just been the beginning...

"Goddess!" She had become a lot less careful with her language since the circus, and she felt like a much older girl now. Older... and less inclined to fear. Sniffing regally, she stepped out into the main library, wondering if somehow there was a way to get herself a new book.

I think... I'll try the grims. Perhaps there's something there more interesting than a fiction anyways.

That "Goddess" wasn't a prayer. Sinith looked up from his brief escape to the Library, finding it a very good sanctuary from people who knew his 'haunts'. He was curious about who might be swearing in the middle of the library. Surely if she couldn't find a book, she could ask the bored to tears scryer. Still holding the book on Monite in his hands, he ventured into the main part of the library with a curious gaze at the snooty red head storming his direction.

He looked around one of the shelves with an arched eyebrow, trying to watch the girl as her whirlwind anger flustered past him. He couldn't recall if he had seen her before. If he did, it was likely in the lunchroom where all the faces melted in the crowd. He wouldn't have been able to forget that red hair, though. It was killing him trying to figure out who it was.

"Are... you well?"

His father once said that getting in between a woman and her ambitions was like standing in the middle of a stampede of wild Moa. Maybe if he was lucky, he could help her instead of standing in her way...

She turned on the speaker, and she was surprised to find someone who looked something like Edguard. How many creepers with mugrobi descent am I going to scared by? She wondered petulantly, tossing her hair over one shoulder. For fourteen, she carried herself more like twenty and with all the ego of a queen, yet it was so obviously false it was a sort of defense in that way.

"I'm fine. Just... annoyed." Looking at him, she did recognize him. He was a sixth form, though he looked at last as old as Nath. Quietly fixing her skirt, she glanced at him sidelong. "Why do you care?" He was handsome in an exotic way, to be sure... but something, some rumor at the back of her mind said it was a wasted venture.

"I was just trying to find something to read. I'm done with everything over there." She waved vaguely to the back of the library, shrugging. "Now I have to find something else to do. Have any suggestions?" She popped one hip. head slightly angled.

She had sass... and he was trying to decide if he liked that or not. He was a little surprised that she would ask his opinion when addressed with such attitude and it showed in his eyes. He merely smiled and shrugged.

"I heard someone curse the Goddess in the middle of the library, I thought you were very distressed. As for new entertainment... well, I am looking for things to help me write a song. I have no idea where to start, to be honest. Perhaps working on your own creative side will entertain you."

It was nowhere near an insult like saying 'write your own damn book', but rather a suggestion. If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself! Holding his book on Monite, however, his 'writing a song' might be something a little more than he was inferring. Could he really begin to write spells already? Well, during his breaks he would stay with the Church in order to learn more and do simple tasks since he didn't want to be with his broken family. He studied Monite a lot, and if she were to gaze at how many times he'd checked that book out, she'd find multiple entries in the past couple of years.

She cocked her head, now off balance. Well, at least he's polite. She shrugged, unable to hide her interest in Sinith however much she tried. Normally people ignore me as soon as look at me. Has Athrym rubbed off on me? She hoped it was so.

Peering at the book, she saw it was a book on monite and theorems and spell writing. Looking up at him through coppery lashes, she grinned.

"'Writing a song' hm?" It wasn't a mean tease, merely one that showed she was a bit intuitive and he was a smart man for trying to hide it from her. "Well... if you're really trying to write one, can I watch? I've only ever edited existing ones, and without much success." She's been able to modify one line in a quantitative spell, but she had a feeling it had more to do with the mona taking pity on her than any prowess she had in the area.

"Absolutely!"

His smile was very genuine, but was also what disarmed more people than any blade technique. Writing a spell and writing a song were not that far apart in his eyes. One could sing the same song and give it completely different emotions. He had heard the Moonsong during one of his first excursions as a 16 year old without a curfew. He had been pondering the idea of writing a song with a close ideal to it as a tribute of worship.

Motioning for Alisonia to follow him, he took his notes from his satchel on the concept of the piece and opened his book.

