#courtesy of hien probably

[therovingstar]

Prompt #5: Starlight

For the January 2021 @seaswolchallenge. 1288w, Ardbert x WoL (if you squint). Of course she would manage to remind him of home in a way that, for once, did not hurt. Takes place post-5.3, in a timeline in which Ardbert chose a second chance at life and followed the Scions back to the Source.

“I hope it will suffice.”

He almost forgets she’s there, until the warm rasp of her voice cuts through the percussion of his heart pounding in his ears. He blinks, and half expects the vision before him to collapse like the illusion it is, but…

No, it remains. By way of her magic, most like, a glittering manifestation of her aether creating the tapestry of stars above them. It rotates slowly, thousands of them seemingly stitched into the ink-black canvas of the sky, close enough to touch.

“I didn’t think you still used those cards,” he breathes. “Or that...star-shooting thing.”

“A planisphere,” she reminds him, with a smile he can hear in her tone, even if he has not looked down to see it. “And yes, I still use it. I am a healer, after all, first and foremost.” Now he hears her stretch, the soft rustle of cloth and her intake of breath as she angles her arms upward. “I suppose what I am healing right now is that pout on your face.”

That makes Ardbert finally look down, just in time to see the beginnings of her smile, her own gaze locked where his was previously. “I was not pouting,” he halfheartedly argues, feeling the temptation to gently jab her with his elbow.

“But you were disappointed,” Odzaya insists, and that he cannot deny. Why else had he come all the way out here in the middle of bloody nowhere, guided only by the promise of a kind stranger. “A spectacle guaranteed to bring tears to your eyes!” she had said, before traipsing off in clothing he thinks may have been Gridanian in origin. Or not; he is still so new here, after all. But her down-to-earth manner had been oddly charming, and the notebook she gave him a good distraction from another moment in which survivor’s guilt had struck and the point of his continued existence had once again been called into question.

So he had accepted the “sightseeing log,” as she had called it. Flipped through it while dodging young lost adventurers all looking so much – too much – like himself, like Lamitt and Renda and Nyelbert and Branden–

And one particular entry had caught his eye, about a place in Thanalan, far from the lights of the city, where the sky seemed so clear as to be like a window offering a glimpse into the cosmos. And because he was still so new to it all – to Eorzea, to the Source, to supposed life as a Scion – he had jumped at the chance to be away from it all, if only for a while. To see the stars – for no matter where you went, they never changed, did they? – and regain some perspective.

Of course she would still manage to find him.

“Stargazing was a bit of a hobby of mine, way back when,” he says instead of verbally confirming her statement. “In Kholusia, so close to the sea, the sky was often foggy, so clear nights could be rather rare, depending. When they came, I would climb to the roof of our house and gaze at the stars practically all night. Try to count them, and pick out shapes.” He smiles slightly. “They don’t look too different here.”

“Different shapes, perhaps,” Odzaya comments. “It took me some time to learn the ones they look for here.”

“I forget that you’re not originally from this continent. Othard, was it? In the east?”

“Mm,” she confirms. “In my homeland, we have different constellations, with different gods attached to them.”

“Then…” Ardbert again looks up at the tapestry she created, glowing with the lights of a million lightning bugs. Almost reflexively when it appeared, he looked for the constellations of the First, and then, feeling that telltale homesickness, switched his focus to those shared by the Eorzeans. Again, he was no expert, but learning them had served as another small hobby, another distraction. One that had paid off as he found them: the Arrow, the Balance, the Spire and the Spear. And yet they seemed slightly...altered? As if imagined by a different mind, viewed from a different perspective. “Is this that sky, then?” he asks. “The one you see?”

“There are similarities, mind,” she says, lightly shrugging her shoulders. She does not deny his claim. “Surprising ones. Here, the watcher of the stars is Nymeia, the goddess of fate. In my culture, it is the Dusk Mother Nhaama, goddess of the night. Just the same, Eorzea has Azeyma, goddess of balance and of the sun. For us, it is –”

“Azim the Dawn Father,” he answers. Odzaya cuts herself off in surprise, and finally, Ardbert looks down the scant inches separating them to see her eyes predictably widened in surprise. The sight makes his smile widen in turn. “Urianger’s been going on about it for days. The similarities between them all. Azeyma, and your Azim, and…” The one they used to be. The one they came from. “Azem,” he finishes, more soberly.

