GN!Reader, Felix should get to have some fun, hints of a thing between Rime and Sage because I think it's funny, remember that relationship chart that said Scylla has a crush on Anisa?, I do not remember the layout of Blackthorn Hall that great so just roll with me here
Florian approaches you,, maybe a week or so before the big day. He wants to throw Felix a party! But because he hasn't really been around Fe much the last few years - a regretful period but it's too late to take it back now - he needs some ideas on what to do.
Well,, Felix isn't exactly known for having many friends. So a small affair would probably be best. Preferably not with Escell involved... And hey, Felix loves getting to show off his magical prowess! Maybe that can be useful somehow?
Florian beams in excitement, pats your hand in thanks, and asks you to please bring the Starsworn to Blackthorn Hall at 10 PM on the 13th. You agree, but you're more than a little confused.
A week later you, Anisa, Sage, Rime, and Felix all show up to Blackthorn. Felix isn't exactly glad to be home but he brightens up considerably when Florian is the one to open the door. As you all walk in, Withers offers everyone some drinks. You can tell they're alcoholic because Sage takes three.
Anyways, Florian leads you all out to the backyard. Scylla is sitting at a little lounge chair, sipping on her wine. Sage starts to go over to flirt with her and Rime grabs him by the tail. So now Rime is snapping at him, Sage is purring mostly to piss him off, Scylla has come over to flirt with Anisa, and Felix is rubbing his temples to stave off a headache.
Once everyone has gotten semi-settled, Florian claps his hands and announces everyone will be playing a game! In teams of two, you'll all have to traverse the hedge maze and try to find your way to the surprise at the center.
Scylla immediately claims Anisa as her partner. She knows where all the non-poisonous berries are. Maybe she can feed Annie some? ;)
Meanwhile Anisa is vaguely concerned that there's poisonous berries.
Sage says he'd really rather not because he's afraidoftheghosts too old for silly games.
Rime calls him a coward, which means Sage has to defend his honor.
That leaves you and Felix. Felix is a little smug. He used to play in this maze and he's reasonably sure he can navigate it.
Florian smiles and tells you all to have fun, then goes inside the house to check on the cake. Scylla leads Anisa off one way, Rime and Sage go bickering off another way, and Felix takes your hand and heads off a third way.
Wouldn't it be easier to just,, y'know,,, cut through the hedges? You go to try when Felix quickly grabs you. While he admires your quick thinking and dedication to cut through the heart of the problem, that wouldn't be advisible. See, these hedges are enchanted to-
A not-so-distant string of colorful expletives echoes from somewhere nearby. Felix snorts into his hand and says Sage must have tried that same idea. Good thing Rime is nearby to heal him.
So with that idea out, you tell Felix to lead the way.
You're not too far from the mausoleum but it's still a little weird to see spirits floating overhead. You jokingly ask Felix if he recognizes any of them. He smirks and says he's fairly certain that that one resting on the petunia over there is his Aunt Nymphaea, from Florian's side of the family of course.
Fifteen minutes later, as you and Felix snicker and laugh about a childhood memory involving frogs and a particularly irate bird, a,, a,,, vague amalgamation of shadows and glowing red eyes oozes out of the shadows. Normally you'd be at least a little scared but something about it looks downright... Cartoon-ish. Especially when it lets out a 'roar' that sounds a lot more like someone just yelling 'rawr' into a voice changer. You can't help but laugh at the obvious illusion as Felix blasts it with an orb of light.
Though he's laughing, there's a fair bit of pride in his eyes as he says that nothing here is a match for a Great And Powerful Necromancer like himself. Worry not, Dear Barista. He'll protect you.
You two make your way through the maze, Felix's expert sense of direction - or at least, his familiarity with the twisting paths - guiding you safely. There are a few more silly 'monsters' to blast. One of them is just a floating book so they're not exactly scary.
You pass by Anisa and Scylla, with Anisa (ineffectually) using her sword to duel with a cuckoo-clock bird and Scylla lingering back, sipping wine and totally checking Anisa out cheering her partner on. You also witness Sage getting chased by a giant version of Stella and yelling at Rime to blast it while Rime follows behind and laughs his ass off.
You ask if you should help them but Felix merely grins and says you'll lose the race if you do that. Besides, the beasts are just illusions, so there's no real danger involved.
Each time Felix shoots down a new enemy, he uses a different spell. He tells you about them, delving into rants and explanations about how he found that particular spell and the changes he's made to the development and so on. There's a lot of it that goes over your head but he's more than happy to slow down and explain for you.
He really is an amazing teacher.
Felix makes you stop walking for a moment. Pauses. Clears his throat, waves his hands in a practiced flourish. Bows. Announces that He Has Safely Brought You To Your Destination, Just As He Promised. You thank him with a peck on the cheek and try not to grin at the little noise he makes. His face is pink but he smiles back and squeezes your hand, then leads you forward.
The center of the maze has been decorated for a party. Glowing lanterns are strung between the hedge walls. There's a table set up and decorated with candles and roses and other finery. A smaller table off to the side holds ornately-wrapped presents. It looks like a good portion of the kitchen staff is out here, darting between the table and three carts that are covered in steaming foods and brightly-colored desserts. A fourth cart is reserved for a large gothic cake.
Florian comes over, a bit of a laugh in his voice as he admits that he really thought you guys would take longer. But that's just like his Felix to excell in a challenge. He ruffles Fe's hair as he says this, and now Felix is a whole new shade of red.
By the time the others finally show up, Felix is attacking a platter of olives and Florian is recounting a tale of young Felix nearly setting the manor on fire while trying to put one of his mud pies in the oven.
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