Novamoonlight

Nova Moonlight is a Werecat shifter serving as House Librarian and Feral for House Ailurus. She is best known for her Elemental Air Literomancy used during The Battle of Crystal Song.  

"You'd think, with me being the Feral Librarian, that y'all had to lure me out of the wild with pastry and books."

"Didn't we, though?"

~ a conversation overheard at Ink & Tea Cafe and Shop

 

Early Life

  Nova was born in the pre-Word War state of Georgia. Much of her family of origin didn't know what to do with her, but she had two mentors who guided her.   As a child, Nova hid in her grandfather's plum and peach trees so she could watch him work in his garden. Once he returned to the house, she followed in his footsteps to pick strawberries from his garden, unaware he was watching her the entire time. After he finished scolding her, her grandfather taught her how to best care for the plants in the garden.   Much of what he taught her, Nova later applied in learning the skills required to work with the Power Plant. In addition to his teachings, Nova's aunt Hibi expanded this knowledge into flowering plants and trees.   As they have both since died, Nova continues this work as their legacy, despite it not being the aspect of her Literomancy she is strongest with.    During the summers, her immediate family traveled into the Smoky Mountains to visit her maternal grandmother's relatives, who lived among a commune of storytellers and moonshiners. In her early memories, her relatives claimed they would kidnap her, but these claims stopped early in Nova's adolescence. She spent years searching for answers to no avail.   Nova was always aware of her "cat," but they didn't make themself apparent until she was a teenager. The first indication this wasn't an extension of her overactive imagination was the appearance of the cat ears. They were a blessing and a curse, as they helped mitigate the hearing impairment she was struggling with while leaving her susceptible to overstimulation. She still isn't sure why she was the only one who could see them.   Another fanciful idea Nova had as a child was her belief she could talk to the wind. She was content with the idea of it being something she made up until she talked a tornado out of targeting part of her neighborhood. She still believed this to be a figment of her imagination until the events of Word War IV.    Overall, Nova was a solitary child who found more solace in wild spaces than she did in other people.    Sometimes on clear nights, she would sit in the branches of her favorite oak tree and talk to the stars.  

Word War IV

  Nova joined the Tome Knights late during the previous April Tourney. After following the Pandas back to Penwall, she focused on getting her bearings in this new world she had thrown herself into. Once the call went out for volunteers to go to The Cavern, she threw herself in with both feet.    Early during The 50K Team Up, Nova heard the Nite Qween's laughter during a moment of crisis, and the most terrifying part was how familiar it was. She pushed past the unsettling experience to help her team succeed, receiving a protective buff that discharged during the Battle of the Tunnels.   The way the buff interacted with her Literomancy called into doubt Nova's belief that her ability to control the wind was something she made up, as she created her first wind wall to put distance between herself and the Zombie attacking her.    Once she arrived safely in Zafforza City, Nova tested the ability to make certain it was something she could replicate when not under duress. Once The Rave Train arrived, she offered her abilities to the leadership as a resource they could utilize.    The wind wall was first used in the strategic retreat to the Cavern at the end of The Battle of Zafforza City.    As she waited for the War Council to decide what their next move should be, Nova experienced another episode similar to the one at the beginning of the war. While she struggled through this, Nova discovered her ring had been contaminated by the corrupted glitter the Horde was using as one of their primary weapons.   Nova removed the ring to contain the glitter, but the effects lingered. During the spiral into doubt and indecision, she heard the sound of music coming from the library. When she followed it into the Library, she found The Bard with Many Names singing and playing his guitar.   What followed was the deepening of a friendship through a conversation about finding hope in the darkness and something to look forward to if she survived.    During the battle that followed, Nova fought at Archon Myko's side. She spun the corrupted glitter into a tornado and sent it back at them.   

2024 Tourneys at the Caverns

  After the Meles Ailurus Treaty of 2024 was finalized, Nova went home to Des Moines to visit her sister. This trip took her through the former Meles territory, where much of the power generation came from wind power. This reawakened Nova's interest in renewable energy and reminded her of the conversations she'd overheard about moving the Realm toward more sustainable energy solutions.   Shortly afterward, Nova's dreams started centering around the Power Plant. When she spoke to Myko about these dreams, the Archon connected her with Princess Rowean, the creator of the Power Plant. After a series of meetings, they decided on a test site at Spirit Lake (Okoboji), located on the Meles/Ailurus northern border.   Nova spent April's Tourney working to master these skills, so she spent little time at the Tourney grounds until July.   She spent July nurturing the friendships she made during the last war while forging new ones.   During the time she spent with Bard, Nova recognized there was something wrong. She tried to care for him in the ways she could, especially given the promise she made to Myko not to pry.   Nova was already in love with him but wouldn't acknowledge those feelings until later.   She traveled to The Warren for a conversation with Queen Sable. Nova left with the sense that they shared some commonalities she wished she didn't have to share with anyone.   It was at this July tourney that she first showed signs of being able to fly, a skill she is still working to improve on. She also went into full cat shape under duress. Few outside of those present at the first shapechange have seen her cat form.  

"I would follow you anywhere. But not yet. Not now."

 

Word War V

At the beginning of the war, Nova accepted the deal with the caveat she would remain behind in Penwall to protect Archon and House.   Nova didn't need to make the deal to know she would go to him when he called. Therefore, when he reached out to her during the fall of Penwall, she went willingly into the #undeadfolkband.   She (as Vega) was present at The Undead Karaoke Night and may have been exhibiting early signs of The Filking Plague at the time.  

Post-War and the 2025 Tourneys of Tales

  After the war, Nova had more trouble than she expected readjusting to being among the Living. Her undead self remains a presence at the back of her mind. Her grief over Myko is a quiet thing she doesn't speak of much. Instead, she takes time to regularly visit and maintain the flame at the Temple of All Deities in Penwall.   Near Tomesmas, Nova put together a series of letters and gifts to the people who touched her. As much as it was a need driving her to make sure those close to her knew it, this act also helped ground her in the world.   With Bard's gift, Nova also left the coat she borrowed from his closet and wore until shortly before Penwall fell.   Afterward, she isolated herself from even the rest of the Pandas. She experienced a regression in her understanding of social situations, which her self-imposed isolation only worsened. In addition, Nova's insecurities about whether she is trying to force her friendship on people resurfaced.   Only halfway through the Tourney did she pull herself out of the worst of this spiral. Aspects of it continue to be something she's working through.   During this period, Nova finally told Bard she was in love with him in a roundabout, Nova-type way. Kisses were shared, promises were made. The promise to never pry was finally made to the right person.   At Midsummer, Nova accepted the role of House Librarian. Her first official act was to perform the Coronation of Bard as Archon, HappyHappySad as Seneschal, and Fairy GoT Mother as Heir.   When Regent Dazzlinkat invited people along for a game of bowling, Nova went along. She bowled while negotiations for Claw Summit's Fudge Festival and Treaty were ongoing, but she made notes for later. She may have been the one to ask for the peach grove that now grows near the heart of Penwall.