I look up towards the blue moon in the sky, and realize it's actually more azure now that I take the time to look at it properly. However, it feels like my mind has already made the click that it's blue, so I likely won't be able to change that thought anytime soon. I shrug, not the worst idee fixe my mind has come up with, I can live with that.

I was too tired for my usual evening ritual last night, but this time, I'm well rested, well fed and ... still butt naked, but that never really bothered me before, and it's warm enough even at night right now so I don't mind. Some shoes might be nice, but my new body apparently has quite sturdy soles under her feet as I don't feel any discomfort even after the amount of walking I've been doing in a frigging wild forest. So yeah, I have everything I need to survive in the short term. Pretty good time for me to restart my usual routines where possible and start building new ones where needed. First order of business, my daily ritual of gratitude. I make myself a small clearing near the boat, sit down and start to empty my mind of thoughts. Visualizing a continuous stream of water that carries away my thoughts as I observe them. After a while, when I feel that I have reached a state of stillness, I start praying.

Mother of all,

Moon in the sky,

Goddess of the mysteries of the sea.

Your daughter wishes to share her joy with you on this evening.

I am beyond happy to be in a world, where I have all the tools needed to thrive.

To have my lifelong wish of magic being able to affect reality granted.

To have a young healthy body, and a chance,

to experience the youth I was denied before.

I do not know who to thank for this, but I am grateful nevertheless.

And with you I share my joy freely.

May you share in my bounty, as you have always shared yours with me.

It takes a bit of time to relax my mental shielding. I'm so used to keeping it up at all times by now, that it takes a conscious effort to lower my barriers. But after a while, I open up, and allow my feelings of joy to flow out into the world freely. As they do, I once again find that state of stillness in my head. And just enjoy the moment, kneeling for the first time in a new world, basking in the happiness this change has brought me.

One moment, the world feels at peace and quiet, however the next, it suddenly feels like a huge mountain has appeared right behind me. Startled, I fall down, as I turn to look behind me in a way that a body is not supposed to bend. A woman is staring at me, like she's looking right through my body, into the depths of my soul. I start to panic, but then realize that I can feel her intent. She feels mostly indifferent, with a twinge of curiosity. My mind switches gears from panic, to curiosity almost instantly. If this entity doesn't intend to harm me, and she is who I think she is, then this evening is going to be even more interesting than the last.

You should be dead, she says without any outward emotion. I frown, and reply: yeah, I thought so too. A slight smile creeps on her lips. Cheeky little witch, aren't you. How did you manage to get a hold of that body? I shrug my shoulders, no idea, I died in my world, and something dragged me over here through what felt like an endless void. It was not a pleasant experience. When I woke up, I was inside this body.

Hmm, a summoning then, she says. But an unconventional one to say the least. I wonder who has gone through that much effort to add a new thread to the tapestry of fate. She doesn't say anything more after that, and just keeps looking at me. I clear my throat, and ask the question I've been meaning to ask from the start. How should I address you? With a slight smile, she replies, my pronouns are They/Them. Ok, I think, not what I wanted to know, but considering her smile, she clearly knows this as well. It is interesting how she managed to pronounce capital letters in spoken language though. Let's see if I can do that too. And what should I use to refer to You specifically? I ask. I didn't get the pronunciation quite right, but it's a start. And judging from the feeling of indifference They're giving off, They probably won't mind.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

You can call me whatever you like, little witch, she replies. Ok, Big Blue it is, I blurt out without thinking. As the words leave my mouth, the feeling I get is almost indescribable. If I'd ever see a mountain twitch, or chuckle, that might be what it's like. My oh my, she says with an even bigger smile on her face. Usually people go for something reverent, grand or majestic. If the high priestess would hear you call her beloved azure divinity big blue she might just have a heart attack. I shrug, I'm not people, I'm Zafira. And You did say that I could call You whatever I liked. Feel free to tell me what You'd prefer instead if You change Your mind.

Wow, she replied, I've never had someone show both so much regard for my wishes, and disrespect my greatness at the same time. Keep practicing that pronunciation, you'll get it eventually. But as I already said, I truly am fine with whatever you want to call me. It's usually you mortals that get stuck on names. I've been called many different ones before, and I expect many new ones will keep being added in the future.

I nod, and wait a bit before asking my next question. Since she just sits there quietly, I guess it's ok to continue talking. I assume You're not the one I've been praying to my entire life? No, They say, this was the first prayer I felt coming from you. A very unusual one at that, and with such strong devotion coming out of nowhere, so I took a bit of a closer look. And was very surprised to see it coming from someone who had recently completed her cycle of life. I just had to come down and take a look at such a curiosity, wouldn't you agree?

I'm grateful for Your attention, I confess. It's the first time I've ever gotten a true response to my prayers. I feel tears forming in my eyes. Guess this means more to me then I realized, I think. All those years, having one sided conversations with the moon. How much I longed to receive an answer. I do my best to stop myself from crying, but fail miserably. Sobbing, I say, thank You. Truly knowing that you are listening, and even taking the time to respond to me and answering my questions means a lot to me. I'm very grateful.

Really? She asks. Your first time meeting a divinity, you show respect but no reverence nor fear. But this reduces you to tears so strongly you can barely stand or speak? Having someone talk to you? I nod quietly, I have some ... issues with being lonely and people not liking me. For You to take the effort to come down here and talk to me. I can honestly say it means the world to me.

She frowns, you do realize this is taking like no effort at all for me right? I can be in a million places at the same time as easily as you take a breath. I nod, I was already expecting something like that. Still, I'm one of those million places You choose to put your attention, and that makes me happy.

Her frown softens, and she looks at me warmly. I would never ignore such a devout believer. A small blue spec of light flies from her hand and lands on my chest. Where it solidifies into a small blue orb hanging on a simple but sturdy looking necklace. This is something we call a spellcasting focus. it's a common thing really, you can get them even in small towns in the middle of nowhere. If you channel your energy through it while casting a spell, you will be able to use less material components. I do my best to look grateful, but apparently she quickly catches on that that doesn't really mean anything to me. She adds, if you hold it while praying, I will be sure to hear your prayers wherever you are, and respond to them one way or another most of the time. At this, my eyes grow large, and I clutch the focus in my hands like someone has just given me the most precious thing in the world. Thank you, I mumble, as I burst out in tears once again.

She looks at me gently, and as suddenly as it appeared, her presence is gone once again.