Keoanai Bonus Story: Prism Rain (female Keo)

"Keo, wake up!"

I'd normally let sleeping agents lie - Keo's just gotten back from the wilds and probably needs rest. The fact that she's fallen asleep on the window seat in my quarters is proof of that. But as I stare out at the scene beyond the opening behind her I gently shake her shoulder, knowing I can't let her miss this.

I feel her grab my hand the moment she rouses. I glance down, and watch as her bleary gaze drifts up to me, settling with contentment on my face as she slowly blinks her way back to consciousness.

"Look," I nod towards the window with a smile. She shifts, lowering our hands but not yet letting go of me, and my smile widens into a grin as I watch her take in the outside world.

"Prism rain," she murmurs, sitting up straighter. The rain bathes the world in soft, colorful light as the frozen prisms inside each droplet refract the twilight passing through them. We watch like two children seeing their first lantern lights at Lasan, following the slow fall of light and water in hushed awe.

"It's like a million little rainbow crystals," I say with delight. "This hasn't happened since I was six!" I remember it then, dancing beneath it in the cold in my family's front yard. All the kids in our neighborhood ran out, our parents behind us with warm blankets and parkas to wrap around our shoulders, worried we'd catch cold.

"I haven't seen them since I left my mother," she replies. "She used to make them for me." She stretches a hand past the shutters and watches the droplets pool in her palm. It looks like liquid glass inlaid with endless tiny gems. I follow suit, unable to resist, and shiver as the cold air breezes over my wet skin.

Everything in the compound looks magical. The lifeless branches of the bushes and trees suddenly feel radiant, the landscape wilder and the soft patter of the raindrops like a hymn to it all. I glance at Keo and realize she's dropped her glamour, and I can see the reflection of the colors sparkling in her golden eyes.

"Wow," I whisper, not realizing I've spoken until she looks at me. I clear my throat, starting to explain and then stuttering a little as I realize I'm still holding her hand. "It's just, your eyes. They're... y'know. They look nice."

A small smile finds her lips, and it's as disarming as she is beautiful. I clear my throat and drop her hand, trying to retain some shred of my composure as I nudge her to make some room for me on the window seat.

"So you had prism rain whenever you wanted?" I ask, curious as we sit and watch the scene together.

"Only for special occasions. It was very difficult for her to conjure it. I've seen it..." she thinks for a second. "I believe this makes the fourth time."

"Lucky you," my brows raise in appreciation. "I don't suppose you inherited that ability? It'd make for a heck of a party trick."

"I do not know," she replies thoughtfully. "Perhaps I should try, if only to see such a look of wonder on your face again."

"Oh," I laugh softly, a warm feeling overtaking me despite the chill the open window lets inside, "that's so sweet."

She hums a reply, not taking her gaze from the rain. "It would be best if you did not tell Tiane, if you think so. She's begun telling this batch's recruits that I am, in her words, 'a softie.'"

I try and fail to hide my snicker. "She's just doing that because they won't learn well if they're scared of their substitute-trainer."

"All the same, I'll be relieved when Viara returns to take over again."

We fall into a comfortable quiet for a moment, the sound and sight of the prism rain enough to carry on the night.

"Happy Starfall, Keo," I say happily, the words a quiet companion between us, like I've ushered in the end of Night season just by speaking. I suppose I have - the first winter rains mark its end.

"Happy Starfall."