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Jay had always loved the sunrise. She had fond memories of waking up, watching it from the attic of the Eagle’s Den when she was younger.
Before Dad had gotten more into his work.
Before Ava had left, up until the day she left for the academy.
It had been Jay’s favorite thing to do. Whoever woke up first out of her and Ava would wake the other, then they would crowd around the window and whisper in hushed tones.
That was all before Jay moved into the city. Away from Kiwi Village, into R.A.F.T.’s training facility.
Jay had the perks of her last name, at least to some extent. She knew a lot of incoming trainees got sent far away from their homes, away from their families.
Not Ferins, though.
She’d been able to stay close to Kiwi Village for training, so at least she could still go home and see Mom occasionally.
When she could, Jay snuck up to the roof to watch the sunrise. It wasn’t exactly the same as it used to be, but it still brought her a great deal of comfort.
“I thought I might find you up here,” A voice rang out from behind Jay. “You really are like a bird. Always nesting in high places.”
“You’re the one who follows me,” Jay glanced back with a smile. “Thought you hated getting up this early.”
“I do, usually.” Kira walked over, sitting next to her. “It really is beautiful, though.”
Jay scooted over, resting her head on Kira’s shoulder. “It reminds me of Ava. We used to love watching the sunrise together in the mornings.”
“I’m sure she still does that, wherever she is. She’s probably out there watching it right now. Thinking of you.” Kira said easily.
“You really think so?”
“I know so.” Kira laced her hand through Jay’s, sighing contently. “You ready for today?”
“Not in the slightest.” Jay frowned worriedly. “I’m terrified I’ll freeze up like I did a couple of months ago.”
“Hey, you won’t. You’ve practiced so hard. It’ll be fine.”
“No, it’s not…” Jay sighed. “It’s not the actual fighting. It’s… It’s her .”
“The Admiral?” Kira guessed. “That’s why you’re so nervous, isn’t it? She’ll be there this time, won’t she?”
“Her. My dad. Probably some of the other vice admirals.” Jay agreed.
“Well… If we get assigned to fight, I’ll let you win.”
“Oh, you’ll let me win?”
“That’s what I said, yeah. Got a problem?” Kira teased.
“I wiped the floor with you last week. You don’t have to let me win.” Jay exclaimed.
“Okay, okay. Sure.” Kira laughed. “But if I win, I get a kiss.”
“Yeah, okay. What do I get if I win?”
“Mm… I’ll give you my dessert from the cafeteria for a week. This week it’s that chocolate cake, so you know I’m serious about this.”
“What, no kiss for me if I win?” Jay pouted. “That’s too bad. I would have accepted that, but I’ll gladly take the dessert.”
“Yeah, yeah…” Kira chuckled, pressing a kiss to Jay’s knuckles. “Maybe we won’t be paired up. Maybe they’ll pair us up with other people.”
“That’d be boring. They don’t usually do that.”
“I mean, it would make sense, if the Admiral is there. We always pair up in training, we know each other’s moves. She’d probably want to see us actually test our talents.”
“Well… what happens if both of us win our matches, then?” Jay mused.
“I suppose we’ll have to see.” Kira grinned. “Maybe we both get what we want, then. Or, if we end up going against each other, then whoever wins gets what they were originally going to win. Deal?”
“Deal.” Jay agreed. “How long until it starts?”
“About an hour and a half. We’d better start getting ready.” Kira sighed, moving to stand. “Has your dad talked to you about it at all?”
“Only to remind me that the Admiral’s going to be there and not to fuck it up. No pressure though, right?” Jay gave Kira a weak smile as Kira pulled her to stand.
“No pressure.” Kira agreed. “Definitely.”
-=-=-=-
As it turned out, Kira and Jay were not assigned to fight each other. Jay supposed it was fair, she and Kira knew each other too well for it to be a true contest. Each knew the other’s weak spots, their fake-outs.
That made her more anxious, though. It was more likely she would stumble up against someone she hadn’t trained with as much, and while that was the point , it had more consequences for Jay than the average student.
