Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Being ripped to pieces, into strings of light that amassed into a singular form. Being flooded with some strange, ancient power and being pulled into a world so unlike the one she had been born to, left marks on Arlette. 

No scars left on her warm skin, no missing pieces left any physical evidence of what had happened. The first few weeks she barely noticed when she stretched her hands, her whole arms tingled. Weight lay on her shoulders that mining and tree chopping strengthened every day she spent in Palia. 

The Majiri were welcoming, for the most part, and left Arlette on an abandoned plot of land just outside of town. The only price was earning her keep, which she did and then some. Questing, ruin exploring, farming and fishing filled the days that passed by quicker and quicker. 

Still, with a life so full, something felt so empty. 

Arlette lay in the grass on the plot, watching clouds wander along the sky. The world’s second moon visible in the sky, and for a moment she could imagine being home. 

They could hear the laughter of children off in the distance, and getting closer and further again as small feet ran around the field. The sun warmed her face and all she could see was the inside of her eyelids made orange by the light. 

Another laugh too real to be imagined came running up, and a shadow blotted out the sun. 

“Arlette! Arlette!” Auni cheered as blue eyes looked back at him. “Nai’o said he’s gonna take me to Bahari bay, do you wanna come!?” 

“Auni come on!” Arlette could hear Nai’o shout from a distance. “You can’t just run into people’s homes.” 

Arlette sat up and smiled. “I actually do have some errands to run in Bahari. I’ll walk with you, why not?” 

“Woohoo!” Auni circled around her and ran back to his older brother, who had just reached the gate of the property line. 

“Sorry, Arlette,” Nai’o rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m taking him to catch bugs by the beach, and as we passed the way here he just ran up.” 

Arlette picked themself up and waddled over to one of her many chests, grabbing a few items she needed to bring out to Bahari bay. Something for Tamala, courtesy of Reth being too busy at Ashura’s for another timely, yet discrete, delivery. 

Then something for Hodari’s girl, and something for Hassian from his mom. That should have gotten to him yesterday, but knowing Hassian… He wouldn’t notice the difference anyways. 

“Don’t worry about it, farmer boy,” Arlette chucked a few apples at Nai’o and tried not to laugh as he fumbled to catch them. “I got some deliveries to make, but I’ll come on the walk with yall.”

Nai’o passed an apple to Auni to snack on and smiled. “Let's not keep the critters waiting then?” 

Arlette stuffed her pack and enjoyed the walk, delighting in Auni and Nai’o’s company. As strange as it was, there was something so peaceful in the bickering of siblings. They argued about how long to stay, how far they’d walk down the beach. Ultimately, they settled on being home before dinner. 

Even stranger, Auni felt like her first friend in Kamilia, and Palia as a whole. He was certainly friendly, and helpful. A smiling bright beacon when she could barely find her way around town. Even months later, she was still checking her map to see if she was heading the right way. 

Auni had been the one to snitch on Hassian, talking about her being a freeloader and not contributing enough to town when she was still new. She understand Hassian’s apprehension, but she had barely settled in and to treat her so cruelly felt unfair. 

It still was, despite how far they had come. Or at least how far she assumed they had come. 

Lately, he had been….. Well, exactly like himself but weirdly too much like himself. A few days prior, he brought a dead Sernuk to her doorstep, and helped her skin the hide and cure the meat. Normally, he would kinda entertain her idle chatter and jokes he didn’t understand, but that day he just remained silent. Then left the moment the sun started going down. 

Walking past his grove is when she parted ways with Nai’o and Auni. “I’ll catch up with you later, if you’re still catching bugs when I’m done.” 

“Okay!” Auni rushed ahead, leaving his brother in the dust. 

“Thanks for walking with us-”

“NAI’O!!” Auni shouted when he realized Nai’o wasn’t right behind him.

“Don’t be rude, Auni! I’ll tell mom,” Nai’o gave Arlette a sheepish smile and wave before he jogged after Auni and they disappeared down the path. 

Arlette knew Hassian wouldn’t be in his grove, which meant he was out hunting. Following his tracks was hard, since he had years over her months as a hunter, but she still made the attempt. Following Chapaa’s that ran, or were eerily still. 

Until, the frustration bubbled out of her in a shout. With her hands balled into fist and her eyes squeezed tight. She let out a bellowing, “HASSIAN!” from the bottom of lungs and held it until she ran out of air. 

Several Chapaa scattered, and rushed around until they found dirt soft enough to burrow into. Another, different, but equally as frustrated shout came from higher on a cliff. 

“Arlette!” Hassian’s head came into view. “Why the hells are you shouting for me!” 

