The Starry Night Over The Rhone
"No."
"That's not it either."
"Oh blast it! Can't I do anything right?"
"As if I want to suffer yet another break down of some sorts."
The Impressionist painter known as Vincent Van Gogh brushed furiously at his oil canvas, mixing colors desperately until he got an image that pleased him.
His latest attempts at painting had resulted in what he considered to be utter failure, with each creation turning out in a way that displeased him. Back in February, he arrived in Arles, France where he had hoped to recover from his illness and perhaps start an art colony of some sorts. After all, Arles was a beautiful place where inspiration could strike even the most feeble artists.
Van Gogh had always wanted to paint the night sky, so he reasoned that the beautiful scenery of the South of France would provide the perfect canvas. He had left the Yellow House sometime earlier and walked to the scene he believed to be the most beautiful at the time; the bank of the Rhone river.
But alas, he wasn't faring very well. He swore that his troubles were getting to him.
Van Gogh continued to play around with his art until he could paint something could sooth him, and probably something that Theo could use in that upcoming exhibition he was planning. He would never disappoint Theo, so he wasn't in the mood for a screw up.
"Why can't I get it right?" moaned Van Gogh to himself.
Maybe he needed to switch scenes or paint the Rhone River at morning. What if he needed to-
"My that looks lovely!" cheered a feminine voice.
"Ah!"
Van Gogh was taken by surprise and quickly spun around. He lifted his paint brush like a sword, ready to stab his assailant.
"Relax, I'm not going to bite." giggled the woman.
Van Gogh composed himself and took a deep breath. He took a look at the mystery person who managed to sneak up on him. Here, he saw a woman that was literally like no other.
She was taller than he was, at around 6ft which was pretty tall for his day and age. She had a slim body with pale skin that fit the description of beauty. She had eyes that sparkled like the stars in the night sky and blue lipsticked lips fixed in a warm smile.
The women wore a blue dress that would have most likely been dubbed as 'scandalous' in late 1880's France. She appeared to be younger than Van Gogh as well, with around a 10 year age difference.
The most notable feature about her however, was her hair. Her hair was literally glowing like the night sky and sparkled in the moonlight. Come to think of it, everything about her reminded of him of the night. She also had a crown, was she royalty?
Van Gogh collected his thoughts as he stared at the woman who may as well have come from another planet.
"Sorry." apologized Van Gogh. "I didn't see you there. You took me by surprise."
The woman laughed. "I apologize myself. I should have known better."
The blue haired woman flexed her head down and took a look at the prototype painting.
"I have to say, your work looks remarkable, even in its unfinished state." commended the mystery women.
The painter nodded. "Why thank you, but I'd say otherwise though."
Van Gogh saw the woman frown, evidently disappointed by his lack of mutual astonishment. However, art reviews were the least of his worries now.
He decided to be straightforward with the night themed woman. "You know, that has to be the strangest hairstyle I have ever seen. In my life."
The woman blushed and smiled. She proceeded to toss a strand of her night sky hair behind her back. The tone she spoke with had a slightly embarrassed and Gothic tint to it.
"Would you believe me if I told you this was the hair that I was born with it?"
"On a normal occasion, not at all." admitted Van Gogh. He flexed his eyes to meet hers. "Although an artist should never be too narrow-minded or stubborn."
The woman gave the sweetest laugh ever. Somehow, Van Gogh felt like he could immediately trust her. He decided to go on with his questioning.
"Forgive me for being a little sudden, but what is your name madam?"
"Luna." she replied. "You may call me Luna."
"Your name is 'moon'?" frowned Van Gogh.
"Well, that is one way of looking at it." replied Luna with a warm smile.
"I have to say, everything about you reminds me of the night, and how ironic is it that I meet you at the aforementioned time?" panned Van Gogh.
"If you were to know who I really was, it would all make sense." teased Luna.
"You are mysterious." said Van Gogh. "But I like it. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Vincent Van Gogh and until fate directs me otherwise, I am your esteemed impressionist painter."
"I can see that." stated Luna as she continued to admire the canvas. "Painting the night sky of Alres I see?"
"Most definitely." nodded Van Gogh. "It has always been my dream to paint the night sky, the colors of which enamor me. Doing so however has been quite the challenge given the lack of daylight I am normally accustomed to when painting."
"Allow me to be the first to say that I commend you on your decision. Not too many people enjoy the beauty of the night as I do." complimented Luna.
