Aria huffs, crossing her arms as she follows Lydell down the corridor.  

“So, my curiosity is overwhelming me now. Where are you taking us?” Elias asks. He has been wondering what was going on when Lydell busted into the room with a wide grin on her face. Even Aria had a bewildered expression on her face. She had ushered them into their clothes and rushed them through the morning routine. They hadn’t even gone to the canteen. She just herded them right past the wide double doors. And when Elias caught a glimpse, he noticed that even the canteen was empty, completely devoid of life. There wasn’t even any prepared food.  

Lydell glances back, a secretive grin on her face. “Don’t worry. It'll be great. Kial and I noticed that you all did not get a full tour of the whole compound.” Straightening her jacket, she struts down at a brisk pace.  

Evritt struggles to keep up, having to hold onto Elias’s hand to keep up with his short legs. He hums. It doesn’t seem dangerous, his voice filters through both Aria’s and Elias’s minds. They look at the small boy and nod in relief. Well, Aria lets out an audible sigh. After her “meeting”, if you could call it that, with Cambrell, she has been on edge. She knew that man was a snake, but to have it confirmed and to be threatened has her worried. Especially, with her being tasked with bringing in the umbram. She does not want to meet him again, but it appears that it’s going to have to happen again at some point. She gulps, but then shakes her head to rid herself of those thoughts.  

Kial pushes the large doors open, revealing a large... village. One with shops and stands and lights. It's looks... wonderful.  

Aria’s eyes widen at the scene in front of her. People running back and forth with food and decorations. Children are dancing and singing and there are even performers dancing and others playing music. Her eyes dart everywhere, her ears soak up every new sound and her nose inhales every scent. It's a sensory overload as she stumbles backwards a bit. “What is happening? Where is this?” she asks.  

Lydell smiles, enjoying the marvel in the guests’ eyes. “This is where we have our refugee village. Anyone we save or rescue are hidden here and, in this place, we help supply resources.”  

Elias nods, impressed,” This compound is really large.”  

Evritt chimes in with a question,” Is there a festival?”  

Kial nods, strolling forward,” Yes, this is an annual festival of Hope. It commemorates the founding of this village and also serves as a reminder to always keep dreaming of a world where we are all accepted and valued. Pretty cool, huh?”  

Speechless, Aria nods. Then she hears a small voice scream her name,” Aria! It’s the storyteller!” she turns to see the small girl who had always enthusiastically listened to her stories, Adna, run towards her, joy in her wide eyes. She basically leaps into Aria’s arms followed by more children who recognized her as the storyteller.  

The children launch and onslaught, attacking Aria with hugs and tackling her to the ground. Surprise flashes through Aria’s eyes, as she isn’t used to this from... well anyone. But it makes her happy. A smile forms on her face. And it widens until she’s laughing.  

Elias looks, shocked at the expression on her face. She has never had a smile that wide since they met. Though, she also hasn’t really had anything to smile about in a long time he reckons. But she looks radiant. It's bright, like flickering stars on a clear night, creating an image so beautiful that it almost seems impossible. That’s what he sees.  

Evritt is in awe of everything. There is so much he wants to try. Especially since he has never experienced this much excitement in his life. He hurries over to the pile up and begins to tug on Aria’s collar. “Aria, let’s go try some of those dumplings!” he urges, before moving to shove the other children away.  

Aria chuckles at his antics, waving him away. She then shoos the children off of her and stands, dusting her clothes off. “Evritt, let’s go with Adna and everyone. That will be fun right?”  

Evritt’s eyes widen and he nods quickly. At that, all of the children grab a hold of both Aria and Evritt and drag them off. Leaving the other three to watch in bemused silence.  

Elias chuckles,” This is cool. Do you both normally get to partake in the festivities?”  

Kial scoffs, crossing his arms. “Really? With our work, we as soldiers don’t get the opportunity. Lydell and I have sneak out to get to this place. But I think we are safe for now.”  

A hum comes from Lydell as she looks around,” Maybe. There are some of my father’s soldiers standing guard around. Look.” she points out some people, standing with straight backs and wearing the same stiff uniform that Lydell and Kial are both wearing as they look onwards at the crowds of people enjoying the festival.  