“Get down here!” She demanded. 

He obeyed, not because he meant to; but because he had every intention of telling her of. And to do that, he had to jump down and land in a roll. He barely got back to his feet before, “You scared off my prey, what is wrong with you?” 

“I have a delivery, and I wasn’t going to waste my day searching for you when I know you’re too good.” 

Hassian furrowed his brows and his upper lip curled up in annoyance. “What could be so important you couldn’t have just left it in my grove, or given it to my mom?” 

“It’s from your mom,” Arlette huffed as she fished the package out of their pack. “She would bring stuff to you herself if you weren’t so keen on blowing her off.” 

Hassian all but snatched the package away from her. “That’s none of your business,” Hassian uttered and opened the box. His face fell when saw what was inside. 

“What is it?” 

“Nothing.” He closed the box again, held it close and refused to meet her eye again. 

“Hassian?” 

Hassian closed his eyes, “It’s a new quiver, that’s all.” 

She couldn’t imagine Hassian fighting with himself over a new quiver, or refusing to let her see it. “Is it underwear?” 

“What?” He finally lifted his head, “No? Why would it be underwear?” 

Arlette shrugged, “if you’re not showing me. You must be embarrassed. So underwear? Or baby pictures!” Her eyes went wide. “If they’re baby pictures, you have to show me.” 

“It’s not-” He sighed. “I’ll show you later. Okay, it’s not pictures.” 

“A new collar for Tau?” 

“Sure. If that makes you stop guessing?” Hassian stepped away, rounding Arlette towards town, instead of towards his grove. 

“Oh come on, what’s the worst that can happen?” 

“Nothing…” he uttered, “Don’t you have better things to do than harass me?” 

“Illegal magic smuggling for the wicked witch of waste.” 

That gave him pause, he looked over his shoulder and blinked slowly.
“You spend too much time around Reth.” 

Arlette gave an impish smile in return, “or Reth spends too much time around me? I wonder who the real bad influence is?” 

“Him.” 

Arlette laughed. “But seriously, I do have other deliveries. So go yell at your mom, or whatever it is you do.” 

“I’m not- I’m.” Hassian huffed. “I’m not going to yell at my mother. Just… I’ll see you later, okay?” 

“Alright,” they finally relented, and climbed up the cliff while Hassian walked off to Kamilia. 

Arlette jumped from cliff to cliff and took the mines through to the other side of the ruins to get to Tamala’s house. 

The beautiful witch could be seen from her window, stirring into the large cauldron. Women like Tamala were dangerous to get involved with, Arlette had a few before her time in Palia. 

While the surface level flirt was all in good fun, Arlette wasn’t meant for casual. Their need for soul crushing devotion. The yearning ache that beat in her chest every morning when she woke up to an empty house was more than evidence that love in her home world hadn’t left her yet. 

She knocked on the window, and held the package up until Tamala noticed her. 

Salt and pepper hair bellowed over her shoulders and framed her perfectly angular face as she leaned out the open window. “Yes, little foxling?” 

“Delivery, as always. Witchling,” Arlette passed the brown paper wrapped package, and Tamala wasted no time snatching it up and inspecting its heft. 

“It’s lighter than I imagined,” Tamala uttered. “Well, thank you. And no thanks to that useless little boy toy of yours. He should be running your errands instead.” Slender fingers reached back out and pitched Arlette’s cheek. “He is at least paying you, right? Or do the Adders take care of you too.” 

Arlette’s face fell, eyes narrowed at the hidden away witch. “Reth pays me, but I’m sure that doesn’t matter to you, does it?” 

“Nope.” Tamala’s laugh stung her ears, and suddenly Arlette remembered why she hated her last girlfriend in high school all over again. “Because the Adders pay Reth, Reth pays you. So there really isn’t a difference.” 

“He also gives me soup.” 

Tamala laughed again, the same hand gently hit her shoulder. “His lettuce water? I barely call it edible.” 

“Hey, at least he’s started seasoning his lettuce water.” 

“Be on your merry way, foxling.” Tamala dismissed. “Remember, protect my secrets, I protect yours.” 

Arlette rolled her eyes as Tamala closed the window and retreated deeper into her house. 

After the final delivery, she circled back around to the passway gate to Kamilia village, at the same time as Auni and Nai’o. Covered in sand, and Nai’o soaking wet from the waist down. 

“What happened to you?” Arlette joined them on the walk home. 

“He got chased by a bee!” Auni answered before Nai’o could. 

“So youuuuu…” 

“Jumped into the water. Which was stupid. I know.” 

