The Fireflies (6) : In the warm summer nights, little glowing lights begin to bob and dart through the city. Fireflies are mating, so this isn't uncommon in itself; in the past few days you've probably seen hundreds of fireflies. What makes these lights so unique is that they seem to change color; you might see a blue one, a green one, a red one. They flicker randomly, and something just seems off with them. If you come into contact with one, you will find yourself with a strange electric jolt. They cannot be caught, and will flicker away if you pursue too aggressively. This isn't the first time they've appeared in Destiny City, but no one's been able to tell where they came from or where they're going. No matter how quickly you chase them, they always seem to disappear before you can find any answers.
Achird breathed a small sigh of relief as they left behind the horrific stench that those stupid chicken demons produced when they vanished. Those things were nasty, awful, ugly creatures, and he didn't want to ever see one again. With his luck, though, that wouldn't be the case. He seemed doomed to suffer over and over again.
He stretched his arms above his head, bending backwards to get the most of it and popping his spine in the process with a loud, satisfied groan.
"So, Pergamon. Moon Knights," he prompted, turning to his companion for the night. "New phenomenon. What's that all about? What's your magic like? How many of you are there?"
Noir Songbird
Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2025 1:08 pm
Pergamon felt a little bad; he was only an average Page, really, with only so much knowledge--and here he was, Achird's first introduction to Moon Knights. He would simply have to do his best, and disclaim his lack of knowledge as best as he could.
As they walked, he noticed that they weren't alone--little fireflies, in a myriad of colors, surrounded them, and he couldn't help but smile. Truly, what a wonderful world.
It felt strange to be so optimistic about the future, and yet, Pergamon couldn't help himself. Meeting Imnolu, becoming a Knight...it really had changed things.
"I don't have magic yet," he confessed. "As I understand, I won't until I'm a little stronger? I know I'm not the only Moon Knight, but no real clue how many of us there are. Not many, I'd imagine. And, ah, as I gather, the Code is looking to empower itself and us by placing pieces at unique locations on the Moon." He perked up, a little proudly. "My Wonder is a library. I'm quite fond of it, though I've only visited once, to place my Code piece." Safe and secure in the head librarian's office, deep in the Wonder.
"Riiight, Knights don't get any magic until they're at least a Squire," Achird said, shaking his head at himself. "Well, hopefully you'll meet other ones soon, then. I'm curious what your magic will be based in. Like Ida Knights mostly having magic based in healing, or the idea of a sanctuary."
He hummed a little bit as a firefly flickered its blue light near him, followed by a purple, and then a green. He liked looking at them. These pretty bug based lights were a much better summer light show than any fireworks show. It was quiet, other than the other natural sounds of the night, and so much nicer because of that.
"A library?" he asked, eyes lighting up. "Oh, libraries always have the most fascinating architecture and design. Stone? Wood? More of a dark theme, or a light? What are the carpets like? Or is it mostly bare floors with a rug here and there? Study tables? What about the shelving?"
Noir Songbird
Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2025 7:47 pm
"Fascinating," Pergamon said. It made sense, he supposed; something ought to connect the Knights of a place to that...place, and shared powers made sense as a possibility. And, frankly, even considering that he was a Knight, Achird had more experience with them than Pergamon did, given that he'd only been Awakened since the end of May.
He let himself watch the charming colorful fireflies, but made the decision to avoid disturbing them; they were clearly some kind of magic, and it felt wrong to bother them when they were just...existing.
Achird's question made him laugh, a little, because it wasn't what he'd expected--but it was still sort of charming.
"An architecture person, then?" Honestly, that was cute. "It's a large square with an open center; each side has a central study area that's open, all the way to the ceiling, and the books go up the sides and around the corners. Marble floors, and the upper areas are fenced off overlooking those study areas, and I haven't looked closely at them just yet, but they seem..remarkably well designed. The whole library is built around a central courtyard, and there's a fountain there that I think was special--it's so focal I must imagine it's important?"
He exhaled. "It's lovely. I could take you for a visit, sometime." Imnolu had seen ti first, of course, and that just felt right, but showing a new friend could only be a positive. "Not tonight, if you're busy, but in the future."
Honestly, the possibility of showing off a little made him feel giddy.
"It's a bit run down--as you might imagine--but I think with some care, it will...really be something special again." And that was his job, wasn't it? To make it something special again. To help it be what it was supposed to be. To put as much love and care into it as he could.
"Less architecture, more interior design, but in order to do good interior design, one must understand the architecture they're working in. A hand-in-hand type of situation. I'm not going to be designing buildings and using blueprints anytime soon, but I could talk about types of archways or staircases, that sort of thing, tell you what sort of furniture you ought to have in a room with floorboards made from pinali wood—though... that wood was from a tree on Achird by the same name," he said, slowly losing steam as he thought about it. "... I'm going to have to relearn everything I know, to a degree. When it comes earth woods and stones, I'm only familiar with pine, oak, mahogany, and marble."
He rolled his shoulders out so he wasn't tempted to let them droop in disappointment. "But, yes, I would love the opportunity to visit, if I wouldn't be imposing. It sounds lovely. I presume cool, white marble? It would be more inviting than a dark marble. I don't know if I'd want to visit the lair of a villain from a children's cartoon," he said with a small laugh, trying to distract himself. "From what I understand, the more often you visit and connect with it, the more it will... repair itself, while you're gone. Satisfy a curiosity for me, would you? Take photos. Use one of those instant-print camera things. Then you can send them to me through your signet ring. No accidental identity revealing required."
Noir Songbird
Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2025 9:08 pm
Pergamon nodded along. "All of that is beyond me," he admitted, "but I'd be happy to take your advice, presuming the place doesn't start decorating itself." Did Wonders do that? He had no idea. He would have to see.
The idea of taking instant camera photos to send to someone to look at...yes, that did sound nice. "And I'd be glad to take photos for you. Documenting the restoration process...that sounds like an excellent idea." And thoroughly worthy of study.
Magic was his area, after all--a different kind of magic, true, but now that it was real and in front of him? The desire to study it was nearly overwhelming.
"Thank you for some excellent ideas, Achird. You've been very helpful."
