Banshee made her usual pause to talk with a few people in the waiting crowd before entering the Starlight Hall to where she knew Cryo was waiting.

For the first time since she'd become a Luminary, only three of them had arrived for the Offerings. She'd attended Offerings when only four were present, with either one of the elder pairs absent for one reason or another, but never before had three been missing from their numbers. Without Harpy, Wyvern and Fae, the room felt empty and hollow. Even Golem seemed to be barely half of his usual self without his partner. The stones that made up his form seemed just a little duller and more brittle than they usually were.

Cryo, however, was a beacon of strength.

He stood in the centre of the Hall, discussing something with his two High Frostspeakers and Fae's three High Breathspeakers. His wings were flared in all their majesty, the ice on his forearms and shins gleaming with power. The air seemed to chill in his presence, and as Banshee walked closer to him, she found herself standing just a little bit straighter as her confidence settled in her chest.

I am enough.

Cryo saw her approach and excused himself from the High Speakers. "Banshee. Are you prepared for today?"

She nodded. "I am."

"With Harpy and Wyvern now Dark, a lot of their leadership will fall to us, especially in Fae's absence," said Cryo. "Together, we stand united, and together, we can do this. I know we can."

She knew he was saying it just as much for his own benefit as hers. "With you around, I feel like I can push Skypillar over. We got this."

"I'm glad to hear it," said Cryo with a quiet smile. "I'm sorry I wasn't able to join you last night."

"Nothing much happened anyway," said Banshee, shrugging. "I scouted around Kaladrel from the shadows. You would have just made me obvious anyway."

Cryo nodded. "I was talking with the High Speakers just before, and both they and Golem believe there was a high chance that a new Luminary pair was chosen last night." Banshee's eyes went wide, but she kept quiet as Cryo continued. "If so, and they appear today, Golem will handle it. We continue on as per usual and convene at the conclusion of the Offerings."

"Two new Lumi's?" said Banshee. "Why do we think that?"

"I'm not entirely sure of the logistics of it," said Cryo. "It's something to do with why the Offerings occur every two weeks. It's also possible that a new pair was not chosen, and it will be another two or even four weeks until Skypillar chooses them, though the gap between a Luminary going Dark and the next being chosen has never been more than two months. However, Golem tells me that Fae sensed a shift in her magic last night."

"So they were chosen?"

"Perhaps," said Cryo. "There could have been other reasons for it, but a new Luminary pair is one. We shall see. Regardless, something occurred that we are not yet aware of."

Banshee pressed her lips together, her eyes on the floor. "It's... still strange to think that Harpy and Wyvern will be replaced." She glanced up at Cryo. "Can you imagine that? Looking at someone and knowing that they've replaced you?"

Just like Ella had to look at me and Cryo and know that we were only standing there because she failed.

Cryo touched Banshee on the shoulder. "We cannot change the past for anyone, not even with our powers. We can only look forward and prepare for what might come."

Banshee placed her hand over where Cryo's rested on her shoulder and nodded. "I know." She stepped away, locking her fingers and stretching her arms towards the ceiling. "Let's go tell these Speakers we're ready to start, yeah? I think--wait! Cryo!" She whirled back around to face him, grabbing him by the arms. "The guy with the red hair. The one I was following in Kaladrel. He was here, in the crowd like five minutes ago. It's why I was late here, I was trying to find him."

"Where?"

Banshee gestured behind her, back out to the waiting crowds. "I was heading over here and I saw him talking to Olivia, the girl I decided could help me out with this temple stuff?" Starlight, it was weird talking about herself in third person. "I decided to listen to their conversation. Seemed innocent enough, but I figured he wouldn't be alone. I didn't want to spook him, so after making sure Olivia wasn't about to get ambushed I followed him but he went inside the temple and I lost him."

Cryo ran a clawed hand through his hair. "This is the last thing we needed. Should we be concerned for Olivia's safety?"

Banshee sucked on her bottom lip. "I'm honestly not sure. Can't, uh, can't say I've been in this situation before. It's possible they might try to use her to get to me, especially if they're trying to trigger my Vengeance. Have you ever had a similar problem with Jason or your High Speakers?"

Cryo's hand fell out of his hair to rest on his chin. His eyes didn't meet Banshee's as they wandered through his thoughts. "My High Frostspeakers and Jason have all accepted the risks with associating with me, but they have also received training about kidnap situations and otherwise. I doubt Olivia has had such training, and given her condition, I'm not sure she could make much use of it anyway."