“Did you get stung?” Arlette hopped the gate and opened it from the other side. 

“No?” The brother’s passed through the gate and let it swing closed behind them. 

“Then it wasn’t that stupid, was it?” 

They walked back into town together, different from the way they came in. They took the lower paths so Auni could run off to this daily game of cards with Hassian and Nai’o could…. Look shifty around the barn, until Auni disappeared inside the inn. 

“Go,” Arlette shooed him off to meet with Kenyatta. 

“Thanks, Arlette. You rock.” Without another word, Nai’o ran off to the barn and Arlette followed Auni to the inn. 

The boy ran out back to Hassian, and Arlette pulled up a stool at Reth’s counter. 

Reth leaned over, as far as the counter would allow him. He rested his chin in his hand while he smiled at her, and used the other to hide his mouth from the others in the room. 

“You. Me. Five minutes in the storeroom?” 

Arlette’s jaw fell slack, eyes gone wide. “Reth, you’re working.”

“Eh?” He put his hand down. “I want to talk about the crime stuff? What were you thinking?” 

They struggled to find the words of what she thought he meant. A mischievous smile crossed his face before he feigned shock. “I am a good Majiri boy! I can’t be found kissing while I’m meant to be working.” 

Arlette sighed and glanced out the back door. “Right, kissing…” Kissing was not what she thought about, alone with Reth. 

“Let’s chat before anyone notices we're gone, Sweet tooth.” Reth circled around the counter and headed down to his store room. She waited a minute or two before following after him, so it wasn’t completely obvious they were having some sort of clandestine rendezvous. 

Arlette closed the door behind her, and watched Reth pull up a chair and sit on it backwards, leaning his arms on the chair’s back. “So. Is it done?”

Chapter Text

“It’s done,” she grabbed her own chair and pulled it up close. “What was it this time? Some flow power charger, or was it drugs?” 

“What? Nonono!” Reth straight up, brows knitted together. “Arlette, I would never ask you to take something dangerous around.” 

Their gaze fell down, staring at a stain on his apron. “I don’t like not knowing.” 

“I know, I know.” Reth dipped his head. “I feel bad asking for so much help.” 

Arlette looked back up the ever present dark circles under his eyes. He just looked so tired, and Arlette knew he never went home. He slept when he could, and if taking a few highly illegal things around Bahari and Kamilia so he could rest? So be it.“I didn’t mean it like that. I want to help you, I just don’t enjoy the shady side of shady business.” 

“I know. I’m sorry, Arlette.” He reached across and took one of their hands. “You don’t have to help anymore, I’ll figure it out myself. It’s my mess-”

“Reth,” their voice came out firm enough to stop him. “I want to help you. I was running around to those places anyways, and apparently it is less illegal for me to do things with flow.” 

He sank lower into his chair, “Thank you. I mean it. I don’t think I can ever return the favor.” 

“I don’t want you to return the favor,” Arlette leaned in. “I’m helping dig you open of the hole, not so I can push you into another one.” 

A smile tugged on the corners of his mouth. Normally, he’d pop a joke or flirt in the face of uncomfortable emotions but it almost shocked Arlette to find real, soft affection in his eyes as he just barely whispered another, “Thank you.” 

Arlette cracked a smile of her own. “Plus, if anything happens to you… Tish might push me in a box and ship me down the river.” 

Reth laughed, “Alright. I should go back up before they really think we're smooching down here.” Yet, he made no attempt to move. Instead, he let his head drop against his crossed arms and let out a deep sigh. 

Arlette rubbed his shoulder. 

No doubt he didn't want to go back to work. 

“When was the last time you went home?” Arlette watched Reth pick his head and stare, unblinking. 

“Have I ever been home?” He ran his hands down his face while he thought. “Whatever sleep I get, it’s in here…” 

The bags under his eyes looked even deeper now, considering there wasn’t a blanket or a pillow around in the storeroom. Maybe he hid them in one of the boxes, or down in his second shop, but she could only assume his ‘rest’ was more accidental than intended. 

“Can I even call the house my home?” 

Arlette looked up at the ceiling, “What makes a house a home?” 

“Family,” rolled off his tongue. He didn’t need to think twice, so it seemed. 

“Yeah…” Arlette leaned on the table and grabbed a dirty cup to give their hands something to do. 

“Oh…” Reth reached over and took her hands. “Sorry, I forgot… Uhm, did you have any fami-” 

“You have to get back to work,” Arlette stood and pushed the chair back into place. “Maybe… You could try not opening the store tonight, sleep in a real bed. No one will blame you for taking one night off.” 

