Quick Tales

In the vast canvas of the cosmos, there existed a being named Lumen. Born from the heart of a supernova, she was a celestial entity, a creature of light and stardust. She had witnessed the birth and death of galaxies, the dance of nebulae, and the whispering secrets of black holes. Yet, one thing eluded her understanding: human love.

Lumen decided to experience this enigmatic emotion firsthand. She descended upon Earth, disguising herself as a mortal woman named Lyra. With her ethereal beauty and otherworldly charm, she blended seamlessly into the bustling city of Paris. She found employment in a quaint bookstore nestled in the heart of Montmartre, where she could observe humans from behind the counter.

One day, a man named Émile entered the shop. He was a painter, his hands stained with vibrant hues, and his eyes held the dreamy gaze of an artist. Lyra felt an inexplicable pull towards him. She watched as he browsed through the art section, his fingers brushing against the spines of books with gentle care.

Émile picked up a book on Van Gogh and approached the counter. Their eyes met, and Lyra felt a warmth spread through her being—a sensation she had never experienced before. She rang up his purchase, her voice barely above a whisper. "That's 20 euros, please."

Émile smiled, handing her the money. "You have a beautiful name," he said. "It suits you."

Lyra blushed, something she hadn't done since her creation. "Thank you," she replied softly.

Days turned into weeks as Lyra and Émile grew closer. They spent their afternoons exploring the city together, from the Eiffel Tower to the banks of Seine. Émile showed her his favorite spots—hidden alleys adorned with street art, cozy cafés filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, and lively markets bustling with life. Lyra, in turn, shared her love for stargazing, leading them to quiet rooftops where they would lie side by side, watching the night sky.

One evening, under the silver glow of a full moon, Émile confessed his feelings for Lyra. "I never thought I'd find someone like you," he said, his voice filled with sincerity. "You make me feel alive, Lyra. I think...I think I'm falling in love with you."

Lyra looked into his eyes, seeing the depth of his emotion reflected within them. She felt a strange fluttering in her chest—a sensation that was both foreign and exhilarating. "I...I feel the same way, Émile," she admitted, her voice barely audible over the rustling leaves above them.

Their love story unfolded like a delicate dance, each step filled with tenderness and passion. Yet, Lumen knew that her time on Earth was limited. She could not stay forever, bound by the laws of her celestial existence. As days passed, she felt an increasing sense of dread, knowing that their love would eventually come to an end.

One night, as they sat by the Seine, Émile noticed Lyra's distant gaze. "What are you thinking about?" he asked gently.

Lyra turned to face him, her eyes filled with unshed tears. "I can't stay here forever, Émile," she whispered. "My time on Earth is running out."

Émile's expression darkened. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?" he asked, his voice laced with pain.

Lyra reached out, taking his hand in hers. "Because I wanted to experience this—us—for as long as I could," she said softly. "I never thought it would be so wonderful."

Émile looked at their entwined fingers, a bitter smile playing on his lips. "And now what?" he asked. "Do we just...pretend that none of this ever happened?"

Lyra shook her head, tears spilling down her cheeks. "No," she said firmly. "I can't do that. I love you, Émile. And because I love you, I have to let you go."

Émile pulled away from her touch, his eyes filled with anger and hurt. "Then go," he snapped. "Leave me here alone, like everyone else has done before."

Lyra stood up, her heart aching with each step as she walked away from him. She couldn't bear to see the pain in his eyes any longer—a pain that she had caused. As she left, she felt a piece of herself shatter, leaving behind an emptiness that echoed through the vast expanse of her celestial being.

Lumen returned to the heavens, her heart heavy with the weight of human emotion. She had experienced love in all its beauty and complexity, but also in its pain and sorrow. As she looked down upon Earth, she saw Émile standing alone by the Seine, his gaze fixed on the stars above.

In that moment, Lumen made a decision—one that would change the course of her existence forever. She reached out with her celestial powers, weaving a tapestry of light and stardust around Émile's heart. It was a gift, an echo of their love that would remain with him always.

With a heavy heart, Lumen turned away from Earth, knowing that she could never return to the life she once knew. Her journey had changed her irrevocably, and now, she carried within herself the essence of human love—a love that transcended time and space, binding two souls together even when they were worlds apart.

As she drifted through the cosmos, Lumen found solace in the knowledge that Émile would never be truly alone. For as long as he looked up at the night sky, he would see her—a twinkling star among countless others, a testament to their love story written across the vast canvas of the universe.

And so, Lumen continued on her celestial journey, carrying within herself the memory of human love—a love that was both fleeting and eternal, a love that would forever be etched in the fabric of her being.