The average student didn’t have their entire family expecting their very best, watching their every move.
Far above the students in the arena sat a box, reserved for the Admiral and the Vice Admirals.
From her seat where she waited, Jay risked a glance at her father.
He hadn’t seemed entirely enamored by the previous duels, but as the next pair stepped into the arena, he seemed to perk up, if just slightly.
Jay looked down at the arena, leaning forward to see who the next duelists were.
Kira stepped onto the sand.
A smile spread across Jay’s face as Kira strode out, staring at her opponent. She didn’t look nervous at all. She never did at these type of things.
That was one of the things Jay loved about her. Her confidence in herself even when in front of so many of the higher-ups in RAFT never failed to amaze Jay.
As the fight began, Jay’s eyes never left Kira. She slashed and dashed in almost perfect form, barely faltering.
It was entrancing.
After a couple of minutes, Kira’s opponent stumbled. Jay didn’t really recognize them aside from passing in the halls.
They stumbled back, and Kira took the opportunity to strike, sending them to the ground.
And the match was over.
As the whistle blew, Kira’s eyes scanned over the arena for Jay.
Upon finding her, Kira winked at Jay, a smile on her face. She then extended an arm to help her opponent up, and the two exited the arena.
“Ferin, you’re up next. Go get ready.” Someone nudged her.
“Oh! Yes, sir.” Jay hurried out of the stands, down to the changing room.
Kira had headed the other way out of the arena, towards the break room opposite the changing room.
Jay supposed she wouldn’t see Kira until after her own duel.
As Jay stumbled into the changing room, she almost ran into her classmate.
“Watch where you’re going, Ferin.” Her classmate said tiredly. “I guess we’re up against each other, huh?”
“I… It looks that way.” Jay agreed, grabbing her sword and sheath.
“You nervous?” Her classmate asked. “You seem nervous.”
“I’m not nervous.” Jay bit out.
“You know, we’ve all got a lot riding on this. All of the vice admirals are there. They’re going to be seeing which of us they want in their crews, their future captains. Being a Ferin doesn’t get you anything special.”
“Believe me, I’m well aware.” Jay glanced at him.
“I mean, sure, half the people up there may be your family, but there’s only one of you. I’m sure your dad will–”
“Good luck.” Jay interrupted as the door opened. “The sooner we get out there, the sooner we can get this over with.”
And she stepped into the arena.
The terrain was a sand-like material, Jay’s feet sunk in ever so slightly as she walked. Her opponent followed closely behind.
Jay gripped her shortsword as they took their positions. She’d always hated melee training, it was too close for her to be comfortable.
She was much more attuned to her shooting training. The pistols and bows felt more comfortable in her grasp than a blade ever had.
But it was required.
If she was going to follow in her family’s footsteps, she needed to get through it.
As the whistle blew to signal the start of the match, Jay just studied her opponent. She’d watched him fight other classmates, but the two had never personally fought.
Sure enough, as she expected, he lunged first. She ducked out of the way before pushing back at him.
Their swords clanged together a few times before he spoke.
“Come on, show me that Ferin technique. I know you have it.” Her classmate taunted.
Don’t let him get to you, Jay reminded herself, slashing forward. He tumbled backwards, but caught his footing and drove forward.
“Unless you’re too scared to embarrass yourself in front of your whole family. You know, I would be, if i were in your position.” He lunged forward, jabbing Jay in the inner forearm. “You’ve got a lot of important people to impress up there. Doesn’t look great on them if you fail.”
Jay risked a glance down at her arm before switching her sword to the other hand.
Holy shit, that was blood.
Deal with that later.
“I’m a Ferin.” Jay slashed towards her opponent, eyeing a rock behind him. “We don’t go down that easily.”
She just needed to back him up a little more.
“Really? Didn’t you get your ass handed to you last week by your training partner?” Her classmate took a step back as she advanced.
“I’d say we were on equal footing.”
