It was a sizable news crew that accompanied Viman Rai on his much-publicized trip to Vaan.

Multiple camera operators, two field producers, and several audio and lighting technicians in tow, he entered the Vaan Court not unlike a foreign dignitary with a full entourage.

And while Ruban questioned the logic of bringing lighting technicians to the Luminous Realms, he did so silently.

A live broadcast would be impossible from Vaan.

But for all anyone knew, Viman Rai was the first human in more than six centuries to be allowed access to the Luminous Realms. No way was CXN going to let that opportunity pass them by.

Nor were any of the other networks, for that matter. They fought vehemently for their slice of the pie. Or, well, more like crumbs than a full slice.

But considering the amount of public interest this rendezvous was generating, even a fraction of that attention would be worth a fortune.

That was the only explanation Ruban could fathom, for the multitude of consumer brand representatives calling him at all hours of the day and night. Offering millions. If only he’d agree to don a t-shirt with their logo on it, during the meeting in Vaan.

Simani and Vik thought it was hilarious.

Ruban begged to differ.

His colleagues at the South Ragah Division even got him a cap with Kitty's perpetually grumpy little face, stitched in fuzzy detail. The rationale being that Kitty’s was the only face cute enough to deserve the kind of global exposure this meeting would bring.

And that they could quit the Hunter Corps to start a cat food brand, if war eventually broke out between earth and Vaan.

Ruban couldn’t help but admire this…visionary outlook.

In short, it was amidst much fanfare and media speculation that Viman Rai arrived in Vaan.

And his reaction, upon arrival, was not disappointing.

Viman – along with his entire crew – appeared breathless with shock.

Ruban didn’t blame them. It reminded him of his own reaction, the first time he’d set eyes on the court of Vaan.

On the creative, evanescent murals that covered every available surface – shifting, fading, and changing even as you watched. On the clever motifs that seemed to be woven directly from threads of sunlight. On the roofless halls where clouds drifted unhindered; the floors obscured by a translucent mist that condensed into dewdrops on Ruban’s boots.

Vaan was a breathtaking symphony of light, color, and fluidity. More an eccentric artist’s haven than a militant general’s war room.

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It was difficult to imagine a war being waged in these halls, where exquisite, intricate artwork covered every available surface.

The mists parted. And Safaa emerged from a massive arched doorway, a little over a hundred meters from where they stood.

She advanced towards them, seeming to glide rather than walk.

The feathers of her folded, crimson-tipped wings glinted in the sunlight. Intertwining with the skirts of her silvery garment, until it was hard to tell one from the other.

Behind her walked five other Aeriels. Surprising himself, Ruban recognized Shehzaa and Kaheen. He supposed the other three were high-ranking courtiers or trusted advisors of the queen.

It was hard to tell, with Aeriels. By human standards, they all looked like they’d recently exited their teens. Sans the pimples and the awkwardness of youth.

Ashwin and the two other Aeriels in their party stepped forward to greet the queen.

It’d taken three Aeriels, in all, to convey Viman and his crew into Vaan.

Safaa reached out, lightly touching each of them, in turn. It was an affectionate gesture, almost maternal. Oddly human.

When she came to Ashwin, her fingers lingered, palm resting momentarily against his cheek. He stood still, allowing her to take her time.

Before long, it was the humans’ turn to step forward, exchange greetings.

Ruban was careful to keep his expression neutral and polite, giving no indication that he’d met Safaa before.

Safaa exchanged a few words with Viman Rai. Then she turned away, gesturing for them to follow.

They crossed a few corridors, walked past the resplendent throne room and a couple of atriums, until they finally reached a hall about three times the size of the one they’d left behind. Not that estimating distances in Vaan was a straightforward feat.

Like every other part of the Vaan Court, this hall was flooded with unhindered sunlight.

Pillars adorned with ephemeral motifs (in themes of white and silver) dotted the space, reflecting the radiance of the unsetting sun.

The hall was dominated by a few raised platforms, also featuring intricate, argent carvings. These served, presumably, as the seating area. Although nothing in Vaan seemed to have been designed with any particular purpose in mind, aside from aesthetics.

Despite the brightness and the sunlight, the temperature remained pleasantly cool, like a mild winter morning in Vandram. Clouds drifted in and out, bumping lightly into the pillars from time to time. Overall, the space defied all the familiar rules of architecture and climatology, as Vaan was wont to do.

With much gawking and urgent murmurings, the CXN crew finished setting up their gear. It took them a few extra minutes. But who could blame them?

If anything, Ruban was surprised they were taking it all in stride as well as they were.

Soon, they were all seated. Viman and Safaa sat across from each other, the cameras strategically positioned to capture their every move and expression.

Ashwin, Ruban, and the other crew members (who were not directly involved in operating the cameras) sat a little distance away. Ensuring they remained outside the camera frame.

The discussion, once it began, proved to be more candid and penetrating than Ruban had imagined possible. Than any of them had.

But Viman meant business. And he proved it with his very first sentence. “Your mother betrayed and murdered my great-grandfather.” He looked Safaa directly in the eyes. “And he was only one among many of her victims. And this was centuries after the Rebellion. After humans had purportedly ‘defeated’ the Aeriels, had driven them from earth. What reason have I to believe that such incidents won't grow and intensify, should this alliance come to fruition?”

Upon Safaa’s inquiry, Viman Rai delved into the story. Of how, a little over a hundred years ago, Tauheen had seduced and ensnared Darpan Rai. The erstwhile Rai family patriarch, and Viman’s great-grandfather. Only to betray and murder him, right in front of his wife and children, the moment her purpose was served.

Ruban suppressed a shudder. Viman’s story bore an uncanny resemblance to what had happened to Uncle Subhas, less than three years ago.

Apparently, what Tauheen had done to his uncle wasn’t unique. Rather, it was a recurring pattern – her modus operandi.