Night and Day

With the graceful retreat of the sun towards the western horizon, the sky ignited with gold, reaching up to the blue to dance upon the nebula's blushed wisps - cosmic phantoms floating upon a celestial zephyr. Thistles swayed and sang, caressed by the breeze, gently grazing the fuzz of their leaves upon the lake's glassy surface. High above, a flock of starlings swam on the updrafts, twisting and arching like brushstrokes to paint upon a canvas of rose. They descended into the sanctuary of their canopy abode, chirping noisily for the moment but would soon settle into their own soothing lullaby.

"I wish we could stay here forever." Nyct sighed, nuzzling her head deeper into her beloved's lap.

Ausica chuckled softly, a grin playing upon her lips. "You say that every evening, my darling."

She tilted her head, gazing into her radiant, aureate eyes. "I mean it every evening." She tenderly traced a silvered finger across her cheek, longingly basking in her warmth. "Must you always go so soon?"

"The sun is setting." Ausica nodded, her voice as soft as the evening light as she brushed through her dearest's starlit curls. "It is my time to rest."

"Grant me another minute more!" Nyct pleaded, her own twinkling, yearning gaze prevailing as usual to convince her love to stay.

She beamed, glowing ever brighter. "Very well, one more minute."

And so they remained, sat on the verdant embankment of the shore, sheltered beneath the boughs of an aged willow - their haven from the relentless passage of time. As its leaves met each other, their rustling whispered an age-old melody, the earth's own sigh to orchestrate their transient encounter.

Night and Day - their rendezvous would always be so bittersweet, yet the fleeting nature of their union only served to strengthen their unwavering devotion. In accordance with the cycles of the sun and the moon, their paths intertwined in a cosmic ballet, forever bonded, forever unyielding.

And it had been so since time's inception. They had met at the first dawn. When the world was nought but rock and fire, they met at the threshold of existence, where the realms of light and dark intersected. Their eyes locked, and ignited a spark that had blazed ever since, despite every calamity that would threaten their love.

Still, Nyct could not bear the inevitable solitude without her dearest. The passing seasons played a cruel game, conspiring to extend or shorten their time together, and catastrophe would interpose their meetings. With each moonrise, her heart would grow heavy, for her love would leave to rest. She would wait alone in darkness, watching on as the moon and the stars would silently parade across the sky. Without Day's embrace, her spirit would be weary and lonely, for most shunned her presence, passing her away with sleep. Though she found solace in the knowledge that their time apart would be brief - dawn would come soon, and she could once more embrace the one she adored - at the peak of her vitality.

Ausica felt much the same about her love, her admiration burning with an intensity that consumed her every thought. The scorching summer months would cast a shadow over their embrace, and her wait would seem endless. The desire to savour each precious moment would clash with relentless exhaustion. For though she longed to lay with her for a moment more each evening, her eyelids would grow heavy, diminishing her ability to cherish the joys they shared.

And so, Ausica delighted in the spring, for even though their encounters were brief, she retained the strength to revel in every second without the weight of fatigue upon her. But each year, summer would come and Nyct's insatiable need for her presence grew, with their rendezvous becoming a drain. She would beg her for a minute more, and another, and another, until she would be left depleted. It became an arduous battle simply to stay awake. Autumn would follow, and she would be compelled to distance herself from Nyct, for she would need to repay the debt of those stolen minutes.

Then Nyct would have to suffer the winters. She would rule alone for hour after hour, and face her own exhaustion when they might finally come together. Those were truly lonely months. But Ausica would recover, and spring would always return.

As their minute drew on, they lingered upon each other, weaving their fingers together like threads of an intricate tapestry. Ausica gently kissed them, as Nyct held her other hand to her chest, dreading the passing seconds.

Ausica giggled, shattering the ethereal stillness enveloping them. "You always wish to remain here," she teased, "yet you haven't even taken the time to admire the scenery."

Nyct's stare remained steadfastly upon her, her luminous eyes wishing to burn the impression of her into them. "I immerse myself in the beauty of this setting on your departure. Until then, I only wish to look upon you." She murmured, drawing Ausica's other hand to her cheek, and brushing her lips against her knuckles.

"My love," She whispered, her tone barely above a breath, "it's late, and our minute has passed."

"A minute more!"

Ausica wrapped her arms over her shoulders. "Not this time, my darling." She tore her gaze away. "Perhaps another evening."

"Please don't leave me yet."

She grinned. "My love, you speak as though I am not to see you again." She bent over, and placed a kiss on her forehead. "We shall unite again soon."

"Promise me?" Nyct held her tightly. "Swear that you will return to me."

"Of course... As the stars give way to the sun." Her skin glowed ever brighter. "I'll see you at dawn." And with those words, she faded away, leaving Nyct to lie against the flowing grass, staring up at the stars. The sun had surrendered its dominion, its light eclipsed by the pale luminescence of the moon. The starlings hushed, their song replaced by the rhythmic chirp of crickets.

"... At dawn... It shall be then."