Cryo let himself feel the heavy thud as he landed back on the starstone outside the Starlight Hall.

He perhaps should have waited for his partner so they could be introduced as a pair, but it all just seemed so pointless.

This had to be some kind of hoax. His supposed Ascended appeared to care more about preening its feathers than actually honouring its sacred, Skypillar given duty. His partner was a Banshee that neither appeared nor acted as she was supposed to.

His initial assumption had been correct. There had indeed been an error in his selection as a Luminary. He wasn't sure how, but it seemed clear that these anomalies in the situation were centered around him. The crystal at the lake had not been intended for him. He had simply been at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Cryo remained, standing there outside the Starlight Hall, aware of the High Speakers inside, the familiar, winged shapes of Harpy and Wyvern inside as they noticed him. No doubt they expected he'd failed at his task of finding his partner. He supposed that he had. Whatever that girl had been, Luminary or not, there was no way she could have been chosen by Skypillar.

He glanced over his shoulder, finding the inner courtyard. A stab of anxiety got the better of him. She hadn't even followed him to the Starlight Hall.

There was only one thing to do.

He had to inform the Luminaries of the mistake.

Cryo marched himself inside, doing his best to keep his wing crystals off the floor. It was obnoxious the way they were constantly attached to his arm, yet he couldn't bring himself to disrespect the drop of Skypillar's power by dragging them across the starstone. Skypillar deserved more respect than that.

It was no longer just Harpy and Wyvern in the Starlight Hall's ground floor. DragonFae and Golem were also present, she with her ethereal glow, and he with his grounded, unshakeable form.

They looked towards Cryo as he approached them, concern lighting in their eyes.

"Is your partner well?" asked Harpy, glancing Cryo over like she expected to find marks of a battle.

"There has been a mistake," said Cryo. "I was incorrectly selected to be a Luminary, as was, I believe, my partner."

The four of them looked at him, Wyvern a little more open about his feelings on the matter as he smirked and rolled his eyes.

"What do you mean, a mistake?" asked Golem carefully.

"I am unsure," said Cryo, struggling to get the words out despite the tightness in his chest. "Perhaps I and the girl were Manifested by the Other, in a crude attempt to deceive yourselves and infiltrate the temple."

Golem glanced at DragonFae, who pursed her lips and drifted forward with a delicate flick of her transparent, violet wings. She extended a hand towards Cryo, hovering it in line with his chest.

"The Other's touch is not present upon you," murmured DragonFae, the violet glimmer around her hand flaring slightly. She tilted her head to the side, and a slow blink engulfed her orange, slitted irises in light. "The touch of a Cryophoenix is old, preserved within its glacier. That which is old is slow to wake, requiring a spark, a warmth, a presence oblivious to, stronger than the cold..."

DragonFae's hand was pressed to Cryo's sternum now, the gaze of her magic too alluring for him to pull away. He could feel her presence, hear the hum of each fleck. He could see--

"Fae," said Golem, taking his partner by the shoulders and physically pulling her back a few steps. "Take a breath."

Cryo shook his head as DragonFae's wings flicked a few times behind her, perturbed, before the light cleared from her eyes. She dug her fingers into Golem's arm and placed her feet on the floor.

"You have my apologies, I have been delving longer than usual," said DragonFae, drawing in a breath that heaved her chest. When she next looked at Cryo, her irises were orange once more. "But despite your doubts, you are a Luminary. Specifically, you are the Ascended Aspect of Frost, Cryophoenix."

Cryo swallowed. "You are certain?"

The corner of DragonFae's lips tweaked upward. "Indeed. Though there is a strangely odd, yet familiar feel to your power, the Other's touch is quite clear to my magic."

"Besides," said Golem in his deep, rumbling voice. "If someone Manifests, our tattoos feel cold, and shortly after, the bells of whatever district chime." He tapped the stones of his chest. "Inbuilt early warning system."

Cryo was gathering his thoughts when she arrived.

She didn't come in through the entrance she was supposed to. Somehow, she managed to come in through the side entrance which required traversing a long, narrow strip of hallway marked with mostly windows. Why she had not selected the entrance adjoining the inner courtyard as he had, he couldn't fathom any possible reason for, aside from the trail of Speakers that had followed her in. They gathered at the edge of the Starlight Hall to glance after her, clearly as baffled as Cryo.