"I am still a beginner myself and need to learn more about writing musical notes, but... I heard and felt the Moonsong last year. It is an interesting hymn to which I have tried to write my own song of praise. Part of me wonders if true musical notes can be applied to a song such as that..."

Ali beamed up at him, meeting his charming smile with he rown more direct one. She wasn't at all good at dissembling; she just was. And if somehow that was endearing, she didn't know it.


Ali nodded. She'd heard snippets of the song the night she'd gone into the crypts; it had been hauntingly beautiful. To the point where she was glad she hadn't had to stay long. Meh, who am I to judge taste though?

Smoothing her hair out of her eyes, she settled beside him, leaning over to look at his notes. "Oo! sounds interesting. I've had a little instruction in music. And my nu- well, I've been told my voice is nice." Her nurse had told her she'd a voice Alioe herself had blessed, but a lot of things her nurse told her seemed to be falling apart as she got older. "Anyway, I can write some music, if you'd like a little help."

"Well, my first problem comes with trying to figure out what beat would work. Monite is so complex, you can not just put syllables to beats... notes, perhaps, but syllables mean everything. You would need to have a fast set of vocal chords."

Monite was already like a song, so the place where he was already getting stuck was how they did it with the Moonsong. Maybe they just used single words instead of long lyrics? He tapped his finger on his notes and wondered what would work best.

"Putting an entire spell to a song... noooo... maybe one or two small phrases instead of the long pleas for casting that spell. That is likely why the Moonsong has such subtle effects. I am still trying to decide what the song should be about as well."

He knew deep down it was a love song to the Mona, but he didn't want to let it be known as such. Since he studied sign language as spells, it was only natural that he wanted to study other methods of communication.

"Well, if you're really going to use musical rules... well, I guess you could mix it up. I mean, when we write poems in class we mess around with meter. You could try using some of the different stresses... like a sonnet." She shrugged. She was out of her element. Singing like a mimic was entirely different from composing.


Scratching her head absently, she looked at the various tomes on music and monite with a decided curiocity.

"So... not exactly writing a song, but not exactly a spell either. Like... kinda like a hymn, then? Well, you should go to the Church and look into their songbooks. They have some lovely ones that could inspire you." Ali was interested in him now, drawn like a prince to power.

"It would have to be a hymn. Worship of the Gods is what Mona truly likes. To speak her language, it would have to be sacred of sorts."

He slightly noticed her attraction and smiled again, slowly collecting his notes. Wondering what she was so interested in, he took his time to let her enjoy his looks if that was the case. He wasn't a narcissist by any means, but he was also a hormonal teenager who was experimenting on what girls liked about him. That way, he might give advice to some poor souls who were without a date. He had his Mona, and he was doing this for knowledge.

"Perhaps a walk to the Church would be interesting. Would you care to join me? I do not believe I got your name... I have seen you before in class, but your name escapes me. I would never forget that red hair of yours."

On top of that, however, was to squash the rumor that he was... well... not interested in girls. He would make no girl above the Mona in priority, but he decided making some a "mid-priority" would at least make him seem "hard to get" rather than... well... not interested.

"Her? You mean Alioe's language?" She looked up, wondering at his wording. Her? The mona were genderless agents of Alioe in Ali's opinion, and referring to them like a person seemed awkward to her. But it didn't really matter; it wasn't her song.


Flushing slightly, Ali shrugged. Well! Of course she found him fascinating, but to have herself compared so... was amusing.

"Sure, I'll walk with you. I'm Alisoina." She bobbed a curtsy quickly, hoping Nath wouldn't mind anything. Nothing was official to be sure, but after the circus, she'd be sad if he thought she was being anything but fair to him. She really liked him, too... but she was a curious sort of bird who liked to see everything before returning safely home.

Well... walking with someone to church isn't exactly taboo. I'm certain he'll understand. I wonder why he wants to, anyway, I'd heard... she shrugged again, dismissing the rumors. "Ready when you are!"

