Once More | Luna & Kingston

Kingston had been quick and eager to jump into the city the moment the walls were metaphorically torn down. It was easy to do, to rip apart his old life, and to sell everything and pack up the rest; he’d packed the moment he could and had and said goodbye to his old place. It had never been a question of when he could move, under the old rule - he’d wanted to forever and he’d been dreaming for something that was never going to happen, waiting for that day. Any hope to actually be able to live in his favourite place had died after the flight had taken over; the last thing he’d ever expected after that whole fiasco was...tolerance.

He didn’t take time to let the shock pass or to question what he’d been doing; he’d been riding on his high until even this moment, and it had yet to cease. He just hoped everyone didn’t randomly wake up and kick him back out. But until then, he was enjoying every single day he had in the capital.

Of course, his life was far from perfect, despite laws changing, it was impossible for decades of views to be tossed out the window, and stares often remained the same; he was just currently thinking about them less than ever before. Sense would probably come and he’d feel most of the anxieties and doubts from that all over again, but right now he was doing his best to enjoy the change in the country and his new privileges.


His shop hadn’t been open long, it had taken a long time to bring everything over and make all presentable - only a few days ago he’d felt like he’d gotten there and switched the sign from closed to open for the first time. It had taken a deep breath and a lot of courage, but he’d been insanely proud of himself when he finally had managed.
Obviously, he was still feeling most of the anxieties of all the change in his life, for most of his plants had been turned, almost over watered, and re-arranged too many times to count because of his aimless fussing. His corner of pottery plates had gone through exactly 27 rearrangements in four days, and it was currently on it’s 28th, by the time he heard the sound of the door bell gently chime.

He’d heard it multiple times, for a new shop was often a stop for people who routinely walked down the street - a check in was almost mandatory. He’d managed to be almost constantly held up by people, but after the fourth day, the times of silence were starting to appear a bit more. Of course, it didn’t upset him - where he used to be, the down time was far more common then in the capital.

He had a plate held in the air, and he took the time to set it down before looking over, concentration only half there. He took a step back, while he half-noted a gently sound of ceramic against ceramic, while the rest of his attention was caught at the gentle hello.

It was a voice so gentle and smooth - and familiar, that his whole body tensed.

The sound of ceramics shifting again snapped him out of any thought, and before the crash of a shattering plate could happen, he just managed to stop it, catching the falling plate in his teke. He ignored her for another second before making sure he actually put the piece into place. He had to hold his breath before he found the courage to turn around, and when caught sight of Luna, it was all stolen from him.

Kingston let out a small hiss on his breath as he looked over the grey-dapple. Immediately, a prickling sensation wrapped around him, trying to point something out to him, but he was a bit too surprised to listen to the prodding. He took a hesitant step, trying to force his smile a bit bigger, while biting his tongue in an attempt to not let his face turn red. He’d day-dreamed all he wanted (and he had), but he hadn’t actually expected her to show up in his little shop.

Any mental, wonderful, and swoon worthy phrases his charming mind came up with in those fake scenarios were unreachable to his current static-filled mind.

It had been a few seconds before he’d managed to remember she had called out a greeting, and that seemed to at least straighten his mind out enough to find his voice. “Hello,” he replied, his voice shaky. “Luna, right?” Of course that was her name. He couldn’t have forgotten it. His smile was half-awkward and the rest breathless. There was anything but a reasonable explanation why just seeing her made him so…off, yet here he was, basically a puddle.
“Welcome,” he forced out, “I - was there anything you need, that I can help you with?”

He sighed mentally at how any promise of a good review from her was probably long gone at this point.

The corners of his smile grew more sincere, softer even, when she spoke his name. A simple kindness to remember, but one he couldn’t really expect from her, nor anyone except family. It filled him with a brief sense of joy, that she cared enough to bother.

He then was stunned for a second, to see her in awe, to think she was amazed by his display. The reaction, it spoke to his heart, almost. He adored plants - the care they took to raise, but then them giving back everything in return as a thanks; perhaps beauty, some medicinal, and even food. It was a simple relationship and he loved it. But to see them made her happy, and that brought a feeling he hadn’t quite experienced to himself.

“I do,” it was a simple reply, about as simple as the blank, vague expression that now took up his face. He held back for a few seconds, wondering if speaking further would be a sort of boasting. But he reasoned with himself about the fact she’d asked, and that was just enough reassurance to speak, “I grow most of the stuff myself, actually, but I like to sell it like this - it just…feels more right,” he gave a small laugh, almost nervous. He wasn’t sure how to react, what to say. Simple exchanges based on business were quite easy, but this felt a bit more real and different.

