Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Life is simple and consistent in Sai. People rarely arrive at the Gods’ Temple down south, so its sole resident needs not worry about potential sightings. “It’s too dangerous to show yourself to the world,” her mother had said, “you are the silent spirit of the Temple.”
It’s a big building for one girl. Untouched by ash and soot after years of cleaning, the maple floorboards and new cotton cloth 
She sighs, tapping her foot at the sight of her sole regular visitor. “Good evening, Milord. To what do I owe the pleasure?” 
“The fire that killed the Rin family as we know it. You’re the sole resident of a dead shrine.” 
“I’m well aware, oh great law enforcement. I occupied this shrine after the events that transpired here.” 
“That makes it more suspicious,” he scoffed. His voice reminds her of wind rustling through leaves, dark and smooth in a way that leaves her face red. “Once I find you, I will get the truth out of you. I swear this on my honor as a guard captain.” 
“Is tracking me down like a hound encouraging me to speak?” 
“It’s official protocol.” 
“...I bid you farewell, Lord Eiji. I need to grab some food from the supermarket.” 
“Wh-!” The wooden floor creaks as he stands. “You are not escaping custody again!” 
“Don’t make me laugh,” She narrowed her eyes. “You were bribed by the perpetrators on the night of the fire. They all burned, screaming for help, and no one came.” 
“...”
The remaining Lady of House Rin ran out the back door. Sai is no safe haven for her, though it will suffice for a grocery run. 

“Mrs. Black-hood... she exists!” a group of small children gasp in horror. 
A blond girl looks at her in terror, green eyes meeting ocean blue. “Quick, before she sees us!” 
Lady Rin sighs. “What kind of stories have they told you?” They ran off before delighting her with a response. She pinched her temples, biting her lip. “...It’s no use reasoning with them.” 
She walked through dark and decrepit market halls, taking note of a door marked off by a carpenter. “Surrender yourself not unto silent dusk,” she whispered, “for the night shall fade.” 
“BWUH?!” The carpenter ran off, allowing her access to the night market. It’s no ideal shopping place, but it has rice. She’ll hunt a proper lizard later that evening. 
Worn-down planks covered in liquid stains are a regular sight here. Sketchy merchant on thin rugs glance at her with cold and leery grins. “Howdy there, cloaky. Here for yer rice?” 
She nodded. “What do you need in return?” 
“Considering I know you at this point, I think it fair I ask a favor instead of coin. It’s nigh impossible to catch the face of that dingy shrine’s sole resident.” 
“...You wish to see my face.” Lady Rin pales. 
“That’s my price. Will you pay it?” 
She looked left and right for a single soul, sighing in despair when none were caught. “I suppose I will.” Her hood was pulled off with shaky hands. Wavy blond hair cascaded free of the cloth, apprehensive eyes hidden behind black frames. She exhaled. “Will this suffice?” 
“It will.” The man tossed a large bag of rice at her, caught between her arm and hip. “I don’t understand why a pretty face like yours is hidden beneath all that cloth but I ain’t one to judge. Yer free to go with that.” 
She clasped the cloth of her hood as her one and only regular stormed in. “Is there a woman in a black hood in attendance here?!” 
“There’s an awful pretty lady, but none with a hood on.” 
“Cease your squabbling, criminal.” Lord Eiji looked upon her with a red face and scrutinizing eyes. “Those are the same clothes as the woman who fled the shrine! You are the one that killed Tobias’s parents, are you not?!” 
Lady Rin shook. “...” She stepped backwards two paces, running into the cavern behind her. 
“THIS IS THE LAST TIME WE PLAY THIS GAME OF CAT AND MOUSE, MURDERER!” She heard from the distance. “JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED FOR ALL WHO DIED THAT NIGHT!!!” 
“Keep. Calm.” She ran into a small crook, one Lord Eiji didn’t check before storming past. 
“Hide,” her mother told her 2 years ago, body turning to ash beneath a black heel. “You are more precious than it seems.” 
“All hiding has done is make things worse,” she resolved. “If I am to spend the rest of my life running, I may as well try and reason with he who chases me!” She took off her cloak, dusted off her mothers’ robes, and grabbed her father’s staff. 
She’d hardly made it to the first curve of the cavern when bats screeched like inconsolable children. Her father’s staff left one disoriented and dizzy, the other biting at her arm. “I call upon the light!” She’d howled, the disoriented bat falling prey to Aelfric’s might. The remaining bat got clubbed with the staff before it could react, disoriented as its kin was. She holstered her might, four rapid clubbings felling the beast. “Aelfric’s light guides us all,” she mused, walking timidly toward where Lord Eiji and his compatriots stormed off to. 
The night of the fire is not one to be recalled easily. When permanent night first set, the fire burnt her mother and her father, yet Tobias came out unscathed. Their servants were reduced to corpses, food reduced to ash, and yet their house still stands. Was her memory affected in any way by the fire? She swore she knew this more vividly...
An unnatural punch of purple lightning hit her back. She turned around at the sight of a shadow construct, lifting her hands in prayer. “May the Flamebringer shine his light upon us!” Her cry was quickly answered, the construct fizzling into the night. She continued walking, this time with confidence. She would stand no longer for lies about that night. 
The calendar her mother and father put up the night before the tragedy was nowhere to be seen, yet Tobias’s calendar notes it’s been two years since that wretched night. Lady Rin feels dull and empty, a remnant of the happy girl she’d been last the dawn rose. Something happened, something that killed her family and the shrine residents, yet she was spared. ...She's ought to stop thinking before she runs clean into Lord Eiji. 
When he came into view, a regular merchant with a colorful green hat pulled her aside. “That man’s about to have the temper tantrum of his life. Do you need any healing grapes, plums, olives...?” 
“That depends on what they do,” Lady Rin crossed her arms. “I would appreciate an explanation.” 
“Well, healing grapes are quick and easy ways to heal the most wicked of scrapes. They work on clean impaling wounds if you eat them fast enough, so if that guy pulls out that spear of his use that with no hesitation.
Plums are good for restoring magical properties like spells. I heard some prayers down there, I’d suggest taking a few for the fight, and olives bring you back from the brink. I’ll give you 5 of each, just so you don’t die up there.” Lady Rin nodded. “...Before I forget, you should put your name, the date, and the time on that journal. It does some wicked stuff.” 
“I’ll keep that in mind,” She hummed. “Thank you, good sir. I bid you well.” 
“As do I you.” 

