Special: Onyx, Part 3

Chief Panther is brought a little wood stool for him to sit, and he places it next to the throne upon which Onyx sits.

"You know, Lady Onyx," he says after a bite of his pork, "you are truly beautiful, with or without the Celestial Jewelry."

"Why thank you, Chief Panther," she says back. "If I may say, you are rather handsome yourself."

"Why thank you," he returns in kind. "And again, I am honored that you would be here on the Lunar Solstice with us. With your own home village being far from here, I myself would've figured that you would spend today with your family."

"I have spent many Solstices with them," Onyx points out. "And as someone who cares about all our people, I decided that I should learn to spend the longest moonday with the rest of our people, not just my own family."

"How very thoughtful," he comments before taking another bite of pork.


The moonday is still not quite done when everyone has finished eating. After everything is cleaned up, the villagers socialize among themselves. A few of the Star Dancers sheepishly approach Chief Panther and Lady Onyx.

"Oh, hello," Onyx cheerfully greets. "I must say, you all impressed me. It takes a lot of stamina to dance for the whole parade."

"Thank you, Lady Onyx," they say as they blush and bow. "It was an honor to dance for our lovely liberator!"

Onyx herself blushes, still not yet adjusted to such praise.

"I am Nero," the one on the left introduces, "and these are my friends, Noir and Taman."

"Glad to meet you three," Onyx says, smiling widely as she shakes their hands.

"Perhaps you three could spend some time with Lady Onyx," Panther suggests. "The festivities are over for now, since Moonset won't be for several hours."

"That would be great!" Noir exclaims. He then becomes aware of how enthusiastic he was, and pulls back a bit. "I-if Lady Onyx is okay with that."

"I'd be happy to!" Onyx says, rising from the throne. "What should I do witht he jewelry?"

"Keep it," Panther says. "We always use new ones each year, so those are yours. Think of them as gifts for being with us today."

Onyx thanks Panther and hurries off with the three Star Dancers.