"Uther? You're a shadow creature!"

The raven shifted into a humanoid form. He was shorter than Dia, green eyes, ram horns, and on the bigger side. "Glad to see you know me. Or at least of me."

"What are you doing here? Should you be in The Abyss?"

Uther chuckled. "I'm on leave. I needed a break from Manx's horseshit."

Dia tilted her head. "Why? Manx seems cool."

"He seems cool. He's actually cold and harsh, at least towards me. Must been because I slipped the secret of Umbrum's romantic feelings towards Manx-"

"So he does like the company of men!"

Uther blinked. "Only ones he knows well. I've never seen him lust after a stranger. And calling Manx a man is like calling a newt a lizard."

Dia tapped her nails against the rock of the fountain. "What do you mean by that?"

"Shadows don't have peckers."

Dia nearly fell into the fountain in shock, but Uther caught her.

Uther laughed. "Was I too crude for the sun goddess?"

"I just...I...You don't hear people say things like that so openly in Illuminana, at least not around me. Maybe I am a prude..."

"Or maybe I'm just an ass! I think it's both ways."

Uther's joking nature reminded Dia of her dad, but Uther was a lot more crass and had lost any sense of politeness long ago.

"May I ask how your kind is getting along with Noctave?"

"Most of them are younger and inexperienced. Umbrum thought the 'elder sons' should stay in The Abyss and look after the place in his absence. From what I've heard, Noctave is friendly towards them, but their paths don't cross often."

"What does 'elder sons' mean?"

"Umbrum sees his creations as his children-specifically as his sons. I'm an elder son, because I was created a long-ass time ago, when time didn't exist."

Dia nodded. "Interesting. I should go to my house. Where are you going."

"The Abyss, probably. I like getting under Manx's skin, but I don't want to upset him too much. Good to know that Noctave has good taste in women."

Dia was flattered by this statement.

Many had witnessed their conversation from high windows, but Dia felt herself not caring.

Let them gossip, let them judge, so long as I can have fun.

Noctave must be really rubbing off on me.

Probably for the better.

The next day, Viridian took Dia to the festival. Dia, not being able to stomach the heavy, fatty, starchy Noctarian food, found herself drinking herbal remedies to calm her upset stomach in Noctave's room.

Viridian was not about to leave Dia alone and sick. She would rather be convincing Dia to get matching tattoos with her, but she needed someone by her side.

"Will a kiss help you feel better?"

Dia's voice was strained. "Ugh...I don't think a kiss will help my stomach."

Viridian's wings fluttered. "It'll lighten your spirits. You look so sad right now." Viridian threaded her fingers through her orange hair.

Viridian's face was very close to Dia's, giving her a good look of Viridian's bright green eyes and elfin features. Dia pulled her in, kissing her.

Viridian was in an especially affectionate mood, placing butterfly kisses on Dia's neck and collarbone, tickling Dia's sensitive skin. Her antennae were brushing up against Dia's temple, tickling her more.

"Viri! Viri, stop before I die of laughter!"

Viridian stopped, hugging Dia close to her. "We can't have you die on me! Who'll I get a matching tattoo with then?"

Dia wasn't thrilled by this prospect. "Who-who said anything about tattoo?"

"I did!"

"Isn't it a bit early in our relationship?"

"Yeah, only 2 months. How's ten?"

Dia looked away. "We'll see if we last that long."

Viridian caressed Dia's shoulder. "Don't be so down."

Viridian flew away and came back with a strange instrument that looked like a mutated violin.

"How about I serenade you with this nyckelharpa? Will it make you feel better?"

Dia couldn't take her eyes off the strange instrument. "Depends. How does it sound?"

"It's about as beautiful as you."

Alright, I doubt she'd lie about that.

The song was beautiful, Dia felt she heard it once before in a dream.

Viridian and Dia moved to the hallway to spend time with. Urainia observed them being affectionate with each other, reminding it of her of how her and Umbrum were, long ago.

She missed those days.

"Viri, what time is it?"

Viridian glanced at the nearby sundial. "20 o' clock."

"Ah! I really must be going, my parents must be worried about me!"

"I can teleport you there, no problem!"

Dia nodded, and Dia disappeared in a flash of teal light.

Urainia approached Viridian.

"Summer's Moon?"

"Call me Viridian, please."

Urainia flipped over her veil. "Great name choice.

Viridian, when I saw you and Dia being affectionate with each other, I was reminded of what me and Umbrum were like."

"Really? I remember you being happy together, but not super-affectionate."

"Your memory wasn't all that reliable.

I realize that I need to spend more time with Umbrum, to stop avoiding him."

Viridian's wings fluttered. "Yes! If you're going to stay married, you might as well reconnect with each other! Need my help?"

"I need to do this on my own, Viridian, though I appreciate your enthusiasm."