She took a deep breath, straightening her shoulders. The click of her mom’s white heels drew Lord Eiji’s attention. “Milord, I’d have a word with you as the remaining Lady of House Rin-” 
“Murderer,” he growled. “You’re the one who did it: killed my mother, Lady Rin, Lord Rin, Tobias... then, you killed a lovely young lady named Tehal.” He unsheathed a spear. “I am done playing games with the killer of House Rin.” Words ran through her head: Eiji of Sai; Eiji of Sai. He played with her when his mother worked at the shrine. When did she forget her own name? Tehal isn’t a common word to hear, she should remember it well!
She cleared her throat. “I’m done playing games with you, Lord Eiji! My name is Tehal Rin, and I will not die here today!” She clasped her hands. “Oh holy light, strike him true!” 
“You’re a dirty-” a beam of light burned his shoulder. “The seven hells?!” 
“I don’t know what I’m doing either if that helps!” 
“Bullshit,” he hissed, jabbing at her side. Only a paper cut hit her skin. 
“I forgot my own name until it left your lips, Lord Eiji.” She clubbed him with her staff, taking the time he spent panting to place a hand on her hip. “The incident that claimed my parents’ lives must have claimed my memories.”
He shook off the shock. “I’m sure those memories include the death of my mother.” He jabbed her with intent, stabbing her other arm. 
“Let my wounds be healed!” She’d whispered, a large bleeding gash becoming a scar. “I don’t remember who the killer is. I know my name is Tehal, and I know that Tobias made it out alive.” 
He’d breathed deeply, his anger focused once more on her. “I don’t believe you.” 
“I wish you could.” Tehal glanced at his blood-red eyes. “I pray that the holy light from above shall grant me freedom.” The light hit him on the back. 
“Tehal,” he’d whispered. “I hope you experience the best in the realm above. Those flowers you’d loved so much...” 
“Flowers-?” Tehal froze.

Her mind hopped back to her childhood.
A black-haired man with dark brown eyes glanced at her with soft eyes. “Where’d you find those?” 
“Eiji gave them to me!” Tehal giggled. “It was to thank me for helping them with some scripture.” 
“It’s never about scripture with Eiji,” he groaned. “You like spending time with him when you’ve already got suitors lined up!” 
“Dad, boys are stinky! I was helping his mom, geez.” 
“Is that necessary? You know the rule, Tete.” 
“Tobias never has to follow it, so why should I?” 
“I’m not telling you.” He firmly pushed her to her bedroom, confiscating the flowers she’d received. “You’re grounded, bug.” 
“...” Tehal reluctantly entered her room, a black-haired boy with bright blue eyes hidden under her bed. She sat on her bed with a sigh. “You said they’d be gone for the day, Tobi.” 
“I don’t know why they’re here,” he huffed. “That lady from the Order stopped by looking for you again. She called you ‘future Mrs. Hikari,’ as usual.” 
“...Ew,” she’d groaned. “He’s a Ku. They keep getting possessed by creepy shadow monsters!”
“It’ll lift Sai up, apparently. Bring us closer to King Goji’s good graces.”
“I’m fine with how we are!” Tehal groaned.
“Dad’s convinced it’s the best thing for you, there’s nothing I can do!” 
“I wish there was...” 

She caught her breath. “...future Mrs. Hikari,” she’d muttered. “Am I married?” Eiji stirred next to her. “That bodes ill. It would be wisest to flee for now, collect my thoughts.” 
As she ran back to the shrine with her rice, Eiji stuffing his face with rice balls she’d made wouldn’t leave her mind. He had chin-length hair and a much younger face. What does hers look like now? ...She doesn’t want to attract attention. 
She finds an empty journal in her mother’s old study. A royal blue ink is all there was in there, a light quill in her hand. She takes a deep breath. 
“It appears my name is Tehal Rin,” she’d written. “I am the sole survivor of a disastrous fire, claiming the lives of all the servants and management of the Eight’s Shrine. I was close to the current Commissioner of Sai, Lord Eiji, who appeared to harbor romantic feelings toward me. 
I was betrothed to a Hikari Ku. I have no interest in him, and I never did. If Ku has answers for me, maybe that will be my first stop outside of Sai... I plan to appear in Sai tomorrow without concealing myself: I have nothing to hide.  
I am scared. Fear pricks at my every move, insisting my actions will amount to nothing. I seek Tobias, to find the truth of what happened that night. I pray that my worst fears prove false.” 
She set down the quill, admiring her work. She slept peacefully in her mother’s bed.

