Moonlight is nice, muses Reyna. She hasn't seen it in a while (nor sunlight for that matter).
But no, the glowing orbs above her aren't miniatures of the moons—they're just Moonfruits hung from the ceiling of her small hut. Abundant, yet surprisingly tricky to get her hands on.
Usually, those would be her sleeping companions. But now, after waking up from a particularly vivid dream (no, memory), Reyna can't quite fall asleep again. It was too realistic. Too much. She's still replaying it in her mind as she stares ahead blankly. Unseeingly.
"Reyna", Freya calls out to her. She tries to reach out, but it's like moving her hand through mud.
"Ahh... I'm so excited!" The excitable twin does a few twirls around Reyna. How Freya does not get dizzy is a mystery to her. "I can't believe we'll be 18 tomorrow!" She can't either, with the church constantly breathing down their necks she would have guessed one side would have met their end sooner.
It's a miracle that they are all still intact. That miracle's name is Freya.
"I have a gift for you too, Reyna. But it'll be a surprise! No peeking!" No she won't. That's what she's trying to say, but her voice isn't coming out.
Freya's smile softens a touch, and she reaches out to hold onto Reyna's hands. "We'll be together, now and forever after. I promise."
Will they? That's all she would ever wish for...Reyna is snatched from her little reverie by a painful jolt running through her body. The Curse. It's expanding again. Black tendrils inch along her skin, covering more and more of it each day with cryptic-looking arcane patterns.
Briefly, she wonders if she would die a slow, painful death. Or disintegrate into ashes. Or turn into a chicken. All of those seem equally likely to happen.
If she does turn into a chicken, at least it'll be a perfect match with—rustle, rustle.
...What was that? An intruder? Nothing usually dares to come near Reyna's hut, not since the last creature had a rather enlightening conversation with her cauldron. She rolls her eyes at the thought; some critters just can't take a hint, not even when it's bubbling in front of them.
So Reyna begrudgingly rises from her bed, sliding into her slippers—fluffy, with little embroideries of Lantern Moths. Might as well check out this... whatever it is. She won't be getting another wink of sleep tonight anyway (or day? It's hard to tell).
There's little more than shadows underneath her home, Reyna notes, her head poking out of the nearest window. She can't see very well from this far up. But her curiosity?
Oh, it's piqued.
With a dismissive flick, she sends sparks cascading down, illuminating the ground beneath. They're burning a bit brighter than she intended, though. Oops.
Regardless, the light catches onto something. Or rather, someone.
"Who goes there? Show yourself!" Reyna demands, pointing a slender finger at the figure. "Don't make me use my hex. The last time it happened, there was... quite a spectacle."
Days until 20th Birthday: 17.[](#'If they have never met before, Du's name is not known to Reyna.')
