Pan is drawn to the gardens by the scent of sweet flowers in the moonlight.  A swath of silver bathed the night with light, and he danced along the gilded path, deep into the forest and deeper still to this place where the sacred garden lie.  Caligo’s followers had done an admirable job of decorating the area, and Pan stops to marvel at each of the twinkling luminarias which light his path.  It is a place built for romance, not that the boy has any whimsy or time for such things, but he can still enjoy the quiet beauty of it.  For once, he is at a loss for words, not humming or yelling, but simply appreciating the splendor.

Overhead, a pair of morning doves coo and fly in the darkness, a strange thing for night, but they too cannot seem to escape the draw of the festival.  He walks along the arched paths, stopping here and there to smell a flower, and as he looks around to see if anyone is paying attention, the gatherer quietly collects a sprig of Alpine Forget-me-Nots, tucking them safely into his bag in case he needed them in the future for healing.

Moving past the floral fields, he finds his way to the center of the garden, stopping next to Caligo’s statue and staring at it carefully.  The rock seems old, with many stories to tell – but he does not know the goddess or her lore.  Instead, he finds only a beautiful piece of artwork, and gathering a shiny gold pebble from his satchel, he lays it at the base.  After all, even as an unknowing visitor to this land, there is something regal about the face which stares down at him… and Pan knew such things were rarely a coincidence.  Never one to toy with lore, he waits, to see if someone can explain the statue further.

The boy is curious as Katniss approaches, turning to watch her with a soft sort of smile.  His grin widens as he takes in the flowers in her mane, thinking of those which he’d tucked safely into his bag for safekeeping, as he sidesteps over to let her stand beside him.  Together, they look upon Denocte’s statue and goddess.  His pebble shines in the moonlight, a well-intentioned offering from a child who has little more to give… but the stranger’s words ring in his mind.  Not worthy?  Certainly there was a story to be told here…

Why? the boy asks Has she done something wrong? For surely enough, Pan saw the world as black and white.  If the goddess wasn’t worthy of her subject’s loyalty, she must have abandoned or wronged them.  Still, he leaves the pebble at the statue’s base, just to be safe.  What is her name? he follows up, with an innocent question.  I’m Pan, by the way.

Beneath the moonlight, the scaled child’s eyes are bright and eager with curiosity.  A part of him longs to be back with the party, dancing in the throngs of others to the beat of a gypsy song… but there is a part of him who longs more, to understand.  Pan was always one to be drawn toward knowledge and learning, and of course… to stories.  And so, in the moonlight, he waits with anticipating breath for Katniss to spin him a tale of betrayed loyalty, and the goddess of night.

The child smiles, unknowing of the world and the way that it worked.  He was an eternal optimist, always looking for the next rainbow on the horizon – always wanting to see the world as it should be instead of as it was.  When she speaks of Caligo, Pan nods understandingly.  He can see where it could be frustrating not to see the gods, not to know what they thought.  But it was the gods that granted the lands to them… and they entrusted their kingdoms to the care of mortals.  This alone, Pan supposed, made them worthy of worship.  He wouldn’t mind fighting for something he believe in… and home was a pretty good reason to fight.

I knew a god once… he gasped, for this is the first moment that Pan remembers anything of his old life.  His name was No… and he was a grumpy old codfish.  The lesser god of Water.  Excitement causes the boy to speak faster, his words jumbled together as he remembers the way the kelpie would hover just beneath the surface of the water, his eyes watching Pan with a mild sense of annoyance.  But No had liked the boy – to be honest, it was hard not to.  He’d never admit it though.

He sent me on a quest to find his bird… and he gave me some healing tokens after.  Grinning, the boy felt pride in remembering this small tidbit.  Perhaps it was the first of many memories to break through – he could at least hope.