Cold metal kissed her neck. Her eyes open to Eiji’s spear, her face in a tired expression. “Can I not sleep in peace, Lord Eiji? You are disparaging my late mother’s chambers.”
“I’m here to ask questions,” he sighed. “You’re blonde, unlike anyone in the Rin family save Tehal. You have blue eyes, unlike all but Tehal. If you are Tehal, why did you stay?” 
“My mother’s last words, the only thing I remember clear as day.” 
“What would Lady Rin have said?”
“...That I am ‘key to stopping the night. I must hide until Prince Hikari comes and finds me.’” 
“You took that to an unhealthy extreme.” 
“...” 
Eiji set his spear at his side. “I don’t believe you, but it is not my right to play judge, jury, and executioner. I acted rashly, in no small part thanks to the love I still hold for Tehal. I will banish you from Sai, as the threat you are to my people is too great to risk.” 
Tehal got up, grabbing her father’s old staff. “I will pack my things. I apologize for the trouble, I do hope you stop following me like a lost puppy. I find it hard to relax with your eyes on me at all times.” 
“You’re a suspected arsonist, there’s not much I can do.” 
“You’re law enforcement.” 
“...”
Tehal stormed off, her mother’s notebook and quills in hand. Her father’s staff rested on her hip. She made a beeline for the kitchen to make rations for her next trip, presumably to Ku. She hummed a song she remembered years ago, making rice balls in the same way she’s done them since childhood. ...If that’s where it came from. She felt Lord Eiji’s eyes on her at every given opportunity.
She grabbed the map from her father’s study, charting the course to Ku before storming off in the opposite direction. Her gut told her to stock up on supplies in Canalbrine, she can’t wait to see something save the dry sands of Sai. 

Chapter Text

glazed chocolate eyes set on no particular thing. “I wonder what it’s like, hunting in the day...”
“It’s not like we’ll find out anytime soon,” his sister scoffed. “Remember what we’re here for, airhead.”
“Don’t worry,” He’d yawned. “We’ve got quite a bit until the monsters will wake up.”
“Did you drug them again?”
“I told you, that never happened!” Hai scoffed. “It’s not my fault Hudson mistook plumping grass for powerful sedatives. He’s witty as a dirt block, you know that.”
“How can you tell? The correct wax of a neverending moon?”
“It’s the sound of the forest, how it smells. Animals rush this way when you can hear fruit falling from the raspberry bushes.”
“I keep forgetting you can’t see.”
“Maybe you’ll convince Pappy that I can be trusted to lead a hunt on my own, one day.” Hai hums. “It’s time, kiddo.”
She cackled, a crossbow firing wild at a rush of deer. “I landed three of them!”
Hai chuckled. “Good job!”
“I’m the best hunter there’s ever been, you know that.”
“You’re the best instruction follower. Out of nine shots, you hit three.”
“How do you hear these things?!” She tripped him, Hai slowly getting up.
“I can, that’s why.” Hai stuck his tongue out at a tree.
“You...” She threw the deer carcasses into her brother’s arms. “We have a town to feed.”
“Aye, aye.” Hai trotted along with a half-hearted sigh.

Hai snapped out of his reverie of following his sister’s footsteps when the deer carcasses were grabbed aggressively from his hands. “Hi, dad,” he sighed.
“Lani can carry her own deer carcasses around, stop trying to kill yourself.”
“I don’t run into trees blindly anymore.”
“You can’t tell that much,” he growled. “Go back to your room, your mother will escort you.”
“Fine, fine...”
The firm hands of a stern-voiced woman yanked him away. “Hai, you don’t do that...” she waited until her husband was out of earshot. “...until your father skips town on gambling night! You know how he is.”
“I was hoping that by helping Lani, he’d maybe see that I can hunt on my own...”
“It’d take nothing short of the Gods healing your eyes for him to trust you.”
Hai closed the door to his room after hearing his mother sit down. “You’ve seen me take down that Duorduor with only a bow and arrow, surely you can pull some strings?”
“I wish I could, kiddo. I’m the wife of the head hunter, not a hunter myself!”
“All I’m allowed to do is sit around and grow senile.”
“A shame, that.”
“Leave me alone a bit? I’m getting frustrated.”
He heard her sit up. “I understand, dear, I truly do. I wish there were strings I could pull.”
Once the door shut, he walked to where he felt the cupboard on his knees. He reached out, finding a bumpy piece of braille on the top. “’Where opportunities lay barren, grow them for yourself,’” Hai sighed. “I suppose I’ll sneak out. I need to let loose some steam.” Hai prepared a bag with arrows, slinging a bow on his back. He felt the cool air from his window, voices slurred from the bar on the other side of town. Hai unlatched the window in a practiced motion.

