Divinity Of Time

A cold autumn evening in the month of Enadri. A skinny, well dressed young man was walking down the dimly lit cobblestone streets of Major Leonia. He was in a happy mood, humming as he walked and tipping his hat to any stranger he met. The reason for this happy mood was twofold. 

First and most importantly it was his little sister's birthday and he had prepared a perfect gift for her, which was currently resting in his breast pocket. Secondly, he and his partner in research at the Leonia university had just made a huge discovery concerning the structure of matter. Which he knew would revolutionize science as he knew it. 

He soon found himself on a most familiar street with a most familiar brick house. Walking up to the front door he noticed something in the corner of his eye, which caught his attention. There in the garden surrounding the house was a tiny black cat, staring at him with its glowing eyes that seemed to pierce through the darkness. The man thought this was quite peculiar since he knew neither his family or any of the neighbors owned a cat. Still, he didn't think much of it as he unlocked and opened the door.

As he entered the house he shouted:

"Emily, I'm home!"

A response came quickly from an unknown corner of the house.

"Brother!"

The small girl in a simple white dress came running out of the furthest door in the hallway which led to the living room. Emiliy ran up to him and jumped up into a warm hug.

"Why are you so late? Mom is almost done with dinner and you promised to help her."

He stood there holding her and feeling her weight in his arms.

"Sorry, I ran a little late at the university."

Her face turned into a frown.

"You know it's my birthday today and you still dared to run late. Just wait until I tell mom"

He put her back on the floor with a bright smile on his face.

"Ah, that reminds me I have something special with me."

Taking out a small ornate box from his left breast pocket, he held it out in front of the little girl and opened it.

As he did his sister's frown turned into a bright smile as her face lit right up. Inside on a pillow of silk lay a hairpin in the shape of a small flower made of gold and sapphires, resembling a perfect lily.

"It's so pretty!"

She said looking at the ornament with wide eyes, as the man's smile got even wider.

"Come here let me show you how to use it."

He took the flower from the box and gently placed it in her golden hair. As he did she wrapped her arms around his waist in a warming embrace.

"Thank you, brother."

"It was the least I could do for my sunshine, now run and show mom what you got."

She nodded her head excitedly and ran off towards the kitchen. After taking off his outdoors attire, he too made his way to the kitchen. There he found his sister proudly showing their blonde haired mother her new hairpin.

"Look mom! It's so pretty and shiny"

Standing there wearing an apron over a simple white shirt and a pair of black pants she quickly responded with a smile saying:

"Almost as pretty as the girl wearing it."

At these words Emily beamed like the sun. 

Noticing a familiar figure enter the room the woman glanced up from Emily with a genuine smile on her face.

"Welcome home Jacob, how was your day.?"

Smiling back towards his mother he told her:

"It's been good, it took a bit of time since me and Arthur made a new discovery today. The university said that if our theory proves to be correct they will pay us around one hundred thousand dinarie each."

Looking surprised it took a second or two for his mother to respond.

"That's amazing, you know I'm proud of you son and your father would be too."

At the mention of their father the atmosphere in the room got much colder and a sad sob could be heard.

"I miss dad."

As Emily said this their mother pulled her into a tight hug.

"I miss him too, but remember that he is watching over us from the eternal city."

With a renewed smile she asked:

"Jacob, why don't you take Emily to the living room while I finish making dinner."

Jacob nodded.

"Sure thing, Emily come here so I can tell you about what I have planned for us tomorrow."

At these words Emiliy lit up as she ran out into the living room followed by Jacob. The room was quite spacious with a grandfather clock in the right corner, a bookshelf in the left and a fireplace in between them. In front of the fireplace lay an animal rug and on it stood an intricately carved wooden tea table. Surrounding the table were two comfortable armchairs draped in purple and a sofa of the same style.

Emiliy threw herself headfirst onto the sofa and then gestured for her brother to sit next to her. Seeing this made Jacob chuckle lightly and shake his head.

"You know mom would not like it if you broke the sofa that way."

Emily shrugged.

"I know… But it is not broken yet so that means it's okay."

Seeing that she was not budging on the topic, Jacob sat down on the sofa next to Emily.

"Emily, what would you say about us two going shopping at the Greenholt plaza tomorrow."

Smiling excitedly she answered:

"YES, YES, YES I would love to!"

Smiling at this reaction Jacob was just about to comment on her excitement when they both heard:

"Dinner's ready, be quick or it'll get cold."

Hearing this Emily jumped up from the sofa and rushed into the kitchen with Jacob following close behind.

When they entered the kitchen they saw the feast which their mother had prepared. Laid out on the table in front of them was ham, sausages, porridge, freshly baked bread and more. Both Jacob and Emily salivated at the sight of this meal.

"What are you waiting for, sit down and dig in."

Not wasting another second both Emily and Jacob sat down and ate to their heart's content. This kind of feast was not common in the Celestia household since they could not afford to eat this everyday. Which meant that Jacob took his time thoroughly enjoying the flavors of the salty ham, the greasy sausages and not to mention the softness of the freshly baked bread.

While stuffing her face Emily proudly declared:

"My brother and I are going shopping tomorrow."

Their mother smiled.

"Is that so? Jacob, would you mind picking up a pound of lentils from Aurora's."

Jacob scratched the back of his head.

"Yeah, that's fine. We can do that on our way home from the plaza."

During the meal the family of three ate, chatted and laughed for the better part of three hours. They talked about their day, the latest news and Jacob even mentioned his new discovery. 

After everyone was done eating, Jacob stood up.

"It's getting quite late, Emily. I know it's your birthday today but if you stay up any longer you might not have enough energy to go shopping tomorrow. So how about we get you in bed so that you can sleep."

Emily thinks for a moment. 

"Okay. But I want you to read a story for me first.

Jacob smiles.

"Sounds like a deal."

As Jacob and Emily go up the stairs to the second story of the house their mother starts cleaning up in the kitchen. She looks tired with bags under her eyes, but she still has a slight smile on her face.

Upstairs Jacob has just tucked Emily into bed.

"So, what story do you wish to hear?"

Emily thinks for a moment.

"I want to hear about The Goddess and The Eternal City."

Jacob sighs.

"Do you really want to hear that story again? How about something new?"

Emily looks intently at her brother.

"No! I want that one."

Feeling defeated, Jacob begins the story.

The goddess of eternal slumber and lady of the moon was once upon a time very lonely. Then one day she met a young man, the young man looked ragged and worn. But when the man saw the goddess he treated her like any other, he was still kind. But he didn't show reverence like so many before him, he didn't kneel in front of her very presence. From that moment the goddess fell in love and so did he. They lived together happily for a lifetime, but in the end he was mortal while she was not. He died old and fragile while the goddess was still full of youth. She hated this and tore off a piece of the heavens and created a city, a city that can capture souls. She then captured the soul of her loved one so that they could live together forever more in the eternal city.

Towards the end of the story Emily was sound asleep with Jacob watching over her. 

He smiled and stood up.

"Goodnight, Sunshine."

Walking out of her room he made his way to his own room next door. His room was quite simply decorated, with blue tapestries, a bed, a workstation and a wardrobe. After a long day he laid down on his bed and almost instantly fell into a deep slumber.