There were some very pleasant childhood memories and a vivid sense of deja vu that came about from the unexpected turn this day had taken.
Raya, Benja and Sisu sat side by side - with Sisu of course dwarfing these two in height - elbow to elbow with their legs folded beneath them, opposite the balcony of the palace's main wing and just out of sunlights reach as they gazed out into the expansive horizon. The fruits of Benja's culinary talents, though nowhere near Boun's level of artistry, had blessed them with a magnificent meal to share on this late-spring afternoon, set upon a low-cut oaken table sheeted in a fine lavender cloth. The cool, refreshing kiss of a lakeside breeze, coupled with a jaw-dropping view of both the lively commerce of Heart's central plaza, and the far-stretching shores of Kumandra's purest waters, made for an utterly perfect venue for this on-the-fly luncheon. Sisu could not have picked a better day to drop in for a visit, even if it was completely unannounced.
Benja was a generous host, as always, and had set out a diverse menu for his famished visitor to feast on, including a heaping bowl of sticky rice, a pot of homemade turkey egg-drop soup - with sprouts and corn to garnish - and a colorful medley of ripe berries, shredded purple cabbage and sliced carrots on the side. Everything a growing Dragon needs.
Of course, Benja had also prepared extras in anticipation of Sisu's voracious appetite. After all, Tuk Tuk, Raya's giant Pill-Pug partner in crime, was a ravenous eater as well, and his outstanding size was telling that he was indeed well cared for. Unfortunately, his share of the bounty was gradually being devoured by their gluttonous guest as he snored the entire afternoon away. Fat, lazy, and always sleeping on the job, Tuk Tuk encapsulated the very hallmarks of what it meant to be a Hero's sidekick, and Raya loved that overgrown roly-poly puppadillo to pieces.
Thankfully it would not take too much effort for Benja to prepare a second course if the need arose, but clearly he had underestimated his slippery guests omnivorous resolve. He could only watch in absolute amazement, and horror, as her grabby claws steadily siphoned away the contents of the entire spread, a banquet that was really meant for twelve, into the bottomless black hole that was Sisu's stomach.
Despite this, Sisu was a skilled multi-tasker and wasted no time delving into current events, even as she crammed down everything in front of her. In particular, Sisu had gotten wind of some rather juicy gossip specifically relating to her buddy Raya, and could not wait to get the skinny straight from the horses mouth.
"So, how does it feel, being Protector of the Dragons now? Quite a promotion, girl. You know my sibs are all biiig fans of yours now."
Sisu's words were somewhat muffled as a result of attempting to speak with her mouth full, as she had been non-stop shoveling pawfuls of steaming grains and fruit into her jaws since sitting down, looking akin to a giant blue squirrel stuffing nuts into its cheeks to later stash in its den. For all Raya knew, that's exactly what Sisu could have been doing.
She was right though, it was quite a prodigious onus to bear, that was for sure. It probably wouldn't have weighed so heavily on Raya were it not for the fact that she was also splitting her time as an Emissary of Heart, representing her nations interest during tribal gatherings (the first one being only a few days away). It meant that Raya had not one, but two different communities to watch over and protect, and she had to balance all of this with her physical training and still make time for her friends and family.
"Eh, it is hard being popular. But I keep trying."
And those three words alone were what made Benja so proud of his daughter and her accomplishments. 'I keep trying.' Raya herself had admitted time and time again that she did not consider herself the best person to be representing her countries interests. Even if her people and her father had complete faith in her abilities, Raya was not quite as confident in herself. It wasn't so much that she didn't believe she could do it, but the power that she now wielded frightened her no small amount, and the knowledge that her actions had the potential to cause great harm to those around her, even though she would never do such a thing intentionally, was always in the back of her mind.
But she never let it get her down, never let it stop her. Even if she wasn't very good at the art of diplomacy, even if she failed or faltered along the way, she kept trying. She never gave up. She kept moving forward, pushing ahead with every fiber of her being. Her love for her friends, her family, and all that she held dear in Kumandra always gave her the strength to soldier on and stay the course, for their sake if not for hers.
And that aura of determination had an influence on those around her as well.
"Yeah, but I still don't exactly think I'm Dragon material, either. I'm really just the average C student among Dragons, especially compared to my brother Pengu."
A loud and violent burst of hiccups erupted from Sisu's maw following this statement, as though to unconsciously provide evidence to substantiate her argument, and Sisu sheepishly covered her mouth with a damp paw, somewhat embarrassed by her lack of manners, a flaw of hers that still needed work.
Still, Sisu was far more accomplished than she gave herself credit for, and Raya could have chose to remind Sisu of what they had achieved in their time together or all the incredible feats of the supernatural that Sisu had mastered, the ability to walk on rain or shapeshift into human form being only a small demonstration of Sisu's potential.
But Raya instead opted to use Sisu's own words against her.
"Well, personally I think you deserve an A+, but don't forget Sisu, a C is still a passing grade."
Coming from Raya herself, this was high praise indeed. Like Raya, Sisu had her own share of doubts about herself and her abilities, but Raya had also been with her for every leg of their great journey, and if Raya herself had assessed that Sisu was well worthy of her heritage, it meant something. She wasn't perfect, she still had room to improve and she certainly had her quirks, but Raya was right; she was a true Dragon, in every sense of the word.
"I'm tempted to pick you up and hug you again, but I've kind of got a stomachache now."
Unfortunately, Sisu's master plan had been foiled by her own lack of self control as she had literally chomped herself into lethargy, completely deprived of the energy to carry out her intentions. Somewhat out of character, Benja actually breathed a sigh of relief hearing this, as he was now off the hook from having to prepare a second spread for his overstuffed visitor, though Sisu was in too much agony to pick up on it.
Even so, Raya was never one to back down from a challenge; though she was still somewhat haggard by the suffocating embrace of death that Sisu had subjected her to earlier, Raya was always game for a rematch at a later date.
"Aww, that's too bad. Maybe later then?"
This only intensified the warm fuzzies that Sisu was feeling for her girl, and the urge to wrap Raya tight in her constricting claws a second time was nearly unbearable now, even as she felt her tummy was on the verge of bursting.
"Oh you're making this soooooo hard for me!"
Fortunately for Raya, Sisu was able to exercise some self restraint here. There would be a better, more appropriate opportunity to put the squeeze on dear Raya again later, she was sure.
Instead, she decided on a quick change of subject, anything to help get her mind off of that nauseating pain in her gut that she had entirely brought upon herself. There were other, equally important matters on her mind anyway.
"By the way, have you heard from any of our fellowship buddies lately?"
Now that was a topic that Raya was all too happy to discuss. As it turned out, Raya had heard back from each and every one of their friends and, with one exception, it was exciting news all around.
"I have, actually! Oh man, where do I even begin here?"
A tough decision indeed, as there was more or less a full story to tell with each of them. But seeing as a visit from "Big Softie," as Sisu had coined him, was already in the books, he was as good a place to start as any.
"Well, Tong is doing fantastic to start. He's actually due here in a few days for the first monthly tribal meeting, and he's bringing his wife and daughter along too."
