Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

“Hnnh…..There really isn’t anything left.”

“Mmh.”

“These stones are probably left over from the foundation.”

“Right, or they were moved here for rebuilding. They look a little out of place.”

“You’re right…They probably stripped the place down when tensions got high. She was a foreigner to them, after all.”

“…That’s a shame.”

Both young men stood on an empty plot, one crouched low, his dark blue sleeves rolled up, the other straight-backed and poised just behind the other, thumbing over a fractured bit of stone. He let it drop from his pale fingers to tumble into the grass once more as the other stood, snapping a well-worn, leather-bound book shut with a huff. Despite their poor luck, neither seemed entirely put out.

“Well, I’m glad we were at least able to check. That’s another thing we can cross off the list.” Green eyes swung back to meet a pair of amethyst staring back, offering a small half-smile while he tucked his copy of the Celestial Record away.

The shorter of the two cast his gaze further down the faded wagon tracks, disappearing down a somewhat rocky hillside, away from the lonely plot beside the charred remains of an apple tree. “Mm. And it’s in a beautiful area. We have plenty of time to go into town and research a little more, assuming her records haven’t been burned as well.” A hand clapped on his shoulder rather roughly, scattering bright silver hair into his eyes while his stance swayed.

“Don’t be so pessimistic, Mikleo! They said there had been lightning strikes up here. The tree is the only sign of burns I’ve seen. Looks more like the wood was split from an electrical charge.”

True, both of them were intimately familiar with what lightning strikes looked like and what they could do to a landscape. In fact, Sorey was the cause of many of them near Mount Mabinogio.

Mikleo, having stumbled forward slightly upon impact, was quickly righting himself; not without a narrow-eyed glower at his companion who was entirely unperturbed and simply beamed back at him. Situating his garb despite it not being in any sort of disarray, Mikleo was peering back over the expanse as a breeze tickled the curl of his hair.

"I suppose we may be able to trace her remaining artifacts and studies in the public library, if we're lucky." His gaze flickered along the speckled colors of the town far below, scrunching his nose somewhat as he observed.

"...Although, we may be out of luck." His companion peered over his shoulder, curious at his somewhat vague implication of an obstacle. His lifted hand visored his vision from the glow of the lowering sun, just able to distinguish the suggestion of festivity.

Although Mikleo had appeared somewhat inconvenienced at the possibility, Sorey's expression blossomed into exuberance, eyes glittering as he was palming Mikleo's back a second time and was as apologetic as the first; that being not at all.

"Mikleo! What incredible timing! Let's see if we can make it to town before nightfall and help set up!" Sorey was darting off down the hillside before Mikleo could get a word in edgewise. 

Where Sorey’s overexcited nature could be a pain to reel in sometimes, it actually seemed to be working out in a way where Mikleo couldn’t necessarily complain. Both of them had been more or less cut off from the rest of their group the night before, though not in the way one would normally imagine. Using that ever-polite tone of hers, Lailah had insisted Sorey be completely detached from the role of the shepherd for a few days. No politics, no fighting, and no band of seraphim taking up residence in his body. She wanted a complete mental break to help him properly rest. Mikleo was really the first on board with such an idea, not that any of them disapproved, except some mild resistance from Sorey. But they had made plans to simply go relax with their own hobbies and set a day and place to meet up once again after their little vacation.

Mikleo had been satisfied as Sorey was pressured by all of them to accept the temporary respite and it didn’t take him long to crack open the Celestial Record to thumb through nearby legends, now that he had time and all. Mikleo only protested as Edna began to jab the soft spot of his side rather harshly with her umbrella, ushering him away from the Shepherd’s side and announcing that even he would have to leave the boy alone for full relaxation.

‘ Eh? But Edna-san… Sorey-san and Mikleo-san have always been together, even before the Shepherd’s oath. ’

It certainly made him think about asking Sorey whether or not he truly wanted a break from even himself, but the curious blink of his green eyes and the simple statement that followed kept the question from even being posed.

‘ Mmh. Is it okay if Mikleo is with me, Lailah? I’ve got something I wanted to check out with him . N-not work related, I promise! ’

Needless to say, regardless of whatever perspective the rest of the group had about their coupling off, they hadn't been forcefully pried apart since. Sorey was blissfully unaware of the ruminating his seraphim allies had about the nature of their relationship, or perhaps he simply didn't care. Mikleo, however, was far more cognizant of it and though he rarely applied himself to dissuade the thoughts of the others, he certainly didn't think it wise to stoke any fires.

Edna, most of all, would be quick to take advantage. Mikleo's brow twitched a bit, snorting boyishly to himself as he concluded that, actually, everyone would take advantage. Sorey was too simple to tease; often times far too preoccupied with things that actually mattered to him to take part in being offended. Mikleo wouldn't admit to being the more flustered of the two of them, but he would fully own being the more socially aware.

Sorey could be rather fixated with little fear of repercussion; something Mikleo both resented and coveted at the same time.

Sorey was the first to reach the entrance of town, expectantly awaiting for Mikleo and grinning broadly as the water seraph emerged coolly as though he'd intended from the beginning to arrive fashionably late. The pale spirit thought it a bit odd, at first, that his friend had become so eager to partake in the commiseration of the town festivities as opposed to continuing their archaeological study, but it appeared Sorey still had every intention rightfully in place.

The chestnut haired shepherd would trade his labor for information, from Mikleo's observation; hefting boxes and hanging banners while engaging in conversation concerning the late female scholar. Knocking on doors or intercepting strangers on the street without previous provocation certainly would not have worked well, thus whatever the celebration was opened up a well of possibilities previously difficult to tap into.

With a sniff and a light smirk to the corner of his lip, Mikleo leaned himself against an ivy-speckled archway as he watched Sorey work his charismatic charm full throttle. 

"Cheater." Mikleo teased, murmuring to himself and only a light breath of a remark.

Despite not being able to openly converse, Sorey never acted as if Mikleo were not present. He frequently made eye contact, would repeat bits of information in a manner that sounded reflective, though it was just intended to reiterate louder so Mikleo could hear as well, and generally would flash smiles or make faces when Mikleo would openly tease him for doing physical labor when he, himself, had the luxury of poking around everything unseen. Their teamwork together as a human and seraph had been well polished since the beginning of their journey, already used to working within their own limitations to meet an end.

It was only after an hour or so, sleeves rolled up and brow a bit damp with sweat from the work he’d exchanged that Sorey came back to Mikleo’s side, rounding behind a newly erected tent to break a small stick of confections he’d received to extend the other half to Mikleo.

Strange how he’d become so used to seeing Sorey in his Shepherd’s cloak that he felt he looked a bit naked without out. And yet the appearance of him in more casual attire echoed their days in Elysia.

“So it looks like there’s still some information in the library like we thought. A few people in town are still alive that knew her and her family and made sure to protect her works. Sounds like the people liked her…but the government just wasn’t too keen on foreigners having status during their war efforts.” His voice was low to avoid the suspicions of others who might catch him conversing with a floating stick of candy. It still didn’t stop him from holding full eye contact as he took a bite of the sticky sweet reward he’d gained, waiting for the seraph’s response to the information, or the food.

"Hmm..." Mikleo hummed characteristically, elegantly holding his chin between thumb and forefinger, brows pinched contemplatively.

"Well, I imagine we may have to prolong our search; the library may be closed for the evening." He was finishing his remark by taking a mouthful of the confection, chewing a moment, then humming in delight. Before Sorey could tease him for such an expression, however, he was swallowing and composing himself.

"Besides; Lailah wouldn't be fond of us staying awake long hours, even if it is in the pursuit of a hobby." The water spirit looked a bit dejected at the notion, having just as much fervor in the matter as Sorey despite his poise.

He took another bite and licked his lips eagerly as the distraction of sweets was an effective balm to his disappointment.

“Hehh? But I thought this was about doing what we wanted to. No responsibility to get to bed early if we’re not concerned about work~” The sly grin Sorey shot the seraph was short lived, obviously teasing, though Mikleo was sure the valiant shepherd wouldn’t directly go against Lailah’s wishes unless given good reason. He was fairly well-mannered, albeit excellent at pushing boundaries when told what he could and could not do.

Sorey took another large bite of the sticky sweets, licking the pads of his fingers as he was making much shorter work of the delicacy than Mikleo, who continued to take rather dainty bites, brushing the front of his clothing whenever he suspected crumbs.

“If we wanted to hit the library in the morning, there’s nothing stopping us from enjoying this festival now. I heard it was actually to honor the seraphim for a good harvest this year~ I’m always up for celebrating something with such a good message.” His head turned, grin back in place while a closed fist gently bumped Mikleo’s shoulder. “You’ll be a celebrity~”

He failed to mention the revival of the small festival was inspired by the rumors of a new Shepherd rising in Ladylake, as Mikleo himself had gathered in eavesdropping. Perhaps it was due to Sorey’s nature of not taking much credit for his work, well deserved as it was. Or perhaps he was playfully avoiding the topic altogether per Lailah’s temporary rule of not combining business with pleasure, so to speak.

