Stories Unknown

Some Sense

The sky of New Beijing held only three stars— like three lost freckles on the dark face of the universe. They shown only dimly, giving no luminance, and being near non-existent in a light pollution-filled heaven. But Luna was still bright above the world, no matter the city lights that shone within the region; it still lent its glow to the lonely, starless sky.

And even though there were next to no stars in the sky, two people still stared up into the abyss, side by side, hand in hand. They gazed at the utter blackness, and the soft crescent moon, talking in hushed voices that could be heard by only themselves.

The pair were dressed in finery that didn't belong in the soft grass and gardened area, filled with orchids, azaleas, camellias, and all manner of flowers. They wore clothes fit for a royal ball, which was quite logical, seeing as there had been one that evening— the first since the new reign of Queen Selene Channary Jannali Blackburn.

In fact, the pair in the grass had attended the ball; not only that, they had been both host and royal guest of the magnificent event. For laying in the grass, was none other than Emperor Kaito and Queen Selene, though those were not the names by which they called one another.

Dressed in a full-length silver gown with an off-the-shoulder neckline, long flowing sleeves, and embroidered with the phases of the moon, Cinder truly looked like the queen that she had been born to be. Her jewelry was simple and all silver, with her fingers decorated with rings of the eight phases of the moon, her neck layered with shimmering necklaces, and diamond drop earrings fell down from her ears.

Emperor Kaito looked just as spectacular, in all red and gold— a vivid representation of his country. Signs of wisdom and benevolence and harmony were stitched into the traditional Chinese garments. He was the epitome of the most powerful nation in the world.

But these two monarchs were still just teenagers, despite their elegant finery. So that was perhaps why they had chosen to lay out in the royal gardens at two in the morning, just a few hours after the Annual Peace Ball. Why they were under a sky of three stars, enjoying their little time together.

Cinder laughed, leaning her head so that it rested against the emperor's. She was beautiful, despite her hair falling down from its elegantly messy bun, and the soft silk of her gown getting covered in grass stains. Kai grinned, evidently pleased at the soft cadence of evident joy. He moved his face so that he could kiss her temple, mussing his own hair to a new level of messy.

"She was totally coming onto you," Cinder snickered, snuggling her body closer to Kai's and closing her eyes. She had only been on Earth for two days, and would be leaving in a matter of hours— she was dreading leaving with all her heart.

"Well, I'm glad that you were there," Kai chuckled. "I'll use you as a warning sign from now on."

Cinder rolled her eyes, and released Kai's hand. She raised herself up so that she was looking down at  him, leaving only a glare to burn upon him. She herself had not found the incident so funny, seeing how the girl had tried to get a little too handsy with her beloved.

"Awe, come on, Cinder," Kai teased, his face pulling tight in the effort not to laugh. He reached up a hand to pull at a lock of fallen hair. "Don't get all jealous on me now. How could anyone try to make a move on me when they see how much I love you? All it is for them is a major waste of time."

"Well," Cinder sighed, fighting off a grin as she maintained her glare with Kai. "If you talk enough sense, you'll lose your mind."

Kai pulled on Cinder's arm, causing her to fall down onto him, her head resting against his chest and he wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her close. "I guess I'll have to use you as a focal point," Kai mumbled into her hair, his fingers rubbing soft circles along her arm. "So I don't lose sight of what I want."