As he leaned on the wooden patio decorated with climbing leaves, Lukas stared at the twinkling stars under the velvet sky. He was very despondent as he held a drink in his hand while laughter and dancing went on behind him, almost like an impassable gulf existed in between. He felt like he was all alone in the whole world, which was undeniably true. There was no one he could share his plight with and almost no one who could truly understand what he was going through.

His desolate mind was temporarily distracted when he saw a couple under the blissful night walking down the street. Chuckles and giggles trailed their way as the beautiful girl led the pitiful man by the nose, her eyes filled with mischievous desire. Deeply amused as the misfit couple disappeared down a certain corner, his eyes next followed the metallic whirls of carriages driving up and down the stone path while his ears drew a few wisps of conversations overshadowed by the din of music and laughter from the tavern below. At that moment, he was the silent bystander, watching a strange world turn its gears as usual irrespective of what he felt or most importantly what he was.

Feeling more homesick, his head flitted back to the sky above. He used to watch the night countless of times in his past life. The starry skies always held an allure over him as his mind once wondered on the possibility of other worlds and lives and the secrets deeply concealed and seemingly out of reach. After he finally found the one he wanted to share his whole life with, he also including him in to his habit. Most of his precious memories involved having late night conversations with his partner under the blanket of shifting stars. They made plans for their future together, of where they would live and how many pets they would own. He was truly happy at the time and he felt like he deserved it. He had worked hard and long for it, and all that remained was for him to enjoy the rewards that followed.

But now as he stared at the flickering motes, he could recognize none of the stars above. The new sky over him felt strange and all of his old life has been reduced into a serious of memories he would carry for a long while…

He was mired in his thoughts so deeply that he jumped when he finally realized he had company by his side.

“Sorry.” Geoffrey said as he got closer bringing with him a smell of honeyed beer with a hint of fresh woody scent that oddly soothed his moods.

“You seemed so far away, I didn’t want to disturb you.” He came to stand beside him, with a helpless expression on his face.

Lukas smiled weakly. “There is no harm done. I might have needed the company anyway.”

As the dazzling smile appeared on Geoffrey’s face, Lukas’s heart jumped a little. Inwardly groaning while making sure his face showed none of his annoyance, he cursed the stars for being transmigrated into a pubescent body. Children of this world might seem mature from a certain standpoint but according to his old world views he was effectively still a teenager. And that came with raging hormones, unstable moods, less self control…more than a few complications he currently did not need in his life.

“I have been meaning to say thanks,” he began, “for healing me back in the catacombs.”

As it was a personal gratitude, Lukas accepted it without flair.

“More than anything, it was with a stroke of luck that the spell worked.” He admitted,” But even if I hadn’t helped, you would still have survived long enough to be treated.”

Geoffrey lightly nodded. “That might be true but I would have been bedridden if it wasn’t for your spell. It was only thanks to you that I can stand here and show my gratitude.”

Lukas took a swig of his beer before he sighed, “My strength was barely enough…”

Geoffrey stared at him before he shook his head. “You shouldn’t think that way.” He encouraged. “The blunder at the catacombs allowed us to clearly see our weakness. We might now be weak but we are still young and so we have a long journey ahead us.”

He turned towards him. “I believe amongst us five, you are the one who holds the most potential. It’s only a matter of time before your strength soars and your fame reaches the skies.”

Lukas couldn’t help chuckle at his blatant optimism. For a moment he stared deep into his blue eyes before he suddenly caught himself and shifted his gaze elsewhere. Geoffrey’s enthusiasm was infectious. He found himself basking in it before a question arose.

“You miss home, don’t you?”

A little taken aback, Lukas shot back a question. “W-Why do you ask?”

Geoffrey replied honestly. “Your mind keeps travelling every time you look at the stars and your eyes seem to yearn for something beyond the skies…”

“Ahh!” Lukas slightly blushed, momentarily unable to utter a word. He took a moment to collect his wits before he replied.

“Well I do” he admitted. “, Especially today of all days.”

Geoff beamed, “Tell me more.”

Lukas gave him a glance, almost as if he was hesitating about something before he shook his head, divulging a story that was not his and yet it was.

“My true home isn't far from here.” He told him, “It is located more than five days worth of journey, in a little town of Demacia. You probably have heard of it. We are famous for our restaurants. I spent almost all of my childhood on those streets, running along the familiar pathways that carved its livelihood from my family’s prestige. But just as the rumors say, two years ago I and my sister were estranged from the House of Raydore.” He sneered. “If it weren’t for our change of luck in the Awakening Ceremony, who knows if we would still have a place to call home.”

He helplessly shrugged as he recounted a history that felt both familiar and foreign to him. He couldn’t dare tell the truth to a barely 17 year old and hope he understood. But what he currently felt was real, and he could only bank on that to make his story believable.

“Ever since then me and my sister have never set foot in my family’s compound. The world came to know me as a wastrel compared to my sister’s talent, and that reputation followed me even here.”

Embarrassed, Geoffrey apologized. “I’m truly sorry for the matter. Most of the nobles within circles have nothing else to do than gossip thus I might have inadvertently crossed paths with such news…”

Lukas strangely stared at him. “The way you speak makes it seem as if you aren’t one.”

Geoffrey gave a mirthless laugh. “I am nothing more than a glorified protector.”

Aware of Lukas’s confusion, Geoffrey further explained. “Once a few hundreds of years ago, my great-great grandfather, a warrior of humble origins saved the life of Mira’s family ancestor's. Since then as a show of gratitude my lineage was sworn as guardians to the rest of the descendants of the House of Fyre. Thus ever since I was born, I was destined to be her shield. I was raised to protect her ever since we were little.”

“Oh” Lukas nodded with understanding. "Then both of you must have had a lot of crazy adventures…"

His face shining with fervor almost as if a fuse was lit, Geoffrey broke into a tirade of the countless adventures he had ever since he could wield a shield and blade.

They were so absorbed into their conversation that neither of them was aware of just how close they were from each other. Lukas made for such a good audience that Geoffrey completely opened up, alleviating some of the despondency within his heart. Perhaps Geoffrey was aware or not, but he gladly regaled his story, making sure he exaggerated some parts which made Lukas chuckle at the silliness of it all. Apparently unlike most nobles, Mira was a very effervescent child. Both she and Geoffrey had gotten into quite a bit of trouble during the childhood years. He was just about to embark on one of the close shaves that ended with them nearly getting caught after they somehow set fire to one of their elder’s tongue when they both sensed a flitting presence silently join them, effectively interrupting their conversation.

The silent presence immediately raised their vigilance, and after exchanging wary looks, they swiftly got into their battle stance. Lukas summoned the Starlight staff into his hands while Geoffrey quickly unsheathed his blade in a heartbeat ready for confrontation.