The Moon and the Flower

Persimmon stood on her balcony. The door behind her was cracked, revealing a messy bedroom. Paintings and drawings were strewn around her desk and bed. All the paintings had one thing in common; her past love was in every one.

She’d met Peony at a royal vote when she was 12 with one single glance being enough to fall for her. Peony’s the mighty princess of Flamba, daughter of the Satanic Bull King and Madame Iron Fan. That was a problem as she’s the crown princess of Flora, King Sun and Warrior Moon being her fathers. Both the plant and fire kingdoms have been rivals for years. Even so, Persimmon and Peony courted in secret for 6 beautiful years. They nurtured a boundless love that no one else ever could. She was sure they’d be together for all eternity, soulmates destined to be one.

Yet, her bronze knight had abruptly parted ways with her barely a month ago. Peony had stopped writing to her, which scared Persimmon. The brunette rushed over to her home, only to be met with a harsh farewell. The redhead said it was for the betterment of their kingdoms that she left her. But the floral princess didn’t care for her crown, she’d rather have her knight than a symbol of royalty. Her flame still broke up with her. All she could do was weep as her carriage took her away, leaving her heart to die in her chest.

Now Persimmon stood silent on her balcony, heartbroken and alone. The wind wove through her hair and played with her curls. Her embroidered night gown flowed in the breeze, matching the color of the moon. Golden stars sprinkled the sky like paint splattered on a canvas. The moon sat in the middle, full and bright. The brunette watched the painting above her with emptiness behind her eyes. She knew her parents would throw a fit to find her awake at this time of night. But she couldn’t bring herself to care. The stars seemed to shape themselves into a lit candle just above Flamba’s palace. A choked sob left the monkey’s mouth as she stared at the candle.

“Peony…” Persimmon said aloud, “My beloved knight… Why did you leave me…”

Hot tears started to drip from her eyes to her chin as she spoke.

“I’d rather been beheaded than lose you…”
More choked sobs and whimpers left her mouth while she pleaded to the wind.

“If you truly left me for your kingdom, you should’ve just executed me on your doorstep!” The brunette cried as she burst into tears.

Unable to hold her own weight, she collapsed on the balcony’s edge. Her head laid in her arms as forceful tears streamed onto her chin. It felt like her world broke into pieces of a mirror, broken beyond repair. She stayed crumpled on the floor for what felt like hours, a pathetic mess of a princess.

“Oh why hello, sweet baby. You look as though you’re broken.”

Persimmon shot her head up, a mix of shock and terror zapping through her veins. It would be impossible for anyone to reach the wall from the lush garden surrounding the palace, let alone scale the wall to her balcony. So why was there someone up there with her?! She whipped her head around looking for the person with no luck.

“Over here sweetie.” The voice said again, this time closer.

The brunette looked up into the night sky and there it was. A slim figure shrouded in mostly black hovered above her. It had a cloak covering its face. Yet the rest of its body seemed bare; no dress or visible shoes. The shadow landed on the edge of the balcony with ease. The floral princess was about to run when it solidified into another girl with wavy matte black bangs and one teal and one green eye. Her skin was a rich white chocolate brown and a bruise was on her right cheek. Instead of a dress, she wore black cargo pants with a matching bodice and hood. Almost everything this girl wore was black, from her hood to her boots. The monkey could barely comprehend the lady before her. Fear pulsed through her body as she tried to speak.

“W-Who are you?!” Persimmon stammered, fear choking her voice.

“I’m Crescent, fair princess.” Crescent replied.

“Ho-how were you able to get up here?! It seemed impossible for the garden to even be breached, let alone the wall climbable!” The brunette exclaimed.

Her voice stuttered and stammered as she tried to speak.

“Oh I don’t need to climb nor breach anything,” The shadow girl giggled, clearly amused by the princess’s terror, “I can simply fly over it.”

“Oh… Well… Why are you even here?”

“I heard a damsel in distress, which I guess is you.”

Persimmon blinked, wondering why this intruder thought to help her. Crescent grinned even more at her reaction. This was cute to her, why wouldn’t it be?

“... Your help is lovely, but unnecessary. I’m just fine without it.”

“Don’t bluff to me. You were breaking down on this balcony all alone. Figured you need the help.”

Persimmon sighed, her strong resolve crumbling before Crescent. A light blush tinged her face as her eyes fell to the floor.

“Maybe you’re right.” The princess mumbled.

“What happened?” The rogue asked, the grin falling off her face in worry.

A few tears rolled down the brunette’s face as she gathered her words.

“My beloved just broke up with me a few nights ago. I miss her very dearly.”

“Oh, that’s the knight you were wailing about…”

“Yeah. I can’t tell anyone as we courted in secret. She’s the heiress of a kingdom mine rivals with.”