Regardless, the notion of spending the night with some good-natured festivities with little worry of Sorey’s position sounded incredibly enticing. Not to mention, the pull of the shepherd’s allure was no less tempting. He had his ways, boyish and naïve as he was. 

However Mikleo endeavored to remain collected had floundered under the radiant charm of his best friend; a soft rosiness glowing across his cheeks as he was quick to dart lilac eyes elsewhere.

"It's not exactly to celebrate me . It's not as though I've done something exceptional for these people...nor can they exactly see me to celebrate me." Despite being seasoned in it, he still did not do well under Sorey's direct praise; a likeness to full exposure from the sun.

"But perhaps the library in the morning is a better choice regardless. It's not like we can make much ground at nightfall." Mikleo had hurriedly redirected the subject himself, clearing his throat and squaring his shoulders as though smoothing ruffled feathers. 

Sorey flicked the stick that had previously held his dessert upward with a little flourish, as if it were a small blade and he were declaring something inspiring and profound on a battlefield, though he did so with a toothy smile.

“Then in honor of the seraphim, I’m going to enjoy this festival to the fullest~!” His voice was high and lively, eyes sparkling mischievously, though he meant his declaration with the utmost sincerity, even if the tone was light heartedly dramatic.

It took only a light poke from Mikleo in his side for Sorey to crack with a chuckle, shuffling with dancing steps to the side before he was fully facing forward once more, gaze honed in on the ethereal seraphim before him.

“Even if people can’t see you, there are plenty of humans around who still worship the seraphim. And you’ve done lots for this nation already, even if you feel you can’t see it directly.” He never had a problem speaking his mind, did he? No matter how it sounded coming out of his mouth, Sorey was honest and pure to the core.

“And even if it’s not for just you, I’ll honor you tonight in their stead~” Again, the declaration was paired with a good natured, happy grin, hands planting firmly on his hips, shoulders sharpened.  “So, what would you like to do first, oh revered seraph~?

Mikleo couldn't help the snicker that bubbled from his throat, pressing lithe fingers against his lips in a demure manner of controlling his laughter rather fruitlessly. He certainly made an effort to keep his composure as regal as he could, having grown up admiring the poise of Jiji all his life. 

"Well first, I'd like you to not act so ridiculous when others can see you." He teased, peering over Sorey's shoulder to view the handful of folks who had taken notice of the bizarre solo performance. He smiled as Sorey glanced back as well, scrambling the spectators before turning back to Mikleo, unfazed and just as jubilant.

"And you don't need to honor me, Sorey. If anything, we should be taking the time to take care of you. " He was pressing his pointer finger into the center of Sorey's chest and shoving with just enough strength to make the shepherd stumble back only a little; a playful exchange. 

"From the looks of it, it may be a themed festival. Perhaps we should start with getting you something to wear?" Mikleo was beginning to walk by him, his nose lifted as he gave Sorey an icy side-glance.

"You stink, anyway." 

With a start, Sorey’s head jerked back a bit, his expression surprised and somewhat offended, wanting to defend against the sudden attack on his supposed body odor.

“I do not s-” He began, though still raised an arm as he sniffed at the fabric, brows cinching together as he went silent for just a moment to process.

“…I don’t…smell that bad.” It was a deflated mumble, his green eyes shifted to the side, though despite the accusation, he began to follow behind Mikleo. Not everyone had the indulgence of being a water seraph who was perpetually clean and well-pressed, unburdened by human bodily functions. But whether Sorey was clean or not, he wouldn’t pass up the idea of festive clothing, Mikleo was sure.

As they stepped out from behind the tent they had rendezvoused behind, Sorey squinted momentarily as a bright, vibrant light caught him by surprise. It lasted only a moment before another grin cracked across his face, eyes wide and wondrous, excitement building once more. Several colored lanterns had been strung up, creating an alley of sorts, though it was more brilliantly lit than any human festival he’d witnessed before. Despite the town’s small size, they clearly had mastered the art of decorative lighting, even without the use of seraphic arts.

Cobblestone and brick were embedded in trails that snaked through the town in tasteful pathways; lined with shops and kiosks fashioned of wood, granite and a slight variety of clays and sediments. It was a very open set up, comprised of two steps elevated to an open marketplace or two steps declined into the earth to yet another open marketplace. Above them, in the stretch between structures where the twilight sky opened up, were canopies of lights and fretted archways, freckled with flora that hung down in streams of fresh blossoms and leaves. Adorning many of the dangling decorations were variant lanterns.

With mouth hanging open, Sorey skittered forward, coming to stand beneath one of the lamps directly. His head tipped and body crouched, circling and inspecting to see how each one was done as his naturally inquisitive nature took hold. 

“Mikleo, these are incredible!! Some of the fire is burning different colors!”

However the water seraph intended to hold himself, the exuberance Sorey demonstrated for each incredible discovery was quite contagious. The seraph toed over to peek into the little flickering paper chamber, staring wide-eyed in wonder.

His milky lashes fluttered somewhat, observing the licking flickers of multicolored flames before he was humming inquiringly. 

"Incredible...I wonder what kind of method they're using to create these colors. Perhaps different forms of elemental chemistry?" Mikleo wondered aloud, cocking his head to perhaps get a better view. "Jiji did talk about how throwing certain salt into a flame would change its color, if I remember right." 

Moments had become fleeting in which Mikleo could allow himself a breath of respite to enjoy the things they used to. It was embarrassing, but it occurred to him only then that perhaps Lailah had intended this from the beginning. She always had Sorey's best interest in mind, unquestionably so. But, it had Mikleo wondering just how she so strongly believed his own happiness tied in to that of the Shepherd's.

Feeling the titter of his pulse quicken, he swallowed against the feeling, hoping the glow of the flame would swallow any faint flush there may be to his cheeks.

“Lailah would probably know…ah, it’s too bad the others aren’t here to see this~” Sorey hummed softly, still shifting as he eyed the colorful flame, voice lowered as other people began approaching. The festival was beginning to kick into gear now as the scent of various foods and the sounds of merchants shouting happily rose into the air. Sorey turned eyes to Mikleo, conveying an expression of contentedness as they both knew their conversations would have to die down a bit while in the presence of humans. Luckily, they were rather skilled with non-verbal cues when it came to one another.

“Edna would probably say she was bored though.” The mutter came out amused, his shoulders shrugging up as he finally came to straighten out his back, gratified with his exploration of the lanterns for the time being. The matter of clothing would have to come before they were too involved in the activities popping up around them, but Sorey wasn’t satisfied just doing so all on his own.

Where was the fun in that?

Spinning on his heel, Sorey made his way toward the building stream of people, toward the pop-up kiosks. Bits of gravel caught between brick and stone crunched under his boots, making just enough sound to cover his voice to a satisfying degree.

“Just point to which outfit you want when we find a stall, okay?”

 Mikleo was stiffening a moment, brows crunching together, and then he was swiftly avoiding a bustle of people moving in one direction, ducking beneath two men hefting a long pole adorned with streaming fabrics. It was enough just to keep up with Sorey's sudden haste, it was another thing entirely to dissuade him from making foolish decisions on the behalf of his invisible partner.

"Sorey-- Sorey~!" He barked, the shepherd boy having become well acquainted with the tone of voice he'd use for scolding, and thus did not feel inclined to inquire. Frustrated, Mikleo was attempting to grasp at the fabric of Sorey's shirt and tug him to a stop, but the fluffy head of chestnut hair was weaving rather skillfully out of reach at every attempt.

"Sorey!" Mikleo was becoming exasperated, "I don't need a change of clothes, you don't need-- Sorey~! " It was obvious he was being ignored.

He was so good at it, in fact, that it would even be hard for humans to tell that he was doing anything out of the ordinary as he dodged Mikleo's grasping hands and remained unresponsive to his calling. He even took to humming just slightly, letting his eyes flick from one vendor to the next, casually scanning over their wares. There was an occasional pause as one or two things would really catch his interest, but he was more or less focused on the task at hand, bringing his feet to a standstill in front of one wooden display in particular. 

Lush fabrics hung from the makeshift stands; beautiful dresses, satin tops, little trinkets and accessories to tie in to the theme of the festival. Several of them were supposed to be an echo of other eras, at least, from what he could tell by the varying style of the clothing. But he really couldn't help a soft snort when he spotted one outfit in particular; currently draped over the shoulders of a small child. The stark black and white was a telltale sign of what it was meant to represent. The Shepherd's cloak, or at least some variant of it, fluttered as the small girl swung a stick in mock combat, ushering a small bout of coos from what he could only guess was her mother and one of the shop keeps. 

"The Shepherd, hm? Maybe I'll buy that one~" The joke fell flat as the only one it was intended to reach was giving him a sidelong glance, arms folding and sigh huffing from his lips. Smiling at Mikleo a moment before looking back at the scene, Sorey continued his musings "Hm...but they don't really have my size. Bet it could fit someone smaller, though~"

Sorey narrowly missed the heel that stamped down right where his foot had been only a moment ago, his feet shuffling as he pretended to suddenly have his interest caught once more. His fingers slid beneath one of the rather ornate looking dresses, drawing it up to inspect as one of the store owners finally seemed to notice the boy's presence. "Oh, here's a good one~" It had accents of gold and burnt orange, little designs that mimicked the ends of swaying wheat. Mikleo’s attempt at ambush went unaddressed, infuriatingly so.

