Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Sitting on the edge of her bed, clunking her feet together, Commander Mio Sarovei’s gaze turned from the window to the figure hidden behind the privacy screen in front of the closet. “How did you do that? During the duel, skate on the mist like that?”

Lieutenant Soledad de la Sombra’s head peeked around the edge of the screen, her face unable to contain her grin, her purple eyes bright but giving away nothing. “How did you become a cat?”

Mio puffed out her chest, hints of pride in her voice. “I was a tressym.”

“That’s so much better,” Solei said as she ducked back behind the screen, the faint shadow moving back and forth, tossing dress after dress after pair of trousers. “If I could be an animal I’d be something that could fly. Have you seen the girl from the Coven, one of Alum’s sisters? Hers is all different colours.”

Even though she couldn’t see, Mio nodded in agreement. The Coven lady’s tressym was pretty cool. Having a companion on super secret stealthy missions sounded like a great idea.

Walking out from behind the screen in a set of clothes very similar to Mio’s own, Solei looked at herself in a nearby full length mirror. “Why do I need to try on your clothes again?”

“Sometimes on dangerous missions you need disguises at the ready.” Mio stood up to stand next to her, the two in the mirror’s reflection looking like an almost matching set of bookends. “What if they were expecting me and saw someone without the same hair? Then they’d drop their guard around you. Too bad we don’t have any wigs.”

“And then we strike!”

“No. Well, maybe. It depends.” A frown came over the slightly older girl’s face, bunching up between her dark brows.

The two were wearing almost the exact same outfit, the cream blouse and the red scarf, the matching red trousers instead of Mio’s skirt (she’d grown another inch over the past few weeks and the trousers were getting a little too short for her).

Looking at their reflections side by side, Mio thought Soledad looked crisp and clean, her black hair pulled back in a shiny braid, the sleeves turned up in crisp folds, the trousers lying straight down her legs.

She looked like a professional. Like a Votive.

And Mio… looked like Mio.

A deep, dark knot formed in her chest. “Why do you look better in my clothes than I do?”

Eyes wide, Soledad grabbed hold of Mio’s hands, clasping them close. “No I don’t! It’s only because I’m the lieutenant and you’re the commander. Of course the commander’s clothes would be better.”

Mio wasn’t so sure about that.

Soledad scampered off behind the screen and returned with her arms full of a deep purple dress. “I brought some of my clothes, too! The Sovereign’s got me a bunch of new dresses but I’m not tall enough for all of them yet.”

Still a little crabby in her feelings, Mio silently took the dress and headed behind the privacy screen to change.

The dress was a little big, but it meant Mio could do up the buttons on the back and then pull it on over her head instead of asking for help.

Walking out in the amethyst-coloured dress, Mio stopped in front of the mirror. Solei had pulled over the little footstool by the bed and stood on it just behind her, smoothing the girl’s dark green hair behind her ears and clipping a clear crystal hairclip. “See? I knew you’d look really good in this. It goes great with your hair. What do you think?”

This time, Mio didn’t see Mio in the mirror.

It was almost like a fancy ballgown, the hem just brushing against the floor, but the skirt wasn’t as floofy (and Mio wasn’t wearing any shoes right then). The fabric was so soft, her hands just gliding over it. The sleeves were long, ending in sharp points at the backs of her hands. It was nice that the neckline was a little low and square, it meant the lace at the edge wasn’t poking her in the neck the way her scarf sometimes did. And the shoulders weren’t those ugly puffball shoulders some fancy ladies had on their dresses.

Reaching into the dress’s pocket, she pulled out and slipped on a pair of sunglasses.

This time, Mio saw The Commander.

Chapter Text

There was a cat on her bed.

It wasn’t a real cat, thank the Gods, but it was a cat and it was on her bed.

And there across the double room, peeking over her upside-down textbook from her giant beanbag chair, failing to hide her snickers, was the reason for the cat on her bed.

Closing the door with a quiet click, Aelys set her backpack down on her desk and glared across the small space.

In response, a small squeak escaped from her blue-haired sunshine-personality menace of a roommate as she pulled the textbook up to hide her entire face.

Why why why, why did I miss checking off the ‘Single Room Only’ box on the Student Housing submission form?

It was better than being stuck at home, everything was better than being stuck with her mother telling her where to go to college, what to study, what friends to have.

Moving to stand next to her bed, Aelys reached out and poked at the stuffed cat. It was black with white feet and tail tip, covered in a slightly rough scraggly fur that poked out every which way. Its golden eyes were wide like saucers, the whiskers were all jagged like lightning bolts, and it was somehow sitting tall and upright like one of those dolls with a weighted bag in the bottom.

It was thin and scruffy with big big eyes.

It looked like a cat that had been left out in the rain for a week.

Giving it another poke with her finger, Aelys side-long glanced over at the person still hiding behind her textbook. “There’s a cat on my bed.”

“There sure is, Aelys!” Getting up from her beanbag with an artistic flounce, tossing the textbook off to the side, Synnove reached over to pick up the stuffed cat. “Isn’t it cute?”

“It looks like a drowned rat.”

“No! It’s super cute! I was having lunch with JB today, I told you about him, we met on the train down to campus before the semester started. You should meet him, I think you two would really get along. Anyways, we were having lunch and he said he had to stop at the campus bookstore and pick up some notebooks for one of his roommates. He lives in a house off campus with about 3 or 4 other people and one of them is a big science nerd, he always needs more notebooks, apparently. So we went to the bookstore and I saw this in the window.” She brought up the cat next to her face, rubbing it against her cheek and grinning at Aelys. “I just had to get it.”

Aelys struggled to keep the skepticism out of her voice. “You just had to get it.”

“Of course I did, sugar, because it reminded me so much of you.” Synnove moved the cat in front of her face and started to pantomime it at Aelys, speaking in a squeaky scratchy version of Aelys’ accent. “Oh hello, I’m kitty Aelys! I’m a sassy princess grumpy grump who wears a lot of black and badgers her roommate into doing her assignments, but I also share my lecture notes because the professor mumbles like a drunken gremlin and I read romance novels late at night when I think Synnove is sleeping so she doesn’t see what I’m reading.”

“Oh, really.” Aelys narrowed her eyes at her chaotic sunshine roommate so hard she might as well have been throwing daggers at her in an attempt to pin her to the wall, but all it did was make Synnove grin wider. “I was going to tell you I saw the dining hall unload a bunch of extra slab cakes from a failed pep rally, but I imagine you’d rather hang out with kitty Aelys and talk about all the other times you’ve invaded my privacy.”

“Cake! Oh, no, Aelys, let’s go get cake!” Tossing the cat back onto Aelys’ bed, Synnove reaches for her room keys and a sweater before doing a ‘hopping into her shoes’ dance by the door. “Let's snatch up a whole one and come back and watch movies. Like that one with the blue tiger!”

Making sure she couldn’t see from the door, Aelys gave the cat’s head a little pat before turning around, following Synnove down the hall. “You should really finish your assignments first, Synnove.”

“Oh pffft, there’s always time to do assignments, sugar.”

“It’s due tomorrow morning.”

“Shhhhhhhhhhhh, person kitty Aelys,” Synnove whispered, holding up a finger to her lips. “Cake.”

Chapter Text

Most evenings in the Imperial palace are rather quiet, the occasional soft footsteps of an attendant or muffled yawn of a housemaid peppering the silent halls. Some are left completely silent, not even the skitter of a mouse or pounce of a chasing cat to be heard.

And some nights are left to the restless roaming of the empress’s niece.

She can’t be found roaming the shadowed hallways every night, but on the ones they can she follows a rather predictable path. From their rooms, down the hall to the left, past those of other members of the royal family, another left, a right, a left, past the main staircase, an occasional stop in the library, down and down and down some stairs past the kitchens. Up another set of stairs, down a long corridor of tall windows looking out at the expansive back gardens, past a smaller library, then back to where she began.

But this night, with the moon hanging high over the Imperium, is unlike any other.
Because Caska Sarovei is not the only figure wandering the palace hallway this fine evening.

And when the two collide at a corner it’s with soft gasps and muffled apologies, shoulder against shoulder, knee against knee, almost forehead to forehead. Hands grasping just above elbows to keep the both of them from tumbling to the floor.

Reflex has Caska grabbing hold of the strangers’ arms, her slippered foot brushing against theirs as she tries to steady herself. “Oh, my apologies. I didn’t realize someone was there.”

The voice that replies is slightly rougher, deeper than theirs, and comes from a person slightly taller. “Neither did I, I’m so sorry.”

“No, it’s quite alright.” He sounds male but not too much older than herself, and more than a little nervous. “You can let go. I can assure you, I’m no longer at risk of falling.”

“Of course, right,” he says, his hands dropping away. “The nights are getting chilly again, I imagine they were cold.”

Anything but. “They were quite warm, actually.” She could only catch glimpses of him in the dark of the hallway, the swoosh of light-coloured hair, the way his eyes flicked around before dropping to his hands. “I’m Caska, by the way. What’s your name?”

“Lücan. Lücan Serenel.” The addition of his last name and the sudden straightness of his spine made her a little sad. “I’m a guest of Colonel Urso’s, I suppose.”

Caska had faintly overheard something during the day about Monty returning with someone, but then she’d moved away or the conversation holders had and that was the end of it. “And you thought, in honour of your first night in the palace, you would wander through empty hallways in the middle of the night instead of resting after your journey here.”

“Not everyone finds the quiet of night to be restful.”

“Hmm.” He wasn’t wrong, and she certainly wasn’t one to say otherwise.

“And yourself?”

“Sometimes I like walking through the empty halls when everyone else is asleep. More space to think in the quiet.”

He nods but she can tell from the look on his face he doesn’t quite agree. “I think I’d rather be doing something than be left in the quiet.”

She watches him in the shadows, sees the twitching in his hands, the nervousness and the uneasiness. But are they the cause or is it the weight of being in the palace? “Do you know how long you’ll be here?”

“I’m not sure, we only just arrived earlier today.”

“Have you been shown around, had all the important locations pointed out to you? I could show you some now.” They take a step back, gesturing behind herself. “It’ll be easier with less people around.”

Her hopes at conversing with him longer are dashed when he declines, politely shaking his head. “It might be, perhaps, but it would be easier to see everything in the daytime. I’m sure Colonel Urso will be showing me around before too long.”

Caska nods, clasping her hands together. “I’m sure he will. Well, I should be getting back to my room, it is rather late. Unless you’ve lost your way and require assistance?”

“I haven’t gone that far, I remember which hallway to head down,” he says, the dark shape of him moving in a bow towards her. “But thank you, my lady.”

Something about him calling her that made their soft, quiet moment turn sour in the back of her throat. “You can just call me Caska.”

“I’m not so sure that’s proper.”

“We’re standing together in an empty hallway in the middle of the night. I imagine by your reasoning that’s not proper, either. And who’s going to tell, the ghost hiding in the shadows?” When their offhand comment makes him look around nervously, she smothers a chuckle with the back of her hand. “There’s no one there, but I understand. Good night, Lücan. Perhaps I’ll see you again during your time here.” She steps back from him, tips her head, and turns to make her way back to her own rooms.

They don’t look back to see if he watches her walk away, but considering the heat she feels between her shoulder blades, they’re sure he is.

Chapter Text

On the first day of their journey westward through the mountains and toward the Lighthouse of Beauty, Synnove asks a question of Katari: “Could I sit with you tonight when we stop for the evening? I know we’ve only been travelling for today but I think it could be relaxing.”

They nod in agreement, watching Synnove prance away to continue walking and catching up with Aelys.

Of course they said yes. They were more surprised by the asking. What did Synnove think they wanted to do when they stopped?

And so when the sun starts to dip behind the skyline and the group picks a spot to camp, Katari takes theirs and Synnove’s things to a flat space about 40 feet away.

Which clearly has Synnove confused when she walks over with two bowls of stew, if the furrowed brow and furtive looks have anything to say about it. “Is something wrong?”

“No. Why would something be wrong?”

“Oh. No reason, sugar.”

The pair eat quietly in their little nest of packs, bedrolls, and blankets, which is pleasant but doesn’t quite feel normal to Katari. Because usually Synnove would jabber on like a magpie during meals instead of eating quietly and periodically scooting more and more into their side.

Tired of the silence between them, Katari sets their bowls aside and pulls Synnove up into their lap, if a little unceremoniously. “Why did you ask if something was wrong?” They needed to be close, it felt like any distance between them would be wrong.

“Ooof, a little warning next time.” Blushing and flustered, Synnove smooths her skirt back over her knees before glancing back at the group. “You set up our things so far from the others.”

“Yes.”

“Why? Is something wrong? Did someone say something weird?”

Someone always says something weird, and it’s comforting for Katari to know that, even with their… time away from the group, they hadn’t cured themselves of blurting out what they were thinking. “Nothing is wrong.”

Synnove huffs, her bottom lip poking out. “Then why are we so far away from the group?”

“But you’re the one who said, Synnove, that when we stop and make camp for the evening you want to sit and relax with me.”

“I know what I said, Katari.” A hot panic shimmers across Synnove’s eyes. “Did you not want to sit with me?”

“Yes, of course I want to sit with you.” Their chilly huff sends Synnove into a full body shiver, has her tugging the blanket around her tighter. “You said you wanted to sit and relax with me. You didn’t mention the others.”

Blue eyebrows shoot up and green eyes twinkle in the dim light. “... oh! Oh, I see.”

A realization comes over Katari in that moment and their head drops to Synnove’s now quite padded shoulder with a thud. “You meant to sit with you while we ate and made camp with the group.”

Soft giggles escape Synnove as she runs her fingers over their blackened horns, through their long white hair. Tucks their bangs back. “I’m sorry, sugar, I should’ve been clearer.”

“No, I am sorry. It’s just…” They pause for a long moment, another, another, before tucking the blankets tighter around Synnove, wrapping their arms tighter around her. “You were specific in your asking but I didn’t realize you meant within the circle of the group.” They lower their head to bury their face in Synnove’s neck, voice dropping to a low murmur. “I don’t know how you wanted to relax, but I would like to relax with you like this. I realized earlier I need to say more things to you. Ask more questions about you and ask you for more things. Tomorrow when we camp we will sit with the others, eat together and share stories. But for tonight I would like to have this, to be over here with you and sleep in your arms.”