With one last jab forward, her opponent dodged, but tripped over the rock and flailed to the ground.
Jay breathed a sigh of relief, sheathing her sword as the whistle sounded to signify the end of the battle.
“What was that about getting my ass handed to me?” Jay leaned over, holding out a hand to help her classmate up.
He scoffed, shoving her hand away as he helped himself up. “That was a technicality. I tripped.”
“You can trip in real combat. I bet whatever pirates you’re facing won’t be gracious enough to let you get your bearings before they try to kill you.” Jay said easily as the two made their way out of the arena. “Good duel, though.”
“Yeah, whatever.” Her classmate walked ahead of her as the door to the arena closed behind them.
Jay looked down at the gash he’d left in her arm. It didn’t look deep, but it didn’t look great, either.
“There’s my girl!” Kira nudged Jay as she entered the break room. “I take it from his sorry expression that you kicked his ass?”
“Yeah, kind of…” Jay said distractedly, still looking at her arm. “Hey, do we have a med pack back here?”
“I think so. Why, what do you– Oh .” Kira’s smile contorted into a frown. “Did he do that?”
“It’s just a scratch, I’ll be fine. It’ll scab over. No need to make a fuss.” Jay sat on a bench against the wall.
“We should still wrap it,” Kira pointed out as she walked over to the med pack on the wall. “Just so that it doesn’t get infected. It’s your shooting arm. You kind of need that.”
Jay chuckled softly, leaning her head back against the wall. “I guess I owe you a kiss,”
“Oh, yeah?” Kira glanced over with a grin. “Well, I owe you my dessert for a week. I guess we’re even.”
“I would have kicked your ass if we’d been against each other. Just so you know.”
“Are you sure? Did you see me out there?” Kira sat next to Jay, unzipping the med pack. “I don’t know, I think I was pretty good. Maybe there would have been equal ass–kicking.”
“I’ll take it,” Jay grinned.
“Good. This might sting. You know the drill.” With the utmost gentleness, Kira carefully began to wipe the blood around the cut.
Jay winced. “How is it that the stinging is worse than the actual cut, every single time?”
“I don’t know, Bluejay. I don’t know.” Kira mused. “I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s okay. I’m just complaining.” Jay assured her.
“Per usual,” Kira teased. “You know, If I had a silver for every time you complained when you were the one who got yourself injured, I’d–”
The clearing of a throat startled both girls, causing both to look up to the doorway.
Jay’s father, Jayson Ferin, stood in the doorway.
Kira shot to stand, pulling away from Jay. “Vice Admiral Ferin! We were just–I was just helping Jay with–”
“Will you give us a moment, Kira?”
“Of–Of course, sir. I should head back out to the stands, anyways.” Kira glanced at Jay. “I’ll see you tonight, okay?”
Jay nodded, avoiding her father’s eyes as Kira left towards the door.
“Oh, and Kira?” Jay’s father said, stopping Kira in her tracks.
“... Yes, sir?”
“Good work in your duel. I know the other Vice Admirals were quite impressed.”
“... I… Wow, thank you, sir.” Kira managed before hurrying out.
Without another word, Jay’s father took Kira’s spot on the bench. He eyed the no–longer–bleeding cut on Jay’s arm.
“I stumbled,” Jay said quietly. “He managed to just barely nick me. Kira was just helping me clean it up.”
Jay’s father took the cleaning cloth discarded on the bench, holding Jay’s arm still as he wiped the rest of the blood away.
Say something , Jay pleaded silently. Anything.
“I wouldn’t normally–He caught me off guard. That’s all. It wasn’t even a physical thing, he just–” Jay stopped herself. “He just got in my head a little. For a few seconds.”
Still, her father uttered not a word.
He put a few drops of healing ointment around the cut, spreading it until the entire cut was covered.
Say something , please. Say you’re proud. Say you’re disappointed. Anything.
Finally, as Jay’s father placed the bandage over her cut, he spoke.
“The Admiral is impressed with your progress over the last term.”
