Meetings in Moonlight

As Marco wrapped his arms around her, Atalia began to weep. She put her arms around his neck loosely, and closed her eyes, the tears falling silently down her cheeks. Not everything can be cured with kisses and hugs... As much as she wished it could be. She kissed him back, but her mind wasn't on the kiss. It was a million miles away in the past.

After a moment or two, she broke the kiss, and looked up at him, tears still streaming. "Marco... Not everything can be fixed with kisses..." She bit her lip, and then her nails. "She's my sister, I can't help but go insane with worry when she's not alright. Ever since our childhood I have fretted over her. Her illusions, her depression, her self-doubt... " She held onto Marco as if she let go, she would fall and die.

Atalia embraced Marco, and buried her face into his shirt, muffling her sobs. She squeezed him, and felt ridiculous all at the same time. There was nothing wrong with Ata herself... Just her worry for her sister was so cumbersome, she couldn't help herself. She cared so much for her... It breaks her heart everytime her sister cries.

She then looked up as Marco was explaining himself, and felt worse, for she made him think he failed. She rubbed his cheek with her thumb, and holding his chin. "No, you didn't fail... If anything... You help me realize that theres a reason for being here, and its worth it to wake up for another day." She tried to manage a smile, and laughed in gurgles at his goofy smile. She kissed his cheek, and tired wiping her tears, and her flushed face started to clam slightly.

Atalia returned her head on his chest, and bit her lip before continuing. "Sometimes... I think I might care too much Marco."

Atalia squeezed him again as he said those words. He was her savior. She really believed it. It was so hard being so strong for Elatrion all the time... It was nice to just let go and breakdown in front of someone she knew would care, and help her through it. She felt vunerable, and safe all at the same time. As if having a happy, positive attitude was her defense to the world. If they didn't see a problem, it wasn't there, right?

"They're beautiful tonight," He told her quietly. "Just like you."

She blushed, and whispered back, "I'm afraid this star isn't so bright tonight..."

Atalia smiled a little, and shook her head, but said nothing. She admired Marco, and his attempts to calm her... Even if they didn't really work. She stood up, and then offered a hand to Marco. "I think we should take a walk, what do you say?" She smiled a little, seeing his face did that to her. Atalia could never refuse that goofy smile!

Atalia giggled as he complimented her hair, and smiled sweetly, after kissing him on the cheek. She looked up at the stars for a moment while walking down the path through the campus. She then looked over to Marco, and titled her head. Who was Marco? She realized, that she didn't really know him that well... and there they were kissing, and making eachother happy. It was like loving a stranger. Was that possible? Or just love at first sight?

"Tell me about yourself, Marco." She smirked, and listened to what Marco had to say. She wondered if he felt like he knew her...

"But I am a little more serious than most guys, I suppose. I tend to help people in need, even if I don't like them. It's almost a weakness."

Atalia smiled, and she giggled a little. "But I like that about you. Your very dependable, and you can always make me smile!" She said, brushing her hand against his cheek lovingly. She sighed, as it was her turn to explain. As he kissed her cheek, she felt a little bit more open to what she was willing to say. Not that she would hold anything back, but feel more confident in saying them.

"Well... Elatrion and I are twins, of course. Elatrion casts illusions, while I can manipulate water. We can both fly and what not... Though our parents were normal, so they were frightened by us, and ignored us." She looked down at her shoes, and bit her lip. "We raised ourselves, along with nannies, and Elatrion and I are kind of polar opposites. But we still love eachother... We're all we've got sometimes." She looked around, trying not to cry. "Anyways, I like to make people laugh, and cheer people up. Like Ela, she's always frowning... I've made it my own little game to make her smile at least once a day!" She giggled thinking about the different goofy things she would do to make her sister laugh...

Atalia raised an eyebrow. Something was wrong with Marco, though she couldn't quite put her finger on it. She titled her head, and could see a bit of confusion in his eyes. Was there something wrong that she was missing? Did he not understand the relationship her and her sister shared? That couldn't be it... Usually Marco understood her. No matter what.

"Atalia, I..."

Despite Atalia's scatterbrained, bubbly personality, she also had the ability to be quite serious. After all she'd been through, you'd expect all the bubbles to be popped, and a serious shell remained. It was how Elatrion had turned out to be. "What, Marco?" She placed a soft hand on his shoulder, and her eyes were sincere.

He looked away, and then turned back, making comments Atalia wasn't sure he really meant. "Marco, are you okay?"

Atalia could see the thoughts looming in his head. Sometimes Atalia wondered if she had also been giving extreme intuition as a power. She didn't know what these thoughts were, but could tell they were bothering him, despite his attempts to hide it. Atalia shifted her body to where she was right in front of Marco. She took his hands in hers, and looked into his deep, confused eyes.

"Marco, you can tell me anything. I love you." Her voice was soft, and caring; while her eyes showed sweet serenity that was always with her. She put a hand on his face, and gave him a sweet smile. "And if you have a problem, I won't let you face it alone."