Crescent’s face was no longer the grin of the Cheshire cat, but now laced with sympathy. She could understand the princess’s sorry state as she could relate in a way. But this princess… she was so beautiful to the eyes. Her curls floating in the breeze, her glossy eyes from tears, those tender soft lips all spoke the Crescent’s heart. Each fiber of her love-starved self begged to touch her at least once. She fought with it until she remembered why she came here; to find love. This beauty was left all alone, why shouldn’t she sweep her off her feet? She’ll be the perfect wife or girlfriend.

“What if I could take the pain away?” The moon girl said, drawing courage in her charisma.

“What?” Persimmon piped up, shock in her eyes.

“Maybe I could take your pain away for a moment. A joyride if you will.”

The brunette stared for a moment, overtook by the romance of the offer. Blush exploded across her face and ears. This girl she barely knew was asking to take her on a date, what crude joke is the universe playing on her?

“Okay…” The brunette murmured shyly.

“Great,” Crescent chuckled, a dark aura surrounding her, “Let me take your hands in mine!”

The shadow teleported behind Persimmon in a flash. It clutched her wrists in a gentle grasp, exposing her chest. The monkey yelped at the sudden touch to her wrists. The shadow led her onto the railing on the balcony. She put her head on the brunette’s shoulder.

“Clutch me tight.” The shadow girl whispered, sliding her feet under Persimmon.

The floral princess squeezed her eyes shut as she felt the feet under her leap off the balcony. Wind blew against her face and pushed her curtain bangs out of her eyes. Her gown whipped around her legs, tickling her bare skin. Whimpers left her mouth out of fear, yet something told her to open her eyes. Her eyes shakily opened with a little resistance. The moon laid in front of her so close she could touch it. Stars flowed past her as she flew. Crescent’s aura surrounded them in a shadowy cloud, glittering in the moonlight air. Each step was effortless as Crescent’s boot carried her up above the ground. They weaved through the town below with ease, passing homes and over carriages. No one lay awake at this time of night, leaving them to fly in peace. They landed on the roof of a 3-story church. Crescent wrapped her arms around the princess, tucking her cape around them.

“Thank you…” Persimmon said softly, voice still shaky as she turned to face the rogue.

“Don’t, you’re in my arms.” Crescent replied.

Her face was gentle, my her mind was frazzled. She couldn’t believe she was holding this delicate angel in her flawed arms. Her skin was so soft yet lively. Her breath came out in fog from the cold and she trembled slightly. Why was so out alone on such a cold night without slippers? Whatever the reason, she needed to be warm. A little magic wrapped around her princess’s feet. She yelped at the sudden warmth, causing a chuckle to escape her.

“There. Is that better?” Crescent asked.

“Yes,” Persimmon murmured, blush covering her cheeks, “You didn’t have to.”

“Why wouldn’t I? It’s a winter’s night with even me being cold. You’re only in a night gown.”

“I could barely feel anything.”

“Still rather you be in my warmth!” The rogue huffed, playfully squeezing the brunette in her arms.

The princess giggled uncontrollably before being swept in the air again by Crescent. Her sliver tiara slipped off her head and tumbled off the roof with a thud.

“Umm… Do you want it back?” Crescent asked, awkwardly staring at the spot the crown fell.

The flora maiden just stared too. Her rich honey eyes started to water, worrying Crescent. A sudden squeeze of her arms and her princess stopped crying and an odd peace to settle over them.

“No.” Persimmon murmured softly.

“Why not?” The moon maiden responded confused, “That’s a ticket to a life of royalty and luxury. Why wouldn’t you want your crown?”

“It’s nothing but a shiny piece of pain to me…” The brunette monkey replied, a tear running down her cheek.

“In that case…” Crescent said with a cheeky tone.

She scooped Persimmon into a bride-style carry with ease. The plant princess squeaked in surprise, turning her head to look at Crescent.

“Why not I take you back to my place for the night? It’s cold out here.”

“I g-guess so.” The monkey shyly agreed, a cute blush crawling along her face.

“Well hang on tight then.” The shadow girl chuckled.

She leaped into the night with a mighty lunge. Her glittering cloud flew them over the town of Flora into the forest beyond. Persimmon felt her eyes grow heavy after a while of flying. The wind was her lullaby as she fell asleep, cradled above reality in her moon maiden’s arms.

------------

“Persimmon!” King Sun called through the halls of their palace, “Time to rise!”

His steps echoed through the halls as he neared his daughter’s room. Each step felt tight with tension. Persimmon had been really distant lately, refusing meals and zoning out at random times. Don’t get him wrong, he TRIED to talk to her. Yet she never gave him a straight answer. This got on his nerves even if he refused to say it. His walking soon turned to stomping after pondering for a minute. Never mind the plan he’s came up with before. He’ll just confront her now and see what happens.
“Sweet pea, are you awake?” King Sun called again.

