The Stars shine the brightest after The Moon completes her lunation. Goddess Taji is reminded of this while gazing at her crops during the next Sunrise. They stand tall, baring ripe fruit vibrant like wildflowers. 

Taking note, the Divine Goddess sits on soil and works pieces of clay into distinct forms and figures. To her surprise, the unrestricted energy of The Stars from the night before brings to life one of Her most beloved creations, The Astral People. 

The Astral People sow the seeds, build the structures, and are consistent in their work. What Goddess Taji loves most about them is their creativity. It begins when they unite to create a name for their new home: Khepri. 

Though, most people today refer to it as Khei City. 

Keeping up with tradition, the city’s inhabitants are known for their artistic and inventive nature. Murals of The Stars, The Bow and Arrow of Manifestation, and even The Divine Herself coats the sides of buildings the height of pine trees. 

The minds of inventors buzz constantly as evident in the city infrastructure. To provide alternative means of travel, sections of pavement move all throughout Khei City. It’s a popular means of travel as one can take in the beautiful details that go into the décor for the original city. 

It’s a shame that dark sand currently dusts streets no longer occupied by bustling city-dwellers. In fact, it feels almost like a ghost town, Clare notes as she drives down the main road. The longer she drives, the larger the piles of sand become. 

“Meaning that people in this part of the city are probably the most neglected,” she surmises, pulling up to the curb in front of a two-story home. The front of the home is inaccessible as mounds of sand cover the front door and roof. Clare steps out of the car and straightens the nametag on her white lab coat. 

While she scans over the home for a point of entry, a wavering voice calls out to her from behind the home. A walk around the corner reveals a short and stout woman with brown skin and salt n’ pepper curls. She stands with her hands clutched over her chest while her brow furrows with uncertainty. 

With an extended hand, Clare smiles and says, “Good night Mrs. Watts, I’m Dr. Voss from Lunar Labs. I’m here to assess Mr. Herman Watts as we’ve received a report of his comatose state. May I come in?” 

Mrs. Watts seems noticeably calmer once Clare shows identification and explains herself thoroughly. She takes Clare’s hand and shakes it. “Please, please. Come right in. Um, is it just you all on your own, Dr. Voss?” 

“It sure is,” says Clare as she begins to rummage through her bag for a manila folder. “Is that a concern, Mrs. Watts?” 

Mrs. Watts fixes her gaze on the floor timidly. “You are more than capable of doing your job, I’m sure. I only wish that they sent you in a pair. I thought that was standard practice for Lunar Labs.” 

“It is,” Clare answers, “for clients under the new premium membership.” 

“Oh,” she replies, stunned at first, then sullen. Then, Mrs. Watts perks up, “B-But, a young woman shouldn’t be here alone in the dead of night! And certainly without protection from The Stars!” 

Clare smiles warmly at her concern. “How sweet of you, Mrs. Watts, but you don’t need to worry about me. I have means of keeping the three of us safe.” 

Besides, Clare works better alone. It’s one of the reasons she volunteered to work with clients who can’t afford premium memberships despite some pushback from the lab. As she pulls out a few documents from the manila folder, Clare says to Mrs. Watts, “Let’s discuss how your husband fell into the Comatose State.” 

“As you may know, my husband suffers from dementia. It just… crept up on him one day and our lives weren’t quite the same,” says Mrs. Watts somberly. “He was having another episode. He wanted to visit his grandfather but that man has been dead over 50 years ago. I never tell him though. He’d never be able to handle it.” 

“Good call,” she nods, looking over Herman’s client info sheet. “So he was in a state of agitation before he fell?” 

Mrs. Watts nods. “He was so angry that I kept making up excuses as to why he couldn’t see his grandfather. He wouldn’t let me touch him or guide him back to bed. Then, he slowed his pace, sat on the couch, and passed out. I couldn’t carry him upstairs and board the windows all at once so… the front of the house is ruined now.” 

Clare blinks. “I’m sorry, you were the one that carried him to bed?” she asks in disbelief. 

But… this woman is in her late 70s. 

She smiles bashfully. “I was a 2-time wrestling champ back in my prime. Guess I still have a little something still left in the tank.” 

“I suppose so,” says Clare, still in awe of Mrs. Watts’ physical abilities. “A shame about the front of the home though. I’ll talk to someone to get that fixed for you.” 

“Even if we don’t have a premium membership?” 

Clare looks at Mrs. Watts intently. “I’ll talk to someone to get that fixed for you,” she repeats. 

Mrs. Watts doesn’t argue, nor does she question it. 

“Now, I need to get some equipment from my car in order to get a look at Mr. Watts’ dream. Could you make sure he’s laying on his back?” 

“Of course. You be careful going out there,” she warns. 

Clare waves off her concern this time. “I won’t be long, Mrs. Watts.” 

“Wait,” Mrs. Watts calls out just as Clare reaches the back door. “I don’t have to see his nightmare, do I? I… don’t think I can handle it,” she says in a small voice. 

Clare turns to see the woman with her gaze cast down to the floor again. She does her best to smile because, while she’s not the biggest people-person, she feels for Mrs. Watts and her situation. 

Her insight would be helpful, but Clare will manage without it for now. 

Somehow. 

“No, you don’t need to see anything you don’t want to. That’s my job.” 

Mrs. Watts manages a weak smile while Clare heads out to her car for equipment. When she looks up, a single Star twinkles in The Fabric of The Sky. She stares at it for a while. 

Quietly, Clare prays aloud, “If you can hear me, please provide my clients some peace tonight. Thank you.” 

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