Then he smirks, for once refusing to allow the memories and melancholy to take root. “I wonder if you count among them, too. Odzaya.”

Her snort is loud and affronted enough to make him laugh. He calls her “princess,” but he finds his favorite moments with her are when she acts like the exact opposite of one. “I do not,” she says definitively. He hums, amused.

“I wonder. ‘Shepherd to the stars,’ or so that Emet-Selch called us.” He gestures upward and follows with his gaze, where the heavens still spin lazily, just for them. “You’re shepherding these easily enough. Mayhaps because it was your calling in our other life, too.” Our. For whatever reason, he doesn’t feel the connection quite as keenly to this Azem, this woman who had shined brighter than the sun, only to burn herself out for the sake of her doomed world. For the last century, he had been a shade, for gods’ sake, unnoticed and useless to all he had come across. The exact opposite of what she had apparently been.

But Odzaya, she fit. A single bright beam that had penetrated his purgatory, and brought him back to life.

And she has done it again. Here he was, lost in a muddied dark, alone, the sky barren of all but fog, trying in vain to find the light promised by a kind soul. And when he found none, she brought it to him, easy as anything.

Just as then, so as now.

“I can change it, you know,” Odzaya says. She shifts slightly, her eyes once more on her aether. “The shape of them. I remember the stars of the First well enough; they brought me comfort, too, on nights when I needed a reminder that my world still existed, that yours could still be saved. I could try to replicate them.” She smiles lightly. “You could show me your shapes.”

Ardbert considers; twould certainly be nice to see, if only momentarily, the sky of his youth, feel a similar wind blowing through his hair as he dreamed of other places.

Instead, he shifts himself – settling more into his skin, it feels like – and shakes his head. “Mayhaps another time,” he says casually. When he looks down, she is watching him, subtle skepticism and concern warring for supremacy on her pretty face. He thinks he could do something to assure her, poke his finger to the single scale patch interrupting the wide line of her nose, the way the Scions do when she tries to outdo all her daily little miracles.

He doesn’t. Not yet. Instead, he merely looks back up at her latest, and starts memorizing. “I like yours,” he declares. “Quite a bit, I think.”

[kevindayscrown]

The one where Kevin Day falls in love with an ice hockey player.

Part 13

Stay

Anything included in this head canon takes place the semester after the Foxes won the championship against the Ravens.

Disclaimer: I know next to nothing about varsity teams in the United States so excuse any false information. Head over to the directory to find the previous parts.

When the two of them managed to pull away from each other, Kevin decided it was time to let Neil and Andrew know that he would take a bit longer to go find them.

He pulled out his cellphone from his pocket, only to see that Neil had already texted him;

‘Find something to do with yourself in Atlanta for tonight.’

Kevin stared down at it for a while, not sure what to do with it; was he supposed to ask Eric if he could spend the night here? The semester started in two days which meant that they’d both have to go back to Palmetto the next day. It would be only for a night but Kevin wasn’t so sure how he felt about it.

He was even more surprised that Neil had managed to convince Andrew to leave Kevin behind in the first place. Then again, it wouldn’t be the first time Andrew agreed to something just because ‘Neil asked’.

“Dinner is served. Ma says you are more than welcome to stay and eat with us,” Eric said, his hand finding its place on Kevin’s lower back. It took some will on Kevin’s part to not pull away and welcome the touch instead.

How was he going to ask such favor from Eric? Maybe he didn’t have to. Maybe he could call Neil and yell at him until they would turn the car around and come pick him up again.

��Yes, dinner would be nice,” he finally said, deciding to think about that later as he shoved his phone in his pocket.

The two of them headed downstairs, where Riley was helping Hien set up the table. Apparently, they’d already decided on their own that Kevin was going to stay for dinner.

Kevin wasn’t sure if any of this was a good idea, but it was too late to back down, turn around and leave. Instead, he pulled up a chair and sat down. Eric took a seat next to him and flashed him a smile that he couldn’t help but return, even in a passing moment.

The food served in front of them was a dish Kevin didn’t recognize, but could guess from Eric’s lit up expression that it must be one of those traditional ones that he’d told Kevin he favored.

Kevin never did well with new flavors. He’d already started to calculate potential calorie intake and how much he would have to work out to make up for it when Eric reached and put his hand on his knee under the table.