This meeting that Raya was referring to was supposed to be the first official gathering of the new tribal council, following Kumandra's rebirth only a month prior. The Five Lands and their communities had since come together in unity; no longer were there petty quarrels, disputes or even hostile skirmishes over land, territory or material. Now it was just a matter of figuring out how to solidify those peaceful ties to one another to establish true harmony with Kumandra's people, which was the primary purpose of these gatherings.
Moreover, Tong's family were the pride and joy of his life, were what made him complete as a person, and so having the chance to meet them was an exciting prospect for both Raya and Benja.
But there was one little detail discussed during their last exchange that made Benja just a little bit uneasy, a matter which they were thankfully both able to resolve without generating any ill will between one another.
"Originally he wanted to bring his cohort of newly trained Axe-Bladers as well, to put on a presentation for the people of Heart, but ultimately we both agreed that an armed escort might make the other leaders...uncomfortable. He meant well though, I know."
He did mean well. His Axe-Bladers would not have been an armed escort so much as they would have been a performance troupe putting on a show to entertain the masses, and Tong had already stated once before that his brave fighters were strictly on reserve and were not to organize unless their services were absolutely needed. Regardless of this, he understood why Benja was adamantly against bringing them to such an important gathering, especially during these tentative times when each faction had only just begun to come together and forge their ties to one another. Namaari probably would not have minded, but it might have made the other leaders uneasy, possibly even hostile and untrusting.
So Tong instead suggested a compromise, which Raya and Benja accepted with great enthusiasm.
"Instead, he offered us a place to stay at his cabin in Spine, so we can see his gifted warriors for ourselves and get to know his people first hand. We're really looking forward to it."
And now that Sisu was back in the picture, Raya suddenly grew a wild hair.
"Hey, you want to come with us Sisu? He'd love to see you, and I'll bet his daughter would really enjoy having a playmate too."
To which Sisu cracked one of the creepiest replies Raya had ever heard. Or at least would have been creepy coming from anybody else.
"Yeah, that sounds fun! I loooooooove babies!"
For one who didn't know better, hearing that statement coming from a giant lizard with pointy fangs and razor-sharp claws would have probably been enough for the masses to break out the torches and pitchforks, but it was true. Sisu was indeed very fond of children, Boun and Noi especially, and like all Dragons had a playful streak a mile wide.
Ignoring Sisu's ironically harrowing comment, Benja nodded with a serene smile, effectively punching Sisu's ticket for boarding.
"Splendid! The date is set for next month. You may wish to bring a blanket."
"Nah, you could make ten blankets with all the fur I've got. I wouldn't mind Raya's hat though. I make it look good."
That comment prompted Raya to shoot Sisu a somewhat irritated glare, folding her arms together in defiance, almost taking offense to that statement.
"And I don't?"
But thankfully this sly, sweet-talking serpent knew just how to defuse the situation.
"Of course you do, you make everything look good. But I am one dapper looking Dragon, you have to admit. Cmon, please?"
Flattery would probably not have worked on Raya in the past, but seeing as Sisu was known to be utterly sincere and honest to a fault, it was just enough to tip the scales in her favor. And much as Raya might not want to admit it, Sisu had her dead to rights; that goofy hat certainly looked better on this dorky Dragon than it did atop her own head. Bizarre just pairs well with bizarre, Raya surmised.
And she did say please.
"Oh fine, but only because you asked nicely."
With monstrous glee, Sisu cracked a wily fanged grin and countered with an energetic paw pump. Her powers of persuasion were strong indeed.
"Yeah! That's my girl!"
Before this conversation could detour any further, Benja took the reins and began to elaborate on Sisu's earlier inquiry regarding their comrades, as there was still a tale to tell about each of them.
"To answer your question in greater detail, Lady Sisu, we've actually heard from everyone, even little Noi."
While she didn't let her true feelings show, Sisu was just a little bit annoyed that she was still being referred to as Lady. Even though Dragons were still revered by humanity and typically shown great respect when met, most Dragons, and Sisu in particular, were actually not fond of this practice, seeing themselves as equals with all inhabitants of Kumandra, not above or beneath anyone. The Dragons just wanted to be regarded as ordinary people, the same way that most humans treated one another, as that's all they considered themselves to be, their supernatural gifts aside.
But Benja was a very formal gentlemen, polite and tact, and it was just a hardcoded aspect of his character to venerate those he felt were superior to him, and so Sisu held no ill feelings towards him and simply let it slide this time. Even if she wanted to say something about it, Raya jumped in before Sisu even had the chance to consider it, as she felt the need to clarify on and correct her fathers statement regarding Noi.
"Well, actually, it was Noi's mother that wrote to me. Her other talents aside, I don't think Noi herself is at the point where she can write letters."
That she was not. Noi could effortlessly dangle any one of Talon's residents by their ankles and shake the Jade out of their pockets (though she and the Ongi's have since abandoned that practice). She could bring even the most stubborn skeptic to their knees in amazement with her nightly encores of pyrotechnic sorcery. But she hadn't yet reached the age where she could (or was even expected to) string together complete sentences, at least not on paper.
Fortunately, she had her mother to do that for her, acting as a sort of liaison on her behalf.
"First things first; Noi's family has officially adopted Dyan, Pan, and Uka. Noi has three older brothers now."
While that was indeed exciting and happy news for anyone to hear, a trio of orphans being welcomed into a loving home, both Raya and Sisu had mixed feelings about this development as they already both knew what a terror those four could be. Noi by herself was a handful, but Noi and the Ongi's together were a destructive hurricane of naughty mischief. Having four troublesome tykes to worry about instead of just one was going to be a harrowing experience for her mother, long term and short term.
"Oh boy. You know I love Noi and I'm happy for all of them, but that's got to be a burr in the saddle for her parents."
Raya wholly agreed, but she also sensed some opportunity here, the chance to turn the tables and drop a prank of her own on Sisu, a window that did not come along very often. The apple was red and ripe for the picking.
"You'll love this then. She was asking if I would babysit for her some time, and I put your name in for consideration."
Immediately Sisu went on the defensive, long strands of azure and magenta fur standing on end like the quills of a hedgehog, and she shot the chieftains daughter an obscenely frightened stare, as if Raya had just murdered someone in cold blood.
"You didn't!"
To which Raya snickered in reply. As she had hoped, Sisu took the bait.
"No, I didn't."
It was short lived, but based on the reaction elicited, Raya certainly got her moneys worth out of the exchange, and Sisu knew she had been done over.
"Oh, you little...!"
One of Sisu's noodly arms lashed out like greased lightning and pulled Raya in close, putting her into a headlock, and with her other paw free to work, commenced the frazzling noogies with just her index knuckle. Raya gave no resistance to her "punishment", allowing Sisu free reign to fray her auburn hair into oblivion, but with this exhibition of playful retribution came a flash of immense pride on Sisu's part, impressed that her little buddy was able to give as good as she got. The student had learned very well from the master, it would seem.
"Hey, hey! Watch the hair!"