No response.

“Persimmon?” Called in a firmer tone this time.

Again no response. Only the echo of his voice and steps. Quickly getting frustrated, he approached her door clutching his cup of morning caffeine. The monkey slammed the rest of it down before opening the door. What he found froze him stiff. Persimmon’s room was a mess! Paintings and sketches covered her bed and desk. All of them seemed to include Peony, Flamba’s princess.

“The fuck?” Sun whispered to himself as he scanned the room.

Looking at the bed, she laid there asleep. He just about ran over to it and ripped the covers off.

“Missy you have a lo-” He was saying before he went silent.

The girl in Persimmon’s bed wasn’t the girl in question, but an elaborate mess of pillows. Clever girl.

“Dammit Sun you’ve raised a genius.” The orange monkey groaned to himself, “Sweet pea you’ve got me good, but know you’re a dead girl walking if I find you.”

Turning on his gold vision, he went about finding her. He scanned the room to try and if the magic trail she leaves behind. Little wild flowers and early cocus flowers blossomed before his eyes, a dead giveaway to his baby’s magic. Vines also thrived around her bedroom covered in flowers and fruits. The foliage led him to the balcony. The door was open a crack, so he went through. Her balcony was covered with her magic, but a strange dark magic was there too. It was shimmery and black, with twinkling stars scattered in the void.

“Moon magic?” He murmured, touching the unknown element.

It was cool to the touch with a soothing manner. A sophisticated feeling magic means a sophisticated enemy. The magic mingled with Persimmon’s before it got behind her and flew them off the balcony. His heart fell to the floor as he grappled with the situation.

“Oh no…” He whispered panicked before running off the balcony, “Please don’t be what it looks like.”

He ran out his daughter’s room and into the hall leading to the throne room.

“MOON! MOON, WHERE ARE YOU?!” King Sun cried, frantic to find his husband.

He barged into the throne room to find his husband in his throne with his cup of coffee. The dark-furred monkey just stared at the monkey gasping for air in the doorway.

“Sun?” Warrior Moon asked, bewildered.

“OUR DAUGHTER’S BEEN KIDNAPPED!”

Moon instantly stood from his throne. His face reflected the same panic Sun had.

“By whom?”

“I DON’T KNOW! SOME UNKNOWN MAGIC WAS WITH HER ON HER BALCONY!”

A few guards came from behind, holding their king up. Their faces were filled with worry about their king. After all, they’ve never seen Sun so frantic. The one of the right spoke first.

“King Sun! What happened?!” The sliver knight asked.

“Persimmon’s missing. Assemble your search party and scour the city now.” Moon answered for Sun, a demand the guards couldn’t understand more.

“Understood.” The guards bowed in unison before leading Sun to his moon.

The black monkey ran over to hold his hyperventilating husband. Footsteps ran out the throne room down the hall. Moon stayed back to try to comfort Sun. His husband was nearly sobbing, tears forming in his eyes.

“Damn it, I knew there was something wrong!” Sun cried, voice filled with anguish.

“I’m sure she wouldn’t let herself be kidnapped. She’s a clever girl.” Moon reassured his dear husband.

“We should go,” The flora king said out of the blue, trying to be brave,” We’ve ought to go look for her. I couldn’t live without my sweet pea.”

A cloud formed under the royal couple. It swooped both up and into the air. Moon had gotten used to Sun doing this, but with this sudden urgency, he wasn’t too pleased. The king ignored him as he flew out the throne room to the castle. His tinted green robes waved in the breeze along with his mate’s as they flew over the town. He turned on his gold vision again, following the trail of moon spirit across roofs and homes. The trail paused on top of an old Catholic Church an old couple owned. The couple was about to land on the roof when something caught Moon’s eye. Something was shiny down on the porch of the church.

“Wait, over there.” Moon tugged on Sun’s arm and pointed to that shiny object.

“Hmm?” Sun hummed, looking at the object.

He flew down to get a closer look. The object was a tiara on further inspection… Persimmon’s tiara. It had the same pointy tips and light green gem on each point. Its sliver was the same but now stretched up from the porch it landed on. Sun froze stiff, wide eyed as he slowly hopped off the cloud.

“Sun?” Moon called, having the same wide eyes as they landed on the tiara.

Sun walked over and pick it up, cradling it in his hands. More panic shot through him, cold and sharp. The crown was seemingly left in haste. Persimmon would never abandon her crown unless forced to.

“Oh gods… my baby…” Sun muttered aloud before hot tears ran down his face.

Moon quickly ran up to him before hugging him from behind. The distraught monkey was shaking so badly. Golden tears streamed onto the floor as Sun sobbed. A dark reality came over the couple like a bloody fog: Persimmon was kidnapped and may never return home.