“I don’t know if I can afford to do that, but…” Reth stood and patted his hand on Arlette’s shoulder. “I’ll try… But maybe uhhh….” Pale purple cheeks flushed with deeper color. “It might be really weird to Tish if I just suddenly spend the night in my actual room. Could I crash at yours?” 

“Sure, I have spare beds.” 

“Beds?” Reth’s shy expression contorted into a grimace. “I mean, you don’t have to go through the trouble of setting up an extra bed for me. The couch would be perfectly fine… Or a comfy chair.” 

“Or the tent?” 

“Oooor the tent!” Reth forced a bigger smile as he walked back to the door. “I’ll leave my fate in your kind hands, sweet tooth.” He gave a wink and headed back up to the inn. Arlette went out the other way, finding her way around the underground and back up through Zeki’s shop. 

Once outside, she took in the fresh air. The sun started disappearing behind the line of mountains and trees way off in the distance. A cool breeze settled on the village, carrying the rich, earthy scent down from the Daiya family farm. Badruu’s crops always came out better than hers, no matter what she did. 

Badruu had a lifetime of farming, with a family before him to teach him the way. He also had a wife, and two children to help on his farm. Reth’s description of home seemed to fit the Daiya house perfectly.

And maybe she hated Nai’o for that. Resenting him for having something she lost, for taking Auni and his parents for granted. 

It wouldn’t be fair to place all her hurt on his shoulders, after all… She didn’t remember all she had lost. Only glimpses into a house, with children. Laughing and crying filled the empty space in her head. Cries she so desperately tried to cling on to and place. With no place in time and nothing more than a deep sorrow, knowing she had lost something. 

They took a deep breath and walked home. 

“Arlette!” Hassian called from behind her as they reached the first gate. Arlette turned with a hand on the gate. 

“Hassian…Sifuu?” She absolutely noticed Hassian’s mom standing a few feet back. It was hard to not notice her, when she towered over everyone except for Ashura and rivaled him in stature. 

“Heyyy, don’t mind me!” Sifuu leaned against the fence of her own home. 

“What’s up?” Her brows knitted together, tension clenched her jaw tight. 

“Uhm.” Hassian swallowed hard. “This is for you. Good night.” He shoved a paper wrapped package into her hands and ran off before she could say anything. 

“Hassian!” Arlette hollered, but he continued on his retreat. 

The package sat cold and soft in her hands. She opened it to find a surprisingly tasty looking sandwich inside. Chapaa meat coated in a sweet looking sauce, with cheese and lettuce. Arlette looked up at Sifuu, “Why did he give me a sandwich?” 

“He was worried you haven’t been eating enough, you know my boy.” Sifuu stretched, obviously trying to play it casual. One yank of the thread, and Sifuu might tell her wants really going on with Hassian. 

“Hassian’s been acting funny lately… Like a cat than treats their human like a defenseless Kitten.” 

“Really?” Sifuu burst into thunderous laughter. “Now I get it! Hassian asked me some questions the other day, but I really didn’t know what to say. So, I sent him to Chayne.” 

“Chayne?” Arlette turned down the other road. The spiritual leader for Killima village, and the gentlest soul around. What could Hassian ask him that would have to do with bringing her dead animals and bringing her a sandwich for dinner…. And bringing his mom around? 

“Good night Arlette!” 

While checking out Chayne’s house, Sifuu turned and walked towards her own. Leaving Arlette alone, sandwich in her hand. More confused than before she even asked. 

Instead of retiring for the night, she walked down the Chayne’s house and knocked. Three times, then said his name. Three times, then said his name. Three times and his name. An impulsive need to commit to the bit. One she barely remembered, but knew all the same. 

Maybe it was easier to remember the smaller things. Like high school ex girlfriends and television bits. Maybe the important things were harder to recall because they were heavy. Maybe knowing exactly what she left behind would make living with her and trying to find peace much harder if she knew she had someone to go home to. 

“Miss Arlette?” Chayne stepped up behind her. 

“Oh! Sorry- I didn’t realize you weren’t home yet.” 

He smiled and straightened his back. “Is there something I can help you with, Miss Arlette?” 

“Actually…” Arlette explained how Hassian has been behaving again. 

Chayne looked  thoughtful, weighing his words before he answered. “I believe Hassian like you. He asked me about proper Majiri courtships.” 

Well, she knew Hassian liked her. That much had been obvious once he stopped insulting her to her face. “I don’t understand why he would do that?” 

“It really isn’t my place for speculation, but perhaps he feels he was unkind before? And believes you deserve a proper courtship. I directed him to the library, if you want to read the books I suggested too?” 

