When Rowan-In-The-Whispers returned, the stars in the domed ceiling had arranged themselves into patterns that Ali suspected might be significant, if only she knew how to read them. Their guide's copper-wire hair had darkened to match the night, moving like shadows in a flame.
"The night court has its own customs," they explained as they led Ali and Sage through corridors that seemed deeper and more mysterious in the darkness. "Different magics emerge when the sun sleeps, different alliances form and fade like shadows."
The corridors opened into a series of connected chambers that Ali hadn't seen before. Unlike the bright, open spaces of the day court, these rooms were intimate and shadowy, with ceiling heights that seemed to shift and change, creating the impression of being sometimes in a vast cathedral, sometimes in a cozy alcove.
Soft light came from what appeared to be captured stars, suspended in delicate crystal spheres that floated at different heights throughout the spaces. The light they cast was gentle but complex, creating layers of shadow that seemed almost solid enough to touch.
"The Night Revels," Rowan-In-The-Whispers announced, "are less formal than our daytime gatherings, but no less significant. Watch, listen, and remember - night has its own truths to teach."
They entered what appeared to be the main gathering space, where other tributes were already arriving with their guides. Ali noticed that their evening attire had somehow shifted to better suit the night hours - her dress now captured starlight rather than sunset, while Sage's had deepened to the color of midnight sky.
Melody-In-Moonlight was there, but her usual bright presence had softened to something more subtle. She sat at what appeared to be a crystal harp, drawing forth music that seemed to be made of moonlight and shadow. The songs were different from her daytime music - more mysterious, with harmonies that seemed to echo from somewhere very far away.
"Ah, good evening," said a familiar voice, and Ali turned to find Nightshade-Among-Stars approaching. In the night chamber, he seemed more substantial somehow, more present than he had during the day. His star-filled hair cast actual light now, creating patterns that moved across the floors and walls around him.
"The night is when many things become clearer," he said, his voice carrying undertones that reminded Ali of wind through distant trees. "Would you care to join me? There are certain aspects of our court that are better understood in darkness."
Ali glanced at Rowan-In-The-Whispers, who gave a slight nod of approval. Sage had already been drawn into conversation with another group of fae, including one whose hair seemed to be made of actual shadows.
"Thank you," Ali said carefully as she followed Nightshade-Among-Stars to a quiet alcove. "I would appreciate learning more about the court's nighttime aspects."
He smiled, and in the starlight his expression held something that might have been approval at her careful phrasing. "You learn quickly. That's good. Night is less forgiving of mistakes than day - though perhaps more generous with its rewards, for those who know how to seek them."
They settled into seats that seemed to form themselves from shadows, surprisingly solid and comfortable. From their position, Ali could see most of the gathering while remaining somewhat apart from it. She noticed other pairs and small groups similarly arranged around the chamber's edges, engaged in what appeared to be serious conversations.
"Tell me," Nightshade-Among-Stars said, "what did you make of today's Evening Observances? Did you notice anything... interesting?"
"There was a moment," Ali said carefully, "when the patterns seemed to... hesitate. Like a song that briefly loses its rhythm."
"Perceptive," he murmured. "Yes, there are certain... discordant notes being played in our court lately. Nothing obvious enough to cause concern, of course, but..." he trailed off, his star-filled eyes focusing on something distant.
"Is that why you and Twilight-Stars-Dancing were meeting in the garden earlier?" Ali asked before she could stop herself. Immediately, she worried she'd overstepped, but Nightshade-Among-Stars merely smiled.
"Ah, you saw that? Even more perceptive. My sister and I often find ourselves... discussing the court's changing dynamics. She sees things from the twilight perspective, while I..." he gestured to the shadows around them, "I tend to notice what happens in darker hours."
Sister. So they were related, as Ali had suspected. But before she could pursue that line of thought, Melody-In-Moonlight's music shifted to something more complex, and Ali felt the atmosphere in the chamber change subtly.
"Watch now," Nightshade-Among-Stars said softly. "See how the night court arranges itself. Much can be learned from observing who seeks whose company when the shadows are deepest."
Ali watched as fae moved through the space in what appeared to be random patterns but gradually revealed itself as an intricate social dance. She noticed how certain fae gravitated toward each other while others maintained careful distances. The tributes, she saw, were being subtly guided into different conversations and interactions, though it was happening so naturally that she might not have noticed if she hadn't been looking for it.
"Your friend," Nightshade-Among-Stars commented, nodding toward Sage, "seems to have caught the attention of the shadow weavers. That's quite unusual for a first night."
Indeed, Sage was now deep in conversation with several fae whose forms seemed to blur at the edges, as if they were partially merged with the darkness around them. They appeared to be demonstrating something that made shadows dance between their hands like living things.
"Everything here has multiple meanings," Ali said, thinking aloud. "Multiple layers, multiple purposes."
"Indeed," he agreed. "Just as I have multiple names, multiple roles. Star-Walker some call me, Night-Singer others. Each name represents a different aspect, a different way of interacting with the court's power." He turned those star-filled eyes on her directly. "Just as 'Dawn' is only one of your names, one aspect of who you might become here."
Ali felt a slight chill at his words, though not an unpleasant one. She touched her mother's bracelet, drawing comfort from its solid presence.
"The night hours are when many choose to share secrets," he continued. "When alliances are formed or broken, when truths too delicate for daylight are finally spoken." He paused, seeming to consider something. "If you find yourself in need of... alternate perspectives during your stay here, know that the night court has its own resources, its own ways of solving problems."
Before Ali could respond to this loaded offer, movement caught her eye. Twilight-Stars-Dancing had entered the chamber, her star-filled hair now the deep blue of early night rather than evening twilight. She caught her brother's eye and made a subtle gesture that Ali couldn't interpret.
"Ah," Nightshade-Among-Stars said, rising smoothly. "It seems I'm needed elsewhere. Think on what I've said, Dawn-who-might-be-more-than-Dawn. The night has much to teach those willing to learn its lessons."
As he departed, Ali found herself watching the subtle interactions between him and his sister, noting how they moved in unconscious harmony despite their apparent differences in court alignment. There was definitely more to their relationship than simple siblings - some deeper significance she hadn't yet grasped.
The Night Revels continued around her, Melody-In-Moonlight's music weaving through the shadows like silver threads through dark fabric. Ali noticed that while some tributes seemed overwhelmed by the night court's mysteries, others - like Sage - appeared to be finding their own connections to its subtle powers.
Rowan-In-The-Whispers appeared beside her, copper-wire hair now almost black in the starlight. "Learning interesting things?" they asked, their tone suggesting they knew exactly what Nightshade-Among-Stars had been discussing with her.
"Many things," Ali replied diplomatically. "Though I suspect understanding them properly will take time."
"Time," her guide said thoughtfully, "is something our court has in abundance. Though perhaps not as much as we once did." They glanced toward where Nightshade-Among-Stars and Twilight-Stars-Dancing were now engaged in what appeared to be an intense but silent conversation. "Come - there are others you should meet while the night is young."
As they moved through the shadow-filled chamber, Ali couldn't help but feel that she'd just been part of something significant, though she wasn't quite sure what. Like everything else in the Summer Court, she suspected the night's lessons would reveal their true meaning only when she was ready to understand them properly.