Bonfire Tales: Star-Crossed Lovers

"Sure, I'll tell you a story!" Poggers chirrups, clapping their paws together once before settling down by the campfire. The Eidolons vibrate excitedly, all of them scooting closer to the Onini. "I'm not sure if this is my story to tell, per se, since I've only met them once," he hums thoughtfully, "but as long as you all promise not to say anything..." Poggers fixes the floating creatures with an expectant look, and they all meet his eyes before nodding vigorously. "Alright, a promise is a promise, okay? We'll start how all stories start..."

Once upon a time, there were two beings: one of the earth and one from the universe.

The universal being was one from an advanced civilization, with technologies far beyond what most have ever known. In addition, its species was strong, fast, and resilient, with telepathic powers that could read minds and create powerful bonds. Yet, it never felt at home where it was born — contained, trapped, limited. It was caged to a destiny that it wasn't sure was its to begin with. So it left. It left its homeworld and travelled the stars, searching for something that would give it the answers that it sought.

It never knew its answers would lie with someone.

Five years into its travels was when it met the earthen being. His species was not primitive, but certainly less advanced in comparison. Evolution had given them bodies that were soft, malleable, and weak to most environmental dangers. Yet underneath his gentle build was a passion, an ambition, a fire that burned so brightly that the universal being was struck to its core upon their first meeting. It was clear he did not share its telepathic capabilities, as he merely smiled at it and offered his hand to it in greeting.

It could not take his hand in fear of being burned by his flame.

But that did not seem to deter the earthen being in the least. As the universal being continued its exploration of the planet, the other tagged along with it, openly sharing with it his world and life. It was constantly treated to the sight of his brilliant smile, and its ears tingled with the sound of his radiant laughter. He always turned to it when he found something delightful, and always thought of it when he wanted to share an experience. Both its body and mind craved his presence. They were drawn to one another, despite everything that stood in between them.

There is a saying that all good things come to an end. The earthen being shared this thought with the universal being, as he knew its exploration was coming to a close. It had gathered all the research and data about the planet that it could. By now, it would be preparing to leave and move onto the next, as it had always done before.

On the day it was scheduled to leave, the universal being was accompanied by the earthen being. They walked to its ship in silence, both dreading what was to come, but afraid to say anything. It took one last, lingering look at him, before moving to turn away. But it couldn't. It couldn't leave him. Because it now knew what it meant to feel lonely, and how to value love. So it turned to him and asked him to come with it. It promised him time enough for everything. All the time in the world, filled with tomorrows. Tomorrows in which he could do anything, be anything. The earthen being was silent for a few moments, before he slowly broke into that dazzling smile it had come to cherish. He didn't need to be anything, he told the universal being, as long as he could be with it.

It took his hand for the first time and let his warmth consume it.

As he finishes his story, Poggers finally looks away from the fire. He hadn't realized that he'd been staring unwaveringly into it for so long, as sparks continued to dance across his vision. He also didn't remember there being that many Eidolons when he had started his tale, but they seem to have multiplied, all crowding around him. Beady eyes looked back at him, full of a wonder and thoughtfulness he hadn't expected to see in such creatures. They clearly possessed a level of sentience, which made him wonder how they even came to be, as they clearly weren't like the other feral beasts that roamed the Lost Realm. The Onini grinned at them, reaching out to pet a couple of the ones within arm's reach. They nuzzled back into his palm, as if showing their gratitude.

The story may not have been his to tell, but all good stories and people should be remembered. And he was sure the Eidolon would never let these memories pass.