Pure Moonlight (closed)

[heartofcourage]

"Give yourselves time to settle before you start trying for children, Ruben. Those first few days of a new relationship are exciting but they're also rough and bumpy. Believe me, your father and I had a lot of heartache." Selena warned him gently. "Just enjoy Telma and enjoy making your little home together."

Ruben knew how quickly her relationship with Kreston had formed and nearly crumbled. It was probably Ruben himself that had kept them together and trying for as long as they were apart.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Being together in our own home will be new, Ma, but the relationship isn't," he admitted to her quietly. "In fact we've been mates for nearly two years, and we were seeing each other almost a year before that." He was prepared for any trouble that might get him into.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Ruben..." Selena said with a long sigh as he admitted that he had been with Telma for years. "What am I going to do with you, love?"

 

[KieranSoares]

"That one is up to you," Ruben chuckled and hugged his mother tight.

Meanwhile, Kreston had taken Telma around to the garden and settled with her against the side of the house. "Telma..." He murmured. "I can't tell you how glad I am to see Ruben found his love... But I also can't tell you how deeply it hurts to finally realize my son is grown up and, even if he still needs his family now and then for emotional support... He's completely independent and he really just doesn't need us anymore to chase nightmares away or make sure he's eating well or getting what he needs. He knows how to do all of it himself now. You're the last, surest sign that he's no longer a little boy. I don't resent that, but it hurts. As a parent... Being needed and loved makes everything worthwhile. We may still be loved, but we're not really needed so much anymore." He sighed and shook his head. "I'm sorry, I'm probably not making any sense..."

 

[heartofcourage]

"He'll always needs you both." Telma said softly as Kreston talked to her about his feelings. "My Da said the same thing to me. Ruben and I have already discussed it. Just because we're together doesn't mean that we won't be around. You'll still see him as often as you always did...it'll just be a little bit different. We want our families to be together like they always have been."

 

[KieranSoares]

"It does my heart a world of good to hear that." He smiled and hugged her close against his side. He'd always been a loving uncle to her, and the Maliar had always been close with the Numeor. "We'll have to get everyone together soon to celebrate. Taqu'un and Ellen and Adane too."

They soon returned to Selena, and Ruben wrapped an arm around Telma. Kreston kissed his son's forehead and then turned back toward the house. "Well, kids... I have one more issue of love to attend to. But... Selena? I think we ought to let Ruben go home, and Telma with him. I know he's been here for safety, but I think they'll be alright together. As long as they aren't alone at night."

 

[heartofcourage]

Selena looked towards Ruben and Telma, giving them both a soft smile as Kreston suggested letting them go home together. "I suppose you're right." She murmured softly as she hugged them both, making them promise that they would both be there for their family dinner before they turned to leave.

"And go visit your Ma and Da." Selena called after the two as they left. "I'm sure they would like the chance to talk to you both as well."

When Kreston entered the house, the sound of Luna crying could be heard through the door of her old bedroom. She was lying on her bed, sobbing into a pillow as she sought to soothe the ache in her broken heart.

 

[KieranSoares]

Kreston came silently into Luna's room, pausing in the doorway as he saw her so distraught over the sailor. He was a thief and a scoundrel who had stolen her heart, and try as he might, there was simply too much red in his ledger to ever be good enough for Luna or even be allowed near her. Not to mention the other man after her heart that she'd kept secret thus far.

Kreston came to sit down at Luna's side and he leaned down to kiss her cheek. "Tell me what's going on, little love," he nearly whispered.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I hate him, Da." Luna whispered softly, sniffling as she swiped at her tear filled eyes with one of her hands. "I wish that he would go away and never come back. He's always in the village and in town with other wolves and he expects that he can keep it secret from me. I told him I don't want anything to do with him anymore but he won't listen."

 

[KieranSoares]

"So the sailor really has stolen my little girl's heart," he murmured, knowing such tears wouldn't come with hatred, but a broken heart. "Luna... You said you weren't interested in him last we talked. You said he was handsome, but you didn't care. Why didn't you tell us the truth?" He then paused. "Or didn't you know then?"

 

[heartofcourage]

"I didn't think I cared, Da." Luna murmured, sniffling again. "But when I heard he was with other wolves, I got so angry and hurt."

She slowly sat up, leaning her white head against his dark fur. "Then there's Petu. He acts like he wants to pursue me but he never does."

Petu was a young, well liked werefox that had moved to the village when Luna was 4. They had always been close friends with a few years separating them. Petu was kind to everyone and a blacksmith by trade. She had always considered him a good friend and nothing really more.

 

[KieranSoares]

"What about Karn? He's always liked you and he'd understand you better than anyone." Karn was a white Lion, a rare occurrence, with kind blue eyes. He too was a healer and spiritual leader like Luna. He and Petu were good friends, though Karn was fairly new to the tribe.

"But then again... You don't love them. Your sailor... Jan is his name, isn't it? ... He asked you to run away with him again, didn't he?" Jan had asked before, the first time more of a joke, and the second time less so. This time, he'd told her he finally had money to get home to Sweden. He asked because he found her beautiful and her white fur a rarity to be treasured, but he'd never told her how, or if he felt for her.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I don't want to leave here." Luna said softly as she looked up at her father. "Sweden is so far from home and I've told him that. He won't take no for an answer. Sometimes I feel like he just wants to possess me for my fur and that he doesn't really love me for who I am."

