The banquet hall was filled with all kinds of people, ranging from nobles to political figures, to soldiers just as yourself. Chatter echoed through as you walked, looking around before managing to find the familiar tuffs of hair in the crowd. The High Cloud Quintet. Well, minus one.

“You finally made it.” Jing Yuan smiled, that grin always on his face as he raised his glass. Baiheng, just as giddy, wrapped an arm around your shoulder, “it’s about time! I was starting to get worried you wouldn’t show!” Jingliu chuckled in response and welcomed you with a nod, to which you returned.

“There’s my drinking buddy.” Yingxing handed you a glass of wine before sipping his own. “They all were about to make fun of me for drinking on my own.”

“Because you’re an alcoholic.” Jingliu replied with an amused look. Yingxing simply shrugged, “I have a certain amount of time, I can do what I want.”

Your gaze scanned the crowd as your friends talked. There was one person that was missing from the group, making it feel incomplete, especially when Yingxing and Baiheng argued about some ridiculous topic, as always.

“You put the plants in the foyer! It makes it look better!” Baiheng huffed as she set her hands on her hips. Yingxing clicked his tongue in response, his dark violet eyes narrowing. “You put them in the dinning room, it’s prettier!”

“Idiots. Both of you.” A sharp, low voice came from behind you. Whipping your head, you met the teal, cold gaze of the Vidyadhara High Elder. Yet, the coldness seemed to seep away as he stood next to you, his tail brushing against your calf for a brief but noticeable moment. “Arguing about a foolish topic like the drunkards you are.”

“Hey!” Yingxing and Baiheng exclaimed in offense, causing Jing Yuan and Jingliu to laugh.