Welcome to Gaia! ::

Beneath the sweet smelling flora of the thick forest, a dark shadow slept soundly during the heat of the day. No other being seemed to notice the Starborn who lay alone and no one ever would unless they could get past the uneasy feeling of ominous chills that would tingle along their skin if they got too close. But it was a curse this particular Fallen seemed to carry with her and without a clue as to why. Feeling a leaf drift down and land on her snout, glowing eyes snapped open, though she stayed right where she was. Pandora felt no need to be threatened. Her herd wasn't that far away and she knew someone would come if she called for help.

Hooves engulfed with blue flames stretched soundly. Pandora sighed. She wouldn't have to worry about being threatened anyways because no one strayed near her.

Her gaze studied what wasn't hidden by the leaves and branches of the bush she lied beneath. In this green forest, it was slowly changing to colors of the Harvest and soon she would feel the chills of the Autumn Lords' season. Pandora never looked forward to the darker nights nor the shortened days since she was avoided more often during the isolated months. Plus, with very little markings she felt like a creeper. A creature of the dark eras that lingered in the nights whether the moon shined or not and fed on the blood of the innocents.

But Pandora would do none of it. She wasn't as evil or eerie as she appeared. Moving to stand and stretch, she made little sound and as her hooves began to move, taking her back toward her herd, they made an echoing sound; that of a bell chanting hymns of the Moon Mother and pulsating to anyone near her, but the melodous ring would die off in an undertone of resonating maliciousness.

As she was about to turn a corner, something white among the green caught her eye. Pandora was intrigued by this anomaly. Before she knew it, the soft color, which reminded her of snow, was pulling her in. And before she could fathom what she was doing, Pandora spoke softly, "Are you some sort of Guardian of the Autumn Lord? I've never seen a white spirit of his before."

Her pale blue gaze had a curiousity in this Starborn and she found herself with a small smile. He hadn't turned away or tried to find something to busy himeself with that would leave her alone and for that, Pandora was greatful. "But you do have a glowing quality, unless the light is playing with my eyes," Pandora took a hesitant glance toward the darkened wood a few miles behind her. She hoped Moloch wouldn't be mssing any of his followers, least of all her. Pandora wasn't noticed much among the herd anyways.

"Cloud. You don't seem so ordinary to me. In fact I think I'm just as plain as you; you're something special. There aren't many like you at all," she tried to keep the eerie echoes from showing in her tones, but it was hard when that was the usual way she spoke. "I'm Starborn just as you my friend, but may I ask, are you sure you aren't one of the Autumn's spirits? You just have that fresh, relaxing energy flowing around you."

Realizing she hadn't given her own name, Pandora shook her head as she apologized, "Excuse my rantings and rudeness. I'm Pandora. It's a great pleasure to meet you Cloud."

Pandora half expected herself to laugh, good naturedly of course, but instead she found herself letting out a gasp of concern as she watched him fall. "Oh my, are you okay?" She took a few steps closer to him to look him over and found no cuts.

"It's no problem my dear, we all have our moments," for a moment she caught sight of his necklace and found it reminded her of the night she fell. The jewels looked like the raindrops that had fallen that night and expressed the sorrow and confusion she had felt. Shaking the memory away, Pandora nodded in reply. "I don't remember my family either, I haven't really found a home on this new world," she paused and found that sounded and felt true. "I mean, I am with a herd but . . ." Pandora trailed off and decided to answer Cloud before she let something important slip.

"I don't know actually. I couldn't remember my name from before and the first story I had heard of was of a girl and her box. Pandora's box. It's a frightening story, but it has a moral to it that I found to be true and I stick to it," her pale blue eyes flickered with a saddened light. She wasn't blind, but her vision was clouded. It was a minor defect, but it did fade away as soon as the sun drifted to sleep in the west.

"If you say so, but please be careful," Pandora was gentle, not scolding, and it surprised her that she was concerned about him. But, then again, he was still there talking and not staring at her like she was going to eat him.

"Sometimes, colorful isn't always the best but I understand your position," She giggled at the face he made and quickly caught herself before she felt it would offend him. "My siblings, they were bright and they had wings. I'm just a common, everyday Starborn, but I don't feel bad about it. I love myself the way I am," she knew the words were a lie before they left her lips, but Pandora wanted him to feel better and not look so sad. "And you know, I think your mother was right. You're one of the most interesting Stars I've met, and I've met quite a few. For one, you didn't run away once you saw me. Not many Stars have stuck around for quite as long as you."

Pandora took a pause, then, "I'm grateful you're here. It's nice to talk to a kindred spirit and I could always help you find your way around here and if you want some company, I'm never busy."

She blinked her eyes a moment as she glanced up at the sky to see it begin to change. Pandora could feel the pull of the moon even though evening was far off still and she knew she'd have to get back before night fell; she didn't want to leave his presence though.

Pandora's cheeks turned a light pink when she heard the words, and almost took a few steps back in shock. But she caught herself and stood as relaxed as she could, "No one has ever said that about me before. Do you really mean it?" she asked in a whisper. For a moment Pandora couldn't find her voice; taking a deep breath mental breath, she smiled even though her cheeks were still warm from blushing and replied, "Because many think that to be around me is a curse on them. It's superstitions that started before I fell to this world from the sky. So I don't have many friends."

Pandora took a step closer as she tried to make eye contact with him, "But you're a one of a kind Star. I see it in you Cloud; you're going to be a great leader one day."

"Cloud," Pandora smiled warmly. The smile touched her eyes and they seemed to light up, "Of course you're my friend. You're a sweet star; I'd never be foolish enough to forget someone like you."

She glanced around them for a moment before moving to lay on the ground in a lush area of grass. "I've learned that to be kind is a good thing," she paused thinking that over. Good. It was odd the way that messed with her mixed feelings of the herd she belonged to. She really didn't fit with them, but they were her only family thus far, "and kindness is needed in these sorrowful times. It helps to guide us along these strange new paths."