“...Interesting,” Heig sighed disappointed. “Your session has ended, I am not looking to take on an apprentice that can hardly hit her mark.”
The girl’s face fell. “PLEASE, Master Hunter Heig?! Pretty pretty please?”
“Pleasantries will get you nowhere, girl. Develop some skill, and we’ll talk.”
“waaaaaaah!” Gator tears fell from her eyes. “How dare you mock meeeeeeee!”
“You hardly hit a deer’s tail, you are no hunter.”
“Lani,” a boy with glazed over eyes growled. “Leave that man alone.”
“You’re supposed to be grounded,” Lani groaned. “You aren’t supposed to leave the house!”
The boy snapped. “Because you took the credit for my work?” He stepped closer. “Because every time you report to our father about our shared successes, you pretend it was you alone?! Lani, I’m done with your antics. You’re acting like a spoiled brat, knock it off.”
“If you’re not around, I can get better enough that Mr. Heig will accept me as an apprentice!” Lani raised her bow. “Goodbye, Hai!”
“Kid, watch out-” Hai dodged her arrow, not even looking at her. “He’s blind?!”
Hai took out a bow and arrow, aiming(somehow) at Lani’s abdomen. He shoots, hitting her lightly in the stomach. Both not wanting to hurt her and his newness to the craft attributed to it, yet the girl acted like it was the end of the world.
“You ASSHOLE!” She’d yelled. “This is all Daddy wanted, a famous hunter in the family. You’re depriving us of that!”
“You deprived yourself of it,” Hai crossed his arms. “You never practiced unless Dad came back from one of his hunting trips.”
“To make him proud!”
“Do something to make you proud of yourself, then. It’s impossible to please Dad.” A light surrounded him, a well-placed kick to her stomach knocking her out. “Sorry, Mr... Lani is the only kid in the family who can see, so she was expected to take on hunting. She’s much more passionate about herbs and weaving.”
“How about I have you try somethin’,” Heig crossed his arms. “Know the clearing in front of you? Try shootin’ at the creatures there.”
“It’ll take a while,” Hai sighed. “They only come in when raspberries rot off the local bushes, which happens in a few hours.”
“I can wait,” Heig hummed. “You’re much more pleasant than your sister, anyhow.”
Heig heard hooves galloping, yet the scent of berries was faint. He’d suppose it was the rest of Hai’s senses adapting to being without sight Hai stretched his bow, firing eight times as a faithful hunter should. He hit six times, Heig nodded at the sight. “That’s a definitive pass.”
“Wh...?! You picked me over Lani,” Hai looked shellshocked.
“I get you’re blind, kid. You have ways other than your eyes to navigate the world, and Ochette showed me I need to move on from that one hunt I regret most. I’d suppose taking on an apprentice could help with that, after all these years.” Heig straightened his shoulders. “We’ll leave tomorrow morning, soon as you wake up, so your sister can’t catch up to ya.”
“I... I don’t know how I can repay you!”
“There’s no need to, this benefits me as much as it does you.”
“I won’t let you down, I swear it.”

Hai got up with the rooster’s caw. He stretched, rushing to grab his hunting gear. He got into the river for a bath and heard the barking of a gravelly man. “Hai Amika, where in the seven hells are you?!”
That wasn’t Heig... his father’s angry. Hai hopped out of the river, put on his hunting clothes, put his gear on and ran for the exit of town. “Kid,” Heig yelled, “I’m over here.”
Hai rushed toward him, his father’s hand gripping his neck just before he got to safety. “I knew you were worthless. You can’t see, you can’t hunt. You bribed the instructor with my money!”
“That was Lani,” Hai choked. “Lani does this shit to make you feel better about her and blames the bad parts on me. Ask Heig, he’ll tell you what happened!”
“Bullshit,” he seethed. “You’re one hell of a liar-”
“I’d advise you to stop,” Hai heard a bowstring being drawn back... Heig is threatening his father. “Your son is far more skilled than your daughter, that’s why I’m taking him as my apprentice. Your daughter tried to bribe me, she failed, your son made her back off.”
“He lied, whatever he told you! He can’t see,” Hai’s father threw him to the ground, “He can’t hunt.”
“Experience does not lie, Amika. He hunted the six deer I brought into town today, a sign he’s able to hunt despite his shortcomings. Back off.” Hai could hear the bowstring being drawn back, dirt being kicked in his face as he got back up. Heig offered him a hand. “He’s gone, kid. Let’s be off, I’ve ought to teach you a thing or two ‘bout fightin’ folk and catchin’ monsters.”
Hai mock saluted. “Sir yes sir!”

Hai, the Hunter
Chapter 1
END

Chapter Text

to a halt when a papercut stains fingers red, her eyes widen as she remembers what was taken from her. Her little brother’s breathing slowing to a halt as she screamed, knowing he should have watched her die first. Arcanette, the woman who killed her family, died years ago. Her organization of murderers and thieves stands strong. Pemphero never thought she’d work with they who killed her family, though desperate times call for desperate measures. 
“Stop daydreaming,” a hooded man with a bright silver crescent necklace growled. “You have work to do!” 
“...Sorry,” she whispered. She picked up a crate of god-knows-what and brought it to the back entrance of an abandoned church. 
The man in front of her cackled, cigar in his lips. He also delivered a package. “You’re lazy, little girl. One day he’ll finally have the heart to give you your dues... we won’t be so kind as to leave your neck intact.” 
“...” Pemphero dropped the crate off at the entrance, walking quickly to her supervisor. 
The Brightlands are a boring place to live, with metal scraps, pea green trees, and moss decorating the ground. It is a place built on the steam engine, only metal and blood left in its wake. The smog the steam engines give off leaves her gut heavy and her head aching. She was left in the Eastern Continent after watching a white-haired cleric and his friends kill the woman who killed her family: vengeance was lost to her, that day. All she can do now is work.
“Sir,” she’d nodded under that same black hood to her supervisor. “I’ve carried the supplies over.” 
“Finally,” he’d groaned. “That was the last crate, go back to Clockbank. Ask for my boss, he wants to see you.” 
“OK,” Pemphero hissed through her teeth. “Throw me in the ocean after.” 
“That’d be mercy,” he huffed. “All whom live and breathe deserve to suffer.” 
“Apparently. ...Bye-bye, supervisor.” 
“Fare thee well,” he drawled. 
He who smoked cigars put his old one out, giggling like a drugged rat. “Someone has a crush~!” He fell to the floor a moment later. 
“Whoops,” he cackled. “Looks like you tripped.”
The smog and smoke irritate the monsters hiding in the trees as it does her. They quite love gnawing on her skirt, much to her dismay. Pemphero grabbed her spear from underneath her cloak. “Shoo, you little gremlins!” She stabbed a Llori clean through, leaving its friends running. She treated its wound with balm before running to the city. 