“If you want to have something else, I’m sure Ma wouldn’t mind it,” he said. Kevin wasn’t sure how he noticed or if he’d already put the pieces together from previous interactions of Kevin’s with food, but the striker wasn’t very willing to be rude to Hien and her attempts to welcome Kevin.

“No. It’s fine,” he said firmly, picking up a fork and starting to eat when everyone was seated. He could tell that Riley, seated across from him, was already dying to say something, held back only by Eric’s warning gaze.

Kevin let out a scoff at that, counting down the moments until Riley finally spoke;

“So… are you guys finally dating again?” They asked with a toothy grin. Kevin shifted a bit in his chair at the same time Eric coughed.

Where they dating? Kevin supposed they were. He wasn’t sure what that entailed. His only dating experience was not exactly an example he should be looking up to. However, if Eric had certain expectations from Kevin, he would probably be disappointed.

“Yes, we are,” Kevin finally said, taking both Eric and Riley by surprise. He didn’t elaborate though as he picked up the fork and brought it in his mouth slowly.

“That’s awesome! Oh wait- does that mean I’m third-wheeling? Are tonight’s plans cancelled?” The question was clearly directed at Eric, who seemed to hesitate as he turned to look at Kevin.

“Are you leaving after this? How did you even get here in the first place?” He asked. Kevin realized then that he could no longer stall making a decision.

“With Andrew and Neil. They left. They are probably on the way to Palmetto by now,” he said, sounding bitter about the fact that, once again, Neil was getting in someone’s business, thinking it was actually going to help.

“Wait- where are you staying then?” Riley asked but then their eyes lit up. They glanced between Kevin and Eric and then let out a mischievous hum.

“I was gonna sleep over here but I just remembered I have to keep my grandma company tonight. I’m sure Kevin will be comfortable on the spare mattress,” they said, looking very satisfied with themselves.

Eric glanced at Kevin, almost with a hopeful expression. Kevin wasn’t usually one to fall for such things, but Eric had already done a lot for him. Some small part of him also wanted to stay. To spend a little more private time with him before they got back to campus.

“Alright,” he said with a small nod, feeling Eric relax by his side for a moment. Riley grinned as they watched them and then stood up to pick up the plates. Kevin had enough common courtesy to decide and help, seeing as the family had already done a lot for him, and they would apparently let him spend the night here. Despite Wei’s persistence to let them handle it, Kevin picked up some of the plates and followed Riley in the kitchen.

“I’m glad you worked things out with Eric,” they eventually said as Kevin handed them plates one by one for them to wash. He wasn’t sure how to respond to that, but apparently, he didn’t really have to say anything because Riley just kept talking.

“He’s been crushing on you forever. Seriously, it was hard to hear him talk about how much he ‘hated’ you-,” they had to put the plate down and do the air quotes with soapy fingers, “- when it was just so obvious.”

Kevin raised an eyebrow as he listened, leaning up against the counter, watching Riley as they kept washing the dishes, like they hadn’t just dropped a bomb and waited for it to explode.

It made Kevin halt and think for a moment. Eric had never really been affectionate before. If anything, Kevin had earned a fair share of bruises from fights they’d gotten in. He couldn’t imagine the goaltender actually liking him in any way during that time.

“What has Eric said about me?” He eventually asked, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

Riley realized at that moment that they had spoken too much and hesitated as they kept rubbing the glass to get rid of the stains on it. Eventually, they shrugged and put on a small innocent-like smile.

“I guess you’ll have to convince Eric to tell you himself.”

Kevin wasn’t able to extract any further information after that. Riley eventually left after biding the whole family goodnight. Hien and Wei let Kevin get settled after making sure he had everything he needed. Eric had set up the mattress Riley had mentioned by his bed and even offered to take the mattress himself to let Kevin sleep on the bed.

“It’s fine,” Kevin said as he sat down and removed his shoes. The two remained silent for a long moment before Eric finally spoke:

“So. We are dating. Officially,” he said, as if still being unable to believe it.

Kevin himself was hesitant but he was slowly coming to terms with the fact that he was attracted to a guy. He wasn’t sure what that meant, but he’d rather not think too hard on labels right then. People had been labelling him his entire life already.

“Yes. We are.”

Eric smiled at that and then slowly leaned down from the bed to reach the same height as Kevin. Kevin met him halfway and brought his hand to Eric’s cheek as their lips touched.