The old woman eyeing him from behind the counter obviously saw his interest as good opportunity to strike up a sales pitch.

"The Earth maiden dress is a lovely present if you're looking to dress up a significant other~ Or a family member, perhaps?" Sorey's head turned as he was addressed, blinking at the commentary, though much to Mikleo's chagrin, he could actually see the wheels turning after hearing those words. He wasn't actually considering a dress for him, was he?!

" Don't ."

Sorey was letting out a jingling of laughter that had Mikleo struck dumb for only a moment before attention was turned back to the vendor and he was left to ponder the fluttering of his heart again on his own. He pressed his palm against his chest, long lashes beating as he peered off to attempt a pinpointed emotion, earlier frustrations entirely forgotten.

Sorey didn't appear to take notice of Mikleo's miniature internal struggle, gingerly replacing the garment back to where he'd first taken it and chuckling still as he engaged in superfluous conversation with the merchant. 

Mikleo took a breath, huffing as he made to exhale his troubles, decidedly lifting his accusatory gaze to his friend now quite content on rifling through the garments on display while chatting.

He crossed his arms pointedly over his chest and stood at an obedient distance; knowing engaging closely in human affair was not good, nor was it helpful to Sorey; especially with his current hiatus as shepherd. Watching Sorey, however, wasn't as remedying as he'd thought it would be from his previous unexpected heart palpitation. 

Sorey was just so comfortable with people. Or, perhaps, better put, he appeared so incredibly natural in any environment presented to him. Watching him felt akin to seeing the glow of green in a forest, the glittering sands of the dessert or the swelling crash of waves against a rocky seashore. 

Watching him was simultaneously troublesome and therapeutic, yet undoubtedly, regardless of his dilemma, he couldn't tear his eyes from the boy either way.  

Sorey hadn't addressed him in return just yet, taking his time speaking with the woman with his friendly inquiries and chatter. His charm was not specific to Mikleo. Even without the cloak of the shepherd swathed around his shoulders, he drew others to him naturally. There could be little other explanation for him so quickly recruiting the help of very different, very powerful seraphs. You just wanted to trust him when he spoke. 

"I'll take the earth seraph outfit, please~" He had leaned forward to gesture to the rather simple garb hanging just to the right of the dress he had eyed earlier with its ribbons and shades of sunny yellow. "And do you have the shepherd's cloak in a size smaller?" A small shake of the shop keep’s head caused the boy to tuck his lower lip in slightly as he contemplated his other choices, only slightly disappointed by the small set back. There wasn't too much that would actually fit Mikleo, let alone choices that he felt would properly flatter the stunning looks of the water seraph standing just behind him.

Perhaps he should try another booth?

Green eyes glanced back to where his companion was standing, looking a bit rigid to have a gaze suddenly on him, especially one that was moving from head to toe, then sweeping back up. But whatever Sorey had absorbed in that moment of looking at Mikleo had seemingly confirmed something for him, sending him turning back around and gesturing once again to an outfit. 

"The small water seraph outfit as well, please. The adult one to the left."

It was surprising he was defaulting to Mikleo's actual element. Generally he was more adventurous, or at least he was devious enough to want to see Mikleo in something more 'entertaining'. At least, that's how Mikleo felt in the moment, sending Sorey a somewhat curious look as the boy collected the outfits and paid the appropriate gald before the woman skittered around the back of the stall to properly wrap the purchase.

"Water?" He parroted softly, chin cocked, giving the taller of the two a sidelong glance. He could see brown brows knitting together in a somewhat troubled expression, voice lowered once more to ward off suspicion. 

"None of these other colors match you... It didn't feel like the right choice. I really do like blue best."

Despite the seraphim's attempt to chastise for his particularly predictable choice, Mikleo couldn't help the curl at the corners of his lips; tickling a soft laughter from within him regardless. He looked over the garment, lilac eyes panning about the fine fabric before he was narrowing them in a somewhat speculative manner.

Sorey seemed to stiffen as soon as Mikleo took notice; their minds so in sync that virtually no communication was needed to understand the musings of the other. 

Violet eyes met emerald and for a moment they simply stared at one another before Mikleo took initiative to break the suspenseful silence.

"Sorey. You purchased the women’s outfit for water." It was simply a statement, but Sorey knew quite well that Mikleo was keen like an icy blade. 

"Why?" his fingers were thrumming against his elbow, like the flicking tail of a cat on the precipice of lashing out with claws extended. 

Sorey's eyes flicked away, knowing he had been caught. He could feel Mikleo's intensity sharpen, though his cheeks simply flushed, not knowing how to properly explain without invoking more rage. The seraphim could just as easily not wear the outfit he'd chosen.

"Well...I mean, the size is right...And the men's outfits were too baggy and plain...Honestly, I don't see why it has to be men's or women's, anyway. Seraphim don't generally wear things that are...um...specific to sex, you know?" He honestly wasn't trying to make fun of Mikleo or trap him in a situation that would make him feel uncomfortable. He just hadn't wrapped his brain around human's need to categorize clothing as 'masculine' or 'feminine' yet. Even as a seraph, Mikleo seemed more in tune with societal expectations. Sorey was adjusting.

"The fit suits you more, And I like the tie in back. It reminds me of your armatus with Rose. I sort of envy the way your combination looks there. It flows nicely." By tie, of course, Sorey meant 'bow' as the outfit he'd chosen had a large, silken bow tied right at the small of the back, cinching in the waist.

The real kicker was that Mikleo knew Sorey truly had no concept of assigning certain designs or embellishments to gender. In theory, yes, he knew human's traditionally differentiated themselves with gendered designs, but it was a style he himself hadn't adopted. Hell, he wouldn't actually be surprised if Sorey would readily agree to wearing the water outfit himself if he thought it suited him. It drew out a sigh from the seraph, and a press of his pointer finger and thumb to the bridge of his nose to rub. 

His vessel was truly a complicated person to deal with for the most simplistic reasons.

"Do you really hate the design?"

A woman had come to stop and stare at the young boy talking worriedly to the empty space beside him.

Ever the diligent one to keep watch of any eyes Sorey would draw, Mikleo was quick to notice the way the woman was casting glances. With a soft sight of defeat, Mikleo was beginning to move, his amethyst eyes flickering to Sorey as he passed by.

“Come on, Sorey, let’s continue the conversation elsewhere.”

As if Sorey could read Mikleo’s body language, he was beaming yet again, eyes nearly glittering with mirth as he grinned broadly.

“You’ll wear it then?”

Mikleo visibly winced, coming to an abrupt halt only to whip around; face visibly rosy as he hesitantly eyed the now quite suspicious vendor before quickly glowering abashedly at the seemingly foolish shepherd.

“Sorey! Other people are staring at you-!” He barked through grit teeth, bristly positioned with fingers fisted and lips pouting. Sorey jogged over to his side, his beaming grin still soundly in place before, instead of falling in step at Mikleo’s side, he was pausing only briefly.

“I know~” He chirped, and with a playful laughter, he was dashing by Mikleo with what looked like intention to engage in chase with his friend.

Mikleo told himself he was far too mature to fall to the bait of dashing off after the impish green-eyed boy, and yet there he found himself, tailing him as Sorey laughed and skillfully avoided him just as easily as he did the last time.

--

It was an event getting into their new outfits. Both had to hide out behind a barn, kicking off clothing, Mikleo keeping watch for anyone who might walk by and spot the shepherd in his smallclothes, not that they would actually recognize the boy. But to Sorey it felt invigorating; being able to goof off like this, to just spend his time casually enjoying activities with Mikleo. Despite how he wanted others to be able to see the beautiful silver-haired boy, being the only one who could see him at the moment felt like his own personal secret.

A beam that reflected that feeling spread across his face when Mikleo finally emerged; the bow pulled snugly around his waist and fabric trailing from his slender forearms.

“See? I knew it would look incredible on you~ You have just the right body type for more elegant clothing~” His cheeks were warm with mirth, his own hands tucked into yellow and orange accented sleeves. He would just personally have to enjoy the sight for everyone else. Though Mikleo’s beauty really ought to be shared, he thought.

One day.

“This is actually pretty fun~” Sorey’s arms flapped a bit, snapping the baggy sleeves fitted from his shoulder to finger tips. It felt so nostalgic of some of the seraphim garb from their hometown. He really missed everyone back at home. But, man, he’d always wanted to be a seraph, even if only for a day when he was a child. It was hard to convince the only human boy in the village, the only one that needed food, water, sleep, warmth, and with no special domain over any element that it was preferable for him to be human. His fingers splayed dramatically, lips pursed, pretending as if the earth would jut out before him if he tried.

Honestly, if he drew his sword and commanded the powers of the shepherd, he could. But apparently that was a different experience for him as he still seemed infatuated with the idea of doing it himself and continued to cast mock seraphic arts.

“I, seraph Sorey, vow to protect the citizens of this village with my incredible, earth-shifting might!”

