Luna never felt more at home.

Matter fact, she couldn't decide whether it was the warmth and kindness of the people she was surrounding herself with or the absolutely radiating energy that came from the environment. A few days had passed since being in Philadelphia now, and she was extremely happy to be there. She enjoyed coming into work every morning, and every night.

Just before the plane would transcend into the sky, Luna would be able to look through the window from the airport waiting area and admire each of the wings that were placed on either side of the plane. They were like shoulder blades - built as strong as Midas Air could make it.

Then the magic would happen.

Luna would suddenly see the Boeing aircraft start to take off, and she couldn't help but crack a smile when she thought how many people they were satisfying with their tremendous services. Luna had yet to figure out what department or division of the company she would work best in, and it actually kept her up last night.

There was many opportunities here which was one of the reasons she came here, but she still had to figure out which role she could best play - as an associate. Luna hadn't even realised it was already her fourth day being employed in Midas Air, and gradually she started to notice that she was procrastinating.

The what wasn't important, but the why was.

Why was she procrastinating, you ask?

She had enrolled herself in night school - an impulse decision that she had made a few hours of getting the approval from Adonis that she could transfer from Chicago to Philadelphia. Luna never really thought of herself the 'brightest kid' on the block, and although she had come so far - she often beat herself up for not completing her studies.

It wasn't until a few days way before congratulating Adonis and Ilaria on their new success, that she had been going to a career counsellor. 

The counsellor had become a friend to Luna despite their age differences and over time she gave up that bitter act. She started to open up to her counsellor about her lack of feeling accomplished with her life. It was starting to bother Luna that so many of the children she had grown up with when she was younger were now way more successful than her.

She had mostly herself to blame though.

She never quite put the effort that was needed, but when her counsellor mentioned to Luna about a paid opportunity into a night school - Luna was eager to take the chance to redeem herself. Now that Luna was in Philadelphia associated with Midas Air and balancing night school at the same time, she was finding it hard to keep up with all the exciting things happening at the airport.

Luna longed to participate in all the great events that were being hosted by Race Street. There were two specific events that Luna wanted to take part in. One was held down at the pier while the other one being a local event - although the location was still unknown. The first one apparently had something to do with a meatball sub shop down at the pier.

Just before coming into work on the fourth day, Luna had thought hard about her list of priorities. Despite being determined to prove herself to Adonis, Luna knew that with friendship came trust - and she had to be brutally honest with him. 

Even before she had been discussing her family transfer with him, they seemed to have been talking for a while on more than a few friendly occasions. It was merely telegrams being sent back and forth, but she had come to appreciate his comforting and genuine words that were expressed in the letters.

Right now, attending night school had been her first priority because she just wanted to get it out of the way so she could return her attention back to the place and people that mattered to her the most. 

So - on that fourth day of working for Midas Air, she had left her apartment unusually early and set out on the streets to drop by Adonis' office for a quick chat. Initially, she was just going to gently inform him that she would have to be absent for the next few months due to her night schooling - but unluckily for her, she ended up bawling her eyes out by the end of the conversation.

"G'mornin boss. Hope you're not too busy right now - can we have a quick chat?" Luna knocked at his door a couple times gently before gathering his attention.

She raised her eyebrows and nodded to acknowledge his presence, and the same black tie that he seemed to always be wearing. It wasn't a bad thing though, but Luna was thinking to get him a pink polka dotted suit tie for the upcoming celebration of Christmas as a present. Luna walked into the office and shut the door behind her when she was allowed to be seated across from him.

"Okay. Friendling. Adonis. Boss. Chief. Captain-... You know how badly I manage stress these days I'm sure. I've probably made that apparent with the last few telegrams I had sent you about having the urge to retire from this life, right? Don't panic, please. I'm not here about that, but basically I just wanted to tell you that I'm actually enrolled in night school. Have been since this week, but I had been planning it for ages now. Truth be told, I can't balance my studies and my role here at Midas Air without being overwhelmed and stressed." Luna paused, and for the whole time had been giving eye contact to Adonis.

The dark circles under her eyes made it obvious that these rambled thoughts had been keeping her up at night.

She continued on as her hands began to slightly shake in her lap out of worry.

"It kills me to admit that I'm not giving my one hundred percent to Midas Air, and trust me I am so willing to dedicate my life to Philadelphia - but just for now I need to take time off and finish what I need to get done. It might be a few days, few weeks, or even few months - but rest assured I will be back. Send my best regards to the family. I'll be back, I promise."

A nod from Joe followed her outpouring before he comforted Luna with a strong hug. She was a gentle soul. One that carried the weight of several lifetimes on her shoulders, it seemed. Some were like that though. Ambitious to a fault. He was the same in that regard. His eyes saw more than his body could handle, more than his hands could palm, as to get to the top and stay there you were practically playing with fire.

At some point everything came crashing down, or burnt to a crisp. Change, they called it. And as he walked Luna back out of his office, he hoped she'd find that which she sought, and if not, go out in a blaze of glory only the Gods could rival.

"You be good, comrade. Take care of yourself. And the rest will fall into place."

As he watched her depart, he stretched his arms skyward. His mouth yawning wide, like a lion roaring. He was also tired. But in this life, there was no rest for the wicked, Joe believed. No place to truly lay one's head. No real comfort zone to slip into. It was all a battle. And he'd recently learned the enemy was none other than the hands at the end of one's sleeves.

She'll be good, he thought as he turned towards his office. Her namesake would keep her safe, much like he believed his did. When you gave an offering, the seemed to come. Like that was the connection. Like you had to hold out your hand to let it know it was okay to approach. Luna was a Goddess. She'd be fine, Joe thought as he slid back into his office chair.

With feet up on the table, he crossed his arms and slumped down a little ways into the leather clad armchair. As he drifted off, and with his mind clear, Adonis fell into a dream.

*THUD*

On his ass again. Fallen, again. Why he never landed on his feet, he wouldn't know. He always thought that, and sometimes it propelled him awake again. But not for long, his eyes heavier these days. If he could sleep walk he'd probably be doing just that, but only if coffee wasn't available. A good cup kept you going till the next one didn't and then it was another pot on the burner. The endless smell of cooked beans had his attention...