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Username: Geyser Eelborn
Noodle's Name: Heliski for the Sun, Artesis for the Moon
Which one are you trying for?: Sun
Are you willing to take either?: Yes (I had a devil of a time figuring out which one I wanted more; I like the Sun boy better, but the Moon boy ended up being fascinating, too...D8 I can't choose!)
Response: (If I don’t win, I want to take all of this story and adapt it into a short story someday. I have such ideas for this one…!

Also, I apologize that this is long and that I didn’t have time to proofread xP )

The Son of the Sun, worshipped by the adoring people of Apollesmont, glared at his fingers as he listened to the High Priest drone endlessly. They were good hands, elegant hands, pale like the dawn and glowing with the warmth of early summer. Literally glowing—only one used to the glow could notice the scars that crisscrossed his hands and arms. The ritual knife hung from his collar; its weight—concealed in his chopstick—was a hated reminder of his duty. His duty, as the priest droned on, to see anyone and everyone who sought his help.

Heliski, as he was known in the records, flicked his eyes back up to the priest. He was known as Heliski, but never known as such. No, such a simple name as Heliski—sun’s son—wasn’t enough for the demigod whose very blood was healing. No, he had to be the Son of the Sun, Lifeblood, Goldenfur, the Crowned One, He Who Carries the Shield From Death in His Heart, and a dozen other flowery titles. He wouldn’t mind the treatment so much if it wasn’t for the duty that came with it, truth be told. “Yes, yes, yes,” Heliski snapped. “I get it. Twin children, polio, right away, pronto.” He motioned with a wing made of warmth, and the priests at the door nodded, opening the door. Heliski sighed and, with reluctant hands, reached up to his chopstick and drew the silver knife.

~~~
Artesis shifted from foot to foot as he watched a nobleman’s family carry in a pair of twin kits to the Son of the Sun’s Chamber of Miracles. The very act was both relaxing and frustrating—relaxing because he could still do it, frustrating because he had to keep moving to keep his limbs from freezing up. His condition was worsening. His arms and legs felt like they were full of heavy gravel, and his lungs crackled with every breath he made. It hurt his throat too much to cough, but he had to to prevent himself from suffocating.

All that he could have born with a calm grace. But this morning, Prince Artesis of Sychamir had been unable to make the water Rise. He was too afraid to let anyone know. If he could not cause the water in his washbasin to rise at his command, to form wavelets at his thought, then he would lose his claim to the throne. Already he could see the gleam of triumph in his father’s first wife’s eye.

After an hour of what he could only assume had been elaborate ceremony, the priests bowed to him and to his entourage, and gave him permission to move into the Chamber of Miracles.

The walls were made of orange marble, the stained glass windows threw light of crimson and scarlet onto the floor in shapes of flames and leaves. The columns reached to the sky, carved with roots at their bases and clouds at their capitals. All the arches and vaults were studded with rubies, opals, topazes, citrine, and garnets. Braziers burning at the base of the windows gave off the scent of sandalwood and cinnamon. At the center of the long, wide hall was a dais with a throne in the center made of ornately carved wood sheathed in gold leaf. The legend himself, the Son of the Sun, sat on the throne, his back straight like a spear, his hands held out to the arms of the throne. His blue eyes were calm, and even from a distance, Artesis could feel the gentle warmth of hope radiating from the center of the room.

The hope felt good on him. For a moment, he almost forgot about his condition—about how he had to fight against his own body for fifteen minutes every morning when he woke up, how the afternoons were a struggle as his eyes refused to focus, how moving too swiftly left him dizzy and confused—but as he ventured further into the Chamber, on red and orange silk rugs, he felt less and less at ease. He felt almost feverish in the heat, and the incense in the braziers filled his nose. He had to pause twice as he sneezed, his throat protesting at the sudden rush of air, his lungs moaning in pain. His two personal bodyguards followed him, obviously worried by the way the bright orange room made their master look grey.

Artesis bowed only so low as he had to, not one inch more. When he looked up at the Son of the Sun, he saw no change on the calm expression on his face, not even a raised eyebrow. “Alright, let’s get this over with,” Artesis sighed. He thought he heard a slight shift as his bodyguards moved slightly, probably from relief that their master could still be his abrupt self even when so close to his last legs. The thought that it might be embarrassment never crossed his mind.

“I’m sorry?” the Son of the Sun asked in a voice like liquid honey. It was a sweet voice, a flowing voice, but underneath was the cold winter of a hibernating hive. It was a confident voice, but not entirely a warm voice.

“Legend has it that the Son of the Sun can heal any disease,” Artesis snapped. “At least, the legends told by Apollesmont. You’re the Son of the Sun. You have the power to cure any disease—winter fever, rat plague.” He touched his own aching throat. “Glacier-Weight.” It was supposed to be incurable. The demigod of Apollesmont was his last hope.

The Son of the Sun regarded him with the same composed expression on his face. The two foxes stared at each other. What seemed like an eternity passed by. A second eternity. A third. Finally, the high priest, bedecked in saffron robes and strings of amber beads in every color, stepped forward. “The Son of the Sun, Lifeblood, Goldenfur, the Crowned one…he has performed a healing for Duke Haeerber’s daughters earlier this day. He needs time to rest. Return tomorrow, if you please.” He stepped up to Artesis, who bristled at the near contact by the priest, and whispered in his ear, “He might appreciate some formality to show your appreciation for the gift you seek.”

