Jokull Darke
Legacy Name: Maveri

The Night Sky
of the North

"My name means 'Dark Glacier Ice'.
My favorite things in all the world are the Northern
Lights and the night sky. Combine them
and the beauty is mermerizing."
~Jokull Darke~

“A great photograph is one that fully expresses
what one feels, in the deepest sense,
about what is being photographed.”
~Ansel Adams~

Eternity captured in the blink of a glass eye.

It was the thought running through his head, the first time he managed to capture a stunning photo of the Northern Lights.

This was in the early days of his career, before he became an award-winning photographer featured often on the cover of National Subeta. His camera was old and rather worn-looking, though always well cared for despite its secondhand apperance. Icelyn was his ever-supportive girlfriend, not yet declared his wife, her masterful writing skills complimentary to his artist's eye. They lived in an apartment in downtown Centropolis, daydreaming every evening of the home they would one day build on the shore of Subeta's most beautiful lake, one they would fill with artwork and cozy furniture.

His first prize-winning photograph. The one he always returns to, anytime he finds his motivation lacking. The centerpiece in the office of that very log home that once only existed in dreams.

*****
He's looking at that photograph right now as the gears in his artistic brain turn.

There's a big show coming up where Subeta's most popular artists will exhibit their paintings, sculptures and photographs. His partner Dragorian easily got him a slot. A brilliant assistant with a mind for business matters, he could make the splotches of a two-month-old feli look like a mind-blowing work of brilliance. He has the magical ability to turn a few subeta points into millions and he is exceedingly patient with him on those days when he decides to scrap everything and start over.

His latest series is a number of photographs of natural wildlife taken at various times throughout the winter. He's had a fascination with Arctic Frost for as long as he can remember and while his artist's eye can appreciate a vase of colorful flowers or a pattern of falling leaves, it is always to the more subdued shades of winter to which his interest returns.

Frostie bounds across the room, nose twitching and large ears flopping about. She may look like a disaster waiting to happen but Jokull's minion is perfectly trained to respect the rules of the darkroom and to never leave muddy pawprints on any work surface. She was a gift from Icelyn to celebrate their first wedding anniversary. She brings them great joy every day with her antics.

Icelyn herself isn't far behind. Her paw pads are stained with ink and her favorite quill pen is tucked behind a perfectly curved ear. She kisses the top of her husband's head by way of greeting, settling back into her favorite turquoise chair.

"Still trying to work out that last slot?"

He flashes her a smile. "I feel like I'm on the brink of greatness. I just can't decide...do I camp out and try to get another shot of the Northern Lights during the Lunar Festival or do I give it another go in those frosted branches of the Glacial Forest?"

"Why not have the best of both worlds? We haven't been camping in ages."

He rises from his chair, giving her a kiss full of gratitude. "My dear, you are my muse come to life."

*****
They enjoy every minute of the hike, both of them well accustomed to snow and eager to embrace the nippy wind that steals their breath. Their tent is practically a palace. Icelyn settles into a nest of blankets, pen and notebook in hand. One more kiss for luck and Jokull is ready to brave the winter wind armed only with his thick parka and trusty camera.

He takes a few practice shots of branches iced like slices of cake and the distant bobbing lights of the Lunar Festival. These will not be in the exhibit. They probably won't even be saved to his permanent files. They are a test of conditions and settings, a way to ensure his equipment is ready when that perfect shot presents itself.

It comes quite unexpectedly, as great photographic setups always do. A family of wild popokos moving in synchronized harmony down the length of a branch backlit by the Northern Lights that have just exploded into being.

Not only a photograph worthy of a gallery wall... this will go on to be a photograph for the ages.

Jokull turns and heads back to the campsite after carefully packing away his equipment. He knows in the depths of his soul that he will not improve on this shot.

Tonight, at least. Tomorrow is a promise never to be squandered.