Mikleo, having taken to quietly admiring the intricacies of his sleeve design, peered around the fabric as he’d dangled it above him to better view it. Witnessing Sorey’s goofy antics, the real seraph among them was rolling his eyes and lowering his arm.

“Sorey, you’re-”

He was quite suddenly interrupted as a burst of fluting giggles, poorly concealed behind a hand, put his words to a pause.

A girl had stumbled upon what was previously their impromptu hideout, adorning a similar garb to Mikleo’s though it was a pattern of pretty pinks and purples; looking somewhat similar to an outfit of a seraph they had come across in their travels, but with just enough difference to be of its own design.

“Am I interrupting something?” She teased, stepping forward and letting her hands fall to her sides with a soft jingle; a ribbon and bell tied to an elegant wrist.

It was natural for Sorey’s to flush at the blunder, back straightening and body turning on a heel to face the unexpected spectator.

“A-ah, no – Sorry, I was…um…. ah, this is embarrassing-” He mumbled, the red having rushed over the bridge of his nose to his ears, his smile apologetic despite the way she was waving his antics off already.

“Please, don’t be~ It’s natural to want to pretend when we get to wear outfits like these, right? It’s a nice break from the day to day.” It was relatable to some degree and her point might have been much stronger…were she not talking to the shepherd himself. But Sorey humbly agreed, nodding and giving a nervous chuckle, hands tucked just so at his sides to try to avoid making a larger fool of himself.

“Seraphim are truly amazing.”

Her own smile brightened, pushing back long, straight hair that was similar in shade to Sorey’s own.

“You believe in them then?” It was not accusatory, her gaze not holding judgement, rather simply curiosity as she eyed the boy with such welcoming body language.

“You don’t?”

Something seemed to strike her fancy with Sorey’s reply, a glimmer in her eye and a cock to her head. Her hand lifted to once again fiddle with her hair, tucking it gracefully behind her ear as the bell at her wrist tinkled with the motion.

“I would hope I do, seeing as my mother was the one that sold you that garb.” She was bending somewhat, mimicking a thorough inspection of his attire before smiling and drawing back as she saw the shock register on his expression. He was energetically comparing their outfits with his eyes before long.

She laughed at his muted enthusiasm, linking her hands behind her back in a somewhat feminine manner.

“I feel it’d be blasphemous in a way to market worship to seraphim and not believe in them at least in some way. Though I suppose it’s not uncommon.” Despite the commentary, her mood was almost infectiously playful, though it didn’t go unnoticed who it was that had blazed the trail to a spirited atmosphere; Sorey’s eyes alight with wonder at the coincidence of their exchange as well as their shared belief.

Mikleo remained entirely silent, taking to observing the scene unfold.

“I’m sorry to have startled you, I just couldn’t help noticing when you came through our store. You bought two outfits, right?” She was innocently peering about, her eyes a dazzling color of golden brown scanning his surroundings before peering up at him inquisitively.

“Do you have a partner for the dance tonight?”

His brows lifted, lips popping open just slightly while he processed.

There was a dance? Assuming it was for the festival, perhaps it was open to the public? He hadn’t seen any large manors and they weren’t anywhere near the castles that occupied the continent, so he couldn’t imagine there would be a fee. Then again, the economy humans had built in the recent years was still somewhat of an enigma to him.

But the matter of a partner; that was a particularly difficult question to answer. His head turned only a fraction, emeralds flashing back just to catch the bright white and blue of his true partner’s attire before facing back to the girl before him.

“Um, I didn’t actually know there was a dance, though I did buy the other outfit for someone.” It was awfully hard to tell the truth without telling too much and looking rather crazy. Even if this girl believed in seraphim, it would be much harder to believe there was one standing just behind himself, his most important person, at that. In the now-invisible attire her mother had sewn.

“Is it mandatory to have partners?”

She gave yet another laugh, appearing to have deduced then that he truly was someone from out of town. After lowering a hand, having lifted it to daintily shield her amusement, she shook her head; long tresses fluttering about her as she did so.

“No, it’s not mandatory~ I was simply asking because if you didn’t happen to have a partner…” She shrugged in a somewhat nonchalant manner.

Even so, Mikleo did not speak, wishing not to take advantage of his ability to secrecy, as well as wanting to allow Sorey the freedom to decide to his liking. He was human, and to ask for his undivided attention among his own kind during the rarity of respite...

Sorey was charming, and good looking. Her body language was adeptly casual, the tone of her voice equally calm but her manner of interest, and just the way in which her lashes fluttered somewhat upon catching Sorey’s green gaze, it told quite enough to Mikleo.

Alisha had rarely looked at Sorey that way. Rose never.

The little bell made another soft jingle.

He was suddenly feeling guilty that this girl was under the assumption of privacy. He could feel the warmth in his cheeks, turning his head from their direction despite being unseen.

“Hehh?” Sorey hummed curiously, understanding then what she was aiming for. Always happy for an offer of company, the sincere gratitude translated through his features in a warm, radiating manner.

“I really wouldn’t mind dancing a little together if you like, but I do have another person I’d like to spend some time dancing with, too.” Relaxing with Mikleo by his side during the festivities was something he had truly been looking forward to since they learned of the event. He surely wasn’t going to give that up entirely, even if it was hard to explain to those humans around who couldn’t sense the presence of the young seraph.

He was sure the festival would draw other seraph as well and hopefully provide more fulfilling company for the silvery haired young man, but until then, he wanted to stick close by. His waist hinged with a deep bow.

“I’m really flattered you asked, thank you. I’d also love to know more about the town’s festival, if you don’t mind~”

His response was something she hadn’t entirely expected, perhaps having predicted a solid yes, or a flat out no. Yet it appeared he was eager to please everyone in his party, despite it only being her at the moment; or so she thought.

She was blinking rapidly, a bit startled before her cheeks were warming and she was nervously fiddling with her hair – though again, Mikleo noted, she masked her embarrassment quite well, even seemed to emulate a kind of attractive glow in her nervousness which only complemented her already appealing image.

“Oh—of course not-! It would be my pleasure~” A radiant energy was billowing off her then, Mikleo raising a brow and feeling, for a moment, a sense of unrequited comradery with her. He understood the effects of Sorey’s approval quite well himself.

“I um…I actually have to finish decorating for the festival…” she was peering over her shoulder, looking somewhat troubled before turning hopeful eyes back to the green-eyed shepherd. “If you’d like, you could help me? I could explain the festival to you a bit more! It shouldn’t take long with the two of us.”

Again, Mikleo couldn’t help but be impressed with her valiant effort of courtship. Admittedly, he wouldn’t deny the twinge of possessiveness and jealousy, something he’d only really become aware of upon meeting Alisha, but the emotion was miniscule enough to be little more than an irritant, and human enough for Mikleo to welcome it in some cases, if only to bring him closer to Sorey.

He was shimmying his shoulders a bit, feeling as though he’d been still too long; shaking his head as his silvery hair fluffed elegantly about before neatly falling back into place and eclipsing the gilded gleam of his circlet.

When he let his lashes blink open, he was stunned to stillness as he was met with brown eyes staring straight at him. For a moment, he was certain she could see him, but just as quickly as it happened, the moment passed, and her gaze flickered all about; as though she’d caught eye of something, but did not find it and thus decided to move on.

 Sorey's response was as predicted. He was always happy for company, happy for knowledge, and happy to lend a hand wherever he could. Even if he wasn't the Shepherd for a day, he couldn't keep away from his nature of laboring for benefit of those around him.  Of course, there was a benefit to that end and Mikleo couldn't say he wasn't also curious about this town and this dazzling festival, but it was hard to watch this girl attempt to court the smiling boy, especially when he could feel Sorey was making no move out of the ordinary other than extending friendship.

To be honest, she was barking up the entirely wrong tree.

"Sounds great, thank you~!" His smile was wide as he made a step forward in a gesture to join her, though it was the following words that seemed to shake all his company. "Only if you don't mind my seraph friend joining us~" 

There was no mistaking it; his hand had drawn back to directly gesture to the space where Mikleo stood, already quietly ready to follow along. Her gaze followed, brows lifted, but Mikleo could tell the searching look in her eyes indicated she was seeing through him, not looking truly at him. Still, it was startling.

"Sorey-"

He was unflinching, smiling at her, something dancing in his green eyes that looked playful. That must have been what eased her into such a statement. She thought he was joking, most likely. An amused smile broke across her pink lips and her eyes squinted with jollity.

"Of course not~ Seraphim are more than welcome, if they so wish."

Sorey appeared to be appeased by her words, gleaming as he looked back at Mikleo as if to say ' isn't that great?' Mikleo was sighing and shaking his head, though still made to follow him as Sorey began to trail after the girl. He didn't exactly have the heart to tell him his assumptions about her interpretation, at least not yet. 

"I'm not sure if it's a habit of yours, but you didn't ask her name." Mikleo's voice was dismissive, somewhat amused though doing well to mask it as Sorey was still rather clumsy with human interaction. He was giving a side-eyed glance to the shepherd, violet eyes catching a glimmer of flame from the lantern lights speckled across the market square.