Sisu at last relented, the sentence having been carried out, but Raya's hair was already a frizzy mess and beyond saving at this point. Thankfully it was nothing that a brush and a cotton band could not fix later on, but for now Raya had the look of a woman who had just awoken from a twelve-hour nap.
And even though Sisu was on the verge of another bill for property damage - one that she would never have to pay, of course - Benja was stone silent during this entire charade, sipping his tea with great amusement as all this tomfoolery played itself out. He knew better than to come between a wolf and its prey - metaphorically, of course - and besides that, he was genuinely delighted to see such a tight-nit showing of affection between these two. Though she was a happy girl in her youth, Raya had something of a sheltered childhood and did not have much in the way of friends, even before the disaster born from the Dragon Gem being shattered. To now see his little Dewdrop, as he called her, rubbing elbows with so many others - including a Dragon, no less - to see that she had such a strong social circle of support, so many close friends to lean on in times of need, made Benja's tender heart soar on the wings of rapture.
And he didn't care about collateral damage or the odd mess here or there either. It was all just part of the package with sweet Sisu.
"Thankfully, I was told they've given up their life of picking pockets at least. They're doing something else now. We were invited to come to Talon at some point to see them perform, something called a 'Dragon's Breath' finale?"
That name struck a bell with Sisu as one of her siblings had seen this wonder for themselves, and the aftermath was intriguing to say the least.
"I've heard of that! My sister Amba was there to see it one night. She was missing her eyebrows when she came home."
"Yeah, we were warned about that." And that was not the only reservation Raya had about seeing this explosive spectacle for herself. "Apparently Talon is designated a no-fly zone for Dragons at night because of it. It sounds exciting though, I just need to find the time to go."
And of course, being the clingy noodle that she was, Sisu insisted on tagging along for this one.
"Well, why don't we go see it together? Amba said it was an awesome experience, and even if it's somehow a stinker, we still get to see Noi and the Ongi's."
Besides the fact that it would mean a chance to visit with some close friends, Sisu loved a good performance as much as the next person, and she wanted to see this meteoric extravaganza for herself, especially after her own sister gave it a rave review.
"Yeah, absolutely! If it is a stinker, we can at least laugh at it. Though don't forget it's Noi we're talking about."
To be fair, Raya was not worried about hurting Noi's feelings since, knowing the raw talent that toddler and her entourage possessed, it was highly unlikely that any performance at Noi or the Ongi's hands would be deserving of eggs or rotten tomatoes from the masses. In any case, having a friend to see it with, regardless of whether it garnered a standing ovation or a collective boo from the audience, would make the experience all the more fun.
Of course, not wanting to leave her father out of the festivities, they thought to ask Benja to join them as well.
"Dad, what about you?"
But his response was the last thing she expected to hear from the likes of her own dad, and was even somewhat frightening to her.
"No thank you, I am not fond of bright lights or loud noises."
Nevermind that it was only a month ago that he played host to one of the most dazzling, deafening, thunderous celebrations Kumandra had seen in hundreds of years, hearing Benja say something like this was all the more alarming to Raya because this was coming from someone who was once himself a seasoned warrior, the Baddest Blade in the Five Lands as he was known, and the one who trained Raya in the art of combat, no less.
But the more Raya thought about it, the less worry it caused her. After all, Benja was clearly not the same man he was in his youth. As it does with all it touches, time had taken its toll on this wise leader, and he was accepting of that. He had his moment in the sun, his hour of glory in the days of his prime, and those years were behind him now. Now he was just an idealistic father with a dream, a quiet man who enjoyed cooking, a good afternoon book read, and a cup of hot tea in the morning.
And this centered perspective of being at peace with himself was all rooted in the knowledge of two simple truths: that his little Dewdrop had matured into a fine young woman, and that what he sought to accomplish, even if it was still years away from being realized, was realistically possible now. He could see true harmony on the horizon, and it was all because of the efforts of his daughter and the friends she had made on her incredible journey to pull Kumandra back from the brink of despair.
He was more than content with his lot in life now, even if he was subjected to a little extra poking and prodding from his daughter and this majestic, quirky wetworm that had become more or less a sister to her, and by proxy was like a second daughter to him. And though Raya would still take the occasional light-hearted jab at her father, she always kept in within reason. Even as Raya and Sisu giggled to themselves at his expense, he never took it personally; he simply smiled and laughed with them.
These really were the golden years for Benja and the proud legacy he had fostered, and though Raya had to eventually accept the harsh truth that he was indeed getting older, he still had a great many years ahead of him, more than enough time to see his little lotus blossom into the great wildflower she was meant to be. He was not going to leave her anytime soon. She had nothing to fear.
"Heh, fair enough, Dad. I'm not entirely sure I want to see it either."
In Noi's case, however, she had every reason to be afraid. After all, it was Noi and the Ongi's they were talking about, the most terrifying bundle of mischief makers in all of Kumandra. There was no telling what toothy horrors awaited them in Talon. They were all justified in their skepticism.
Even so, Noi was a dear friend of theirs, and for that reason alone Raya and Sisu were excited for the opportunity. They had certainly braved far worse.
"Well anyway, if nothing else, I'm sure Noi would love having a familiar face to hug too."
That was certainly something for Sisu to look forward to, as Noi had admitted herself (in not so many words) that cuddling with Sisu's fluffy face was one of her favorite things to do.
"Ahahaha, yeah. I've been away for too long."
Too long was a matter of perspective in this case; some people went for months or even years without seeing or even hearing from their friends and family. Even so, given that Raya had a pretty strong reaction seeing Sisu again after only a month long hiatus, she was reasonably certain that all of her friends would likely have a similar response when they see her as well.
And that last comment reminded Raya that another one of their friends was due to make an appearance very soon.
"Oh, by the way, I've actually spoken to Boun in person. He brings the Shrimporium into port once a week. He's due here tomorrow, in fact."
That was a name that made Sisu's horns perk up immediately.
"Oh, good ol' Pop and Lock! I've missed him! How is he doing?"
Pop and Lock. That kid certainly got the worst of it as far as nicknames went, but it was never mean spirited. While Boun was often subject to the lions share of sarcasm from Sisu, she was admittedly very fond of the young lad, not just for all the free food she was able to weasel out of him, but because he was once in the same boat as her, an orphan who had lost their family, left to face the world all on his own. Happily neither of them were stuck in that plight anymore, having both regained that which was dearest to them in the aftermath of the Druun's defeat, but Sisu was able to relate to Boun on a deeper level because of that ancient tragedy, and though she teased Boun relentlessly, deep down this dorky Dragon had a real soft spot for the boy tycoon. He was like a little brother to her, blood relations aside.
And that sentiment ran both ways. After all, Sisu was, in his own words, his 'favorite customer,' even if he never made a single Jade off of her.
"He's doing really well; the Shrimporium is a huge hit here in Heart. There's always a big line to get the Shrimp Congee, so you'd better get used to waiting."
And while Raya was elaborating on the Shrimporiums success, her last conversation with Boun came to mind.
