The Lunar Club

If interested in the history read along, if not, skip passed the stars and continue to the story.

In a time differing from ours, their once stood a tall and proud mountain full of life and prosperity. Many species of animal living here, eating food from its plants and gaining water from the large river at the edge of its threshold, it was beautiful. This mountain stood between two small towns, roughly a hundred people each yet all proud and strong of the town they were in.

Eastden the modern stylized town with buildings consisting of blues and white in color, their town known for firm and grounded ideas which were easy to comprehend. Most town members here take up jobs like, blacksmiths, carpenters, builders, anything physically based. They expressed creativity and art in statues and paintings based more in reality with abstractness remaining unpracticed here.

On the other side of the mountain, Westkin the contemporary designed town expressing  a vivid red and a simple black color scheme. They could think a bit like Eastden, but were more filled with creativity and theories. A lot of the people here were artists, designers, scientists and jobs based more in creativity. Their arts were ranged from pictures, statues, literatures and many other things, most having many meanings rather than one.

These two towns being rivals since the settlers who built them arrived, most likely due to the brothers, who held opposite ideas. History assumes that the brothers reached a boiling point, probably with the assistance of liquor and the settlers divided, going with who they preferred of the two. Thus the two towns came to existence. Each still holding the bitter ego-driven rivalry of their founders. Yet tensions still smooth enough in which they could, reluctantly, provided assistance with one another. Despite this, the residents saw each other’s town members as enemies and thus they tried hard to avoid needing contact with one another, and the division by the mountain was perfect.

None sure why this rivalry lasting for so long remains locked in place, yet it doesn’t resonate with everyone living in the two nations… thus beginning our story below.

*****

“As I stated before-“ continued the boy’s father, “Westkin is the one that history will remember, its beauty in arts, it’s creativity light-years ahead of the bumbling tradesmen of Eastden. Let me say as Mayor of this fine establishment I repeat, the Mayor of this fine establishment, I will do whatever it is in my power to show that we’re the dominant town!” He announced loudly.

“Oh Ron, that’s a beautiful speech, you’ll easily crush those outsiders.” His wife said, standing up from her seat in their homes living room and applauding him.

“Yeah dad, I’m sure you’ll win with little hassle.” His son added.

“Thank you, both of you have been my drive during this campaign and I want you to know that. Now I assure you Anna, Carter, that like my father and his father, I will hold my role as mayor until I’m into retirement. With that though, there are some things we need to discuss.”

“And will do so, but at the dinner table, it’s late and I’m sure both of you are as hungry as I am” She stated getting up and moving passed the door.

Carter got up and began to follow but was stopped by his father’s voice.

“Son, wait a moment.”

His son stopped and turned to his father. “What is it dad?”

“You’re 17 now, and it won’t be long until I can take you up as an apprentice to this career. Sure you’ll still be able to write your poems, by all means it show’s you’re as normal as anyone in this town. However there is something I need you to do and if your mother heard this then I know she’d have a fit.”

“Dad… what’s wrong?” He asked confused.

“Nothing, it’s just that… you’re at the age where your actions reflect our families ideas as well as our beliefs. Now a days I can’t brush your behavior off as simple childish nonsense since you're old enough to understand what’s happening. Now I understand how you think and I don’t disapprove it I-“

“You just don’t like that I think there is no need for this daft rivalry with our neighbor.”

“Exactly… and tomorrow there will be about two weeks to the election. You know I think that we are all entitled to our opinions and way of thought, but I-“

“You want me to shut up about this feud and pretend that I think Westkin is the superior nation that exists and the Eastden is nothing in comparison to us.” He responded with reluctance.

“Oh, you know me so well son, now come on off to dinner.” He stated patting his son’s back, before smiling and hopping off towards the table.

“Dad, wait a moment, I also have a question.”

His father halted and turned. “Yes, what is it?”

“This is all hypothetical, but how would it reflect on you if I were seeing an Eastden girl.”

Ron’s face lost all his enthusiasm and curved into fear mixed with shame and anger.

“In theory dad, in theory! It’s not actually happening, for Pete sake I’m the mayor’s son it’s not like I can subtlety visit their town without being noticed.”