“She is?” Jay asked hopefully, looking up at him. “Even though I–”
“She likes what she’s seeing. Keep working on it, work it until it’s perfect.”
And he stood up, walking towards the exit of the room.
“Dad?” Jay asked softly.
He stopped in his tracks, but didn’t turn to face her.
“Thank you,” Jay finished.
And he left.
-=-=-=-
“Something happened after I left, didn’t it?” Kira asked as Jay closed the door to their dorm. “When your dad came in.”
“It’s fine. I’m fine.” Jay rubbed her face, sitting on the edge of her bed. “I shouldn’t be surprised, at this point.”
“What happened?” Kira sat up, watching Jay. “Did he say something about you getting hurt?”
“No. He never does.” Jay said, slipping off her boots. “All he said is that the Admiral is impressed with my progress, and to make it perfect.”
Kira’s jaw dropped. “He did? Jay, that’s… I mean, that’s incredible. Did he say anything else?”
“No. He finished cleaning and bandaging the cut, then he left.”
“Not once did he say he was proud of you?”
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard him say that. Not in a long time, at least.” Jay admitted. “I just… How hard is it to tell your own daughter something like that?”
Kira moved to Jay’s bed, sitting beside her. “I’m sorry, Bluejay.”
“And–And the thing is, he’s always been like that. I mean, you know that. Even before we started training, he was like that.” Jay leaned her head on Kira’s shoulder. “I don’t get it. I really don’t.”
“I don’t see how he wouldn’t be proud of you. Maybe he’s just got a hard time showing it. I mean, I’m sure the Admiral wasn’t exactly easy on him.” Kira mused. “Not that that justifies anything. It doesn’t.”
“He doesn’t even react when I talk to him, Kira. He just–He just gives me that look . I don’t even have a word to describe it. Really, I don’t.” Jay hugged her knees to her chest. “It’s not exactly disappointment , but it really feels like that.”
“I’m sorry,” Kira said softly, rubbing Jay’s back. “I know it’s rough. But you’re incredible, Bluejay. You’ve always been an incredible fighter. You’re miles better with a bow than anyone else in our class.”
“Hardly any RAFT teams use bows anymore. None of the main ones do.” Jay pointed out. “It’s all swords, unless you get placed as a shooter. Which I won’t. I know I won’t.”
She just wanted to go home. Back to the Eagle’s Den, back to Mom.
Back to before all of this, before Ava left.
“It doesn’t hurt to ask for that assignment,” Kira reminded her. “They’d be stupid to not place you in a position you excel at. Seriously, it’d be a waste.”
“My dad would never do that. I’m pretty sure he hates that I prefer long–range weapons. Ferins are supposed to be on the front lines, leading the charge. We’re not sharpshooters.”
“Your uncle was, wasn’t he?”
Uncle Drey had been a sharpshooter, Jay vaguely remembered that from when she’d last asked her father of his whereabouts. He hadn’t known, or at least hadn’t told Jay.
“That was different. He didn’t actually… He wasn’t ever a part of RAFT, I don’t think. I mean, he left when I was little. He came back a few times, but… It’s been a few years since any of us have seen him.” Jay sighed. “What if he’s not alive? If he got into trouble, we would have no way of knowing. I mean, I know he and my dad have a strained relationship, but you would think we would have heard from him at least once.”
“Maybe he doesn’t have a way to contact anybody.” Kira guessed. “Look, if you’re worried about getting stuck with a sword in the long run, I’m sure it’ll be alright. You’re an incredible shot, and I know they know it. They wouldn’t waste it.”
“Yeah, but we don’t know that.” Jay flopped back against her pillows. “I’m so ready for the break. Even if it’s just a few days. I miss Mom and the Eagle’s Den.”
“Is your dad going home on break?”
“I doubt it. Maybe for the first couple of days, but he won’t stay. Maybe that’s a good thing.” Jay paused, eyes widening. “You should come with me! Back to Kiwi Village!”
