As everyone remain silent two step creep up behind them “Hey kid is there a problem here?”

Two city guard steps into the alley, a goat and man in military uniform made of cotton with no armor plate, sword sheathed on their belt “We heard a report of fighting here. Did you three have a fight? Or did the wolf who just left cause you any problem?”

“No sir no problem. We were just practicing our move a little”

A goat looks at the bruise on Eirian and Josh face but not a tint on Calamity “And what about you kid? Did you hurt them?”

Calamity about to answer when Eirian injects “He’s with us. He’s didn’t do this to us.”

“Oh, so it was the wolf who just left.”

“Eh...”

‘I shouldn’t lie but...What would Astra do?’

“He’s just showed some dance moves to us.” said Josh “We were the ones who requested it but we weren’t careful, so we hit each other a little. Thank you for worry about us sir we’ll head back to join our friend at the festival now.”

Both city guard doesn’t seem to believe Josh but leave the alley since the victim claimed no crime happened. “Don’t let it happen again it’s not legal to fight in the street, the city have Magus and Stadium for that.”

Eirian quickly thanks them and noticed a human guard also has a small pistol on his belt.

‘When did Alana guard start carrying firearm?’

Eirian put the thought out and turn to check on his friend “Thank you Josh. We could have gotten into a problem there.”

“Don’t worry about it but do you have any magic to help numb the bruise and pain?” he touched his face to see if his beautiful feathers still intact.

“The healing magic is too complex for me and quite painful so this is the best I can do” Eirian creates a small ice cube to compress the bruise. Josh takes one but Calamity shakes his head.

“He’s too fast” Josh groan “I planned to wing slap him and was sure one of my feathers could get through to his face, but he must know what I was planning from the start and aim for my leg.”

“He’s experienced” Calamity agrees.

“That a good plan” said Eirian “but I guess we were still lacking on many areas.”

“Our attacks are not in sync. Sagax gets to react and deal with us one by one. I’ll focus on this point in our next training session.”

The three of them sit there for a moment to rest before head back, all the way Eirian is worry about what to say to Biscuit and hope she manages to buy from the store. They were just in time to hear staff announce a sold out just as it’s Biscuit turn. Amy is the one who got the last necklace.

“Andd That our last one lady and gentlemen thank you for choosing Mercurius y’all have fun at the festival” then they close the shop.

The crowd sounded displeased before dispersed after a few minutes. The team gathers around Biscuit which Eirian and Josh look at the last necklace in Amy antenna.

“Before you ask Biscuit is the one who ask me to get in front of her in the line because she is scared of the guy ahead.”

“That right.” Biscuit accepted this is a consequence of her own personality “It’s my fault I miss my chance. You don’t have to give your necklace to me Amy. I don’t need the necklace to see the performance, just hearing Evan is amazing enough.”

Silence surrounds them. Eirian feels that Amy should give her necklace to Biscuit because she was the one who wanted it first and Amy should sympathize with her on that.

‘But wouldn’t that mean Amy would be take advantage of? It’s really Biscuit fault after all so who should I sympathize with? Amy or Biscuit?’

In that moment Eirian started to feel what Sagax said about empathy being a weakness and made us hesitate. Eirian in this moment empathizes with both of his friends but who should he support? Who should he show his sympathy with?

‘Maybe I shouldn’t use emotion in this moment and just use logic; Amy gets to keep her necklace.’

But since the reason Biscuit didn’t get a necklace from Bill is Eirian fault he feel he need to help Biscuit.

‘Dammit what should I do’

“Maybe both of you can share it?” Josh suggested.

“Well...I guess it’s ok” Amy hesitated before give in when she sees the hope in Biscuit eyes light up.

‘I think too much for nothing.’ Eirian sighs relief.

It turns out fine this time yet Eirian can’t help but wonder if in future something which can’t be shared comes up how should he chooses then. A cold logic like Sagax or use emotion like Miss Hellen? Both seemed correct when he heard it the first time but now he feels like he can’t follow any path until he thinks it through.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“Hey guy what are you doing?” Bill walks out of the store looking so happy he’s free at last.

“Amy manages to buy 1 necklace” said Josh.

“That great, the queue was so long I wasn’t sure you guy would get to buy one, here I keep one necklace just in case. Do anyone still want our special edition?”

Eirian feels like kicking himself.

Amy look at Biscuit but she still insists to share a necklace with Amy “Can I still share it with you?” Biscuit asked

“Of course,”

“What about you three?” Bill looks at the rest of his team.

“I can cast the magic myself, accendo” Eirian wave his hand and a glowing letter float in the air.

“Ooo I can share this one with Calamity” Josh accepted the necklace.

“I don’t want it.”

“Aw don’t be like that I know you like MAM too.” Josh dangled necklace in his wing. “And what about you Bill?”

“My glove is a MAM and can cast an even bigger version of the same glyph hehe.”

“Wait why don’t the store sell that version then.” Amy want to protest now that she knows there are better versions than the one she bought.