"Actually, now that you mention it, he was looking for you the last time I spoke with him. I think he wanted to ask you about something business related."
Though Sisu was befuddled as to what possible advice a Jadeless scallywag like her could offer to a street-savvy baron like Boun, none the less it was an opportunity to visit with another dear friend, and she meant to take advantage of it.
"Really? In that case, perhaps I should be here to surprise him when he arrives, just to see the look on his face if nothing else."
Raya agreed, but in doing so unintentionally revealed a subtle detail about Boun's character, a chink in the armor, so to speak, and with Sisu that was akin to waving a fat wallet in the Ongi's faces.
"Yeah, he would be really happy to see you regardless. Just don't do anything to embarrass him in front of his parents. He's very bashful around them."
Her curiosity now piqued, Sisu wiggled her eyebrows with intrigue, and Raya already knew she had let slip something she probably should not have.
"Oh, bashful, you say? In that case, I think some good old-fashioned Dragon Hugs are just what he needs to lighten the mood then."
Another prank was already in the planning stages, and innocent (and adorable) as her kittenish intentions were, Raya knew that Sisu was up to no good here.
"Sisuuu..."
The tone that Raya took with Sisu was stringent and almost authoritarian, as if she were scolding an unruly child. That was not too far off the mark, to be honest. Even Noi at times was more well behaved than this wiggly dork.
"Aww, don't be like that Raya, you know that I have to now."
But despite her best efforts to dispute Sisu's intentions, her logic was undeniable. Dragons were playful and fun-loving by nature, maybe not to the larking degree that Sisu was hardcoded for, but mischief and monkey business was in her very blood. Sisu was a prankster at heart, and now that she knew of this critical weakness on Boun's part, she could see no reason not to take advantage of it. It was the law in Sisu's world.
Raya was fighting a hopeless battle trying to stop her, and she knew it.
"...You know what, nevermind. Have yourself a ball."
And she would do just that, rubbing her paws together with a devilish grin, looking like some sort of evil genius bent on world domination. Unknown to him, the adolescent business savant now had a date with Sisu's fluffy cheeks, and his fate was all but sealed. There would be no escape for young Boun from this silly salamander and her patented life-draining cuddles of doom.
Regardless, just about everyone was accounted for now.
Everyone except...
"So...what about Namaari? Have you heard from her?"
Up to this point Raya had been actively avoiding the subject of Namaari, doing her best to steer the conversation in another direction, as it was not a happy topic for her. But she knew she would have to talk about it eventually.
"Well...yes, I've been in contact with Namaari too. We exchange letters once a week or so. But..."
Hearing a 'but' at the end immediately put Sisu on red alert. 'But' was rarely ever a good thing.
"But what?"
Not at all comfortable being the one to divulge this information, Raya attempted to skirt the line using the vaguest terms possible.
"She's...not well."
Unsurprisingly, Sisu had misinterpreted Raya's choice of words and relaxed her guard, thinking that Namaari had simply fallen ill. Perhaps it was a simple case of the Fang Flu in Sisu's mind.
"Aww, is she sick? Does she need Doctor Sisu to come take her temperature? I've got my stethoscope handy."
Though she could not help but make levity, there was also a genuine concern for Namaari's well being beneath her mirth. That was actually quite a talent on Sisu's part, being one of the few people who could blend a joke with candid sincerity, and just one of many quirks that made her so lovable in the first place.
Unfortunately, the reality was far more grave than Sisu had initially surmised, and while Raya would have found her jest to be humorous and even cute under normal circumstances, there was really nothing funny about Namaari's situation. At all.
"No, it's nothing like that."
Of course, she could not blame Sisu for her jovial conduct in this case, as Raya had deliberately described Namaari's circumstances in a nebulous, almost misleading way, which only added to the confusion. But she was well ready for the reaction she expected Sisu to have once the gravity of the situation was made clear.
"She...still blames herself for what she did, to you and to all of us."
"What!?"
And as soon as the truth was revealed, Sisu hit the roof, her raspy voice cracking from the shock of this unsettling news. It was enough to jolt Tuk Tuk out of his peaceful slumber, and even Benja was startled by the spike in decibel level, flinching visibly as if someone had just blared an air horn directly into his ear. And that was exactly the kind of reaction Raya expected of Sisu, because she felt exactly the same way.
"Yeah, it's wild stuff. As I understand it, Virana felt that she was unfit to rule and stepped down as Fang's Chieftess, leaving Namaari to take the throne. And when she did, she disbanded the Fang Army, gave control of the senate to its people, and then stepped down herself."
Sisu could not believe what she was hearing. It was absolute nonsense, and Raya would not have believed it herself had she not heard it from Namaari herself, in her own handwriting.
"But why!?"
Unfortunately, Sisu was asking the wrong person; Raya's guess was as good as anyone elses.
Benja, however, did have his own theory as to why Namaari was trailing down this path of self destruction, and it was surprisingly on the mark. If only he knew how right he was. Maybe he already did on some level.
"I can only assume it is because she is terrified of history repeating itself, of making another grave error in a moment of weakness, and so she wants to distance herself as much as possible from having that kind of power or responsibility."
Though Benja's speculation made a lot more sense than anything either of them could come up with, it did little to placate Sisu's fiery temper in this moment. Indeed, it was a rare sight to see Sisu so visibly worked up like this, and one could almost make out the clouds of steam blowing from her snout. She was absolutely fuming, and it just went to show how badly this upset her, hearing that someone she considered to be a good friend, family even, beating themselves up so savagely over a mistake, a moment of weakness and poor judgment, and on her account no less. It was frankly unacceptable, Namaari had paid her dues and far beyond, and Sisu was having absolutely none of this bahooey.
"This is ridiculous! How can she keep torturing herself like this!? It wasn't her fault!"
Sisu was a fervent believer of the concept of Forgive and Forget, of not holding resentment or contempt for someones past actions, of letting bygones be bygones and moving forward from bad decisions, being stronger for it. It might have been a bit haughty on her part, but she saw the look on Namaari's face when Namaari (accidentally) fired the arrow that pierced her heart and killed her, and it was not the look of malice or ill-intent. It was a look of pain and despair. Namaari did not mean to do what she did, it pained her just as much as it did those she had wronged, and if anyone was fit to judge Namaari's character, if not her actions, it was Sisu herself.
But she didn't need to justify herself to these two, as Raya and Benja were not only in full agreement with Sisu, but were already well aware of the extenuating circumstances behind Namaari's actions, and that knowledge came from an unexpected source.
"We know. We received a letter recently from her mother, Virana. She explained everything to us, how she and she alone was the mastermind behind Namaari's actions. I believe she sent a similar missive to each leader in making this confession."
And though Benja could have simply paraphrased the letter or even drawn from his eidetic memory and recited it aloud, word for word, he figured it would be much more impactful if Sisu were to read it for herself.
"Give me a moment."