“Alright then, boyfriend,” Eric hummed with a soft chuckle that had Kevin’s heart skip a few beats, “You can’t back out from this one now. You have no idea what you are getting yourself into.”

Judging from their previously fake relationship, Kevin knew exactly what he was getting into. He finally had someone who could tolerate him without dismissing him, someone who was helping him see things the way they were.

“Really, Jiang?” He finally asked as he gripped the other’s collar of his shirt and pulled him down, closer to his face. Eric watched him intensely, and Kevin could see his throat bob as he gulped.

“I think that now you are in my domain.” Kevin finally whispered before pulling Eric in for another kiss.

[ancientechos]

Summer Days

For @windup-dragoon, based on a bunch of random discord convos!

Hien/Kirishimi + Emet-Selch/Arianna ♡ 2192 words ♡ some kinda modern au

The scent of the sea is fresh and crisp, circling in Hien’s lungs as he takes in a deep breath. It’s warm, and sunny, and vibrant: a perfect day to visit the beach. Perhaps take to the surf, enjoy the waves...

Unfortunately (or not?), two of his trio of companions have a quite different idea of what “fun at the beach” looks like.

“C’mon, Hien! The day’s not gettin’ any younger!” Kiri waves a hand in front of his face impatiently, shouldering her bright yellow surfboard and gesturing toward the sea. “We’re gonna surf, yeah?” She follows his gaze toward the small construction of umbrellas and towels they’d left and gives a small laugh. “Just leave ‘em, they said they’re fine.”

Emet, lounging on his towel, notices them staring, and gives a hand movement he’d like to assume is a wave but is really more likely to be a shooing motion. The smaller figure a little ways away from him, meanwhile, has most of her face obscured by the hat upon her head and the book held up to her nose.

“Besides, Emet’ll probably break his bones if he tries goin’ surfing.”

Hien can’t help but snort at the woman’s exaggeration.

“And Ari, well -- she’s not really too fond of this sorta stuff.”

It still feels a little off to simply leave their companions -- though really he wouldn’t mind Emet not being here at all, he feels just a smidge bad for Arianna.  Whilst he cannot pretend to know the quiet, dark-haired woman very well, he at the very least knows of her through Kirishimi, and at best doesn’t want to seem rude...

But Kiri does know her, so he supposes he should take his chances and simply relax. They had all come here to have fun, after all. Even if their definition of such was not exactly the same.

That was still fine.

Exhaling softly, Hien drums his fingers along his own surfboard, a bright lime green colour.

“You’re right! Let’s enjoy ourselves -- ” No sooner has he finished speaking than Kirishimi has already launched herself across the sand, giving a loud cheer of victory.

“Well? What are ya waitin’ for, slowpoke?!” She turns to regard him, one hand on her hip, pale hair framed by the sun. But what does Hien Rijin in is the enormous, joyful grin that spreads across her face.

Rivalling even the gleaming star behind her, the happiness is enough to spear him straight through the heart. He remembers precisely why he’s fallen for her.

He has just never seen anyone more beautiful and genuine in his life.

“Sorry, sorry.” He lifts a hand in mock surrender. “I won’t keep you waiting.”

The sand grows damp beneath his feet, gets between his toes and he merely kicks them beneath the gentle laps of water. His girlfriend is already nearly knee-deep in salt and fighting to get ever further past the waves, to finally use her board.

“I bet I’ll catch a bigger wave than you,” the woman taunts with a sharp quirk of her lips, glancing back at him over her shoulder with one blue eye. Her black two-piece is already soaked by the water, some droplets courtesy of the children playing in the shallower waters.

“We’ll see about that,” Hien replies, with a tiny smirk of his own. If there’s anything his love can bring about him, it’s his competitive flair.

It doesn’t take them long to find a decent wave; the water here is good for surf, the wind bustling their hair and Hien’s swim shorts as they struggle to find their balance. A swell of water takes Kirishimi away from him -- brings her back just as quickly as he surfaces at the top of the wave and he sees her, arms outstretched, braid streaming out behind her.

He can’t see her face from this angle, but he’s certain that if he could, he’d see that bright, free smile again. Sure enough, she gives a delighted whoop as another wave curls above her, and she tumbles below the surf.

Hien can still hear her laughing and chuckling, but his stomach drops out from underneath him anyway as he sails downward, thoroughly soaked now as he falls into the water. He surfaces with a gasp, grasping for his board before it can bob away from him entirely.