“Oh, yeah?”
“C’mon, my mom would love that. Plus, we can help out around the tavern. I know she’d appreciate the help.” Jay looked up at Kira. “Please?”
Kira chuckled softly, leaning down on her elbow. “Alright, alright. No need to beg. I was probably going with you, anyways. It’s way better than staying here by myself for a week.”
“What, you don’t want to spend your break training? Or being so bored that you force yourself to train?”
“Not particularly, no. Besides, it’s been a couple of years since I’ve been back to Kiwi Village. Might be nice.”
Jay reached over, wrapping an arm around the back of Kira’s neck. She pulled Kira close, staring up at her.
Kira leaned in, pressing her forehead down against Jay’s. “You know, we both won our duels today.”
“We did,” Jay agreed. “That means you owe me your desserts for the week.”
Kira chuckled softly, her hair falling over her shoulders to frame Jay’s face. “Okay, okay. You’re right, that’s what I promised you. Starting tomorrow.”
“Sounds perfect,” Jay smiled. “You know what else that means?”
“What?” Kira asked innocently.
Jay pressed a kiss to Kira’s lips, giggling. “I owed you a kiss.”
“Mmm, I suppose you did. I suppose you did.” Kira grinned, shifting to rest her head beside Jay. “Not anymore, though.”
“You sound disappointed about that.” Jay shifted to face her roommate. “I guess I won’t eat all of your desserts for the next week. Just some of them.”
“How gracious.”
“We can split them.” Jay suggested.
“That sounds like a plan,” Kira agreed.
The two were silent for a minute or two.
Honestly, Jay loved these little moments. Just the two of them together, nothing really happening. Just spending time together.
“Hey, are you sure you’re okay? I know today was a lot.” Kira laced her fingers through Jay’s, squeezing her hand.
“I’m okay. Better than I was earlier, at least. Until, you know, tomorrow. Probably spending most of my time practicing with a blade for a while.” Jay frowned. “If that’s what the Admiral wants me to work on, I'd better work on it.”
“Well, I’ll be there, too. I’ll go wherever you go.”
“Is it because you want to kick my ass?”
“Or because I love you. Depends on the day, really.” Kira sighed contently, looking up at the ceiling.
“Wow, how kind.” Jay chuckled, staring at Kira. “Thank you,”
“For what?”
“You’ve always been there for me. When Ava left, it was… It was hard. I didn’t know when I was going to see her again, I kept going at training and everything because you were here. You somehow always know exactly what to say. You’re incredible.”
“I try,” Kira smiled, closing her eyes. “Most of it… Eh, most of it’s bullshit, honestly.”
“Yeah, well… I like your bullshit.”
Kira chuckled tiredly. “Thanks, Bluejay. I like your bullshit, too.”
“You’re about to fall asleep in my bed again, aren’t you?”
“I might be. Do you want me to move?” Kira cracked an eye open.
“... Nah. Stay.”
“Mm… Okay.” Kira closed her eyes once more. “Goodnight, Bluejay.”
After a few minutes, Kira’s breathing seemed to even out.
Jay stared at her, relaxing into her mattress.
It wasn’t the first time this had happened. At this point, it seemed more unusual that Kira didn’t fall asleep in Jay’s bed, or vice versa.
It was nice. There was something comforting about having someone so close, knowing you could fall asleep comfortably and it would just be an unspoken thing.
“Goodnight,” Jay whispered, pulling the blanket over herself and Kira.
Despite the not–so–perfect day, Jay found herself quite content. She’d managed to make it through the duel with little more than a scratch, as well as seemingly receiving approval from the Admiral herself.
She would get better at her weaker skills. She would improve at that, and she would prove that she was good enough to follow in her family’s footsteps.
In her father’s footsteps.
In Ava’s footsteps.
But that would all happen eventually. Right now, Jay was content to just get some rest and recuperate from the day. There was plenty of time for everything else to fall into place.
With Kira by her side, Jay knew she could accomplish anything.