Cellen was still awake as he hung between a fine line of consciousness incoherency.
While the restless roaming of his thoughts kept him from needed sleep it wasn't unpleasant, to say the least. He was still adjusting to the estranged sounds and bewildering sensations, becoming reacquainted with the land he loved. Still, there was a part of him that continued to tear into the raw fact, attempting to digest the lively idea, that he was forever free from the compound. The very thought seemed to humor him and yet it still tinkered with his thoughts. He felt frustrated and yet there was no reason he should even remotely feel such a thing. Emotional frustrations when mixed with denial rarely concocted a calm countenance. Already it fissured and cracked that carefree status quo that Cellen so vigilantly worn upon his face while inside he was on the brink of a meltdown.
His eyes drew heavy, sealing themselves shut as he was whisked away into slumber---
"Have you slept at all,” a voice thrummed, rumbling with a feline-like purr.
Cellen jostled slightly, as he stirred. He grimaced. "Why does it matter?"
The words bore a sharp agitation but in itself they were worn with grief, guilt even. Surely she knew that he hadn’t and still she inquired with such inquisitive curiosity. What a cheeky blighter, Cellen thought as he glanced toward her if only to study the expression on that persistent face of her. His eyes retreated. Instead, he stared upward toward the night’s dark blue canvas perhaps to look busy in taking up the task of counting all the starts in the sky. But he knew it was futile.
the female Mokai rolled over to face him and Cellen could just pick out her eyes catching the starlight. There was a new moon and the night was darker than usual. "It's been a hell of a past few days," she agreed.
Neither of them felt the need to elaborate on all that had occurred; he had been there every step of the way. She knew how her eyes had been opened to the reawakening of new senses and knowledge, discovering the truth which had only begun to expose the wholeness of a half-empty soul, and how the reawakening had propelled him to save those who where confined to to Huntingdon compound.
“It’s a mess of horlicks," he corrected.
They were both silent for a long while, and he thought that perhaps she might have dozed off again. But suddenly, she asked, "Have you ever wondered about the stars?"'
The abrupt change of subject took him by surprise. "What?"
"The stars," she repeated, nodding up to where the sky was visible in between the canopy of the trees. A quizzical expression laced itself upon her maw as a curious brow arched upward, scrutinizing what mystery loomed above.
"Sometimes, I guess," she admitted. "What makes you ask?"
"Idle curiosity. The stars here don't look any different than how they did back home. Perhaps they're all the same regardless of where you are."
"I suppose they don't." He sat up to attempt a better view. The little patch of sky above them didn't reveal any more of itself. "The major stars are the same, in any case—the one in the north remains where it always does."
"The constellations are in different places," She remarked. "The Rabbit is lower, for one."
"Do they always have to stay in place?" He had noticed that before, hadn't he? In all the commotion surrounding their arrival the replacement of a few minor constellations might have averted his attention. They seemed trivial in the larger scheme of things.
The female Mokai grinned. “Is it the stars placement you're concerned about or is it your own?”
“Bullocks. There’s more to be concerned with than dreaming of the stars and their secrets.”
“Perhaps you should take some time and consider them-- So bright and steady, yet they're outshone by the sun during the day and remain overlooked by those who favor the moon.”
He gave her a perplexed look. "You’re being awfully deep."
“Oh? I wasn't aware that philosophy was exclusive," she contemplated with a smug expression. Her leonine tail flicked complacently, snaking about the plush grass that blanketed the small hill.
Cellen at last resorted to lie down upon his back as he looked up toward heavens’ vacant window.
"They're a bit of a bugger being so bright,” he acknowledged finally.
"Rebel and Renegade would love them."
“Rebel and Renegade would love them more if they could fly up there and steal them for themselves or use them as leverage,” he mused, trying her hardest not to grin at the thought of their winged cohorts.
“Do you suppose anyone's tried it before?"
He shrugged. "I don't know. But you would think that if someone had tried to steal a star and done it, the deed would be widely known."
“True but I'd imagine that they'd rather keep it a secret."
Cellen snorted derisively. "If I had done the impossible, I wouldn’t hesitate to rub it in their faces.”
"I know you would. But would you want people flocking to you, demanding to know how you did it, or wanting you to steal stars for them? Your special star wouldn't be so special anymore."
He pondered that for a while but the longer he contemplated he recognized that there was wisdom in what she said. There was a difference between being recognized for accomplishments and wielding such talents often became a chore- people demanding you to do the same extravagant, unthinkable task which had been accomplished and craving to reap the same reward without the work.
“You're right," Cellen concluded although impishly added, “But you would think that someone would notice a missing star or two."
"Not everyone pays the sky the same attention. It would be a matter of picking one that wouldn't be missed."
The male pointed upwards, where a falling star streaked its way across their view, “Looks like someone beat us to the punch."
Beside him, the females’ body shook with silent laughter. "There's our answer. Someone has been taking stars from the sky under our very noses this whole time."
Cellen stretched and closed his eyes. "Perhaps one day, I'll get mine. And maybe I’ll snag you one too—if you’re lucky, of course."
"I have no doubt of that. You're too stubborn to do otherwise."
He smiled, turning towards her. “I don’t know why you have faith in me but if there’s anything I’m sure of it’s that I wouldn’t have a damn clue what I’d do without you.”
"Don't think on it," she replied, yawning. "After all, who else would save your a** time and time again? But get some sleep or else you won’t have the wit to catch breakfast, much less a star.”
-----
Dawn broke and with it Cellen awoke. The reminiscent remnants of his dreams lingered still and with it his heart yearned. There was still work to be done, there were souls to save. But one in particular he had yet to locate. Lying there, Cellen exhaled as a wreath of mist billowed from out of his nostrils as he stared upwards toward the sky.
A lone, star streaked across the skyline as darkness fled which caused a smile to tug at the corner of his maw. He wasn't giving up yet-- perhaps he'd never give up searching for her. There was a conviction inside of him that beat strongly, relentlessly, knowing that she was somewhere.
"I'll always be on the hunt for your star," he whispered to himself, half hoping that somehow the heavens could convey his message. "I'll keep my promise."