Synnove presses her lips to the side of their head and twirls her fingers in their hair. “That sounds very relaxing to me.”

Chapter Text

Racing through the palace halls, pushing open the door to her bedroom and tossing herself onto the bed. Squeezing the pillow to her chest.

I’m home.

~~~~

Running up the stairs chasing after Caska, trying to reach the top before they did, getting caught up in the stair runner and their skirt and their too big shoes. Scraping their knees on the carpet, fighting back the urge to cry. Caska whispering in soothing tones, knuckling away the tears, gently chucking her chin. Pressing a handkerchief to one knee and pressing her lips to the temporary bandage.

I love you.

~~~~

Eating dinner with Caska and Auntie Ron, talking about funny things and sharing stories. Eating delicious food. Getting embarrassed when Caska started telling stories about finding a toy chest full of acorns and walnuts.

Flinging peas across the table with her spoon as Caska cackles and Auntie Ron hides a laugh behind her napkin.

I’m home.

~~~~

Being called into Auntie Ron’s study, which she didn’t usually get to go into but clearly this was important because they weren’t alone. Sitting across the desk from them, seeing Lücan in front of a window looking outside.

Listening to Auntie Ron talk, and it was clearly important because it got her hands to stop twitching, her feet to stop swinging. Her heart to start racing.

Looking over at Lücan at the window, watching him turn to look back at her. Standing so tall, shining sun behind him. Nodding, smiling at her.

Nodding, smiling back.

I can do this.

~~~~

Laughing and racing through meadows, sweeping her arms through tall grasses and flowers. Picking daisies and weaving them into flower crowns. Playing checkers with Caska using pebbles and walnut shells. Trying to play against Lücan and losing every time.

Napping in sun patches, splayed out on the quilt like a star while the two of them walked and whispered under a tree.

Flinging peas at the two of them with her telekinesis.

This is the best time of my life.

~~~~

Pushing the hair from her face, wiping the sweat from her brow. Walking over to the training dummy to pick up the wooden daggers she’d thrown at it.

Lücan off in a corner of the training space watching her, giving her tips and suggestions. Raise her arm up higher, sweep the dagger more horizontally. Stop using her eyes to lead them. Trust her instincts.

Breathing slow, deep breaths.

I will make you proud.

~~~~

Hiding away with them on a tucked away part of the roof, the two of them sitting nearby, leaning back against the wall, against each other’s shoulders. Mio following the path of tiles along the edge, one foot ahead of another. The two of them talking, whispering, laughing, Mio privately smiling to herself as she goes back and forth.

Looking up at the sun beaming down on them and beaming back.

This is where I belong.

Chapter Text

Something was tickling Synnove’s nose.

Refusing to open her eyes, because she didn’t want to wake up, because once she woke up she would have to think and be and not be a magical space princess with blue hair and glittery gold swirls like she was in her dream, she proceeded to scrunch her face and blow and try and wipe it away on her pillow.

tickle tickle Nose scrunch, squirm away. tickle tickle Nose scrunch, roll over.

tickle tickle Nose scrunch.

Heaviest ever sigh of defeat. Farewell, magical space princess.

Rolling over again she opened her eyes only to grin up at her biggest favourite person. “Nor!”

Lenore crouched at the side of the bed, smiling down at her and whispering, “Hi, little bluebird.”

“Hi, Nor.” Synnove brought a finger up to her lips, copying Lenore and quietly giggling. “Why’re you awake? It’s after bedtime.”

Her older sister’s face was soft and smiling, faded pink hair tucked behind her ears. “I know, sweetie.”

“I was dreaming I was a space princess with magic and gold swirlies and lots and lots of friends.”

“That sounds wonderful. You can go back to sleep after but first I need to show you something in the kitchen, okay?”

Synnove frowned, confused. She looked back at Verline and Mirielle, still asleep and somehow curled around each other like puppies, but still took Lenore’s hand and slipped out of bed.

She followed Lenore out to the kitchen, one of her sleep socks lost in the sheets so her footsteps made soft swssh-thwap swssh-thwap sounds on the linoleum.

Climbing up into her chair at the table, Synnove yawned and laid her head down on her curled up arms. “Why’re we sleeping out here, Nor? It’s not soft.”

“Because of this.” Closing the fridge door, Lenore walked over with a plate covered by a little cardboard box. She set the plate down on the table, then whisked away the box. “Ta da!”

Sitting neatly, perfectly, on the plate was a cupcake topped in blue icing with a twirly unicorn candle on top and little sun, moon, and star sprinkles.

Synnove’s eyes went as wide as dinner plates. “Ooooooo! So pretty.”

From the other side of the table, Lenore beamed down at her. “Happy birthday, little bluebird.”

All Synnove could do was look at her, dumbfounded.

Chuckling softly, she moved around the table to her side, reaching out with a disposable lighter to light the candle. “That means it’s all for you.”

“FOR ME?!” Lenore’s eyes went wide and Synnove quickly clapped her hands over her mouth in an attempt to muffle her scream. “For me? Just for me?”

“Of course just for you, silly. It’s your birthday.” Lenore raised her hand up to her face and Synnove thought she looked like a pirate on a ship looking for a treasure island, searching far off into the distance. “I don’t see any other birthday girls here.”

Excitement built up in Synnove like the time Kasamir and Nikola got hold of a big bottle of pop and dumped a pack of mints in it, the foamy bubbles building and building until they burst out of the top straight into the sky. She thought she was going to do that, blast off into the sky. Her heart certainly felt all bubbly and fizzy.

Just for me.

Lenore walked around to stand behind Synnove’s chair, dropping down to rest her head on her shoulder. “Make a wish, bluebird.”

“You too, Nor! Make a wish with me!”

Chapter Text

Stella!

Hi! How are you? I know I haven’t written in so long but I’ve been so busy with classes and homework and more homework and Aelys (I told you about her, she’s my roommate) pestering me to do my homework. I’m doing it, I promise. There’s just so much of it!

Anyways, I had to write because something amazing and wonderful and absolutely humiliating happened today.

So I was rushing to my early afternoon class (no, I wasn’t rushing because I was late, shush your face), looking super cute, clearly, because everyone was watching me. Not because I run like a drunken sailor prancing across a beach. *frowny face drawn in glittery red gel pen

I was racing across the courtyard, looking super epic and cool as always, and when I started rushing up the steps to the lecture hall the heel of my shoe got caught. I started tipping back and forth and squeaked in surprise and got all twisted around and fell backwards all the way down the stairs!

Or I would’ve (I didn’t, I’m ok, I promise) if I hadn’t been saved by the most stunning person I’ve ever seen in my *words scribbled and smudged and maybe damp and dried* years of life.

As I was falling backwards, someone next to me grabbed hold of my wrist, spun me around so my foot slipped out of my shoe, and caught me so I was cradled in their arms.

Stella. It was like all those old black and white movies we had access to back home, the ones we’d copy and pretend to do, the ones with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers and all the fancy ballroom dancing.

I was dipped, Stella. And it felt AMAZING.

My heart was just pounding in my chest. I’d lost my big hair clip in the spin and my hair was just everywhere, falling down behind me, over this person’s arm that was around my shoulders with their other one around my waist.

And when I looked up at their face I saw the most gorgeous person I’ve ever seen in my entire life.

Long white hair tied back in a long braid, red eyes shining bright like fire coals, with strong arms and huge muscles. And tattoos! So many tattoos. They smelled like a fresh snowfall. And they’re soooo tall. I felt so tiny, Stella! I never feel tiny! And I’m 6 foot!

It felt like I was touched by sparkles.

And I know I thought they were gorgeous, because the first thing I said to them, after I caught my breath, after they asked me in their wonderful voice (it made me shiver!) if I was okay was, “Hi, can I just stare at you forever?”

And you know how I remember exactly what I said? Because someone TOOK A VIDEO!

Aelys was down in the dining hall grabbing us some snacks (she’s so nice) about 20 minutes ago and overheard people talking about it. Someone was recording their friend for a different thing and caught me slipping on the stairs and focused in right as this person caught me and I just blurted that out right in their face.

And then! And then she scowled at me, set me back on my feet, and headed off down the steps without another word.

IT WAS SO EMBARRASSING!! I didn’t even get to say thank you for saving me!

I don’t think I can leave the dorm ever again. I’ll have to leave the school. I’ll travel the country as a wandering minstrel.

Maybe I should learn an instrument first.

Sigh.

I’m not leaving the school, but I am going to have to avoid ever seeing this person again. Which sucks because… I thought I felt something, you know? And it’s not just that I wanted them to be my friend. Obviously I wanted that.

Maybe… maybe I wanted them to be someone, you know?

So that’s what happened to me today, wonderful and terrible. What about you? How are you doing? Tell me everything!

Love, Synnove *heart heart XOXO little doodle of a sun

*sent two days later, scribbled on a postcard in heavy block letters

STELLA YOU WON’T BELIEVE WHAT HAPPENED TODAY.

AELYS KNOWS THIS PERSON. AND JB. THEY’RE ONE OF HIS ROOMMATES.
I WAS HAVING LUNCH WITH THE TWO OF THEM AND THEY WALKED UP AND STARTED TALKING TO THEM.

AND WHEN THEY SAW ME THEY MADE A FACE. A FACE! I WAS MORTIFIED.

AFTER THEY LEFT AELYS AND JB TOLD ME THEIR NAME AND IT’S TERRIBLE, IT SOUNDS SO PERFECT FOR THEM.

Katari

Chapter Text

Sleep and Aelys had a… complicated relationship. After what happened the previous year back at home, and after the last six months, sometimes they were on speaking terms and sometimes they weren’t.

And sometimes on their journey to the Lighthouse, Aelys woke up early, far earlier than the rest of the group, which felt lonely but it gave her time to talk to someone.

Quietly rising from her bedroll, being very careful not to disturb Maravix sleeping nearby, she moved past the faintly flickering fire toward the plateau they’d just crossed the night before.

She found a wide, flat rock to sit cross-legged on and settled in to spend the quiet moment smiling up at a very familiar constellation.

But it wasn’t long until Aelys heard quiet but heavy footsteps in the dirt and gravel behind her, caught a large shadow at the edge of her vision, and felt a very, very tall transformed Isskari sit down behind her.

Aelys softly snickered to herself when she realized her head was right in between Katari’s shoulders.

“What’s so funny?”

Shaking her head, Aelys looked back up at the stars, the western edge of the sky turning a paler shade of indigo and blue. “When we get back to the dune hogs and the raft we’ll have to install a bigger table.”

A snort echoed out across the open space. “If we get back.”

“I’m sure we’ll see it again.”

The quiet stretched out between them, around them. It became something like a moment encased in glass or crystal. Keeping it all contained, still, preserved.

Nothing to worry about. No crises on the horizon. No building storm over the forest. No growing force in a tall blue tower.

Just two friends. Scion and Pariah. The revenant and her harbinger. A Herald and the Endbringer.

With the stars above as their table.

Katari took in a deep inhale and blew it out just as slowly, Aelys hearing, feeling, absorbing the slow slow thud-thump of their heart against the back of her head. “When I came back I realized how lucky I was to know you, to know all of you. If she hadn’t bothered me, hadn’t angered me so, if you all hadn’t dragged me along. In a number of ways, for a number of reasons, I would not be here if it weren’t for you.”

The brightness of the stars above could no longer hold her gaze. Instead, it was the ichor stains on her hands and arms that pulled her down. She could feel it inside of her. Inside of them. Awake but quiet. Searching. She wanted to talk, to say something, anything, but all her voice wanted to be in that moment was a whisper scraped over broken glass. “Katari–”

“If you ever apologize to me, Aelys, I’ll kill you.”

The laugh that burst from her throat was heavy and wet with tears but it dried out soon enough. “You’re welcome to try.” Aelys laughed again at Katari’s satisfied snort, finally leaning all of her gangly weight against their back. “You know, it’s probably best there’s no table here. There’s no way either of us would fit.”

They huffed a laugh in response. “We’ll find one big enough.”

Chapter Text

One of the great mysteries of life, æther, and the universe itself, is the Tressym Distribution System. No one really knows, try as they might, how it always seems to know when someone is in need.

But maybe there’s some things that should stay unexplained.

Where would the magic go if we understood how it worked?

~~

It was a day like any other day in the Coven. Bright sun shining down on her people, neighbours chatting, sharing stories. Children playing with dolls, with toys. With magic.

Except for one little girl in particular.

On that day, the second daughter of the third most powerful family in the coven, a granddaughter of Dulcamara, Voice-Eater, pushed the front door of her house open with such force it nearly snapped it off its hinges.

Hair a wild nest, face bright red and damp. She was sobbing, breathing in harsh, uneven gasps, struggling to suck enough air into her lungs.

But she couldn’t tell, didn’t care.

She was too angry to care, too fueled by the unmitigated, overwhelming, unstoppable rage that only a little girl could experience.

Especially when she was told ‘no’.

She ran into the house wailing, flinging her arm back, slamming the door hard enough the window in its centre cracked with a squeal. For such a little girl the sound of bare feet pounding up the steps was like a boulder being dropped from a mountaintop.

smack smack smack smack smack smack smack smack smack SLAM

Her bedroom door rattling in its frame, she threw herself onto the bed, burying her face in the pillow.

And proceeded to fill it with shrieks, screams, and all the frustration that could ever fill the universe that lived inside a 4-year-old. Old tears and fresh ones, screaming herself hoarse, all the while pounding her fists into the mattress, kicking her feet, kicking the blankets off the bed.

Not fair! Not fair! She’s not fair!

Just wanna play! LET ME PLAY, MEL!

NOT FAIR!

~~

She never heard the door open and close, never felt the dip of the bed. Never noticed she’d cried herself to sleep.

But she knew that scent anywhere, the soft, comforting smell that was her mother, Belladona, Wyrd Seer.

