Zicatela couldn't help but feel relief once she and Hakone made it to Lanternlea, seemingly late, but still there nonetheless. Everything ached and she was tired, but she didn't feel like everything had resolved until she had stepped foot in the bustling village. She couldn't help but be reminded of home.
Home... In a few days time they would go back to their simple lives in their small clan. She missed such a quiet life after all of this. Slowly, she scanned the area to catch sight of Nissi, as she still hadn't seen her daughter after the battle.
"Oh jeeze, do you see that?" Hakone said suddenly.
"
Hm?" Zicatela responded, and then she saw that he was pointing to a clothing stand. There Nissi sat, wearing some new clothes and shoving some floral looking cotton candy in her gob. Nissi seemed to look up at that moment, and smiled widely.
"Mom! Dad!" She cheered. "How do you like my new outfit?"
Zicatela took in her daughter's appearance. The outfit was both practical, yet charming. The items seemed eclectic with being from various sets, but at the same time matched quite well.
"I wanted to wear some jewelry and stuff, kinda to look regal like Mom, but then I saw these scarves and immediately thought of you, Dad. And this breastplate? It's both flattering and protective! Oh, and then I found this cool journal that went with everything, I thought it would be a good idea to write this whole event down! I mean, this is a historical event and all, and I think Onmund would kill to add this to the clan's library back home!" Nissi chattered excitedly.
"Really, Nis, this is how you greet us? No 'omg, I'm so glad you're okay' or 'I was so worried!' How did you even afford all of this?!" Hakone said.
"Dad!" Nissi huffed. "You know I've been saving my allowance for months, and besides, some dragons were really grateful for my help and-"
"You look really beautiful, Nissi"
Nissi looked at her mother in shock. "Did you just... talk?!"
Zicatela gave her own look of surprise.
"You can here me now?"
"Oh my gods!! I can hear you in my
head!" Nissi exclaimed.
Hakone laughed heartily. "Now you know how I feel! Wait... you linked?! After all this time?"
Zicatela gave a shy smile.
"The battle with the Emperor must've made me stronger somehow. I mean, now I can tap through two bonds!"
Hakone sighed. "This whole telepathic link stuff gives me a headache sometimes..."
"Wow this is so cool! I can finally talk to my mom easily now!" Nissi cheered.
Of course, all of this commotion had some of the locals looking at them like they'd all lost their minds.
"Well, we should probably all go enjoy the festival together, right?" Hakone offered, changing the subject.
"Oh yeah! That's right! The guy at the apparel stand is giving out grab bags. I already entered my number in, you guys should too!"
"Really?" Hakone said. "Well, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to go home with a few more souvenirs." He marched up to the stand. "Hey, can you put my name in for bag #4221? It's Hakone, sir!" He requested, then looked over at Zicatela.
Zicatela came up to them, grabbing a piece of paper and a quill to write down her name and the number 3094. The clerk smiled at them and handed them both questionable cotton candy. Hakone nibbled on his a little and almost gagged.
"I get that they're trying to.... accommodate for everyone, but I've never been a fan of sweet meat unless it was made with barbeque sauce," He mumbled.
Zicatela shrugged and nibbled hers. She was lucky to get a floral one like Nissi. The coneflowers tasted odd in the cotton candy, but it at least wasn't awful.
They continued on through the festival, Zicatela finally finding a concessions stand that sold some potions and pick-me-ups. She dropped a few gems and drank up, healing what remained of her aches and pains from the battle, and re-energizing her, otherwise she'd be swaying on her feet from exhaustion. She'd still need a long, good night's sleep before tomorrow.
Eventually, they came across a quieter place in Lanternlea, where an elderly dragon was recounting the legend. They would've passed the dragon if it hadn't been for the mother Tundra recognizing them, waving them over. Zicatela and her family listened to the tale, Zicatela furrowing her brows more and more as it was recounted. The crown was a gift from the Lightweaver, but the Imperials of ancient times killed each other to get it? The last king was an ancestor of Luminax? Or was it one of the heads of Luminax itself? She couldn't help but wonder where the name Luminax had come from. Was it the first dragon of the bloodline, was it the king, or was it just what everyone called the Emperor? But then there was that line, that his spirit was immortal and deathless. This crown they were competing for, it was the Emperor's crown? Suddenly, Zicatela felt disgusted. Perhaps this is was the answer as to why Luminax had awoken and began attacking those of the Light flight, not that some foolish dragon had tried to join with the beast. Zicatela turned away.
