I can't stop worrying about this meeting.

It’s all happening so quickly. Sakasu and I unlocked our forms this morning, and now Soveliss wanted us to meet his parents for something. I’m having trouble wrapping my head around what’s happening. I just want everything to calm down, even if just for a second.

Snowie bounces around the four of us as we walk. Her tails wag in sync as she trots beside Allisa.

“You’re really gonna like Mr. and Mrs. Taruna. They always give me lots of belly rubs and chicken when I’m there. Oh! Maybe they’ll give you food too!”

“Snowie,” I giggle. “We just ate. I don’t think any of us need food right now.”

“Oh. Well, I could always go for food.”

Soveliss shakes his head with a chuckle. “Snowie, we’re not going for food. There’s an actual thing my parents want us there for. I’m not sure what it is, but when I got in contact with them, they insisted we come immediately.”

“It must be important then.” Allisa speaks up. “Wonder what it’s about if Amai and Sakasu need to be here.”

Soveliss shrugs. “I don’t know. I mentioned to them about her Written Form looking like one I’d seen before, and they immediately said they wanted to see.”

We walk up the stairs of a beautiful mansion. Once we get to the doors, Soveliss summons his staff. They begin to open upon sensing the staff, and we walk inside. The marble floors echo as we walk.

“Mother! Father!”

“Sovi?”

Down the hall, we see a rather short elven woman come into view. She has long, auburn hair with a few graying strands here and there. On her right ear is a green feather earring, like Soveliss’s sky blue one. Her gray eyes meet with Soveliss first, and she smiles. “Oh, my baby! You’re home!” She rushes over to us, hugging her son. “It’s been so long.”

Soveliss yelps when the smaller elf hugs him. He wraps his arms around her slowly. “Hello Mother. I’m happy to see you too.”

“Oh, and are these your friends? I recognize two of them. Allisa. Snowie. It’s good to see you both.” The woman speaks to them.

Allisa gently holds part of her pink skirt before giving a small curtsy. “Mrs. Taruna. It’s a pleasure to see you again.”

“Oh please, just call me Faylen, my dear. We’ve known each other long enough.”

The kitsune bounces around Faylen. “Fay! Fayyyy! Look at me, look at me!” She yips.

She giggles at the kitsune running around her. “Hello there, Snowie! How are you, my kitsune?”

“I’m good!” She sits at Faylen’s feet, looking up at her.

Now Faylen looks at me and Sakasu. She raises an eyebrow.

“I don’t recognize either of you.”

“My name’s Sakasu Konton,” My best friend immediately introduces herself. She bows to her slightly. “It’s lovely to meet you.”

I nod. “And I’m Amai Winter.” I also give a short bow.

She smiles. “No need to bow, girls. It’s alright. And… did you say your surname is Winter?”

I raise an eyebrow. “Yeah. That’s my last name.”

Faylen’s eyes widen at my answer. “Come with me. All of you.” She puts a hand out to me. “Especially you.”

I look at Soveliss. “Do I-”

“It’s alright.” He says, “Let her lead you. We’re here for you.”

I take Faylen’s hand. We’re led down a hall. As we walk in silence, I feel my heart pounding. Why is she so excited by my last name? I don’t understand what’s going on at all!

“Voron, dear. Do you have a moment?”

We enter a large study as Faylen calls out for someone. I hear Sakasu gasp in awe at all the books surrounding us. I look around to see floating lanterns around the shelves of books. This looks like the library in Soveliss’s observatory.

I then see a tall elven man with short, gray hair. On his ears are a set of black studded earrings. His blue eyes land upon me as Faylen, Soveliss, and I approach him. I assume this is Soveliss’s father; they have a similar face.

“Fay. Soveliss.” He nods. “And this is…?”

“Amai Winter.” I answer.

“Voron, her last name. It’s similar to one we knew back in our day.”

Voron’s eyes widen, much like Faylen’s did. “Winter. Is your mother named Aura Winter, by chance?” He asks me.

I purse my lips. “Yes. Why do you ask?”

Faylen walks over to Voron’s side. She smiles up at him.