"You also haven't given your name yet." The mirth was evident this time around, the corners of his mouth tugging upward as he witnessed the start in Sorey's expression.

Mikleo wasn't someone so cruel as to sadistically nurture a relationship that he was quite positive wouldn't go anywhere extensively, yet he certainly wasn't going to allow the blossom of insecurity to keep Sorey from making bonds. It did startle the seraph, however, when the girl was speaking up unprompted by the shepherd.

"My name is Yolind, by the way~ Yoli is fine!" she chirped over her shoulder, offering a smile that had her eyes crinkling attractively at the corners. Again, the little bell at her wrist tinkled with the movement and Mikleo was made to wonder what its purpose was. He had half a mind to leave Sorey alone with the girl and explore on his own.

"Sorey~" he answered, easily as ever. There was a happy pride in providing it, having always been very fond of the name given to him by Jiji. It always felt like an honor to be gifted a name chosen by seraphim.

Her eyes widened, pink lips forming a small 'o' before her energetic response came.

"The same as the Shepherd?" Mikleo could see the color deepen at the crest of his ears, indicating his whole face had gone rosy. Of course he wouldn't have had the foresight to give an alias when he was supposed to be keeping his identity under wraps. Or perhaps he just couldn't lie and had assumed he wouldn't have been recognized by name alone. 

"Ah...yeah, I suppose it is the same name." The tense tilt of his back was enough to tip Mikleo off that he wanted to turn and consult him, though he was forced to remain focused on the conversation directly before him. A soft sigh gushed from the water seraph's lips just as she chimed in again.

"That's really lucky to share a name with the shepherd! You must feel like a celebrity~" Both boys immediately eased, shoulders dropping fractionally to find she was easily convinced they were not one in the same. He gave a nervous laugh, straightening the edge of his earthen seraph tunic.

"It's not noticed too often, luckily. It would probably be pretty troublesome if people thought we were the same person." They had already run into enough trouble with Sorey being recognized as the Shepherd. Assassination attempts probably topped the list.

"Talking to seraphim probably doesn't help with that assumption~" Again, his ears blazed, mouth opened to release a quick apology, though she waved him off light-heartedly, eyes twinkling. Yolind was surprisingly pert with her interactions with him, polite as she was. Sorey's playful nature was infectious. 

After Mikleo was washed with relief, he took to silent observation once more, having become somewhat used to the concept of silence when Sorey was engaged in conversation. Although many people he interacted with were aware he was the shepherd, and taking a moment or so to consult his seraphim partners would not be seen as odd to those aware, there were still several people to which Sorey conversed that were none the wiser.

It had troubled him at first, accommodating for that kind of barrier; relinquishing Sorey's attention to the degree of nigh nonexistence in his presence. Oddly enough, however, he became somewhat accustomed to it rather quickly, something he could truly only attribute to the presence of the other seraph traveling with them. Lailah, Edna, Dezel and even Zaveid had provided him a strange sort of comfort when Sorey would otherwise be busy.

It was almost unnerving. He'd often only had Sorey as a companion and yet he was learning very quickly how to cope when the boy was not with him. Perhaps it was because, deep down, he knew Sorey would eventually find his way back.

But maybe he was being presumptuous. 

Clearing his throat, Mikleo was catching the sleeve of Sorey's uniform and tugging it once.

"I'm going to explore a bit." He said softly, feeling as though he needed a second to gather himself before he became too carried away. Plus, it appeared many people had adornments to their costumes, hair ornaments, bells, cosmetic embellishments and the like; he was curious to know their meaning. 

Sorey's eyes swept back to him at the mention of leaving, probing gently into his gaze, though he simply gave a small tip of his chin in acknowledgement as the girl led him forward, beginning to talk more of the festival while inquiring what brought Sorey to it. 

They would talk and exchange information later, he was sure of it. He didn't want to stop Mikleo from having his freedom to roam, not that he really could, anyhow. For now, Sorey would have to come up with his own excuses as to what drew him to the small town. They could all be honest answers; both of them had truly come just to learn of its history without any ties to the duty of the Shepherd or sub lord. So Sorey only followed Mikleo with his gaze for a moment, watching as he turned and walked soundlessly back into the bustling crowd, the ends of the bow placed against his lower back trailing. 

With a thick swallow, Sorey's head turned back forward, feeling something giddy roiling in his belly at getting anther peak at the outfit and knowing he was truly honored to be able to see his friend's beauty exclusively. But it still ached somewhere with the knowledge that it couldn't be shared. Not yet.

He still had a long way to go before he was a strong enough Shepherd to bridge the world of seraphim and human.

"The feast has a lot of different treats to appease the seraphim, including some of the honey taffy they make as a specialty each year." Yolind had gone on to explain small snippets as they passed vendors and patrons alike, many already dressed in the playful garb, chatting and purchasing little charms and trinkets.

"Taffy?" He'd certainly never heard of a thing. Then again, a lot of food from the human world was a mystery still. He'd had limited exposure, what with living off the land back in Elysia. Only Mikleo's snacks had truly been a break from the foraged greens, meat and goat cheese of his regular diet. 

But intrigued as he was with the food, his attention was drawn naturally to some of the depictions of the deities they revered; some cast in metal, some carved in wood, some even painted. They were beautifully crafted from dozens of artisans. Some were stunningly aesthetic bodies or depiction of boundless generosity. Others played more to the fierce power of the unknown. Some were purposefully frightening, appealing more to the absolute strength and dominance while humans cowered and worshipped below.

Sorey blinked at the carved image of a chimera-like seraph shooting lightning down on a quivering town. As fearsome as Jiji could be, the seraphim he'd grown with had been loving and kind. He'd never cowered in his life from them. He shivered even to think of such a thing.

The depictions of humble thanks, or works of immense beauty would be his preferred offering.

His attention to the specificity of such pieces did not go unnoticed. Quirking her brow, Yolind was coming to stand beside him as she, too, regarded the fantastic pieces before smiling and nudging him with her elbow.

"You like the pretty ones, huh?" She teased, though moved forward to admire a particular sculpture that was relatively small in comparison, but the stone it was made from was so incredibly breathtaking, it was no wonder she was taking a moment to pay it special attention.

"This little one is a favorite of mine. It's not as big, and it's not as cleanly shaped as the others, but the rock is just so beautiful. I can't imagine it's easy to carve blue geode like this." She was smiling at the cluster of tiny crystals, depicting what looked like a splash of water surrounding an elegant figure indistinguishable in gender. “Tharin is a genius at this stuff, though.”

She appeared to be very well situated in the village, her personality reminiscent of Rose in some ways as she flowed easily in and about the workings of other vendors and merchants setting up. Her duties were relatively straight forward, decorative flags and lanterns to be hung, baked goods to be properly set and displayed and candles to be lit in homage to the seraphim vigil and all those who had passed. It was a celebration for the spirits.

Though it was unspoken, amorous tradition was not uncoupled from the celebration either. The unity of living souls appeases the spirits beyond, or so Yolind explained with fleeting looks at the chestnut haired boy.

She kept him busy and well informed, even snagged a few cubes of the famous taffy she had mentioned and gestured he keep silent about it with a press of a dainty finger against her coral colored lips. It didn't appear to be a large inconvenience, thus Sorey did not venture to correct it; seeing as it appeared more playful sneaking than anything else. Something he was well familiar with in light of his history with Mikleo and their reputation for spelunking.  

"So. I've been chatting your ear off most the evening," She started once they had finished what duties Yolind had been appointed. It had been nearly an hour of preparation and the sun had nearly gone completely. She had taken to sitting on a lofted porch of sorts, catching the remains of golden light before it slipped beneath the mountain peaks and left the sky in a swirl of scarlet and cerulean; like fire licking at the waves of the sea. 

"I can't imagine you've been humoring me this whole time, right?" She accused, though there was no question she wasn't serious.

"No, no, it's been really fun~" He smiled, correcting her with a wave of his hand, despite knowing she was teasing. He was nothing if not straight forward.

He leaned causally against the worn wooden rail of the loft, flicking his eyes to the dying sun before emeralds swept to focus directly on her and her pleased expression. "I really appreciate everything you've shown me. I'm glad I happened to come into town during a festival!" Shoulders shrugging up, his attentions turned back over the crowd, eying the many stalls they'd passed by, still ever curious about the others they had not. 

"I travel a lot, so I can't say it's very often me or my companions really get to just enjoy little traditions like these." It was true that they didn't mingle too much with regular human society, as was needed from the Shepherd. He was frequently interacting with people, lending help where he could, but it was the nature of his burden that he couldn't get involved with any one place for too long. Both to maintain his unbiased view of the world, as well as to ward off any idea of favoritism to one territory.

He could feel her gaze resting on him and quickly felt the need to ward off any negative feelings she might have gathered from him. "Not that it's a bad thing! I get to see a lot of different things, like this festival here! And I meet a lot of really different people with different ways of living." His smile was wide and genuine as ever. 

"There's a lot of really kind people in this world, like yourself."

Her gaze lingered on him a while longer, something strange shifting in her gaze. She seemed at a loss for words before clearing her throat and lolling her head to the side to break eye contact; offering a light laugh to draw attention away from her warming cheeks.