“It would be too expensive for most people. This is only for tonight's performance after all. Mr. Bernays want to give other races a reason to try out MAM for themself first.”

“Fine”

Biscuit thanks everyone for trying to help her before suggested they should all go watch the performance together.

The six of them head back to the main square and wander around checking every booth that catches their eyes.

While everyone is walking around Josh approach Eirian to have a talk about his team leader choice.

“You already made up your mind?” Eirian assumes the worst consider how his plan today fail spectacularly and gotten Josh injured for nothing.

“I actually made the choice the moment we agree to have a vote”

“You did? But Amy still haven’t got a chance...”

“I choose you Eirian.”

“Me?” Eirian feels relief but also confused as of the reason.

“Reason one, you are the oldest, so you already got more wisdom and experience than any of us hope to have.”

“But you should at least give Amy a chance to show...”

“Two, Amy story about her people betrayal at the great red river.”

“What does that story got to do with her ability to lead our team?”

“Everything. Don’t you see how she was raised on those stories and taught not to trust other races? If I’m going to have a leader, I want someone who trusts his people and not second guess them all the time as if we’re going to betray them like in those old stories of her. So, I choose you.”

Eirian don’t know what to say. On one hand this doesn’t seem fair to Amy and on the other he glads he already got two votes.

“All you need to do now is get Calamity vote and your position is secure.”

“Just Calamity?”

“You aren’t the only one who is busy coaxing our friend you know. Amy is talking with Biscuit too and after today she will definitely choose Amy so just focus on Calamity. I’ll help you on the side.”

“Got it. You are quite smart huh Josh. Crow are indeed as smart as they said.”

“Don’t get starts on me now” Josh wave and walk away.

At night every creature gather in front of the stage to wait for Evan performance to start.

Evan and his band fly on the stage with a roaring crowd. He has an iridescent olive green and bronze plumage, and is adorned with ornamental "ball" plume above his bill and two extremely long, ribbon-like white tail feathers.

“His tail is so beautiful” said Biscuit with her friend standing next to her not too far from the main stage.

“A ribbon-tailed astrapia. Everyone loves the bird of paradise” said Josh

“Do I hear jealousy in our winged friend?” said Amy.

“Nah, I would be annoyed to death with a tail that long.”

“Shh it’s starting.”

The opening song is “Siúil a Rúin.”

Evan voices is soft as an angle. He enchants everyone here with this beautiful music that runs along the street of Alana and carries with the wind up to the star above.

I wish I was on yonder hill

'Tis there I'd sit and cry my fill

Until every tear would turn a mill

Is go dté tú, mo mhuirnín, slán

Siúil, siúil, siúil a rúin

Siúil go socair agus siúil go ciúin

Siúil go doras agus éalaigh liom

Is go dté tú, mo mhuirnín, slán

I'll sell my rock, I'll sell my reel

I'll sell my only spinning wheel

To buy my love a sword of steel

Siúil, siúil, siúil a rúin

Siúil go socair agus siúil go ciúin

Siúil go doras agus éalaigh liom

Is go dté tú, mo mhuirnín, slán

I wish, I wish, I wish in vain

I wish I had my heart again

And vainly think I'd not complain

Siúil, siúil, siúil a rúin

Siúil go socair agus siúil go ciúin

Siúil go doras agus éalaigh liom

Is go dté tú, mo mhuirnín, slán

Is go dté tú, mo mhuirnín, slán~

The song evokes a memory of loved ones who bring us joy and sorrow, as war took them to a faraway land while we wait for their return. Yet those who left shall ever see home again and neither is their family who will forever wait in vain.

For Eirian he recognizes the beauty of the song and its sorrow. He just wishes he known his parents enough to know the joy of their love as well.

When he turn to look at his friend and saw that the music affect them too, he wonder what are they feeling but didn’t dare to ask.

This pieces is one of their most famous songs where everyone nearby stops to listen. After this song Evan keep singing other song as everyone returned to their activity. Those merchandise in the booth won’t sell themself. The people who have the necklace also start to light up the area with a small colorful word no brighter than a firefly floating in the air. The word is Evan, a symbol of their band or Alana symbol to show their support. Other people who didn’t have the necklace looked at the light from MAM with amusement and started a talk about buying a MAM for the first time.

In one of the song a woodpecker starts ramming his head into a drum passionately “That must be one of the most passionate drummers I’ve ever seen” said Eirian.

They then celebrate the festival by shooting a firework at the closing song. The rooftop in the city and the white tower lights up in full color.

“What is that” Biscuit scared and hugged Amy who also startled.

“Firework/Gunpowder” answer Bill and Eirian “They are not dangerous.” Bill added.

“So pretty” said Biscuit after she calmed down and everyone applauded the band as they finished the show.

“Ah the light gone.” the necklace in both Amy antenna and Biscuit hoof goes out.

“The magic inside must have run out.”

“Amy can I keep the necklace—only if you don’t want it any more that is.”

“Sure, I don’t think I have more use of it. You can keep it Biscuit.”

“Thank you I’ll cherish it.”

The festival then comes to a close as the longest day of the year passes.