~~~
Heliski could hardly contain his rage until the Moon Prince left. How dare he? How dare he?! How dare he order him around like some servant! “I am the Son of the Sun,” Heliski murmured to himself. “I am the manifestation of its healing energies in the mortal world, and I will not be ordered around by some nobody nobleman!”

He looked down at his hands. What had once been a bare patch on both his wrists was now covered by a long cut that met when he held his hands together. The girls had needed his help. Their father had been too proud to get them medical help for too long. Even now the bowl had been concealed under the throne. It would be a long, long time until the cut healed, but the wound to his ego would last even longer.

~~~

Formality?! While he still had strength in his body for the day, he bought gifts to show his appreciation for the demigod, as well as for the priests. The Moon King wouldn’t complain about the price, but Artesis knew he would be displeased nonetheless.

The next morning, his legs didn’t even cramp. It took him an hour to get out of bed. It was as if his body ended at the hips, except for the sharp, bitter sting of cold. His lungs felt like sacks of coarse sand. When he could finally move, he cramped all over, and his breath frosted in the humid air. For the first time ever, the moisture bothered him. He wished it would go away, stop reminding him of his broken powers. The walk to the palace did nothing to warm him.

The Chamber of Miracles did, however, manage to warm him a little. Once again, he felt hope flare up in his heart. Maybe today was the day the Weight was lifted. Maybe today he would finally be well enough to return triumphantly to his people. It had better be soon. The old texts said that unnaturally cold air was a bad sign indeed.

At the throne, Artesis bowed to the Son of the Sun and offered him—and the priests as well—their gifts. It was difficult to speak through his throbbing throat, and his already short temper frayed dangerously at the difficulty. He watched the Son of the Sun’s eyes carefully, and he was certain this time that he saw the displeasure in his eyes. Once again, the priest sent them away. Who would have thought that several elders had visited him before Artesis had hauled himself out of bed?

The day of his third visit, he could not get out of bed until noon, and even then, his bodyguards had had to help him out of bed. He pulled on every cloak he had to warm himself, and even then, he could not stop trembling violently. His wings were pulled up tightly against him, the sharp points of his bones digging at him as they, too, shivered in the heat of the day.

At the door to the chamber, he sent his entourage away. When he walked into the Chamber, the heat felt unwelcome. He felt dry and crackled at the edges, and the silk rugs caught at him, sending little shocks as he scuffled across them. He could no longer pick up his feet. Before the throne, he collapsed. He averted his unfocusing eyes and began to speak.

~~~

Heliski watched as the Moon Prince prostrated himself before the throne. Ages of training prevented him from moving an inch, though he was pleased that his enemy had seen fit to kowtow. Yes, his enemy—that was what he fancied the Moon Prince. He had done very little since he had first showed up with his wings of warmth. He had hardly met anyone—if anyone was allowed to have a life with enemies in it, though, it stood to reason that a person of legend ought to be allowed to. And I am a legend, Heliski told himself. The Moon Prince had said as much at their first meeting.

Besides just satisfaction, he felt surprised that the Moon Prince had dismissed his guards. His bodyguards in particular had attended him at every meeting. Why dispense with them now? Was it just because the Prince did not wish them to see him in his weakened state? Or see him bow helplessly to seek judgment?

“Son of the Sun,” the Moon Prince rasped, “I beg you for healing. I am…I am dying.” He raised his arm to cough into his elbow with a sound that was pure misery. “The Glacier-Weight is drawing closer. Before long, I will succumb to it.”

Heliski pretended not to notice the increased formality in the Moon Prince’s words. “Your Highness is correct,” he murmured. “The Son of the Sun can cure any disease. But what is this Glacier-Weight? I have not heard of it.”

The Moon Prince kept his eyes averted. “The Glacier-Weight is a disease that befalls foolish mages who seek to control winter, whether it is redirecting a blizzard or, indeed, trying to melt a glacier, the Glacier-Weight settles on them, slowly crushing them.”

“You are a mage?”

“I have magical abilities, yes. The Moon King has many children, but only the eldest son who has the ability to control water is the Moon Prince, heir to the throne. I…I was foolish.” He paused for another cough. “I tried to melt a river out of its time. Now I pay the price. I am too weak now to use my magic. I fear I may never be able to use it again.”

“Does His Majesty know?”

The Moon Prince hesitated. “No. He does not.”

“You are here without your father’s knowledge, for fear he will demote you,” Heliski mused. He looked off into the distance. “That’s quite a lie there, and liars should be punished along with fools.”

The Moon Prince’s head shot up, his golden eyes blazing with rage. “And I suppose you’re judge along with god and doctor?” he snarled. “I was foolish, yes! I want to hold onto my power in a court that is full of intrigue and danger! If I’m not the Moon Prince, I no longer have importance, and my father will no longer care if I live or die! I would be open to assassinations, my father’s first wife would put her son on the throne! It wouldn’t take long for her to train him to harness his magic as I have, and he would have my branch of the family executed when he took over! My father’s not in much better health than I am!

