The night was beautiful.
Ellis, along with the other students, came stumbling onto the airship where Knight Chryslar and Oland waited to look after them. Laughter spilled across the deck, punctuated by the occasional wobble and catch.
Perhaps it was for his sins, or perhaps some lingering attachment to the academy—even though nothing remained of it now but ruins—Oland hung around the students and watched over them like he was their butler. He steadied them when they swayed, directed them toward railings when they wandered too close to edges, all with the patient resignation of someone who'd long since stopped expecting dignity from the young.
All of them were drunk, both on wine and happiness, and Northern just leaned against the rim and watched them make fools of themselves.
Watching them did grace his lips with a smile.