Arlette looked down at town. The library could be seen from Chayne’s house, and it really wasn’t that far. “I’ll check them out in the morning, if I haven’t decided to just talk to Hassian myself.” 

Chayne laughed. Even his laughs were beyond polite. Arlette wondered for a moment if the dragons really could make a man so peaceful, or if he was just pretending. The root of his kindness had to be something deeper inside him. Something innate to who is, rather than statues and scripture. 

“Good night, Miss Arlette. Have a good meal.” Chayne unlocked his door and slipped inside. 

“Good night. Sleep well.” 

When they reached their house, she was met with Reth, half asleep on her porch. 

“Hey, Chef boy.” She nudged his ankle with her foot, shocking him back to awareness. 

“Huh! I wasn’t sleeping!! Oh. Hey, babe.” He smiled up at her. The shadows on his face made him look even more tired. 

“Have you eaten yet?” She sat next to him and laid the sandwich in her lap. 

“Meh,” He rested his chin in his hands, elbows on his knees. “I gaze on ingredients when I partice recipes.” 

Arlette tore the sandwich in half, careful not to let the contents spill onto the parment wrap. They handed off half and Reth took the first bite. 

“Hmm!” He hummed. “It’s good! You made this?”

“Hassian did,” Arlette confessed before taking her own first bite. The meat melted in her mouth, the sweet, smoking sauce helped keep the Chapaa meat moist and chewy. It was almost like pork, if she had to compare it to something more familiar. 

“Hassian?” Reth inspected the sandwich, opening the bread to search the contents… For something? “Aren’t you worried he would like… put an arrowhead or something in here?” 

“No?” Arlette giggled. “Why would he do that?”

Reth closed the sandwich and returned to eating. 

“Chayne says Hassian likes me,” Arlette looked up at the sky as stars began to shine above. Her home world could be any one of those stars, twinkling and mocking her from above. Arlette had no way to get to the stars, and no way home. 

Reth raised his brows, mouth full of sandwich. Once he swallowed, he hummed. “Hassian is really hot.” 

A full laugh broke out of Arlette. They doubled forward, hand cradled the sandwich so it wouldn’t meet the floor. “You’re not mad Hassian’s trying to court me?” 

“Courting?” Reth snickered. “What are we, 80? If he’s really that into you that he'll keep making us food, I don’t mind.” 

Arlette shoved him with her elbow. “I’m being serious!” 

“Me too!” Reth leaned back, supporting himself on the porch steps. “I want to see you happy, and if… We both make you happy, what’s the problem?” 

“You won’t be hurt, or be weird about it?” 

“No way! Like I said, Hassian’s hot. If he wants to pass a little sugar my way, I won’t say no to that.” 

“Sooo… You’re also into Hassian?”

“Pfft, I mean. We’re not close or anything like that. But we could be. If he’s cool.” 

“I mean, we’re not exactly secret. So I imagine he knows, and if he’s still…” Arlette finished her sandwich to avoid thinking too hard about it. “I’ll talk to him, once he stops being weird about trying to get with me.” 

“Proper Majiri courtship is so stiff, that’s why no one does it anymore. Gift giving, acts of service, can’t be alone together. Especially at night.”

“OH!” 

“WHAT!?” 

“That’s why he brought his mom when he gave me the sandwich!” 

Reth erupted into laughter, as did Arlette. 

When their laughter died down, they went inside. 

“Oo, I didn’t realize how cold it was outside until we came in.” Reth looked around Arlette’s living room. 

If she wanted to, she could afford to expand her small house. Since it was just her, she kept the house small. 

“Bedrooms this way,” Arlette gestured with her thumb. 

“Oh-” He almost dropped onto the couch before she stopped him. “You really set up another bed?” 

“Ha- no.” She barely stepped into her room before stripped off their shirt layers. “I just got home, that’s too much work.” 

Reth gasped and turned away. 

“Grow up,” Arlette rolled her eyes while digging in her dresser for pajamas. 

“Sorry- You gotta warn a guy first! You just said we’re sharing a bed, when you started stripping.” 

“Were you scared?” She turned back around, arms crossed over her chest. 

He turned too, hands over his eyes. Fingers spread enough to know he was obviously staring. “Scared? No. Shocked, for sure. I’m a good Majiri boy, remember.” 

“You are a good boy.” 

Color bloomed on Reth’s cheeks and his long ears twitched. “Say it again, I liked it.” 

“Earn it.” 

He let his hands fall away from his face, jaw slack. “I’m certainly rusty, but I can absolutely--” He was cut off by her shirt being thrown into his face. 