Her hand ran gently down Dulcamara’s hair, smoothing out all the fury that crackled like static, sending it away from this space and back out into the world. “My darling Amara, have all your tears finally run dry?”

“Mama.” Dulcamara climbed up into her mother’s lap, arms tight around her neck as her tired little body soaked up as much as she could from a warm and familiar embrace. “She’s– hic such a meanie meanie, Mama. Just wanna play. And Mel said no! Said– hic ‘no Ama go away’ and ran to go play with– hic without me!”

“Dearest, we’ve told you before, she’s allowed to say no.”

“Mel big hates. She’s– hic a big meanie meanie.”

Belladonna’s hand moved in big, slow, circles, soothing, smoothing out all the rough edges as she guided her youngest daughter back down onto the bed. “She doesn’t hate you, darling. It’s the nature of siblings. You are both so much of each other and made up of so many different pieces. One day, Amara, you will see her love for you when it truly matters. Now have yourself a little nap,” she said, shushing Amara when she sleepily grumbled that she wasn’t tired. “You’ve had all your explosions for the year, it seems. Sleep it off, sleep it out, and everything will feel better when you wake.”

“Need pillow, Mama.”

“We’ll get you a new one, my love. It’ll do you no good to sleep on all the rage you’ve poured into this one.”

~~

mrow. mrow-prrrrt.

Dulcamara’s eyes flew open.

Her mother was gone. Her pillow was gone.

And there was a calico-patterned tressym sitting at the foot of her bed.

She sat up gasping, grinning, waving her hands at them. “Hi! I’m Ama. I gots a big name but can only say Ama. What your name?”

The tressym blinked at her before proceeding to groom themself, rubbing their paw over their head and face. mlem mlem brrrsh brrrsh brrrsh. mlem mlem brrrsh brrrsh.

“You pretty.” Giggling to herself she crawled down the bed, plopping her chin in her hands, kicking her feet up in the air. “Most beauty pretty kitty-bird.” The tressym tossed a glare Dulcamara’s way, presumably at being called a ‘kitty-bird’, before continuing their grooming.

Amara smiled, troubles forgotten, sorrows pushed to the side to be carried away by the wind. “Will you be Ama’s friend, beauty pretty?”

The tressym stopped, stood up, and walked over to butt their head against Amara’s cheek.

The room soon filled with the sound of squeals and giggles, she sat up and hugged the tressym, thrilled beyond belief but somehow not squeezing so tight as to get scratched. “Ama’s new forever friend.”

Chapter Text

boomrmblrmblrrmblrrr

Whether it was a sound outside or inside that woke Maravix, she wasn’t sure. All she knew was she was sitting upright in bed in the middle of the night, her breath caught in her throat, and rain tapping against her window.

Another bad dream. She hated bad dreams.

Nothing looked out of place in the shadows. Desk, chair, bookcase, closet.

A flash of light from outside pulls her gaze to the window, pulls her from her bed to look outside.

boomrmblrrmblrr

Hand pressed against the glass of her window, she looks out at the dark and wet, wondering what could be looking back. “Just a thunderstorm.”

whaaaaaaaaa!

Sighing, Maravix heads out into the hallway, wondering why everything was making so much noise.

And almost walks straight into her brother, Garavellir.

Rubbing his forehead from their collision, he looks at her with sleepy eyes under a wild mess of dark blond hair. “Mare? Why’s it so noisy?”

“It’s just a thunderstorm, G, go back to bed.”

“Yeah, I know it’s storming, but what about the–”

BOOMRMBLRMBLRrmblrrr

WHAAAAA! WHAAAAAAAAAA!

“–the baby.”

Maravix glances down the hall and doesn't see the door to their parents’ rooms open. “Are they not home yet?”

At Garavellir’s shrug she stalks off down the hall to the baby’s room, him close on her heels.

Inside she finds Aelys, alone, sitting up in her crib. Her soft dark hair mussy from rubbing against the mattress in her sleep, her face wet from the fat tears and snot dribbling down her face. Her fists are like two little wrecking balls, waving around in the air and smacking the bed because it was all she knew what to do to vent her utter frustration with the world around her.

The two older Viraan siblings stand at the side of the crib, both of them reaching down to wipe at their baby sister’s face with tissues and sleeves, smoothing her hair and patting her back in an attempt to settle her. Garavellir glances back at the open door before turning to his older sister. “What do we do, Mare?”

A flash of lightning outside illuminates their faces, both full of varying degrees of confusion, concern, sleepiness, and worry, while the following ckkcrash-BOOM sets off another round of frightened cries.

With a frustrated sigh and a shake of her head, Maravix reaches down into the crib to pick up Aelys, settling her against her hip as she walks out of the room.

Finally in a pair of warm arms, big gasping sobs changing into heavy, watery hiccups, Aelys leans all of her weight into Maravix as if to say ‘hold me, don’t let go, I’m lonely and scared’.

Garavellir follows his sisters back down the hallway, tugging at Maravix’s sleeve. “Mare. Mare. What’re you doing?”

“Taking care of the baby, obviously.” When she reaches her door she stops and looks back at him, jerking her head. “Get in, Garevellir. We’re all sleeping in here tonight.”

“What? Why?”

“So Aelys knows she’s safe, that’s why.” Another flash lights up the bedroom but the thunder takes longer to crash than previously, the sound more muted and muffled. “Get in.”

Garavellir’s face does not move away from confusion even after everything is set into place and he and Maravix are lying on top of her bed, Aelys between them with a pillow above her head as a barrier and everyone underneath Maravix’s extra blanket. “What if she needs changing?”

“Then we’ll change her.”

“What if I roll on top of her?”

Maravix pauses her rubbing slow circles on a drowsy Aelys’ tummy to glare at her brother. “Don’t. Now go to sleep.”

He curls up even more under the blanket, eyes closed for long minutes before reaching out to take hold of her sleeve. “Thanks, Mare.”

Opening her eyes to look across the bed at him, head resting on her curled up arm, Maravix’s hand alternates between Aelys’ big baby belly and Garavellir’s back, moving in slow, soft circles. “Just hold onto me, I’ll keep you safe.”

Chapter Text

Standing in front of Y’thael Kosima, Talis handed over a portion of the group lunch for the day with an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry it’s not soup again, but we’ll have more time when we stop this evening to make some.”

They sighed so loudly and so deeply, Talis was sure every person across the entire Dragonspine Mountains heard them. “What is this?”

“It’s more hardtack but this time it’s got some cheese on it. We found some in the supplies pack from the monastery.”

They brought it up to their face, their freckled nose sniffing rather delicately at the mysterious orange chunk. “It’s very pungent.”

“It is, yes, but it tastes good, I promise. Or at least I think it tastes good.”

Y’thael Kosima’s eyes darted back and forth, from cheese to Talis, cheese to Talis. It wasn’t soup, so they already weren’t sure, and they’d had the hardtack before and it tasted of nothing but dry crumble. But Talis said he liked the cheese and Talis wouldn’t lie to them.

Steeling themself, they took a bite of the hardtack with cheese on top.

It wasn’t soup.

The hardtack was dry and took a few bites to chew through, and the cheese was soft but filled their nose with a sharp tang. It was like combining the flavours of nothing and everything. It was… interesting.

But it still wasn’t soup.

When they finished their portion, Y’thael Kosima brushed the crumbs from their hands and tunic very matter-of-factly. “It was acceptable.”

Talis chuckled, pulling his waterskin out of his pack. “I did say. It’s okay, though. Not everyone likes strong flavours.”

“I did not like the smell of the cheese, Talis, it was quite pungent.” Standing with him, they took their staff in their hands. “You are also pungent.”

A spray of water shot out of Talis’ mouth causing them to flinch away and him to start coughing. “Excuse me?”

“Oh, it’s not a bad thing. Everyone has a particular smell. It’s actually a good thing because it’ll make me find you more easily if you ever get lost.” They scoffed. “But I’ll never lose you.”

“Right. Of course.” Wiping his face dry, Talis tucked the waterskin back into his pack and slipped it over his shoulders. “Now you have me curious. Is it a good smell?”

Y’thael Kosima paused in the readjusting of the flowers in their hair, patting them and making sure they weren’t going to lose any of them on the afternoon journey. “Can smells be evil?”

“What a question.” Talis’ face turned thoughtful, contemplative. “I was thinking more if it’s a smell you like. Does it make you happy, does it remind you of good things?”

“It makes me think of you, Talis, and you make me happy.” As the group around them continued their journey through the mountains, Y’thael Kosima did what they usually did: follow the path to the Lighthouse with Talis at their side. “So yes, it’s a good smell.”

“Good.”

With a smile they took a deep breath of the mountain air around them, breathing in. “You smell like salt and water, like all the leaves I’ve given you and the flower you gave me.” They reached out and took Talis’ hand in theirs. “You smell like the journey forward, Talis. And of feathers.”

He squeezed their hand tight. “At least it’s nothing terrible.”

“Oh, no, Talis. They are all terrific smells.” Grinning wide, they swung their hands between the two of them, pleased the path forward was wide enough that they could walk side by side. “Which is why I hope you know that both Katari when they were still Endbringer before they turned into Katari and Aelys when I thought her name was Worse were wrong about what I smell like.”

Talis looked at them, the confusion on his face very obvious. “I’m sorry?”

But Y’thael Kosima was oblivious. “I smell like earth and stardust and growing things, not like regular dust and certainly not like corpse.”

Remembering when the Endcrafter said this to them back at the Distortion, Talis nodded. “Don’t worry, I don’t think you smell like a corpse. To me you smell like flowers, but I’m sure that’s because of all the ones you’ve got in your hair.”

They grin as he flicked at one with his finger. “And the one you gave me.”

“And the one I gave you.”

“Yes. This is why I’ve told you you smell of good things. You should know so you don’t think you smell bad.” A sudden flash of worry streaked through them and they pulled Talis to a full stop. “Please tell me if I ever smell bad on our journey, Talis.”

At that moment, Y’thael Kosima tugged Talis close to their face, closer than they’d ever been, both their expression and tone the most serious they’d ever been in their few short weeks of living on the Prime. “I want to know if I ever smell bad.”

Chapter Text

.if you could see
.wh-what i see
.wHen i look at you

.potential
.determination
.companionship
.stu-stubbonness

.humility
.fragility
.the inab-b-bility to kee-keep your mouths SHUT

.sorrow
.rage
.despair

.ho-hope

.understANding
.empathy
.practicality oo-ooops, i forgot, you goobers don’t have this ability
.self-preservation also this one

.trying
.and trying
.and trying

.if you cou-could see
.what i-i-i see

.endless posssss-s-s-s-s-s-ssibility

.they are waIting for you
.find them

.find them all

.good luck
.my sENtinels

.addendum
.due to unforeSEEN circumsTances you will n-n-not be receiving a year-end holiday bb-bbbonus
.any comPlaints must be directed to-to-to UPper MaNagemENt

Chapter Text

After a day and night of taking part in a big group study session in which Aelys and JB attempted to study, Katari mostly attempted to study, and Synnove barely studied, doodled all over her notes in glittery gel pen, and continued her very bizarre out of nowhere bicker feud with Katari, Aelys woke up with the brilliant idea of making everyone breakfast.

Ignoring the fact that she’d never really made breakfast beyond instant oatmeal packets and cereal. And that she had no idea what was available in the kitchen (they’d held their study group at the house JB and Katari rented rooms in for more space to stretch out and a pull-out couch for Aelys and Synnove to crash on).

And that she also woke up with Synnove wrapped around her like a boa constrictor squeezing all the air out of her lungs.

Finally free from the chaotic sunshine, finally in the kitchen, she takes stock of a fridge half-full of greasy delivery pizza and half-full of actual food like fruit, vegetables, and eggs.

Eggs. Milk. Butter. Pancakes!

Aelys could make pancakes. Maybe. The internet was bound to have easy recipes for people who’d barely cooked and/or were fumbling college students.

And so Aelys goes about attempting to make pancakes, pulling things out of the fridge and rifling through cabinets.

Until JB walks in through the back door, his hair damp and a gym bag hooked over his shoulder, and sees Aelys in the pantry with a 10 pound bag of flour in her arms. “Good morning, Aelys.”

She barely has a grip on it. As unmoving as it is, she feels like she’s holding a squirming puppy. “Oh. Hi.”

With a soft smile and a chuckle, he sets his bag down and takes the flour from her, hands brushing against hers. “Are you stealing our flour?”

flip

“What? Oh, no, I was just looking for things. Ingredients.” Aelys brushes the flour from her hands and turns back to the pantry, cheeks slowly warming at being caught searching through the kitchen. “I was thinking I’d make pancakes as a thank you, you know, for the study space and letting us stay over. I didn’t know you’d gone out.”

JB sets the flour on the counter, returns to his bag. “The gym is quiet early in the morning. Gives me time to think, review notes, listen to past lectures.” Pulls out a couple of water bottles. “You might want to try it, it would give you a chance to study without Synnove in your ear.”

Aelys scoffs, shakes her head, moves over to crouch and look through some of the kitchen cabinets. “But then she wouldn’t do any of the readings, or the assignments, or even bother with office hours if she had questions.” She sits back on her heels. “Maybe I’ve been coddling her or something.”

“From what Synnove told me when she and I first met, I believe she can take care of herself.” He stands just behind her at the sink, rinsing out bottles and whatever dishes they’d used the night before. “But it would not be a bad idea, doing something just for yourself that is not related to coursework.”

Aelys nods and goes back to her searching.

She used to take sparring classes with Maravix back before Mare left for college and moved away. Maybe she’d take it up again. Give her mind the chance to turn off once in a while.

Digging around in the back of one of the cabinets next to the stove she finally finds something she was looking for and stands up.

Not knowing how close JB was, not knowing he’d turned away from the sink.

They bumped into each other, both of them only slightly losing their balance so it wasn’t that they both ended up on the floor.

But they did end up with Aelys backed up against the counter, his hands braced on either side of her, and the cake tin in her hands up at her chest.

flip

“Sorry about that.” JB immediately backed up, that usual soft smile now apologetic, and looked down at what was in her hands. “Aelys, why did you take out our cake pan?”