“Wasn’t that fun?!” Kirishimi yells at him excitedly a few feet away. Her laughter fills the air as another wave picks her up, sways her. “Let’s do that again!”

By the time they return to the beach, they’re thoroughly soaked. Hien’s hair is nearly coming undone from its ponytail, and Kiri has long ago lost her braid to the depths.

Emet and Arianna have for the most part not moved, the woman still curled up in her pale sundress. Through the shadows, it’s clear she’s wearing a swimsuit beneath, though she seems to have no inclination to actually put it to use. And the other, well...

He’s not entirely sure, but Hien thinks Emet’s eyes are closed beneath those dark sunglasses he’s wearing.

Kirishimi makes her way onto the towel nearest Emet, sighing loudly. They’ve both propped up their boards nearby to allow them to dry in the sun, doubting they’ll return to the sea for today.

“Man, that was tirin’,” Kiri proclaims, bunching up her hair. “We’re all soaked.” With this she squeezes -- allowing a series of water droplets to spray upon Emet as he reclines beneath the shade.

With a jerk and a stifled sound of annoyance, he pushes his sunglasses off; though Hien can cover his mouth with his hand as he turns away, he can’t quite stop his shoulders from shaking in mirth. Arianna shuts her book silently and eyes them both from beneath her hat somewhat warily; once it becomes clear neither Hien nor Kiri have any intention of spraying her, she relaxes somewhat.

“Couldn’t you have picked somewhere with less noisy brats running amok?” the older man hisses, narrowing golden eyes at Kirishimi in a way that implies he’s not simply talking about the little urchins clambering about the sand.

“Ahahah, sorry.” Not really. If anything, Hien finds seeing his former rival irritated like this amusing. “This just seemed the closest to all our residences...”

Not telling him that he and Kiri are actually, currently, “renting” one of the beach houses here.

…Which is actually owned by the Rijin family, though Kirishimi doesn’t know this, either. It’s fine for her to think it’s just temporary. For now.

Mentally patting himself on the back for being able to keep his composure, Hien finally turns back to his companions.

“Besides, we came here for a bit of fun, right? Stretch our legs a little, maybe let’s walk around -- I hear there’s a sand castle competition further up the beach. It might be nice to take a peek.”

Thus that’s how the four of them end up shuffling down the shoreline, toward the mass of sand and small crowd of people they can see milling about. The sun beating down on their sculptures allows them to harden and set, preserving them for at least until the moment they’re destroyed.

Most of them are quite impressive -- not all of them are grand castles and mansions. Some are cats, dogs, sphinxes, even dragons. It’s hard to believe they could simply be made of sand...

Beside the rows upon rows of majestic and interesting sculptures they’ve just walked through are a few children making their own play at sandcastles, though for the most part they amount to merely mounds of dirt.

“I bet ya couldn’t make anythin’ better than that, Mr. Architect.”

One of Emet’s brows twitches as he pauses mid-step to glare down at the highlander.

“Excuse me...?” His gaze flicks from the cheeky-looking woman to the sorry pile of sand currently being kicked about by a gleeful young boy.

“Ya heard me! I bet ya can’t make anything as cool as what we just saw,”

Privately, she mumbles under her breath that it hadn’t even really looked like sand anyway. Far too realistic...

The man scoffs, rolling his eyes.

“And why on earth do you think I care what you think?”

Once it becomes clear her attempt at challenging him isn’t working, the woman kicks it up a notch.

“Whoever builds a worse one’s gotta pay the tab at dinner later -- how about that?”

The expression on Emet’s face transforms from derision to vague amusement; he gives a shrug and filches a bucket and small plastic tools from one of the pairs of children puttering in the sand.

What seems like hours later to Hien but realistically can’t be, and his rival has already amassed a miniature crowd of his own, much to the discomfort of his date. Whilst Kirishimi and his sculpture is -- reminiscent of a castle, certainly, with no shortcuts taken for details...it’s lopsided and amateur, whereas Emet’s is most certainly...not.

The proudly tall, spiralling castle, decorated with small stones and other gathered trinkets, could well rival one of those built in the competition. Hien can hardly believe the thing the older man’s managed to create in such a span of time. Were it not made of sand, he’s sure it would gleam beneath the sun.

“Well,” Hien says with a nervous laugh as they push through the small row of onlookers, “I do believe you’ve lost your bet, Kiri.”