“Put those in the laundry for me. You’re closer.” Reth pouted in the face of Arlette’s impish smile, but did as he was told. “Good boy.” 

“I don’t have pajamas…Since I don’t sleep.” 

“Uhhhhh,” Arlette pulled a short over her torso and rummaged over her dresser for something he could wear. “You’re not wearing that dirty apron in my bed.” They grabbed more baggier pants and held them up for Reth to see. “These?”

“Will they fit?” 

“Not well, but better than sleeping naked?” 

Reth took the pants and changed, leaving his under shirt on too. They were right about them not fitting well. The pants squeezed at his thighs and waist. He thought about taking them off, but it seemed inappropriate to just sleep in his undies. He was completely distracted by Arlette’s jammie shorts. “You won’t be cold?” 

“Not with you in bed with me, right?” 

Reth lit up again, a sparkle in his eyes. “I’m gonna keep you so warm, babe. You don’t even know.” 

Arlette laughed, and climbed into bed. Reth followed. 

He lay down and scooted in close. His warm arms wrapped around her and pulled her in tight. 

He was out within moments, yet she had the time to think about how he’d be gone before she woke up again. Arlette fought to stay away, eyes taking in every detail of Reth before he was gone again. She fought for just a few moments where Reth wasn’t some chef, or cartel magic smuggler, and she was just Arlette. 

If family makes a home, this is the first that the house ever really felt like home.

Chapter Text

The space in the bed grew cold. Arlette didn’t bother opening her eyes before reaching out to the space Reth should have been in. When their hand actually hit something, she felt the bed shift. Reth hooked his arm in between her legs and pulled them back in. With the space gone, he wrapped around her and held on tight. 

Responsibilities be damned for the time being. While they drifted back into sleep, the world didn't matter. All that remained was the warmth of each other's arms and the smell of morning dew on grass. 

Arlette stirred first, groaning into Reth’s chest, the rumble vibrated in his ribs. Reth rubbed his nose in their hair. “What time is it?” his voice husked. 

“Midnight. Go back to sleep.”

Reth smiled, “I've got work.”

“So eager to leave already?” 

He squeezed her harm, saving the moment before releasing. “Not at all! I'd rather spend the rest of my life here than out there.” 

Arlette grumbled, and rolled onto her back before sitting up. Another, longer groan escaped them as Reth realized how late it really was and jumped up. “Aw crap!” 

He scrambled for his clothes and changed as fast as his body would allow. “Come visit me tonight! I'll make you dinner! Love you!” Then, he left. Hopping to get his shoes on and keep his pants up before he had them buttoned. 

Arlette stared at the open bedroom door where he disappeared. He cluttered around in the living room. By the time she watched him rushing out the front gate, he had gotten all his clothes on properly.

They had half a mind to lay back down and pretend the sun had never risen. Eventually, she did pull herself out of bed, pulling on the easiest clothes she could find and starting on her daily chores. Harvesting her farm. Hoeing the dirt. Replanting. Watering. Sorting her harvest for keeping and selling. 

The hot sun beat down, sweat dripped off her chin as she finally closed the shipping bin. Arlette plopped down in the dirt and whipped her face with their shirt. 

Another moment alone with the memories. Voice just barely audible calling her name. “Arlette,” “Arlette.” Both old and young, masculine and feminine. A football field orchestra of every time someone called her name. “Arlette.” She tried to hold on to some soft, gentle voice. One she knew she loved. They tried desperately to pull the voice closer, out of the crowded echos in her mind. 

Maybe someone loved her once, maybe they still did. Had seconds passed for them? Or maybe years? Were they looking for her, or did everyone she had once cared for forgotten her, as she forgot them. Would it be fair to expect them to care, when they could never reach where she was… Unless Jina royally screwed up again, or on the adverse; found the way to send them home. 

“Arlette?” Another voice pulled her forward, hope swelled their heart as they imagined the voice clearer. 

Too clear… 

Arlette opened their eyes and glared daggers at the Majiri standing above her, plotting out the sun. “Tamala.” 

“Oh, she lives,” Tamala straightened up, her sharp face devoid of any worry. “I came as soon as I heard.” 

“Heard what?” Arlette looked down, enjoying the shade provided by Tamala’s full, salt and pepper hair and dug their heels into the ground.

“A little slimy errand boy was seen rushing out of your place, late for the breakfast shift and everything. Even had his pants on backwards.” 

“And why did that prompt you to bring yourself all the way here?” 

“Because, little foxling, I wanted to let you know Hassian saw the whole thing.” 