“For the pancakes? You guys only have the one.”

He let out a breath that was part laugh, part exhale, the smile growing. “How do you think pancakes are made?”

The sudden realization has her face turning bright red and her hands ice cold.

Shaking his head, he takes the pan. “I can help you with the pancakes, Aelys. Just give me a few minutes to change. Maybe take out some of the other items we will need. Sugar, baking powder. A frying pan, perhaps. And wear this.” He grabs a hoodie off a hook by the back door and, without warning, pulls it down over her head. “It can get quite chilly in the mornings and even standing at a hot stove will not help.”

“Frying pan, right. Ok. Thanks.” Her whisper-quiet response is heard by no one, finally leaving her lips well after he leaves the room. Swimming in the hoodie he shoved her into, she reaches out for a chair and sits down hard, hands clenched in the sleeves.

It smells clean, faintly of fabric softener and fresh air.

flip

Oh.

Oh.

Chapter Text

To my most favouritest cousin (it is too a word, shush your face),

Now that I’m Lucy’s ward–, *crossed out

Now that I’ve been named ‘the most official and most promising Ward of the illustrious Lücän Sërënël (that’s how he spells his name, right?), the Golden Flame of the Imperium’, I’ve decided to start writing my letters to you more officially. As befits my new position.

And I know you’re right down the hall and I could just go tell you all of this in person. But sometimes you’re busy, or you’re not there. And maybe I should actually use this stationary and pen set that Auntie Ron got me for my birthday. *smudged and scribbled out are the words ‘last year’

I’m so excited. Aren’t you excited? I’m going to learn so much. I’ll finally be able to use my telekinesis properly, not like when I try to read your mind and all I can hear is a cook down in the kitchen going, ‘Och, we’re out of neeps and tatties for tonight’s dinner, wha’ else am I gonna serve with all this haggggggggggggis I’ve just made?’.
And yes, I totally spelled that word correctly.

I’ve never been named a Ward before, does it come with a special prize? Like a cool sword? Or daggers? Are me and Lucy going to get matching jackets? I hope it’s not like those jackets with the big dinner plate shoulders, they are SO ugly–

A knock at Mio Sarovei’s door pulls her from her letter writing.

With a huff, she stomps her way to the door and swings it wide, glaring at the person on the other side. “Yes? I was doing something very important.”

The servant, extremely familiar with the Sarovei family and with Mio, just nods and bows. “Apologies, young miss, but a package has just arrived.” And they hold out their hand toward Mio, a small box with a bow in the middle of their palm.

“A package? For me?” At their nod she takes it, looking down at the little green bow and smiling at it. “Thank you.”

Once the door is closed Mio wastes no time, pulling the ribbon free and shoving it in her pocket, picking at the wrapping and tearing the paper off.

Inside the wrapping is a box.

Inside the box is a little scrap of paper and a small enamel pin of a white and black tressym in flight, their wings spread, their green-gold eyes glittering.

And on the scrap of paper are three words:

Good luck.
Lücan

Mio immediately rushes to her mirror to pin it to her blouse, looking at her reflection and feeling all kinds of happy and excited and official. “I get it, Lucy. It’s a pin, but it isn’t just a pin. It means I’m going to be the best ward and student and Votive there ever was and I’m going to make you so proud of me. Promise.”

Faint, faint hints of a translucent glittery magic curls up from the floor at Mio’s feet, stretching up and out toward the mirror. And when it hits the reflective surface it stops short, fluttering outward and disappearing.

*letter from Mio Sarovei, delivered to Caska Sarovei the following morning

To my most favouritest cousin (it is too a word, shush your face),

*most of the letter is scribbled over but is still legible

It’s all going to work out great. I can feel it.

Love, Mio *small doodle of a tressym’s paw complete with pink toe beans

Chapter Text

When Maravix was in high school she would often read late into the night. Partially because she liked reading so much, was happy to lose herself in the pages of a book, and partially because she enjoyed the peace and quiet of everyone around her being asleep. It made everything feel cozier and the odds were good that no one was going to knock on her door at 2am and ask her for something.

Except for one night when she heard the horrendous sound of someone coughing up a lung in the hallway outside her room.

Confused, worried, she went to the door and found an exhausted-looking dark-haired blanket-encased lump on the other side. “Aelys. Is something wrong? You look terrible.”

“Sorry, Mare, I didn’t want to both–” She was able to turn away in time but the coughing that came from Aelys’ small body was rough, thick, and would’ve forced her to the ground if Maravix hadn’t caught her.

She’d barely touched her sister’s forehead before turning her and guiding her back to her own bedroom. “You’re burning up, go back to bed.”

“No, no, I’m– cough I’m fine. I’ve just had a headache all day and fell asleep after dinner.”

Maravix rolled her eyes so hard she thought she pulled something. “Aelys, you sounded like you were hacking up a lung just now. To bed.”

“I’m fine, Mare, I just–”

She pushed the blanket burrito that was Aelys up against the wall. “I swear, you tell me you’re fine one more time, our next sparring class I’ll beat you so hard Garavellir will feel it. Now stop being so stubborn.”

What little energy Aelys had Maravix could see just melt away as she nodded, walking back through the door to her room. “I was just looking for Mother and Papa, I couldn’t find any cough medicine up here.”

“I’ll go look downstairs,” she said, pushing the dark, sweaty strands of hair out of Aelys’ face. “Do you have the energy to go have a quick shower? It might help with all the crud in your chest.”

When Aelys nodded, Maravix quickly pressed their foreheads together before rushing downstairs.

Once in the kitchen she found frozen soup portions in the freezer, sticking one in the microwave to defrost and cook as she raided the downstairs bathroom of its cold and cough medicine.

Walking back into the kitchen she found Garavellir leaning against the kitchen island, calmly eating an apple as if it wasn’t half past two in the morning. “What are you doing down here?” Pulling out a meal tray, she notices he’s still in his jacket and boots. “Did you just get home?”

“Band practice.” He nods at the tray and beeping microwave, the crisp crunch of the apple sharp in an otherwise silent house. “Late night snack?”

“Aelys has some kind of vile cough and possibly something fluish. Best to steer clear if you’ve got anything important coming up.”

He nodded, watching her fill the tray with soup, a mug of tea, spoons, cold medicine, and a small bowl of grapes. “What about you?”

“When was the last time I got sick?” Tray in hand, Maravix headed back upstairs to their sick sister, pushing the bedroom door open with her shoulder and kicking it closed with her foot.

Sitting up in bed and surrounded by a wall of pillows was Aelys, hair damp but still looking exhausted and stuffed up. “Thanks for the soup, Mare.”

“Of course, Lys” She set the tray across Aelys’ lap, handed her a spoon, and sat with her while she ate everything. The soup and the grapes, the entire mug of tea. The cold medicine.

After Maravix took the tray back down, washed up, washed her hands about 50 times, and on her way back grabbed her laptop in case Aelys wanted to watch something to help her fall back asleep.

But when Maravix arrived back at Aelys’ room, she saw Garavellir sitting on the edge of the bed with Aelys smiling at him, blankets pulled up to her chin.. And so she stood there, half in the doorway, listening to him sing a song she recognized from their childhood.

A song their mother would sing when they were sick, when they couldn’t sleep, when something was wrong.

When he finished, Aelys sleepily smiled at him, blinking like it was a struggle to keep her eyes open. “Again, G. Sing it again.”

But he shook his head, humming it instead as she fell asleep.

Maravix tiptoed into the room, stopping next to her brother, hand on his shoulder. “You’re really good at that, you know.”

“Shut up.” He brushed it off, shaking his head, but he still leaned back against her, continuing to hum the little song.

Chapter Text

*a homemade scrapbook titled ‘Our Totally Awesome Congrats On Passing Midterms Camping Trip! (also with Lenore!)’

*photo of Aelys and Sal standing next to a truck, Sal taking supplies out of the back
“So. You’re their other roommate. Sal.”
“That’s right.”
“For fuck’s sake, Eralan–”
“Hush, don’t spoil all my fun, princess.”
“Wait, Aelys really is a princess?”
“No, I’m not, Synnove!”

~

*photo of Synnove, blue hair in big space buns on either side of her head, kneeling on the ground, instruction pamphlet in her hand, staring at a pile of tent poles, Katari standing behind them with their arms crossed
“I could’ve sworn the packaging said multiple tents.”
“Right here, it says ‘multiple people fit in one tent’, issala. It’s a tent for a family.”
“Oh, like us! We’re like one big family.”
A growling sound can be heard from Katari’s general direction.

~

*photo of JB, Theagus, and Sal crouched around the large cast iron cooking pot over the fire pit, all three holding spoons
“Theagus, this is amazing.”
“Oh, thank you. I call it fish drop soup.”
“Have you ever made it before?”
“Oh no, never cooked a day in my life.”
“... wait, what?”

~

*photo of Synnove, Lenore, and Aelys sitting around a campfire with hotdogs on sticks, Aelys looking very unsure
“So, you just hold it over the fire and it cooks.”
“Yes, that’s how you cook food.”
“Unless you like them–”
“Synnove, no!”
A mixture of coughing and cackling.

~

*photo of a dark path through a slightly wooded area with a single light in the distance
“Why do I have to be the one to take you down to the toilets, Synnove? Why not go with Aelys or your sister?”
“What if someone tries to steal my bag?”
“Who’s going to steal your bag? A bear?”
“Sugar, why on earth would a bear try to steal my bag? You really need to learn about wild animals.”
Katari starts muttering to themself in a foreign language.

~

*photo taken in the dead of night of a blurry shape surrounded by trees
“Ok so… it was a dog?”
“No! I swear it was a horse with a thing on its head.”
“A unicorn? Synnove, you’re not a child anymore. You know those don’t exist.”
“No no, like a whole bunch of them!”
“Like a cantaloupe?”
A hush goes across the entire campsite before Aelys claps her hands. “No no no. One at a time, people. One at a time.”

~

*photo of Katari and Aelys sitting shoulder to shoulder at the campsite picnic table, the two of them looking down at an open book
“So this is what you read.”
“I mean sometimes, when I’m bored. You can’t be reading textbooks all the time.”
“Then how do you learn anything?”
“Oh, I’m sure you can learn a lot from what Aelys reads when she thinks no one’s looking.”
“Synnove!”
Aelys proceeds to chase Synnove around the campsite while Katari flips through the pages.

~

*photo of Theagus sitting alone on one side of the campfire and everyone crowded around the other side, staring at him
“You’re dating a professor?”
“Really?”
“Wait, those rumours are true?”
“Aren’t there rules in place to prevent that?”
“Well, I wouldn’t necessarily say we’re dating, per se.”
“Then what would you call it?”
“Okay, perhaps we are in a relationship of some sort.”
“But you’re part of the same department.”
“I’m not a teaching assistant for any of her classes so everything is fine.”
“For now, but what about next semester? She teaches a lot of intro classes, right? Don’t hers get randomly assigned?”
“... what?”

~

*photo of the interior of the tent, most of the sleeping bags filled, some empty, a head of blue hair poking out of the tent flap
“Aelys? Where’d you go? Pss pss pss.”
“She’s not a cat, Synnove. Go back to sleep.”
“Sure she is. Oh, person kitty Aelys? Pss pss pss. Come back to bed, it’s too early.”
“It certainly is too early, issala, for you to be shouting so much!”
The sound of multiple pillows being thrown across the tent, not all of them hitting their intended target, and then a pillow fight ensues.

~

*photo of a sunrise over a lake surrounded by trees and an inlet off to the side, two figures in shadow in the distance, one helping the other step over a fallen log
“So you pretend you’re a box?”
“Yes. Well, no. Well, yes and no.”
“Shrödinger’s meditation technique. Got it.”
“It would fit you then, wouldn’t it? Person kitty Aelys.”
A surprised scoff. “Oh so you do know how to make jokes.”
“Not really, but I do know some limericks.”

Chapter Text

When I said you’re the only person I want to spend my life with,
You asked me why.
The chance to breathe in sunlight every day?
To witness every sunrise and every sunset?
To bask in your light?
To follow the sun across the sky with all my days?
And so I ask you, hummingbird:
Why wouldn’t I?

For what had to be the 100th time that day, Decima took the notecard from the vase of flowers and read it. And read it. And read it again.

They’d met the year before at a holiday party, she a top executive and legal investigator, he a singer/songwriter/self-proclaimed wandering minstrel and troubadour. They never, realistically, would’ve met under any other circumstances if not for his family connections and her firm’s own aspirations.

A fool he was but utterly foolish he wasn’t. Which intrigued her, confused her, and frightened her. Intrigued her because different, confused her because different. Frightened her because all it took were a few words, a hand in hers, and a dance before she could feel the ground beneath her start to crumble away.

And crumble away it continued to do after months of calls, texts, and e-mails. Late-night deliveries of dinners and desserts to her office. Lunches when he was in town. Small, intimate music showcases at bars and clubs in the evenings. Brunch at his apartment on weekend mornings before walks along the lakeshore so he could skip stones and she could… attempt to skip stones. An early dinner at her apartment, once, only once, before a flight to go assist a younger sibling with a cross-country move.

And crumble away it still did with every brush of his hand against hers, every chair he held out. Every easy, effortless smile he sent her way. Every time he draped his coat across her shoulders. Every time he invited her to play chess online. Every time he swore one day he would win.

So quick to smile, to listen to others, to sing or play a tune. So quietly devoted to his family. Like a bright star in the sky.

She put the card back in between the flowers and stared at the vase across from her. Elbow glued to her desk, chin in her hand.

You’re the only person I want to spend my life with.

Decima’s attention was so captured by the flowers, by the card, the knot in her stomach and the storm in her heart, that she never noticed when her office door opened and her boss walked in, a hefty stack of papers in her hands.

“Oh, good, you’re still here. We’ve got the review back and I think we have to– Decima?” Walking over to stand at her side, Beatrix gently pressed her palm to her shoulder. “Decima, are you okay?”

Startled, blinking to clear it, she nodded. “Yes, sorry, I’ve been rather distracted today.” In an attempt to clear her head she took the papers, flipping through them. “The review, you said?”

