Faeron was dazzled by the decorations. He'd never seen so many colors, so many lights. If he wasn't already mute, he'd have been completely speechless. The young Rava had never seen anything like it. He was still learning about the world outside of what he'd known his entire life. Juray, the woman who'd saved him from a lifetime of torment, had gone to Ul'dah on business, promising Faeron she would only be gone a few days, and leaving him in the care of a friend. With his limited knowledge of sign language, Erynion was able to glean that the teenager didn't know what Starlight was. It shouldn't have surprised him, considering where Juray had found him and the conditions he was living in. The Veena did his best to explain, but in the end, decided to take him out to show him. As Erynion was still recovering from injuries he'd received a couple months prior, he moved slower than usual on account of a limp. Even in his excitement at everything going on, Faeron kept close to his fellow Viera, as he was the only one he knew.

Erynion smiled as Faeron's face lit up as he tasted hot cocoa for the first time. "With that look, I think you like it."

Faeron nodded, licking cocoa from his upper lip.

"Don't tell the vendor, but Lord Hauchefaunt's cocoa is better."

"I heard that, Ryn!"

Erynion smirked and Faeron giggled.

The two sat on a bench at the amphitheater, Faeron happily munching on a cookie. Erynion couldn't help at smile at the innocence he still held, despite the traumas the boy had been put through.

"Ryn?" a familiar voice called. The bard turned his head to see one of the amphitheater's managers approaching. "I didn't know you were in town."

"Been in town for a couple months. Just not up to par to perform at the moment."

"Heard you were laid up." She looked over at Faeron, who was watching her. "Who's your friend?"

"This is Faeron, the ward of a friend of mine."

Faeron gave a smile before signing a greeting.

"Shy, I take it? Never seen someone your age be so shy as to not say hello."

"Hard to say hello when you don't have a voice," Erynion defended.

"And I feel like a complete ass now. I humbly apologize."

Faeron's fingers moved in a sign and she looked at Erynion.

"It said it was okay."

She pulled a candy cane from the bag at her side. "Here. I hope this will make up for it."

Faeron smiled as he accepted it.

"Happy Starlight!"

Juray returned to seeing the room looking pretty festive with Faeron passed out in the bed and Erynion sitting at the table, one hand resting on his leg and his head in the other.

"Overexert yourself?" she asked.

Erynion looked up. "A bit, but worth seeing the smile on Faeron's face."

"Is that why it looks like Starlight threw up in here?"

Erynion chuckled. "A bit." He turned in the chair to look at the sleeping teenager. "He looked so happy seeing the decorations and just being involved with the holiday. He got to be a kid today."

"Thank you, Ryn."

"For what?"

"I know you don't celebrate it, but thank you for showing the holiday to him."

"Truthfully, I was having a hard time explaining it to him, so I thought showing him would be the best option."

"I don't think your leg agrees."

Erynion chuckled. "It'll get over it." He pushed himself up. "Faeron will be happy to see that you made it back before Starlight though."

Juray had laughed to see how happy Faeron was to see her when he woke up, excitedly signing about the adventure Erynion had taken him on through the city. Mother Miounne had made a special delivery of her cookies for Faeron, commenting how he seemed to be starting to come out of his shell after he hugged her to thank her, signing as much multiple times.

Starlight Eve came and Faeron was very insistent on staying up to see the Saint of Nymeia.

"Do you think you could stay awake that long?"

'Yes.'

Juray chuckled. "Okay then."

Faeron looked surprised. 'Really?'

"If you can stay up and meet the Saint, I think he would be impressed."

Faeron grinned and ran over to stake out the Starlight tree and Juray turned to make him some cocoa.

"I'm not dressing up as the Saint of Nymeia," Erynion whispered.

"Pretty sure the ears would give you away."

"Hey!" Erynion's long rabbit ears laid back.

"Don't act offended."

"You're right." He grinned. "But what if he actually does manage to stay up all night?"

"He won't." Juray smiled before giving Faeron the cocoa.

Juray smiled as she put a blanket over Faeron, who had indeed fallen asleep waiting to meet the Saint of Nymeia, his empty cocoa cup next to him. She didn't have the heart to wake him.

