It was early evening and a cool wind was blowing through the trees at the edge of the not-forbidden forest. Lusine sat with her legs folded under her, and her back to an imposing oak tree whose branches rose high above the ground. Lou liked the forest that surrounded the monster dorm, they reminded her of home.

In her lap was a large tome borrowed from the library, The Fundamentals of Astronomy. Lou wasn't entirely sure if she was supposed to have library books outside, but she wanted to enjoy the trees before night fell and the stars came out.

She looked up from a particularly complicated chart of the eastern sky and realized she was no longer alone.

Miidnight Melody