“Yes, but it’s almost 7pm. You can work on this tomorrow.”

Eyes wide, Decima turned in her chair to look out at the skyline, the sun setting off in the distance. “I’m so sorry, Beatrix, I didn’t realize it was so late.”

Beatrix shook her head, patting her shoulder in silent support before turning to the vase on her desk. “Those are rather lovely. Do you know what they are? I don’t think Ygritte and I have anything like them in our garden at home.”

“They’re a kind of heliotrope.” Her mind on the note, the note, the note, her eyes on the changing colours outside her window. “Through the day the flowers will follow the sun across the sky.”

~~

knock knock

She thought she’d know what to say, what to do, when the door opened, but she didn’t. Not even when Garavellir smiled at her, in no way expecting her but clearly pleased to see her. “Good evening, Decima.”

“I received your flowers.”

To follow the sun across the sky.

“I know.”

“And your note.”

Something in his face softened. “I know.”

To bask in your light.

She pulled a small rectangular box from her purse, a travel chess set she’d found and left to sit in her apartment for weeks. “Now you can learn to play properly while you’re on the road.”

He took it with a nod, either not noticing or ignoring when her fingers twitched like she wanted to take it back. “I’ll be sure to.”

Could she do this? Could she do this? Could she share the pieces of herself the way he’d given his own to her, slowly, carefully, secretly until the point when she realized she held most of his heart in her hands?

They stood there in the doorway, neither one saying anything for long minutes, before he looked down with a half-smile and she realized she’d taken hold of his sleeve between her fingers. “Is there something else, Decima?”

To witness every sunrise and every sunset.

“Can you see the sunset from your apartment?”

“Unfortunately, no.”

And her heart lurched toward his, pulling her out of the dark hallway. “What about the sunrise?”

To breathe in sunlight.

Chapter Text

Sitting in an open courtyard having a quick lunch in between lectures, Aelys looked across the table at her unexpected companion. “Eralan, do you own the house you all live in?”

“Which house would that be?”

“Eralan, I swear–”

“Every time you call me that I get to call you princess.” Reaching across he snatched a fry from her plate with an extremely familiar grin. “Princess.”

“Fine. Sal.”

Even with the death stare she was shooting him with, he shook his head. “A man’s allowed to have some secrets, you know.”

Aelys was set to forget about her lunch and start interrogating him when Synnove rushed up to their table, slamming her hands down between them. “I knew it! I knew you two knew each other! I could tell, there were vibes when we all went camping.”

As Aelys groaned in frustration Sal just sat there, slyly smiling, gesturing for Synnove to join the two of them. “There were vibes, were there?”

“Definitely.” Sitting down, Synnove pulled out a little notebook and a glittery gel pen. “I’m not exactly sure what kind, though. Certainly ‘we’ve met before but we’re hiding it badly’ vibes.”

Shaking her head, Aelys gave up and went back to eating her lunch. “There’s no vibes, Synnove. We just knew each other when we were kids, our parents kind of sort of worked together. And I didn’t know Sal was going to school down here when I applied.”

Dismissively waving her hand at Aelys, Synnove turned to Sal. “So, tell me everything.”

And so Sal, a mischievous smile still on his face, leaned back in his chair. “I mean, there’s only so much I can say, Synnove, without Aelys plotting murder. Let’s just say she was just as standoff-ish as she is now, only with more pressure and control put on her by her parents.”

At the mention of parents, Synnove made a thoughtful face and shook her head. “Really?”

“Gods, yes, especially their mother. All about family legacy, that woman.”

“That’s weird. When I talked to her she was so warm and friendly.” A proud look spread across her face. “I think they really fell in love with me after that call.”

“Wait what?”

“No, Aelys, not like that. You weirdo.”

“No no no. Synnove. Fuck. You talked to my parents. When?”

“The other day, they video-called you when you left your phone to go get breakfast.”

Aelys started frantically scrolling through her call history, wondering how she’d missed seeing a call from her mother, surprised she hadn’t received a dozen messages asking her to call back.

Sal, meanwhile, just looked amused. “So her parents love you is what you’re saying.”

“Yes, Salvador, they do. They were so happy to hear that she’s been making friends, and that we went camping. And she’s not just a crabby crab who never leaves the dorm.” Synnove lightly slapped her hand on the table. “And they’re so young! I was so surprised.”

Both Sal and Aelys looked at her incredulously. “Wait what.”

“You never said, Aelys, they must’ve been teens when you were born.”

Sal scrolls through his phone before holding it up to Synnove. “It was a video call, right? Were these the two people you talked to?”

“Ummmmm.” Synnove’s face scrunched up in contemplation and confusion as she looked at the picture. “Maybe? They look like older versions of the people I talked to. And the woman, she looks like she’s never had fun a day in her life.”

Aelys’ stomach turned when she found the right date in her call history. “Synnove, you didn’t talk to my parents, you talked to my sister and brother. Garavellir stayed at Maravix’s when he was up there for a gig. They called again later that day to catch up.”

“Ohhhhhhh. Well that makes so much more sense now.”

Sal finished wiping the laughter tears from his eyes. “That explains the box I received in the mail the other day.”

A chill trickled down Aelys’ spine. “What box?”

Reaching down into his satchel, he tossed the box containing bright pink light up cat ear headphones at Aelys. A card taped to the front of the box, in very familiar handwriting, said, ‘for human kitty Aelys’.

As both Synnove and Sal cackled from across the table, Aelys started to make plans to murder her roommate, her former friend, and her brother in quick succession.

Chapter Text

tick tick tick tick

Time flew by as they talked, talked and talked and talked for what felt like hours.

She didn't want it to stop. She was here, she was here. She was here and they were talking, sharing stories about little things and maybe big things. But it all felt different, like a bubble made of time and sugar sweetness.

Sitting, lying on a blanket by the open balcony doors so they could watch the stars twinkling ahead if they so chose.

tick tick tick

She never wanted it to end, and it felt like it never did, even when she kept glancing over at the clock on the mantle.

It was only half past 8 when Dulcamara told stories of what it was like to be children with Melvira. Crabby baby squabbles. Playing make-believe in the Coven’s lush forests.

It was only quarter after 9 when Rafa shared a memory of her childhood with Merritt, the two of them racing through meadows to collect daisies to take back home to Mama Kal.

tick tick

It was only a little after 10 when they finally broke into a little tin of cookies one of the court ghosts had delivered earlier in the day, little shortbreads and tea biscuits. They had no tea, unfortunately, but neither seemed to mind.

It was only a little after 10 when Dulcamara couldn't stop smiling as she talked about Alum. His energy, his excitement. His growing grasp on his magic. Their house with little scorch marks on the walls.

tick

It was only a little after 10 when Rafa had Dulcamara in stitches, sharing the jokes her dad used to tell.

It was only a little after 10 when Dulcamara shared the story of how she first met Thorn, magical and surprising and unexpected.

It was only a little after 10 when each of them would catch the other staring as they talked. Eyes watching lips, fingers brushing against fingers on the blanket.

tick tick

And it was almost 6 in the morning as a Court ghost floated up to water the balcony flowerpots in the early early morning light, giving the two a quick nod before toddling along to the next with a watering can in their hands.

Dulcamara’s head turned to follow the ghost, blinking several times like she was trying to see through mist. "Oh, wow. It's... it's so early. What?"

Rafa looked across the room to the mantle clock, its shining filigree arms minutes away from chiming the early morning hour. "It's almost 6? That doesn't feel right."

"I must apologize then, Rafa, for talking so much that I’ve kept both of us awake all night."

"Oh no, no." Stay. “It’s my fault as well.” Please stay. “I suppose I got wrapped up in telling stories along with you.” Keep talking to me.

The two stood up rather quickly, bumping into each other, fingers grasping onto elbows and shoulders, more like awkward dancers with four left feet.

They looked at each other, one softly smiling, one perhaps a little more bashful than the other. Dulcamara reached out to tuck the hair back behind Rafa’s ear, leaving a tiny sprig of lavender in her wake. “Perhaps this will help you fall asleep, get some rest before the day’s events. It would be awkward if you were seen to be completely exhausted today.”

“Perhaps. And you of course, Amara.”

Rafa walked her to the door, watched her quietly make her way down the hall, shoes in her hand to cut down on the noise.

Once she was alone, she gave a quick look to the tapestry on the wall before making her way over to the clock on the mantle. Watching it keep accurate time for long minutes.

tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick

Watching it so intently the minute and hour hand appeared to be trembling under such scrutiny.

“No more funny business, okay? But thank you for the time.” The clock kept on ticking, the sound solid but soft, and Rafa gave it a quick little pat before heading off for an early morning power nap.

Chapter Text

Looking at the somehow burnt on the outside raw in the middle cake, Mio wondered where it all went wrong.

She’d wanted to give something to Caska, like how Caska was always spending time with her, supporting her, listening to her. But it wasn’t like Mio had any money to go to a shop and buy her something.

And then her mind started turning. They lived in the palace. The palace had kitchens. Caska ate food! And Caska liked cakes!

It was the perfect plan.

So what if Mio didn’t know how to bake a cake. She’d spent enough time watching the kitchen staff cook when she’d sneak in for snacks. Pour ingredients into a bowl, mix mix mix, pour into pan, bake pan, pop it out and cover it in icing. Easy!

But that day Mio discovered one of the harsher truths of life: that it was far easier to eat a cake than to make one.

And, with a mess all around her and food she wouldn’t dare serve to Caska, Mio wondered what she was going to do next.

Until Lücan walked into the kitchen looking for her. “Mio, finally, there you are. Is something wrong? You’re not one to miss training.” He looked at the disaster of a countertop in front of her. “What’s happened here?”

“Hi, Lucy.” Mio pushed a hand through her hair, unaware of how much flour it was covered in, and proceeded to make half her hair a pasty mint colour. “I was going to make Caska a fancy dessert cake as a present but I think I’ve mixed up a few steps.”

Lücan raised an eyebrow at the carnage and the lack of kitchen staff helping her.

“You tried to do it on your own, I see.”

“Of course, it’s just cakes. I didn’t think it would be that tricky.”

“Making cake is a little different than just eating them.”

She sighed a sigh as heavy as her entire body. “I know that now.”

“Here,” he said, giving her a supportive pat on the shoulder. “I have an idea.”

Mio watched Lücan move about the kitchen with shock and awe all over her face.

First came the glass dish, then layers of shortbread cookie crumble, the cream he whipped up, and finally the little fruit pieces he had Mio chop up (with supervision because sometimes kitchen knives were big and dangerous).

And what the two of them ended up with, instead of an inedible cake, were two little parfait glasses of fruit, cream, and cookie crumble with a little mint leaf on top.

Mio’s eyes darted between Lücan and the little desserts, back and forth, back and forth, until she looked up at him. “You never told me you could cook.”

“I wouldn’t really call this cooking.”

“You never told me you could do this.”

“When would that’ve ever come up in training, Mio?”

She waved her hand at him, bending down to peer closer at the glasses. “Maybe I should follow you around more. Find out what else you’ve been hiding from me all this– Lucy? Lucy!”

She’d turned to hand him a spoon but by that point he was gone, her eyes just catching the back of his coat as he walked out of the kitchen.

~

Caska was always pleased when Mio came to see her, but she was more than a little curious when Mio walked in with two fancy parfait glasses. “What’ve you got there?”

Mio sat down on the other side of the desk with a huff, setting both glasses down. “I wanted to make you a cake as a present, because you’re always doing nice things for me.”

“Mio, I do those things because I love you, not because I’m looking for something in return.”

“I know. But I feel like you give me a lot, even when it’s just visits and picnics and things like that. So I wanted to give you something.”

Smiling at her cousin across the desk, Caska reached out to squeeze her hand. “Then thank you, Mio. Now what’ve you brought? It doesn’t quite look like cake.”

Mio’s face scrunched up a little as Caska took one of the glasses. “The cake didn’t work out how I wanted it to, it turns out cakes are a complicated business. But these I had help with.”

Nodding, Caska swirled the long spoon in the parfait class, smiling to herself when she scooped out a piece of cantaloupe.

Chapter Text

Bags over her shoulder, hand on the doorknob, key in the lock, Decima let herself into Garavellir’s apartment for the first time since he’d given it to her a few weeks ago.

“Here,” he said, sliding the key across the table. “I had this made for you.”

She looked at it, setting her fork down, a little annoyed he’d made her stop eating the delicious dinner he’d just made in order to send her heart pounding away in her chest. “Oh.”

Garavellir pressed the key to her palm, closed her fingers tight around it, and brought her hand up to kiss her knuckles. “Baby steps, Decima. Whenever you feel the need to use it, you can. You’re welcome to come by while I’m out of town.”

It was more awkwardness than dislike that had her wanting to pull her hand free, but she didn’t. “That’s foolish.” Turning her closed fist in his gentle grasp, she pressed it to the line of his jaw, thumb brushing against his cheek. “Why would I come by if you weren’t here?”

And she hadn’t used it while he’d been gone for the past two weeks. She’d wanted to, more than a few times if she was honest with herself, but as much as she wanted to be in his space surrounded by his things, she wanted to be there with him more. So Decima went about her daily life missing him.

But then came some clearly delirious and barely legible texts she’d been able to piece together from him the day before: he was finally back from his trip but with a gravelly cough and possibly something fluish.

And so Decima was there, finally using the key he’d given her, because she’d gotten it in her head to bring him soup.

Walking in and shutting the door behind her, the apartment looked how she expected it to. Suitcases left by the door, a pack of electrolyte drink torn into and some bottles missing, empty tissue boxes on the floor. Muffled coughing and mumbling in the background.

She went straight to the kitchen, filling the fridge with pre-portioned soup and fruit cups, dumping fruit pops and ice cream into the freezer.

Holding one of the soup containers in her hand, she side-long looked at the microwave before popping open the lid. Maybe I’ll warm some up now, make sure he eats something before falling back into whatever fever dream he’s currently in.

She was halfway down the hall, a tray of hot soup with a side of cold medicine in her hands, when the mumbling became actual words she could understand.

