The theater emptied beneath a wash of lantern-light and soft chatter.
Merriweather practically floated down the marble steps, still laughing, still glowing, still riding the high of being escorted backstage to mingle with the cast and crew. She clutched the small souvenir program to her chest like a priceless treasure.
"I simply cannot believe it," she beamed. "They let me hold the lead actor's prop cane. The craftsmanship—oh! And the fabric on the pauper's second tunic? Hand-stitched illusion thread. Exquisite!"
Brannic walked beside her, jacket loosened, cheeks pleasantly flushed with mead. He didn't say much… but he watched her smile.
And found himself smiling too.
"Ye near talked the illusionist's ear clean off," he muttered — though his tone lacked its usual bite.
Merriweather gasped dramatically.
"And he was delighted to hear my perspective."
Brannic snorted. "He was terrified to disagree with ye."
She nudged him with her elbow.
"And yet… you stayed."
He looked ahead.
"…Aye."
They walked beneath hanging lantern banners, past shuttered merchant stalls and quiet stone courtyards. The city felt softer at night. Quieter. More honest.
Their footsteps slowed without either of them noticing.
Merriweather exhaled contently.
"…It was a good night."
Brannic nodded once.
"Aye. It was."
They reached a corner where the road forked — one way toward the artisan quarter, the other down toward the riverfront.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Merriweather glanced sideways at him.
"So. About Jax Darquebane."
Brannic rubbed his beard.
"Hmph."
He stared at the cobblestones for a while.
Then:
"…I think we should consider listening to his offer."
Merriweather blinked.
Then smiled.
"Funny," she said softly. "I was just thinking the same thing."
He grunted. "Can't hurt to hear him out."
"No," she agreed. "It can't."
Their agreement lingered in the night air.
Unspoken.
Hopeful.
Tentative.
They parted with a nod and a shared, reluctant pause — as if both considered saying more… but didn't.
They turned and walked opposite directions.
Watching from the rooftops, Jax let out a slow breath.
He had followed at a distance — leaping silently from stone ledge to wooden beam, slipping between shadows, letting the wind carry their words to him.
Those six words were all he needed.
"I think we should consider listening—"
Jax smiled.
Good.
He pushed off the rooftop — landing silently in a narrow alley — and sprinted across the upper terraces toward town square.
He couldn't wait to tell the girls the good news—
Except—
He didn't have to.
Because they were already coming toward him.
Four figures swayed under lantern-light, arms linked loosely, cheeks flushed with strong mead and laughter. Their steps were uneven, tipsy, and determined.
Bunny spotted him first.
Her ears shot straight up.
"JAX DARQUEBANE!"
Her voice echoed across the square.
Jax stopped mid-stride.
"…Uh."
They marched toward him like a tiny drunken battalion.
Zee squinted at him suspiciously. Nyxian crossed her arms. Llandra looked… composed — but only barely.
Bunny pointed.
"Where. Have. You. Been."
Jax blinked.
"I— was at the theater."
Nyxian narrowed her eyes.
"Were you… with someone?"
Jax hesitated.
"…Technically… yeah."
Zee leaned forward.
"Who?"
Llandra's voice was soft — but it carried weight.
"…Were they female?"
Oh.
So that's where this was going.
Jax rubbed the back of his neck — suddenly aware of four pairs of eyes boring into his soul.
"…Technically… yeah."
He said it the exact same way.
On purpose.
Bunny's ears drooped.
"…Are they prettier than us?"
The question hit him without warning.
He didn't joke.
He didn't tease.
He didn't dodge.
He spoke on instinct.
"Who in Solmere," he said gently, "is prettier than you four?"
They froze.
The square went silent.
Nyxian blinked.
Zee's lips parted.
Llandra looked away — cheeks turning warm.
Bunny's heart skipped.
For a moment…
the tipsiness vanished.
Then Nyxian recovered first — and smirked.
"Well," she said, flicking her hair, "tomorrow you're taking me on my date. My turn. And if you think I look pretty tonight—"
She leaned closer — eyes glinting.
"Tomorrow, I'm going to knock your pants off."
Jax raised a brow.
"I think the phrase is—"
She tapped his chest.
"Not when you see this dress."
Zee giggled.
Bunny clasped Jax's arm possessively.
Llandra exhaled — faint smile tugging at her lips.
The tension softened.
The night felt lighter again.
Jax laughed under his breath.
"Come on," he said. "Let's get you all back before you fall over."
They walked together beneath lantern-light.
Four girls.
One overpowered stranger.
A world that was slowly — inevitably — beginning to change around them.
And for the first time that night…
Jax let himself feel happy about it.