"That's pretty forward of you. I thought we were trying to take things slow." She joked with a small scoff before she was stretching her arms above her head a bit.

"The festival is going to begin soon, so I'll be busy until the dance, but you did say you'd save one for me, right?" She cocked her head, dark brown hair spilling over her shoulder before she could tuck a bit of it behind her ear, causing the bell fastened to her dainty wrist to ring softly. "I know you said you had another partner you were with, but I haven't seen them this whole time." 

Her eyes narrowed, though her lips curled into a wry smile. "Don't tell me you've ditched them for my company? That's not very nice of you, Sorey."

Sorey's brows creased, puckering a bit while his head turned and the corners of his lips turned up in a way that said he might have even been worried or anxious, if those were emotions the seemingly perpetually happy boy could have. More so it appeared he was just fearing some sort of friendly repercussion.

"More like...I've probably been the one ditched." He chuckled nervously, though took that as his cue to push away from the wooden frame, setting his boots right against the wood as he turned to face her, hand outstretched. 

"It's been really nice meeting you and talking for a while. I'm sure we'll meet up again tonight." His own eyes brightened as hers had, feeling energized at the idea of making yet more friends, especially ones that seemed to have their hearts open to the seraphim. 

"I'll save that dance for you for sure~ Just as long as I don't get my ears talked off for taking too long." Mikleo's scolding could be pretty lengthy depending on his mood or the severity of Sorey's 'crime'. Still, even knowing a scolding could be coming, he was incredibly eager to meet up with him, to share all the knowledge he'd gathered over the last hour, even to give him one of the wrapped taffies he'd saved with the sweets-loving seraph in mind. 

He wanted to enjoy this night with his closest friend.

Be it luck Sorey was momentarily spelled with or simply good karma he'd rightfully earned, Mikleo had barely noticed the passage of time in his absence. There was something to be said of an unequivocally invisible presence; the difficulty of interaction balanced out by the ability to peek and peer as he pleased.

As it turned out, much of the festival, which was in honor of spirits and seraphim alike, went hand in hand with celebration of courtship and matrimony. It had become more an informal festivity than the actual coupling of individuals, but many still believed proper patronage to the spirits of times long since passed would hallow their unity and sanctify the womb to be fruitful. 

Different ornamentation had different meanings, as was to be expected, and Mikleo was eagerly soaking in all he could find.

Those that adorned crowns or hairpieces consisting of lilies or white peonies wore the symbol of people claimed or devoted; be it to spirits or another. 

Those that adorned the tattoo of makeup and markings along their faces, arms and legs symbolized a plethora of meanings, all various in their placements and color, and how they were interpreted. For some it was a symbol of simple frivolity, for some it was a claim of status or knowledge for the folk lore, some it was a memory made for those who had passed. 

Those that adorned bells or charms at the ankles or wrists were the symbol of people helping to guide lost spirits, or draw blessings of happiness and love toward them. Mikleo was raising a brow at that, distinctly remembering Yolind and the bell she sported on her wrist. He briefly wondered if she was a beacon for lost souls or perhaps someone searching.

Sniffing, he forced himself to forget the thought.

He couldn't help himself upon his next discovery, snorting a little and pressing a hand to his lips, as though there would be fear of being discovered. Earrings were another decoration, older and rarer among the crowd, but they consisted of small stones, carved bone or feathers; a symbol of an esteemed warrior and in some cases, fertile to bed several partners in hopes to bear many children for spiritual warriors and maidens.

Laughing again, Mikleo wondered if Yolind knew of the tale and thought perhaps Sorey felt he was a capable bed partner. The thought alone was rather silly and so archaic, he simply had to share with Sorey when they met again.

For reasons he couldn't quite name, however, he found himself drawn to the adornments of the hair and wrists; quietly and contemplatively browsing the trinkets and ornaments with inquisitive eyes.

"That one is pretty~" Mikleo sucked in a breath, body tensing as he'd felt someone's weight lean against him, shocking him as he knew he was surrounded by humans that had not the resonance to interact with him directly. Aside from one. 

Sorey's shoulder had pushed against him, his left hand outstretched as he gestured to an intricately beaded necklace, one that was meant to cascade over the clavicle with several hanging strands and loops.

"Reminds me of the ones Loanna used to make."

He could tell Sorey had meant to startle him, as such he cast him a rather flat look, shifting away from the warm weight against him. "Yeah, and you clearly didn't learn anything. You only managed to get the hang of looping a few beads on a string for your earrings and sword."

Sorey took the jibe well, blinking as he seemed to honestly reflect on the time they had spent huddled around the patient seraph, watching her carve little beads to string into lovely decorations or jewelry.

"Yeah, I never really got the hang of the more complicated stuff. But I like the way it looks, anyway." His finger jingled one of the hanging feathers on his left ear and the beads that held them in place. He wasn't going to acknowledge startling Mikleo by the sound of it. Rather, he went right to work picking out more of the creations Mikleo was browsing, including a multitude of brass circles crimped together to create a draping hair ornament. "What about this crown thing? Ah, then again it probably wouldn't go so well with your circlet."

Mikleo scrunched his nose in response, snorting in amusement. 

"No, it certainly wouldn't." He agreed before he was squaring his shoulders somewhat and leveling Sorey with an observant look. He was looking as unruffled and nonchalant as ever, easily fitting into the flow of it all. 

"You don't need to get anything more for me, you know." He pointed out, smirking somewhat as he felt as though he had gained the advantage with knowledge. The competitive gleam to his eyes was unmistakable and the boyish quirk to the corner of his lips held no secret. 

Mikleo was feeling somewhat smug.

"I'm not sure you fully understand the meaning of some of these embellishments~" He teased, yet despite his feelings of confidence, there was always a part of him that was eager to discuss with Sorey, or at the very least, exchange opinions on the matter. "You're actually wearing some yourself, you know." He was chuckling once again, softly flicking the golden feathers that were fastened to the shell of Sorey’s ears.

Sorey watched Mikleo tease the ends of the feathers with raised brows, though he remained still as he observed the air of smug confidence in the smaller man.

A competitive smile of his own pulled across his mouth as he straightened up to the challenge. 

"Am I?" The curiosity was true, though he had gained knowledge of his own. 

"I didn't learn about accessories, but I did learn a lot about the figures and carvings they make to pay tribute to seraphim of different elements. They also use their own crop to spin the threads for the outfits we're wearing. It's another way to honor the earth and water seraphim for a good harvest." His hands went to his hips, chest puffing slightly in light of dishing out the little hint of information. Even still, he couldn't deny the itch to know what Mikleo had discovered as well.

"Are my earrings meant to honor wind seraphim? Feathers are traditionally used in wind shrines~"

"I didn't know they spun their own thread..." Mikleo mused, pressing a delicate knuckle just beneath the swell of his plush lower lip; composed amazement evident in his violet gaze. After a moment, he was catching the grin Sorey was sporting and made to walk past him, elbowing his side gently so as to, at the very least, cause his expression to falter somewhat.

"Yes and no." He remarked over his shoulder, stepping down and onto the main pathway that extended through the majority of town and lead to the center where a ceremonial fire was in preparation to be lit. 

"They represent the mark of an esteemed and practiced warrior." Mikleo informed, his voice even and steady, though he nearly broke face as he continued. "Depending on the color, in some circumstances, they can mark how fruitful the loins of the individual are and how many children they believe they can bare." His gaze was playful and amused, his plush lips pressed into a cunning smile before he tipped his chin up just a bit.

"I would have never pegged you as the type to be so forward, Sorey." Unbeknownst to the water seraph, he was nearly parroting the words of Yolind. 

In all honesty, he'd nearly forgotten all about her.

Lashes blinked over green eyes once, a beat of silence falling between them as Sorey absorbed the full meaning behind the implications. The heavy flush followed quickly, head ducking down and hands cupping over the ornaments as his eyes flicked wildly about, as if he'd been caught strutting through town naked. 

"N-no way -- Seriously?!" His fingers were fidgeting, beginning to unclasp the metal from his ears to remove the dangling accessories he'd customized himself. He wasn't for strutting around fertility like a peacock. Having children was...well that was awfully far from his mind and didn't want to put on a show of anything that said otherwise. 

That certainly would have been a nice point for Yolind to cover in her explanation. Either that, or Mikleo was pulling his leg to deflate his proud discoveries.

"Don't tell me I'm wearing anything else like that-" His voice was tense and anticipatory, shuffling closer while hands gripped self consciously at the earthen garb, cheeks lit up in his embarrassment.

There was a tinkling laughter that bubbled from Mikleo then, finally unable to hold it inside as Sorey expressed nearly exactly the kind of reaction Mikleo was hoping for. He clutched his sides and barely covered his mouth with his palm as laughter rolled out of him like a bubbling stream. 

Sorey's face only became further flushed at his friend's amusement, though before much else could be exchanged, Mikleo was composing himself, barely so if he were to be honest, and let out a breath for poise. He stepped forward, a mirthful smile still firmly in place as he gingerly scooped the earrings from Sorey's palms; the dying hum of laughter still thrumming in the petite barrel of his chest. 