“You’re the sun, not a judge! You’re the embodiment of life, of, of summer! I felt it when I first came into this chamber. This is a place of warmth, of summer, of a place where there’s no cold and no death! That’s what I did when I melted that river, when I was a fool—I was trying to break the grip of winter to let in summer, to help people!” He glared hatefully at Heliski, who had shoved himself back against the throne. “Not that you’d know about that,” he growled. “You in your pretty throne with your pretty windows and your pretty hall, and all you do is take gifts and money and you give people a little magic, but you don’t know. You don’t understand—the sun is energy and life. I felt hope when I first walked into this hall,” he added bitterly. “I haven’t found any here. That makes you a liar too.” He swept angrily out of the hall. Even the priests would not approach him. They felt the cold seep off him like a gale off a mountain.

~~~

Artesis could not rise at all the next day. Instead he stared at the ceiling. He could not even shiver in the grip of the freezing fever.

~~~

Heliski’s hand slipped slightly, leaving this cut a jagged one. He only cared by a slight reflex. Liar, liar, liar too, the voice in his head echoed. He shook it off mentally and watched as his golden blood dribbled into the bowl. He offered it to the kit, who nodded gratefully. He had muddy brown eyes. Heliski watched them as he drank from the bowl with paws that trembled. Slowly the trembling eased. He coughed a little, then, eyes wide, he handed the bowl back. Heliski had a smile nailed onto his face as he looked into hope and wonder in the boy’s eyes.

No hope found here, liar!

Heliski flinched and dropped the bowl. It clanged onto the ground, rolling around with a roin, roin, roinroinroin. The kit flinched as well, running back to his parents. One of his mothers scooped him up and hugged him tight against her. Both of them bowed again and again as they walked backwards from the Chamber.

He clenched his fists as a pair of priests rushed forward to pick up the bowl. He lunged forward and waved them away. He picked up the bowl and put it on his own lap, his fingers curling back into fists. It had been three days since the Moon Prince had shouted at him, and he could still hear his words echoing in his ears. He didn’t understand it. The Moon Prince was his enemy, someone he couldn’t trust, someone he couldn’t like. He was the heir to a nation universally known as haughty and arrogant, and he had dared to call Heliski arrogant?

Well, not in so many words, but he understood what the Moon Prince had said. How could he not understand what he had said? After three days of hearing nothing but his rant, he was beginning to understand.

That kit felt hope in here. They all did. Everyone I see every day. There is hope here—and I’m going to show that bad-mouthed aristocrat. He stood up abruptly, the bowl falling back onto the floor with its clang. “I am going to see the Moon Prince,” he said with authority. “And I will not take no for an answer,” he added in the direction of the High Priest.

The Sychamir entourage was being housed elsewhere on the temple grounds, in one of the many guesthouses. It wasn’t hard to find them. They were all silent, the rooms they occupied dark. The closer to the prince’s chamber, the warmer it was, as fires, hot bricks, hot water bottles, braziers, and everything else his guards, servants, and friends could find to warm him up were used. His room itself was stifling, but the prince felt like he was made of ice. He slowly—ever so slowly—turned his head towards Heliski. His eyes were unfocused, his mouth slightly open. He was thin from having eaten so little and he was covered in blankets.

For the first time, Heliski felt slightly awkward. I’m not doing this because he yelled at me, he reminded himself sternly. I’m doing this because it’s my duty. I must see anyone—and everyone—who comes to me for help. I only wish it didn’t take me five times longer to heal than anyone else!

