Namaari walked slowly into the garden, stopping when she saw Sisu curled near the fountain in the center. She took several deep breaths, opening and closing her hands multiple times to steady her nerves before she was able to move forward again.

She stopped about ten feet away from Sisu and bowed, raising her hands above her head to form a circle with her fingers. "You asked to see me?" Namaari said, keeping her eyes fixed on the ground in front of her.

"I did," Sisu said, watching Namaari closely. "Come over here."

Namaari straightened but didn't move. "Sisudatu, I am so sorry for what happened with Raya. I don't know what happened, but you have my sincerest apologies."

"Oh, yeah, that." Sisu waved a hand dismissively. "Don't worry, I know it was an accident. I know you wouldn't hurt Raya on purpose." Then she grimaced. "Well, maybe before you would have hurt her, on purpose, I mean, but, uh, not now." She shook her head as if to reset herself. "Anyway, the point is, neither of you did it on purpose and Raya is going to be okay."

Namaari felt her knees go weak with relief. "She is?"

"Yes. She has a mild concussion, so she needs to stay in bed for a few more days. But she's awake and talking and eating and everything." Sisu paused and held her face in her talons. "And let me tell you, getting her to stay in bed for the last three days has been a challenge. I have had Chief Benja, Tong, Boun, and Noi helping me, and it has only been just barely."

Namaari gave her a small smile that faded almost instantly. "Is she…angry with me?"

"No, not at all," Sisu said hurriedly. "She's actually asked to see you several times, but we had to tell her that's not an option so we can avoid another…" Sisu waved her hands and made an explosion sound with her mouth. "That's what I wanted to talk to you about. Pengu thinks the explosion was caused by the magic you two have reacting to your emotions. I'm sorry I didn't give you a better warning when you talked to me about it, I just didn't know that could happen. But the two of you will probably need to keep your distance until things are more under control."

"What does that mean exactly?"

"Obviously, you and Raya have some…" Sisu paused and gestured vaguely. "Stuff to work out, so the magic between you is really volatile right now. You'll have to stay separated until things calm down. But Pengu and I talked it over with Chief Benja and Chief Virana and we came up with a plan. You've learned everything you can in Fang, and Raya has learned everything she can in Heart. So, you're going to go with Chief Benja to Heart and Raya will stay here in Fang with Chief Virana." She gave Namaari small smile when she saw the disappointment on her face. "Just until things are a bit more settled between you two."

Namaari nodded slowly, her brow creasing as she thought. "And how long is this going to last?"

Sisu shrugged. "I'm not sure. Probably at least a month, maybe longer. It depends on how long the sorting-out part takes."

"And when do I leave?"

"Raya has a few more days of bedrest before she'll be in the clear. Once we're sure that she's recovered, you and Chief Benja will leave for Heart."

"That makes sense. It's a good plan."

"So, you're okay with it?"

"It…doesn't really matter if I'm okay with it. It's what needs to happen."

"Okay, but the plan involves you, so you are allowed to have an opinion on it."

"I think…" Namaari said slowly. "I think getting away from Fang for a while could be good for me." She smiled and shook her head. "Though I don't envy Raya having to work with my mother on this."

"Oh, I know. Chief Virana is intense. It's nothing my girl Raya can't handle, though."

Namaari laughed softly, the tension in her shoulders finally easing. She reached into her pocket and pulled out the dragon necklace, holding it out to Sisu. "Since I can't see Raya, could you give her this for me?"

Sisu picked up the necklace, narrowing her eyes as she stared at it. "Isn't this me? I'm here now, do you two really still need this?"

"Please? It's important. She'll know what it means."

Sisu rolled her eyes. "Wow, you two are so dramatic. I'll give it to her, but for the record, I think it's weird that you two still have this when I'm right here." She turned to set the necklace on the table behind her, which was covered in about a dozen different plates and bowls. Sisu turned back to Namaari and gestured at the food. "Okay, so, now that we have all that serious stuff out of the way, this is why I really asked you to meet me."

Namaari bowed again. "I appreciate the offer, Sisu, but I'm not really hungry."

Sisu scoffed and motioned for Namaari to come closer. Once she was within reach, Sisu shoved a bowl of shrimp congee into her hands. "Now, I know that's not true, you've been hiding in your room for the last three days and no one has seen you eat." She grabbed a spoon from the table and offered it to Namaari. "Just eat the food, please."

Namaari nodded and took the spoon. She moved to sit in the chair that was opposite Sisu and began to eat. Once she started eating, she realized how hungry she was and quickly finished the bowl. Sisu eagerly handed her another one.

"Thank you," Namaari said as she took the second dish.

Sisu nodded. "I have to look out for my friends."

Namaari's brow creased. "So, you're here because of Raya?"

"What? I mean, yeah, but I'm also here for you. Because you're my friend." Sisu chuckled at Namaari's blank expression. "Wow, you're acting like you've never had a friend before." Then she gasped and held the sides of her face with her talons. "Wait, Namaari, have you never had a friend before?" she whispered fiercely.

"No, I have friends," Namaari quickly assured her. "I'm just…surprised that you would consider me your friend. Given everything that happened."

"Oh, pfft, you mean shooting me with a crossbow? That's ancient history now, and I know you didn't mean to do it. Besides, you and Raya and all your friends fixed the Dragon Gem, so we're all good."

Namaari smiled at Sisu, then her eyes went wide, and she looked away.

"What? What's wrong? Do I have something on my face?" Sisu asked, randomly patting at her cheeks.

Namaari shook her head. "No! It just hit me that I'm spending time with the Sisudatu." She laughed and rubbed the back of her neck. "I used to be really obsessed with dragons when I was younger."

Sisu rolled her eyes and pointed at the dragon necklace on the table. "Yeah, I guessed that from the necklace. But if you're such a super fan, why did it take us two years to hang out? We could have been doing this the whole time."

Namaari frowned, absently twirling her spoon between her fingers.

Sisu reached over to lightly bump her shoulder with a talon. "Hey, don't worry about it. Just promise me we'll spend more time together in the future." She grinned when Namaari nodded and then started pushing more dishes across the table toward her. "All of this is for you, by the way, so eat as much as you want. Oh, except for these." She grabbed several pieces of mung bean cake and shoved them into her mouth. "I'm going to eat these," she said with her mouth still full. "But the rest is for you."

Namaari laughed and reached for another plate.