Oblivious to the effect she'd had, Banshee half walked, half skipped her way over towards the group of Luminaries with a wild, windblown grin on her face.

"Hey guys!," she said. "Sorry I'm a little late, got a bit sidetracked." She approached Cryo and stood beside him, elbowing him in the arm. "And wow, can you move, by the way. I thought I was making okay time, but by the stars you just absolutely put me to shame zooming ahead of everything. I'm gonna have to work, like, twice as hard just to keep up."

Cryo felt the shame stinging his cheeks as he fixed his gaze straight ahead, refusing to acknowledge her.

The elder Luminaries, however, couldn't seem to look away.

Banshee didn't seem to notice. She released a nervous breath and glanced around the group. "So, what's this about bells and tattoos being cold?"

It was Harpy who recovered first, giving Banshee a look that Cryo could only describe as intrigued. "We were discussing the signs when a Manifested has arisen."

Beside Harpy, Wyvern snorted. "Oh like we're not going to acknowledge this." His glare turned on Banshee. "What Luminary are you supposed to be anyway, kid?"

Banshee narrowed her eyes. "Kid?"

"Yeah, kid," said Wyvern. His barbed tail lashed on the ground behind him. "What are you doing in the Starlight Hall in some terrible costume?"

"I'm not in a costume," said Banshee, putting her hands on her hips. "I'm his partner."

"Oh? And what Luminary are you supposed to be?"

"I'm--" she began.

"A Banshee," said Cryo flatly.

She glanced up at him, giving him a grateful smile as her hands relaxed off her hips. "Exactly. A Banshee."

Wyvern inhaled as if to push the issue when Harpy's claw scraped across the floor. He glared at her, but as Harpy moved her fist up to rest on her sternum, Wyvern simply huffed and folded his arms, contenting himself with sneering in Banshee's direction.

"What an interesting pairing," murmured DragonFae, hovering just over Golem's shoulder. "Cold and Dark. Not welcome, but vital. None with all. Perfectly paired, a--"

DragonFae cut herself off and pressed her forehead into the back of Golem's head.

Golem reached back for his partner and patted her on the arm. "I'm gonna go ground Fae before all the new things overwhelm her. We'll probably dim the delve, unless you'll need us?"

He directed the question towards Harpy, who shook her head. "Myself and Wyvern can handle this."

Golem nodded. "I won't be far if you need me." Still with one hand on DragonFae's hand, Golem reached out towards Cryo and Banshee. "It was good to meet you, Cryo, Banshee," he said, shaking their hands respectively. "Welcome to the team. We're glad to have you."

"Likewise!" said Banshee with that ridiculous grin on her face, waving after Golem and DragonFae as they turned to leave, retreating up to the higher floors of the Starlight Hall.

Internally, Cryo cringed, though it was a struggle to ensure it stayed internal.

He decided to push matters onto more important topics, hoping that it would somehow allow the reality of the situation to break past his partner's excitement and finally sink in.

"May I ask what is expected of us?" said Cryo, resisting the urge to place his hands behind his back. His arms felt awkward at his sides, but with the wing crystals, they didn't seem to fit anywhere. "Which of the temple's rules and regulations still apply to us while transformed? Are there systems in place of which we are expected to make use, and what must we do to assist with the selection of our High Speakers?"

"On to the temple details already, I see," said Harpy. "Very well."

Harpy led them over towards a small alcove tucked away in the corner of the Starlight Hall's ground floor. Two High Speakers moved away as they approached, inclining their heads in a gesture that Cryo was in no way prepared for. He returned the gesture awkwardly, noting their all too amused smiles.

We know you don't belong here, they said to him. We can tell you're an imposter. A liar. A pretender. We've seen you for the civilian you are. No amount of Skypillar's power can change that.

Cryo dropped his gaze.

Harpy stopped by the wall, where six equally spaced holes were carved into the wall, their backs open to the small mail room on the other side of the wall. Four had various notes, trinkets, and other various things carefully organised within the space. Two were completely empty.