His father looked relieved, “Right, sorry… you really know how to scare me son. In theory, you would be a disgrace as would the girl you’d be seeing, now come along, I’m starving here.”

Carter nodded, nipping his lip for a moment then continuing to the table. The family ate, discussing the happenings of the day. Ron then began telling his wife what needed to happen, how she needed to help represent him and what not, which she took with full acceptance. He then said a couple more things, to Carter. Looking at him with a subtle amount of concern, which didn’t bother Carter whatsoever since his father would forget what he had just asked in the chaos of the election.

After dinner, they sat and discussed more, and then Carter was sent to bed early. “With the election, I need you looking your best and sleep can do wonders!” Is what his father had said, and Carter didn’t wish to argue tonight.

A couple hours passed, until finally the light streaming in at the bottom of his door ceased to exist. He knew he could proceed now, after all, he was old enough in which his parents didn’t check on him anymore, which made this so much easier and less stressful than before.

He counted a minute out, in his head, then slowly crept out of his bed. He grabbed his coat from behind the door, not needing to change since on nights like tonight it was easier to wear his clothes to bed then to change. He put it on silently, then slid to the floor and reached under his bed, pulling a blue candle and envelope from below.

He double checked that he had everything, then once he was sure he opened his window, crept through it and then shut it all so gently. He then skitter along his roof and leaped off it, tumbling as he landed before taking off towards the center of town.

Westkin was beautiful, smelling fresh, having a warm breeze come up from the south. The city paved with dirt and the imprints of the town members feet which had crossed over it thousands of times. At the center of town stood a statue of its founder, while his brother’s statue residing in Eastden.

Standing at the statue’s base were three other individuals waiting patiently for Carter, who sped up his approach on sight.

“About time you showed your prideful mug here.” Said one jokingly.

“Well Devan, tell me how easy it would be when your father’s preparing to go undefeated as mayor again. Believe me, listening to the man’s speeches are exhausting.”

“I can’t believe you’re coming, I mean yeah you’re one of us but still with the election and your father going in to over-perfection mode. I mean wouldn’t he being watching you like a hawk?” another asked.

“Relax Emily, he’s too focused on everything else to worry about his son… except if it involves his views on certain matters.”

“Such as Eastden, and certain people?” Devan asked

“Shut up.”

“Speaking of that how did Daddy take the news?” The final one asked.

“I told him with theory and he…” Carter fell silent.

“That bad eh?”

“He doesn’t know, he just doesn’t approve of it in general.”

“Gotta hate family, right?”

“I don’t hate him Thomas, I just don’t like his ideas, that’s all, now come on we don’t want them to be waiting for us right?”

With those words the four of them exited the town and headed towards the mountain. It took a good half an hour for them to reach the summit but, the walk was always nice.

“Yeah, yeah, but what I’m saying is that if we burn the-“ Devan continued.

“No, my dad works there and her dad works for theirs, not a chance of that happening.” Protested Carter.

“It’s just a building though, and if both burn then-“

“War between the towns, and too many lives lost. For the hundredth time no city halls are being burned.”

“Fine… although.”

“Devan, enough please.” Said Thomas as they walked on the top of the mountain.

Across the way another two stood, “It’s about time you people showed up, kept us waiting forever.”

“Samuel, shut it.” Said the other, as they approached.

The Westkinners did as well with Carter treading behind a bit disappointed. This emotion was removed quickly as his arm was caught from behind and gently pulled back, leading him away from the group and to the side.

This person, then proceeded to wrap her hands around his side and pull him into and embrace, their lips connecting, remaining for a short while. Carter then pulled back and smiled.

“It’s been too long Kylie,” he said holding her close.

“Yes, perhaps we should say every full and half-moon.” She replied.

“If that was the case, then the mayors might figure something out.”

“What would they do then?”

“Not enough to keep us apart.” He replied kiss her again.

They then interlocked their arms and strolled towards the group.

“What do you mean you don’t have your matches?” Asked Emily loudly.

