Chapter Text
Akoni stepped out of the merriment of the tavern, the loud mesh of voices following her into the darkness of the night. The usually cheerful building was even more so this evening. The guild had somehow found out it was Xymixo’s birthday and had pulled together to throw an impromptu party for the resident antisocial kleptomaniac. She had panicked at first but Kveriyan had simply picked up the tiny orange-haired Asura and placed her on a large, furred shoulder with promises of cake and many people to pickpocket from.
Currently, the little gremlin was having the time of her life attempting to steal her presents from the various attendees, though it took some convincing for Akoni to explain that The Shining Blade was not one of them. The disappointment in Xymixo’s golden eyes disappeared instantly though when she managed to fish out several fetching ear clips out of her pockets. Akoni could only smile fondly at the easily distracted Asura as she gleefully swapped out her current ear adornments for a couple of the new ones.
That being said, the chaos inside was a bit much for the introvert and with a small nod towards Naefai (who never missed much, really), she slipped outside into the night air.
Her steps echoed hollowly as she walked down the cobbled path, oddly loud as she wandered around the gardens of GYR. Large and sprawling, it was a point of pride for Naefai and the other druids of GYR. Trees of all sizes mimicked forests, with strategically placed shrubs to create little cul-de-sacs of privacy. Strange and exotic flowers flourished in nooks and crannies, brought from all over Tyria from atop the cold reaches of Shiverpeaks, the sunny shores of Southsun, even the humid depths of Maguuma; all tended to by various plant-loving elementalists who wanted to use their skills in a more mundane manner. The gentle bubbling of a stream was constantly in the background, artfully woven throughout the area to feed into multiple ponds filled with curious aquatic creatures, courtesy the ever resourceful Aislin.
The night breeze was refreshingly cold against her skin, a welcome sensation after the all-too-warm interior of the tavern with its blazing fireplace and a multitude of bodies crammed into its singular space. She made a mental note to double check with Moss, Kveriyan’s gentle nephew who was placed in charge of it, whether or not he needed an extension of the building as it seemed much too small to contain the amount of guild members they currently had.
A small smile curved thin lips-- their little family was certainly growing. She remembered when it was just Naefai, Kveriyan, Absinthe, Mystic and her. A small band running around with the first two at the helm, desperately trying to keep the other three in check. Somehow they had bumbled into the whole Zhaitan mess, and then…
Then suddenly GYR was founded with Kveriyan at its helm and everything felt as though it went from zero to a hundred in seconds. The guild blew up with new members streaming in: from Kveriyan’s war band showing up looking for a place to call home, to passing acquaintances of Absinthe from previous jobs looking for more permanent work, to the various stragglers from all walks of life who had come to try their hand at joining the guild that defeated an Elder Dragon.
She paused next to one of the ponds, staring down at the brightly coloured fish that darted in between picturesque rocks and reeds. Sometimes though, she wished things could go back to much simpler times. As much as she loved the guild, having such a large amount of people to interact with and having to manage so much more responsibilities was exceptionally draining.
She knelt down, trailing a finger into the water. Various fishes swam up, curious, before darting away once they realized she had no food. Moonlight flashed silver on the ripples they left behind and she could just about see the reflection of a full moon gazing back at her.
She frowned, a slight throbbing in the back of her mind.
Back to much simpler times…
Before GYR, when it was just their little group… but what was before?
An echo of a voice; Light, airy. Carefree. A flash of narrow golden-green eyes, crinkled in amusement. Her own laughter. A hand fondly shaking a draconic horn in mock rebuke.
The throbbing increased to a sharp pain.
The sudden jerk as her head was yanked backwards. The voice; harsh, angry. Cruel. A friend gone; in his place an insane stranger. Her own voice, pleading.
Pain. So much pain.
“Commander?”
She blinked, mind crashing back to the present. Darkness cleared from her vision and now all she saw was the familiar surroundings of the pond, fish long vanished from the approach of the newcomer. In the water, she saw Canach standing behind her, mostly a silhouette with his dark green form easily melting into the surrounding foliage save for when the thorned ridges of his face pulsed a slow orange.
Unable to trust her voice and still shaken from the hallucinations ( the memories? ), she simply turned her head slightly to acknowledge him.
She could see the frown on his face, violet eyes almost glowing.
“Are you… ok, Akoni?”
Shakily she got to her feet, mind too preoccupied with what had happened to realize he had actually referred to her without her title, “… Yes.” She didn’t need a Sylvari connection to pick up on his doubt but there was an undercurrent of something else. Concern? She shook it off as the ache in her head grew too sharp to ignore, mumbling. “I just… needed some air, that’s all.”
A hum of consideration that she barely heard.
A deep red intermingled with a lush, rich green as hair in the form of leaves brushed forwards from the back to fall across elegant brows. Dark wordless promises echoing in her mind. The brilliant flash of steel in bright moonlight. Vicious words proclaiming love and loyalty and betrayal . The warmth of amber sap trailing down to the ground, the only warmth in the cold night…
She felt something touch her arm and she whirled around, lips lifted in a snarl with sword instantly in hand. A sharp screech as metal met metal and she blinked dumbly as she watched Canach eye her carefully from behind a hastily thrown up shield.
Oh fuck .
She dropped her sword, panicked and shocked with herself, both palms up and her mouth already babbling apologies. “Oh Gods Canach I didn’t- Fuck fuck fuck I didn’t meant to, I mean. I... I’m so sorry, I’m sorry , I didn’t expect-”
A shake of his head silenced her as he heaved a sigh, slinging his intricate shield onto his back. His voice was oddly calm, reassuring even. “I should not have touched you. I apologize, Commander.”
“No! I… I just. It-”
He looked off to the distance, as though not hearing her. “It is indeed a nice night for a stroll. Might I suggest company, though?”
The question threw her off guard: she had just attacked the man and now he wanted to keep her company? Seeing her confusion, he gave her a wry grin.
“So long as I keep my hands to myself, I believe I’m safe.”
Her voice dropped to a whisper, guilt still twisting inside her, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to strike at you.”
He bent over to pick up the fallen sword. The Shining Blade gleamed indignantly at being handled by an unfamiliar hand, only deigning to fall back into its regular state once he stepped up to clip it by her side. Feeling him so close to her, she flushed.
Giving the weapon a slight tug to ensure it was fastened properly, he leaned close briefly to whisper, “I believe you,” before stepping back, jerking his head to the side briefly. “Shall we?”