Ah. Well, it wasn’t exactly secret that Arlette had a pin from Reth. Eshe always caused a scene if they displayed any public affection, so it did not surprise them that the town was talking about Reth fleeing from their home in a panic. 

“So?” 

“He watched Reth run from your place in such a hurry,” Her lips curled like a cartoon-ish cat, ready to eat the small, helpless mouse. “I could practically hear him shouting from my house.” 

“So he yelled about it?” Something. Arlette didn’t believe her. At all. Hassian’s anger would be short, and reserved. If for some reason, he did not know about her relationship with Reth. And this was shocking news to him. She would be seeing the force of his anger when she spoke to him next, and he would ignore her.

Or well… He was ignoring her anyways, she still needed to go to the library for that. 

“Well, no. But I heard he rushed right to his Mama.” She laughed, like Hassian’s heartache was funny to her… It totally was. Hassian’s soft heart had been a very easy target for Tamala to hold on to. “Crying all the way there.” 

“Hassian doesn’t cry.”

“You’re certain about that?” Tamala leaned forward a bit, hand on her chest. “I enjoy watching you string him along. He is afterall, a very good errand boy and not too shabby to look at. But.” She stood straight again, hands going to her hips. “I fear your time has come to an end, Foxling .”

Her emphasis on her ‘cute’ little nickname revealed more vitriol than expected. Arlette was not just a little foxling because of her orange hair, yellow eyes and freckled skin. Tamala wove something more sinister into their nickname. Tricky, conniving, and dishonest. It might have been less obvious to just call them a slut at that point.

Arlette sighed. “Why do you even care?” 

“Because it’s hilarious.” Her laugh irked Arlette into a groan. 

“I will talk to him, if that’s any of your business.” 

“It’s not, but thank you!” She waved a hand, as if dismissing Arlette. Despite being on Arlette’s land. “I should pass by him, really. Make sure he’s really okay after such a nasty fox broke his heart.” 

Arlette closed their eyes, eyelids twitched with annoyance. “Do whatever you want, Tamala. I am genuine- Hey. Hey. Tamala.” Arlette glared back up. “I don’t care what you say to him.” 

Tamale raised her gray-flecked brows, the wrinkles in her forehead exposing her age. “If that’s the case, I will certainly make sure to check in with him.” All her jewelry and little potion bottles jingled as she walked away. 

Groaning as they stood, they pulled themself up on the shipping container. Arlette stretched her back and waited a few beats for Tamala to be gone-gone before they headed out into town. They look the long away around, passing Chayne’s house and looping back into town between Tish and Zeki’s shop. Better to completely avoid Hassian, and any gossiping townies while she slipped into the library. 

Caleri stood firm in her station, eyes narrowing on the dirty farmer as they walked into the sacred place of knowledge. “Arlette,” her shrill, prim voice broke the silent air. “What have I told you about coming in here dirty?”  Arlette stepped back out and shook herself like a dog. When she returned, she gifted Caleri an award winning smile, one that did not amuse the librarian in the slightest. “You are just as bad as the lowsome chef. I would ban you too if you weren’t a stranger to this world.” 

“And no one appreciates that more than me, Caleri,” Arlette kept her smile. “Speaking of, that’s really why I'm here today… Could you help me find something?”

Caleri adjusted her cat eye glasses, then crossed her arms. “What are you looking for?” 

Arlette’s yellow eyes flicked around the library. Helka standing and watching Jina at one bookshelf, lost in a world of her own creation. Kenyatta behind them, lazily leafing through some thin, paper bound book. “Hassian was here the other day…” The question trailed off as another idea popped into her head. “What time was he here?” 

Caleri’s brows knit together, her lips pressed into a tight frown. For a moment, Arlette felt like she was in for a scolding, and being accused of stalking the poor hunter when it really felt like the other way around at this point. She was not the one showing up at his home with dead animals, barbecue chapaa sandwiches, and her mother. She didn’t even remember if she had a mother. 

“Later… He trains with his mother until the evening, so sometime around eight or nine?” 

“Perfect. Thank you.” Arlette stepped away from the counter and walked over to Kenyatta. The beautiful It-Girl of Kimila with her sleek asymmetrical bob and punk leaning fashion. Arlette knew deep in her soul Kenyatta would love bands she once loved back home. 

 “Are you actually reading….” Arlette tilted her head to read the title. “A sailor's guide on how to…Put pants on a frog? What?” Their faces twisted up into confusion. 

“No.” Kenyatta slammed the book closed, but the light paper pages fanned out in her hand. “I gotta look like I’m doing something or Caleri will kick me out.” 