Drawing his knife, Heliski cut a line across his chest. He bit his lip against the intense pain as he cut as deeply as he dared. The Moon Prince’s attendants gasped at the mutilation. Heliski smiled grimly. Funny how that part of the legend never got told. He let the blood fall into the bowl, leaning over slightly to catch as much of it as possible. When his golden, glowing blood had filled the bowl, he tipped it carefully into the prince’s mouth. He slipped his arm under the Moon Prince’s head and tilted it up. His swallows were slow and painful at first. Heliski paused to allow him time to ingest that mouthful, then poured again. The Moon Prince would need as much of his blood as possible. When the bowl was empty, the nobleman closed his eyes and sighed.

~~~

The Son of the Sun was gone by the time Artesis woke up. But he doubted he would ever feel his presence leave.

Username: DarkHeartedSorrows
Noodle's Name: Menarka
Which one are you trying for?: Moon
Are you willing to take either?: Absolutely - I love them both
Response:

Each expansion of his lungs was like thousands of pin pricks. Each exhale brought the sharp tang of iron -- blood that he definitely shouldn't be able to taste. When he walked, his joints ground painfully. When he only lay in one place, the room spun. It was as if no single action would grant him a moments relief. Only when the moon shone high over the sky did he feel at peace and was able to ignore some of the pain.

Currently, the sun blazed. He felt sweat trickle between every individual hair on his body, only worsening his discomfort. But it was a reminder of the discomfort he was soon to face. He had no choice, for without facing it, he would never find a cure. The moon would cease to be without the sun. But oh how the moon hated the sun. Menarka spat at the mere thought of the arrogant male. How many days had he spent only glowing dimly in the brilliant display of the male? How many times had he been completely forgotten? Countless.

But the sun held the cure.

He approached Daygaal, trying to keep his immense hatred from his expression. The larger male was and shiningly handsome as ever. Even alone he wore a smug smile. Menarka suddenly wanted to spit his disgust again. Instead, he cleared his throat pitifully, earning a raised brow from the high-and-mighty.

"Daygaal... I am in need of your assistance," he started.

The sun-male laughed heartily. "But, of course you are Mena," he replied, using the nickname only to infuriate him. "You are dying."


The fact that the male had even noticed was shocking. Menarka had assumed that he rarely looked past his own nose - if he even looked that far. For him to have noticed his illness was nearly unbelievable. "I, ah... yes. Yes, I am," he hung his head lamely. It was only one more thing the sun had over him. Good health.

"Why should I help you?"


That sounded much more like Daygaal. Menarka narrowed his eyes, and between clenched teeth, managed to say "Because I am dying." It was infuriating that the sun needed to even ask. What other reason could there be?! Because he felt like tap-dancing across his room?

Daygaal laughed again. It was a sound that had the potential to be warm and endearing, but instead radiated self-assurance and elitism. "We've established that Menarka. But why should I help you? What have you done for me that would make me want to go out of my way to help you? In what tiny little instance have you gone above and beyond to show you give a s**t about me? Because if there's a time, I must have forgotten it. I think that a trade is in order."


A trade? Menarka coughed painfully and bowed his head. His chest felt like it was on fire, and just the pressure of sitting back on his haunches was enough to make him wince. His midnight wings closed around him consolingly and he nodded. He had no choice in the matter. It would be a disgrace, but in what way was he not already a disgrace in comparison to this specimen? He would always be in his shadow. He'd give a little more just to continue to live. "Fine. A trade."

Without giving Menarka a chance to blink, Daygaal had descended upon him. He jerked the moon-male's jaw open and forcefully dripped sunshine into his mouth. The first few drops burned intensely - it was worse than any pain he'd every experienced in his life. But slowly in faded to a dull warmth that curled it's way into every inch of his body. Some of the pain eased, and he knew with time it would all disappear. He'd be healthy. Healed.

"You are now my servant." Daygaal seemed to be entirely at peace, wiping away at frost that had formed on his paw from contact with the moon prince. He showed no signs of the pain it truely caused him.


Menarka choked. "Wh-what?!"

"I saved your life. In return, you will be my servant."


Suddenly, death seemed warmer than any light radiated by this cunning b*****d.

Username: irishgirl1017
Noodle's Name: Grian
Which one are you trying for?: Sun
Are you willing to take either?: Yes
Response:

Lying about the Sun Palace, Grian was bored. "I grow weary of all around me, those who bend to my every whim, do not gainsay me at all, do my bidding without one word of complaint, but most of all the fear I can not only see but smell is driving me insane." he thought to himself. "I am not my father, the brute he was though all see him when they look upon my form. Granted I am identical to him in coloring and markings but I am like my mother." he muttered to himself.

Quietly and respectfully a servant entered and bowed as protocol required. Sighing to himself Grian stated in a clear authorative voice "Is there a reason you attend me?" he asked. The servant appeared very apprehensive and afraid but kept his eyes lowered and his head bowed. "My my Lord forgive my intrusion but there is a visitor to the palace and he is demanding an audience with you. What shall I tell him?" the servant asked in a quivering voice. "Who has come to demand a audience with me and how dare they assume such?" Grian seethed. "Answer me!" The servant trembled but said "My lord it is the Moon Prince who has come to seek a audience with you." "What shall I say?" "Your command will be carried out." the servant stated and awaited his Lord's command. "Moon Prince here in my palace? Why?" he thought to himself. "My brother the one who cursed me and my existence all those years ago is here now demanding an audience with me he must want something" he thought gleefully to himself. "Very well escort the Moon Prince into my receiving chamber immediately." he instructed the servant. "You may take your leave now" he said almost as a afterthought for his mind was on the reasons why his brother would come here. Paniac seized his heart "Mother" was the only reason his brother would come to him.