With impressive finesse and grace for his age, Benja rose to his feet and walked over to his work station in the far corner of the main wing, a rather basic kit consisting of a simple three-drawered wooden desk and a scarlet wax candle mounted above, held to the wall with a brass bracket. The desks surface was tilted ever so slightly for ease of both reading and writing, and the space it occupied was only a few feet from the open terrace overlooking Dragon Lake, offering both shade from the scorching sunlight and a cool air flow on hot summer days. Into the top drawer he reached, fishing out a scroll that was rolled tight and bound with a silky teal ribbon.
Letter in hand, Benja returned to his seat, unraveled the vellum and delicately handed it to Sisu, taking care not to tear or puncture the delicate parchment with her clumsy claws.
It was gloomy stuff to say the least, and the deeper she read, the more her previously seething anger turned to piercing heartache. The letter itself did not outright say it word for word, but it was exactly as Benja had surmised; Namaari was faced with what she considered to be a no-win scenario. She had absolutely no faith in her abilities as a leader, could not trust herself to wield such tremendous power, and rather than risk another disaster befalling Kumandra at her hand, decided that the most sensible play in this situation was to simply remove herself from the board.
Though it took a little time for her to come around, it was a decision that her mother Virana fully supported, having been in the exact same position only weeks before. Even Benja himself, though he disagreed strongly with Namaari's rashness and self-defeating attitude, saw some merit to these structural reformations, recognizing that such change could indeed be to Fang's benefit at some point, and even setting a precedent that potentially all of Kumandra learn from. Still, he was concerned a great deal for Namaari's well-being, as were all of her friends, and while he was better able to keep his emotions in check, Raya was more vocal about the situation.
"I tried to convince her to reconsider, that what happened that day was not her fault, but she's so stubborn and refuses to listen to anyone, even me. She..."
Now Raya was the one getting choked up, clearly distressed by the fact that a childhood friend of hers, despite the great rift that once separated them, was going through some serious inner turmoil. And while Sisu had calmed down some, her searing temper having mostly subsided at this point, like the others she was left hollow and emotionally devastated by Namaari's internal grief and guilt. The lack of any levity or wisecracking on her part was telling of how serious the matter was to Sisu, and she had no intention of letting it go, of risking it escalate into something even more tragic. This raging bonfire of hogwash had to be snuffed out once and for all.
"...well, I'm going to have to do something about this then. I can't just let her beat herself up like this. She doesn't deserve this."
Though she was a bit too worked up to show it, Raya could not have agreed more, and with Sisu spearheading the cause, there was reason to hope. Though Namaari might not listen to Raya, or Benja or Tong or any of her peers or comrades, she would most certainly listen to the wise words of one of Kumandra's finest Dragons, one that was not only a close friend of hers, but also knew all to well that soul-crushing feeling that comes from self depreciation.
There was no question; a personal intervention was needed here. And as the first council was scheduled to be held in one weeks time, Benja was quick to remind them both that they would have the opportunity to speak to Namaari in person very soon.
"Namaari is supposed to be present for the meeting next week. If you wish to, you will have a chance to speak to her then."
Even though Namaari had surrendered the Fang throne, her people still needed leadership in these trying times, and so Namaari reluctantly agreed to represent her peoples interests, and therefore Kumandra's interests by proxy. Though she had little power in her position as an Envoy, as she wanted it, she at least promised to be present at each gathering to voice her peoples concerns, and listen to the other leaders and theirs.
Raya and Sisu would certainly have a chance to talk to her then.
"Alright, maybe I can get her to come around. She deserves so much better than this."
Though she had Benja's full support for this task, his choice of words still did not sit well with her, and he unknowingly compounded the error from earlier.
"We agree. If anyone can get through to her, Lady Sisu, it is you."
Hearing that title again made Sisu visibly wince as if she had just stepped on a shard of glass. There was yet again this totally unnecessary showing of praise and reverence by Benja, which was not in any way a slight against his character. He had simply been taught from birth to worship and glorify these divine, aquatic deities of old, so it was not something she could hold against him. It was simply a part of his upbringing, and she took no lingering offense to it.
That said, however, Sisu was unwilling to let the matter slide this time. She did not wish to offend someone as kind and altruistic as Raya's father, the Chieftain of Heart, but Sisu had seen and heard enough of these silly, ancient formalities, not just on her behalf, but on the part of her kindred as well. It needed to stop.
"I will try, but could I ask a favor in return, Chief?"
Admittedly Sisu did not even need to invoke the ritual of Quid Pro Quo, as Benja would have given every effort to accommodate whatever it was that Sisu desired, regardless of the circumstances. But he humored her nonetheless, responding with a simple nod.
"Of course."
Little did he know that he was about to have the societal screws turned against him.
"Could you please stop calling me 'Lady?'"
A very simple and humble request, but one that threw the formal and orthodox Benja for quite the loop. He was not expecting it.
"...Pardon?"
Normally Sisu would make her argument by drawing a comparison to something easily relatable - much like her early example of making herself out to be the slacking C+ student of her kind when she and Raya first met - but in this instance she really needed to drive her point home. As such, Sisu chose not to mince her words here and simply told it like it was.
"There is no need to be so formal around me, or any other Dragon for that matter. There is no need for humanity to worship us as you do. Our looks and abilities aside, we are really just ordinary people when it comes down to it."
Common sense was never a strong point for Sisu, and for her to be using logic and rationale to fuel her argument was strange, despite how sound and even scholarly her perspective was. Raya was briefly tempted to jump in and intervene here, as she mistakenly assumed this was another moment of Sisu depreciating and holding herself in low regard.
It was not. This was pure, self-effacing modesty that Sisu was expressing, both on her behalf and on behalf of her people, and Raya was astute enough to recognize the difference and held her tongue.
"But..."
Even though there was a great degree of insight and even sagacity in Sisu's words, Benja was still conflicted by the message Sisu was trying to convey, as it contradicted every facet of his upbringing and what he was taught to believe. But Sisu was quick to offer reassurance and lay any lingering doubts to rest.
"I know it might seem strange, the idea of just being chill and laid back around us, but it's alright, you don't have to put us on a pedestal and bronze us. Just relax. All we want is to be treated as you would treat anyone else, as your fellow man. As your friends."
There was a small glint of naivety on Sisu's part here, as not all humans treated one another with love, respect, or even fairness, especially in times of war and conflict. Still, the point that she was trying to make was crystal clear, and with Benja now on the defensive, Sisu seized the moment and moved in for the kill.
"We...are friends, right?"
Though initially concerned about Sisu's earlier outlook, Raya could only smile and giggle to herself now as Sisu had literally just given her father a heaping taste of his own medicine. It was a profound and electrifying display of wisdom on Sisu's part, and the previously servile Benja was left completely speechless, beaten at his own game. She was absolutely right. His dream of a world in perfect harmony could not be realized if its people were subdivided in any way, even through a detail as unassuming as their social status. That's not to say that everyone had to become a copycat in their profession, their financial standing or their political views, but what Benja sought was a world in perfect unity, and an important element of achieving unity was the concept of equality, the sum melding together to form the whole, with no individual piece being greater or lesser than any other. And it was only then that Benja finally realized a very clear truth:
All who lived in Kumandra bled the same color. All who lived in Kumandra shared the same sky.
