Leiyun wiped her forehead as she glanced at 296.

"Well, we got the fire out," she smiled. "At least now it won't spread below," Leiyun examined the nearby grass of the Manor, charred and coal. The fire once ran on the blades, and now all that remained was the scent.

"Yea," 296 averted her gaze.

"296, right?" Leiyun asked her. "Do you have any other name you can be called?" 296 shook her head.

"He named me that. That's what I've been known as." Leiyun bit her lip. Who was he? It didn't seem to be Valencia Qa that 296 referred to.

Leiyun perked her head up as she heard steps, running towards her and 296.

"Heski! Kario! And Bhun Uyi," Leiyun glanced at all three of them. And she spotted another woman, with sunset-colored hair and Valencia in her arms. "We had to take out the fire at some point before it spreaded below."

Kario nodded and smiled. Then his smile faded with a chewed lip.

"By the way, who are you, miss?"

"Katherlynne," The woman replied. And she smiled before her gaze became solemn as she looked at Valencia.

"Well. What now?" 296 asked. "You said there were benefits to this."

Bhun Uyi stroked his stick-like mustache. "We can put Valencia in the dungeon for now. And talk and convince her there. And..." He glanced around at Heski. And Kario, and Leiyun, and 296. And Katherlynne, who held Valencia tight. "We can rebuild Oceanuris. Plant a new tree. For it is time for Valencia Qa to stand up and leave her Throne."

Kario, Leiyun, and Heski beamed at him. Katherlynne sighed a breath of relief from her chest, a feeling of freedom from the shackles in her feet.

And 296 just glanced quietly at them all and Bhun Uyi spoke again.

"She has ruled long enough."

#

Leiyun and 296 cleaned up the items, picking up charred and burned books, incomprehensive paper, and many other things that were nothing but ash. They needed to clean up the mess that was made, for the Manor was about to house some new people. It was still in good condition–much to their surprise. The Oceanuris Manor just needed a bit of some cleaning.

And Leiyun wiped her forehead as she smiled at 296, who held a broom in her hand. She smelled the air–it was fresh and much cleaner. Leiyun let out a small laugh.

"Alright, I think that's done!" She smiled at 296, who simply glanced down in silence. She still wore the same dress from the day she ran away from the Institute. Speaking of which, Bhun Uyi told some people to clean it up–as well as the Throne House–while they checked on Valencia.

That place was definitely cleaned now. But so were the people that lived there. She couldn't imagine what the people did to the many that lost their lives that day. Was 291 still okay? She hadn't seen her in days.

Oceanuris was being recreated. A new light was coming in for the people.

And yet 296 felt as if she couldn't reach it.

"296?" Leiyun tilted her head and poked her shoulder. "We've finished cleaning up the Manor! And Oceanuris is finally changing for the better. Don't you feel much happier now? Like this place suddenly had light bursting in?" 296 shrugged and averted her gaze.

Leiyun chewed the inside of her cheeks. In that girl, she saw a bit of distance. And yet...Leiyun shook her head and swallowed. She seemed so lost. Like a "child". Leiyun knew there wasn't much difference between a child and an adult. She found this discovery the hard way, nearly blowing out her flame. But she couldn't shake 296's clouded expression, thundering of her past memories that striked in her words.

No. Leiyun puffed out her chest and took a deep breath. Whatever it was. I still want to guide you and bring you so much happiness and love. Just as I had to my siblings, I want to bring the same to you. Maybe we can grow together, a future where we can appreciate the present and grow together without being stuck in what drowned us in the past. Perhaps, it was another way my flame glowed.

Leiyun took 296's hand with a smile. 296's hand shuffled slightly, and yet she didn't let go. Leiyun glanced at the setting sun.

What could she do first?

#

Leiyun ran, taking 296's hand with a basket in her hand.

"Where are you taking me?" 296 panted. Her forehead sprayed with sweat, even in the chill of the night. Her short hair blew behind her, and she panted and breathed heavily. "Le-Leiyun!"

Leiyun laughed like a small child. She glanced behind and spotted 296's flushed face. "It's okay, come on!" Leiyun took her hand and they finally settled on the grass, on a hill with a tree sat atop. 296 sat and sighed. She's been dragging me everywhere for the last few days. 296 couldn't help but flush and bite her lip. She got me this skirt. She pulled at the edges, a pale, blush pink that swayed freely. She wasn't used to wearing multiple layers of clothing at once. She ran her finger on the gray long sleeve that Leiyun offered with her Pesing Pebbles.