“Sweetheart. The prophecy. It’s coming together.” She says. “Aura and Atlas’s daughter is alive. Aura managed to protect her!”

Voron looks at me still. “...Yes. I can see that. And I see her Charm, so she took after her parents, like we predicted…”

“Hang on,” I say. “You know my parents?”

“We both did.” Faylen says. “Your mother went by the name Aurora Sky for her Written Form. Tell me. Is she… still alive?”

I nod. “Momma’s alive, but… not my father.”

Voron frowns. “Yes, we knew about your father’s death. We were there when the Corruption killed Atlas Winter, also known as the Guiding Star.”

Soveliss’s eyes widen. “Wait, your father was killed by the Corruption?” He looks at me. “Did you know this?”

“Did you know any of this?” Sakasu asks.

“No!” I say. My eyes well with tears. “I literally just learned I was Written yesterday! This is all news to me. That’s why my sister ran away in the first place. We both had no clue.”

Faylen and Voron exchange a glance. Soveliss’s mother walks forward to me.

“Dear. It’s alright. Calm down.” She says. “Although… may I ask you a favor?”

I nod. “What is it?”

“Transform for me, please.”

I look at Sakasu. She gives me a thumbs up alongside Allisa, who smiles wide at me. Soveliss also nods while Snowie sits beside him.

“You got this, Amai!” Snowie yips happily while her tails wag.

I take a deep breath, closing my eyes. I feel my energy start to awaken as I think of happy thoughts. Saving my sister from the dangers of this world. Making everyone proud. Finding myself.

I open my eyes to a bright pink glow that fades away. I recognize the gauntlets on my arms, and I smile. I successfully transformed again. I smile in pride at the elven adults.

“Sweetheart.” Voron says to Faylen. “Look at her. She looks almost exactly like Aurora…”

“She does… but her form isn’t complete.” Faylen responds.

The room falls silent. I look to Soveliss, whose eyes have gone wide in shock. Sakasu freezes in place as Allisa shakes her head.

“Incomplete? How is Amai’s form incomplete?” She asks.

Sakasu nods. “My best friend is perfect the way she is!”

“No no, I didn’t mean it like that,” Faylen responds quickly. “I mean, there’s more to her transformation. She hasn’t unlocked it yet.”

I blink a few times. “More…? What else is there?”

“I can’t tell you. That’s for you to discover, dear… what do you call yourself in this form?”

“Huh?”

“Didn’t Soveliss explain it to you when he was training you?” Faylen asks. “Every Written goes by a name when in Written Form. Have you chosen your name?”

I look to the side. “No… I didn’t think it was super important.”

Soveliss smacks his forehead. “It is important, Amai.” He groans. “You can’t leave your name out.”

Faylen gently puts a hand on my chin. My gaze is brought to meet with hers. In this moment, I’m brought to relive memories of my mother using this same method to calm me down when I was a child. When nightmares scared me, when others at school stressed me out, or when I just needed reassurance in my life. There’s a sense of clarity in her gray eyes as they stare into mine.

“Sweetheart. We all need to know, and you need to know. Who are you? What do you want to be remembered as?” She asks me.

I think for a moment. I remember when I was young, Momma called me ‘her angel’. My form may not have wings or a halo, but maybe I can include that nickname somehow…

I got it.

“Ange de L’Amour.” I say softly.

Faylen’s eyes meet with mine. She leans her head towards the others. A small smile forms on her face.

“Tell them.” She says. “They’re your team, right? They need to know.” Faylen squeezes my hand. “You need to have more confidence in yourself. Then your friends, your team… they’ll trust you.”

I turn around to face them. My eyes meet with Sakasu’s almost immediately. She smiles at me with pride as she holds two thumbs-up, nodding slowly. Allisa stands next to her, also smiling with pride. Snowie’s tails wag together as she watches.

Soveliss nods.

“Who are you?” He asks.

I look at the others again, nodding.

“Ange de L’Amour.”

“What was that?” Soveliss asks again.

I smile wide. “Ange de L’Amour!”

I know who I am. This is who I’m going to be.