Elias speeds down the hall, searching for Evritt and Aria. He had woken up a bit late and was surprised by the empty room. That is strange. What could have happened to them? As he nears the canteen, he hears loud laughing. One honking noise was easily recognizable, as it was his brother. But, he was surprised because neither he nor Evritt have really ever laughed a lot in their life.  So, he moves towards the sound. He also hears a soft huskiness flow out into the hall as well. That one is unfamiliar to him. Peeking inside, he is surprised at the crowd of small children around Aria. All of them giggling at some story that she is telling. He even notices Lydell and Kial snickering off to the side as well. Not knowing what to do with the scene in front of him, Elias just chooses to awkwardly stand there, watching as everything unfolds.  

“And then that was how the loniso got stripes,” Aria finishes her story, proudly. All of the children collapse into a fit of laughter, including  Evritt. A smile grows on Aria’s face. “Is there anything else you want to hear about?”  

One little girl gasps,” What kind of Eliarin are you?” Elias blinks, a bit taken aback by the question. He looks at Aria, who only shakes her head.  

The small smile still remains as she answers the question,” I am a fire user. Those are the warriors. The wareni. Whenever they would go to battle, there was singing and dancing as a way of prayer for the safety and health of our fighters.” Aria can almost see the warriors dancing around the ceremonial grounds, creating beautiful images with their flames. The music being played echoed throughout the village. The drums banging away, with a lulling rhythm that seemed to entrance its listener. The singing was loud, its echoes extending over the mountains like a thick choir. The image almost makes Aria smile. She remembers watching it from a high branch in the nearest tree. Since she was not allowed to stand in the community with others due to her... “impurity”. But, she remembers each and every word in that war cry of a song.  

“As a child, I was raised in the art of war. We would spar and hone our skills with the flame. But each element played their part in the equilibrium of nature. Water was healing, bestowing its users with knowledge and compassion. Air gave versatility and spiritual abundance for teaching and instruction. Fire produced warriors, fighters driven by righteous fury and boldness but also rebirth after disaster. Earth? Fortitude and structure in their building and tools. Together, these four elements drive and create the space we live in, a living space in which we work with the land and its creatures.” As she recites this age-old story, the children listen with wide ears and eyes.  They’re entranced with this story, enthralled with the unity and harmony of each of the element users.  

The same little girl cries,” Wow! You are so cool! I want to see fire! Please?” her almond shaped light brown eyes widen with her question and then the other children start joining in the pleading. Their small voices almost make Elias snicker. His interest is piqued also and he moves over to the others.  

“Oh, nice of you to join us, beanpole,” Lydell chuckles. Her blue eyes twinkle with a sense of comradery that definitely wasn’t present a couple of days ago. When she had left them in their room, she very nearly slammed the door in a huff. However, the next day, when she brought them to the canteen, some small children had caught a glimpse of Aria and padded over to her to gaze in awe at the girl with almost glowing silver eyes and streaked hair. After seeing how Aria acted with the children, which had surprised both her and Elias, she began to observe with a more curious gaze than with a hostile one.  

Elias, unsure of how to deal with a friendly Lydell, pierces his lips before nodding. “I overslept after adjusting the defense in your father’s systems. It was a wonder that the Civics haven’t traced the signal here.” he clears his throat, trying to get rid of the haughty tone he had. It's almost inherently present at this point. “I just wanted to keep my brother safe and help out a little so we aren’t seen as dead weight for your father.”  

Lydell and Kial glance at each other before chuckling. “Dead weight? Sir, he thinks he hit the jackpot. Especially after you messed with his little gizmo and got him information that he would have never gotten with other officers,” Kial guffaws, his accent thickening as he tries to speak through his laughter.  

Lydell nods in agreement, turning her eyes back to the group just in time to see Aria lift up a single finger as a tiny flame flickers to life. “He believes the military power has tipped in our favor in terms of strength and intelligence. He also doesn’t doubt that both you and her will lend your aide to the cause of freedom.”  

Elias only nods, not knowing how to respond. Aria is not really looking to be a savior and she doesn’t want to fight for a people that is directly responsible for her situation. He is only focused on getting his brother to safety and finding their parents, then getting out of Faerin.  

Lydell clears her throat,” Also, I would like to extend apologies. My actions and behavior towards you were not proper and inconsiderate of your circumstance.”  

Both Kial and Elias glance over at her with wide eyes. Kial has never gotten an apology like that from her because of how proud she is. He narrows his eyes, darting them over to Elias. Elias’s brain is short-circuiting because even in the short time that he has known her, he knows that she is not privy to giving apologies.  

He coughs,” Oh, it is no worries. I also am sorry. I was a bit hasty in my actions and ignored your worry of your home.” After having Aria fuss at him and enduring that nagging pinch in the back of his mind, Elias had come to see that he was wrong. Which is difficult for him to admit, since he is almost never wrong. He sighs," Are we ok?”  

“Oh, yes,” Lydell nods, a wide grin on her face. It lights everything and makes her seem younger than the stress portrays.  

Kial, not liking that smile, pushes his way in between them and laughs,” Well, love that buddy feeling for ya’ll. As the adult in this situation, I applaud you two coming to terms on your own.”  