Pemphero made her way to the entrance of Clockbank. Villagers look at her black garb in apprehension and fear, running away at the sight of the crescent necklace. “This won’t do,” she muttered. 
It took a while for people to stop staring in that alleyway. She took off her hood in a rapid motion, red hair flying all over the place. Turquoise eyes flick left and right before muscular arms scale the wall. Pale skin glints against the moonlight as she makes it to the rooftop. She sits criss-cross on red garters, black sandals laced up to her thighs. 
She holds a small journal on her foot-length skirt. A plain leather cover and thin white paper aren’t worth much, but it’s better than nothing. Pemphero writes her thoughts in here wherever prying eyes aren’t. 
“Mom, Dad, Thomas,” she’d wrote. “Thomas should’ve turned 18 this month. Every time I look at this necklace I am reminded of that fateful day. It’s hard to move on when you stoop low as I have. I miss you, and I’m so, so sorry.” 
She looked up at the moon as the ink dried. The Moonshade Order did as they wanted: night is now forevermore. Why do they weaponize? Night is forever, Vide will soon consume the world, all is as they wished. Pemphero knows not why they- “You skipped on another meeting with my boss?!” 
Pemphero flinches, turning around to see her supervisor. “How in the seven hells did you find me?”
“You’re standing on top of a roof. Everyone can see you.” 
“He could’ve came up here and talked to me himself.”
“You know being talked to doesn’t actually mean-“
“That’s why I skip out on those meetings, dumbass. I’m sure that guy wants you dead too.” Pemphero notices a large outlet of markets. “Want to go check out the fair down there? My treat.” 
“I’m not allowed to try anything new!”
“You’re a big league, they can’t stop you.”
“What if I’m allergic and it kills me suddenly? It happened to my dad!”
“That’s what they say when they really mean ‘killed violently,’” Pemphero lights a cigarette. “What do you want, big shot?”
“I’m an extension of the Order,” he sighed with longing. “That’s all I’ll ever be.”
“Is that what you want to be?” Pemphero drags her cigarette. “We’re people, outside of all this. I liked hitting the circus when I wasn’t in the Moonshade Order. …These fairs are where my parents sold their wares.”
“I’ve never seen the world outside the Order.”
“Let me show you, then. The world could use less tightasses.”
“Will I die?!”
“No???”
“…” He reluctantly nods. “Do I take my gear off for this?”
“The Moonshade uniform scares the shit out of people, yes.”
“What am I supposed to wear underneath?”
“Big shot. …Tell me you wear underwear.”
“I wear my uniform, that’s all!!!”
Pemphero threw her cigarette, cracking her knuckles. “Stay up here. I’ll find something decent for you to wear.”
“OK…?”

Pemphero scaled back down the wall. The fair is big and bustling as Clockbank is, Merchants barking and yelling their prices. Pemphero eyed the goods, whether they be gold-plated watches or various hand-weaved fabrics. “Hand-knit clothing, right this way!” A weathered woman’s voice wafts through the crowd. “Made by the best in the business!”
Pemphero chanced a look at the booth. Light brown sweaters, light pink sweaters, daffodil yellow. They adorn each corner of the shop, yet one at the front stood out to her. That blue yarn is the same as the stuff her brother wore!
“Excuse me, ma’am.” Pemphero rolled up her sleeves. “How much for the light blue sweater over there?”
“That would be 1,500 leaves,” she hummed. “Have that on you?” 
“I do,” Pemphero grabbed her wallet from a loop on her leather belt. “This enough?” 
“Plenty!” The old lady took the money. “Mind if I hold you up a moment? I have a few experimental pieces that would be just stunning on you. No charge, it will just help me perfect these into marketable items.”
“…much appreciated,” Pemphero curtsied.
Her wellworn green skirt and white t shirt have been with her through everything, come the death of her kin or vengeance being taken away. She’s happy to have more layers in the constant evening chill. 
“Here we are,” the knitter sighed. “Let me fit this on you just right...” A warm cloth fit snug over her head. “Now, raise your arms up like so...” her bare arms are covered by loose knit sleeves. “Here we go,” the knitter hummed. “Now, take these pants and shoes with you. You never know when your skirt will wear out!” 
“Thank you, ma’am,” Pemphero’s breath hitched. “I don’t know how I can repay you...” 
“There’s no need to,” she giggled. “I have faith that one good turn causes another. May the Sacred Flame guide your path.” 
“May it ever shine upon you,” Pemphero nodded. She stepped away, tapping her fingers on her cheek. “Now, for some damn boxers.” 
Pop-up stores are still obnoxious, though she supposes that’s their purpose. Making money during festivals is the goal of these pitchy salesmen. Finding what one wanted through the yelling is what made her brother the shining light of the Adonis family, though she’s got a decent eye herself. Boxers are usually in men’s clothing stores, Pemphero sighing in relief as one came into view. 
“Sir,” Pemphero rolled her sleeves. “How much for some boxers? My dumbass brother left his in the Crestlands.” 
“They’ll be about 200 leaves.” Pemphero forked over the change, the boxers in hand. “Wish you the best of luck on your travels, ma’am!” 
“I wish the best of luck on your shop,” Pemphero smiled. She walked towards her supervisor. “This is everything we need to make him look normal in public. ...I only hope the face beneath that isn’t as disgusting as this damn work.”