"Don't worry, feathers of this color and size don't mean anything so grandiose." He reassured, somewhat reluctant to relieve Sorey of his mortification so soon, but even within those fleeting seconds, the absence of the little trinkets looked very bizarre on him. He extended his arms upward, gently fastening the jewelry back to their rightful place on the crest of Sorey's ears before he drew back once more. After a moment of inspection, he nodded approvingly and flicked one of them playfully. 

"Lucky you~"

A rare pout curled his lips, obviously temporarily sour about being teased in such a way, but that was about as far as Sorey's moods got. He reserved those sorts of expressions for Mikleo, revealing the rarer sides of his personality only with his closest childhood friend.

"You did that on purpose." He accused with just the slightest mumble, fingering the earring himself as the skin of his ears was still freshly hot with embarrassment.

Even still, he couldn't be too mad when he was treated to the sound of Mikleo laughing so fully, even if it was at his own expense. 

He continued to treat his feathered earrings tentatively, as if part of him was not inclined to believe Mikleo's following statement, but even he wouldn't be so cruel as to intentionally let Sorey wander around committing a social faux pas. 

"Well then, what else should I be careful of? I wanted to get something to decorate the both of us more, but not if I'm going to put on a bracelet that means I'm seeking marriage or something..." His brows had crinkled together again, head tipping as his frown deepened.

"I thought the little silver bells might look good on you, too."

Mikleo's brows perked. 

"Well, there are multiple meanings that depend on the location, color, size, amount...it can be somewhat confusing when you first look at it all, but after a while, I suppose it tends to be second nature." Mikleo explained thoughtfully. "Your friend was wearing one bell on her wrist. That's indicative of both looking for love, as well as acting as a beacon for lost spirits, or bridging the gap between material world and the world of the dead." His voice was soft and temperate as it usually became when amidst an explanation. 

"Wearing two bells on the wrist, or one on the ankle signifies a devotion or unity; be it courting, marriage, or the dedication of one's soul to honoring the spirits beyond." 

He came to a pause, halting in his journey toward the center of town as he came across a kiosk of sorts he had not noticed previously. It was decorated with an excess of beautifully hand carved masks of variety; full masks that covered the entirety of the face, some that only fell over the eyes, even those that extended outward in some creative, aesthetic exaggeration.

"...I haven't seen these yet..." He confessed with brows lifted. "...Have you?"

Sorey hummed softly as he came up behind his friend once more, able to see right over his head at the masks in question while the rising noise level around them dampened the suspicion of him talking to himself.

"Yolind explained a little about them. The big ones are used in a ritual dance as people take on the identity of spirits instead. It's said to ease their loneliness so they can dance with some of 'their kind' for a night. Some will even come down to the world below solely to bless those with the most beautiful mask. Afterward, it's tossed on the fire to be sent along with them as gifts." He eyed one of the more intricate pieces, noting the rare wood and steady hand it was carved with. Portions of it were even stained with the juices from red and purple berries and the wood sealed with a layer of sap. "It's almost a shame they're burned..."

His train of thought halted, hearing an explosion of cheering just beyond the stalls, followed by the sound of tumbling logs onto the earth. Their bodies twisted toward the noise, but Sorey could already pinpoint what it meant. 

"Oh, they're going to start the fire and start cooking meat for the feast!" Sorey's hand found Mikleo's without any second thought, pulling him from the stall and down the center square to spy a better look of the gathering crowd. Figureheads from town were holding flickering torches, adorning the most elaborate outfits and big smiles, one of which had taken to speaking up through her gravelly voice to address everyone present.

Sorey had pulled them to a good spot to listen, just on the edge of the clearing for the fire, eyes eagerly soaking up all the preparations taking place and reveling in the feeling of good will all around them. This was truly a wonderful town, perhaps one of the few that had escaped the brewing malevolence of the world, despite some history with the war. He could breathe easily here, and despite not feeling a blessed domain, it didn't feel tarnished. 

"Mikleo-" His fingers tightened on his hand, having forgotten to release it in his excitement, though the focus of his gaze was pinpointed just behind the elder speaking. A young man, wearing rather simplistic garb with accents and shades of green, one that looked very similar in design to his own save for color, stood just behind the aged woman as she riled the town's people with talk of blessings and festivities. It wasn't as easy to tell with the costumes many had taken to donning, but Sorey was honed enough at this point to tell the difference. The stormy tint to his hair gave it away. "A seraph!"

Mikleo was quickly spotting the individual Sorey pointed out, gazing in wonder at the spirit that stood quietly behind the elderly spokesperson. Their eyes swept the crowd with cool composure, and when they just so happened to cross gazes with him, Mikleo was subconsciously tightening his fingers around Sorey's large palm and drawing in an anticipatory breath. 

He wasn't sure what startled him to stillness, perhaps the bizarre feeling of ceremony and celebration illuminated the oddity and uniqueness of Sorey and himself; their hands cupped together and unmistakably coupled in honor of the wind seraph and many other spirits.

Mikleo was unsure what he expected, but there was recognition in the bright amber eyes of the seraph, though he did nothing more than offer a slow, steady bow of his head toward the two of them before all attention was redirected to the crowd that had gathered to listen to the tales of old.

The water seraph let out a breath he had not realized he'd been holding, his hand relaxing around Sorey's while the other pressed to his chest as his heart beat rapidly. 

"I don't know why that was so intense." He mused with a small breath of amusement at his own inexplicable concern.

“Right??” Of course, Sorey’s emotions were channeled solely as pure excitement where Mikleo had felt some anxiety. He practically beamed when the seraph acknowledged them, always feeling a strange sort of familial connection to the spirits, despite being human.

Seraphim had been the only being he’d ever known for seventeen years, outside the few animals that inhabited the mountain top. It was natural to feel drawn to them when other humans couldn’t even sense them.

His hands squeezed back as if to channel the mutual rush of emotions before he stood up higher on his tiptoes to soak in everything that was happening, not that either of them had any trouble seeing over the heads of the crowd from their position upon a slight incline.

The woman rattled with beads as she moved, gesturing out toward the guests of the festival. Her greying hair was slung over her shoulder in a long braid, woven with strips of dried leather, and the deep grooves of her aging face did nothing to hide the bright sparkle of her otherwise dark eyes.

After addressing the mass and saying what sounded like a few words of prayer, she turned herself, robes looking rather heavy as she shifted, but if Sorey wasn’t mistaken, he could almost feel her change of direction, her position, was fully intentional. She was facing the wind seraph dead on, level with his eyes, her hand slowly outstretching as she presented the smoldering torch.

Perhaps it was an illusion, but he could have sworn the seraph’s lips twitched up into a smile, producing a small huff that reminded him a bit of the way Mikleo would regard him when he indulged his requests or curiosities. It was a fond smile, a familiar one.

“Mikleo…are they…” Sorey’s smile had disappeared, though his eyes were wide and lips parted, his hand tight still around the slender, pale palm in his own.

The seraph stepped to the side, allowing the woman to approach the pile of splintered kindling as he fell in place beside her, nearly a head taller than she and both with eyes on the to-be fire. She knelt with little difficulty, despite her age, probing the burning end of her cloth-wound torch into base of the pile, finding a promising place to lay it down amongst the dried leaves and bark as the entire gathering went silent. After releasing, she took only a small step back before the seraph himself approached. With a single sweep of his arm, a well-aimed gust of air rushed through the small flame, fanning it up instantly as it spread up into the center of the pit, catching the dried ends of wood and gobbling them up quickly. It was already a large flame in moments and those around exploded into applause once more. 

But Sorey wasn’t so focused on the growing fire, rather his eyes were trained on the two in the middle of it all, seeing the woman turn, bow her head deeply while she mouthed words of thanks. His heart was racing.

“Can she see him…?”

In the moments Mikleo believed he'd regained his breath, it was lost once again, his hands squeezing nearly as tightly as Sorey's as he watched the scene with eyes blown wide and unblinking. There was no mistaking the intimacies of their interaction, and yet, they had never come across a human capable of fully seeing and interacting with seraphim as Sorey could; not without his influence over them.

Their energy was mutual and explosive, something wild and alive rushing him like the sudden burst of blooming flowers. It was a moment or so before he could suck in air enough to speak, though even so, Mikleo was stammering.

"...I... I don't know..." 

His glittering gaze of amethyst watched a moment longer before his eyes turned to the boy beside him; his own eyes still gazing fitfully, eagerly, desperately forward. But Mikleo did not look back, continuing to stare at the shepherd boy at his side as he was suddenly cascaded with emotions unparalleled.

There was someone else.

There was another human capable of seeing seraphim, someone untainted by malevolence, someone unbound by an oath. Their encounters with such people were so few, so far between, and so different from Sorey, it had never occurred to them as a parallel to their own. But there was something about this exchange that was so fundamentally different. 

Suddenly, the possibility of living in harmony with seraphim seemed so much more real, palpable, tangible; possible. 

"Sorey..." He breathed, his heart beating so incredibly fast as excitement stained his cheeks a rosy pink.

