Devotion
Astra sat deep within the forest of Nemuri’s mountain. She could hear and see the twinkling of the festivities below.
While she wasn’t entirely sociable, it still hurt a bit that she wouldn’t be allowed to attend. It felt like a disservice to the Goddesses to not celebrate them, Nemuri most of all…
She would not abandon her post though; to let any of her fellow Yumenari get hurt by the extra miasma due to the reveal of the Delusion’s home within the very mountain she sat upon would be a far larger disservice.
She snapped back to attention as she heard a branch snapped.
An intruder? No. She felt her hackles lower as she looked upon a Yumenari. It was Cordelia.
Extra tears were running down the Delusions face; however, they paused upon seeing her.
“Astra? Why are you here?” They asked, voice cracking.
She didn’t understand the question, Cordi must’ve seen the confusion on her face because they quickly spoke again.
“You know! Cause, you’re not at the festival. You should be. Besides us Delusions you’re like the closest Yumenari to Nemuri!”
She frowned, thinking that statement was greatly untrue. She was no divine messenger.
“Cordi, I was tasked with making sure no one without protection is to venture too close to the home of the Delusions. To leave my post to frolic about, no matter the occasion, would be the highest disservice to the Goddesses.”
Cordi tilted their head then shrugged.
“Right, right, the GoddessES…” “Frankly, I’m much more worried about YOU, than my own entertainment, Cordi. Who or what made you cry like this?”
“So I drew an ABSOLUTELY AMAZING portrait of Nemuri, right? Well, Corvus had the nerve to say it was the most horrible, awful, hideous thing he had ever seen!”
That was highly unlikely. While Corvus was blunt, and rather rude, he wouldn’t use that much energy to insult someone. “I see. That would be a rather unpleasant situation. I’m sure he didn’t truly mean those things. Perhaps he wasn’t looking with his good eye?”
Cordi smiled a bit at Astra’s attempt at a joke. “He certainly wasn’t.”
She smiled back, noticing that something was sticking out of their pocket, a piece of paper? She pointed at it and Cordi stiffened.
“Cordi, is that the portrait? May I see it?”
“No.” “Please? Any visage of our Lady is sure to be beautiful.”
With this gentle reassurance, Cordi pulled out the artwork, unwrinkling it as best as possible. They griminced when they saw it before watching for Astra’s own reaction.
It was… certainly something special. Nonetheless, she smiled. “I think it’s wonderful. I’m sure Nemuri would love it; in fact, why don’t we take it to her shrine atop the mountain?”
They looked surprised, before tightly embracing Astra.
“Thank you. You’re a good one.” Letting go of her they added, “…but I’ll take it up there myself; after all, if you left your post, it’d be a disservice to the Goddesses.”
Cordi smiled and turned around exclaiming as they noticed a fellow Delusion.
“Oh hey Hyde! Want to come up the mountain with me?”
Astra looked on, this particular Delusion had always seemed off. They were friendly enough but…
“Oh, well I was planning on enjoying some beverages back at my home…” Cordi interrupted him with a smile, “Good. That means you have time to do this with me!”
Cordi took Hyde’s hand causing the Yumenari to smile, although it didn’t quite reach his eyes.
“I suppose, I can do this for you.”
Astra looked on as the two Delusions headed up the mountain.
Alone once again, Astra remained at her post, listening to the sounds of the forest. It was peaceful.
🌈🌙——————🌙🌈
Opening her eyes, Astra found herself on the ground. Did she… fall asleep?
Panic filled her as she stood up, the air around her felt strange, almost still.
As a voice called out to her, and she felt all her panic fade.
“Peace, Child. No harm will come to you.”
Astra looked on as Nemuri herself was revealed from the trees.
“My Lady! Where is your messenger? Is it already time for your descent?”
With a smile, Nemuri sleepily replied.
“Astra, do not trouble yourself with such things. Nothing is amiss.”
She thought about interjecting but Nemuri continued to speak.
“Lullaby will come see you soon. Allow yourself some joy and say yes to what he says.”
Astra nodded and Nemuri patted her head before disappearing back into the woods.
🌈🌙——————🌙🌈
She found herself being nudged awake by her loyal cloud pet, Quest.
She stood up and stretched, rubbing the sleep from her eyes in the process. No sooner had she done this did Lullaby himself step into view.
She nodded her head to him, but he didn’t seem to be in the best mood curling up in the low branches of a nearby tree.
“I’ll watch this area for a little bit. Go have fun at the festival.”
As she opened her mouth to protest, he sharply added: “Orders from Nemuri.”
“Yes, of course… I, thank you.”
She bowed her head and headed down the path, leaving Quest behind to assist the Divine Messenger; although, she very much doubted he would require any help…
🌈🌙——————🌙🌈
Once at the base of the mountain, she found a festively dressed Paramour waiting for her. Seeing her, he immediately perked up and offered her the clothing that he held.
“Hello Amour, I heard you might have a use of these beautiful clothes! Now just to find you a place to change into them…”