It was amazing to him that he had to re-learn this simple but oh so important principle so late in his career, especially from such an unexpected source, but he was grateful for it nonetheless. Sisu was indeed a great friend in Benja's eyes, in many ways like a second daughter even, and much like his own little girl and everyone else who knew this silly serpent, he felt truly blessed having someone like her in his life.
And again, she did say please.
"Ah, indeed we are. How silly of me."
Silly though he felt, he knew from both firsthand experience, and the accounts of others, that burning cheeks and at least one instance of the 'open mouth, insert foot' phenomenon was normal for anyone who spent too much time around Sisu. If nothing else, it really was the least he could do for her, aside from all the free food he had given her free access to.
"Fair enough, Sisu."
And Sisu cracked quite the warm smile hearing the Chief using her name without any fancy monikers tied to it. That was most definitely the way it should be.
But Raya having a good laugh at his expense did not go unnoticed by either of them, and it would not go unpunished either. While Raya was still beaming from Sisu's earlier lecture, she would not be giggling to herself for much longer.
"...or should I instead call you 'my precious little waternoodle', like my daughter so often refers to you as?"
Now the scales had tipped, and Sisu was the one having a hearty, snort-laden chuckle at Raya's expense, doubling over on her back as her scaly sides were sent into orbit. Meanwhile, Rayas face had gone completely hot and flush, glowing bright scarlet like a blooming rose, and she quickly buried her head into her hands in a desperate and futile attempt to hide her sheepish visage from prying eyes. Benja had just exposed a trade secret that was meant to stay behind closed doors, never intended to reach Sisu's ears, and now Raya had been hung out to dry.
"DAAAD!"
Raya screamed, her mousy, panicked muffled through the folds of her callused palms, and now Benja joined in on the giggling with some hearty guffaws of his own. Admittedly he did not mean to throw Raya to the wolves like this, but at the same time it was not often that he got to see her in such a bashful state, so he made sure to snap a mental photo of the moment for posterity.
Of course, Sisu, being the unmatched sensei of nicknames absolutely loved her silly new sobriquet; the student had learned well from the master and she was so proud of that. Still, it was a bit of a mouthful, so she instead suggested a compromise.
"Ahahahahaha, just Noodle is fine!"
Benja nodded, inking the metaphorical contract in blood. It was official now.
"Very well, Noodle it is. Dewdrop and Noodle, what a lively pair you two make."
What a pair indeed, the likes of foreign mythical legends such as Van Helsing and Carl, or perhaps even Butch and Sundance.
To commemorate her new moniker, Sisu reached over and put a free forepaw around Raya's shoulder, pulling her in close and rubbing up against Raya's still scorching cheeks with her own.
"Yes we do!"
A true prankster to the end, Sisu always had to rub it in and have the last laugh, and it was crystal clear that she would never let Raya live this one down. Never.
In response to this grandiose act of treason, Raya shot her father a spine-freezing glare, complete with fiendish grin, and Benja knew terror so great. There was not much that Heart's Chieftain feared in life, but he had raised this fiery lass since birth, and he knew better than anyone that Kumandra hath no fury like Raya's scorn.
Before she could deliver Checkmate, however...
"Oh, by the way Raya, I've got something to show you. I think you're really gonna like this."
Literally saved by the bell as Sisu called for a session of show and tell, padding on all paws to the main balcony and beckoning Raya over with her. While Raya was not thrilled to have to postpone judgment on the condemned, at least it would give her time to decide on the appropriate form of punishment for Benja's treachery.
"I'll deal with you later."
Hearing this brought about an oily mixture of solace and anxiety to Benja's mind. On one hand, Benja breathed a sigh of relief knowing he had been granted a momentary stay of execution. On the other, Benja knew that he would have to iron out his dress blues at some point to stand and face the wrath of Raya. Divine retribution was inevitable, any way he sliced it.
For the moment though, it could wait.
"Over here."
Not wanting to keep her friend waiting, Raya set her leftovers aside and clambered to her feet, shaking out her legs to warm up muscles that had atrophied under her weight from an entire afternoon of sedentary sitting. Having limbered up again, Raya made her way over to Sisu, who was now leaning against the balcony overlooking the water. With a single wave of one large handpaw, Sisu swept the far reaching horizons of Dragon Lake, bring attention to the fruits of their divine labors.
"I'm sure you've already noticed, but we've been very busy building a little community of our own. Impressive, huh?"
To be fair, 'community' and 'home' were grossly inadequate to describe the architectural wonders that the Dragons were able to erect in such a short time frame. These magnificent, fountain-like structures, crafted from deepwater coral and earthen elements, encompassed every stretch of Dragon Lake's shores, from the frosty glaciers of Spine's frigid coastlines to the blistering dunes of Tail's arid dustbowl, serving not only as spacious housing for the Dragons, but also feeding the lake itself with an inexhaustible source of sacred water for all of Kumandra to share. It was impossible to reach out and touch one of these magical wonders and not see another one only a hundred yards away. It was less of a community and more of a great kingdom that served to tie the Five Lands together like a great tether. All was One in the Kumandra of today, after all.
But this couldn't have been what Sisu wanted to show off; even the most oblivious of Kumandra's inhabitants could not have been completely ignorant to these mystical edifices springing up virtually overnight. There had to be something more to it.
"Yeah, you guys work fast. But what is it you wanted me to see, exactly?"
Getting right to the point, Sisu directed an inky talon towards the closest pearlescent cascade tirelessly feeding shimmering lifeblood into the lake, one which stood out notably from the others.
"See that one over there?"
Tracing Sisu's stubby finger, Raya's gaze was directed at the closest of these draconic wellsprings, built on the shoreline directly opposite from the palace itself. It was indeed a sublime construction, even compared to its sisters. The flat roofpad had the appearance of a well-tended garden, with every inch of its opaque, crystalline surface coated in thick crabgrass, grapevines, bushels of ripe berries and a rainbow medley of wildflowers in full bloom, and the mouth of the spillover itself was lined with clusters of glistening coral, in bright hues of amethyst and tangerine, which trailed the falling waters all the way to the lakes surface like a shiny gem-encrusted carpet. It gave the impression of some giant, ornamental shrine of worship built of marble and stained glass.
"Yeah, it's really pretty."
They were all beautiful creations in their own right, but Raya was not quite sure at first why Sisu was so keen to point this one out specifically, even though visually it stood apart from the others.
Ultimately though, it did not take long for Raya to put two and two together and deduce what this was all leading up to.
"Wait...that one is yours?"
Having solved her riddle, Sisu energetically bobbed her head up and down with all the giddiness of a Shrimporium employee receiving their first paycheck, sans the bugged out eyes that come with the sight of such a fat sack of jade.
"Yup! And that makes us neighbors!"
Of course it was no coincidence that things just happened to work out this way. This was all part of Sisu's master plan from the beginning.