"Thank you Ms. Luna." responded Van Gogh. "It is true however that some people really don't appreciate this time of the day for its intrinsic value as I do."
"Here in France however, I have been astounded by the night life." awed Luna. "The music, the astronomers, the artists such as yourself, and all other feats preformed at this time keep help keep the place alive at a period normally considered for rest and confinement."
"Well, you can't argue with the human need to rest my dear." chuckled Van Gogh. "Speaking of which, I get the feeling that the night is left vacant where you're from."
Luna tensed before speaking. "You are right actually. In my homeland, it is literally work all day and sleep at dark. No one will bother to stay awake to enjoy the beauty of the night like I did."
"And where would this homeland be Ms. Luna?" questioned Van Gogh.
Luna didn't look like she wanted to talk. In fact, Van Gogh could have sworn a tear was going to form in her eye. What had this woman been through? Surely it could not have been worse than his mental episodes.
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to Ms. Luna." noted Van Gogh.
Luna swallowed hard. "Don't worry about me, but please, just call me Luna."
Van Gogh nodded, but was disappointed due to not where Luna was from, especially considering that he wanted to decipher the mystery as to why she wore a crown.
"Anyway Luna, if your people truly do follow the notion of work all day and sleep all night, than I feel sorry for them." empathized Van Gogh.
Luna blushed and closed her eyes as Van Gogh spoke.
"The night holds just as many wonders as broad day light. To the astronomer, it is the time to document the stars. To the artist, it the other half of the day to find a muse for their work. And to others, it can mean anything."
Luna opened her eyes again. She looked uncertain for a moment before speaking in a reassuring voice.
"There is wisdom in your words. If I may be of service to you, could you at least elaborate as to what it exactly is about this painting that fails to satisfy you."
Van Gogh sighed and glanced at his canvas. "I don't know how I can express it to someone that isn't me, but I just don't feel inspired at all to create the painting of the night sky I had dreamed to create. Perhaps I should change location."
"Nonsense." giggled Luna. "The Rhone is a beautiful location at night, it just needs a little spark."
Luna walked passed Van Gogh and his canvas and looked at the night sky. Van Gogh was about to ask what Luna intended to do before she took a deep breath and lifted her left hand. Luna's fingers proceeded to glow, but Van Gogh's questioning was once again interrupted when the night sky suddenly began to change in coordination with motion of Luna's appendages.
Needless to say, the sight before Van Gogh was stunning.
At Luna's command, the night sky had brightened and glowed an amazing blue color. The stars had brightened and glowed like lamps in a room and Van Gogh could have sworn that he saw the distant gases and planets of outer space in his view.
His mouth drooped in amazement. Van Gogh looked from side to side to see if other people had noticed the beauty as well. Sadly, most Frenchmen were still going about in their nightly business as if nothing had happened. Fools, to ignore such extravagance.
Van Gogh turned around and looked at the smiling Luna. He easily put two and two together.
"My word, how did you do that? How did you make the scene appear so vibrant?" cried the artist.
Luna laughed. "Let's just say it requires the knowledge of some fields of life that your nation has yet to understand."
"Still, that power you unleashed is almost godlike!" added Van Gogh.
"Don't you have something to paint right now?" reminded Luna with a smirk.
"Oh yes. Quite right."
As if by magic, Van Gogh suddenly knew what to create. The brightened sky was just begging to be painted on his canvas, so Van Gogh completed its wish.
Paying close attention to the colors, Van Gogh made sure to dot everything down. From the river, to the stars in the sky, to the gasses that illuminated the scene and the reflections in the water,
After sometime of precise and accurate painting Van Gogh had finally looked at his masterpiece and smiled.
He had finally done it right. He couldn't wait to write to Theo about this, especially about the woman who helped him through.
Speaking of which, Van Gogh didn't bother to even glance at Luna while painting. How rude of him to treat a damsel like that.
"So what do you think Luna?" asked Van Gogh.
There was no response.
The artist turned around and saw no one standing behind him, at least no one that was Luna. Had she run off while he was painting? Would be likely, he did just ignore her after all for quite a while. Besides, it would have been unwise for her to merely watch him paint while there was a beautiful night to be had.
Just when he was about to turn back to his canvas-
"Why Van Gogh! This artwork of yours is utterly brilliant!"