"Sinith Del Illil, at your service. I pray we can at least find a little something before dinner... or do you have a class soon?"

Some people had one right before dinner. He was fortunate enough that he had done some study during his seasons off and liked to study before and after dinner. Since he liked studying, he had a hard class in the mornings back to back, through lunch, and he got to enjoy the latter part of his day without problem. He gathered the last of his notes into his satchel and nodded to Ali, waiting for her to walk along with him. Since it was several hours before dinner, he would take his time unless she had a class to get to.

He pondered setting a meeting with one of the Everine. He wondered about joining them once or twice, but he didn't feel he had the discipline to keep that sort of a religious life. Pondering what Ali had said, however, his theological side was starting to surface. He thought before he spoke and tilted his head.

"Do... you think it is fair that some people to worship the gods and someone to truly love someone else?"

Sinith. Interesting name for an interesting person. Stepping in line with him, Ali tossed her hair, peering at him with her lime eyes. He was completely different than... well, the usual sorts of students she associated with in her form. Then again, she seemed to be a magnet for the atypical, older students; Athrym and her ice, Naul and his chaos, Nath with his sweetness and Hunter with that raw power.

Sinith was just one more to add to her menagerie of friends. Ellie and I are the only normal ones, I swear, and that girl has about a million times more common sense than I do.

"No, I don't have a class for a bit. I should be fine." She grinned, wondering at the strange boy. he was something else, with that hair... she wondered how he took care of it.


She paused, and with a slightly bemused expression looked him in the eyes.

"Well... I never really thought about it before... but yes." She looked at her hands, trying to form the feeling into words. She continued to walk, however her brow was furrowed in thought.

Glancing at Sinith to make sure he wasn't laughing at her, she started again. "I mean... love is the purest emotion. It means that you would give everything for that person... but you're still yourself. You share, but don't give everything away.

"With that, you're respecting the cycle. I think that love is a form of worship itself, honoring life and people in the highest form, and respecting the god's creations. I don't know exactly... but I think that love of a person and love of a god are similar, but not exclusive. If that makes any sense at all."

Flushing from her monologue, Ali dusted off her skirt and looked ahead. They were nearing the church, and if she ran she could escape any ridicule Sinith might have in store for her outburst. Instead, she waited, wanting to see what he thought.

He paused to listen to her response. It was much more well thought than he expected, nodding as she continued. He reflected on it for a moment himself before speaking.

"Is it wrong then to love the collective thoughts of the gods as a true love? They deserve so much more... and they are not cruel like most sentient beings. If they do something harsh, it is usually for some deserving reason. There is a difference between devotion and love... one can be devoted and passionate to something, yet still have someone or something else as the love of their life. That is why I refer to Mona the way I do."

He raised his head, wondering if there were any priests around the area, or if they would have to go inside. Some students were still in class, but some had studies around this area as well. It would be interesting to see who was hanging out around here.

...Well then.

He's moony.

She shrugged, not about to judge someone who was smart but not quite all there. Loving something that can't love you back like a person was just silly. She'd wanted that kind of affection since she'd understood that girls went with boys and held hands, and here he was, in love with (if she understood correctly) the mona.

Maybe that's how the Everine feel. She couldn't understand the hooded priests and priestesses either, yet she respected them and their calling. Maybe somehow, Sinith was like that. Looking at him for a moment with calculating but kind eyes, she shrugged and smiled.

"Well, to each their own. I plan on loving a somebody, personally though. Now! For that Hymnal." She bounded forward with polite abandon, losing the fear for Nath's feelings being hurt. He'll understand now!

Slowing as she reached the threshold, Ali made a respectful sweep and went in, head bowed, coming to a pew where she spied a song book. Slipping onto the seat, she looked to Sinith and tossed her head to motion him in.

