The guild hall bustled with familiar noise, clinking mugs, laughter, the rattle of armor, and the bark of requests from the front desk. Liora and Tessa walked inside, the sunlight gleaming off the polished floors and the board of fresh quests hanging ahead of them.
.
Liora approached the front desk, where the guild attendant, an elf woman with silver-rimmed spectacles and a professional smile, greeted them. "Back again, what can I do for you two today?"
Liora gave a soft smile. "We're here to update her records."
Tessa stood straighter, holding out her guild card with both hands. "I've changed my name. I want it updated on my guild ID and our party registry."
The attendant took the card, her eyes flicking over it. "Very well. What name should we list now?"
Tessa looked over at Liora for a moment, then said proudly, "Tessa Valestra."
The quill in the attendant's hand paused just a second as the name sank in. Then, with a slight nod, she scribbled the update and stamped it.
"It's official," the attendant said, handing the card back. "Welcome to the Valestra family."
Tessa held the card to her chest as if it were the most valuable thing in the world.
They browsed the quest board next, choosing something light, a simple delivery task to the neighboring village in two days' time. Nothing dangerous, nothing urgent. Just enough to keep coin in their pocket.
As they left the guild, the air was warm with the smells of cooked meat, roasted nuts, and fresh bread drifting from the market just a few streets over.
"Let's stop by the market before we go home," Liora said, adjusting the pouch at her side. "We're low on flour, and I want to make something nice for dinner."
Tessa nodded, still quiet but smiling. As they strolled the stalls, rows of vegetables, jars of honey, racks of simple trinkets, something caught Tessa's eye.
A small wooden stand under a colorful awning displayed an assortment of hand-carved hairpins. Among them was a simple silver one in the shape of a star, polished and delicate.
Tessa gently picked it up, holding it between her fingers.
"She'd love this," she whispered.
Liora peeked over. "Aria?"
Tessa nodded and stepped up to the seller, exchanging a few coins for the pin before carefully wrapping it in the brown cloth offered. "I want to give it to her tonight."
"You're really settling into this big sister role," Liora teased warmly.
Tessa smiled, tucking the little parcel into her pocket. "Feels like I always was. Just… didn't know it yet."
That evening, with groceries in hand and hearts full, the two returned home, where a small girl waited by the door, smiling brighter than the sunset behind her.