Aurora's tears, twilight bloom. The Felora capital
of Lavorian rose like a dream carved from moonlight.
The three -moon rain towers spiraled upward from
the edge of the city, their pale stone threaded
with glowing glass that pulsed softly against
the endless sky. From their highest balconies,
one could see all of Luminara, the bioluminescent
jungles, the golden coastline. and the vast ocean
where stars shone for eternity. Sheerith stood
at the base of the towers, eyes staring straight
up at the imposing structure, and tail flicking
nervously behind her. She had faced bandits,
masters of flame, shadows in the jungle that
hunted back. But this, this felt worse. It's
just a hangout, she told herself. Not a mission,
not a threat. Just Zorith. Her glowing stripes
betrayed her immediately, brightening with every
anxious, flirtatious thought. Zorith was so...
different. She is fine around the athletic guys
who hang around the beaches and jungles who always
flex and smile at her. But Zorith was... different.
He was so... mysterious. His very presence was
a sense of wisdom and a cool demeanor. Sheerith
snapped out of her train of thought when she
spotted Zorith. He arrived precisely on time,
because, well, of course he did. He was taller
than she was, his fur a deep charcoal with softly
glowing indigo stripes that shimmered like constellations.
His eyes lit up the moment he saw her, not flaring
with intensity like a warrior's, but warming,
like a lantern left on just for someone. Hello,
he said, smiling a little too wide, but still
very cute. Sheerith's brain stalled. Hi. A brilliant
start. Zorith scratched the back of his neck and
did a polite bow. Even with his kind gesture,
Sheerith could sense a little nervousness. I'm
glad you came. These stars only fall every three
hundred years. I'm thrilled I can show them to
you. And of course, with a view like none other.
She blinked, looking back up at the imposing
tower. I can't wait. I've never been so close
to the towers before. They're so... big. His
ears perked and head tilted. Are you alright?
Sheerith huffed despite herself. Of course, yeah,
totally. It's just... just... Sheerith opened
her mouth to say it, but the words escaped his
lips first. You're afraid of heights. No! Sheerith
snapped back. It's just... well... maybe. Sheerith
blushed. Did she ruin the moment? She felt her
hand being guided around a comforting arm. Hold
on to me, Sharith froze. I won't leave your side,
he promised. They began the ascent together,
the spiral ramps of the tower winding upward
in gentle arcs. The city's sounds faded below
them, replaced by the soft winds up high and
the silent light of the aurora in its distant
waves. Sheerith kept her gaze forward, too forward.
Say something, she scolded herself. So, she said,
cutting the silence. You're here often? Zorith
let a soft chuckle escape. Yes, if I'm honest,
perhaps too much, he said. The upper observation
floors are perfect for long, quiet hours when
one needs to think and write. Sheerith giggled
softly. He stopped with a smile. What? Sheerith
froze once again. She didn't mean to laugh, it's
just... You're such a nerd, escaped her lips,
her eyes crew wide. Sheerith glanced at him, her
stripes flickering faintly with embarrassment.
He let out a heartfelt laugh. Well, fair enough,
but don't judge too harshly. Some of us aren't
as cool as the scouts out beyond the city, he
said with a gentle smile. Sheerith blushed and
smiled a little awkwardly, her stripes glowing
in a soft emerald and sapphire hues. She kept
tight hold onto Zorith's arm as they walked.
She glanced up at him and accidentally made eye
contact. She refocused on the steps before her,
but could sense Zorith smiling at her. The silence
enveloped them, but not a cold silence. Zorith
felt a genuine peace amongst the nervousness.
It was nice. As they reached the upper balcony,
The sun had just kissed the beaches with golden
light, and the aurora deepened into layers of
blue, violet, and green, rippling like breath.
Below them, the ocean stretched endlessly, its
surface catching fragments of radiant light.
Sharith took in a breath of wonder. Ah, it's
beautiful, Zorith finished. Sheerith smiled and
closed her eyes as warm air from the beaches
below swept past. They sat side by side on the
smooth stone ledge, their shoulders not quite
touching. The air was sweet, carrying sun and
starlight. Minutes passed in silence. Not awkward
silence. Just quiet. Then the first shooting
star streaked across the sky, cutting a bright
line through the ink -black night. Then another.
Then two more. Soon, the sky was raining divine
light. Sheerith's eyes widened. This is perfect,
she thought out loud. Zorith nodded. Better than
the view from the beaches, yes? She glanced at
him and giggled. Fine, you win. This is way better.
Sharith realized she wasn't thinking of the height
of the tower anymore. Being this high up with
the sky raining down eternal light, and with
her hands around Zorith's arm, everything, for
a moment, was fine. She laughed softly, then
froze. Realizing she had been hugging his arm
very tightly, she loosened her grip. Sorry, she
said. Don't be, he said. By the way, I like it
when you laugh. It sounds unguarded. That struck
something deep in her chest. She stared out at
the sky again, closed her eyes, and took a breath.
I'm not very good at this, she blurted out to
her surprise. Zorith paused for a moment. You
mean being more beautiful than the stars? I strongly
disagree. Sharith's stripes glowed very brightly.
Zorith smiled, gentle and unwavering. You don't
have to be anything else, Sheerith. Not brave.
Not sharp. Just here. Her tail curled slowly
around her ankle. She kept her eyes closed and
prepared for what was about to come out of her
mouth. I like you. An eternity passed in a moment.
After a quiet breath, Sharif surprisingly felt
something cool in her fingers. She opened her
eyes and glanced at her hands. A soft blue rose
-like flower met her gaze. A twilight bloom.
The kind from the beach. Her favorite. I like
you too, he said gently. She looked up at his
eyes and they reflected the beauty of the light
-filled sky. The beaches are nice, he said softly,
but still, ever more beautiful whenever you are
there. Happiness couldn't describe it. This,
this was peace. She placed her head slowly against
his chest. I'm, I'm glad I came, she whispered.
As am I. He said. They sat together as the stars
continued to fall. Sheerith finally put her weight
against him, curled her tail around herself,
and watched the sky. A show three hundred years
in the making. This has been Aurora's Tears.
The story continues.