Moony as the month was long... but perhaps if she knew his story, she would understand why he gave up on people. If she would pay attention to his field, there was just something off about him. It wasn't in a frightening or bad way, but it was like he was an almond cookie in a world of crumpets. Still tasty, but would it really be the best thing with tea?

He rushed over to her with an almost equal excitement, trying to find more about hymns and the Moonsong in the books. Sadly, however, most of these songs seemed to be in the normal language.

"Hmmm... is the Moonsong perhaps only reserved for the Everine?"

He began to look at other pamphlets which may have been left around. There were songs of praise and songs which bolstered the concept of time, as well as old favorites that both of them had likely heard drilled over and over again in their heads when they attended Church. Sinith laughed at one of them, remembering the time his mother let him stand on the chair so he could sing that song louder so that the gods could hear him a little more clearly.

He laughed sadly... closing the book for a moment before looking away from it. Gods, why did that memory have to surface into his mind? He did all he could to banish the moments in his life where his mother still loved him.

Now that he thought about it, his mother never returned to Church after it was found that his uncle was a passive. Even when they still lived in the house, he would go to Church with his father. It was his only escape from the hell his mother's side of the family placed on him.

There was a discomfort in the air as he shook his head as if silently trying to bring him to his senses. His dear Mona were all he needed and that was that.

There was the faint sound of shuffling feet, but it was more like a spring breeze than the actual movement of a person. Both students were warmed in a wake of an exuberant field, washed in an almost pristine sense of peace. The Everus that appeared from nowhere seemed to hover next to the pew, veiled face expressionless, hands folded into the sleeves of their robe. For an uncomfortable moment, the apparition only breathed, wordlessly soaking up their faces and fields.

"Children," the figure's voice was feminine, soft, and would have been inaudible anywhere but in the quiet sanctuary of the Church, "You are searching for something."

It wasn't a question, and yet it appeared the Everus expected an answer.

He merely stood there for a few good ticks. The embrace of the field was... so warm and welcoming, yet she was so... intimidating. He put the hymnal down where it belonged as if we was caught doing something. He felt very sheepish even though he didn't do anything. The field was so strong, he was intimidated by the Everine maiden.

"Y... yes, Lady Everus. I... I was looking for inspiration for my own hymn."

He really didn't know how to address one of the Everine, but since all their names started with "Everus", it was a good start of being polite. He had no idea how much she already knew of his venture, knowing how connected the Everine were with the gods. He slowly stood up and rested his hands on the pew.

"I wanted to write a hymn using Monite similar to the Moonsong."

I... I want to be intimate with the Mona...

He wanted to say his feelings about the collective thoughts of the gods. It was screaming in his spirit, but to say such things here... he was not sure how the Everine took such things. They had a relationship with him, but he was unsure if it was one of duty or love. He had heard the stories of the potential corruption and kept his heart to himself.

Of course, one feel of his field would betray his desires in an instant.

"You may call me Everus Lym." Her voice was timeless, ageless, and her veil maintained her mystery. The figure's head tilted toward the hymnals, as though she was looking, and then the Everine's face turned back to Sinith.

"It would be impossible for you to reproduce the Moonsong." Was the simple, quiet response. It was not a rebuke, just gentle honesty. Obviously, the Everus did not waste time with unnecessary words. The woman exhaled, veil billowing slightly, and she spoke with curious invitation, "I can feel your urgency. Tell me your intentions."

"Well... not the Moonsong, Everus Lym. Just something in Monite to worship with. I hope to one day become a Magister and starting with something like a song using very basic Monite to pay tribute to the gods collective thoughts would be a good start. I really..."

He looked to Ali, not sure if he could trust her completely with his feelings, but if the Everine inquired about it, he should answer. He paused in his thoughts for a moment, reminding himself that this priestess would likely not understand his take on the Mona and spoke of them as the collective as they literally were.