As they stand beneath the darkness, Pan gives one more glance to the goddess before gathering up his satchel, making a vow to learn more about Caligo… but now, he was more interested in the mortal who told him of her escapades.  Katniss.  She had said her name was Katniss.  Stepping closer to her, he takes note of her scars, concern rising in his expressive green eyes.  Someone hurt you? he asks innocently, stepping forward to press his teacup muzzle against one of her larger silver scars, oblivious to the fact that his observation and touch may be unwanted.  What is this from?

Pan found a certain romance to the idea of being a warrior.  In another life, he’d dreamed of being a fearless knight like the ones in his books.  He dreamed of adventures, damsels in distress, and gallant quests.  But war was seldom as romantic as the books made it out to be.  It was a bloody and dangerous sport, one which Pan could little more stomach than truly excel at.  He is a creature destined to seek peace before war.  In truth, Pan couldn’t really understand what made others want to spar and fight each other.  After all, if everyone just got along, there would be no need for such things.  So the boy made it his mission in life to be kindly to all who he met (even if he did talk a big talk about pirates and knights).

The tokens could heal any wound… and we used them, in the war… there, he’d remembered something else.  Shuddering as the scent of blood on snow came to mind, he remembered one particular moment, where he’d thrust the shiny pebble turned token against the dead boy… but not even No’s powers were strong enough to cheat death.  No, the boy had simply remained cold and gone against the battlefield.  A stark reminder that Pan wished he could forget again.

Shaking away the feeling of overwhelming grief at the memory, he turned his attentions back to Katniss.  I would have used them to help you… but I don’t have them now.  I’m still a healer, but now I heal with plants.  I can help, if you ever need it… just call for Pan, and I’ll be there.  Like a salesman peddling his wares, he offers the assistance shamelessly and openly to whoever needed it.  After all, healing wasn’t something he could offer to some and not all.  Pan couldn’t bear the thought of anyone hurting, let alone his new friend Katniss.  Do you think you’ll fight some more?

Pan smiled as the warrior mare validated his desire to help.  Perhaps she was just indulging the boy, but it made him feel important, and he puffed his chest out and stood a little straighter at the thought.  This is why he had made a decision to be a healer… for despite all his talk of knights and chivalry, Pan couldn’t bring himself to harm another creature.  

A long time ago, he’d come up against a dragon intent on destroying his home… and though there was a dark magic in the fire-breathing beast, and madness had addled its’ brain, Pan had still had a hard time attacking it.  He’d done it, of course… but only because it meant protecting those he loved.  But damn if he didn’t still have nightmares of the day he’d harmed another.  It was quite clear in that moment, that Pan had been cut from a different sort of cloth.  His talents lie in helping… that, and storytelling.

They say that love is worth fighting for, no matter the cost… no matter the risk.  It was an insightful thing for the boy to come up with, particularly when so many things he’d spoken were child-like.  But there is an honesty and an innocence to his words, and Pan’s eyes were wide with understanding far beyond his years.  I understand… home is a thing worth fighting for.  He smiled then, finding a kindred moment with Katniss as he dug into his satchel and drew out something for her too.  Here, I want you to have this, to remember me by.

It was a spotted rock, round and mousey brown, worn smooth by the tides.  On one side is a strange etching, the appearance of a single wave carved deep into the rock.  One of No’s tokens… he explained.  It doesn’t work, I don’t think… but it helps me to remember.  Perhaps it will remind you to call for me, if you need my help.  Turning toward the North, the boy looked back at his new friend, memorizing her face and hoping that he wouldn’t forget her as he had so many others.  Perhaps she would find her way into his dreams as well… or maybe the tides were turning for Pan and his memory losses.  Time would tell. 

It’s nice to meet you, Katniss.  I live in the North… just follow the river.  And, go easy on Caligo.  He glances back at the statue, and his token gleaming gold in the moonlight.  Maybe she’ll surprise you…  And with that, the boy leaves the Night Court and the gallery behind, eager to learn more about the lore of this place as he explored what secrets it held.