Rise

Nari

The room reeks of all different types of wines and exotic foods that you wouldn't find anywhere near Aura. We sit in a little nightclub in Stria, while most people are dancing until they fall over, we drink ourselves until we can't see straight.

"Alright who can point me to the dance floor." Camila struggles to stand up, holding her arms out for balance the minute she gets her footing. Ruby quickly stands from Kai's lap, grabbing Camila by the hand and leading her out to the groups of sweaty bodies moving to the rhythm of the music.

"I think Grace drank both of us under the table combined." I chuckle, nodding to the weaver man. He laughs and takes a sip of his dark drink.

"Yeah I think you may be right" He comments, leaning back into the comfortable leather chair before speaking again.

"I don't ever want to leave" He sighs out, arms folding behind his head.

"Maybe if you didn't have a plaything that goes with you every time you leave home then maybe you would be excited to go home to your wife. How is Chelsea anyway?" I add, eyeing him for his reaction. Kia stiffens, looking out at the dancefloor.

"She's two weeks into her pregnancy." He says flatly.

"What did Malakye say about recruiting?" Kai turns back to me, trying to change the subject.

" He says that I shouldn't have come. He won't tell me why but deep down I know he thinks I'm not good enough. He constantly patronizes me and I'm tired of it." I vent out.

"Maybe he's right," Kai mutters, swirling his drink around in his glass. I can barely hear him over the blaring music but I can still hear him all the same.

"What?"

"I mean come on man. I've known you my entire life and from what I've seen, you're only involved in this whole thing because you are being blackmailed." Kai does his best to explain but honestly, all it did was shoot at my ego, making me feel like a prop. Some toy that they only take out to say 'hey look what I got!'. It kills my insides.

"Kai get your ass out here and dance with me!" Ruby yells out, swaying her hips to the music. Kai stands from his chair, laughing at the dancing burner before quickly making his way over to her, leaving me alone.

"Nari" Camila slurs, stumbling up the small clump of stairs to meet me, she falls at my feet with a giggle.

"Nari" She sings my name. I lean over her and smile

"What Grace?" I say flatly. I call her by her first name, she doesn't like it but I like to mess with her from time to time.

"You gotta way up you dreaming boy" She giggles, reaching up and poking my nose.

"Wake up" She sings once more, her voice slowly fading.

"Nari wake up." my body shakes gently, two hands gently grabbing my arms. Vita's smiling face is the first thing that greets me, inches away from my own. She stands over me, emerald eyes glimmering in the light the window gives. We all stayed at the Haise manor the night that Harper and her team arrived, they decided to make that their resting place until they leave for the main base in Ventus. And since I've been sleeping in the reconstructed barracks on the north side of the city, I consider this a better option. Though it's a bit farther from all the important buildings, I find the walking good for my health.

"Jeez Vita" I groan and push her off of my bed. She chuckles softly and quickly stands. We spent all of last night just talking and laughing by the fire, and this morning I find her in this chipper mood. It's unusual considering her serious nature.