Luna went quiet for a long time, a sigh leaving her lips as she thought about Karn and Petu as well. It was all so confusing to have so many men that were interested in her. It frightened her gentle heart slightly and ripped her to shreds.

"Petu has always been my friend. I think he just wants to see me safe more than he wants to be my mate. Karn...Karn understands what it's like to be a white were. He's kind to me. He makes me laugh. He would be a good mate, but I don't feel that rush like I do with Jan. Jan is exciting. Karn is grounded." Luna struggled to explain.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I can't tell you what to do with your life, especially your heart. You know your mother and I have always let you make your own way even if we're waiting right behind to catch you when you fall. Maybe you ought to spend some time with Karn. He hasn't been here long enough for you to get to know him well. I'm sure you can find something more in common. I understand he comes from the mainland. Talk to him a little more. I'll be honest and say I don't want you to take Jan... But it's your choice. Just never let anyone take you away from what you love."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I promise, Da." Luna said softly as she kissed her father's cheek and hugged him tightly.

It took her around an hour before she had calmed herself enough to go find Kern and Petu. They were usually together somewhere in town and she found them at Petu's shop, laughing over something that had just happened.

"Kosovo, Petu. Kosovo, Kern." Luna said in her soft voice, watching as both men turned to look at her. "Kern, can I talk to Petu for a moment? Alone?"

 

[KieranSoares]

Karn smiled gently to Luna and nodded, "Of course, Luna. I was just on my way home. Stop by sometime, hm?" He smiled and went on his way with the tools Petu had repaired for him.

Petu leaned on the sill of the open order window and smiled brightly to Luna. He was a fairly cheery orange werefox only a few months younger than her, but a master blacksmith already and a lover of beauty, be it in people or nature or intricate shapes of metal. Perhaps the reason he'd so quickly become a beloved smith in the village was because his work was as tough and functional as it was pleasing to the eye. He could make a brute tool like a hammer beautiful and comfortable in the hand and still just as effective. He'd crafted many of the healers' most intricate and delicate tools, and Luna's were all made by his hands.

"Kosovo," he said in his usual cheerful and welcoming tone. "What can I do for you?"

 

[heartofcourage]

"Well, I came to talk to you about something difficult." Luna said softly, her eyes showing her embarrassment. "Jan asked me to go to Sweden again with him and it didn't end well. Da doesn't like him and wants me to stay away from him."

"Petu, I don't know what to do. I know he's a rogue and a thief and I need to stay away from him, but there's something about him that makes my heart race." Luna confessed to her good friend. "And then I'm confused about my feelings for you and for Kern. Do you think that we have a chance?"

 

[KieranSoares]

"I knew Jan would break your heart... But I don't think he wants to. He's a wanderer, that's just how sailors are. As for us... Luna, I love you dearly, but it's not the kind of love Karn or Jan feel for you. You're a sister to me. Karn and Jan want more than that. Jan... I don't know how honorable he is or if he'd give you what you need, but I know Karn would and can."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Well, I'm happy to know that I won't break your heart at least." Luna said softly as she let out a long sigh. "Has Karn ever mentioned anything about me?"

 

[KieranSoares]

"All the time." Petu nodded, "He's been talking a lot about how you deserve the best in life, and how he wishes Jan would leave you alone so you could have those things without him ruining them. Karn really... He wishes he could get rid of Jan for your sake, and be what you need. But I don't know if he's sure he's right for you. With you both being healers, he knows you'd never have time for each other. One would be busy when the other isn't. But I think he's willing to try."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Perhaps I will have to have a long talk with him." Luna said softly as she tried to absorb that situation. "I still don't know what to do about Jan. Part of my heart wants to be with him, but I know I would only end up heartbroken and alone in the end. That's not what a mate should be."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Maybe not. Jan isn't quite sure of himself, cocky as he is. Have a talk with him and he might surprise you. Just make sure he knows you need him to be serious."

 

[heartofcourage]

Luna nodded at that advice, knowing that she was going to break the heart of someone and she hoped that she could bear the pain of that when the time came. She made up her mind to speak to Jan first, needing to know where he stood on the whole situation. She would not go with a man that made her feel less than what she was. She was a healer, successful in her own right. She was more than just a white wolf.

Knocking on the bedroom door that he rented in the boarding house, she waited patiently for him to open the door. When he did, she turned to look at him, her blue eyes steeling against the possibility of breaking his heart.

"We need to talk." She said softly.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Hey, Lu," he smiled handsomely and welcomed her in. "What's up?" He closed the door and brought her over to the small table by the window and he pulled out a chair while he sat on the will. "I didn't think you'd want to see me so soon after... Well, after earlier. I swear I wasn't trying to upset you."

 

[heartofcourage]

"My father wants me to stop seeing you." Luna said in a soft voice. "He thinks that you're no good. Sometimes I think that too."

She glanced up at him and let out a soft sigh. "Jan, I need you to understand that I can't leave Scotland. This is my home and it always has been. I have a career here and training still to do. Being a healer is not easy and it is hard on the healer's entire family. I need to know that if we do decide to become mates that you'll support me no matter what. Right now I feel like you simply want me as a possession."