“I can just give– cough give you all these diamonds I’ve– cough stockpiled. When we get married– cough cough our kids are going to be so smart.”

Coming to a dead halt there in the hallway, her head slowly turned to the half-open door on her right. Not his bedroom where she thought he was, talking and coughing in his sleep, but in a spare room he’d turned into a separate space for his computer.

Who… who is he talking to?

She was about to push the door open until it slammed against the wall and shock him into explaining who he was talking to and what he was doing, but he continued to say the most confusing things.

“I– cough thought you got this fish from the ocean, not the river up here.”

“Gods above, the golden tools are just– cough fucking ridiculous.”

“Please– cough please don’t rain tomorrow, it’ll mess up– cough cough everyone’s schedule.”

“Wait wait, am I– cough am I out of void mayo?”

The last thing she heard him say almost made her drop the tray, wondering if he was having some kind of intense fever dream or if the cold medicine had made him loopy. When she peeked in she found him sitting with his back to her on his computer, a bright, pixel farm space up on the screen in front of him.

Clearly he didn’t know she was there because he stayed focused on the video game, talking to a little farmer figure, complete with giant cowboy hat, riding around on a horse.

Nodding, constantly coughing into his arm or elbow, he guided his little farmer into different buildings. “Okay the– cough the cows are doing fine, the pigs are fine, the chickens are… wait. Wait. Where’s my void chicken? Where’d my void chicken go? Is this why I’m out of void mayo to sell? I’ve lost my– cough cough void chicken? Fuck.”

Decima slowly backed up down the hall until she hit the living room couch, sitting down rather solidly on the edge, somehow having the presence of mind to set the tray on the nearby coffee table.

snrt

She clapped a hand over her mouth, struggling to contain the giggles, unable to get the image of him toddling around a little farm on a horse with a big hat on out of her head.

This man who sent her flowers every day he was away, who texted her every morning and every evening, who repeatedly told her he was in love with her, would always love her. This man who found any and all excuse to hold her hand while they were out, would breathe her in every chance he could.

This man who was so worried about his lost little computer chicken.

She never noticed the message chime of her phone, the footsteps coming toward her, the blanket nest of a person kneeling in front of her because it took everything she had to stifle her laughter.

“Decima, are you all right?” He didn’t look like he believed her frantic, muffled nod, but his attention was diverted when he caught sight of the tray. “You brought soup? Just what I wanted.”

She swore at that moment she saw a little heart meter fill up above his head.

And he knelt there in front of her, drinking hot soup, as she dissolved into a pile of giggles on the couch.

Chapter Text

Looking around the table, Mio couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed.

Caska had said it would be a little fancier than usual because of the Mages’ Duel, how it would really be a dinner for competitors and their supporters and important people from each nation (like Auntie Ron).

And because it was fancy, Mio wanted to look a little fancy. She’d won the children’s Duel, everyone knew who she was now, they’d all been cheering her name. So she’d sent a quick note to Caska asking for outfit advice and Caska had sent back a red velvet dress with a slightly flouncy skirt and a matching bolero jacket, all with gold trim.

Mio felt so special. She couldn’t wait for dinner.

And then was guided over to a table where Soledad, Alum, and Chauncey sat.

All through dinner Mio kept looking around at other tables, trying to find Lucy or Caska, trying to see if Elro, Cold Heart was there so she could challenge him to a fair fight. Wondering where that other friend of Lucy’s was because she hadn’t completely understood what he’d asked for after he won the adult’s section of the Duel.

Reaching out, Soledad tugged at her sleeve, her dark hair braided and piled up on top of her head with glittery silver clips. “You keep looking around, did you lose something? I could go find it for you.” Purple mist trickled out from the ends of her fingers.

“No, it’s not that.” Not one to hide her feelings well, Mio sighed, elbow plopped onto the table, chin in hand. “Thought I’d get to sit with some of the adults who competed in the Mages’ Duel. Talk to them about magic and stuff.”

“Oh. But you get to sit here with us!” Solei patted her shoulder. “We’re way more exciting than a bunch of boring adults.”

Mio wasn’t completely sold on that. They could’ve at least served a special dessert to the winners.

She looked across the table at Alum who was patting out a little singe mark on his napkin. “Your sisters are pretty strong. Their fight against each other was super intense.”

“I know! They’re so cool!” Alum’s eyes lit up, almost like a candle was flickering in his eyes, and hooked his thumbs in his orange and black-striped suspenders. “They’re so strong and talented, and they said if I work really hard at it I’ll do magic just like them one day. But first I have to get better at fire and then maybe I’ll get to learn the magic Melvira did.”

Solei touched her chin with her finger, looking thoughtful and confused. “Wouldn’t it hurt? It hurts when you fall and scrape up your knees, right?”

Alum’s pleased face quickly turned into a frown. “That’s a good point. I wouldn’t like it if it hurt.”

“But the fire is really cool,” Mio said, folding and re-folding her napkin. “You could do all kinds of different things with it and not worry about having to hurt yourself.”

At a little throat clear on her other side, Mio turned to see Chauncey very obviously lean toward her. “Soledad said to talk to you about being a lieutenant and playing spies. What does that mean?”

Right. Solei had invited him to be part of their group. Time for Mio to be the Commander.

She pulled her sunglasses out of her dress pocket (because of course it would have pockets) and slipped them on. “It means you go spy on people and report back to me on what you’ve heard.”

“Why you?”

“It’s because I’m the oldest, I have more experience.”

Chauncey’s eyes narrowed a little. “How old are you?”

Mio sat up as tall as she could, tipping her sunglasses down to look at him over the edge. “I’m 13.”

He nodded. “And why do we play spies?”

“It’s practice for the future. Because then you can blend into the walls and no one can see you coming.”

Solei jumped up from her chair, startling everyone at the table, and tugged on Mio’s sleeve. “Everyone’s starting to dance now, let’s go dance.”

“Oh.” Mio let her pull her to her feet but she stayed standing by the table. “I don’t really know how.”

“That’s okay, I can teach you!” Solei took both of her hands in a gentle grasp, smiling at her. “Think of it like doing footwork practice.” She leaned in, dropping her voice to a whisper. “And you can listen to what all the adults are saying as we dance.”

Mio grinned at her. “I like the way you think, Lieutenant.”

Hand in hand the girls headed for the dance floor, Mio looking back at the table at Alum and Chauncey. “You two can also come learn if you want to be spies.”

With a nod Chauncey stood, joining the pair, and Alum got to his feet with a little jump. “We’re going to learn how to be spies? How cool!”

~

*excerpt from Lady Aislin’s morning letter the following day

‘Many a foot was stepped on last night after the Duel’s celebratory dinner, but the culprit, or perhaps multiple culprits, were never caught in the act.

Well done, young Commander. Keep at it.’

Chapter Text

When no one was at Court, the days were quiet, the nights even more so.

When the halls, ballrooms, and gardens were filled with people, their whispers, their letters, their plans and their plots, silence was something to be dreamed of, its year-round inhabitants constantly on the move.

But sometimes on eventful nights, when every person present was focused on each other, some of the Court ghosts were able to sneak away for little moments for themselves.

Because even spirits deserved some time off during the busy season.

On such nights, when the stars aligned and the moon shone down, they would sneak away and gather in a hidden space kept secret by tall hedge and shadowed path, floating along over weathered cobblestones to a gazebo made of twisted branches and vines.

The scent of wisteria filled the night, long bunches of flowers trailing down over vines high above the ghosts, the gentle breeze sending small petals dancing around them to the grass below.

And there in their secret space, they would sing together.

Soft, sweet, whistling tones as they circled each other, twirling round and round.

Singing of what, of whom, of where, no one could be sure.

Perhaps of the flowers above them and around them, filling the air with sweet honey and vanilla. The petals falling on their heads, dancing around inside their bodies like springtime cellophane snow globes as they danced themselves.

Perhaps they sang of the people in their halls, the possibilities they brought with them. Their secrets, their plots and plans. Their sweetness and their sourness. Their lights and their shadows.

Or perhaps they sang of what was, what is, and what may come to pass. Of memory, of known and unknown. Of possibility.

Whatever their reason or their topic sang they did, like wind chimes tinkling in a crisp spring breeze, like a wolf calling to the moon, like birdsong in an overgrown forest.

clap clap clap

As gentle applause entered their space, the ghosts turned to see a shadow-obscured figure standing nearby. When they saw who it was, they all nodded and gave a little bow of their little ghostly heads.

“How absolutely lovely that was.” The figure, hidden mostly in shadow, nodded in return. “I can’t believe I’d never heard you all sing before. Surely you’ll be sending me an invitation to your next concert.”

The ghosts all murmured to themselves, embarrassed by the attention and praise, and gave little waves as the figure turned to leave. And as the figure walked back down the secret garden path, moonlight catching on their copper curls, the sweet song of the Arcadian Court continued long into the night.

Chapter Text

Theagus clambered up onto a nearby crate, pausing to catch his breath, his flippers down in his lap.

Phew. What a day.

So much had happened the last couple of days. So many improbable, impossible things.

Finding out they’d been trapped in the ruins of the Lighthouse for a week. Being rescued by someone they all thought was dead. Saving what remained of Faleeria from the Witchbreed.

Going into the ruins of the train, defeating what was inside of it.

It was all a lot for one time wizard penguin to take in.

And considering they were all waiting for Aelys to sort out whatever was going on with her and this cocoon she was stuck inside, Theagus figured he could actually take some time for himself.

They were probably all waiting for him over in their big group tent, but they could stand to wait a few moments longer.

For what was time when you travelled with a time wizard?

So he sat there in the shadow of a storehouse, sitting up on a crate, eyes closed and flippers in his lap.

Just wanting quiet, just wanting a moment to breathe.

Just wanting to be.

“Are you in need of assistance, wizard?”

At the sound of Dr. Iridia Thane’s voice in his head, his eyes opened, looking around, looking straight across toward her tower on the other side of the legion’s grounds. She was too far away to see clearly but he knew she was at the window watching him. “No, not exactly. Just wanted a quiet moment to myself, I suppose. Time with my own thoughts.”

“Shall I leave you alone, then? With your time and your thoughts.”

He considered it. “It’s alright. I appreciate your concern, Doctor.”

There was a pause, a brush against the inside of his mind that felt more contemplative than intrusive. “Stay there a moment longer. I have something I’d like to give to you.”

“Of course.”

He felt her presence leave him, the slight icy-hot feeling dissipating as he watched the door to her tower open and close and a figure travel toward him in his little shady spot.

Dr. Thane was dressed similarly to how she was earlier in the day when they brought her the cocoon, in her full protective suit, but being outside meant her helmet was up and completely sealed.

Theagus looked at her when she came to a stop in front of him, a pouch held tight in one of her gloved hands. “Is that what you’d like to give me?” He wasn’t exactly sure what he’d expected, maybe a book or some more of the crystals.

“Ah, yes, yes it is.” Speaking this way through her helmet, her voice sounded more robotic, processed. “Well, you’ve had a bad day, or few days, really the last week or so, I feel, has been a lot, what with your… your travelling away and your… experiences there, and then your returning here and everything that’s happened. I was thinking about it yesterday after you stopped by and after consulting quite a fair few of my own books and asking around with people here at the Copper Legion, I’ve come to the conclusion that you are in dire need of some items to help boost your mood and productivity.”

More intrigued than anything, Theagus nodded. “And what would those be?”

Iridia held out the pouch. “I believe you would call them ‘cookies’.”

He took it from her, peering inside to see quite a few beige circles. “Oh, that’s rather kind of you. Of course. Hmmm.” Tucking it into a pocket of his vest, he nodded at her. “Thank you, Doctor.”

“I wasn’t completely sure what to add to them exactly, not knowing your exact physiology and dietary requirements. But I went and talked to Rusty, of course, and asked him what he would want to see and he gave me some suggestions. Hopefully they will be to your liking.”

She looked around nervously in every direction before bending down and quickly touching her helmet to the top of his head before heading back toward her tower.

Theagus stayed there on the crate for a few moments more, alone with his thoughts, gently kicking his feet back and forth, before hopping down and heading back to the tent.

Luckily, no one was there at the time, which gave him the opportunity to try the cookies without Synnove being nosy and asking questions. Reaching into the little bag he pulled out an extremely firm beige circle studded with whole grains and seeds, bringing it up to his beak to nibble on it.

It’s bad. It’s very bad. It’s a toasted flour paste and grain slab.

With a small penguin sigh, Theagus tucked the pouch of rock-hard flavourless cookies into his pack and brought up the display on his spell book.

Hmmm. Maybe they can be used as a projectile of some sort.

Chapter Text

At one point during every night on their journey to the Lighthouse of Beauty, Ythae'el Kosima would make sure to lie down and look up at the night sky to talk to all the stars above them. It was important to keep them all informed as to their journey, even if some days the most exciting thing was that someone made soup for dinner.

But soup was the greatest food so it was best to tell them every time they had it.

One night, during their retelling of the day, as they lay on their bedroll (because Talis said lying on the ground too much would fill their hair with dirt and crush their flowers), they caught a glimpse of a light nearby. Turning their head, they watched Gold doing his nightly patrol of the campsite, floating around in a wide circle in order to make sure everyone was safe as they slept.

Seeing him alone, they made their decision.

This. This is the night to talk to him.

Gathering up all their courage, humming their song, making confident fists with their hands, Ythae'el Kosima stood up and marched their way over to Gold, standing behind him as he made his circle. “Hello, Gold.”

He turned to look at them with his one large green eye, faint sounds of clicking and whirring coming from inside his metallic shell. “Hello, staR chi-child.”

“My name is Ythae'el Kosima.”

“Corr-correct, but also, was I wrong?”

“Hmmmmmmm.” No, no, this isn’t what I want to talk about right now. Clasping their hands together, humming their song once more, they took a deep breath before continuing on with the speech they’d pre-written in their mind. “Gold, I want to talk to you.”

“Only if they are about topics I am well-well-versed in. I do not know anything about which I doooooo not know.”

“I want you to tell me about stars.”