Oh, and there was more. Much more. Leiyun dragged her to the Bakery. After getting yelled at (it was something about getting fired, though 296 wasn't so sure), Leiyun took her right out to a nearby pastry shop, where she ordered a strawberry cake that they shared.

Then, there was another time. Leiyun wanted her to meet her children. They were all ecstatic to see her–they were a bit confused by her name. But 296 remembered being a little frightened by their welcoming nature. It felt so warm, to me. She waved at all of them shyly as Leiyun grinned at them all.

"What happened at the Throne House?" One of them asked.

"Oceanuris is about to change. And you guys will be able to live in a much better world!"

296 couldn't help but smile at those words.

She could go on and on in what else Leiyun dragged her into. They read together in the Manor that they helped rebuild, with books Kario bought. They all taught her many things. She learned about Pesing Pebbles and celebrations and the Qa. Leiyun also taught her about the "blue roof" that hung over them and turned black at night.

"That's the sky!" Leiyun pointed.

"Is there a Youmlay berry to turn it off? Like darktime?" 296 asked at the time.

"More like nighttime. And I suppose there is a Youmlay berry in the sky, called the Sun. That's what brings light into the world and makes it glow in the daytime."

That's what she said, at that time.

296 bit her lip and glanced up at Leiyun.

"Okay, 296." Leiyun opened the basket. It was small–and quite worn out. But it seemed to hold a lot of items. She first pulled out Ballo Bait balls in wooden bowls, and two jugs of water. She also pulled out some cloud-shaped buns, dollaped in sweet cream and sprinkles of small, heart-shaped chocolates. And finally, she pulled out some towels as she handed 296 one. "You're going to need it." She smiled as 296 took a Ballo Bait ball.

"Why are you doing this?" 296 blurted. The wind blew in both of their hairs as Leiyun watched a leaf blow past her, before snatching it from the air.

"Well, I have a lot of answers for that. But..." she handed the leaf to 296. "I would say it's because I simply wanted to guide you out from there." 296 lowered her gaze at the thought of that burning Institute. Leiyun wrapped one of her arms around 296. "So much love that you deserved! And we could lead and build a better future with Oceanuris! Not to become 'grown-ups—'" she mostly reminded herself that "—but just as you and I. Growing together, one day at a time. And allow ourselves, to appreciate the present time, in the many emotions that we might feel."

Leiyun closed her eyes and smiled at 296 warmly. "Oh!" she gasped. 296 took a bite of her Ballo Bait ball. "Speaking of which, we need to think of a new name for you!"

"Name?" 296 swallowed. "I said you can just call me 296, right?"

"We could..." Leiyun rubbed her chin. "But what about a name that tells more than just the numbers? Everyone has value and meaning. And there's always someone there to give that name."

296 knew that Dr. Exor gave her that name. She trusted him, to give that name and her entire value. Leiyun chewed a part of the Ballo Bait balls as she stared into the night, illuminated by millions of twinkling, still, fireflies, far away in the sky. The moon glowed brightly, like a Youmlay berry in the day. 296 glanced around and then down to her lap, where she held the Ballo Bait ball in her hands.

Leiyun...She glanced up again and her face flushed as she smiled back at her. She's been so kind to me. 296 thought of Leiyun's laugh. And the many words and smiles she's given her. And even in the silence, where they'd read a book in the Manor that Kario fetched for them.

I think...296 grinned. I think I can trust her to give me a new name.

"What do you have in mind?"

Leiyun closed her eyes and hummed. "I'm thinking..." She opened her eyes and observed 296's short blue strands that she combed for her a while back. And her pale face, currently blushing in a vibrant pink. The dress she gave her fell down and draped on the grass in a simple grace.

She practically pampered her. Like her Nai and Tai did so long ago.

What did they call her again?

"Ayo. Would you like to have that name? What do you think?"

The girl grinned as she leaned her head, closer to Leiyun's with a smile.

"I think that would be lovely."

"Who gave your old name, anyways?"

"Dr. Exor." Ayo replied. Leiyun bit her lip and frowned. "Don't worry; it's okay. I could tell you all about who he was. But I have you now. And he's long gone."

And there, Ayo knew that she could wait as the sand, knowing she could trust Leiyun wholly and she'd come like the waves. Her smile glowed in the dark, like her heart had finally been rekindled to live.