“Why didn’t ya tell me yer some kinda sand castle champion, Emet?! That’s cheatin’!”

“Mmm? Oh, I’m nothing of the sort.” The man’s tone simply drips with arrogance as he discards his final tool into the sand. “I’ve never built one before, and that was easy.” His smirk doesn’t fade as he grasps Arianna by one of her thin wrists, pulling her closer to him and out of the crowd. Hien pretends not to see the way his normally blade-sharp gaze softens as he presses a hand to her dark hair.

________

They’d all gotten time to change and get ready before heading out to the fancy restaurant. Halfway there, Hien can see Kirishimi beginning to brood about her supposed having to pick up the tab, and tries to reassure her.

“Listen, how about I pay instead? Anyway, it’ll be fine.”

“Huh? You pay? Nah -- it was my bet, Hien. And anyway, I’m not worried.”

Certainly not, that’s why the sun has left her gaze.

They all meet in the parking lot, Emet looking utterly bored whilst Arianna holds her cellphone in her hand. While she still doesn’t speak around him, Hien would at least like to think she seems a little less nervous in his presence than before.

Before they can set foot into the restaurant, Emet abruptly raises both arms, coming to a halt approximately a foot from the doors. The others stop in confusion.

“Do wait a moment.” The smirk is, once again, disturbingly palpable in his tone even without looking at his face. “I need to open the door.”

Comprehension seems to dawn on Arianna, as she rapidly begins to tap at her phone screen; if Hien strains his ears, he thinks he can hear Emet’s phone vibrating in his pocket, though the other man seems to have zero inclination in looking at it. In a last ditch effort to wheedle the man’s attention, Arianna grabs at the sleeves of his coat --

“Open sesame.”

-- just as he says this and takes a step forward.

The automatic doors, of course, open. He gives a ridiculous half-bow that has Arianna, for once, reeling away from him even after he attempts to coax her back. She merely gives a stiff shake of  the head, hiding her expression.

“Yeah? Of course it opened?” Kirishimi says aloud, seeming irritated herself.

“You’re very welcome.”

Though he doesn’t bother to explain, Hien has the suspicion that display had not really been for them.

Things are mostly quiet once they find their reserved seating, thumbing through overpriced menus. Hien can feel Kiri deflate slightly beside him, doing mental mathematics or perhaps concerned about her dress in comparison to the other patrons.

But the food is delicious; not even Emet’s subtle attempts to antagonise him can possibly ruin Hien’s mood. He can only be thankful that Kirishimi doesn’t seem to notice, too preoccupied by her meal. He even manages to trade numbers with Arianna, letting her speak to him as opposed to through Emet or Kiri.

And when the check arrives, Emet swipes it with an annoyed exhale before either he or Kirishimi can move.

“Perhaps next time, eh? I did choose the restaurant this time, after all...”

Hien isn’t sure there will be a next time, but nods graciously regardless. Despite his presence, after all, he did quite enjoy his day with Kiri. And perhaps he even has a new place to take her, where they might enjoy dinner together, without his jabs.

[lynnslight]

Born to the Wrong Clan

It was sad, really, how used to this Lynn had become over the course of her adventures. Finishing one task, and then being beset by more enemies awaiting outside. Lynn grew rather tired of it, little did these Xaela know, Lynn was more than gifted with the stamina necessary to continue. 

“Our leader demands an audience, you will come.” The Xaela in yellow said.

Cirina had called them Oronir? Lynn honestly cared little for what clan, tribe, or race a person was, but she was not going to just follow another’s whims.

“You presume much, after my warm up in your trial, I’m more than happy to fight you.” Lynn steps forward. “If death before your Naadam is your wish, I shall be happy to grant it.” She bares her fangs with a smile, these tribes had tried to prevent their progress to Bardam’s Mettle, she knew well what they were capable of. They however knew little of her it seemed. “However, if any of you has a shred of honor;” She challenged as they stood with their weapons ready.”You will tell your leader if he wishes to speak with me, he must do so here, on the ground. Or don’t, and I’ll have all your heads, if you’d rather fight his battles for him.”

Lyse just shook her head, “You’d best do as she says, Lynn would rather die fighting all of you than follow orders. She won’t hold back just to protect those of us who can fight for ourselves.”

Hien spoke next. “Is this really necessary, we could learn more of them, I want to lead them Lynn, slaying them here won’t help.”