The solid gold doors to his receiving chamber was opened and in came several servants and behind them was his brother the Moon Prince. At first glance Grain saw his normal attitude and swagger in his younger sibiling but looking more thorough something caught his attention. Exhaustion marred his brother's handsome features and his steps were slow, caculating and almost as if the effort taxed his strength.

His servants bowed as protocol demanded and announced his sibiling. "You may take your leave and no guards need to be posted inside or out this I command." he stated in a clear voice. The servant looked startled, but quickly gained his composure. "Yes my Prince your orders will be carried out to the full extend." bowing he turned and took his leave the other servants following him.

"You have come for a reason Gealach this I know to be true. My worry is that our mother is ill for that would be the only reason you would dare grace me with your presence since the sight of me turns you stomach and for that I can not blame you." he said with much conviction. "Pray tell me out mother is indeed fine or what I can do to help aid her for you may not believe me but I love her dearly as I do you." he said his voice quaking betraying his feelings.

"Grain, this visit is not one I wish to do but I do not have any choice in the matter for you and you alone hold the key to what I am in sore need of." "Mother is healthy as the day she was born, no illness affects her she is the same loving mother she always is, but me I am the one in need of your help and for me to come here to even say that to you makes me sick." he stated in all honesty. "Looking upon you I see our father, that is all I can see. I have hated you for just looking like him each time I would gaze upon you the anger would consume me to where I could not tell you from our father. My haterd has caused a rift that did not need to be for that I am sorry from the depths of my soul." he said with every ounce of truth he had. "I have come to demand that you give me your essence that which heals all." "But now I see that I can not make such a demand but humbly ask that you would find it in your heart to not only forgive me but give me which I seek to heal my body and heart for I am slowly dying." he said beesechingly.

"Dying?" was all he heard after learning his mother was not in need of his assistance. His younger sibiling who he loved as much as his mother was dying. Taking a cleansing breath he spoke "My brother you have came to me to request the one thing that only I can provide so you may live, regardless of our past or how you truly feel about me I will not turn you away. I am not our father, I have prayed that one day you would see that and it has taken the fact that you are dying to see it." he said with love in his voice. "I am truly sorry you are ill but it is a blessing for you have finally set aside your anger and came to me that is a gift I will forever cherish. I will give you what you seek, afterwards once you are fully healed and have had time to think I wish with every ounce of my being you will return and we can be as we were when kits for I have never stopped loving you nor mother." he said with tears in his eyes and his voice quivering with emotion.

Reaching out a paw he cradled his brother close, and cried over him. His tears dropped over his brothers head, the tears golden in color were quickly everywhere on his brothers being. The tears seemed to disappear like the raindrops after a drought on the dry earth.

After a few moments Grian pulled away and looked his brother in they eye and spoke. "You will feel very sleepy and will sleep for a long time while your body heals. When you have awakened I will be waiting if you wish to talk, my home is always open to you and our mother. If you ever need me you know where I am never hesitate to come to me regardless of what you decide. You are my brother and I love you as much as our mother. The past is the past, I leave it there as so should you. I ask the chance to talk with you though I do not command it I ask it. The decision is yours, but for now my brother sleep."

Gealach stood there stunned that not only his brother embraced him, he healed him without a second hesitation. Listening to his brother speak from the heart, he began to feel ashamed for his treatment of his older brother. Though he has the looks of his father, he has the grace and temper of their mother. "Grian" he tried to say but felt so sleepy. The words were there but he could not get them past his lips. His eyelids closed, his body felt so warm and he started to drift into a peaceful slumber.

Grian felt his brother try to speak, for his name was somewhat muttered but the healing sleep had started to claim Gealach. He laid his brother down on the throne and allowed the healing sleep to do its job. "I pray dear brother this is the beginning of us healing the rift and being a family again" he said solemly.

Pix - "I changed the font color so I could read it better"

Username: HarukaHaru
Noodle's Name: Aydan for the sun and Takehiko for the moon prince
Which one are you trying for?: Moon
Are you willing to take either?: Yes
Response: Takehiko woke up with fear in his mind and his heart racing at an odd pace. His soft yellow eyes looked around for the danger but in the very back of his mind he knew there was no threat. It was his own fault in the first place because he is the cause of the fear that plagued him at the moment. A deep sigh escaped from his body as he tried to calm himself and ease his nerves. He was getting tired of the anxiety that plagued him because of the fears and nightmares that occur. The moon prince remembered that the sun prince could cure any illness and he wondered if it would work for him. He glowed in the darkness that surrounded him in the small cave, he stayed in the security so that nothing could reach him. The prince couldn't wait any longer, he didn't care if the rumors about the sun prince were true or not, he would do anything to get cured. It was rumored that the sun prince was extremely greedy and very picky over who he helped and who he didn't, who he ignored and who he paid attention to, he does have a nice side and Takehiko was starting to hope that he could find the other prince in a good mood and could get on his good side.

Takehiko was known to be independent and extremely strong willed but he couldn't take the torture anymore, he knew that there was no way that he could help himself. He was smart and knew when to call defeat and seek help for himself. Ever since he could remember, he had always been plagued with senseless fears and what seemed like endless nightmares. He had no idea what it really felt like to be loved and to flirt with others, he has always wanted to try but his anxiety has always held him back. The little prince was a fighter though and would never back down from anything unless he knew that he was in over his head. He does anything and everything to help others in hope that it will bring happiness into others lives. From living with fear and anxiety, he doesn't know the true meaning of what happiness actually is, he has his own guesses but he wants to be able to experience it for himself. He hopes that once he is cured that he can find a happy ending all on his own.