"It took us a little while to get things going, but when my sibs and I were deciding on where to make our little den, I insisted on it being somewhere close to you. Funny enough, I didn't even have to insist on it, they wanted to be close to you right from the start."
Now that Raya was visibly perked up from the knowledge that her best friend was literally only walking distance from her doorstep, Sisu put a free paw around Raya's shoulder and massaged it gently, turning Raya's gaze back to her and reaffirming that her previous fears were unfounded.
"You see? I may have left to go see the world, but I never went too far. I was always right here, whenever you needed me. And trust me when I say, you're going to be seeing a lot more of me from now on."
That was precisely what Raya was hoping to hear from the moment Sisu made her reappearance, and now Raya was alight with exhilaration, glowing like the night skies of Talon. Heart Palace was about to become a lot more lively in the near future.
"Heh, I certainly hope so."
And now that this big reveal had been made, there was one other matter on that Sisu wanted to ask about, and this one was actually not of Sisu's own mind, but rather a request from her brother Pengu, as it were.
"So, want to come over and meet my siblings?"
"Huh!?"
That was unexpected, a surprise invitation to the Sisu household, to meet the reigning Patriarch of the Dragons himself.
Granted, Raya had already met Sisu's brothers and sisters during the great celebration only a month past, but it was more of a cursory greeting than anything, and Sisu was not kidding when she said that her people held Raya in very high regard, the savior of Kumandra, the courageous warrior-princess whose faith and ability to trust and believe in something greater than herself gave new life to the Dragons and brought them back to the world. She was a pop culture icon to the Dragons now, a kind of superhero even, and while they did not make it a point to worship her or shower her in gifts (thankfully, life was hard enough for Raya as it was), every single one of them was an admirer of Raya and her selfless bravery, Pengu included, and it was no secret that they all wanted her autograph and a photo on their wall. Sisu even confirmed as much.
"Well, I know you spoke to them briefly when they were here a month ago, but they didn't really have much of a chance to talk before, what with all the partying going on. Like I said, they're really big fans of yours, and would love the chance to get to know you now."
A chance to rub elbows with the head honcho of the Dragons himself was quite an honor to be presented, but it was already getting pretty late, with the sun just beginning to touch the lakes surface, making the waters gleam like diamonds sprinkled across a painters canvas. If she accepted Sisu's offer now, it's likely she would not return home until much later that night, if at all. Not that she was under any sort of curfew or obligated to be home at a specific hour, but she did not want to cause her father any undue worry either if her stay were to be extended beyond the remainder of the evening or even longer, so she sought confirmation just to be sure.
"Is this going to be like...a sleepover or something?"
Admittedly, Sisu had not even considered that idea, but now that it had been suggested...
"Ooh, that sounds even better! We've got spare blankets and pillows, so why not?"
By 'spare', Sisu meant that they had piles of soft bedding and padded cushions stashed away in their lair like some sort of plush, velvet Fort Knox, some of which were donated by generous travelers on pilgrimage, some of which were woven by Pranee herself, who was actually quite a gifted seamstress, adept at using her graceful talons as tools for knitting and needlepoint. Raya would have to remind herself to request one of Pranee's hand-crafted quilts at some point; she was in dire need of a new cloak as it was.
But the idea of a slumber party sounded quite fun, with the chance to ham it up with five Dragons no less, and if nothing else it would make for a relaxing evening away from her normal duties. She just had to clear it with one person first.
"Dad?"
Of course, she knew that Benja would likely not be opposed to this, and while she did not necessarily need his approval or permission for something as trivial as a temporary leave of absence, she was raised proper, always taught to respect her elders and, unless extenuating circumstances demanded it, would never deliberately try to displease her father, even though that was more or less impossible.
This was no different, and in fact Benja was all for her daughter getting out of the house and having a little fun time to herself, as busy as she had been the last four weeks. He only had one rule, the same as always.
"Don't forget your toothbrush."
Perhaps the only habit that Benja insisted her little Dewdrop stay on top of every single day ever since she was old enough to do it herself. Ambassadors needed clean chompers, after all, and a Dragon Protector should not aspire to anything less either.
Nevertheless, with her fathers blessing, there was nothing holding her back from accepting Sisu's offer.
"Alright, sure!"
Hearing Raya accept her offer sent Sisu over the moon, wagging her tailfins like a dog answering the call of a chow bell. It was both an adorable sight and a funny irony, considering that Sisu had another fresh-cooked meal waiting for her at home, and now she would get to share it with her closest buddy, giving Raya the privilege of sampling Amba's cooking as well.
"Attagirl! Get your things then, I'll wait for you."
Raya nodded and, with an uncharacteristically girly skip and prance in her stride, swiftly disappeared down the hallway to gather her belongings, leaving Sisu alone to confer with Benja and tie up any remaining loose ends regarding this little escapade.
"I'll have her back by morning Chief, don't worry."
While Benja appreciated Sisu wanting to be responsible about the matter, thankfully Raya had no agenda for the following day, so Benja reassured her that there was no hurry to have her back and encouraged Sisu to simply enjoy their time together...with one stipulation.
"There is no rush, let her sleep in as late as she wants. Just make sure she actually does brush her teeth. I have caught her slacking a few times."
Having healthy gums and being cavity free was a big deal to Benja, and the last thing Raya wanted was another one of Dads lectures on dental hygiene. And his insistence on good habits extended beyond just his daughter. He turned a stern glare to Sisu now, with his hands on his girdled waist as though he were about to discipline a misbehaving child, which is usually par for the course with Sisu and her mischievous antics.
"That goes for you too, Noodle."
And though Sisu happily reciprocated Benja's instruction with a crisp salute and a nod, his breath was largely wasted on Sisu as she already had some of the cleanest chompers this side of Kumandra, courtesy of the guiding conscience over her shoulder.
"Yes sir! I have the whitest fangs around, I'll have you know. My brother Pengu makes sure of it."
Sisu was indeed proud of her pearly pointies and flashed them with emphasis, their reflective gleam almost blinding even in the waning evening twilight. Pengu was very much like Benja in that regard, always trying to do right by those he cared for, and even though at times he seemed a bit overbearing with his instruction, he always meant well by his younger siblings. Pengu was a model parental guardian just as Benja was, and though they had yet to spend much time together, they were virtually twins as far as their personalities went. Like Raya and Sisu, these two would inevitably become great friends as time went on.
"I'm back."
Raya re-emerged from the hallway with lightning speed, this time with a patchy, medium sized brown leather satchel, well worn and weathered from years of use, secured to the back of her waist like an inverse fanny pack. Her crude little rucksack was always pre-packed with a full compliment of turkey jerky, survival tools, and all the necessary toiletries for travel, so Raya was always prepared for the next journey; all she had to do was grab her things and go.
The only order of business left was to issue Benja her final 'orders' while she was on shore leave.
"Just make sure to feed Tuk Tuk and you're off the hook, Dad."
