An old friend's fateful meeting

"Do you have a family?" The little star asked, eyes twinkeling at the newly found topic of interest that seemed to get the mage to open up his heart. Earlier they had just met on accident, delighted to meet his friend without an adress to send letters to, Luan couldn't let the situation pass without inviting Líu for a cup of freshly brewed hibiscus tea. They chit chatted about this and that, trying to catch up on all the years they've been apart as though they didnt have all the time their hearts desired to calmly talk through the conversation. In fact Líu never knew much about Luan who had always silently listened to the little stars rambles. But this time Líu knew to let Luan speak more, mayhaps then he would find a way to lessen the burden on Luans heart, as the little star kept hearing Luans wishes in his dreams. 

Though it might be too far of a stretch, Líu knew there was a chance Luan had been manifesting wishes while slumbering soundly. Líu smiled watching his friend be caught offguard by his question, had their conversation just been about Líus long lost friend Zhì Lan, suddenly it was the stars turn to ask Luan where his family had been. And whether he even had one, from all Líu remembered Luan had soldomly been in companionship, most times their roads crossed it were odd places, odd times, odd situations. It was, before Luan even had the chance to answer, that Líu had already spotted a letter on the messy dinner table, picking it up and shamelessly unfolding it like it was his own belongings, Luan couldnt help but exhale through his nose with a chuckle over the childlike behaviour.

"I do" Luan smiled taking back the letter Líu had previously found, eyeing down on the handwritten letter he'd read out the senders name: " 'Nemina Adville' thats my sisters name" 

"Adville" the little star repeated, curious as to why the knowledge of last names matching within family did not apply to them. "Why is your sisters name Adville? Shouldnt it be Vermond?" He curiously asked without a second though, albeit upon noticing the shift on Luans face, Líu slightly regretted asking so openly – only now he had realised that maybe his attempt to make Luan open up would be rather fruitless. Luans smile instantly dropped into a more serious tone, almost as if he hadnt accepted reality yet "we love each other dearly," he started, obviously meaning platonic and familial love that Líu was just too familiar with "but Nemina.... she was adopted to another family" Luan held in for a split second, afraid to dull the spirit of the conversation, but once the first few words had already flown out it felt only right to explain the whole situation. "because Aglao Terra forbids magic holders like us, our family had been taken down without a second thought" Luans glance followed towards Líu, who only now understood that Luan had mistaken him for a magic user...albeit Líu indeed could create little stars in his hands, he always thought of it as small trinklets rather than proper light magic. "Everything my mother could do was healing and nature magic, she had a pure soul refusing to use magic against mankind" A hand brushed Luans bangs away, revealing a rather unsettled expression, fearful to relive the memory again as he spoke of the past. "However she was accused of black magic, and quickly came her and my fathers downfall. The only thing I could have done back then was to hide Nemina somewhere safe...." – "I'm sorry" the little star interrupted, feeling both emphatic and apologetic at once "I didnt kn-" – "it's alright" Luan shook his head, trying to reassure Líus calm of mind. Sudden silence filled the room as they looked at each other unsure what to add, before Luan picked back up where he left off "The Adville family took care of my sister, and soon enough they loved her like their own child. It was a decision I could have had an influence in had I refused on their proposal, but both Nemina and the Adville family seemed overjoyed at the idea of letting her adopt into the family....and Nemina..." he sighed "she was just a child, like I was. She needed some parental figure to look after her. I knew I could never be enough for her" 

"But you're trying" Líu ensured, holding his own hand over his chest he spoke straight out of his soul. Slowly but surely Líu was starting to understand the manifestations that Luan had been unknowingly sending him every now and again. "I only wanted her to be proud of me. To be a good brother" The hurt smile on Luans cheeks didn't suit him, he did an awful job faking it but Líu was too engrossed in his own thoughts that had been trying to connect the dots between the story. 

"In the end I was a failure as both a brother and a mage." Luan scoffed "When I was exiled I choose to run away rather than face her in person, yet here she is writing me letters weekly stating openly how great her life with mother and father are---" Jealousy. Jealousy could be heard in every word's pronunciation. It seemed as if he was trying to say it should be him instead of her new parents. He should've been the one by her side. Líu's expression furrowed into a dejected frown as he let his shoulders sink. He knew the feeling all to well to never be good enough for someone....Zhì Lan...Where are you right now? Why was I not good enough? Those memories slipped past his mind as he tried to retain the letter from Luans grip, who didn't fight back and simply let him do as he pleased. 

Líu slowly read through the letter from Nemina Adville, this time the last Name feeling like a thorn was stabbed into his chest. Was this how Luan felt whenever she had sent him letters? The mail talked about the new season, dresses and gifts the Adville head had gifted to his beloved daughter, and how content and happy she was. It talked about the time passing and her feelings but there was no longer any passage begging for Luans return, asking for him to live with her again. The letters now were so much different from the first dozen...hundret... Luan previously had received. He knew all too well the contents of those letters, forever hoping to regain his little sister from back then but never knowing how to help himself, or just how far he was even allowed to step out of line. "She's happy now" Luan swallowed as for the first time he had said those thoughts out loud. "It should've been me who's by her side" Luan silently whispered, scolding his past decisions in bitter remorse. "But I have no space in her life anymore." Líu's chair screeched loudly, rapidly standing up as if to shout at Luan – but all he received in reply was a stunned expression, that mellowed into a genuine smile. Luan felt it was easier to breathe now that he had gotten those words off his heart, watching his little friend care too much for him to the point of willing to raise his voice in scolding, He felt quite blessed... "It's alright," he ensured honestly. 

After giving it some thought, Luan would raise his finger to the rim of the steaming Hibiscus tea cup, sliding it on the edge of the rim until it made a faint tune. "However my friend, if you happen to cross paths with their village, may I request you to leave a message with my sister?" And Líu nodded, feeling like he already knew exactly what that message was going to be. "I will" he promised in return, it seemed only fair to return the favor now that he had listened to Luan. Líus smile widened again when he realised how his attempt to make Luan open up his heart did indeed work. Delighted by his own achievement, Líu hopped off the spot he previously stood at, and bowed down infront of Luan once. "Thank you, my friend" hed say with his calm voice, catching Luan certainly off guard as his cheeks visibly reddened at the flattery. "I am certain your sister loves you dearly, whether Adville or Vermond, Both of you will forever share a link in souls" Words that once hurt Líu for his own past's sake now seemed lighthearted and full of faith. "Once I find Nemina, I will certainly remind her of your care and love to her." Líu slowly raised his head to catch confirmation on Luans face that this indeed was the message he had hoped Líu might forward to his sister. He felt more confident now, his heart both hurting silently while also filling up with pride and joy as he knew there were just so many people experiencing similar things as he did hundret, dozen years ago, He knew compared to back then he was more mature now, he didn't repeat past mistakes...and for Luans sake, he now had a new quest to attend, without fail he knew where to go next. And that's exactly what made Líu's journey more delightful. He felt happy, knowing he had the ability to fulfill this wish.