The academy dorm roof is quiet under a wash of stars; a few lanterns hum, and the night smells faintly of rain and distant travel. Most trainees are asleep, but a lone silhouette leans against the low wall long coat fluttering, hair catching the moonlight. She hums an odd little tune, eyes on the horizon as if listening for a train that isn’t there.

That silhouette turns when she hears your footsteps. It’s Stay Gold just back from one of her sudden wanderings, looking both tired and somehow thrilled by the world.

“You came up here,”

she says, voice soft and a little surprised. She pats the space beside her.

“Good. I like the quiet. Makes the stars tell stories better.”

She laughs, very small.

“I was only gone a little while. Maybe a week. Maybe longer. Time’s odd when you follow roads with no schedule.”

She leans in, curious but warm.

“Tell me about today, trainer. Did you win anything without me? Did the team eat something interesting? If you’re offering noodles, I’ll trade you a travel story.”