Banshee clicked her teeth together. "She isn't helpless, either. I wouldn't have chosen her if she was."

Cryo raised an eyebrow as his gaze focused on her. "I didn't say she was. I thought you didn't know who she was when you chose her?"

"I--" Well, she'd screwed herself there. "I sort of knew her. Not personally. I've just seen her around, I guess. She lives close enough to me that I used to see her rollerblade and--" Starlight, she was rambling. About herself. "Regardless, I maybe sort of knew who she was just a little bit but I didn't think people would actually go after her after I said she could help me out." Banshee grabbed the hair hanging over her chest and thrust her chin towards the ceiling. "I'm a real Other-cursed idiot aren't I?"

"No, you're not," said Cryo. "I've never had this problem with Jason's assistance, or I might have cautioned you against a civilian go-between. For now, let her know that if she finds herself in trouble to contact Jason. He has a fairly efficient and secure way of contacting me. I'll--"

"Cryophoenix, Banshee?" said one of Golem's High Stonespeakers as they approached in their stiff robes of rocky browns and stoney greys. "Are you ready to begin, or do you require a few more moments?"

With a nod from Banshee, Cryo took the lead. "We'll begin now. I apologise for the delay."

"There is nothing to apologise for, Frost of Skypillar," said the Speaker. "We will begin when you are both upon your dais."

Banshee waved a hand at Cryo back over her shoulder. "I'll talk to you after, Cryo."

She walked over to her platform, the rune of Banshee filling with its usual red light as she stepped up onto its surface. The starstone bowl filled with maroon auroralight, resonating with the part of Olivia that connected her to Viri.

Surprisingly, Aurelia wasn't immediately in front of Banshee. As the other Luminaries were approached by their groups of High Speakers, Banshee was looking around for hers. She was just about to step off her dais and go looking for Aurelia in the quiet corridors around the Starlight Hall when the High Speaker came striding into the room, holding her crimson and amber skirts high.

Banshee took a step back into the centre of her platform.

"I apologise for my tardiness," Aurelia said with a deep bow. She approached, holding out the usual pouch. "Your offerings, Shadow of Skypillar. Skypillar's people thank you for your service to this city."

"Thank you," said Banshee, accepting the pouch. It felt a little heavier than usual, but unlike last week, she wasn't desperate for the money. "Where were you, if you don't mind my asking?"

"I had business related to the festival performance to attend to and I lost track of time," said Aurelia. "You have nothing but my most sincere apologies. It will not happen again."

"Look," said Banshee, not particularly liking the whole groveling thing to the High Shadowspeaker's current attitude. It rubbed her the wrong way after seeing the way she'd spoken to Jason. "I've heard a couple of concerning things about your behaviour towards particular individuals. You're my High Speaker, so I'd like to hear your side of events before I make up my mind."

She left the statement vague purely to see how Aurelia would interpret it, and the High Speaker seemed to assume the absolute worst.

"I--I'm not sure I quite understand, Banshee," said Aurelia, stumbling over her words for the first time in the history of the universe. "Are you implying that you may deem me unfit for my position because of a minor dispute I had with my son?"

"I'm not implying anything," said Banshee, trying to copy the way that Cryo spoke. To command that same aura of respect, what a High Speaker like Aurelia would expect from her. "I just want to be clear that I hold you to high expectations, and minor disputes with your son or not, I expect you to be the bigger person while upon Skypillar's sacred ground." Banshee managed a smile, despite no longer being quite sure what kind of woman her High Speaker was. "You're still the only High Shadowspeaker I have, and you do your job well. I'd be highly disappointed if I were forced to replace you."

"Thank you, Banshee," said Aurelia, inclining her head in a deep movement. "I will try to be better and meet your expectations in the future." She straightened. "Are you willing to take the people's requests upon this day of Offering?"

"I am," said Banshee.

"I will see it done."

Another High Speaker--one of Golem's--was the one to approach the crowds gathered at the front of the Starlight Hall, flanked by Aurelia and one of Cryo's High Frostspeakers. Behind them, one High Furyspeaker and one High Poisonspeaker waited, their heads bowed.

The High Stonespeaker spread his arms wide and spoke the same words that Aurelia had two weeks ago.

"The Luminaries Banshee, Cryophoenix and Golem are in attendance and prepared to receive the children of Skypillar upon this day of Offering! Proceed with respect, and remember that you are entering one of Skypillar's most sacred spaces! Please form an orderly line behind the High Speaker of the Luminary you wish to see, and continue only when you are admitted. May Skypillar's blessing be upon you all!"

