Stefan still wasn’t sure why he had let his sister talk him into such an idea. Filling in for her for a night with her Free Company. Had even dressed in what he had thought might be appropriate.

Yet he still stood out among them. The outsider among a group of people who trusted and liked each other. A part of him wishing he could blend in better among them. However these were his sister’s friends. Her allies.

He didn’t belong.

The best he could do was keep his opinions to himself. Try not to give them any reason to dislike him. Even when Nathaniel had called him a name… He kept his tongue. At least till later when he was alone with Anata.

Once free from helping them, he went back to his apartment. Sitting down at the piano. Fingers lightly dancing over the keys as Esper came to sit on top of the piano. Losing himself in the music.No more pressure to blend in. Here he could be himself. Just him and Esper.

“It doesn’t matter. I do not need a group. As long as I have you.” Stefan smiled sadly at Esper before pausing the song to reach up and scratch under the carbuncle’s chin. “You don’t require me to blend in.”