"You're leaving?" Zephyr asked, dismayed. "Going where? Back to Protihex?"

Dirge sank down on the step beside him. "I haven't decided. Much as I dread the thought of returning to my clan as a failed priest-candidate..."

"Apprenticing to replace the old Crypt Master seems worse?"

Dirge nodded. "It would confirm what everyone already believes about me."

Zephyr frowned. Shouts drew their attention to the courtyard below where a group of younglings, including a Trine from Zephyr's clan, were decorating for the Festival of Rebirth. It was traditional for Uraya's younger generation to be in charge of decorating for the festivities, and two of Zephyr's young kinsmechs were arguing over how best to string a lightweb between the crystalline terraces. Zephyr rose, poised to intervene, but Dirge put a hand on his arm.

"Don't interfere. Let them work it out."

The third member of the Trine swooped to intercede, and Zephyr relaxed. Dirge hadn't moved his hand. He withdrew it with a huff, faceplates heating, and Zephyr smiled. "Come," he said, scooping his sainu onto his shoulder. "Let's walk."

The streets were festooned with twinkling lights. Citizens hurried about, laughing and chattering with excitement, and music spilled from every doorway. Zephyr hummed along, his steps falling into the beat. Dirge watched, as he always did, admiring his friend's silvery-blue finish, his golden wingstripes, his graceful stride. Zephyr was so at home here, so much a part of the living world. Dirge, on the other hand…

"You do have a choice," Zephyr said unexpectedly. He grabbed Dirge's hand, tugging him toward an energon sweet-vendor's cart. "Your Sigma isn't your destiny. If it was, I'd be levitating blocks of plasticrete in some construction zone, not teaching music. They can't force you into the Crypt."

"No," Dirge agreed sorrowfully. "But I cannot become an Evocator. My voice is deemed… unsuitable."

Zephyr's wings shot up. "Your voice is beautiful!"

"It only depresses people," Dirge said. "I was told I cannot raise sparks towards Primus while my Sigma drags them down to the Crypt."

The Evocator's gift was to evoke emotion through sound. The reverberations of Dirge's voice and engines certainly did that, but his emotional range was… limited. At best.

"Narrow-minded fools," Zephyr snapped. "What if I taught you? Maybe your Sigma just needs training."

"I appreciate the offer, but I think it's better I leave."

"That's your decision?"

"Aye."

They'd reached the front of the line. The vendor gazed at them expectantly, while other customers jostled from behind. Zephyr didn't move. "You've left me no choice," he said. He grabbed Dirge's face and pulled him into a swift, thorough kiss.

Dirge was so surprised that he just froze, but once he finally thought to kiss back, a cheer rose from the waiting crowd. Mortified, he buried his face against Zephyr's shoulder.

"Any chance of this changing your mind?" Zephyr whispered.

Dirge's spark felt ready to burst. "Aye." He was too shaken to say more.

Strong arms encircled him. "Music to my audials," Zephyr hummed.