Chapter Text
It was a rainy spring day and Artemis was out collecting Salmonberries and looking for frogs. Despite the seemingly dreary weather, it was peaceful - the calming and consistent sound of the rain hitting the pavement and grass, the pleasant temperature perfectly between cool and warm, the occasional hum and chirp of animals. It was nice. Artemis had been wandering about Cindersap forest for most of the day, letting the rain soak her clothes while the pleasant air prevented cold from seeping into her bones. She entered town and headed north towards the community centre, grateful for the lack of people outside as a result of the weather. Upon reaching the building, Artemis stood under the tree to the right of the Centre, giving her a chance to rest and appreciate her surroundings under the scrutiny of the crying sky.
She was fully expecting to have sore legs the next day. What she wasn’t expecting was to hear the sound of a flute coming from the mountains. Surprised and honestly a bit startled by the charming sound, Artemis started to head to the mountains, letting her ears and curiosity lead the way as the noise grew louder.
Upon reaching the mountains, she was met with the unpredicted - but not unwelcome - presence of Abigail.
Artemis wouldn’t lie, she’d found Abigail absolutely breathtaking from the moment she saw her and as she got to know her more and more she discovered that her personality was just as stunning as her appearance.
Seeing her here however, drenched to the bone and expertly playing the flute in the pouring rain was an entirely new experience. The sound she was creating was angelic and her soaked hair and clothes somehow managed to highlight her beauty instead of demeaning it.
Upon finally noticing the presence of another person (who had definitely ✨not✨ been staring), Abigail stopped playing her flute.
“Artemis!!” She said, sounding slightly worried. “What are you doing out here in the rain?!”
Looking at her face of mixed curiosity and concern, Artemis had no choice but to answer honestly.
“Appreciating the weather.”
“Yea, I guess you would be one to appreciate this somber ambience.”
That was true. And from the looks of it, Artemis guessed Abigail did too.
“I came here to spend some time alone....”
Her sentence suggested she wanted Artemis to leave but her following words negated that.
After looking around she said brightly,
“But I don’t mind your company!” She finished her sentence with a small smile.
A few seconds passed where Abigail looked Artemis up and down. Shivers danced their way down Artemis’ spine, but not from the rain - which was getting increasingly colder. This slight movement seemingly shook Abigail out of her daze.
“You’re getting soaked. Come stand under the tree.” She said, probably more out of courtesy than concern as Artemis was already drenched to the core.
Abigail shuffled over slightly and Artemis joined her under the tree. Abigail was turned towards the river and after a few moments she spoke, her voice soft.
“It’s impossible to describe this feeling... watching the curtains of rain whisper above a silent lake.”
Artemis found herself agreeing wholeheartedly, her head tilting ever so slightly. Watching rain was ethereal, but watching rain over a body of water was otherworldly - the drops meeting the surface with great force and yet oh so gently, the delicate breeze causing the rain to be at the slightest angle, the smell of freshly damp soil, the faint croak of frogs, the way the smallest bit of sun peeking through the clouds. To put the feeling of witnessing all that into words - it was impossible.
From where she stood, Artemis had an excellent vantage point of Abigail’s pale features and glistening amethyst hair.
She took in her soft pink lips, shining in the small peeps of light left. She let herself appreciate the way Abigails eyes softened and her lips perked slightly upwards as she gazed wistfully at the river before her.
Artemis had an internal debate with herself about whether or not she should show Abigail the soft, musical side of her. Looking at Abigail and her relaxed and trusting body language, she seemingly made up her mind as she reached deep within her coat and took out her mini-harp.
Hearing the rustling of clothing and seeing the movement out the corner of her eye, Abigail turned her body and attention back around to Artemis.
“Hey! A mini-harp!” She said, her eyes widening as she perked up and laughed in amusement. “You’re full of surprises, Artemis. I’m impressed.”
Satisfied with this response, Artemis started playing. Not long after, Abigail joined in. They harmonized incredibly, both instruments complementing the other and together they created an enchanting and heavenly melody as the rain fell all around them and the moon started to rise.