Lynn turned her fanged smile back at her fellow samurai, “Shun, if you’ll keep your words to yourself, the adults are talking.”

Gosetsu had to choke back a laugh at the mention of Hien’s childhood name, he had traveled long enough now with Lynn to know what she was like. If he hadn’t wanted Lynn to use it, he probably should not have said it in a place where Lynn might hear. “Lynn does not shy away from a challenge My Lord, to expect her to is to try and bottle lightning, one simply cannot do it.”

Now it was Hien’s turn to sigh and shake his head. “I suppose there is naught I can do, it seems that I need to gain her respect though, else I fear my name as a child will be the only one she uses.”

Lyse and Gosetsu both laughed at that. The Oronir and Buduga were not as amused by the conversation as that pair though.

“Is this but a game to you?! We double your numbers! You cannot hope to best us all on your own!” The Oronir barked with a huff.

“I’ve slain a dozen of you on this day already, what’s two dozen? It’s just less of you I’ll need fight tomorrow. That is how the Naadam works, is it not?” The dragoness leers at them as her tail twitches, anticipating another fight.

“Wait, wait, I’ll get our most Radiant Brother, he would enjoy the chance to speak to a warrior like yourself firsthand.” The emissary says. As he hurries away, the congregation speaks to themselves. “Are we sure she isn’t from here? She acts just like one of us.”

A few ‘I don’t knows’ and a few minutes later, they are greeted by a large Xaela male with golden eyes that glow like the sun, carrying an axe of enchanted earth. “Who is so brazen to demand the Sun come down to earth to meet them?” He speaks with disgust, clearly having ignored the statement of the former emissary beyond the first few words. His eyes meet Lynn’s, her hand resting on her sword. 

“The sun?” Lynn scoffs. “If you are the sun, you are lacking in warmth in your invitations. It is courtesy to introduce one’s self first when demanding an audience.” She responds coldly. “If you are the sun, then I will be as a stormcloud, and blot you out of the sky.”

Hien looks to Lyse and Gosetsu and just shrugs. “If this is how she seeks to make friends, It is no wonder she has so many enemies.”

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Koi Pond Spas, River Cruises, and Unforgettable Banh Mi: The 4-Day Weekend in Hoi An, Vietnam

While most people visiting Vietnam opt for Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, we recommend bypassing the throngs of tourists in favor of Hoi An. Located on the country’s central coast, this well-preserved 17th-century port city is rich with culture (its Old Town was deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999), white sand beaches, a mouthwatering culinary scene, and best of all, an incredibly warm and welcoming community. Though the climate year-round is tropical and humid, you’ll find a bit of relief in March and April—along with fewer crowds, too. As for how to get to Hoi An, you’ll want to fly into Da Nang International Airport. Although the airport is small, many Asia-based airlines (including Vietnam Airlines, Korean Air, and Hong Kong Express Airways) offer regular and relatively affordable flights there. ]] Here’s our guide on how to have the ultimate long weekend in Hoi An. The Most Epic Outdoor Adventures in Southeast Asia

The Heart of the Earth Spa, which looks out over a koi pond at Four Seasons The Nam Hai Courtesy Image Where to Stay in Hoi An There’s no shortage of bold-faced accommodations in the area, but the best spot to call home base is Four Seasons The Nam Hai. Perched on a serene stretch of Hoi An Beach, the resort encompasses 86 lush acres, yet maintains a hushed, intimate feel. Rather than rooms, guests retreat to airy villas, all sumptuously appointed with outdoor showers, spacious patios, and dreamy platform beds. Thursday Night ]] Since you’ll probably be exhausted upon arrival from traveling, stay put for the night to take advantage of the resort’s amenities. First, pay a visit to The Heart of the Earth Spa, where eight private treatment pavilions seem to float on a koi-filled pond. Instead of pampering—which there’s no shortage of here—the spa is focused squarely on wellness. The signature 150-minute Nam Hai Earth Song treatment helps restore body and mind with a cleansing smoke ritual, deep pressure massage, and immersive sound bath. After hitting your reset button, head to La Sen, one of the resort’s restaurants, for some traditional Vietnamese hot pot (Lẩu). Offered on Thursday nights, this interactive, family-style meal gives you the chance to cook assorted proteins, vegetables, and starches table-side in a bubbling broth. Crazy Cocktails, Breakfast Burgers, and Endless Tapas: A Foodie’s Guide to Barcelona, Spain