Takehiko moved from the cave without a second thought and hesitation, he was ready to find the sun prince and get that cure. He ran down the trail that led to the bottom of the rocks and opened into the grass. A few feet ahead of him was a field with nice green grass and plenty of beautiful trees. He moved from the grassy area and into the open field, he had heard some stories of the sun prince living at a lake, he was hoping that he could in fact find him there. He increased his pace and took off running at full speed through the open field, he had to go through the forest to reach the said lake. It seemed like it took hours to reach the lake but it was really far less of a time span to get there. As he reached the lake, the sun was beginning to rise and he had to adjust his yellow eyes as he scanned the area around the lake trying to find him. It seemed that luck was on his side as his eyes settled on a bright yellow, orange and gold lump of fur laying in the grass under a shade tree. The furred being had what seemed like angel wings and he had no doubt that it was indeed the sun prince.

Takehiko walked slowly over to the lump of fur and cleared his throat in hopes of gently waking the prince. The body moved a little but he didn't raise his head and look at him. It was then that he decided to be brave for an instance and poke the body with his glowing blue and white paw. The sun prince bolted awake and glared at him. "I'm terribly sorry for waking you!" He bowed his head in respect and closed his eyes in fear of being attacked, he braced himself. "Raise your head and tell me your reason." The sun prince was a little annoyed but he could see from the male shaking that something was terribly wrong with him. Takehiko raised his head and opened his eyes to look into the prince's eyes. "I cause fears and because of my special ability, fears and nightmare plague me. I suffer from anxiety because of the nightmares and want to experience happiness." Takehiko was praying inside his mind, he was hoping that he would get sympathy and be able to get the cure. The sun prince stood in silence for what seemed like eternity for the poor moon prince. "Tell me who you are." The sun prince wanted to know just who he was going to cure, the blue, silver and white male didn't seem normal. He seemed to glow and had what looked like bat wings on his back. "I am Takehiko, prince of the moon." He was afraid to move, scared that what little chance of getting the cure he had might vanish. "It is a pleasure to meet you Takehiko, I believe that once I cure you that I might be able to show you happiness." In his heart, he did feel sorry for the prince, to never know happiness seems like ones own personal hell. He was in need of a friend and he figured that this little moon prince might just be the friend he was searching for, he walked closer to the moon prince and leaned against the moon prince. He was hoping that just being close to the moon prince, it would help him ease his illness. Takehiko was too shocked by the sun prince's actions and the words that he said to even move let alone speak. He was extremely grateful for the sun prince and his ability to cure others and their illness. In fact, he was excited deep inside that he had made a new friend and that he might be cured.

The sun prince moved away from the moon prince and stood back in front of him, waiting on the moon prince to speak. Takehiko took a deep breath and realized that for the first time in his life he actually felt completely at peace. He looked down at his paws, he was still glowing and he felt like he was still there. "I'm cured?!" He couldn't withhold the excitement that radiated from those two little words. The sun prince only smiled as he sat down before his new friend. "Yes Takehiko you are cured, what would you like to do?" The sun prince decided that he would be nice and let the little prince choose what to do instead of himself taking charge. The sun had completely rose and it was starting to get a little warm, Takehiko thought about how nice it might be to play in the lake. "Could we play in the lake?" He asked, a little more confident in himself and excited about what the future could hold for them. The sun prince nodded his head and moved from the shade of the tree. "Last one there gets to pamper the other one!" The sun prince seemed to yell the words over his shoulder as he took off running for the cool water of the clear blue lake. Takehiko hesitated for a second as the words registered in his brain, he took off after the sun prince hoping to beat him to the lake. It was a failed effort though because the sun prince already had a head start and he beat him to the lake. Takehiko didn't stop running though, he dove into the lake and loved the feel of the water soaking his fur. He rose back to the top, his soaked head broke through the water and he was greeted by the sun prince smiling. Takehiko had a feeling that he didn't have to pamper the sun prince and for once he was starting to understand happiness.

Username: Akira-Kisho
Noodle's Name: Lavan (Hebrew for moon. Directly "light in the night")
Which one are you trying for?: Moon
Are you willing to take either?: Of course!
Response:

The world was darker than before. Shadows so drunken with black shades clung to the Earth in waves, frozen almost in time. It was unnerving to the Sun Prince. He looked up into the sky, searching for the waxen moon, but unable to find it. He had always been one to worry for any living creature, it was part of his nature, but this worry was like a plague that attacked every nerve ending, every vein, and every capillary, bursting them all open like a violent attack only coursed for death. It chilled him to the bone.

Where was his lover?

Shemesh licked his lips nervously, feeling his heart beat erratically and his veins choke on the blood that was pounding through. Lavan was never late. The sun prince knew his lover well, and one thing Lavan detested, was tardiness; even in his own self. He looked up into the sky again, seeing no silken rays shining down upon the earth, there was no break in the shadows that had so deeply embedded themselves into the grooves and curves of the globe; it was terrifying.

He could no longer sit there in the dark anymore. If he was anything, he was a bleeding heart; and this was his love that had gone missing.

He took off into the sky, light shimmering from his wings as he flew, casting momentarily relief upon the grateful earth as the shadows hissed and sank back into their own holes. He beat his wings faster, determination staining his face as he reached the milky clouds.