The question, search for a suggestion, it made him pause for a second, thought overwhelming him, “depends what you’re looking for,” he started. “If you want something that smell sweet, magnolias, lilacs and gardenia are often pleasant. If you’re looking for looks, cherry blossoms, water lilies and snap-dragons are some of my favourite to look at. Or you could do a rose for both, if you’re looking for something else.” He seemed to realize he’d missed something, “well, of course that all depends on if you’re looking for flowers, there’s plenty of other plants for everything, including all of those,” he smiled - softly at that, as part of his passion seemed to overwhelm his senses and boast some confidence in his bones.

He turned his gaze back to her after looking around to list off suggestions, now finally settling to a stare. Kingston’s confidence gave him enough courage to stare longer than two seconds, and it was exactly enough time for his mind to whisper the truth he’d missed in his ear.

First, it came out as a small gasp.
Then a wheeze.

And finally, “By Cascade, you’re a hippocampus.”

The static in his mind, thankfully didn’t last long - for screaming soon took it’s place. Of course, he didn’t actually scream, his jaw was as good as locked, but his eyes widened further and his smile seemed to grow a bit more into the unbelieved. She was a common horse, last time he’d seen her, right? As far as he could remember - her words, yeah that confirmed it.

He’d heard of horses being blessed in a way - well, he wouldn’t really called it blessed, when it came to the Divine, Eve, when she sprouted wings. But to grow fins - that was a whole other thing. By Cascade herself, while them also being so beautiful too.

He swallowed hard, trying to advert his gawking gaze, for it wasn’t nice to stare. He could only imagine the joy she’d feel over such thing, but that didn’t mean he was allowed to stare. But by Cascade, if he found her pretty before (which, of course he did), now was a total different story. Blessed by Cascade, yup she was far out any league he could ever be in.

It took a few seconds for him to find his voice, “I’m sorry,” he started, “I didn’t mean to stare like that.” He blinked a few times, trying to clear his mind. “Your fins - they’re beautiful,” he looked away, ignoring the heat crawling up his neck and face into a blush. His mind continued to run through things he could say, but he couldn’t find any confidence to say a fraction of it.

Clearing his throat, trying to move on from his shock that still lingered, fogging up his head, he tried to force himself back into the businessman mind-set. “Sure,” he paused, “do you prefer flowers, aloes, ferns, or anything else, I guess?” His smile was still nervous, and his gaze tried to drift back to the fins behind her ears. He had to correct his gaze a few times, “I have a bit of everything, I’m sure I can find what you’re looking for.”

Kingston was very quickly, regretting his actions - pointing out her fins, reacting so improper and shocked. It was far too impolite, even if his mind was still whirling, and it was only part of the reaction he wanted to give. He should be complimenting them, not continuing to gape over it - although, it was hard to push her new fins and tail out of his mind (he felt the back of his mind whisper to him, "good luck getting her out of your head now," but he tried to pay that little attention). Thankfully, Luna seemed very content to not bring attention to it, to return back to the flowers, asking him his opinion on what to get.



He was surprised by the question for a second, his gaze shifted to his face, meeting her eyes, where he stood a second, trying to keep his feathers from puffing up and showing his emotions further beyond the blush creeping back up his neck. His smile wavered a bit and his mind went just blank. After a few seconds, waiting for it to restart, any flower knowledge in his mind was gone, but it didn't stop his mind from running on autopilot, giving her a smile and saying a bit too rushed, after the pause, "Moonflowers."



He was immediate to realize the irony he'd just stated, Luna. Moonflower. He was still, but in his mind, he was busy floundering. He was old enough that he shouldn't be floundering at the sight of a pretty mare, but here he was, loosing all his senses at just meeting her gaze.



So he stood a bit taller, tried to steady his gaze, level his smile and own up to what he'd said. "Not just for the name," he smiled, swallowing hard underneath, "I'm not sure if you know them," he directed over to a few shelves where they sat. "Beautiful, white flowers - not too hard to grow or take care of. Smell beautiful too." He almost looked calm again as he started to ramble on. "But they only bloom at night - hence the nickname." He looked back over towards her way, trying not to look directly at her, for his own sake, but close enough to be able to listen and read her reaction.