]]   Friday Morning Jet lag have you up at the crack of dawn? No problem: book a Hoi An Sunrise Cruise Tour. The three-hour excursion commences at 5 a.m., and gives you an up-close look at local fishing culture and its prominent role in the community. Where the Thu Bon River meets the Cua Dai Sea, watch fishermen catch the freshest seafood and try your hand at paddling a Vietnamese bamboo basket boat. (Though all the guides are terrific, locals highly recommend Lilly—ask for her.) Chef Kevin Tien on Spatulas, Cajun Food, and Letting His Dinner Guests Do the Cooking Friday Afternoon Unlike the touristy sister cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, Hoi An’s Old Town is blissfully easy to navigate on foot, and not nearly as crowded (in fact, many streets are reserved for just pedestrians). And because the port town was frequented by the Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, and French, you’ll pick up on a range of cultural influences in local architecture and attractions, such as the Old House of Tan Ky Japanese Covered Bridge, and Quan Cong Temple. To see how locals shop for everyday food, check out Central Market. Situated riverside, it’s bustling with vendors doling out everything from pristine seafood to fresh handmade noodles. And because Hoi An was a trading port on the old silk route, the town brims with tailors who can custom make—sometimes in as little as 24 hours—any kind of garment, from button-down shirts to suits. Bargaining is the norm here, so don’t settle for the initial price. For lunch, try a banh mi from Bánh Mì Phượng. A favorite of the late Anthony Bourdain, the hearty baguette sandwich is stuffed with pork, pâté, herbs, and pickled vegetables. Don’t be put off by long lines, as they move quickly. Just order yours to go, and enjoy it while exploring town. ]]

The roads of Hoi An. Most of the main pedestrian streets are lined with shops and street merchants. Courtesy Image Eating locally doesn’t get more authentic (or more fun) than the Streets & Eats of Hoi An. For four hours, your guides will you zip you around town on Vespas to some of the destination’s best street foods—all of which are paired with cold beer. Among the stops is White Rose Restaurant, which specializes in the namesake dumplings unique to the city. (Imagine delicate rice flour purses resembling flowers, filled with pork or shrimp, then topped with crispy shallots.) The excursion ends on a sweet note with Banh Flan, a Vietnamese spin on crème caramel. How to Make Pulled Chicken, Vietnamese-Style Saturday Morning Since cuisine has a big social aspect in Hoi An, why not learn how to whip up some dishes on your own? Headed up by chef Huynh Van Hien, the Nam Hai Cooking Academy goes far beyond the usual demonstrations and classes. Depending on what kind of experience you’re seeking, you can visit Central Market with Hien to source ingredients for your lunch, learn about traditional farming methods at Tra Que Village, or even dive into the delicate art of rice milling. ]]

An Bang beach, only a few kilometers from Hoi An’s Old Town Courtesy Image Saturday Afternoon ]] You’ve had a productive morning, now it’s time to kick back at a beach. Look no further than An Bang, a sandy white oasis just a few kilometers from Hoi An’s Old Town. Beach loungers are widely available (and super affordable, too) with no time limits. Because there’s little wind, the waters are relatively calm, and ideal for swimming and paddle boarding. Feeling peckish? Check out Soul Kitchen, at the northernmost tip of the beach. The casual shack, an An Bang mainstay, turns out dependable bar food and cocktails. Saturday Night While Old Town is beautiful during the day, it lights up (quite literally) at night—thanks to thousands of colorful paper lanterns lining the narrow streets and alleys. You’ll also notice vendors selling small paper lanterns by the river. Buy a few, make some wishes, and release them on the water: The tradition is believed to evoke luck and happiness. Afterwards, head to Hoi An’s Night Market—not to be confused with the Central Market—located just across the river on Nguyen Hoang. With over 50 stalls, it’s a prime spot for souvenir shopping and wallet-friendly snacking. A Mayan Sweat Lodge Experience in Playa del CarmenSunday Close your long weekend by visiting My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site about an hour’s drive from Hoi An. A complex of Hindu temple ruins dating as far back as the fourth century A.D., it served as the capital of the Champa Kingdom until the 13th century. After the fall of the kingdom, the site fell into a state of disrepair until the end of the 19th century, when the French rediscovered it and began excavation. With its towering temple structures, My Son is considered one of the strongest examples of Hindu architecture in Asia. Read the full article