"AH!" yelped Van Gogh. The artist nearly tripped, but he managed to balance himself.
Right in front of him stood Luna, deeply admiring his painting with a wide grin. Although how she just appeared out of nowhere bewildered Van Gogh. He really needed to know how she was doing all these strange feats.
"Forgive me Luna," said the artist. "But for a moment I thought that-"
"I did that thing where the mysterious lady vanishes after doing something extraordinary?" interrupted Luna with a smirk. "Come now Van Gogh, why would I do that?"
Van Gogh shook his head and gave a chuckle. "So, about my artwork...."
"It's magnificent! I can't stress that enough!" insisted Luna. "The colors, the technique, it's beautiful."
"All thanks to you." nodded Van Gogh. "Thanks to those weird powers of yours, you created a night that utterly brought out the cream of my artistic talent. Without you, I doubt I would have had the inspiration necessary to create such a glorious masterpiece."
"I'm happy to be of your service." blushed Luna.
"I must say, Theo is going to be quite impressed with what I have to show him." grinned Van Gogh.
"Theo?"
"Theo Van Gogh, my brother. He's an art dealer who's financial and emotional support has helped me through my career as an impressionist artist." explained Van Gogh. "Thanks to you, he has a new masterpiece to exhibit."
"No credit is necessary Van Gogh." insisted Luna.
Van Gogh shook his hand. "Oh pish posh. I'll see to it that your contributions are explicitly mentioned in the next letter I write to my brother."
Luna formed a sheepish grin. "Actually I'd rather you not. In fact, I humbly request that you keep what I just did a secret."
Van Gogh raised an eyebrow and nodded. If word got out about Luna's powers, she would likely be arrested and executed for witchcraft anyway.
"Still, I need a way to thank you." remarked Van Gogh. "How about I treat you to a nice dinner completely on me?"
Luna looked down. "I'm flattered but,"
"Please! It would only be a burden on my conscience if I did not return the favor." claimed Van Gogh as he picked up his canvas.
"My aren't you quite something?" laughed Luna. She proceeded to nod. "Alright, I'll join you for supper."
"Excellent!" smiled Van Gogh. "Follow me, I think I know a good place where we can dine together."
Van Gogh made his way and led Luna into town.
-
Arles was busy tonight. The people were going about on their nightly business; seeing friends, family and accomplices all the like while some were just enjoying the night to themselves. Van Gogh mused how none of them noticed the sudden beautification of the night sky at the hands of Luna, who herself was enjoying the busy and lively street.
Eventually, the two reached their destination, a small cafe in the northeaster corner of Place Du Forum.
"What do you think Luna? Shall we dine here?" asked Van Gogh.
"Most definitely." answered Luna. "I can't help but feel that the food is going to scrumptious already."
Van Gogh continued on to the cafe, but suddenly froze in place. "Want to know something interesting?"
"Why not?" replied Luna.
"I've actually been to this cafe before. More than I'd like to admit." told Van Gogh.
Luna raised an eyebrow. "Really now?"
The artist nodded. "This cafe served as the source for two of my paintings earlier this month. See where we're standing right now? This very spot where can see the brightly lit cafe terrace?"
"Yes." nodded Luna.
"Painted the scene." continued Van Gogh. "I could show it to you when I have the time. As of now, I think it's one of my best."
"Oh? So I have yet to see the best of Mr. Van Gogh?" teased Luna. "Seeing as to what you can do on a regular basis, it must really be something."
"I also painted the inside of the cafe." laughed Van Gogh. "Stayed up all night for 3 days to get it done with while sleeping in the morning."
Luna giggled. "Sleep all day and work all night? I can relate to that."
"I'm sure of that." smirked Van Gogh. "I hope that painting of the cafe's interior becomes my most famous."
"If it does, then mark my words; they'll name this place after you to become Cafe Van Gogh." joked Luna.
The two continued on to their destination. They finally sat down in one of the open air tables on the front of the cafe and immediately proceeded to look over their menus to decide what to eat.
A waiter came by and took their orders while puzzling Van Gogh as to why he never questioned the notion of Luna having sparkling blue hair.
Once they were left alone, Van Gogh decided to make conversation.
"You know," began the artist. "This night just seems too good to be true. I really hope I'm not having one of my episodes."
Luna raised an eyebrow in concern. "Your episodes?"
