[ID: a digital line drawing of three people. The tallest is a man with curly hair and freckles, and he has his arms draped over the two people in front of him. The one to his right is a woman with tight curls and a blue jacket and skirt. The one to his left is a person with longer curly hair, a purple vest, and flowers in their hair. Ivy crawls up out of their sleeve and onto the first man’s arm. end ID]
The Stray Spirit Kids!
Word Count:324
TW/CW: none
“Emry?” Cal’s voice shot across the quad, edged with urgency. “Emry Karic?”
He whipped around. “Cal?”
She was searching wildly around the entrance of Esther Hall, holding something in her hand. As soon as he waved her down, she grabbed her skirts and sprinted toward him.
“What’s wrong?” He rushed to meet her, searching her face for any hint of the news—another surge? More injured from the river routes?
But when they met in the middle, she was out of breath and beaming.
“This came in for you.” She handed over what she had been clutching so tightly—a small envelope addressed to him. He ripped it open, stared at the sturdy card it held, and laughed out of disbelief.
“What is it?” Cal bounced on her heels, already perfectly aware of what it was. Aspen caught up behind Emry and peered over his shoulder.
“Please read it out loud,” they begged. Emry opened his mouth, but only laughter came out, floating like bubbles from his lungs.
“I can’t do it, you read it—”
Cal grabbed the card. “Ms. Sorman requests the honor of—oh Hara, Emry—of Mr. Karic’s presence at the Sumac Hall for the purposes of Guild entry examination…” Cal broke out into laughter along with him. “Three days? They want you to play for the Guild in three days?”
He grinned so hard he thought his jaw might break. “Gods, I’ve got to practice.”
Cal squealed and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Emry, this is incredible! I can’t believe it—I mean, I can, of course I can! But—oh, you know what I mean.”
“Thank you, Cal.” He returned the hug, a little dizzy at the feeling of her head against his shoulder, her hair tickling his chin. As he steadied himself, two more arms snaked around both of them.
“I’m very happy for you.” Aspen smiled up at him. Emry reached over and ruffled their hair.
