Ayumi watched her foot make contact lightly with the mirrored surface of the lake, benieth its sheeming surface fish danced for a moment before realising no danger. Her great pale aqua eyes were turned up towards the clouds, watching the magnificent towers of snowy shapes float aimlessly above, adapting the shapes of well known objects as they passed.

In the utmost west the final trace of daylights glow passed from deepest violet into the black of night. Yet even then, with the sky aglitter with the stars, the clouds were back-lit into a living silver. At all times the deep waters of Aelin were like a mirror, but even more so this night, with scarcely a breath of wind to ripple the mighty lake.

So it was, that who appeared to be an old man, for he veiled his true identity, walked along the edge of the lake. And it was not as often as he would like that chanced upon an angel, standing upon the very edge of the lake, where the fish were snatching sandflies from the surface of the water. And as she stood, looking calmly about her, as pale as sun-ripened straw, Curin marvelled at her, for his mighty heart was brimming with admiration for all living things, and especially free beings who can find happiness and peace. Though she was an Angel, the pale nimbus of the Elf-kind went with her, and Curin smiled, wondering how her parents might have met, and what their tale might have been; whether it was sad, or filled with long happy seasons.

This man was indeed old, the God of Nature no less; his face careworn as that of a mountain, and his hair was as pale as new fallen snow; but his mind was still quick, and as free as the wind; and when he listened, it was as if the world cared for a moment; and when he laughed, spring-time. He walked quietly, within sight, and gently threw a stone into the water, to attract the Angels attention. And to his feet the fishes came schooling, desiring to draw near to their god, and smiling at them he turned again to the Angel, and greeted her in a quiet voice.

"So you finally wish to present yourself to me," Ayumi's voice trickled like the gentle song of a babbling brook, her eyes still distant from the man's figure. She dropped down to reach the lake's surface, producing one of her fair pale hands and extending it to touch the liquid. "I heared you a few moments ago," she looked up at him, the gentle ripple's causing mirrored lights that flowed across the features of her face, her eyes semmed calm and warm yet alert at the same time. "My name is Ayumi Aomori, it is a pleasure to meet you," Then she smiled. Oh if the world should grant such a pleasure as to see her smile, it was as if it could cast light into the darkest moment. She was suprised that she had done so too, for she rarely ever had the opportunity to smile.

A rumour in the earth called Curin to his temple, a world away; but for a moment he longed to remain, sending a shadow of himself to answer the Call. Underfoot the primroses smelled sharp and fragrant, and the tang of the night air at the lakeside. A horizon away, where only Curins sight could reach, a great Elk lifted its antlered head, catching the scent of the God, and he raised his vast muzzle, and his cry was heard only as a faint sound, but which Curin heard, and was honoured.

But for now he appeared merely as an old man, a wizard perhaps, but no-one could possibly guess who he truly was.

The God of Nature drew near to the half-Angels side, and looked down into the water, whence the stars were reflected up onto her flawless skin. With a word of introduction she smiled, and Curin was well pleased, for he deemed that even she felt glad to smile, and that her mood was lifted.
"Well met Ayumi." The drop of water upon her finger-tip, which dripped and fell, Curin held in the air, and slowly it hovered to his hand, still alight with the light of the stars. "Tell, me. For I see you are smiling, were you expecting someone? A friend of yours?"

"No," Ayumi replied simply, reaching to the edge of a bank where a beautiful lily flower grew alone and in magnificence. She often wondered how flowers of such beauty would make thier way so far from their home, and would tell herself a story of how it was the seed would reach. "I rarely ever recieve visitors, and those i know well dont know where to find me. What truely makes me happy is to see that places of beauty are not forgotten."

She left the lily untouched, to pluck such a beauty from its roots should be a crime. She believed that if she should care for her surroundings, her surroundings would care for her and lend their gentle hand to her in times of need. She stood up again, adjusting her holder on her back as she did so. "And what is your purpose here may i ask?"

Curin smiled at the half-angel, her quiet, sad charm stirring compassion within him. She reminded him of the first elves, his memory able to plunge into the depths of time, recalling their awakening by the waters of life long ago; and of their wonder at the stars, and the strange longing sadness that left them neither at home in the mortal world, nor amongst the undying. This same restless sadness, however, is also what kept the hearts of the Elves ever striving, ever resisting their hardships. They were like wounded warriors, whose great strength comes from the fact they are dying. Only elves live forever.
He watched her peering thoughtfully at the lily, and it warmed him deep inside, to see another free being delight in his works as much as he did himself. "You may not ask." Curin laughed gently, and with warm humour, looking into Ayumi's eyes, hoping she could perceive how well pleased with her he was, and that he was glad she was free, and could still feel happiness."But if you ever make your way to the Temple of Nature, you may find me there. Go well, for now. Hold to your purpose, and cleave to your happiness." Curin began to fade from sight even as he spoke, and he genuinely hoped she would take the hard road to the Temple. With a last breath, a happy sigh, Curin was gone, passing to where he was next called.

Ayumi smiled as he left her, climbing into the branches of a tree and leaning gently against its trunk where she would sit until dusk. The wind rustled her hair lightly as she contemplated what the man had said, or rather what his eyes had said.

"What an enticing fellow," She said to herself as she watched the birds swoop and dive across the horizon.