Still holding his hand, she tugs him over to the rest of the group. Ataegina, fixing the radio, finally cheers with joy when it starts playing after she smacks the sides. Theta grabs Millane’s hand and Polaris grabs hers while Ataegina grabs Yuexia’s hand. The five all shuffle forwards and backwards, in and out, laughing and giggling at Polaris messing up and almost tripping. Some drift towards the ring, fitting next to friends and family, interlocking arms and holding hands, while others clap their hands to the beat. The five all dance in the middle, singing along to the music without a care in the world.
This is nice. Yuexia thinks. The mood feels like sunlight; warm and gold.
Perhaps the loneliness wasn't so bad, as long as there were moments like these sprinkled in between.
.
5:30AM, Ginkgo Temple, the center of the world, the month of the sun and moon
Yuexia rests against the window, watching people as they travel through the streets, a calmness permeating in the souls of all who live in the center of the world. A girl and her friends wave at her from down below. Yuexia waves back with a genuine grin. She hops off the window ledge, slinging her blade over her shoulder and walking out her room. The sunlight filters through the tall windows, the curtains fluttering in the wind. Others bow at her as she passes by, showing respect to her position as a sentinel. The wind brushes her shoulders as she walks through the hall. With an open palm, she lets the wind run between her fingers, through her hair and robes. Those in the hallway gasp at the sight, the wind blowing through and the sun shining through the curtains.
“A god on earth..” The words ripple through everyone as Yuexia continues to walk. People continue to bow out of respect and reverence. At the words, she laughs under her breath.
“Polaris…you show off.” The wind almost seems to laugh with her as a whisper flies through the breeze.
“You’re welcome!” Yuexia hears mischievous laughter and sighs with an adoring grin before waving her hand to cut through the laughter.
I see you’ve improved. Forgotten my words? That's alright, I’ll just remind you of them. The voice returns, rasping through her mind. It tries to return as a lover, grabbing her hand with an unknown gentleness.