The Spirit of Starlight

Faeron was dazzled by the decorations. He'd never seen so many colors, so many lights. If he wasn't already mute, he'd have been completely speechless. The young Rava had never seen anything like it. He was still learning about the world outside of what he'd known his entire life. Juray, the woman who'd saved him from a lifetime of torment, had gone to Ul'dah on business, promising Faeron she would only be gone a few days, and leaving him in the care of a friend. With his limited knowledge of sign language, Erynion was able to glean that the teenager didn't know what Starlight was. It shouldn't have surprised him, considering where Juray had found him and the conditions he was living in. The Veena did his best to explain, but in the end, decided to take him out to show him. As Erynion was still recovering from injuries he'd received a couple months prior, he moved slower than usual on account of a limp. Even in his excitement at everything going on, Faeron kept close to his fellow Viera, as he was the only one he knew.

Erynion smiled as Faeron's face lit up as he tasted hot cocoa for the first time. "With that look, I think you like it."

Faeron nodded, licking cocoa from his upper lip.

"Don't tell the vendor, but Lord Hauchefaunt's cocoa is better."

"I heard that, Ryn!"

Erynion smirked and Faeron giggled.

The two sat on a bench at the amphitheater, Faeron happily munching on a cookie. Erynion couldn't help at smile at the innocence he still held, despite the traumas the boy had been put through.

"Ryn?" a familiar voice called. The bard turned his head to see one of the amphitheater's managers approaching. "I didn't know you were in town."

"Been in town for a couple months. Just not up to par to perform at the moment."

"Heard you were laid up." She looked over at Faeron, who was watching her. "Who's your friend?"

"This is Faeron, the ward of a friend of mine."

Faeron gave a smile before signing a greeting.

"Shy, I take it? Never seen someone your age be so shy as to not say hello."

"Hard to say hello when you don't have a voice," Erynion defended.

"And I feel like a complete ass now. I humbly apologize."

Faeron's fingers moved in a sign and she looked at Erynion.

"It said it was okay."

She pulled a candy cane from the bag at her side. "Here. I hope this will make up for it."

Faeron smiled as he accepted it.

"Happy Starlight!"

Juray returned to seeing the room looking pretty festive with Faeron passed out in the bed and Erynion sitting at the table, one hand resting on his leg and his head in the other.

"Overexert yourself?" she asked.

Erynion looked up. "A bit, but worth seeing the smile on Faeron's face."

"Is that why it looks like Starlight threw up in here?"

Erynion chuckled. "A bit." He turned in the chair to look at the sleeping teenager. "He looked so happy seeing the decorations and just being involved with the holiday. He got to be a kid today."

"Thank you, Ryn."

"For what?"

"I know you don't celebrate it, but thank you for showing the holiday to him."