“Lavan! Where are you?!” he shouted amongst the wind of his speed and the darkness of the night. He searched each fluffy cloud carefully, like a mother would tend to a child. Making sure he left no single one untouched. His heart screamed in its bone cage, crashing against the walls yearning for its lover.

He couldn’t be alone… He felt like he’d die without Lavan. They had been together for so long. They were two souls, tied together by a red string. Both so opposite in nature and yet so perfectly complementary to one another. Where Shemesh shined in charisma and charm, Lavan preferred to sulk in a corner and avoid anything living, where Lavan excelled in painting and gentle words, Shemesh was always out playing sports and ever the joker. They were Ying and Yang, and they needed each other to exist.

Tears threatened the sun prince’s eyes as he became frantic. Where was his love? He yearned to see those sad eyes, and hear that timid voice. He needed to feel those rare moments of contact between them when he’d press his head into his shoulder and sigh, in perfect contentment. Where was the only being in the universe that could grab him and put him under a spell like this? Shemesh had always been worried about a day like this coming, when the moon didn’t rise. He knew, deep down, despite their love for each other, that Lavan was jealous. Despite his gentle words and his small smiles, Shemesh knew that the moon prince wished to be more. Lavan had no powers, other than to make the moon shine and to move a paintbrush like a god. Shemesh of course was gifted with talents and powers of all the spectrums. It wasn’t his fault…and he knew Lavan knew this, but still…he could see the jealousy in Lavan’s eyes.

“Lavan!” he roared, causing his whole body to shine like a burning sun, creating vivid flashes of light upon the earth, destroying all shadows for a single fleeting moment, before darkening again.

“I-I’m here…” a soft voice called from inside a cloud. Shemesh landed gently on the impossible cloud; well, impossible for anyone other than them. Where others would simply fall through the floating clouds, these two could spend their days hidden inside them, together.

“Lavan…what’s wrong?” he asked, as he came to lay beside his love.

“I…I’m dying…”

Shemesh’s eyes opened wider than what was thought anatomically possible, the moisture evaporating from them, causing them to sting, yet despite the pain, he continued staring. Lavan was dying?! No!

“You can’t be…” he finally spoke, shattering the silence like a needle to glass.

“I’ve been sick for awhile now. I just…never wanted to tell you. You always get so passionate about everything. I didn’t want your mind to be taken by this.”

“My mind is always taken by you…”

“Ever the charmer…” Lavan said softly, a silver tear, shining like the moon, slipped down his cheek. “I’ll forever love you.”

“You won’t die.”

“Your stubbornness will be the end of you one day, like my cowardliness was to me.” Coward, because he knew. Coward because he could simply ask his love to give him a cure. He knew the sunshine that radiated in those veins of his love could cure him, but he would forever keep his mouth silent on the subject. It was something he could not bring himself to ask. He was afraid of death, but he was even more so afraid of ever seeming selfish.

“You’re not a coward… You’re brilliant and gentle. You didn’t want to worry me. I can understand that. I wish you had. I need you by my side. What happens if the moon goes out? I don’t know what to do! The world needs you! I need you!”

Lavan offered a gentle smile, one shining with the luminosity of a full moon. “I’ll always be with you… Our souls are tied together. I’ll never leave you.”

“Our souls…” Shemesh mused for a moment, the gears in his mind turning. “I can save you! I’ve got the power to save you!”

Lavan blinked, despite his sheer brilliance, he had absolutely no idea what Shemesh was talking about.

“I can’t believe I’m so stupid! I can cure you.” He bit into his forearm, liquid gold slowly pooling at the bite. “Drink this. I know it’s weird, but it’ll heal you.”

Lavan scrutinized the wound before complying. He lapped at the blood of his lover, feeling his body’s aches and pains slowly dissipate like water from the ground on a hot day. His muscles cried out in joy, as they felt the warm sensation of the sun prince’s power. He could feel his very soul tingling as the blood recognized that soul, so complimentary to the soul that it belonged to.

Shemesh smiled softly, as he watched his love lap at the golden blood. How he had forgotten about this power was beyond him. He assumed it was because he was so centered around the potential of his love leaving him, that his judgment had become as clouded as the cloud they resided in at the present. “Better?” he cooed softly, nuzzling his moon prince’s shoulder.

Lavan pulled away, licking his lips, cleaning himself of the golden blood before smiling. “I feel….so bright.”

“You’re radiating…” Shemesh giggled. He drank up that sight, seizing it and freezing it in his memory for all eternity. He would remember how the light gently glowed from his love’s fur, how his hair sparkled like tiny sun droplets, dancing with each other like no bad could ever happen. How those eyes, so usually distant and cold were warm and inviting. “You’re beautiful.”

The moon had never shined so brightly than that night, as both sun prince and moon prince lit up the night sky together, eliminating the dark shadows from the world below. They were Ying and Yang. A perfect puzzle, forever completed and so much more when always together.

"Shemesh," Lavan said softly, as he closed his eyes, resting his head against his love's shoulder, sighing in content.

The motion captured Shemesh's soul, it was the ending he wanted for the night.

"I'm not cured...at least completely."

The words plagued at the sun prince. How was that possible? He had the power to heal anything! He knew his love was intelligence incarnate, but there was no way!

"H-how do you know?" he asked tightly, feeling his skin crawl as terror's hands came to settle against his heart, freezing it and pulling it down into the depths of his stomach.

"Because I can still feel it, in my soul. The cure you give is temporary, it'll wane like the moon and set like the sun..."

"But then it can rise again..." Shemesh said stiffly. "Right?"

"As long as I have you, I'll survive. I do not like the idea of me living off your blood... It makes me feel disgusting...but it's necessary for our survival."

"Ever so calculating..." Shemesh teased. He wanted to mention something about Lavan saying "our," but decided against it. He knew just as well as Lavan knew. They were two souls tied together by fate. When one finally decided to leave this reality and move onto the next, so would the other.

"When you took me as your lover, you knew my soul was cold," Lavan replied curtly, bring Shemesh's attention back to the present.