“Interesting,” Elias mutters, feeling a bit uneasy. He glances back to see Aria and Evritt stuffing their faces with dumplings. He has to laugh at Evritt, whose cheeks are stuffed. This is so different. Even with everything that’s going on, they can relax for the first time it seems in their lives. Always having to hide and watch out for Civics and now not having to worry about it for the moment is liberating. Elias is just content with watching his brother enjoy being a child with other children for once.  

Aria feels a tug on her tunic and turns to see Adna with a wide grin. “Let’s dance!” Feeling her face warm up at thought of dancing, she nods quickly. She always used to watch the performers in her village dance and spin, their elements following like a waltz. It was always so mesmerizing to see. Looking back at Evritt, she tilts her head, beckoning him to join their dance circle.  

Twirling and jumping, all of the children begin showing Aria and Evritt the dance. It's an almost ceremonial dance, for the lives that have been lost and the lives that have been drastically affected. Aria waves her hands around as she spins on her toes, feeling the rhythm as it pulses through her body. The horns ring in her ear melodiously, singing a tune that vibrates her soul. She can feel the waves of music washing over her and wrapping around her like a blanket, shielding her from sorrow, protecting her from her worries.  

Lydell looks mesmerized by the dance, surprised at the emotions flickering through Aria’s face. She sighs, looking at Kial and Elias, who both seem content to just hover on the outskirts of the growing crowd. “Let’s go, because after today, who knows what’s going to happen," she declares, grabbing both of their wrists and dragging them into the dancing multitude with her.  

The night air is filled with laughter and music as the sky darkens and the stars lay awake in the sky, watching over them.  

~ 

“Aria, you need more clothes,” Lydell says, ushering her into the room. She doesn’t know how she hasn’t noticed the state of Aria’s wardrobe. She only has one set of clothes and they haven’t been cleaned at all. She almost wants to throw up at the stench that seems so attached to the tunic and pants.  

Aria scoffs, raising an eyebrow. It really isn’t a bother, especially since she has always had to suffer in a single set of clothes during her time at the Citadel. Shaking her head, she moves to decline, but Lydell is having none of it, her blue eyes glaring at her.  

Lydell pushes Aria into what seems to be the bathroom and then she tosses in a clean set of garments. “Here, you may borrow some of my clothes to sleep in,” her voice echoes through the door. Aria blinks, before turning her attention to the clothes. Uncertainty fills her as she stares at the chemise and long pants offered to her.  

Lydell waits impatiently for Aria to step out, ready to throw the older clothes in the wash. Or a furnace. Either is acceptable. She sits on her bed, as she has already cleaned herself and relaxes, while waiting. When the door opens, Lydell nearly pops up, moving to grab the clothes from Aria. Who looks a bit uncomfortable.  

“Um, is this ok?” she asks, holding the chemise up. The long pants... aren’t long at all on her and the chemise is a bit larger in the chest area than expected. Aria huffs, her face hot with embarrassment. “We are definitely not the same size, red.” Aria stumbles, uncomfortable in these clothes. But they will have to do for the evening.  

Lydell coughs, holding in her laugh,” It is ok. We will try to have more fitting clothes tomorrow. And this is only temporary, of course. We just really need to clean your clothes.” Lydell’s words comfort Aria a little and she sighs, relieved.  

Lydell had made a pallet for Aria to sleep and is now climbing into her own bed. “Re-… Lydell. I would like to extend apologies. I treated you poorly and I apologize.”  

Blinking in surprise, Lydell points to herself, not believing her ears. “Is that an apology?” She then straightens her expression, before responding,” I also should say sorry. I did not treat you the best in the beginning. Did I? But we can work towards having a friendship at least.”  

Hearing that, Aria nods, her face warming up. Friendship? “You would want to befriend me?” she asks, a bit dubious. She doesn’t trust this. She's isn’t worthy of having friends.  

“Of course. You are an interesting person. And I do think we share some qualities and can be in company of each other,” Lydell explains, a proud grin on her face. Aria can't even refute her and only sighs, her face warm. “Now, let us sleep.”