"These are the boxes with which you may communicate with your High Speakers," said Harpy, touching what Cryo assumed to be her own box. "The idea is to help us manage our Luminary duties with our civilian lives as much as possible and stay up to date. If it becomes necessary, you may also grant one or two civilians access to this part of the Starlight Hall."

"Wait," said Banshee, frowning and sticking her head inside one of the boxes. "So I could literally just like, give my friend permission to wander around in the Starlight Hall and write me notes?"

Cryo closed his eyes and tried to pretend those words hadn't come out of his partner's mouth.

Harpy took a patient breath. "It is not recommended to select anyone you are familiar with in your civilian life, as it can become dangerous for your identity. Nor would I recommend granting permission merely so someone could wander the Starlight Hall."

Banshee gave Harpy a sheepish grin. "Noted."

"As for your High Speakers," said Harpy. "Your first will be assigned by the temple during your Ascension ceremony to make the transition easier. If you find additional Speakers you deem worthy, you may also choose to grant them the title of High Speaker and the permissions that come with it."

"What permissions are those?" asked Banshee, leaning back out of the box.

"Access to the Starlight Hall, both the ground floor where we are now, and the first floor which contains the Luminary common room," said Cryo, earning an approving raised eyebrow feather from Harpy. "Permissions to assist with our communications. Permission to act on the Luminary's behalf, within reason, and manage any tasks the Luminary may require. A High Speaker will provide guidance about the Luminary's Aspect if requested or required, both in reference to past Luminaries of their Aspect, and texts from the First Civilisation."

Banshee blinked at him and stayed silent.

"I think that about covers it," said Harpy, nodding towards Cryo. "In short, a High Speaker is your personal assistant, your primary liaison around the temple, and will help you with any questions you may have."

"...Gotcha," said Banshee, biting down on her lip. She released the wall and tucked her arms against her stomach. So soft that Cryo barely heard it, she added, "...I think."

Harpy went over a few smaller issues that Cryo was already aware of. She encouraged them to attend the bi-weekly Offerings as often as they could, but assured them that it was not required. She told them that they each had a private room within the common room for whatever they might require, and that if necessary, food and other amenities could be arranged. She covered the basics of communication and a few other, obvious tips, such as the effect that the auroras had on Luminaries.

Cryo nodded along, but beside him, he was all too aware of how quiet Banshee had gone.

He spared her a glance perhaps once or twice, glad that perhaps finally, the weight of their responsibility had struck home. Being the chosen of Skypillar was not a game, nor something to be trifled with. It was a sacred duty, a task of the utmost importance that demanded the chosen six be at their peak, constantly vigilant against the Other's influence upon this City. There was no room for games and fun.

Which perhaps, was the most important question Cryo was yet to ask:

"What procedure is in place when a Manifested arises?" he asked. "What will be expected of us?"

Harpy shook her head. "Neither of you need to worry about Manifested for at least the first few months while you learn your transformations."

"Months?" said Banshee, unfolding her arms. "You expect us to wait months before we help save the Manifested? What on the peak do you expect us to do in the meantime? Watch?"

"Yes," said Harpy. "Neither of you will be ready to engage a Manifested for at least six months. Perhaps after that, if you have proven adept, you can get some first hand experience while supervised."

"Supervised," said Banshee flatly, raising both her brows at Harpy.

"Banshee," said Cryo quickly. "We should defer to their knowle--"

"Oh, come on!" said Banshee, rolling her eyes. "I was transformed for all of two minutes and had the shadow thing figured out, and most of my daggers, and was running across rooftops like two minutes after that! I fell off a building and barely felt a thing!"

Wyvern snorted. "And that's supposed to fill us with confidence, that you somehow fell off a building despite the agility of a Banshee?"

"I was trying to do a backflip, overestimated my strength and overshot it," said Banshee, hands on her hips as she stared Wyvern down. She gestured at Cryo. "Look, he's flying around and landing and whatever else like a pro. Surely he's got a handle on the ice stuff too. How is perfecting that gonna take us six months?"

"You're a cocky brat, aren't you?" muttered Wyvern.

Banshee glared at Wyvern. Cryo attempted to placate her with a hand on her shoulder, but she batted it away and swapped those fierce eyes towards him. "I thought you were supposed to be on my side, not just rolling your eyes every time I say something, partner."

