Wind rushed past them, tugging at her hair as the lights of the Royal Vox Concourse shrank beneath their feet.

Victor carried her with steady ease, one arm secure around her waist, the other guiding their ascent through the night air.

"I thought Gold Eyes were known to be selfish," she called over the wind.

Victor glanced down at her, surprised, then laughed.

"Yeah... I suppose we are known for that."

They descended gradually as the glow of the Purple district came into view, towers washed in violet light, glass structures shimmering with projected illusions drifting across their surfaces.

"It's not that they're intentionally selfish. He continued. We just don't have as many electric Gold EyEs as we used to. Powering multiple nations alone would take an enormous amount of energy."

"And that's why you built the orb?" she asks.

He nods. "It stabilizes itself through the tripod system. It doesn't drain one nation to save another."

They land lightly at the edge of the Purple district. Victor releases her carefully.

She smooths her clothing, then looks up at him with a slight tilt of her head.

"So... you only did this for your people?"

Victor stiffens.

A second passes.

Then she nudges him gently.

"Relax. I'm teasing you. I know it's for everyone. What you're doing is amazing."

He exhales a quiet laugh. "Let me walk you home".

They begin walking down a softly lit pathway. Above them, translucent panels display shifting animations created by Purple Eyes stories playing across the skyline.

"Tell me your name," Victor says after a moment. "I'm familiar with your work at "LuLu Mars", it's my favorite place to go to relax. I gotta say...I'm a fan, your stories are my favorite. It's insane your names are not credited with your work."

Her brows lift slightly.

"My stor-.....Is that why you chose me from the crowd?"

"Are you going to tell me your name?" he replies, amused.

She smiles.

"My name is Valoria."

Valoria smiles as they continue walking deeper into her district.

"Tell me... how are you so sure of which stories are my work? We are not allowed to tell which work is ours".

Victor laughs softly and rubs the back of his neck.

"Well... the biography of Space King and Mother Nature was incredible. And—" he hesitates, then grins, "I may have hid out and waited that night until you came out from behind the set."

Valoria stops walking.

She stares at him.

"Don't ever say that out loud again," she says quickly, grabbing his arm and glancing around before breaking into laughter.

She lowers her voice to a near whisper.

"All credits go to the Nation's Capital. We create, and they show. But everyone else thinks they create... and we show."

"That's bullshit," Victor whispers back

Valoria laughs 

They resume walking, the glow of her home growing closer.

Victor looks up.

"Wow... your home is different. It's beautiful."

Valoria smiles faintly. "There are... upsides."

They stop at her door.

The air between them feels different, quieter. Heavier.

"Thank you," she says softly. "For the ride. And the walk home. That was very sweet of you, Victor...Fox."

He studies her for a moment longer than necessary.

"You're welcome, Valoria."

Neither of them moves.

The city hums around them, distant projections flickering against glass towers.

"I should go," he finally says.

"You should," she agrees.

But neither sounds convinced.

A small smile pulls at her lips.

"Goodnight, Victor."

"Goodnight."

He lifts off slowly.

She watches until he disappears beyond the skyline.

Only then does she step inside.