The last thing the elder had said was "Perhaps this crown can forge a new identity today, one molded in kindness and trust. It could be a symbol of friendship and hope."
Zicatela thought of this for a moment. Perhaps this was true, as this crown was the catalyst for what transpired. Letters were sent out, bringing every contestant here, when the crown was discovered. It was fate that the Imperial, Lumi, had chosen to awaken Luminax when everone was here, for he could've very well not have if he were in a different state of mind. Luminax's appearance had brought them all to work together for the same cause. Everyone was helping one another face the beast, the contestants saved and rallied other dragons. They had saved the Sunbeam Ruins, and, as far as anyone knew, they may have just saved all of Sorneith. Whomever got the crown after everything was said and done would be the living reminder of what had happened this week. The elder was right.
Zicatela then smiled and looked back towards the group. Some of the hatchlings were departing, and the Tundra was talking to Hakone and Nissi.
"Did you hear what they did to that Lumi fellow? I mean, it was nothing bad, but they locked him away in Lanternlea's Sunbeam Guard Branch building. No one's gone to see him. All he got was a letter, and when he tried to send one in return the guards decided to air out his dirty laundry to everyone...." The Tundra said to Hakone, looking towards a stately looking building nearby. "Despite the awful things that he's done, I do feel very bad for him. Poverty has never done good for anyone, and in a lot of clans the leaders won't stop everything for someone who's struggling if it isn't a widespread problem."
"That's appalling!" Nissi spat. "Our leaders would never do such a thing! King Thamadi is always helping us out when we need it!"
"Not all clans are like ours, Nis," Hakone responded solemnly. "We're a smaller clan than most, and we have a lot of resources available to us. Who knows what Lumi's clan is like."
Zicatela looked over at the building, seeing the notice board sitting out front. She went to investigate. She saw a notice posted for the surveys that had been taking place all week, today's question included, but then next to it, she saw the letter that was sent to Murasaki by the Imperial that was being blamed for this whole mess. She read through it, and suddenly her heart ached for Lumi. He only wished for love and recognition for who he was. She thought of her own clan, how many of them would have embraced and welcomed a dragon such as Lumi into their ranks. She also felt like all the blame placed on his shoulders was now severely misplaced. After all, if the Emperor was after his crown, it wouldn't have mattered what Lumi had done.
Her heart positively hurt. She could only pray that whomever was voted in as the successor of the crown would take mercy on him. However, there was one thing she may be able to do in the meantime, and that would be to offer the poor dragon some companionship before his fate was decided.
"Hakone, Nissi," Zicatela linked to her family who were still only a few meters away.
"I wish to speak to Lumi, if the guards would let me. He's had a difficult life. He deserves some support in these troubling times."
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Hakone responded.
"Sorry or not, this whole situation is completely absurd. Besides, what would everyone think? I don't want to be associated with him."
"Everyone already knows, Hakone. Nothing can change what has happened or what will happen." Zicatela countered
"We were once like him, alone with nothing but the clothes on our backs. We were lucky to be accepted into such a loving clan. I want Lumi to know that someone cares, even if just for a few short hours."
"Mom is right," Nissi said, joining her mother.
"I mean, we have the craziest kinds of dragons in our clan. Would it really be fair to turn our back on someone in need for making a mistake like this?"
Hakone was quiet for a moment, but then nodded in agreement.
"I suppose you're right. So, what are we going to do then?"
"I want to bring him something to eat, and maybe a few gifts from the festival. We will eat together, and maybe we can speak to him, get to know him. Maybe offer our help." Zicatela said.
They quickly offered their goodbyes to the Tundra mother an her hatchling before returning to the streets to buy a gracious amount of festival foods and some festival favors. In the crowd, Zicatela noticed that a corgi was running rampant with a crown in their maw. Zicatela shook her head, making a grab for the crown with her tail as the corgi ran past. She wasn't sure if she managed to snag the crown, but if she did, she was going to return it to Ramses like a good citizen.
Once loaded up with festival goodies, the three of them made their way back to the Sunbeam Guards' building. She could only hope that they would let them in to see Lumi. If not, they would probably just find the Tundra mother and share with her, or maybe they'd be lucky and find that teen and father duo. But Zicatela had made up her mind to try to support Lumi first.
She thought back to the question posted on the notice board.
Leaders must possess empathy for their people. Some say this could be compassion for one's struggles, but no. Empathy is being able to feel what those around you feel, to see what they see. Leaders who are empathic will truly understand their people.