“Redhead,” her supervisor growled. “Please tell me I can go back down now, heights don’t agree with me.” 
“I got the goods, so yes.” Pemphero waved her hand. “After you, your Big Shottiness.” 
“Fine,” he sighed, scaling down the vine-laden wall. “How will you make sure no one sees me bare?” 
“It’s simple,” Pemphero sighed, picking up her Moonshade uniform in a concealing motion. “I’m not looking at you, change fast as possible.” 
After grunts of confusion and understanding came from behind her, he finally sighed. “...This feels much better to fight in.” 
“Are you wearing pants?” 
“I’m wearing everything you gave me,” he snarked.
Pemphero turned around. His blue eyes and the sweater match perfectly, his gray pants loose on his knees. The white shoes are throughly unlaced and plenty messy. He looks the same age as her little brother, a baby in her eyes. “You have a name, boss baby?” 
“Aren’t we supposed to keep those in secret?” 
“You aren’t supposed to take off the cult garb either, so I’d say we’re well beyond that point.” 
“Fine. ...My father named me Inari.” 
“My father named me Pemphero Adonis. I was a merchant, once.” 
“...Let’s go see this shopping district.” 
“Alright, kid. Let’s hit the road.” 
Inari sniffed the air, humming. “I haven’t smelled that before... isn’t that wonderful?!” 
“There’s all kinds of sights and smells around here,” Pemphero shook her head. “What are you thinking of in particular?” 
“I’ll find it, give me a minute.” Inari went closer and closer to the candy pop-up, Pemphero squeezing his arm after a moment. 
“You haven’t had candy yet?”  
“All we eat is fried wheat... Pemphro.” 
“You’re getting there,” she chuckled. “I’ll do the talking, OK?” 
“Alright,” Inari meeped. “You do the talking.” He hid behind her, his hands on her shoulders.
Pemphero cleared her throat, gaining the merchant’s attention. “What kinds of taffy do you have available today?” 
“We have plenty!” He hummed. “I’d recommend the cherry, I picked a fresh batch this morning.” 
“How much are you charging per pound of that?” 
“about 100 leaves.” 
“I’ll take 2 pounds, then.” Pemphero gave him some change, surprised at how much money she’s earned recently. 
“Thank you, madam!” He snipped off two weighed pieces, adjusted them, and put them in separate paper bags. “May your day be as sweet as our food!” 
“Much appreciated,” she giggled. “Have a good one.” 
“You too!” 
Pemphero sat down at a bench next to the bustling tavern. “You old enough to drink yet?”
“I don’t know how old I am,” Inari huffed. “My father died after naming me.” 
“I’ll assume you are,” she chuckled, “thank me later. The best thing to have with fresh taffy is a damn good red wine. Tavern stuff will do for now.” 
A waitress stopped by their table, flushed red at the sight of Inari. “Good evening! What can I get for you?” 
“Red wine,” she nodded. 
“...Understood!” She scribbled down on her little notepad. “Are you here for the circus in a couple hours? It’s supposed to be one of the biggest ones in Solistia, featuring Dolcinaea and Giselle’s Traveling Troupe. Word is that they travel in search of the Leaflands dancer of all time, even better than Cuani!”
“Better than Cuani? That woman’s never been beat, even by Dolcinaea! I saw her sales charts.” 
“It’s true! She sold out Ku’s capital last time she was seen.” 
“Who is this?!” Pemphero smiled slightly. 
“Her name’s Agnea Bristarni. It’s a shame she’s missing, though it appears the Acting King of Ku has an idea where the eight missing went. He’s organized a search party by boat!” 
“...I hope she’s found soon,” Pemphero sighed. “That’s really interesting to hear about, though.” 
“I’ll get your drinks out soon as possible,” she hummed. “It’s fun talking to you folk. What are your names?” 
“I’m Pemphero Adonis. My pal there’s Inari.” 
“It’s good meeting you both!” Their waitress curtsied. “I’m Anna.” 
“Good meetin’ you.” Inari began fidgeting restless in his seat. “Looks like you’ll need to excuse yourself, Inari’s getting a bit impatient.” 
“I’ll bring that up for you as soon as possible,” she grinned. Pemphero’s eye caught the crescent moon necklace on her belt. 
“Is that what got you all nervous, Inari?” 
Inari nodded. “What if she rats us out?” 
“She doesn’t know who we are beneath the masks and necklaces. No one does, in all honesty.” 
“Our voices can be recognizable...”
“You think she has time in her day to care? She’s plenty busy with the whole waitress ordeal.” 
“Fair point,” he sighed, “I’m just being paranoid.” 
“Want to try going to that circus? If the two biggest performers in Solistia are there, it’s bound to be pretty good.” 
“I don’t see why not.”
Pemphero nodded. Out of words to say, she waited until the wine arrived.