“I thought they were here, I mean, you know how fire’s like my favorite element and…” Devan’s voice trailed off in embarrassment.

“You have anything Jackson? You are the most brutal thinker in our group.” Asked Samuel.

“Unless rubbing your face against a rock in hopes of creating a spark with friction counts then no.” He responded.

“Gotcha.”

“We still have the stars and I’m sure we can all see each other fine.” Stated Kylie.

“Yeah, but isn’t candle light just a bit more…Romantic?” Asked Devan.

“Oye, joker! I could throw you down the side of the mountain and make it look like an accident. So watch your tongue around her.”

“Jeez Jack, take it easy. I mean it’s no secret that… oh wait a minute.”

“Jackson, how does your plan go exactly?” Asked Carter.

“Carter, please.” Said Kylie, “You just do this.” She swiftly kicked him, sending him to the ground wincing in pain.

“Didn’t go smoothly with you either?” Asked Emily.

“The mayors are just stubborn, they’ll see the light eventually. Even if that means we’re in power.”

“Regardless we still have these moments and it’s better than nothing.” Stated the mayor’s son bringing the other mayor’s daughter closer.

“Say, what was on tonight’s agenda.” Asked Samuel.

Carter reluctantly let go and reached into his coat pocket pulling out an envelope, “Thomas would you read this please, out loud.”

Thomas nodded, opened it and began to read. “In the wake of the election, it has come to light that to hold some order between the towns, both of the current mayors in power must keep it. That way we can continue meeting under the cover of night, if the opposition takes control then our parents may become more aware of us and curious. If they have any idea what is happening here it is uncertain what may occur, however what is known for sure is that these meetings will no longer be allowed to take place. Therefore, although against our ideas, we must don the costume of model citizen. This means we mask any thoughts of the two towns being equal and we pump up our own town’s ego and link its success to the current mayors. If this is achieved, then the lunar club can continue its full moon meetups. If not, then consider the club shut down  immediately, and a date to figure out a new plan of action shall be set. Do your best and ensure that your mayors win.”

“Well, seems straight forward enough, so is that it?” Asked Samuel.

“For Westkin, yes, what about Eastden?” Replied Carter.

“Basically the same, just differently worded.”

“So, this is just a social gathering now?” Asked Devan who had recovered and stood up.

“We can’t always be business, so yes.”

The group began mingling more, they laughed, they danced, they were happy. Both groups supposed to be enemies in agreement with town codes had decided that their own ideas were the best. Thus on a fateful afternoon of Carter and Kylie meeting, sparked this event of the Lunar club.

As the moon began to drop down from the sky, the group sat at the edge of the summit, Devan still furiously searching his pockets for his matches, while the children of the mayors stood further away, once more together.

“Why are traditions and ideas so hard to change?” Asked Kylie.

“Because… their stubborn little things, however one must remember that this only occurred due to a sequence of coincidences, and if one didn’t occur then one may assume we would have our parent’s views.” Replied Carter calmly.

She nodded, “Perhaps… do you really think we would turn out like them though, I just can’t imagine it.”

“If I was like my father then I would make a comment like ‘you can’t imagine it because the Eastden people don’t have imagination!’ or something like that.”

Kylie laughed, and Carter smiled as they enjoyed the view, everything at this moment was perfect, and just as it should be, except the candles but they’re just an accessory. It was just what one needed to cool down.

The beauty of it all was then broken by Devan cheering loudly. “I knew I had these, oh yeah! Hey Mayor-heirs, you want to end this like we usually do or say screw it?”

The two looked to each other, then nodded passing the candles to Devan. He then gave one to Thomas and the other to Samuels and lit them. Next the group stood up and walked to the center of the paths which divided their homes, with the candles handed to Carter and Kylie.

“Let the moon rest for the day,” started Carter.

“Let the sun take place for tomorrow,” Continued Kylie.

“Shall we see each other once more.”

“With the moon at its fullest.”

“With the night at its brightest.

“Right here.”

“Among the kingdom of the night.” They both said together, extinguishing the flames with their breath. They then bid each other farewell and made the trek back to their homes, with their mission clear, and hopes for another full moon too soon appear.