"I wasn't--" began Cryo.

"Learning to work with your partner, for one thing," said Harpy flatly, silencing all three of them. "Manifested also have powers, often stronger than your own, and without the limitations. Your Scream puts your transformation on a timer. A Manifested will beat you down again and again with abilities equal or greater than the strength of your own. An inexperienced Luminary is an easy target, as are the civilians you will need to protect. The Other knows this, as does its minions. As you look for their weaknesses, they are looking for yours."

"And believe me," Wyvern added. "You have plenty."

"Oh really?" said Banshee, drawing a dagger from the sheathes on her back and twirling it between her fingers. "You wanna put your transformation where your mouth is, bat boy?"

Wyvern curled his tail around his leg, pointing the barb towards Banshee. "You wouldn't last a second against Fae or Golem, let alone myself, Harpy, or a real Manifested, girl." He sneered, eyes flicking to her twirling dagger. "You think that's what qualifies you to take on a Manifested?"

"Why, how do you take down yours?" asked Banshee in a sweet voice. "Do you say mean words at them until they cry?"

Wyvern's tail uncurled. "One sting--"

"Enough!" said Harpy, stepping between them and holding her feathered arms out. "I'm disappointed in both of you." She looked at her partner. "One day, Wyvern! That's all I asked for! And you," Harpy turned to Banshee, who sheathed her dagger with a sheepish look. "You're young. You're excited. That's fine. But despite his comments, Wyvern could take you apart in thirty seconds, so I suggest you remain quiet and pay attention if you want to survive past the year. Got it?"

Banshee dropped her gaze and folded her arms. "Sorry." She flicked her gaze at Wyvern and added, "Harpy."

Wyvern just looked away, which Cryo assumed meant much the same thing.

"Good," said Harpy. She huffed. "Now, since everyone appears to have extra energy to throw around, we'll show you around the Starlight Hall." She turned on her claw and waved them forward with a feathered arm. "Let's go."

"I'll be elsewhere if you need me," said Wyvern, spreading his wings and vanishing up the stairs in barely a flick of his tail.

Harpy didn't flinch at his dismissal. She jerked her head expectantly towards the stairs with a look to Cryo and Banshee, then started towards them herself.

Cryo followed, feeling as though he'd been the one reprimanded. He cringed at every clack his talons made on the starstone as he walked, wishing that his transformation perhaps weren't so loud, that his wings weren't so awkwardly stuck to his arms in the tight confines of the stairwell.

Most of all, he just found himself wishing for a partner--one that would take this as seriously as he did. He pricked his ears, listening for Banshee's steps behind him to ensure she was where she was supposed to be. He heard nothing. Frustration rose in his chest, swelling over the anxiety. Was she even following Harpy's instruction?

Cryo stopped and turned back, the ice of his wing crystals scraping against the wall as he did so. It made the most horrible keening noise, but he barely noticed, too busy searching for his 'partner' to be off running around staring at some pretty corner of the Starlight Hall.

She was right behind him.

Banshee only stopped as he did to not run into him. Her footsteps had been completely, utterly silent, her shadow perfectly swallowed by her body. She looked up at him, those crimson eyes behind her visor curiously excited, all hints of shame from Harpy's lecture forgotten with this new adventure that awaited at the top of the stairs.

Caught in the moment long enough that the pause became awkward, Cryo cleared his throat, trying to think of an appropriate exit to return to the social boundaries he understood. Did he praise her quiet steps, or would that compliment to her skill be a backhand to her personality?

Banshee did the one thing he hadn't considered.

She grinned at him and held out her hand. "I'm Banshee, by the way."

"... Cryo," he replied, awkwardly twisting to meet her handshake.

Something strange flickered within the cold as Cryo turned away and continued up the stairs.

Banshee just followed along behind him, quietly humming beneath her breath.

*+*+*+*

A/N - You know like 'the elephant in the room' is that awkward subject no one wants to talk about? I think ShadowSong's equivalent is 'a Banshee in a temple' after this ~introduction~ lmfao

Thank you for the comments last chapter, I appreciate them a lot <3 I haven't quite found the energy to reply to them, but I've read them all like three times and I'm trying to be nicer to myself x) 

Hope you're all staying healthy and looking after yourselves <3