“Boss,” a Moonshade goon threw his cigarette into an ash tray. “We have deserters!” 
A chubby man with pattern balding pitch black hair took his hand off a piece of thin parchment. “Is that so?” 
“Two kids went out to the carnival, one of them my supervisor, the other that trouble-making Adonis kid.” 
“Did they give their names?” 
“I saw them dress into civilian clothing and ran here to deliver my report.” 
“Diligent, aren’t you?” He chuckled. “I’ll get them sorted out after the circus. I’ve ought to get those performers off of the Chosen’s trails.”
“If they’re found, I fear what will happen to the Night...” 
“It will not happen, I’ll assure you as such. New Chosen rarely come out of the woodworks after the original 8 are chosen.”
“Let us hope that is the case, milord.” 
“You are dismissed. May the Night last forevermore.” 
“May it, indeed,” the weasel bowed. His low chuckle echoed through the empty halls, an off-key trumpet released from his mouth. 

“You don’t understand,” Inari’s face was red with tears, eyes glossy. “This is the best thing to ever happen to me in my life. I do not miss barking orders around in the slightest.” 
“All I’ve done is get you some candy,” Pemphero chuckled, a warm smile on her face. “Wait until I get us to the circus, ‘Nari. You’ll love the popcorn.” 
“Isn’t that in half an hour?!” Inari shot up, his wine and taffy long scarfed down(Pemphero let him have one glass). “We should save our spot in line, Pemphero! The sooner we get in, the better seats we get, right?” 
Pemphero nodded. “Let’s do it, kiddo.” 
Fireworks exploded in colorful streaks of yellow and orange, new constellations fizzling in mere moments. The circus tent was nothing short of ordinary, though the performers surrounding it danced like Sealticge herself. “That looks like so much fun,” Inari whispered. “I wish I learned to dance, now! Imagine doing that for a crowd!!!” 
“You like people, don’t you?” Pemphero chuckled. “It’s a good skill to have regardless of your trade.” 
“What do people do outside of Moonshade?” 
“Well, I used to pawn off various items to folk. It earned me a solid chunk of cash, I still use it to avoid fried wheat stalks. Thieves acquire those same items illegally and sell them to general store owners.
Some people use their swords to defend others or fight them. Same with monster tamers: they either defend a town or fight the people in it.
Some people guide others to solve problems, clerics are best known for that. Dancers allure people to solve issues on their off time between concerts.
Apothecaries and Scholars already heal the wounded and study the world around us, but be careful what you say to them. They always gather information from their conversations with others. 
Anyhow, those are the Eight the gods came up with when the world was made. People do all kinds of things these days.” 
“That sounds so much cooler than what I do! ...Why’d you leave the merchant trade for something like this?” 
Pemphero freezes. “...To be honest, I’m lost. I have nowhere to go except here, Inari. My trading business was in the Western continent, and I was stranded here after my parents died.” 
“We should go back there, see if they’ll still welcome us-” 
“It was disbanded, I saw it in the gazette. I have nowhere to go.” 
“We’ll forge our own path,” Inari squared his shoulders. “We’ll find our own way to live, without this stupid cult!” 
“...” Pemphero smiled. “What would we sell, Inari? If you want to dance, you’ll need an instructor, and the best one is in Wellgrove in the East.” 
“What did you sell before you went to Moonshade?” 
“I was an antiques seller, I don’t think that’s viable anymore though. I crocheted and hand-sewn various garments as a hobby... maybe that could work out as a business prospect, especially in the Winterlands. Bristarni Clothing is in the Western continent, so we’d get a market here.” 
“I want to learn to dance...” 
“If we can find a way to do it, we will, I promise.” 
“OK,” Inari sighed. “Anything must be better than Moonshade, I’d suppose. Everything here is so much more fun than it, anyhow!” 
“Agreed,” Pemphero grinned.
“It’s our turn in line, Pemphero. Let’s grab that popcorn you were talking about!” 

“Veronica, I’m about through with these stupid crescent necklace weirdos!” Dolcinaea groaned, her hairdo in its usual beehive. “That was what, the sixth one this rehearsal?! This is so obnoxious. I’m starting to see where Agnie was coming from with La’mani...” 
“You can say that again,” Veronica groaned. “They won’t stop...” 
“And there’s another one!” Dolcinaea facepalmed. “I am sick and tired of this. I fear we’ll have to hire you some security subordinates, at the rate this has been getting worse.” 
“They won’t get in the way of our private rehearsals, don’t worry.” 
“We should get on that, then! After this performance!!!” 
“We will, Dolci, don’t worry.” Veronica looks at a large group of people entering, her eyes on a redhead with a beanie. “Looks like folk are arriving. An Adonis merchant came to see you perform.” 
“Adonis?! I haven’t seen one of those in years!” Dolcinaea cackled. “This is bound to be fun, Veronica.” 
“It ought to be,” Veronica grinned. 
“Let’s start the show in just a moment! Clear out the moon necklace freaks, then we begin.” 