Raising an eyebrow, Lydell twists her head to look at him. She wanted to face him as he spewed off nonsense. Why is he acting this way? She wonders as Elias scoffs,” I’ve been alive 18 years. I think I have some things figured out to be considered an adult.”  

Lydell snickers,” Well, I am 19 years of age so... I may be more experienced.”  

“And I'm 21. So as the adult, my previous statement is still relevant,” Kial boasts, his golden brown eyes flickering smugly.  

“Wow! Can you draw a pigmy horse?” the same little girl insists,” It’s my favorite creature! Or onaemi!”   They all glance over at the group, where Aria is playing tricks with her flames. She had made little figures dance and some stars and other shapes, entertaining the crowd of children.  

Aria softly chuckles,” Adna, you must give someone else a turn. Plus, pygmy horses are a bit more difficult to draw than stars.”  

~ 

“LUC!” Kuvon’s voice booms throughout the building, shocking Luc out of the deep concentration he was in. He sighs turning away from his task. 

He revels in the angry golden eyes that bore into him, threatening to scorch his very being. Of course he is angry. However, this is the first time he has seen him as angry as this. He is normally annoyed or apathetic. “How may I help you?” he asks, refraining from calling him a dog. In the state he is in now, Kuvon will undoubtedly try to kill him. Luc just isn’t feeling the urge to fight him at the moment. Plus, Kuvon would actually be a tough opponent to kill. 

Kuvon flares his nostrils at the indifference in his tone. No, not indifference. His voice is just overflowing with amusement. He is not taking this seriously and does not really care for his safety. He clenches his fist, his ears burning. He can’t calm down and he doesn’t want to in all honesty. “Why are there two of your kind following me?” he snaps.  

Luc raises an eyebrow, not even offended at how he spats “your kind” but he does move towards him, with his teeth sharpening into fangs. “I’d be careful, Kuvon. You have gotten a bit lazy in how you address me.”  

A snort escapes the kivdiner, incredulous at the statement. “What should I call you then? Daemin seems very fitting.”  

That calm that Luc was in? It quickly dissipates and the urge starts bubbling. Boiling even. Oh, how much he wants to kill this man. But he refrains.  

“Della and Aldon are going to be taking my place for a bit in your search for the lanai. I have another more pertinent assignment that I must tend to. They will report to me if there is anything... unordinary happening,” Luc explains.  

Kuvon snarls, his eyes narrowing. What assignment? He is just there to get his money and then continue on with his life, but this feels wrong. Something isn’t right. More than them just being Umbra.  

~ 

Lydell chirps, happily as she heads to the exercise room. Well, it’s more of a courtyard where the officers train. They have to prepare to defend themselves against civics, ajin or not. Plus, it can help relax her mind and focus her energy.  

The Eliarin hasn’t made a decision and she is getting nervous. Her father is not the most patient man and it has already been two weeks. The only thing appeasing him and keeping him at bay is the assistance Elias gives with the technology. She is starting to think that they have their own plan. She still doesn’t trust them, but she has determined that at the very least they are not sent by the Union of Generals. She has been watching them and while the beanpole is doing a lot more of the resistance work, he is always keeping an eye on his brother. The Eliarin has actually found herself in the position of childcare. Which is unusual. She is surprisingly well equipped and has all of the children pining after her. Especially Adna.  

However, Lydell can still see some hostility when she faces either her or Kial. There is a lot of distrust and just from the power she showed at their first meeting, Lydell knows she’s powerful. Plus, she is tall and lean with defined muscles. It's a bit unfair.  

Entering the courtyard, her eyes widen as she sees the one person she was not trying to have a run in with. Aria. That damned Eliarin. The girl is slowly moving through motions, fire trailing her limbs and following her movements as if they’re alive. It looks like a dance between her and the flames, it’s entrancing.  

She shakes her head, remembering her annoyance at seeing her. She is not supposed to be in here. “Hey!” she calls.  

Abruptly, the dance stops. The lick of fire disappears, leaving no trace behind. Turning around, Aria sighs, irritation flashing in her silver eyes.  

“You shouldn’t be in here,” Lydelly nags, stepping forward as she drops her bottle of water on the ground. She crosses her arms, assuming her position of intimidation. Which has no effect on Aria, who rolls her eyes.  

She leans on her right leg,” Says you. Your mate gave me permission and said this was the optimal time to come.” She then returns to her practice, completely shutting her out.  

Lydell huffs, making a mental note to fight Kial later. He knows she is always consistent with her exercise time, so he is up to something.  

“This is for training officers only and as you are not lending any fighting services, you are not permitted in here,” she snaps, walking towards her.  

Aria stops again, taking a deep breath to reign in her anger. This was meant to help her control it, but this girl does not know when to leave things alone. And she is annoying. She turns to face her, looking down literally. “Well, I was here first, red. So I suggest you wait. My training is a closed practice. As in you are not permitted to witness it.”  

Lydell glares up at her, unfazed. “Like I give a damn. You havent given us any reason to trust you, so you get no privileges. Leave. Or I will have the pleasure of making you, grey.” That threat only serves to amuse Aria, which just angers her more.  

“Oh, really? You think you can take me on?” she smugly asks, almost wanting to flick her forehead for the idiotic threat.  

Lydell snarls, her fingers itching. “I know I can. Leave.”  

Aria tilts her head to the side. “Make me,” she challenges.