Van Gogh didn't know why, but he felt that he could confide in Luna. "Lately I've been going under some mental struggles. I get these random mind attacks which coupled with some mild alcoholism, doesn't put me in ideal state of beings."
"Oh my." gasped Luna. She did not like where this was going.
"In fact, I've been admitted to the hospital quite a few times by now." shook Van Gogh. "Trust me, I might look fine now, but it's only a matter of time before I cut off my own ear." He shivered at the thought.
Luna looked at him with an expression of sadness and concern. "Van Gogh, how do you feel about these certain happenings?"
"I don't know, but I might as well accept it. I've reckoned that if the hospital can't help me now, no one can." sighed the artist.
Luna placed her hand on Van Gogh's, startling the artist.
"Van Gogh. You must listen." warned Luna. Van Gogh simply nodded in return.
"Do not. I repeat, do not let these problems get the better of you." instructed Luna. "Otherwise, the consequences will be severe."
"No offense Luna, but I think this is simply fate telling me my time is at an end. I'll give myself a year or two before I completely go mad and stab myself in the throat." shook Van Gogh.
"That will not happen!" swore Luna. "I will not let such problems get the better of a pon-I mean person again!"
"What do you mean?" questioned Van Gogh. "How would you know about anything like my current situation?"
Luna tried not to show any tears.
"What is it? Please tell me." consulted Van Gogh.
Luna regained her strength. "Let me just say that the reason I am not on my homeland right now is because of my inability to control my emotions and mentality!"
"So, you're banished from your own home?" whispered Van Gogh. He looked around him before Luna could answer, noticing that the others in town failed to pay even a glance to the distraught Luna, who began to explain things.
"Because I let my problems get the better of me without seeking any consul, I literally turned into a monster and was exiled for a thousand years. I still can't return home even if I wanted to."
"A thousand years? My, that's too long." awed Van Gogh.
"Well, I've already gotten a few decades out of the way and-" Luna suddenly froze mid sentence, realizing what she had just said.
"Decades?" repeated Van Gogh. Clearly Luna was older than she looked, although he wasn't surprised in all due honesty.
Luna wiped a tear and gave a light laugh. "Yes, but I reckon I'll handle the upcoming centuries just fine."
"You are quite the dame Ms. Luna." said Van Gogh with a warm laugh. "I doubt there are any others like you in the universe."
"You'd be surprised Mr. Van Gogh." hinted Luna. "But in all due seriousness, I swore that I would never let such emotional troubles get the better of anyone I could help. While it may be too late for me, it is not too late for you Mr. Van Gogh."
"And how do you plan to help?" inquired the artist. "Your powers are going to be involved aren't they?"
"Perhaps. I'm not making any promises." smiled Luna. She finally regained her bright personality.
"I guess I'm in for an interesting therapy session." realized Van Gogh.
The next thing they knew, the waiter arrived with their orders. He placed the food on the table and left the two to enjoy their meal.
Luna inspected her food (a pastry dish) for a moment before taking a bite. As soon as the food entered her mouth, her eyes closed and she was lost in a sea of delight. What she tasted was beyond simple words that caused her taste buds to dance with excitement.
"Mmm." moaned Luna as she chewed her food. Van Gogh was certainly surprised at her reaction.
Luna swallowed her meal and opened her eyes. "My, that was scrumptious."
"This cafe never ceases to satisfy its customers." smirked Van Gogh.
"Oh believe me, I was beyond satisfied. The food here in Arles is far superior to what my servants and chefs served me back home." stated Luna.
"Servants?" frowned Van Gogh. Suddenly, the crown on her head started to make more sense.
"You know Luna, I don't think we've been properly introduced to each other yet." noted Van Gogh.
"Quite right." agreed Luna as she wiped her mouth with a cloth. "I would love to hear about your adventures and happenings as an artist."
"My adventures?" laughed Van Gogh. "Admittedly, I've been through some interesting times, but you're clearly a woman not from this plane of reality. I think your life is the one worth discussing first!"
Luna formed an embarrassed grin. "Um, I don't think you'd believe me if I told you the truth."
"Oh please. I'm ready to believe anything at this point!"
Van Gogh began to laugh, and so did Luna.
Author's Note
Like I said, not historically accurate, just something sweet. Also, just consider this an alternate universe where Luna makes things better for Van Gogh and his life didn't end in tragedy. IDK :p
Please be specific in your critiques. (Sorry to all the art/history majors I offended in advance)
