MASKTOURN

Kallum... did not exactly know what to do now. He'd won. He'd proven that- that stranger wrong, because no one who knew him would fight him. He'd won- and he'd never lose. Not again. Not ever. Ow. That horse had been annoying though. Almost ruined everything for him. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Here came that stranger again. Naiyta headed down the mountain after the funeral, leaving his counterpart to wallow in her grief, as was very typical of her. It was heading to the refectory. It paused, upon seeing Kallum wandering aimless in the streets. "I'll take the basin back, now." It said, and held out a hand. "You aren't meant to keep the relics." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum stopped at the sight of Naiyta, alert in an instant despite- everything. He stared down at the basin, having forgotten he was holding it, and he handed it back. "Here." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Thank you." Naiyta took the basin back. A pause. "You performed very well. Better than I expected you to. I'm proud of you." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum's eyes widened at the- the praise. "...thank you. I'm- supposed to be good at- fighting. I'm supposed to win." His hand tugged his robes upwards, over his neck again. He'd almost forgotten. Almost. Never forgotten. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Though-" Naiyta intercut, "Not good enough you escaped harm entirely, hm? You need healing, don't you?" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"...the horse tried to sabotage me," Kallum grumbled, forcing a sharp nod, irritation rising- at the horse. Not Naiyta. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"So it did." Naiyta hummed, their tone almost mocking. It held out its hands. "Your hands. Now." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum knew not to hesitate and held out his hands. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta took Kallum's hands into its own with far more force than it had before, and quickly healed his wounds. He'd feel better within a few seconds, but once again, Naiyta kept its hands on Kallum's. "Better?" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum winced at the electric touch, even as he began to feel so much better, so much less in agony. He nodded, eyes scrunched shut to bear the electric. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Look at me." Naiyta warned. "Don't close your eyes, and use your words." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum tentatively opened his eyes. He nodded again. "Yes." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Good." Naiyta smiled, and removed their hands from Kallum's. "Now, what are you doing out here, anyways? You have a feast to attend." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum crossed his arms against his chest. Defensive. Not from Naiyta. The world. "I do? I was just- walking." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Yes! You can't miss a party if it's in your own honor. You won, and now you must be rewarded." Yet another order. "Come with me." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum nodded. The Guardians had parties all the time. With cameras and talks and the drinks. They were always a lot. Still. He nodded, obedient, to Naiyta. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Come along." Naiyta said, and led Kallum towards the refectory. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