"I guess you were right," Erynion said.

"I know how kids are. They always wear themselves out with excitement."

Erynion handed her a cup of coffee. "Here. I'll make breakfast. You spend some time with the kid. Out of the two of us, you're better suited to showing him the celebration."

"Are you sure?"

Erynion waved her off. "Leg's not gonna heal unless I use it. Go be with your son."

"You're hilarious."

"Shoo!"

Faeron woke up to the smell of food, his stomach grumbling. He sat up, realizing he'd fallen asleep after all and his ears fell.

"Why the sad ears?"

He looked over at Juray, who was sitting in a nearby chair. He held his hands up. 'I fell asleep.'

"All that excitement wore you out, didn't it?"

'I wanted to see the Saint of Nymeia.'

Juray patted the seat next to her and Faeron joined her. "There's always next year."

'Have you seen him?'

"No, but not for lack of trying," she said with a smile.

Erynion joined them, a plate in each hand, offering it to the two. "Eat up and you can open up your presents."

Faeron's ears went at attention. 'Presents? For me?'

"For you. But eat your breakfast first." Juray paused. "Slowly."

The three ate breakfast together, Faeron making himself not inhale his food. Erynion took their plates and headed toward the small kitchen.

'Open yours first!' he signed.

"Faeron, you didn't have to get us anything," Juray said. "This day is for you."

Faeron went to the tree and picked up two small packages with a bad wrapping job and Juray knew that he'd tried. The packages were marked with the first letters of their name in an unpracticed hand and Juray knew that he'd tried to write it himself. Erynion looked surprised when one of the packages was handed to him.

"Faeron..."

Faeron made a sign that the older Viera didn't know but with the way Juray snorted to keep from laughing he had a feeling the teen had just told him to shut up. He looked between them expectantly. Erynion revealed a bag of cookies, the edges slightly burnt. Faeron signed with an apologetic look on his face and since he hadn't understood most of it, he looked over at Juray.

"He said Miounne helped him bake some cookies for you. He might have burned them a little and he apologizes for that."

Erynion smiled. "It's okay, kid."

Faeron looked at Juray and she opened her gift, revealing a small rabbit figurine.

'Master Beatin taught me how to whittle. This way when you're away, I can go with you.'

"This is beautiful, Faeron. Thank you."

'You're welcome, Mama.'

Juray froze, a look of surprise on her face. She could feel the tears pricking her eyes. He trusted her enough to consider her his mother. She smiled and placed a hand on his cheek before pulling him into a hug. He squeezed tight, glad she didn't attempt to correct him. When they pulled away, Juray reached down and pulled out an envelope and a small box. She handed him the envelope first. Faeron opened it and pulled out a slip of paper. He looked at Juray, as his reading wasn't the best yet.

"Ryn?"

"I pulled some strings with the blacksmith guild in Limsa. It goes along with Juray's gift."

Faeron looked at Juray and she handed him the box. He opened it and pulled out a leather cord with a blue stone. On the stone was etched a shield.

"I went to Ul'dah to talk to Jenlyns. Assuming you still want to be a Paladin."

Erynion laughed when Faeron nodded vigorously.

"This soulstone was given to me when I started my own training. I never used it because I use my father's. I'm passing it on to you."

'I'll get to be a Paladin like you?'

"Jenlyns knows about your unique circumstance and he's agreed to let you train with the other initiates. You work hard, you'll be a Paladin like me and your grandfather."

This got Erynion's attention and he realized why Juray had reacted like she did a moment earlier: Faeron had chosen her as his new mother.

"When you've trained a little while and we see you're going to stick with it, we'll go to Limsa and get the sword and shield that Ryn commissioned for you."

'Thank you. Thank you both of you.' He threw his arms around Juray. After a moment he pulled back, holding his hands up. 'I think Starlight might be my favorite holiday.'

Juray smiled. "Mine too. Because I gained a son today. And I'll do anything to keep you safe, Faeron. I promise."

Erynion smiled at the scene. "Happy Starlight indeed."