“Good evening,” Pemphero nodded at the food staff. “I’d like one bucket of popcorn.” 
“That will be 200 leaves,” they nodded. “Will you be doing check?” 
“No, I’ll give you cash,” Pemphero took some out of her bag. “That enough?” 
“Aye, here you go.” Pemphero gave it to Inari.
“Thank you!” He’d waved. They rushed to their seats, reserving two in the innermost ring. “I can hardly wait! With all the dancers outside, I can hardly imagine how awesome the biggest deal of the world is...!” 
“Dolcinaea’s dancing and singing are wonderful,” Pemphero grinned. “I always begged my parents to take me to Dolcinaea performances around my birthday.” 
“I can hardly sit still!” Inari fidgeted in excitement. “Imagine what kind of dancing there’ll be...” 
“GOOD EVENING, MY ADORING FANS!” Dolcinaea beamed onstage. “TONIGHT IS IN HONOR OF A MISSING FRIEND OF DEAR GISELLE AND I: ONE YOU KNOW WELL. AGNEA BRISTARNI WAS LOST TO US A MONTH AFTER NIGHT FELL. TODAY IS THE ANNIVERSARY OF HER DISAPPEARANCE. WE PERFORM TONIGHT IN HER HONOR, AND BEG HER TO COME HOME. NOW...” Dolcinaea cleared her throat. “FOR THE MAIN EVENT!”
Dolcinaea’s singing was mesmerizing. Giselle’s traveling troupe had trained birds fly around the theater, dropping missing person’s posters into laps. Two women danced alongside Dolcinaea, their movements silly and expressive. Inari drank it up, eyes lit up with a fiery passion. It was clear to Pemphero that Sealticge called him into her midst, to dance with the others. She may want to live a quiet life and never see a human being again, but... she can’t take this away from Inari. She knows he’ll follow her wherever she goes, so she figures she can ‘hit that dusty trail’ again(as her bestie might have said).
Dolcinaea froze, as did the dancers and musicians. A portly man with a Moonshade necklace ripped a hole through the tent, laughing maniacally as he moved to fight Dolcinaea. In a flash, he was choking a black-haired woman. “YOU CEASE LOOKING FOR MS. BRISTARNI,” he’d yelled, “AND I DON’T KILL YOUR BEAU.” 
Inari hopped down, Moonshade dagger unsheathed from his hip, as Pemphero followed. Her spear jabbed his abdomen, he released the black-haired woman as he yelled out in pain. “You’re the Adonis that joined us,” he’d hissed. “Why do you resist the Night’s call?!” 
“...” Pemphero growled, aimed a well-placed shot in his shoulder. 
Inari stabbed him in the thigh. “There is hope in this world, and I’m done pretending it doesn’t!” 
“Well said,” the black-haired woman muttered, punching the portly man in the face and knocking him out. “Detain him outside, I’ll pay you once I’ve got the tent patched up.” 
Pemphero nodded, dragging him back through the whole. “Help me, ‘Nari. We’re taking him to the guards.”
“Hi there!” Inari beamed. “What’s your name?” 
“Moonshades don’t give out names,” he growled. 
“They’ll need your name down at the guards station,” Pemphero pointed an arrow at his neck. “Your name.”
“Bob,” he growled. “Fuck off.” 
“No,” Pemphero chuckled. “You have any hobbies?” 
“Moonshade paperwork, ‘s what I’m best at.” 
“Try writing in Frigit Isle,” Pemphero shrugged, “creative or nonfiction. It’ll clear your head.” 
“It’s the only part of me that isn’t bleeding,” he’d groaned. “You are creative and sick.” 
“What’s sick is trying to kill Dolcinaea.”
Guards absconded Bob the second they saw him, cuffing him in an instant. “Goodbye, try to think about your actions in prison,” Pemphero put her bow back where it belonged. 

As people walked out of the theater, Dolcinaea changed into pants and a shirt, putting her hair in a bun. “I want to hire those two on our security team. Giselle, I’m sorry to leave packing up to you and your girls for a bit, I’ll be right back.” 
“No worries,” Giselle grinned, “We can have this done soon as you get back.” 
“Veronica~! Care to help me look for the two that saved our lives?” 
“It’d be my honor,” Veronica nodded. 
“Red hair, blue hair, red hair, blue hair, red hair...” Dolcinaea rattled on, Veronica listening to every word. “There!” Dolcinaea saw them walking towards the tavern, freezing up. “There they are! Veronica, let’s reserve them a table!” 
“Yes, milady.” Veronica stopped a waiter, her following him in as Dolcinaea caught up. They sat at a large booth, Veronica excusing herself to ask for the Adonis merchant and her friend.
They sat back down, clearly very nervous. Dolcinaea was charmed by how nervous they are to meet her, yet she had to focus on speaking her piece. “I’m thankful that you agreed to meet with us, and moreso that you saved our lives. Veronica, we should pay them now, the hole is virtually patched up.” Veronica gave them a small pouch of leaves, one that rivaled the one on the Adonis’ pocket. “Now, I wanted to talk to you about a potential job opportunity. The crescent necklace people have been invading our shows since we started our tour in honor of Agnea, and we desperately need help in the security department. I’d ask you two to work under Veronica as security officers.” 
The Adonis girl’s friend bit his lip. “...What are we expected to do?” 
“You’ll be deterrents for crescent necklace invaders, and be expected to put them in their place if they sneak through the cracks. If Veronica needs any help running errands, you’ll be expected to help her... and that’s about everything. You’ll be traveling with us as we continue our tour.”
He reluctantly nodded, looking at the Adonis girl, who stuck out her hand to Veronica. “We agree.” 
Veronica slowly figured out that she was shaking hands with the poor girl, nodding once she did. “Welcome to the team.”