"I really love the Mona... the collective thoughts of the gods. I want to become more intimate with them, and I have been trying to be intimate with them in the best way I know how. I want to give them something very special. I know that they are the fabric of the universe and have no real needs, but if they had no wants, they would never associate with us. I want to attempt something just for them... not just asking for a favor. I know they are beyond our understanding, but I would imagine even gods would get bored just fulfilling peoples wishes in spells."

He kept his eyes away from the veiled face of the Everine, having a feeling that she would find it stupid or futile. So many had thought him clocking foolish thusfar, save for Ali who at least humored his feelings. It was much more than anyone had done in awhile, and she had no idea how much he appreciated it.

The mysterious Everus was quiet for what felt like a very long time, time made only longer by the solemn nature of the Church itself. She just seemed to hover there in silent contemplation, timeless, as if it was necessary to process Sinith's words slowly and carefully. Despite the veil, it was obvious Lym was looking at the student; the touch of the woman's gaze was almost tangible on his skin.

"You are in a dangerous place." The Everine spoke quietly again and with what felt like great effort. This time her words were a gentle rebuke, "We are not usually permitted to speak with anyone. Your intentions may be true, child, but your path is dark. If you are not given a light, I fear for your destination. Time is fleeting."

Silence again. Everus Lym's invisible gaze felt heavier. She could see through him, as if he was so much water.

"You will meet with me again." It was not a request, "We will discuss truth, and your place within it."

The woman shifted underneath her robes, as if preparing to walk away, "I must seek council ... and permission. Come back here in three night's time, three hours before midnight. If it is deemed worthy, I will be waiting for you. Please, be thoughtful of your direction until then."

Without waiting for a response, the Everus turned and walked away.

He breathed in deeply, feeling like he was being judged. He had no idea there was such a heavy consequence to his "love song". He kept his gaze even though he was being stared at. Still, she was closer to the Mona than he was and if she sensed something bad about it, he would take heed to her words.

He nodded as she walked away and looked over towards Ali. His face was riddled with serious concern as he turned to her.

"I am... very concerned about this. Can... I trust you not to tell anyone about it? If this is very serious, I might have gotten you in trouble without realizing it."

His mind was racing. Was he doing something blasphemous? He would not think so, anyway. He swallowed and looked down at his feet, wondering if he would get into serious trouble for his actions.

If there were words for Ali's shock, she would have hissed them quietly in Sinith's ear. As there were none, she was forced to make do with sitting stupidly on the bench, wonder how it was that she was supposed to process this little tidbit of information.

To at least allow her the semblance of productivity, she began earnestly reading the prayer book, singing the song in her head, asking for peace. Slowly, they came to evolve around Athrym, Naul, Ellie and Nath. Goddess watch them and protect them, for we are your children, and the children of our world. Let nothing harm us further.

Finally the everus left, and Ali placed the book back with a bemused sort of sigh. She looked at Sinith, and was not disappointed when it came to a response.


Ali decided to be truthful. Tossing her curls over one shoulder, one eyebrow raised, she would have been standing arms akimbo if it weren't for the pew.

"I tell everything to Athrym. We're best friends, you know. And somehow the lady didn't seemed bothered having me about. But I'll keep it quiet until afterwards." A small amount of concern crept into her voice without volition.

"And if you disappear I will cause quite a bit of a ruckus." Suddenly tired of the church and a bunch of priests who she only half believed in (saying nothing of her devotion to Alioe), she stood. "I think I'll be leaving now. My osta will likely be waiting for me."

Sinith paused and sighed. Lovely... what would his cousin do to him if he found out? He kept his eyes down for a moment, but shrugged. He hoped her best friend wasn't a blabbermouth like most friends of girls were.

"At least you're honest."

He smiled before returning his gaze to her and nodded, knowing that this somewhat ruined her search for entertainment. He stood up himself and bowed respectfully. He might be on borrowed time, so these days were not the days to be rude to any lady.

"If I do vanish, may I say it was a pleasure getting to meet you."

He wondered if he would die... if he was reborn again, would the Mona still love him? Perhaps they loved him in his past life. Who knew?