After the initial discussion we’d run into the problem of acquiring a set of clothes suitable for the event – since the invitation stressed formal wear. Of course, I’d suggested we show up in whatever we could find but Nimkii vehemently refused. Despite never appearing as someone of previously high status he certainly seemed a prince at that moment. Although I think part of it was just his genuine interest in clothes – he’d been the resident seamstress after my father passed away. I was dreadful with a needle.

Nimkii offered to manufacture our existing clothes to mimic the formal wear of Breidr, but I refused. Deciding that it’d be easier to just buy formal clothes second hand and fix it up ourselves. Thankfully I’d prepared a bundle of savings sanctioned out from the money we used on a daily basis in the likeliness of such an event occurring. When I’d pulled it out Luo Yu was exasperated.

“How could you have possibly predicted this?” he squawked.

“What is something I always tell you two? Always –”

“– Be prepared!” Nimkii finished enthusiastically, earning a chuckle from me.

“Well, I’m at least glad one of you is listening,” I mused. Luo Yu bristled as he sat on my bed.

“But Luo Yu’s always listening, he tells me about your advice all the time,” Nimkii replied good naturedly.

“Is that so?” I turned to a now frowning Luo Yu. “I’m flattered you hold me in such high esteem.”

Nimkii nodded and Luo Yu bit back his tongue, mumbling curses in Summit Speak. Upon realizing the other party was annoyed, Nimkii gently patted Luo Yu on his shoulder and muttered an apology. Luo Yu’s anger crumpled immediately, and he smiled gently while shaking his head – that poor boy could never hold a candle to Nimkii’s smile. This moment was but one example of their changing relationship. What had been something I’d noticed casually started becoming increasingly obvious – that being the boys’ mutual love for each other.

To me I always viewed them as my brothers, but to each other I’m not sure if that was ever the case. Of course, my father took them in, and they viewed him as a parental figure, but I knew that Nimkii had his own family elsewhere – and I doubt Luo Yu had finished grieving his. We didn’t really discuss their past apart from that dinner. It was still interesting to see their own views transform and age as we did.

Eventually we did acquire formal wear – and after a few reparations by Nimkii – we’d appeared quite put together. Nimkii and Luo Yu both wore black waistcoats detailed with embroidered oak leaves – the national tree of Breidr – and black boots. Nimkii had even painted Luo Yu’s prosthetic with his favorite things, like seashells, hermit crabs and gingko leaves. Having never seen such leaves before, I’d believed them to be butterflies. Luo Yu chuckled at my confusion, accepting the gift with tears he tried his best to hide.

I wore a waistcoat as well, despite women normally wearing gowns to events such as these. But I couldn’t care less, dresses always made me feel too cold and I disliked the way the ends made me too conscious to run. My view today has changed to an extent. I do like the way dresses look – just not on me.

Trying out our clothes was another amusing venture. Nimkii was beaming, complimenting both of us – but especially Luo Yu – on how we looked. Luo Yu muttered a reply and said the same to him, although I couldn’t really make out what he said because he had a lot of trouble looking the other boy in the eye; opting instead to observe the suddenly entrancing carpet. He did look my way when I started smirking to pointedly glare.

=== 

The marketplace was alit in fervor as the day approached. Those who got the invitation flaunted it like a jewel. I scarcely frequented the market, but when I did Nimkii came along. Gripping my hand tightly to anchor me each time we passed a stall selling fish.

After one trip, he turned to me nervously, “What do you think will happen at the ball?”

“Like anything held by the King and his Court,” I replied, “nothing good.”

I was right. For when the night arrived, we were escorted directly from our home in a Hawk drawn carriage. One of the coachmen was heavily built with wings tawny and strong. I would not have admitted to myself then, but now I knew it reminded me of my father.

The carriage ride was silent. Far too silent considering we were in each other’s company, especially when considering that this was our first time going to one of the inner rings of the city. To entertain myself, I traced the Sisters' symbol into the wooden frame next to me, that of a jewel split into both black and white. Resembling the Woman of happiness in white, and the woman of sorrow in dark. I'd often see the symbol cropping up on posters in the marketplace.

After a few moments, Nimkii shifted in his seat and grabbed my hand. He reached forward and grabbed Luo Yu’s hand as well.

“What are you doing?” Luo Yu flushed.

“We should do a cheer,” he placed our hands in a pile. “We can do this!”

The carriage was silent again. Before a laugh broke out of me in a burst. “Did you get that idea from that book series for hatchlings?”

Nimkii shrunk in on himself before flushing, “Sorry. That was strange, forget it.”

“No, no,” I brought our hands together again. “Let’s do it. Together.”

Our hands raised at once as we exclaimed ‘We can do this’. Nimkii and I broke into a fit of laughter as Luo Yu rolled his eyes.

“We’re going to die,” he groaned. But when he made eye contact with us both, a smile fell upon his face as well. The destination ahead felt far less formidable. It was the first of many times in which I truly treasured the company of such peculiar hatchlings.