“Yeah, I know…” Arlette didn’t bother to turn over her shoulder to see Caleri looking at them upon hearing her name. “Weird question… Did you happen to see what book Hassian was reading the other night?” 

Kenyatta was here almost every day to avoid her mother on her rounds, and she wasn’t interested in reading… So it was a safe bet she tried snooping on the reclusive Hassian who finally darkened Caleri’s doorstep. If not for good gossip, then as something to do.  “Yeah actually…” Kenyatta craned her head around. “It was one of the older books, about traditions and stuff.” She walked around the shelves like the book would jump at her when she found it. “It’s weird, I’ve never seen him in here before.” 

“Yeah, me neither.” Arlette only came to the library when she needed something or someone sent her there. Like when Cheyne told them he sent Hassian here for what….Weird purposes.

“It was…Green…. No! Blue, for sure.” Kenyatta whipped around to one of the tables and saw a blue book sitting right on top of the pile. “Ah-ha!” 

Her exclamation was met with a sharp SHH from Caleri. So sharp, even Jina looked up before turning back to her book. Kenyatta just rolled her eyes and snatched up the book. Before Arlette could take it, Kenyatta pulled it out of reach. “First, I wanna know.” Her smile went mischievous. “Did Reth really spend the night at your place?” 

“Yeah, but you’ve also spent the night at my house… Does that mean we did anything?” Arlette raised red brows at Kenyatta only to watch her purple cheeks deepen in hue. 

“That’s different, I have a boyfriend.” 

A giggle bubbled out of Arlette, something low and full of mirth. “Nai’o could spend the night at my place too, if you’d like.” 

“You can’t flirt with everyone in town, Arlette.” Kenyatta rolled her eyes, the amber color catching the candle light as the sky above began to darken. 

“Not with everyone~” Arlette winked and finally snatched the book away from the stunned Majiri woman. They flipped the pages open and skimmed until something caught her eyes… “Only the crudest Majiri would engage in a new relationship without following these important steps…” They kept skimming over the few paragraphs dedicated to courting. 

“This is….Garbage, actually…” Arlette looked back up at Kenyatta. “He’s really gone out his way to do all this for me?” 

Kenyatta leaned in, peering over their shoulder to skim the page herself. “Ew… What is he, 80?” 

“That’s what Reth said…” 

She laughed. “I didn’t realize Hassian was such a romantic…” 

Arlette had. She found a letter once, addressed to ‘T’...for Tamala from ‘H’...from Hassian. It was a desperate love letter, pledging his desire to get married and have a family-- how he’d spend everyday for the rest of his life proving he was worthy of her love…. She promptly fed the letter to Tau and tried to forget its existence. She didn’t want to give it back to Tamala, Lord knows she’d laugh in Arlette’s face. Nor did she want Hassian knowing she had read it… So….Tau. It was that or rip it to pieces and use it to kindle a fire.

Arlette let out a long sigh, “Jesus Christ….” 

“Who?” 

“Uh… He’s a carpenter…” They closed the book and set it back on the table. “I should go talk to Hassian…” 

“If it’s true, he’s pretty pissed… I’d avoid his mom.” 

A shiver ran up Arlette’s spin and her blood rushed cold. 

Holy shit. She completely forgot about Sifuu. Well, she hadn’t forgotten Sifuu, part of Hassian’s strange behavior was bringing his mom around. She couldn’t forget that. But they had forgotten to consider Sifuu was big. Large. An adventurer and a blacksmith. Big, strong lady… 

Arlette wondered if human bones would make good arrowheads and they swallowed hard. “Wish me luck…” 

“Haha.” Kenyatta spoke, her tone as dry as Arlette’s mouth felt. “If Sifuu doesn’t hang you femurs on her door frame, Hassian might.” 

“You’re such a good friend…” Arlette pulled their ponytail and started walking away with a grimace firm on their face. 

“Wait!” 

Arlette turned back to Kenyatta as she got another HUSH. 

“If you’re like… Gonna kiss him, you should get the dumb flower in the book.” 

Arlette’s jaw dropped open. “You’re a genius, Kenyatta.” 

“Tell that to my mom.” 

“One stupid flower, coming right up.” Arlette left the library and snuck around Tish’s shop again. It wasn’t certain Hassian had left the town square yet, or if he was still talking to his mother…. Or worse… Talking to Reth. 

Reth was allergic to NOT having his foot in his mouth, so the chances of Hassian confronting Reth going well felt like worse odds than getting skinned and turned into a board sword.

She just had to find the Midnight lily… Where… She didn’t know, but the night was just beginning.