These instructions were followed with a soft kiss to both of his cheeks, causing them to flare and boil over like water splashing against magma. Even in her adulthood, Dewdrop knew exactly where and how to pull the threads of the great Loom that was her fathers heart. Some children become distant from their parents, their families as they grow older, especially once they have flown the nest, and admittedly that was a long standing fear of Benja's as the years passed, but even with Raya's independence, sense of duty, and warriors pride, she never lost even a touch of the unconditional love she held for dear old Dad, and Benja rested easy now, all but certain that she never would.
Being granted clemency for his little insurrection earlier certainly did not hurt, either.
And of course Raya could not leave without saying goodbye to her trusty sidekick Tuk Tuk, giving the pudgy pugadillo some vigorous head pats which got Tuk Tuk's calamine tongue panting like a parched traveler stranded in the desert.
"I'll see you tomorrow buddy. Be good for Papa, alright?"
With all of her affairs in order, Raya at last turned to Sisu and gave her the green light.
"Okay, I'm ready."
Sisu nodded and lowered herself into a prone position so Raya could mount her backside.
"Alright girl, hop aboard!"
At first Raya was a bit confused as she had thought she would be riding locked in one of Sisu's arms like before, the Dragon version of a safety harness. Riding bareback on a Dragon with no reins, no saddle, and no experience was going to be quite an adventure for Raya, even if short lived, and Raya was hesitant about the idea even as she tentatively swung one leg over what had to be Sisu's spine.
But once she actually seated herself and found her equilibrium, she relaxed a bit. It would not be so hard getting used to this, and even if were rough to start, it was Sisu, so she knew she was in good paws.
If that was not enough though, Sisu was always ready with a little levity to help lighten the mood.
"Attention all passengers, this is your Captain speaking. I would like to thank each of you for flying Dragonwest Airlines today. Our destination is Casa de Sisu, across the lake from Heart Palace, ETA two minutes and fifteen seconds. Strap yourselves in, sit back, and enjoy the ride!"
If Sisu's career as a wise, majestic Dragon ever floundered, she would certainly have another as a stand up comedian, or perhaps even a court jester. Her list of material to draw upon was practically inexhaustible, and her gift for bringing laughter and cheer to those around her was almost supernatural, and it did not fail her here. Raya was abound with giggles and her unease from earlier had mostly subsided, at least for now.
Raya turned to Benja and Tuk Tuk to give them one final wave goodbye.
"See you tomorrow, guys!"
Benja reciprocated the wave with Heart's trademark gesture, his personal way of greeting or bidding farewell to someone, and even Tuk Tuk gave Raya a goodbye wave of his own, his tail aggressively swaying side to side like a ticking metronome.
"Have fun, you two."
The skies were wide open and they were clear for takeoff at last. Starting her pre-flight check, Sisu slowly backed her way to the wall opposite the balcony, giving herself as much open space as possible, and then sounded the horn with one final, ominous word of warning.
"Oh, I forgot to mention one thing: Expect turbulence!"
Right away the alarm bells were going off in Raya's head, but before she even had time to assess what this meant, Sisu charged forward like a bull at a matador, quickly gathering speed as she tore down the 'runway'. Passing through the open terrace overlooking the lake, Sisu leapt over the balcony rail like a trained Mustang, ready to take to Infinity and Beyond, and...
...instead plummeted straight down, glowing white hot like a meteorite breaching the atmosphere.
"SisUUUUUUUUUUU!"
If this was another prank on Sisu's part, it was very much in bad taste, or at least in bad timing. Raya had no flight training and no experience riding a Dragon, especially one as frenetic and unpredictable as Sisu, and this was not the time for Sisu to be pulling her leg if that was indeed what this was. And Raya was not the only one on the verge of a coronary; Benja scrabbled to the railing as this disaster in the making unfolded, but from here he was powerless to intervene and could do literally nothing but watch in horror as his daughter rode shotgun on this express elevator to the Hereafter.
But unknown to either of them, this was all according to plan. Even while Raya screamed out in spine-chilling dread and despair, clinging to Sisu's neck like a life preserver, Sisu seemed completely calm and in control, even as the ground was fast approaching.
And just when it seemed like they were about to become giant pancakes in Market Square, Sisu swiftly adjusted course, using her gift of Waterbending to create spectral, crystalline lilypads beneath her paws, halting their descent and leveling out a mere twenty feet above solid earth.
Without even a seconds respite for Raya to catch her breath and process the gravity of her situation, Sisu again broke into a full sprint, leaving behind a scintillant blaze of celestial rainfall in her wake that coated the ornate rooftops of Heart's residential district, reflecting the falling suns final gilded rays all across Heart like searchlights piercing the heavens.
Raya was an adventurer and a thrill seeker by nature, but she had never experienced anything quite like a freefall into nothing, and while the first go-around was a horrifying ordeal, under controlled circumstances, it would probably be an absurdly fun hobby, especially with Sisu at the helm. Even so, that did little to prevent her father going into cardiac arrest from parental worry in this instance, even as her distant cries turned from terror to utter exhilaration, but it was his responsibility to be concerned for his childs safety, as any parent should.
His heartbeat finally returning to normal levels, Benja watched with tentative relief as the dynamic duo soared across the shimmering shores of Dragon Lake, gliding above its waters like some sort of cosmic zephyr, until both of them had disappeared from sight, into the mysterious confines of Sisu's lofty palace, altogether only having a few measly years shaved off of his lifespan.
"My, what a day this has been."
Indeed it was, though by Sisu's standards it was quite commonplace, and there would be many more days like this to come.
But for now, the only matter left to attend to was the family pet, who was currently deadlocked with the aftermath of Sisu's ravenous devastation.
"You hungry, buddy?"
Tuk Tuk was indeed famished from such an exhausting day of power-napping, but there were only sad, quiet whimpers as the reality of the scene before him finally hit home. Little more than half-eaten strawberry stems and stale clumps of rice remained in the wake of Sisu's destructive gluttony, of what only hours ago was a Kingly meal that could have easily fed an entire platoon on the now-defunct Fang Army. It might have been just enough to satisfy him in his infancy, but he was a big boy now and his appetite was comparable to Sisu's at times. He could have polished off this banquet by himself if he were given the opportunity.
Mercifully though, his fears were blessedly unfounded, for as it had turned out, Benja was astute to the lessons of the past and remembered what a voracious, all-consuming appetite Sisu commanded the last time she was here, and he had a contingency in place. He had long since learned to slow play his hand, to always keep an Ace in the Hole.
"Ah, do not worry, there is more in the kitchen, enough for both of us. I made sure to keep some in reserve, just in case."
His hopes renewed, Tuk Tuk perked up and hopped about on all fours with vim and vigor, heavy tortus footfalls reverberating through the palace like aftershocks.
"Come along, I think we can find an extra treat for you too."
As the world of Kumandra darkened to the first shadows of dusk and the lanterns of Heart came alight like fireflies in a meadow, Benja beckoned his large, oversized companion to the kitchen for his supper, the still of silence shattered by the crickets song, the mellow bustling of Heart's citizens settling in for the long nap, and their own footsteps echoing about the spacious corridors of the palace like bats screeching in a dark cave.
Another peaceful, starlit night had fallen on the world of Kumandra.