"It's not cold," Shemesh said as he curled up into his moon prince. "It's warmer than the sun..."

Username: xxR o z e

Noodle's Name: Iah [Moon Prince] ;; Pyrrhos [Sun Prince]

Which one are you trying for?: Moon

Are you willing to take either?: Yes

Personality: Iah will most likely be seen with a somber expression or a small half smile. Thanks to his connection to the moon, he is always in pain, especially during the full moon. He is kind and compassionate; worrying more for others than himself.

Response:

"Iah, darling, come back to bed."

Sighing, the multi-toned blue male turned, giving the radiant golden male a sad smile from the balcony. "You know I would love to, Pyrrhos," he murmured, his ears folding back on his skull. Unable to sit straight for now, Iah was hunched forward, his leathery wings draped over his shoulders in his effort to at least be comfortable. He watched as his lover's eyes scanned over him, asserting how bad the illness was hitting him now.

After a moment, Pyrrhos uncurled himself from their bed, coming forward to wrap his arms around the smaller male. "My poor prince. I wish I could do something for you," he whispered, turning his eyes toward the sky. The velvety blackness that stared back at him sent shivers down his spine, even while he glared at the moon, shining full and brightly.

"It is all right, my love. I know your power only works during the day." A wave of trembles racked Iah's body, his stomach felt as if acid had settled there. It felt like he was being ripped apart from the inside out.

Of course, it had been that way since he entered adulthood. The pain had started shortly after he grew, at first for only a few hours during a full moon. Then it worsened, happening every night at different intensities. It was then he found out why. With his connection to the moon, it used his lifeforce as its own, drawing power and energy from him.

Whimpering as Pyrrhos held him close, he gripped at the luxurious silky strands of his hair. He was grateful for his lover. Truthfully, had he not found him, Iah would have let himself die. The fact that Pyrrhos had a way to ease his pain was just a lucky bonus in his eyes. It was the fox himself that truly held him together.

Distantly, he felt the pain slacking off as the sun began to rise. He felt his lover gathering what little power the peeking sun gave him and pour it into him. A sad smile slipped over his lips again, and he lifted his head, pressing a gentle kiss to the other male's lips before drifting off in his arms.

Username: DeeJaye
Noodle's Name: Arthit
Which one are you trying for?: Sun
Are you willing to take either?: Not really, have the personality for the Sun fellow fleshed out.
Response:
A single paw grazes my jaw, caressing it affectionately. I found myself at a lack of words, rendered completely speechless. She leaned towards me, her cold nose pressing against mine. I could only keep eye contact with you. "Arth," she whispered my nickname, her voice containing the same sweet, sing-songy tone it always was. I parted my mouth open but no words came. She acknowledged my lack of words and pulled her head away, frowning. "I'm sorry, Arth."

"Arth, please," he begged. He dropped his head; pale blue locks tumbled over his eyes. I moved away from him, sitting on the window sill.

"You're not allowed to call me that," I replied to him, my gaze set on the landscape outside. I could hear him shuffle to his feet and cough and sputter.

"He needs me, Arth. You don't understand, but.. But one day you will," I could remember her turning away from me and standing infront of the window sill, gazing outside. The sun was beginning to set; the sunlight streamed across the room, giving her slender body a long and eerie shadow. Her soft pink hair was pinned up, the ocassional curl poking out. Flowers, the same shade as her hair, peeked out of her hair, radiating her beauty. I felt my body approach her--I attempted to pull her into a hug, but she rejected me.

"She always called you Arth--" he started; I spun around and reached towards a pot sitting on the sill. My paw pushed it. It tumbled into the ground and shattered. The noise of the breaking glass filled and refilled the room with its echoes. Shards of glass and clumps of dirt and the blossoms of the flowers she wore littered the floor.

Our eyes remained on the flowers. They were the only thing I had left that I could remember her by, but they were gone now. Like she was. It felt surprisingly fitting. "Just because she did, doesn't mean you can," I said, my tone surprisingly calm.

I wanted to shout at her, command her to stay but... She was a wildflower. She went where she felt like she was needed. So with that, I watched her leave. I allowed the tears to pool in my eyes and flow down. I watched her depart with the sick feeling of knowing she would never return.

"I'm sorry," he muttered. "I didn't realize that you and her were... She only mentioned you as a friend."

It was ironic. I had everything I could want; but the one thing that truly mattered and I truly wanted in my life had left me. For him-- the one that had nothing received the one thing that meant truly everything.

"Where is she now?"

He remained silent. The male brought his eyes back to the floor.

"She's dead," I said, realization washing over me.

His silence confirmed it.

"I see." I turned around to gaze out of the window. The sun peeked out of the hills. He started coughing some more. I remained silent until he calmed him down and then quickly spoke up, "Get out."

"Arth," he wheezed out.

"Arthit," I corrected him.

He coughed again. "Arthit, I came a long way just to get here... She told me she was going to you before she died to get the cure for me.. She said if anyone would have it, it would be you. She said she would have done anything to get it. But she never returned. I guess she... You know.. So I came here in her stead and have the same proposal. Anything. I'll do anything." I tilted my head back to get a look at him; He was staring at me. His eyes were genuine and pleading. It was sickening to see similar the eyes were compared to hers.

I leaned against the window sill. "Anything?"

"Yes," he said, not even hesitating.

I paused, trying to decide. "You must make me a promise then. That once I cure you... You must find her and bring her back to me. You must venture and find her-- And you can't stop until you do. If you stop looking for her..."

"Of course," he interrupted me.

"She was my love," I stated. He nodded. I took a sickening pleasure in seeing him so persistent; I healed him in an odd ritual, and as he promised, he left, going on a quest to find my love.

I have yet to see him again. Whatever happened to him-- I cannot be sure. Perhaps he found her and they ran off; maybe he's still looking for her or he just gave up and comtinued on with his life.. But as the days rolled by, I suppose that I let go of the hate for the odd blue fellow and moved on with my life.