A Weird Alliance

"Beloved?" Misha echoed. She forced herself upright, brushing her hair aside to glare at Jazz.

Jazz's eyes flicked to Misha, then back to Fanfar.

"Is that what you call him now? How poetic for someone wielding gray flames," Misha said.

Jazz didn't respond immediately. His gaze pierced Misha like a blade, yet his expression softened as it turned to Fanfar, who was struggling to stand.

"You don't have to get involved," Jazz muttered; his voice carried a weight of emotion Fanfar wasn't used to hearing. "This isn't your fight, Fanfar."

"Oh, you should learn his name first." Misha sighed, locking her gaze on Jazz and taking stumbling strides toward the bathroom door. "Lirui." She positioned herself before Jazz and stated, "Ru in short." She offered it with her hand. "That is his name."

Jazz regarded Misha without moving his head. "So what?"

"It ought to have triggered a memory," Misha said, combing her ears back along with her hair.