Kia was grateful for many things.
First and foremost, she was grateful for Ty. Their relationship was a strange and unlikely occurrence, but such circumstances had never stopped them before. No matter what was on her mind, she could always rely on Ty to be there for her and make her laugh. Kia was also grateful for her heritage. Her past was bloody and complex but she could never hate herself for the blood that flowed through her veins. She was grateful for the moon smiling down on her and the stars guiding her with their eternal shines. She was grateful for the life given to her and the chances she had to make things better.
And for now, she was grateful for the Elzian’s hospitality. The room she was given was much cozier than her housing with Gwydion, and it was also made more comfortable by the company she was with.
Once Kia, Ty, and Aileen reached Elzia, they were given a room with three other girls. One of them was recently injured and bed-ridden. Full of compassion, Aileen examined Roselyn’s severe burns. Her cool touch soothed the pain and the sincerity of Aileen’s concern was enough to get Roselyn to rise from her shame. Although no one spoke of the injury, Roselyn could not bear to look at the scars left behind and hid them behind bandages.
The three girls were very similar to Aileen, sharing her aura of mystery, innocent inexperience, and unlimited potential for greatness. Ty, being the outgoing man he was, had a blast with his newfound friends, whipping out a deck of cards and playing various games with them. Kia, still lost in thought and feeling out of place in such a social environment, was content with simply watching. It wasn’t long before Ty succumbed to exhaustion; he and Kia turned in early.
Unfortunately, sleep did not come easy for Kia. She rose from the soft bed, careful not to disturb Ty. She took a moment to watch him as his brow wrinkled and his fists clenched. A slight twitch of his legs told Kia that he was dreaming, and she could only hope it wasn’t a nightmare. After gently ruffling his golden hair, she left to the balcony, greeting the glorious night sky. The view was gorgeous and the company was very welcome, but Kia was worried. Over two dozen Cardin, including a large multi-terrain one, had been completely massacred. She knew of the Resistance, and this was not their work. Something strange was happening, and Gwydion’s temper and Aricin’s defection may have had something to do with it.
Kia thought she saw something moving through the dark sky. Her focus was broken, however, when Kaelin walked onto the balcony, joining Kia under the watchful moon.
“Hello, Kaelin,” Kia greeted politely.
“Hey. I just needed a bit of air. I thought you and Ty went to sleep.”
“He’s asleep. I guess I needed some air, too,” she said. It wasn’t a complete lie.
Kaelin knew Kia was being intentionally vague, but didn’t mind. “Don’t worry. We all have something to hide, don’t we? I don’t mean to intrude on something you don’t want to share, and I won’t say anything I don’t want to share, either.”
“I agree. Some things are best left unsaid.”
“Some things are best left in our dreams as well.”
For some reason, this caught Kia’s attention. She was not normally one to dive further into the mind of a stranger, but something about Kaelin intrigued her. “Have you given up dreaming, Kaelin?”
“Recently, it seems like it’s the best thing to do. Like I said, I won’t go into detail, but sometimes I wonder if it’s better just to detach yourself from everything. Sometimes, it seems like life would be easier if we didn’t have dreams or people to hold us back.”
“That is probably true, but life would also be much less fulfilling. Do you detach yourself from those you care for most?”
Kaelin also felt a connection with Kia. Never in her wildest dreams would she share so much with a stranger. “It seems like it. I am afraid to get close to people because I’m afraid to get hurt. I am never good when it comes to emotional moments.”
“Ah, yes. You are claustrophobic, are you?”
“What? I don’t have a phobia of closed spaces.”
Kia shook her head, sending ripples down her long, midnight-blue hair. “You fear close bonds because they may get too close and personal to you. You are afraid you may suffocate underneath your own emotions.”
The young girl was amazed at how perceptive Kia was. After some thought, she realized that Kia’s refined grace and subtle beauty reminded her of an older version of Roselyn. “I never thought it about it like that. I guess you’re right, though.”
“Your friends need you as much as you need them,” Kia said tenderly, her midnight blue eyes meeting Kaelin’s gaze. “Take them for granted and they may not be there when you need them most. We all need dreams and connections in our lives. Everyone needs something to believe in.”
Kia’s words put Kaelin at ease. Her diminished hope was somewhat renewed, and she trusted that it would fully return in time. “Thanks, Kia. I’m glad to have met you, Ty, and Aileen.”
“As am I. Ty and I have only met Aileen recently ourselves. She’s truly something different.”
“All of you are. Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“Is Ty’s hair naturally spiky?”
Kia giggled at the question. “Yes. It’s always like that.”
“He looks like such a kid that way.”
“He acts like one, too.”
“I can see that. Well, I think I’m going to turn in for tonight. I’m sick of winning these card games,” Kaelin grinned.
“Goodnight.”
“Goodnight and thanks again, Kia.”
After running her hand through her hair, Kia glanced back to the stars. The movement she had seen earlier was gone. Once again, Kia’s privacy was broken. Two strong arms wrapped around her waist and a familiar smell surrounded her. “Why are you so mean to me?” Ty said drowsily.
“How am I mean to you?”
“You know that when you leave, I can’t sleep. Why must you rob me of my sleep?”
She laughed, playing with the unruly golden locks that fell beside her face. “I’m sorry. It is rather late. Let’s go back to sleep.”
“Not until you tell me what you were doing out here.”
“Just talking to one of the girls.”
“They’re really fun, aren’t they?” Ty yawned.
“That and more. They’re going to be great people some day, all of them, Aileen included. Something about them makes them shine brighter than everyone else.”
“I know what you mean. I can’t wait to see what kind of people they turn out to be in a few years. They are the kind of people who can change the world,” he said, yawning once again.
“You must be really tired. Let’s go.”
“And you won’t be leaving me this time?” he asked, sounding like a lost child.
Kia took one last look at the sky above. Once again, she though she saw a movement, but allowed herself to ignore it. “I won’t. Let’s go before you collapse on the floor.”
“That only happened once!” he said defensively.
She laughed once again, forgetting her worries for the night. The movement in the sky returned, this time unseen. As the Ty and Kia left the balcony, a snow-white hawk soared effortlessly across the night sky.