The shepherd couldn’t contain himself. Even if it was against the ‘rules’, he had to talk to them. Still hanging on to Mikleo’s hand, he was rushing around the edge of the crowd, pulling him along as he looked for the easiest path to the older woman and seraph, watching with pounding pulse as she stepped down while the large carcass of a pig was hoisted up behind her to set over the flame. 

The wind seraph remained just a pace behind her, watching as various meats were brought to cook over the smoky embers, though his attention was drawn first to the energetic boy, trailing the water seraph along behind him like an overexcited puppy pulling at a leash. His brows lifted, back straightened a bit, before his expression morphed somewhat, maybe realizing whose domain it was he was feeling as both approached. 

Despite his excitement, Sorey was careful not to appear disrespectful, knowing the woman was of importance and status in the village. As such he slowed his pace, bowed his head as he approached in the most non-threatening manner he could muster. He didn’t want the opportunity to speak with them to slip away due to an unintentional affront on his end. 

“Excuse me, miss?” It took a handful of seconds, a few beats before he realized he would have to repeat himself when her gaze did not come to meet his even as he approached. “Ah…miss?”

His second try was successful, her head finally turning, darkly-colored eyes focusing on him and it was then he noted the clouded spots in her right eye, indicating the onset of blindness. Before he could say anything more, her wrinkled mouth had pulled wide into a smile.

“Miss?...Surely you’re not addressing me?” He paused, brows lifted, searching over her face, her clothing a moment as his cheeks had pinkened a bit. Was she not…a she? He’d only been taught to use ‘miss’ or ‘lady’ when addressing a woman. 

Her genial laughter soothed his worries.

“What a well-mannered boy, still calling me with such a young name. What can I do for you?” She was far more approachable than her status would lead him to believe, but he only brightened further at the interaction, almost feeling as if he were speaking to an idol. Eagerness was written on every feature as he straightened up, eyes darting momentarily to regard the green-garbed seraph as he approached her side as well.

“I, um, was hoping I could just ask you a question or two.”

Be it luck or simply the coincidence of festivity to distract, there was little interruption for the two of them, cocooned in the fluster of activity that provided the oddest membrane of privacy. It was extremely subtle, but Mikleo could feel it in the shifting breeze across his skin; the seraph was helping however he could.

Unspoken though it were, the water seraph knew Sorey's identity as shepherd had been realized.

The elderly woman cocked her head somewhat, letting her eyes wander about Sorey's form observantly before she was adjusting the cloaks she was practically swimming in. With age, shame was far gone and she was not shy in allowing herself the moment to overlook Sorey before she answered him.

"Well I'm not sure what answers I would have that the Shepherd would need, but it is my honor to do my best." She responded with a tilt of her head and a wry smile on her lips.

She knew she was playing a game with Sorey's excitability; a youth to her demeanor that had Mikleo unable to contain a smile. It reminded him of Jiji, when he was in one of his rare and playful moods.

Sorey was taken by surprise, standing up straighter, his mouth opening as he looked down at his clothing, as if he had to remember whether or not he was in his traditional robe or not. 

“Ah…” He was dumbstruck for a moment, causing the wind seraph to finally chuckle, seemingly sizing up the boy as well and surprised to find him so young. 

“You’re surprised she knows with a domain that strong?” His comments drew the gazes of both boys, both only looking more and more star struck by the seemingly impossible interaction, rendering them speechless for the moment. “Then again…she probably just knows by looking at you. She has a way with that sort of thing, the old bat.” It was spoken with such fondness, there had to be some sort of bond between the two. Sorey found himself looking right back to the woman, seeing her mouth turn down somewhat as he soaked in their interactions like a sponge.

Fingers extending to the side, her calloused palm lifted just beside the spirit.

“Keon. If you’re going to have conversations right beside me, I’d like to be included.” Where her head did not turn, the seraph’s did, his own tapered brows lifting, stance shifting as he snorted.

“Of course.” Raising his own palm, he laid it down atop her hand as her arm didn’t budge in the slightest, as if she was bearing no weight at all. “There’s another just behind him. A male water seraph.”

In the fleeting moments of Sorey caught in silence, Mikleo was finding enough voice to speak; addressing the seraph formally named Keon as respectfully as he could manage in the somewhat star struck state they both were in.

"Is she...unable to see you...?" His voice was softer than he truly intended, but for whatever reason, he was feeling the need to be somewhat submissive; as though they were celestial beings of some sort. It was a nostalgic feeling, were he to think of it further, reminiscent of his time with Jiji when the old and powerful seraph would exert his status as such, rare as it were. 

Judging from the posture of Sorey's shoulders and the soft tilt of his chin, he, too, felt a similar desire for reverence. 

Keon was smiling lightly, soft and postured regally across his face. He was nothing like Dezel or Zaveid. 

"Her eyes don't see much, nowadays. But hearing has always been enough." He answered smoothly before he was offering a fond and clever smile in her direction as she had not even twitched at his words. "Though I wouldn't doubt it if her hearing went as well, soon enough." 

Again, she remained entirely composed, but it wasn't a second later she was retaliating, sharp like the crack of a whip.

"I'm sorry, were you talking? You know I have trouble understanding the language of a brainless twit; bad ears and all." 

Keon, seemingly unscathed by her remarks, only chuckled softly while she turned her head ever so slightly; peering up to address Sorey directly. 

"Now shepherd, I know you as Sorey if that is true." With a slight startle, Sorey straightened and bobbed his head once; feathers fluttering with the motion. 

"It is." He chirped, eyes bright like a child before a tomb of treasures.

Her lips coiled upward at that, nodding in acknowledgement before her neck extended, her gaze shifting to peer just over Sorey's shoulder which incidentally collided directly with Mikelo. 

"And you? What's your name, dear?"

The fluffy head of chestnut hair had turned back, eager for Mikleo’s response, cheeks rosy with anticipation. He’d never encountered a regular human interacting so freely with seraphim.  But Mikleo almost felt a sort of pressure on him as he answered, causing his cheeks to color as well, though it only widened the grin on Sorey’s face. 

“Mikleo-” His voice was still lowered, forced into an even tone as he didn’t want to stammer in front of them. Green eyes swept back, but before the woman could seemingly process much, the wind seraph was parroting him softly. 

“Mikleo, he says.” Her head bobbed in acknowledgement, seeming terribly pleased with the answer. Perhaps she was just pleased to know of another seraph present, regardless. Still, Sorey couldn’t keep himself from expressing just how he felt across the features of his face, blinking while he inquired slowly. 

“Can you not hear him, either?” It wasn’t accusatory, nor was it necessarily disappointment, but it was a change from his earlier expectation. Perhaps her resonance was not quite as high as they both assumed, though…that didn’t seem to dampen the relationship any, somehow. It was actually rather incredible.

“No, I’m afraid I’ve only had a knack for picking up Keon’s nagging.” She huffed out with just a slight curl to the corner of her mouth, gaining a side glance from the seraph stationed by her side, though she was beginning to shuffle forward once more, away from the growing activity around the fire.

“I apologize we’ll need an interpreter, seraph Mikleo. But I hope the festival is still to your liking. Help yourself to whatever you’d like, of course. Just have the shepherd retrieve it for you so as to not startle anyone with floating wares.” Sorey laughed softly, amused and still feeling giddy with her casual, comfortable manner of speaking with seraphim. It was only the clearing of Keon’s throat that drew their attentions as he had walked alongside the elderly woman, hand still covering her own.

“You haven’t given your name.”

Mikleo's hand, still clasped tightly in Sorey's, squeezed just a bit at the striking resemblance in lapse of memory. It was not uncommon for Sorey to forget introducing himself either; so accustomed to everyone knowing him in and out. Amusement coiled in his belly, curling at the edges of his lips before, all at once, he was struck with something.

"...I didn't, did I," She mused aloud, casting a look in Keon's direction as though she were warning him to keep quiet and not tease her further about the issue. He simply bowed his head and kept obediently quiet. With that, she turned to face Sorey and tilted her head, body inclining forward ever so slightly in a polite bow of greeting and departure.

"Lalouda. It was a pleasure speaking with you, Shepherd Sorey and your companion, Mikleo. Perhaps we will talk again before you depart." And with that, she turned back forward and, hand in hand with Keon, who bowed his head in reverence to Sorey as well, departed along with her.

Mikleo had not moved, his eyes wide and body still as similarities and nuances so strikingly similar prodded him, tugged at him, whispered to him. 

Lalouda and Keon, the two of them were not so different from he and Sorey. Their relationship, so simple and yet so unmistakably profound, the easiness of their interactions, the history of their bond, the way their eyes though half unseeing gazed fondly at one another, the way they teased and goaded, the way they touched. 

The way she grew old. 

And the way Keon did not.

They were very much like the two of them indeed.

The festival was only just beginning, but all at once, Mikleo’s attentions had been spliced and he was caught between clasping his hand in Sorey’s tighter than before or relinquishing his grip in fear the shepherd would feel the way it became cold to the touch.

There were more important things, he reminded himself. But even so, he couldn’t bring himself to believe it.

Around them, the fire crackled brightly and people, human, filtered in the gaps around them.