The Second Moon sits high in the sky tonight. Even from within the chambered bowels of the Colosseum, Lilliana can feel it looming over her like a protective hand. It’s her guide, her inspiration, and her savior. For she was chosen as its current hand on this planet the moment she was the only one to be able to see it. She’s the instrument by which it enforces its will. Their symbiotic relationship continues to thrive as they knew it would. Of all relationships she’s formed since coming to this time, this one is most sacred.

She doesn’t begrudge her Jaiden wanting to be a child of The First Moon, even if she finds the idea laughable. That barren, pock-marked rock is a pathetic pretender. A false prophet. It could do nothing in her time and continues to accomplish nothing now. It has no vision outside of its petty, little desires. If that’s what it takes for her Jaiden to get what he wants though, she won’t interfere. Her hand will only raise in its direction if it attempts to hurt the man she decided somehow belonged to her so long ago. She found him first after all. Finding things is her specialty and everyone knows the rules in this world: finders keepers.

Then there’s Shane Donovan. The wind told her to protect him and it has been nothing but adamant about this. When it sees he is nearing danger, its whispers become harsh shrieks with a feverishly high pitch. They have been ever so loud lately. She is doing everything in her power, but he is not a great listener. Something tells his brain to justify the peril before him as part of the cost of doing the business of living. It blinds him. Prevents his mind from separating out what is cost and what is doom.

The wind can be bluntly sharp and unforgiving. Its harshness can not only howl, but also burn through skin like sandpaper when it chooses to be coarse. She will never allow it to do that to her. That doesn’t mean the threat isn’t there. The wind does so love threats.

So does AnHellica. Despite this, Lilliana found their meeting productive. She saw more into the things she keeps locked inside away from prying eyes. Most eyes don’t pry as well as Lilliana’s though. The other woman realized that quite early on. It’s why she called for a hound named after a boring holiday in Jace Valentine. It’s funny that he should only love his penis. Yet, even that seems to frequently catch a beating.

She giggles at the thought while finishing her current arts and crafts project. The difficult part she completed a few days ago. It took finding a lot of various items in order to make this most perfect of inks. She would have taken the time to be proud of her work, but it was only one half of the equation. The other she raises above her head. A rubber stamp with some words carved into it:

“Property of Jace Valentine”.

Why had she gone through all this trouble? It’s quite simple actually. She moves over to a table covered in old banned books. The ink is designed so that even under scrutiny it will appear aged. She begins stamping inside of the cover of every book in front of her. Jace Valentine is about to own many books that are going to be found all over by his Amoralist brethren…especially AnHellica.

No one moves about this place unseen like Lilliana. She’s not just doing this to possibly cause his interrogation. That’s a bonus. No, the idea of planting materials full of unwanted ideals appeals to both her and the sparkles that currently jangle over her shoulder. She’s not sure where they came from, but they are pretty. So shimmery.

The Amoralists are so limited in their thinking and want everyone else to be as well. Lilliana sees a very different world than they do. It’s time people’s minds expanded and soon everyone can thank Jace Valentine for that. Rather thoughtful of him really. He has such hidden depths. A well-read and eloquent man if there ever was one. Hopefully, now everyone will be able to recognize that he’s a scholar for the ages.

In some ways, this plan makes her feel like the Santa of books. Christmas morning in March can’t come soon enough. Won’t they all be delighted? A serene smile plays softly on her lips as she continues to stamp while staring at the jangly sparkles as they flit about the room. Are they red and green now? If only she had some music and a cup of hot cocoa. At least there is snow outside.

Just like there was that day a few hundred years ago. Bellamy had just visited and brought her some Christmas gifts. The only one she can clearly remember now was the red sweater with the picture of a cute snowman smiling. His coal eyes seemed so welcoming. After Bellamy left, her keepers pried it from her hands while holding her down despite her frantic screams. She was forced to watch as her sister’s love was taken from her. The desperation of heartache overwhelmed her as she flailed and cried.

A sharp pain in her buttcheek was the only thing that seemed to stop it as the world distorted and turned black. When she was at last conscious again she found herself laying on her floor looking up through her window at the snow coming down. A gentle breeze touched against the thick glass and bars. It was the first time the wind suggested that lives should be taken. Lilliana readily agreed.

They had taken too much from her and she would get it back. It was at that point she understood the hatred towards this place that often radiated from her sister. Maybe also that towards their parents as well. Lilliana would escape her room that night to claim what was hers and she would leave two men dead. It would be swept under the rug to maintain the reputation that the facility was a secure way for the rich to quietly toss their loved ones away.

She didn’t attempt to escape the building itself. Instead, she made her rounds to check in on other patients through the ventilation system in order to spread some holiday cheer. They were so thankful. Especially one certain man. She appeared in his room with her dirty, snowman sweater over a straight jacket; her holiday best at the time. Their conversation that night would create a timeless friendship that she would call her own.

It’s funny she would think about this all now. Guess the holidays just create nostalgia. It’s difficult to forget memories that feel so wonderful. That, more than anything, is her hope with her current venture. She will bring joy to the masses with thoughtful gifts and the glee of bloodshed. Like conflict itself, having good spirit is never out of season.

And though now ready to distribute her own version of merriment, something is missing. Bellamy. Her absence is so pointedly distinct. So painfully glaring. All the fun she’s been having since waking up in a different time has been unable to fully distract her from the unfathomable distance from her sister. This world is a prison that she can’t be visited at every weekend. How will she get back to her?

Can The Second Moon re-unite them when this is all done? Will the wind carry her thoughts and feelings to Bellamy? She can only hope so. Because she would trade all of it away to make it so. If need be, she’ll sacrifice everything and everyone just to see her sister’s face one more time.

If it turns out a sacrifice is needed then Jace Valentine seems like a great place to start. For one, he’s very available. He also doesn’t seem like he would be missed. That’s probably a good thing. Lilliana understands how painful missing those you love can be. The anguish, the loneliness…it’s not something to be wished upon others.

How many have been missed because of him? Because of AnHellica? Too many. The last person she was around that took too many died at her hands next to the woman he would have missed. Neither had to feel the absence of the other after. It was a kindness she granted them all. Lilliana doesn’t regret the decision to take back her freedom and rid the world of the bandit group that took her in. Yet, there are times when she can’t help but think of him fondly.

Something she won’t do for others of his ilk in the future.

The future? It’s interesting that the future has become her present. That she now seeks to give presents in the future.

Did The Second Moon pull her here or did it decide to rise once she arrived?

She has to wonder if that matters as she fills a bag full of banned materials to distribute in the name of Jace Valentine. In the end, maybe the only thing that matters is if she can manage to find her way back.