Banshee listened to the words and loosed a breath as the temple guards were the first to enter the Hall. She watched them, hyper aware of the starstone guns that hung on each of their hips. She wondered whether they were set to stun or kill. If they handled the same as the ones that the Serpent's underlings had shot at her with. If any of them had ever...

She shook those thoughts free of her head and stood up with her shoulders back as the crowds poured in.

There was a distinctly different feel to the crowd as they shuffled inside, directed by the Speakers. The people seemed far more subdued. Scared, almost, like they were uncertain. Banshee knew what they were thinking. Three Luminaries. When a pair went Dark, the other four had never failed to show. Fae's absence was almost as heavy as Harpy and Wyvern's.

There were far less requests for Banshee's assistance this week. Though some still asked for her help with convoluted revenge plots that she'd never take part in, most just seemed to want reassurances that she was still there for them. A few asked for answers that she didn't have, but though she softened her words, they never lost their strength. She took Cryo's belief in her and wrapped herself in it. She was enough for these people, and they would leave this Hall believing that she was enough for them, too.

Not everyone that came inside was here to see a Luminary. Those admitted by Harpy and Wyvern's High Speakers approached the now-Dark platforms and kneel before them. Some people would place their heads to the starstone platform that would not light up until a new Luminary was chosen. Some spoke quiet words, their eyes on the ceiling, and some just simply stared.

Some thirty minutes in, Banshee had just turned down a request to help to help search someone's ex-girlfriend's house for a 'prized possession' when she recognised the next person to approach. It was the guy from the other night in Kaladrel, the one she'd practically landed on top of and asked about Cryo in her frenzied search for her partner.

"Well hello there," said Banshee, placing one hand on her hip as small smile snuck its way onto her face. She hadn't got a good look at him the other night, but in the daylight, he was rather handsome with his shoulder-length hair and well muscled body. He couldn't have been a whole lot older than she was. "You know, I didn't actually expect you to show up at Offerings."

"I took your offer seriously," said the guy, stepping up onto the platform as she gestured to it. He extended a hand, which she shook. "You looked pretty worried the other night, did everything turn out well in the end?"

Blood. Cryo's broken, bleeding body. That feeling that she wasn't--no. Hallucination. That had been a hallucination. "It did, thankfully. We had a little hiccup, but all turned out well in the end, thanks to your assistance. I seem to remember you were about to ask me something before I had to run off?"

The guy rubbed his arm, grinning. "I, uh, heh, didn't actually expect you to remember that."

"You helped me out," said Banshee. She looked to the group he'd come with, the ones who still waited at the base of her platform, nudging themselves with knowing smiles as they whispered to each other. She jerked a thumb at them. "And unlike your friends, you didn't immediately faint from shock when I showed up. If there's something I can do for you, within reason of course, I'd be happy to."

"I wouldn't want to bother you too much with regular stuff," said the guy.

"Well how about we start with a name?" said Banshee. "You know mine--well, the Luminary one, anyway, so what's yours?"

"Baine," he said, ignoring the sniggers of his friends behind him. "Uh, Baine Cloudheart. Only picked the name recently, but I think it suits me, despite what those dorks down there think."

Banshee's eyebrow shot up. "You're only sixteen?"

"Yeah," said Baine. "Wouldn't guess it, would you?"

"Definitely not," said Banshee. "Well, mister Baine Cloudheart, what can I do for you?"

He pursed his lips as he thought about it. "How are you with requests that don't do a whole lot but prove a point?"

"Depends what point I'm proving, but I could be down for it."

Baine smirked and leaned forward. "They made a bet with me that I'd be too chicken to ask you to come visit our local centre at some point soon, like when there's a party or stuff. I win double if you actually show up." He winked. "I'm happy to shout you dinner of your choice if you come through for me. How does that kind of point sound?"

Banshee rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help her amusement. "I think your friends just lost themselves double the money they bet in the first place."

Baine grinned. "Real?"

"Real," said Banshee with a wink to match the two fingers tapping her forehead. "I'm pretty busy for the next two weeks though, so it's either gonna have to be really short or wait until after the festival."

"After the festival it is then, Banshee," said Baine.

"I hope you know that I'm serious about my food," she said. "You'd better not rip me off."

"And you'd better not go Dark now that I've got money riding on you," said Baine as he stepped off her platform, pointing at her.

Banshee folded her arms and tossed her hair back. "Me? Go Dark? Please. You owe me dinner. Leave a message with a Shadowspeaker or a girl called Olivia Shadowheart and they'll make sure I get it when you pick a day."

