The palace balcony opened out to the vast Vrasnian night. Above, the auroras flowed in rivers of emerald and violet, and the great purple moon hung heavy like a lantern suspended in eternity. The air was cool, the silence broken only by the distant sound of cicadas and the faint brushing of wind against the garden below.
Kazimir leaned lazily against the balcony rail, eyes half-lidded as he watched Kamaki bent over in the yard, planting seeds with fierce determination. At the table behind him, Neve and Jessie sat with cups of warm tea, their faces lit by a silver glow.
Jessie broke the quiet first, her tone edged with amusement."So, why exactly did you agree to let him do this? Gardening? Really?"
Kazimir didn't turn, his expression unreadable as he kept his eyes on Kamaki."…Honestly? I don't even know why. Maybe for aesthetic purposes. Or maybe because he wants to earn some income. Apparently—" he exhaled through his nose in disbelief, "—his dream in life is to become the strongest farmer alive."
Jessie gave a small laugh. "I think he's already accomplished that goal. At this point, if there were a farmer battle royale? He'd win."
"Yep," Kazimir muttered, a faint smirk curling his lips. "No competition."
Neve raised a brow, leaning back in her chair. "It's Kamaki we're talking about. The guy has the brain cell of a clapped walnut. But at least… he's finally doing something that isn't stupid."
For a moment Kazimir froze. Then his lips trembled. He bit them down, tried to keep composure——but failed. A sudden bark of laughter burst from him, loud and unrestrained, echoing against the balcony walls.
"A clapped walnut?!" Kazimir doubled over the rail, clutching his stomach as laughter shook his frame. His voice carried across the yard.
Jessie and Neve stared. Jessie blinked."Uh… are you okay?"
Neve tilted her head, baffled. "Of all things… I wasn't expecting that to break him."
Down below, Kamaki jerked up from the soil, eyes wide."YOO! WHAT'S THE JOKE THAT'S GOT HIM OUT HERE CHEESIN' LIKE THAT?!"
Jessie leaned over the rail and shouted back, dry as ever."Don't worry about it! Just keep planting your seeds, you clapped walnut!"
Kamaki froze, his jaw dropping."—A CLAPPED WALNUT?! Man… alright, fine, have it y'all way." He shook his head, muttering as he returned to his work.
The laughter slowly faded, leaving the balcony in warm quiet again. Neve's gaze softened as she stirred her tea, her mind drifting elsewhere. Finally, she looked up at Kazimir."Hey, Kaz. Have you checked on Riah? She's been… silent."
Kazimir's smirk dimmed. He leaned heavier against the rail, his voice lower now."I have. It's about Gendai. Just give her some space."
Jessie's tone gentled. "They did become good friends."
Kazimir shook his head faintly. "Not exactly. Gendai cut that bond once. Riah fought hard to restore it… but Gendai's always been problematic. Riah tries to help her, but there's only so much she can do."
Jessie exhaled slowly, her gaze sliding toward the night sky. "Gendai's always been trouble. And she's never been reliable. You'd think that day she found her potential, she'd rise to greatness. Instead, she stayed an angry girl, chasing after a man who'll never see her that way." Her eyes hardened, briefly flicking to Kazimir. "If I had known about that… seductive trick she pulled on you? She wouldn't have made it far into the Astral Legion. She wouldn't have even been chosen for the Prismic Gathering."
Kazimir's jaw clenched. "Yeah. I got tired of her. But I wish her the best on Earth. Capriha will need someone to replace Vandor. She can take that place, at least."
Neve studied him carefully, her voice quieter. "Do you think she hates you now, Kazimir? Or even us?"
He tilted his chin toward the stars, eyes reflecting their glow."…Maybe. I'd hope she does. That'd be a blessing. But if she ever pushes to be my enemy…" His eyes narrowed, gleaming under the auroras. "That wouldn't be a wise choice." He paused. "I don't care if she hates me so much my name makes her sick. But enemy? That's different."
The night fell quiet again. Jessie exchanged a glance with Neve, her voice thoughtful."Hopefully Riah's doing okay with all of this."
Kazimir blinked, then smiled faintly, softer this time."She will. If anyone knows that, it's me. My wife is a powerful, beautiful woman."
Neve leaned forward, eyes glinting with mischief. "Oh? Wife? Since when was there a wedding? Did we miss the invitations?"
Jessie's grin widened as she joined in. "Yeah—married and didn't invite us? Maybe I should give you two times the beatdown. You'll have to take it for both you and Riah."
Kazimir recoiled, throwing up his hands. "Whoa, whoa—what's with the violence all of a sudden?! We're not officially husband and wife yet! Don't beat me up!"
Neve smirked knowingly. "Yet. So, you're already thinking about it."
His smile softened again, more genuine now. "…Yeah. I am. She confessed first. So I want to be the one to propose."
Jessie's expression warmed. "That's cute. I'll be looking forward to that day."
"Same," Neve added, her gaze lifting to the stars. "I can't wait."
The three of them fell into silence once more, sitting beneath the glow of the auroras, laughter and affection lingering in the air like warmth after a fire. Below, Kamaki continued tending his garden, the sound of earth being turned over blending with the stillness of the Vrasnian night.