Keoanai Bonus Story: Prism Rain (nonbinary 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 they've 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 them I gently shake their shoulder, knowing I can't let them miss this.

I feel them grab my hand the moment they rouse. I glance down, and watch as their bleary gaze drifts up to me, settling with contentment on my face as they slowly blink their way back to consciousness.

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

"Prism rain," they murmur, 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," they reply. "She used to make them for me." They stretch a hand past the shutters and watches the droplets pool in their 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 they've dropped their glamour, and I can see the reflection of the colors sparkling in their golden eyes.

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

A small smile finds their lips, and it's as disarming as they are handsome. I clear my throat and drop their hand, trying to retain some shred of my composure as I nudge them 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..." they think 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," they reply 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."

They hum a reply, not taking their 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."