Eliza Anani didn't know what pushed her to run away from her family home that night.

Maybe it was the way her father went on and on about how Holn was falling apart. Maybe it was her sister and her oh-so-perfect boyfriend making eyes at each other all night. Maybe it was her mother's voice in her head, reminding her to sit up straight, don't talk back, and be an example.

An example she never wanted to be in the first place - she didn't understand her grandfathers' admiration for the Regis and his divisive policies.

Whatever the reason was, she found herself climbing out of her window that spring night, slipping on a cherryblossom's branches, and running through the city of Holn.

Where to? She wasn't sure of that either.

There had to be something more out there. After sixteen years of life all she had known was Upper Holn - clad in gold and riches - and a few streets of Middle Holn where she followed her mother to participate in artistic requests.

And yet, the most fascinating stories always came form Outer Holn - the poorest district of the city, where people were free to be who they wanted to be without having to worry about appearances. Sure, the gold jewlery and white tattoos stood out well against her coffee skin. Okay fine, the family colors suited her well. But having to be polite was a bore she couldn't stand anymore.

And so, Eliza Anani ran through the streets of the city, noticing the cobbles become less organized, the lights become dimmer, yet the life becoming brighter around her.

It didn't take her long at all to reach the Outer city. She quickly found herself in a night market, flourishing with people dancing, eating snacks she had never seen, selling flowers and potions and scrolls and inks and songs and for once she felt alive.

As she strolled through the market, she noticed a market stall selling pastries of the most incredible variety - yet what caught her eye was small rolls covered in what seemed to be honey. Curious, she reached out to grab one for herself, when she felt a sudden cold line at her throat, and a quiet whisper in her ear.

"What's a pretty little Keeper like you doing all the way out here?"

Eliza didn't know what was happening, but none of it could have been anything good. She stared at the baker in panic, who waved a hand near her.

"Let her go, Julian, you don't want the Keepers on your tail, trust me."

Eliza gasped as the stranger let go of her and stood in front of her. He was quite average, in the roguish way. Dark hair, blue eyes, tanned skin and a crooked smile were all so charming, but also entirely predictable.

And there he was, smiling at her, her gold pouch in his extended hand.

Eliza couldn't help but roll her eyes. "A dramatic display of thievery, from someone so typically roguish?" she teased. "Let me guess, you were going to say that if I cooperated, I'd be fine, and then somehow sweep me off my feet into the night. We've all read the same story fourty times over." She reached out to her coin purse, judging its weight to tell if nothing was taken.

"And yet, my lady, you smile," Julian bowed to her with a wink.

"So what, you're not going to steal from me?"

"See, I would, but I can't disappoint the Chef here, can I?" he pointed his knife towards the pastry merchant. "He's always been like a father to me"

"Get lost, urchin"

"See? So fatherly. Athough... I do suggest you follow me, lest some more... unsavory folk actually do try to harm you. Don't worry, I just want to accompany you. Been bored lately."

Eliza considered her options, and couldn't find a reason to say no.

"Fine, alright."

"Excellent." Julian waved to some place in the shadows. "Now if you don't mind, my friend Rowan is going to join us. He's a tad disappointed in the world nowadays and could use an ice cream."

"Ice cream?"

"You don't know- how? How do you not know ice cream?"

Eliza shrugged. "I'd be happy to try some though."

"Alright, then, ice cream it is. Ah, finally Rowan, you were getting me worried. We're joining this lovely Keeper to the market tonight."

That's when a taller boy showed up next to Julian. He had sky-blue eyes and hair the color of new copper pieces. A series of scars stretched across his cheek, hidden partially by his glasses.

Something about him made her instantly feel... safe.

"Hi- ah. Hi. I'm Rowan. Rowan Summers."

"I'm Eliza. Eliza Anani," she said with a smile, hoping she didn't seem to be making fun of his way of speaking.

Julian rolled his eyes as he noticed his friend blush. "Wow, okay then," he muttered, "Might as well go get ice cream on my own."

"What was that?" Rowan asked.

"I said it's ice cream time, you twat, come on now, let's show little Liz what's good in life."

"It's Eliza," she insisted.

"Yeah whatever, Lizzie, let's go"

Throughout the night, Eliza Anani coudn't help herself from glancing at Rowan Summers, whose shy little smile never failed to get her heart to warm.