Beginning's To A Journey

Alright! So, here are my two beginnings, (aka beginning's to my short story journey). I personally like the first one better, but what do you think?

It's Just Who We Are by Emma Miller

1. Being moody was Liel Night’s favorite past time. In fact, it was his only past time, because that’s just who he was. He was moody, and moody was him. That was the way of things. Sometimes he was the kind of night that everyone thought was beautiful and sparkly and warm. Other’s, he was downright unapproachable.

On this Tuesday eve, he had created a soft night, a night that made all who looked on it smile. Liel grinned and leaned against the nearest lamppost. He loved how Moon’s light filtered through Sky and touched his beautiful masterpiece that the mortals called night. He loved how somewhere, no matter what, there was always darkness. Liel tugged at his earring and watched shadows move across the street, as crickets chirped in the distance.

A noise, maybe laughing, scattered his thoughts and he was brought back to the task at hand with a not too pleasant thump.

"Ah, fudge." He muttered.  Where was Moon? Liel searched the sky and found that she was at the end of her cycle around Earth, which could only mean one thing. Day was coming, and he was late.

Night straightened his hoodie and walked briskly northward. To be late to this brief meeting would change the balance of the world. Which would upset quite a few people. Especially Universe. Liel really didn’t want to do that.

The laughing got louder and his stoic facade strengthened. Soon he could see her skipping toward him, grinning at some children she was leaving. Her hair radiated with flowers and flew out behind her while she ran, somersaulted, and cartwheeled.

Night observed her quietly, attempting to run his hand through his overly stiff hair. It must have been one of her sunny days. Liel was glad. He didn’t like it when Day was dark, gloomy, and cloudy. Sometimes, he mused, she could be just about as moody as he was.

“Goodnight, Day.” He said, as he had done since the time he’d been created and placed on Earth.

She stopped cartwheeling and clumsily stumbled to her feet. “Good morning, Night.” She bowed to him dramatically, then skipped off, smiling. Night nodded with a reserved expression and continued on his way. This was natural, this was normal. This was the order of things. But, for some reason, today was different. Today some part of him protested her leaving, and he was forced to look back on her golden hair. Today he noticed that Day was very beautiful in her flowing green dress, with her smile and laughter penetrating the air. He noticed how blue her eyes were, and how lovely a figure she had. He saw that she was happy, and he wanted to be a part of that happiness. Today, his heart skipped a beat when she left, which was not normal, not at all.

Liel shook himself. Could he be... was he... Falling in love? No. Universe had explicitly told him that he couldn’t fall in love. But then what could it be?

2. Zarah Day was at the peak of her happiness when the setting of Sun rudely interrupted her bliss.

“Oh! Good heavens,” She humphed, “Time has gotten away from me again. Goodbye my beauty’s!” She ruffled one of little boys’ hair then cartwheeled off, wishing she could stay with the children and play. One of the smaller girls tried a cartwheel only to land on her face. Zarah couldn’t help laughing.

“Careful Diane!” She called behind her. The children all waved at her and Zarah’s smile brightened. She wished she could just stay with them forever, but, no. Those thoughts were dangerous. This is how it had to be. This was the way of things. It was just who she was.

“Goodnight, Day.” Zarah stumbled out of her cartwheel and looked up to find Night standing there, stoic, reserved, and quietly intriguing as always. She bowed dramatically, hoping maybe to catch his attention.

“Good morning, Night.” She grinned at him then skipped off in the opposite direction, chiding herself for wanting his attention. That couldn’t happen! She couldn’t fall in love... but despite her best efforts, she found herself turning and watching Night’s retreating back, his strong arms, and perfect black hair. He was tugging his earring. Oh, she loved it when he did that...

Thus, it ends. :)

~E.K.M.