Chapter Text
They were strange… different. But beautiful in a way few would appreciate…
Luna stood by the woods, eyes wide and entranced by them. She wanted to approach, but wasn’t quite sure yet.
None of her classmates noticed them, like they couldn’t see… She wondered if wrackspurts made people go blind as well… How could they not see such creatures? She ought to ask her father next time she wrote home…
Hesitant but curious, Luna wriggled her bare feet, as the Nargles had stolen her shoes somehow, and she approached the strange winged-horse. Not too much. It looked at her, but didn’t seem angry.
She smiled, and tossed an apple near it.
It looked at it with what she could only imagine was idle disinterest, barely dipping its head to smell it, before looking at her and turning away.
Rejection… Luna pursed her lips. “So you don’t like apples… I’ll try something else then…” Maybe the little elves in the kitchen would know?
“…They like meat.” A soft voice spoke behind.
It startled her and she turned. Crystal green eyes, bright golden strands under the hood, soft features… Her lips parted in awe, then she bowed, still looking. Leyans were so beautiful, their aura so reverent, it was like the air and ground and the very magic noticed and kissed whenever they touched.
This one watched her, eyes narrowing, before he walked past her with a bag.
The winged-horses bowed as he approached, and he drew red meat pieces from the bag, offering to them. They ate from his hand, one by one. He even leaned down so the babies could reach him more easily.
She watched him pet them, and check their wings, as if looking for any damage. They simply let him, some even leaning to nuzzle, and he nuzzled back with his head.
He turned those endless green eyes to her. “What.”
Luna blinked. “Can I feed them?”
Now he blinked back. “So you can see them…”
Luna nodded.
“…” He stared for several seconds. “What do you think of them…?”
“…” Luna thought it over and looked at the winged-horses, eyes scanning their form. “…I think they’re different… and that maybe people misunderstand them… but they’re beautiful in their own way…”
The Leyan stared, lids lowering. He stepped back. “…Did you know they can smell a rotten soul…?” He smiled coldly.
“That must be helpful then… They can avoid bad people?”
The Leyan nodded, still smiling. “…Do you want to pet them?” He said, voice quiet.
“I can?” Luna smiled.
He nodded again.
She approached, wringing her hands. It looked even curiouser up close, yet beautiful nonetheless. She reached a hand, slowly to not startle it, but didn't touch. It was an offering. It lowered its snout to her palm, and sniffed.
The Leyan watched closely, eyes narrowing—did he seem taller? Hands sharper…? Darker…? The air itself was heavy, curling around her–
The winged-horse snuffled and leaned on her palm, touching. Luna smiled, petting it.
The darkness receded and disappeared—was it even there? The Leyan blinked, face and posture as soft as she’d thought. “…They like you…” He muttered.
“Can I bring them any kind of meat? Or do they have preference?”
“…Fresh and red. Any kind.” He said quietly, and leaned a bit closer to her.
Luna blinked at him. “The magic really likes you…”
He looked curious. “I know…” He tilted his head. She mirrored the move. “It likes you too…” He smiled, and it looked wonderful. “Will you keep them company when I’m not here?”
Luna nodded. “I’d love to.”
The Leyan’s aura was brighter and lighter then, and he patted her head. She wasn’t sure exactly why, she heard Leyans didn’t like people much…
Maybe he thought she was more like a stray little thing or something. Curiouser and curiouser…