Cumulus stared in confusion and horror as the sea around Dayspring turned a rainbow of colors. Iris, the rainbow goddess herself, had no explanation.

Dia told him that Baris, the Crab King, was throwing a party.

Cumulus was frustrated. "First, he refuses to help defend Illuminana from Noctarian invasion, now this?"

Iris put a hand on his shoulder. "Relax, he isn't hurting anyone. The sea is just turning weird, unnatural colors."

Dia picked up on what Cumulus said earlier. "The Crab King did what?"

"He's one of Umbrum's pets, I'm sure."

"If so, he'd be a black, shadowy mass, but he's a brilliant gold."

Cumulus sighed. "Figure of speech, Dia."

Meanwhile, Noctave was entertaining the masses of crabs with her singing. Boras wouldn't have invited her if she didn't want to sing.

Noctave was strange. She disliked being in crowds of people or gods, but felt at home among animals. Maybe because they weren't much bigger than her.

When the party fell into a lull, she took a glass of mead and went out on to the deck, overlooking a sea that glowed strange colors.

"Boras! Come over here?"

Boras scuttled over next to Noctave. "Oh, that? It's some of my passive magic."

"Cool! The historians will have to write that one down, won't they?"

"Oh, definitely! How long have you and Dia known each other?"

"Almost 2 moon cycles!" She tapped the moon disk on her hat.

"Great! She seemed kind of paranoid at the party, though. Honestly, I'm glad you were able to convince her to leave."

Noctave looked to the floor, titles showing a man and a merwoman. "Dia just isn't really comfortable with animals like I am - except horses. She really likes all manner of equines."

"Right. So you're telling me that your girlfriend would like me better if I were a horse?"

Noctave laughed. "Maybe. Dia's just been kind of protective over me since our run-in with Halucina."

"Beating her senseless was the best thing your father ever did. Party's winding down, do you want to go home?"

"Not yet, I have something I need to do first."

Dia found Noctave in the halls of Dayspring Castle, in her standard apron dress.

"Hi there. Just here to say goodnight."

Dia held Noctave's hand and knelt down to Noctave's eye labor. "Did-did I mess up?"

"Well, Baris isn't going to invite you to another one of his parties, if that's what you mean."

"No, I mean...did I anger you?"

"Not really, you just need to communicate more. And if I was angry with you, I wouldn't be here, wishing you good night."

Noctave kissed Dia, a long and tender one.

"I need to go..."

Dia gripped her hand. "Wait, don't go! Don't leave me!"

Noctave was surprised. "I'll stay, but why do you want me here?"

Dia tried to find the words to express how she was feeling. She wanted Noctave, more than anything.

"Do..do you want to...to go...go into my bed with me?" She smiled awkwardly, hoping that Noctave knew what she was blabbering about and didn't reject her offer.

Noctave knew exactly what Dia meant to say, and gave her a knowing smile. "Yes, I do."

With the door locked behind them, they were free.