Gold came to an abrupt halt, so abrupt that Ythae'el Kosima bumped into him from behind. “I-I-I-Is this some kind of trickkkk? Are you ppppranking me? Is there an image RE-recorder nearby? You have to be nice to me, I’m just a boy.”

They tilted their head at him, utterly confused. “How are you a boy? You’re a ball made of metal.”

“How are you here on the Prime but also a st-star?” Rising up to meet Ythae'el Kosima’s height, Gold looked them square in the face, his plating shifting slightly to make it look like he was squinting. “Very mysterious indEEED.”

Focus, stay focused. Ask the questions. “During our walk this afternoon Talis asked me about shooting stars, if I'd ever seen any or happened to know any. I told him I’d never shot across the sky before.”

“I underst-stand.” Gold turned back around and continued his patrol, Ythae'el Kosima following close behind. “A shooting star is not a star but a big rock full of metal and other things falling from hiiiiiiiiiiiiigh in the sky above us. People often call them shooting stars because of the picture it makes in the night sky.”

“But you said before that metal is under the ground.”

Gold made a little pleased with himself sound and wiggled in place. “So you were listening to my lecture.”

“It was very boring.”

“Perhaps I shou-should turn it into a skit.”

“Don’t.” Sweeping their cloak out of the way, they sat down criss-cross applesauce on a nearby flat rock, their eyes pulled back up to the twinkling lights above them. “So there’s metal up in the sky?”

Gold made a clunking whirring sound, gears scraping against gears inside of his shell, and dropped to sit in Ythae'el Kosima’s lap. “There is metal everywhere, in big pieces and in very very very small pieces. In the ground, in the sky, and far far past it where most cannot reach.”

They nodded, understanding what he meant. “Where they are, looking down on us.”

“And sometimes it falls. The universe is always moving, whether we want it to or not.”

With Gold in their lap, they laid their hand gently on top of his head, taking comfort in not being alone in that moment. “Will they all fall here?” Will they all walk the path like I am? Will they all have the chance to breathe in flowers, eat fish drop soup, give leaves to Talis?

“No.” In the silence of the night around them, in the space the two of them shared on that flat rock, Gold’s voice was soft but echoed deep down in their bones. “Some will streak across the sky like fireworks, scattering their pieces across the Prime. Some will simply disappear without us knowing why. And some will stay there, twinkling away, for hundreds and thousands of cycles. Watching. Wai-aiting.”

Ythae'el Kosima continued to look up at the night sky, blinking back water in their eyes, feeling lighter and heavier and lighter than they had during the day. “Thank you, Gold. You’ve given me a lot to think about.”

Whirring, clicking, vibrating in their lap, Gold rotated to focus his eye on their face. To focus on the constellation above. “May I j-j-join you in your contempl-lation of the stars?”

“Yes, Gold, you may.”

“You don’t have to ke-keep petting me, I am n-n-not a puppy.”

Ythae'el Kosima ignored them, continuing to look up at the stars. “Hush. You talk too much.”

Chapter Text

Next to her, back pressed to a garden hedge, Solei tipped her own pair of sunglasses down to look around. “What are we looking for again?”

Mio, looking over her own pair, held a finger up to her lips. “Quietly, lieutenant. We can’t let them know we’re onto them.”

She clapped a hand over her mouth, nodding furiously. “Sorry.”

Turning back, Mio took quick glances around the hedge, checking every possible direction before darting around the corner, pulling Solei with her. “I saw something weird through a window earlier but when I got outside I lost it.” The pair of them dart and duck around hedge corners, constantly keeping an eye out. “By doing this, we can practice being sneaky and moving around so no one hears us.”

“Got it.” Solei gave a solid head nod, looking back behind them, keeping an eye out for anyone watching them, moving forward when Mio tugged on her wrist. “What did you see? Was it a magic thing? Was it one of the ghosts carrying something?”

They darted around another hedge then dove to kneel behind it, their heads popping up over the top. Squinting, Mio tried to blow a leaf out of her face. “I thought it was a person because I saw a lot of long hair but then it disappeared after it turned a corner.”

“Long hair? What colour?”

“Ummmm, like a misty foggy rainbow blob?”

Solei paused in her peering over the hedge to turn toward Mio, her dark hair swishing against her shoulders. “What?”

neiggghhhh bpfffffffffft

And in between Mio and Solei’s heads, as they crouched in front of a short hedge somewhere in the Court gardens, was the long, iridescent, translucent head of a ghost horse.

Mio’s chin dropped to her chest as the horse turned their head from side to side, looking at both girls before walking straight through the hedge and on through the garden.

The two watched the horse leave, then turned to look at each other, and without a word spoken scrambled to their feet to run after it.

Because it was a ghost horse it could just walk through the shrubs and flowerbeds without a care in the world, which left Mio and Solei rushing after it on pathways and cobblestones. They lost sight of it a couple of times, getting twisted around near a small rose garden, racing underneath a trellis of big, fat bunches of little purple flowers.

They kept chasing after it, essentially circling the large palace of the Court until they reached the large front drive and found the ghost horse, standing in the middle of the gravel space, nosing at something on the ground, with three separate ghost attendants circling it.

It was almost like they were trying to talk to it, the Court ghosts making their soft cooing ghost sounds, the horse flicking their tail back and forth, but eventually the ghosts gave up trying to get it to move and toddled off through the front doors.

Now alone, Mio and Solei walked up to the horse, watching it carefully. Not wanting to spook them, Mio took off her sunglasses. “Hello. I’m Commander Mio Sarovei. You may know me as the protegé of the Golden Flame and the champion of the children’s Duel. This is my lieutenant, Solei. There are others but they’re off practicing.”

On the other side of the horse, Solei gave them a little wave. “Hi. Is it okay if we pet you?”

The horse stomped their front hoof in the gravel and flicked their tail, seemingly unbothered by anything and everything around them, then swung their large head around to bump their nose against Solei’s shoulder.

After a few moments of pets and pats, Mio stroking their neck and Solei attempting to braid their mane, the ghosts from before floated back out from the Court. Upon seeing the girls they all bowed, made their little ghostie sounds, and went back to trying to guide the horse back around to the side of the palace.

To which the ghost horse snuffed again, stomped their hoof twice, and pushed past everyone to walk straight on in through the open front doors.

Mio and Solei shared a look with each other as the ghosts chased after the horse, wailing as they disappeared down the hall, then raced off inside to follow.

~~

*excerpt from Lady Aislin’s morning letter the following day

“And finally, this writer has heard quite the amusing story about two young persons riding a spectral steed through the halls of the Court yesterday afternoon. How utterly outlandish. Perhaps we should all consider how many drinks we have during the evening meal.”

Chapter Text

Why am I here? Why did I say yes to this? Why did I let Synnove talk me into agreeing to come to this? I hate parties like this.

Hotel ballrooms, people in suits and dresses and fancy adult outfits talking at tables around her. It reminded her of home, of parts of her childhood. It made her skin crawl.

It all started with Maravix, with her saying she was going to be in town over the holiday break, that her company was doing a fancy new year’s party to celebrate and because she essentially ran the company she had carte blanche to invite whomever she wanted. And also that Garavellir would be visiting for the break. With his girlfriend? Who he’d been seeing for a year? Their brother? Aelys had to say yes if only to meet this mystery woman that had somehow tamed their sibling.

But then Synnove had walked into their room and took over the call with Maravix, not exactly but slightly inviting their friend group along (except Sal, because he’d been invited separately by someone else Maravix worked with, and except Theagus, because he was struggling to smooth things over with the professor he’d been not-so-secretly secretly dating).

And so there Aelys was, sitting alone at a table in a hotel ballroom, in a blue and silver cocktail dress Maravix had picked out for her, in outrageous high heels that Synnove had lent her, waiting for Synnove to return from raiding the dessert table. “There’s so many pretty cakes over there, Aelys, we just have to try them all. You wait here, I’ll go get some.” She couldn’t see the dessert table from where she was sitting, and she knew Synnove wouldn’t just abandon her in a room of strangers, but enough time had passed that Aelys debated getting up to see what had delayed her.

Until someone settled their jacket over her shoulders.

The outdoor, fresh air scent hit her just as she watched JB pull out the chair next to her and sit. “You looked cold, I figured you would not mind.”

“Oh. Thank you.” She hunched her shoulders even more, letting the fabric essentially envelop her. “I blame Maravix, really. She could’ve at least included a shawl or a sweater. And then Synnove gave me these shoes of hers.” She looked down at the black high heels with little ankle straps. “They’re more like a death trap. At least I snuck some flats into my bag.”

“Synnove wouldn’t do anything to hurt you.”

She had to smile, he said it so matter of factly. “I know.”

JB mirrored Aelys’ pose, chin in hand, elbow on table, looking at her. “Synnove has been delayed but she’ll be back soon. She said to keep an eye on you. Just in case.” Reaching out, he gave her shoulder a squeeze with his other hand. “She cares about you.”

“I know, I know.” At the beginning of the semester she hated Synnove for how loud she was. Now Aelys saw how she would grab hold of people she loved and kept them close. “And she said something so silly when we got here tonight. ‘Remember, sugar, you’re gonna need to kiss someone at midnight.’ First, it’s not even the new year yet. Second, like who? Sal? He’s too busy hate-flirting with Bathriel over in a corner somewhere.” She waved her hand behind her, presumably gesturing at the two of them bickering somewhere in the background. “Besides, it’s not like I’m going to turn into a pumpkin if I don’t.” With a scoff, Aelys half-buried her face in her hand. “Princess or pumpkin, are those my only two options?”

“Do you have to?”

“Have to what?”

“Kiss someone at midnight. It has always felt like more of a suggestion to me.”

“I suppose that’s true.”

“And I wasn’t, just so you know.”

She gave him a confused look. “You weren’t what?”

“Keeping an eye on you because Synnove said to. You can take care of yourself.”

“I see.”

“But I was.”

More confused. “What?”

“Keeping an eye on you.”

Excuse me?! The whiplash Aelys was getting from this conversation. “Why?”

He shrugged, the same, familiar, easy-going sort of half-smile on his face. “Just in case.”

flip

Aelys was sweating so nervously under his jacket, she was so thankful the room was half-lit in a bad hotel ballroom kind of way.

“You know, it’s been too long, we should go find Synnove. Maybe she’s wormed her way into someone’s conversation.” Sliding her chair back, Aelys tried to stand, forgetting she was in high heels and forgetting they had almost no traction on the flooring. And slipped.

And would’ve fallen smack on the floor if JB hadn’t stood up with her and immediately grabbed hold of her elbows. “Are you okay?”

Dark hair now falling into her face she nodded, scowling down at her feet. “Yes, I’m fine. I knew I should’ve changed my shoes during dinner.” Looking back up, his face was right there in front of her. Oh Gods, these heels make me so tall. And he’s right there. Do it, just do it, Aelys. What the fuck. Just do it. Suck it up, princess. She inhaled a quick breath and leaned in to kiss him on the cheek. “Thank you. For saving me from falling on my ass.”

“You’re welcome. Princess.” The half-smile returned, hands squeezing her elbows as he guided her back down to sit.

And she would’ve reached down to take off the cursed heels, if he hadn’t knelt down to take them off for her.

Aelys had to bite her lips shut and essentially stop breathing to keep from making squeaky noises as JB slowly, carefully, unbuckled the thin straps, and slipped the shoes from her feet.

“Perhaps not a princess after all. She would’ve worn better shoes.”

Aelys made the most undignified squeak/snort/huffing laugh she’d ever made in her entire life, in no way offended, in every way infinitely comforted and supported, and returned the easy smile. “How dare you.”

flip

Chapter Text

Why am I here? Why did I say yes to this? Why did I let them all talk me into coming? I hate events like this.

The second the dinner portion was anywhere close to being over, Katari immediately excused themself and beelined it to a patio attached to the ballroom. It wasn’t completely empty or private, there were other people using the space to either get some fresh air or talk, but there was space enough for them to stand alone and look out at the city in front of her.

When Aelys had mentioned some kind of open invitation to a party one of her siblings was hosting, they immediately had a chill up their spine. They were so ready to say no, even with both JB and Sal saying they were going to attend, but then Synnove had to go and open her mouth.

“It’s just one little party, sugar. It’s not going to jump up and bite you.”

She spent the rest of that day hating how much she continued to let Synnove bait them instead of just ignoring her.

But it was so hard to. She’s always just right there.

And when she’s not it’s too quiet.

They weren’t sure how long they were out there for. All she knew was there was fresh air to breathe and no one crowding around them and certainly no one chattering away in their ear.

After enough time had passed and Katari realized they were alone out on the patio, they figured it was time to head inside, make their flimsy excuse to Aelys and leave, but when they turned around they found they weren’t alone.

Standing behind them, fingers twisting in front of her, blue hair twirling in the late night breeze, skirt fluttering around her knees, was Synnove.

She took a step forward, tentative. It was strange, Katari had never seen her look unsure of herself. “I was getting cakes for the table when I saw you standing out here.”

They blinked, waiting for the sass, waiting for the other shoe to drop. “There’s no cake out here.”

“Yes, I can see that, Katari.” Synnove huffed and stomped in her delicate-looking shoes to the railing, standing about a foot away. Hands still twisting together, it looked to her like she spent long minutes thinking before turning to face them. “Do you hate me?”

“What?”

“I mean, it’s a little obvious you don’t like me, which is whatever, you’re allowed to not like every person you meet, but like, do you not like me so much that you hate me?”

Katari felt drunk when all they’d had to drink that day and night was water. “Wait. What?”

“It’s because of when we first met, isn’t it?” Exasperated, Synnove started pacing back and forth in front of them, gold hair clips and necklaces sparkling in the dim light. “Look, I know what I said that day, I got tagged in that stupid video so many times. I know it was silly and stupid, I was in such a rush that day and then I slipped and everything happened so fast–”

There was a video?

“–and then you just walked away and I didn’t have the chance to apologize. And every time I’ve seen you since it’s just been so awkward and weird, and you’re friends with all my friends and that makes it even weirder. So just tell me you hate me and I won’t ever try to talk to you if we happen to hang out. We can just be civil and avoid each other. I can learn to make small talk.” She glanced down and to the side, nervously chewing on her lower lip.

