In a Different Light

                                                        In a Different Light

                                        Interlude: The Difference a Day Makes

            It was amazing how much things could change within the space of a day, from one moon
rise to the next. In one day two people had realized their feelings for each other. In one day one
had tried to push the other away. In one day the other had made a desperate declaration in hopes
of staying with that one. And that same day, within the same hour, actually, the other had
relented and had agreed to let that one to stay . . . on one condition–within time, master and
follower were to become husband and wife.

            And, at that time, for that moment, they were both content with that arrangement. You
might even say they were . . . happy. Or, rather, as happy as two such people could be. No
further questions were asked, and no more was spoken on the matter.

            But, later, within that same day, between one moon rise and the next, doubts began to
surface. One kept her doubts to herself, trying to work through them as she worked through her
morning routine. The other had his subconscious quandaries voiced aloud by an impudent imp
who wouldn’t shut up even when stomped into the ground . . . But, each kept their reservations
from the other, so nothing was said on the subject.

            The day progressed, as did the four companions.

            Along the way, an unexpected battle erupted. Between the mountains and the forest,
three demons and one human faced off against two monsters. One tried to protect the others, but
the two monsters proved to be too much for the one man. The other tried to help, inadvertently
causing more harm through her good. And yet, the monsters were defeated, the four progressed,
uninjured, and so did the rest of the day.

            Through the course of these events, during that same day, between one moon rise and the
next, two old acquaintances became fast friends. They talked, they laughed, and they comforted
one another. But while friendships were being forged, one’s doubts came flooding to the
surface, threatening to drown him and wash away everything that had been built that day.

            That one left the other. The other soon followed.

            Beneath the moonlight, beneath the gentle spray of a waterfall, one made a desperate
declaration to the other. The other didn’t understand.

            “Nor do I,” one replied. “But I would rather be with you than without you.”

            “I feel the same way,” the other replied.

            And so, that’s how the one day ended, and a new relationship began.