Paper lanterns adorned the streets of the city, their glow outshining the stars on this festival night. Women dressed in their most elegant and vibrant hanfu wandered around the streets, their gossiping full of laughter. Men sauntered around, boasting tales about their (exaggerated) adventures and conquests. Children ran in the streets, holding tight to the red envelopes of jin, the coins clinking in the paper. Merchants sold their most delicious dishes from all across Laika. Even travelling vendors from other countries had stalls set up, serving food Saki had never even heard of before.
Everyone came to the city of Xiaohe to celebrate the new year. Even the poorest of farmers tried their best to make it out to the grand event once in their lifetime. It was a night to forget the ever increasing border disputes with Sarangerel, but more importantly, to forget the slow corruption by the hands of the Empress.
But the Silver Blade did not forget the crumbling integrity of their monarchy. Instead, they'd make sure that this New Year was one would ever forget.
To most, the quiet girl walking throughout the festival went unnoticed. Saki simply watched the crowds, slipping through the throngs of people. A part of her wondered if anyone would recognize her. She tried not to acknowledge the glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, a family would call out her name and embrace her.
Saki shook her head to dismiss those thoughts. It had been half a year since she was found in that forest clearing, and she still had no clues as to who she was.
"You okay, Saki?" Taoyun asked, noticing Saki's furrowed expression.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Saki smiled. "Are you having fun?"
Taoyun grinned, flashing his red envelope that was full to the brim with jin. "Don't tell Mei- she'll say its childish."
Saki laughed. "Glad to see you're enjoying yourself. But don't get too distracted. We have a job to do."
"Come on, relax a bit. We want to seem natural, right? Besides, it's a couple of hours before the ceremony. We've got time to enjoy it. This is your first New Year, so let's make it a good one!"
"Sakiiii!" a familiar, cheerful voice called. "There you are. You have to try this curry!"
Parisa looked beautiful tonight. She wore a traditional crimson sari from Mitra, the trim embroidered with gold silk. She drew quite the crowd of admirers, with people stepping aside to let the dancer through. Maybe it was her exotic olive skin and rounded eyes, but Saki knew that Parisa exuded an air of confidence and friendliness that matched no other.
She held a dish of curry. Saki could smell the spicy tang of the bright red sauce. Parisa's smile was wide, her eyes sparkling. Saki didn't think she had ever seen Parisa this happy, as she donned Mitra's clothing and ate their traditional food.
Parisa had never talked about her homeland much. She claimed she didn't miss the slums of the Mitran capital Aishwarya, but Saki could tell that that was an exaggerated claim at best, and most likely an outright lie.
"Is Mei with you guys?" Parisa asked.
Taoyun shrugged. "Dunno. I think she's skipping the festivities. You know Mei."
"Kantou and Shun are at the tavern, gambling. And hopefully not getting too drunk," Parisa sighed. "Come on!" she tugged at the sleeve of Saki's hanfu. "It's getting a bit loud. Let's talk somewhere quieter."
Parisa pulled Saki and Taoyun into an alley.
"Okay, we all know what we need to do tonight, right?" Parisa said. "We've got time before the Xiaohe governor makes his address. We need to blend in, so don't act suspicious. But, don't forget we're here for more than fun and games.
"When the gong strikes nine times, go to your positions." Parisa then closed her eyes, and offered up a prayer. "May the goddess Sumayeh bless Mei with a steady shot, and watch over us all."
Taoyun shifted uncomfortably, but said nothing. Deep down, Saki knew a part of him admired Parisa's pious devotion, even if he rejected the notion of religion outwardly.
"Alright," Parisa opened her eyes, her smile radiating determination. The moonlight shimmered on her loose black hair. She really was beautiful tonight, Saki thought. "Time to get this show on the road! Go have some fun. And Taoyun, any jin left over is going to our food money. So I'd spend it, if I were you. I recommend the curry from the stall at the town square. Speaking of which, I'm going to go get seconds!"
Parisa bounced off, her sari rippling in the wind.
"I deserve some money to myself," Taoyun grumbled. "I wonder if there are any shops selling books. I'd like the new version of the Imperial Encyclopedia." He walked off, lost in thought, probably thinking of his books.
And so, Saki was left alone. She brushed a strand of hair back, hoping the elegant up-do that a chatty young hairdresser did earlier today was staying put. And she stepped back into the bustling streets, people brushing past her.
She didn't belong here.
"Maybe you come from Hinazawa," Kantou had once commented. "Your name seems to suggest that. After we complete our mission, I'll accompany you there myself."
Saki nodded politely, but she didn't feel like she came from some faraway country, especially when she didn't speak their language.
But Laika didn't feel like home, either.
Saki's fingers brushed against her knives. They were tucked away in a hidden slip of fabric on the left sleeve of her hanfu. She wasn't doing much in the operation tonight- it would be Mei who did the work tonight. Her arrows were laced with deadly poison that she would not discuss the origins of.
"It is a secret of the plains, not for the likes of you," Mei had scoffed earlier that day when Saki had inquired about it.
Although Mei was far away from her homeland, at least she had her memories of Sarangerel. Saki had none.
Lost in thought, Saki had her head down, staring at the ground as she walked the streets. Everybody was too distracted by themselves to notice a lonely girl without a home wandering the streets.
But, she did have a home, with this ragtag bunch of rebels. Saki smiled, shoving her doubts to the side.
Then she collided with someone, and was knocked back.
"I'm sorry!" Saki stumbled to stay on her feet, bowing her head.
"It was my fault. Pardon me, miss."
Saki stared at the young man before her. His skin was as pale as the moon and his eyes as amber as a cat's. He wore a simple outfit, befitting of a commoner, but it was elegant in a way Saki could not describe.
"What is a fine young lady like you doing by yourself?" he asked.
"I got separated from... from my friends," Saki barely stuttered in the middle, but she hoped the lie wasn't evident.
"Oh?" he inquired, smiling. "Well, I shouldn't leave a woman by her lonesome on a night like this. Shall we spend it together?"
"Um..."
"Luwen, at your service." He tilted his head at a slight angle, and Saki's heart fluttered. But, she knew it was weird to introduce yourself without a family name. She got a strange feeling from this stranger.
"Saki," she murmured.
"Well, Miss Saki, shall I accompany you?"
She pulled away. "Sorry. My friends are waiting for me."
She expected him to not take her rejection well, but instead, Luwen bowed his head. "Of course. But, I have a feeling that our paths will cross again, Miss Saki."
He walked away, and Saki almost wished he hadn't. She dismissed those thoughts. She had a mission to do.
The sound of the gong echoed throughout the air. Saki counted each strike with bated breath. Seven, eight, nine. And all her awkwardness of being at this festival alone and all her thoughts about the mysterious young man vanished.
In the distance, a crow called out. Saki smiled. This was a night no one would forget- not even her.
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