“I don’t hate you.”

“What?”

plip. plip. plip pli-plip FSHHHHHH

The second the downpour started Katari grabbed hold of Synnove’s wrist and pulled her over to a nearby patio umbrella, their immediate concern getting them out of the rain instead of getting them inside.

Once under cover, Katari took off her suit jacket and draped it over Synnove’s shoulders, using the empty sleeves in an attempt to blot the rain from her hair.

Synnove wiped raindrops from her cheeks with the back of her hand like a cat would. “Why over here? We have to walk back through the rain to go inside.”

“I don’t hate you, Synnove, I–” Frustrated, confused, hands in their hair, they looked down at the chaotic beam of sunshine in front of them, hair curling around her face. Big, soft eyes. “When we met, when that happened, it all felt so impossible. Like it just shouldn’t have happened but it did. And honestly I didn’t even hear what you said at that moment. I couldn’t hear anything, and then all I could hear was people around us talking, laughing, pointing. Not at us, not all of them, but all the noise and the people, it was too much. And it–” They blew out another frustrated breath, crossed their arms over their chest. “It felt ruined, you know.”

Hands covering her mouth, eyes wide, Synnove frantically nodded.

“That’s why I left. And the next day, when you were there at lunch. You looked horrified!”

“Of course I was horrified! You were there!”

“YOU were there!” It felt like their anxiety from the last several months drained away with the rain. “I just didn’t know what to say. And then you would be snippy with me.”

Synnove made an outraged squawking noise and Katari bit back a laugh. “I what?!”

“And maybe it was a little fun, the verbal sparring. Because we both know there’s no way you’d last in a real fight with me.”

A delicate but by no means weak hand lightly punched them in the arm, making them both chuckle. “So you don’t hate me?”

Slowly, they stepped forward, taking up as much space as she could in front of her. Their hand up to cradle her jaw, thumb brushing away a stray raindrop. Voice low, their bangs falling forward. Forehead hits hers. “Synnove. I can’t stop thinking about you.”

Chapter Text

“What’s our mission today, Commander?”

Tipping her sunglasses down, Mio looked at Soledad next to her. “As always, Lieutenant, we’re continuing our reccona… our observations of Lucy.”

Solei’s expression sank a little but she still nodded. “Okay. We seem to do that a lot, though.”

Mio whipped off her sunglasses, striking a very serious pose. “Lieutenant. Ever since the duel he’s been distant, he’s been keeping things from me. And there’s these new people that’ve arrived. We need to know what’s going on so we can help him.” She turned back to peek around the corner. “But he’s locked the door on me, which means we’ll have to think of another way to observe him.”

“And what’s that?”

As Mio crept around the exterior of the Court in a very sneaky super secret spy way (with a sneaky super secret theme song playing in her head), she explained her extremely detailed seven-point plan. “Lucy’s room has a balcony. It’s not that far up the stairs and it’s down a short hallway, which means it’s along one of these outside short walls. It’s also not far from an outdoor balcony space, which means we can quickly magic-jump across over and we can continue to keep an eye on him.”

Solei followed, sending the occasional glance behind the two of them. “But what if he just wants to be alone? Or maybe he’s sick.”

Mio pulled up short, Solei bumping into her shoulder, and looked back at her companion. “Lucy’s done a lot for me. He’s been looking out for me, training me, helping me. He’s my friend. Something’s up. I need to make sure he’s doing okay so I can help him if he needs it.”

“Okay, Commander.” With a single nod, Solei gave her a smile. “Whatever you say.”

And so Mio continued to creep along the wall, ducking under branches, somersaulting through foot-high shrubs, with Solei following, walking normally along the cobblestone path.

When the pair reached another corner, Mio waved Solei over to stand right behind her. “The balcony should be just around the corner. Then we can climb up and over and Lucy’s room should be right there. Hopefully he didn’t pull the curtains.”

But when they turned the corner, there was nothing but a blank stone wall.

Face pinched in confusion, Mio’s hands went to her hips. “I could’ve sworn I counted correctly.”

“Did you remember to add for the big stairs leading into the palace?”

“What?” Mio followed Solei’s finger pointing up and saw the row of balconies above them. “Oh, right. Well. Shoot.”

~~

Concentrating on keeping her mist cloud solid under Mio’s feet, Solei looked down. “Are you sure I should be the one sitting on your shoulders?”

“Yes. You’re smaller than me so you have to be the one on top.”

With a small nod, the purple mist slowly began to lift the two girls, moving straight up to the balcony that Mio was sure was Lucy’s. This meant they wouldn’t have to jump from one to the other and Solei could just peek through the railing to see what was going on.

Mio’s new plan was utterly foolproof.

The two wobbled a little on their way up but were able to stay steady. Once at the top Solei grabbed hold of the balcony edge to steady herself, peering through the window. “I can see him, he doesn’t have the curtains drawn.”

“Great. What’s he doing?”

“I can’t really tell, I think he’s just walking around. He keeps moving away from the window.” Solei paused. “He’s got a bottle or a pitcher in his hands, I think? Wait. He’s… he’s pouring something over his head?”

Mio jumped up from the mist cloud, trying to grab hold of the balcony so she could lift herself up to see. “WAIT HE REALLY DOES DYE HIS HAIR?!?!”

What happened next was truly a comedy of errors.

Started by Mio’s shout, Solei lost her hold on the railing and her balance sitting on Mio’s shoulders, falling backward. She also lost her concentration on the mist cloud, which meant Mio lost her already unstable footing. She tried to grab hold of the railing to hold herself up but she wasn’t prepared to suddenly hold up her entire body weight, especially with Solei falling back above her, her heels pushing back into Mio’s chest.

Which meant both girls fell straight into the hedge below.

Cushioned by leaves and pointy branches, Mio looked up at the blue sky above her and watched a familiar face appear leaning over the balcony. “Hi Lucy!”

Shaking his head, elbows resting on the railing, Lücan looked down at the chaos below. “Mio, what exactly are you doing down there?”

“Oh, you know,” she said, rolling her way out of the hedge, landing on the grass next to Solei (who’d luckily cushioned her own fall with her mist) with a soft thump. Sitting up, she wiped at a stinging scratch on her cheek and shook out the leaves stuck in her hair. “Just working on some stealth skills.”

“By falling into a shrub.”

The sassiest teenage scoff left Mio’s mouth as she glared up at him. “Yes, Lucy. Obviously.”

Chapter Text

As Decima slipped her coat back on, she scoffed and shook her head, faintly smiling to herself.

Confused, Garavellir put his own coat on and followed her out of the restaurant. “What was that?”

“What was what?” she asked, falling into step with him as they walked down the street back to her condo.

“The scoff.”

“Oh, just remembering a story Beatrix told me when I had lunch with her and Ygritte the other day. She’d been stuck in line somewhere behind a man desperate to convince his partner he’d be a great parent.” Decima slipped her arm through his, leaning into him as they walked, anchoring herself to him as a chilly winter breeze swept down the street.

He nodded, attempting to nonchalantly glance at the stores they walked past. “It didn’t go well for him, I take it.”

“From how Beatrix told it, I believe the call ended with him being dumped.” She shook her head. “In the end he didn’t seem like the kind of person actively thinking about his and his partner’s future.”

Garavellir’s mind started turning, racing through thoughts he’d had over the last year.

He’d known from their first meeting, before their first meeting, catching a glimpse of her from across the room, that she was the one. And he hadn’t wanted to push, but he also hadn’t known any other way than to be honest with her from the start.

Thoughts from the last few months.

Something had changed for her during the autumn season. It wasn’t that she’d acquiesced, that she’d given in. It was like she was finally saying yes. Yes to more dinners together, drinks, lunches. Breakfasts. Time. Yes to more time together. Maybe it had finally hit her that everything he’d said was real, that he wasn’t going away.

Thoughts from the last couple of weeks.

The set of house keys he’d picked up from the real estate agent the day before. Words he’d tried to say the night before at dinner, words he’d thought about saying during brunch.

His thoughts had been nothing but the future. Their future.

It’s you. It’s always been you. It’ll only ever be you. Hummingbird. Come be with me in this house I’ve found for us. Through sunrises and sunsets, eclipses and meteor showers. Give me the chance to breathe you in every day for the rest of my life instead of these brief moments you continue to gift me with.

A future he wanted with her. Days of laughter, surprise. Quiet moments in the mornings, sharing meals in the evenings. The two of them.

Three of them? More?

“And what about you, Decima?”

She stopped with him when they reached a red light at a crosswalk, turning her face to look up at him. A face that never gave anything away but could always see everything on his. “What about me, Garavellir?”

A gust of wind kicked up, pushing the two of them together, pushing past them.

He reached up to tuck her hair back behind her ear, brushed his thumb along the edge of her jaw, tugged the collar of her coat up with both of his hands. “Do you think you’d be a good parent?”

The range of emotions that skittered across her face was as wide as the sea.

shock surprise joy shock surprise confusion concern happiness sadness happiness shock surprise confusion surprise hope

Her mouth opened and closed, opened and closed, and when she finally spoke her voice was just breath. A cloud of air visible in the chill winter air. “I don’t know.”

He brushed his lips across her forehead as the crosswalk signal changed and looped her arm back through his. Continuing their walk down the street. “I’d be an amazing parent, just so you know.”

She scoffed again like before but with far more love and affection behind it. Far more trust and faith in a partner that wasn’t going to fuck it all up. “Oh you would, would you.”

“Absolutely.”

She hugged his arm closer to her, her cheek pressed to his sleeve. “Says the man who still hasn’t found his missing computer chicken.”

“Hey, It’s not my fault. Those guys have clearly created an elaborate tunnel system in order to escape.”

Chapter Text

Inbox
Drafts: 1

Hi. It’s me. Of course you know it’s me. You saw the name and the e-mail address.

I think I need to tell you something before I get back.

My summer away was great, by the way. It was wonderful to spend so much time with Maravix and Garavellir. It was almost like being a kid with them again, except for the adult meals and the conversation topics. But to be honest, considering how much Decima rolled her eyes at him, it’s clear my brother still hasn’t grown up that much.

Well, he’s grown up where it counts, considering he proposed to her in the most serious but also utterly romantic way.

It would’ve been great to spend the summer with everyone at the house, but when I saw Mare and G back at the end of the year I realized how much I missed them, how much I wanted to spend more time with them. I’ve mentioned it before, our childhood was… well, our, mother, really. She had her expectations, still has them. And I’d rather have my sister and brother in my life than try to fit in our mother’s expectations.

It was probably also good to get away for the summer, what with all the construction going on at the house. Thank everyone for me for sending pictures of the attic space getting torn down and fixed up. And make sure to give Sal a punch in the arm for not fixing it up sooner.

And I know I got snippy with her in the group chat about keeping the walls plain but you can tell her I’m okay with her painting stars on the ceiling.

Did you know she saved me last fall? All of you, really, but she was the first.

Back when classes started I never thought I would make so many friends. Meet people, sure, that was bound to happen. Even if I’d been in a single room in the dorms, I’d’ve still attended classes. Done group projects. Been forced into those awkward icebreaker games.

It wouldn’t have been the best, I’m sure, but I would’ve tolerated it.

But then Synnove walked into that dorm room, all blue hair and sunshine and sugar, all friendship and compassion, and it all snowballed from there. The silly stuffed cat, the snacks and the movie nights, the grumbling about assignments and the mad dashes to hand them in on time. The pep talks, the hugs. The unwillingness to let me stew every time I received an e-mail from my mother.

Then there was Katari with their no-nonsense attitude. Theagus with all the book smarts and almost no street smarts. Sal… Sal being Sal, really. Even Lenore for the times she’s been around, she reminds me of Maravix sometimes. It’s probably the big sister thing.

And there’s you, always supporting everyone. If you don’t think we see it, we do. You’re always there to help. To go grab a snack from the market or books from the library. To talk out essay topics or seminar discussions with. To go for runs with on early mornings or to the gym on rainy days.

Do you remember that one house party Sal hosted, with the karaoke machine on the back patio and the DDR set-up in the living room, when initially it was the 5 of us and Lenore who was in town visiting just hanging out celebrating that exams were over? How Synnove was happy to party and Katari was content to keep an eye on her for the entire night?

The second the music started, the second I said I was going to head back to the dorm because it was that or murder Sal in his own house, you took me up to this hidden tucked away roof spot just outside your room and we stayed out there all night. Listening to better music than the bad karaoke below us, watching silly animal videos. I never found the one of the bird with the full mouth of teeth. I know you swear up and down that it’s real but I just can’t find it.

That was the first time I ever stayed up all night, the first time I laughed so much I was sore the next day. Definitely the first time I ever hung out with someone on the roof of a house.

Thank you for that night. And morning. For everything.

I’ve missed you. Missed all of you. I didn’t think I would this much. As much as I’ve enjoyed all this time with Mare and G, and getting to know Decima (she’s pretty intense, it feels like she’s always watching me, which considering her job, isn’t all that surprising), I’ve really missed everyone back at the house.

And I know you all say it in the group chat sometimes, and I know I can be a pill about a lot of things, but do you all really miss me

are you sure you still want to be friends with–

if i got back a day early would you want to get coffee with–

did you ever find the message i left on your mirror–

1 New Message!

Hello, Aelys.

I hope things have been well over your summer vacation. Even though classes start up in a few weeks, everyone seems to have picked now to leave me alone in the house.

Synnove and Katari have plans to go visit Lenore. Sal has returned to your hometown to ‘go hang out with his friend Kenos and also go bother Bathriel.’ Theagus spends all of his time in the laboratories now, I think he sleeps there.

I had not planned on returning home at all this summer break because of the distance but perhaps I will go visit my mother and father, if only for a week or so.

I hope you are doing well.

JB

P.S.: Synnove said to keep it a secret but she’s already decorated the ceiling of your shared attic space with stars. I told her you would not mind.

Reply?

~~

1 New Message!

The message is an image of a steamy bathroom mirror.
Written in the steam are six words.

‘Come see me. I’ll be waiting.’