“When the elements align all in one place, around one person, Fate smiles” - Erulian proverb

Gust refused believing in fate. Fate treated him like its own personal punching bag. He had no affinity. He had no parents. As of just a few months ago, he was an outcast and criminal in Perth, the home of the Eruli.  Now, in  Berkan, he saw value in his performance and not mystical guidelines.

So when he saw the boy relaxing in the grass and flowers of the academy stone fountain garden, Gust froze. The wind jostled his loose blonde bangs away from his closed eyes. The fountain spray cast a rainbow over the boy. Gust shivered once, but stepping into the garden area, the air warmed. It reminded him of nights by a campfire, of hot soup on a winter's night, or a hug on a bad day: Perfect. He relaxed. 

Before he knew it, Gust stood over the boy. He seemed so frail. His skin was pale. It seemed to glow in the sunlight. He breathed slowly and steadily in his catnap as if he lived without any worry. The boy was half in the shade, his closed eyes protected from the intrusive sun. 

The boy slept amongst the flowers, and the ground invited Gust. He sat down. The fountain’s low roar relaxed him. Gust realized he was a little tired. Just a little. This was so relaxing, and perfect, and definitely not fate. He blinked once and lay down. Just because the elements seemed to gather and enhance the beauty of this boy didn’t mean anything. Gust was just tired. He glanced at the boy now laying next to him on the grass and flowers and closed his eyes.

-

“Lucifer, who this?” a deep voice boomed. Gust’s eyes shot open. In front of him, was the biggest man he’d ever seen: black, imposing, and clearly upset. The boy next to Gust sat up and looked at the man with a big smile.

“Ferek! You found me, I took a nap.” His accent was to die for.

“I see.” The black skin, no...scales, on the man gave it away. He was a Horimir. Gust had never seen one before. “And who’s taking a nap practically on top of you.” Gust realized the man was talking about him. Gust spotted a sword at his hip as well. Great.

Lucifer’s smile never wavered. “Oh, this guy.” He stared into Gust’s green eyes. He moved. Too close. Lucifer placed an arm across Gust’s shoulders and leaned onto him. “No idea. Hi, I’m Lucy.”

Too close, too close, too close, too close. Gust thanked whoever his parents were that his skin was too dark to show a blush. “I...I...I’m Gust.”

The man scoffed. He spoke another language and directed his ire at Gust. “(Did he bring you here? Is he trouble?)”

“Oh, he wasn’t here when I started my nap.” Lucifer chimed. Ferek’s hand rested on his sword. “Let's go already, I’m hungry.” Lucifer was suddenly on his feet and standing next to Ferek, legs crossed and looking tiny next to the Horimir. 

“Lets go.” Ferek turned and Lucifer followed. Before they left Lucifer turned his head and shined a brilliant wide smile back at Gust. Then the air cooled and Gust shivered.