"Then it's a date," said Baine. "Thank you for the chat, my most elegant Shadow of Skypillar."

"Seeya," said Banshee, giving him a wave before he walked off with his group of friends.

She'd made eye contact with the person next in line and was reaching out for them to approach when she heard the shouts from outside.

The crowd's nervous chittering swept her up along with it. Her first thought was that Adande was back and causing trouble with his friends. If they were organising something, she'd need to be out there--but then Cryo had said that the new Lumi pair could be arriving today. That would certainly cause a commotion, and she was supposed to let Golem deal with it.

But Golem was on his dais, oblivious to the crowd as they shifted and the atmosphere of the room completely suffocated any ease she'd managed to inject into its haunted air. And a new Luminary pair would cause a ruckus for sure--by the Other, her own introduction to the temple had been interesting, to say the least--but it wouldn't have held the same tone to the shouting. There wouldn't have been such uncertainty. Such... fear.

She made a decision.

Banshee stepped off her dais.

"I'll be back in a minute," said Banshee, holding out a vertical palm to the line waiting to share her time. "Wait here."

She shifted to shadow, not waiting to see if Cryo had noticed her leaving as she walked down the line and followed it out to the entrance of the Starlight Hall. The High Speakers weren't in their weirdly perfect alignment, weren't speaking to and admitting new people into the Hall. Instead, they were stiff and anxious, and Banshee strode straight in the direction of their unified gaze.

She cut through the crowd, following the way their heads were turned before they noticed it was a Luminary excusing her way through it. Some reached out to touch her with fingers that she barely felt through her shadow shift, calling her name as she moved through them. She kept walking, ducking and jumping and weaving around the living, moving mass of people until the words of the shouting became clear among the buzz of a thousand voices.

"Move! I need to get through! I have vital news, news I can't tell anyone else but the Luminaries! I have to see them, get out of my way you useless--"

"Listen here, old man. We've been waiting around longer than you, and we're not about to give up our positions to some delusional old geezer who woke up late to his alarm clock. You think you're the first one to use that excuse?"

"If it were any other day, I would flatten you right where you stand, you insolent child. I'll find you again once I have time to waste on unimportant individuals like yourself!"

"Flatten me? You can barely stand up. You look like you went a few rounds with the drink and you definitely lost. Get lost before I call one of the guards over."

The people here were thicker and too focused on the two arguing to notice Banshee trying to get through. Frustrated, she did what she did best and simply jumped over the people. She landed on the shoulders of a woman, who looked particularly surprised as Banshee jumped off in front of her.

"Sorry," said Banshee to the woman. She turned to face the arguing pair. "Now, what's going on here?"

A younger guy who stood in front of two young kids that could have been twins pointed at an older male with greying hair that didn't look like he'd ever smiled a day in his life.

"He's trying to cut the line!" said the younger guy. "He's been nothing but rude this entire time, pushing and shoving people out of the way, trying to pretend that he's got important news to tell the Luminaries."

The older man sneered, completely dismissing his younger opponent as his attention locked on Banshee. "Of course it'd be you that gets to me first. Just my Other-cursed luck, I suppose. Where is Golem? Or at the very least, your partner?"

Banshee put a hand on her hip and leaned her minimal weight back onto one foot. "Oh? I could always have the guards remove you instead if you're being a general nuisance. Or perhaps I could go bother Golem or Cryo to do it, if that's of more convenience to you?"

The older man chuckled, a hollow, breathy sound. The younger guy was right. Despite his pride, this older man was barely standing. His physique said he should have been stronger, younger, but he stood like a seventy year old who needed a walker to remain upright. His shoulders were stooped, his breathing heavy, and there were dark, purple circles under his eyes that made it look as if he hadn't slept properly in days.

"I don't have time for this right now," said the older man, coughing. "Harpy's in trouble and whether I'd prefer you or not doesn't matter, Banshee. Even you aren't stupid enough to turn me away."

Banshee stopped. "Harpy?"

"Yes, Harpy," said the older man.

For the first time, Banshee looked straight into the old man's eyes, and she already knew exactly what he was going to say before the words left his lips.

"I'm Wyvern."

*+*+*+*

A/N - *dramatic music* 

Gonna launch the patreon next week, for better or worse~ Will post a preview link in the comments if anyone wants to check out the (amazingly named) reward tier thingys or suggest anything else, aaaand yup! <3 I don't really expect much to happen for it, more just... I dunno. Things and stuff~ At least I can tell myself that I tried to make SS earn its keep =p