23. Moon

"Jaden?"

The old front door creaked open on its rusty hinges.

"I'm out on the porch, Ver," Jaden called back.

The celestial's face appeared in the doorway, they smiled at their friend and housemate.

"It's really nice out this evening, and the moon should be coming up soon. I thought I'd watch it rise for a bit. Would you like to join me?"

Vervain nodded. "Ah, have I got any time? I was going to make something warm to drink. Would you like something?"

"At least a few minutes. Tea would be nice, do we still have some of that chamomile?"

"Mhm. That we do. I'll be right back, ah, call me if I'm going to miss it?"

"Sure, and thanks!"

Jaden sat down on the porch, letting their legs dangle, leaning lightly against the rickety railing, watching the sky slowly darken. It was a lovely evening, cool, but not cold. Every now and then a breeze would blow past, tug at their fur. There were few bugs out this time of year, a lone moth bounced and fluttered against the lantern.

A minute or so later, Vervain returned with two steaming mugs. "Here you go." They must have already boiled the water before asking, Jaden thought, which was very like Vervain. The terrestrial accepted the offered mug, and flipped their tri-tails out of the way. Vervain sat down beside them, setting their own mug beside themself. Ver had a 'cat's tongue', couldn't handle hot temperatures, would wait for the tea to cool far beyond what Jaden would drink it at.

Jaden held their mug in both hands, the light scent of the little flower buds floating in their drink tickled their nose as they sipped. "Thanks."

Vervain hummed, leaned their arms over the railing and looked out at the flowery fields and the darkening sky. "It is a nice night."

They sat in silence for a little while, comfortable in each other's company, until Jaden made a little noise. On the horizon, a sliver of orangey yellow light peeked out. 

"Here it comes," they whispered.

Vervain perked up, by now they were attempting little tiny sips of their drink, but lowered their mug, resting it on their thigh, lightly holding it steady with one hand.

As they watched, the sliver grew larger and larger off on the horizon. A sliver became a quarter, and a quarter became half. The darkness of nightfall felt a little less dark as the orange light drifted towards more yellow. As the moon rose, it looked absolutely huge, as if it would continue to grow and grow and engulf all of Silverlight, though it was an illusion. The further the moon climbed, the smaller it would appear, but while it was still touching the horizon, they indulged in the fantasy.

Perhaps for a full hour in total, the two stayed together, there on the porch, watching that huge moon rise up from the horizon. Jaden had long finished their tea, when the moon was high enough away from the horizon that it no longer appeared huge and orange, now silvery white, shining like a coin, they stretched, and slowly stood.

"Well, I'm tired. I'm heading inside, thanks for the tea, and thanks for sitting with me." They offered a hand to Vervain, but Ver only shook their head.

"I think I'll stay out just a little longer. Good night, Jaden."

(WC: 566)