Keo Bonus Story: Hummingbirds (nonbinary Keo)

I find Keo at the south wall of Den Zarel’s compound. Their tall, muscled form stands so still I’d almost mistake them for another stone in the architecture if I wasn't looking closely. They’re gazing out at the wilds, the landscape beyond the city quiet in the moonlight.

“Hard to believe it’s Lasan already,” I say as I approach. The lights and music of the celebrations still fill the wider city, but here the noise is dimmed enough that my quiet voice feels almost disruptive. “I guess that means we’re officially in her season, huh?”

For a moment I get no reply. But after a few beats they nod, a soft "yes," falling from their lips.

“Are you alright?” I ask.

“I will be fine,” they answer, still staring into the distance.

“I see.” And I do. I hear the implication, the unspoken admission of I will be fine, but I'm not right now, and I know them well enough to understand they're trying not to worry me. I slip my hand into theirs. They glance at me, a faint surprise passing over their face as they register the touch. “Then I’ll be here until you are fine,” I declare, giving them a small smile.

They quickly look away, taking a slow breath. Their fingers wrap around the back of my hand and grip it tightly. We stand in silence for awhile, until I remember why I’d come to find them in the first place.

“Oh, here,” I say, reaching into my pocket with my free hand. “This might make you feel a little better. Or distract you, at least,” I hold out two paper hummingbirds in yellow and red. “I won these at the ring toss stand. Watch.”

I breathe a bit of magic over them, and the enchantment within the paper activates. Glowing orange light, elemental in nature, traces across the surface of their wings. They hop a few times in my hand then take off, flying around us, their light tracing intricate patterns in the air.

“I thought since I had two...” I hesitate, feeling suddenly a little, suddenly feeling a little silly, unsure they'll actually like something like this. “Since I had two, we could share,” I finish.

“Thank you,” Keo says, watching them. And any foolishness I may have felt disappears as their lips form a small, genuine smile. They reach out their hand and hold it steady until one of the birds lands on their knuckles, tilting its paper head this way and that as though it’s looking at them.

“This one, then?” they ask me.

“It certainly seems like it’s chosen you,” I chuckle. “It’s yours.”

“I will treasure it.”

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Quick note: The "her" in this story Keo's thinking about is their mom. (I didn't want anyone thinking it was an ex - I would never do that to you guys, I promise 😂)