"There you are!"

The young Miqo'te's voice broke Ylja from her daze. She'd been sitting on Starfall's edge, watching the clouds drifting across the sky. She turned to greet her, only for K'xhemi to practically collapse beside her. K'xhemi's darkly elegant lilac robes were covered in dust, her tall pointed hat sagging.

"Thal's balls, you wouldn't believe what I had to deal with," K'xhemi groaned. "That idiot of a Tia, you'd think by now he'd learn to check his grenades! If I have to deal with him again…"

"Why were you using grenades?" Ylja asked while crossing her arms.

"It was his idea! He was trying to demonstrate how the power of love could protect him from anything while we were dealing with a sick merchant. The fact he ended up being partly right…" K'xhemi grumbled.

"You still haven't answered my question."

"Oh, that reminds me. Alrick's looking for you. He's over at Castellum Velodyna right now, helping out the Gatekeepers. Maybe you could give him a hand," Kxhemi said quickly, avoiding Ylja's glare.

"Alright. I suppose I'll find out later," Ylja sighed as she stood, leaving the young Miqo'te to rest.


She found Alrick lecturing a young, red haired Miqo'te about grenade safety. Though curious, she decided to let the older Hrothgar finish his lecture before approaching. She wasn't sure why he was looking for her, but she doubted he'd appreciate the interruption. The Miqo'te fled when Alrick finished, leaving him to groan as he buried his face in his hands.

"I think I can see what K'xhemi was talking about earlier," she said as she approached, her voice uneasy.

"I'll need to have word with her later. That idiot was lucky no-one was killed, especially himself," Alrick sighed, shaking his head. "Honestly, I'm amazed he's survived on his own this long. Apparently this isn't the first time he's had someone throw grenades at him…"

"He did what?" Ylja shouted, glancing at the crate near Alrick's feet. "How could anyone agree to that once, let alone twice?"

"I'm not sure even the gods can answer that one," Alrick muttered. "Anyway, I called for you because I wanted to ask you something."

"Um...alright. What is it?" Ylja asked, avoiding his gaze. Since her return with Nero, she hadn't spent much time with Alrick. She hadn't been sure where she stood with him, their last encounter involving him seeking vengeance against her only for them to part with him telling her to make amends for her past.

"Which would you prefer, the Bismark or the House of Splendors?"

"I...wait, what are you asking?" Ylja asked. The question caught her off guard. She looked at Alrick, seeing that he was smiling.

"Where would you like to eat? Alden would like the House but K'xhemi insisted on the Bismark. I'm alright with either one so you're the deciding vote," Alrick explained.

"I still don't understand. Why are you asking me?"

"Hmm? Ah, I see," Alrick said while nodding. "When we first met, I was so consumed by revenge that I wanted you dead. Zael might have talked me down, but that feeling was still there. I probably would never have let it go…"

"As well you shouldn't…"

"I wouldn't have...until you risked your life for K'xhemi. When I saved you, the Echo granted me a vision. What I saw wasn't a merciless assassin, but a scared young girl doing her best to survive what she was forced to endure," Alrick explained, turning his gaze skyward. "It reminded me of what I saved K'xhemi from. When I saw you again, I knew something had changed. You seemed...happier. Like some of the weight had been taken off your shoulders," he added with a smile.

"I just...did what you told me to do. Every day, I worked at making things right in any way I could. It might be hopeless, but I won't stop trying…"

"I know you won't stop," Alrick stated, finally looking her in the eye. "That's why I'm proud of you."

"What?"

"I'm proud of you. I suggest you get used to hearing that," he said, placing his hand on her shoulder. "You're a good woman Ylja. Know that I'll always believe that, even if you don't," he added, pulling her into a hug as tears welled up in her eyes.

"I...I don't deserve your kindness…"

"You can think that, but I'm not giving you a choice in the matter," he replied, patting her back like he would a small child. "Now, you still haven't answered my question," he said as they separated.

"I...I think I'd prefer the House of Splendors," Ylja replied, smiling as she wiped her tears.

"Excellent. K'xhemi might complain but after this grenades incident, I think she's forfeited her choice!"