I have a firm belief in my heart that Telamine was genuine last season. He didn’t know how to say Gorgug, he didn’t understand their references.
HOWEVER
Immediately after the Bad Kids left, he called his daughter and started learning. How did he know what a YakBak was? How did he intimidate Riz? HES BEEN PREPARING ALL YEAR. He’s fully fucking with them, and I’m here for it.
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The gardens are beautiful and Annori feels right at home there. She happily picks a blueish green flower and tucks it into Kevins hat. ‘To match your eyes,’ she says.
High above them on the edge of the tall cliff sits the manor, towering over them, currently shrouded in darkness. Five large, glass columns rise up to reach the terrace, and seem to be gently ferrying groups of people upwards. They curiously step towards the queue, but Findire beckons them to stay back for now.
‘Don’t rush upstairs just yet, friends,’ they say with a twinkle in their eye. ‘You won’t want to miss this.’
They stand waiting in the gardens for a little while longer as the sky turns magnificent shades of pink and orange. When the setting sun and rising moon flank the manor on either side, it becomes clear why Findire insisted on entering through the gardens. Small lights begin to appear on the walls and windows, slowly at first, then quicker, until the entire building is bathing in a starry glow that matches the colors of the sky. It’s a magical sight, and only when the sound of cheers emerges do they realize that all attendees had been quietly holding their breath as they beheld it. Findire winks at Annori when she meets their gaze, and gestures for them to take their place in the queue for the columns.
‘That was amazing!’ says Annori, while they enjoy the snacks and drinks being served to them by wait staff. ‘Does everyone in the city get invited?’
‘Ah, well, no,’ Fin discloses. ‘The manor is quite large, but the Duchess does not have space to host the entire city, I’m afraid.’
‘Hm,’ says Annori, not entirely pleased with that answer.
‘Perhaps you could discuss it with her tonight,’ suggests Fin with a smile. ‘I’m sure she’d be happy to hear your ideas.’
‘Maybe I will,’ declares Annori.
‘Whether they attend or not, the opening of the terrace is a night full of festivities for most people in Anamdael,’ Fin explains. ‘You’ll find many parties all over town.’
Kevin observes Ara, who seems not quite so at ease here as Annori and doesn’t know what to do with his hands. Findire stays close to him and every now and then lays a gentle hand on Ara’s arm to point something out to him. Kevin takes two drinks from a passing waiter and offers them to the pair.
‘Here, to ease the mind a little,’ he tells Ara.
Completely stone-faced, Ara asks: ‘Is it drugged?’
‘What? No!’ exclaims Kevin, aghast.
‘Wooow,’ murmurs Raiden through a mouth full of snacks. ‘Can’t believe you’d accuse my man Kevin of such a thing.’
‘I’m sure anyone who would do that only has Ara’s best interest at heart,’ mumbles Annori, flustered.
‘Here, if you’re truly worried,’ Findire switches Ara’s glass with their own, raises it in a quick toast and takes a sip.
‘I wasn’t — You don’t… Let’s just forget the whole thing,’ Kevin stammers as he takes the glass back out of Ara’s hand and knocks it back in one big gulp.
Thankfully, any further awkwardness is interrupted when they are ushered into the nearest glass pillar. Some sort of spell moves the platform they are standing on and they ascend, granting them a stunning view of Anamdael. They do indeed see many places in the city lit up with lanterns for festivities of their own.
Stepping out onto the terrace, they see most of the guests are moving into the large ballroom inside the manor. Raiden overhears some of them whispering about Falinel — it appears she is late, while Astrid is already here.
‘So, what do we say when people ask us who we are?’ wonders Annori.
‘Just tell them you’re here as my guests, and no one will bother you with further questions,’ states Findire, as they scan the crowd. ‘Ah, I will have to leave you for a while, there are people I need to converse with. Please — enjoy yourselves. You’ve earned it.’ They briefly bow their head with a smile before turning around to mingle, leaving the group to their own devices.
As they enter the ballroom, Kevin is struck with a feeling of awe and nostalgia. It’s been a while since he was at a formal event, and longer still since he was anywhere this fancy. He turns to Annori to ask her to dance, but is interrupted with a tap on the shoulder. He turns around to find a girl of about seventeen.
‘Oh, sorry mister, I was wondering if you would dance with me?’
‘Of course, I’d love nothing more,’ replies Kevin in all his chivalry. He guides her onto the dance floor where they share some elegant steps and polite conversation. The girl is named Lorelei, and came here from Feirenwald with her mother.
‘It’s my first time here, I’ve always wanted to go,’ she explains. ‘My friends have been encouraging me to go up to you — I just really loved your outfit.’
When the next song starts, Annori excitedly cuts in and she and Kevin enjoy themselves with a more playful strut.
Suddenly, murmurs start to ripple through the crowd. Falinel arrives, wearing a truly gorgeous gown. A gown that, regrettably, she wore to last year’s gala. Whispers spread. ‘What happened to her?’ ‘Is that last season’s dress?’ ‘Unheard of!’ ‘Did her stylist die?’ ‘No, but fashion did, along with her dignity.’ ‘I know elves live long but that outfit shouldn’t.’
Annori and Kevin exchange a silent look on the dance floor and nod.
‘How embarrassing!’ Annori says, barely whispering.
‘Indeed,’ Kevin chimes in, ‘so not demure.’
The whispers continue, spurred on by their contributions. Falinel keeps her head high, though Annori can spot some genuine annoyance peek through under her expression of resignation.
Indulging in more fancy treats at the snack table, Raiden suddenly spots a familiar face. Bree is standing next to a halfling noble in extravagant robes, who is orating loudly and endlessly to a handful of people about how much he enjoys sponsoring research. Bree can’t get a word in edgeways and seems to shrink with every word. Raiden wipes his fingers on his coat and walks up to him.
‘Bree, hi, I realize I only really knew you as Ancient Soldier Guy so uh,’ he extends a hand towards Bree, whose eyes grow wide with panic as he shakes it. ‘I’m Raiden. How are you doing?’
‘HAHA!’ exclaims Bree nervously, his eyes darting towards the nobles observing them. ‘He means, uh — it’s a game we play. A character.’
‘Right! Games!’ Raiden jumps in, catching on quickly. ‘Tabletop roleplay at the inn, it’s a whole thing. There’s dice involved.’
‘With whom do we have the pleasure?’ asks one of the nobles.
‘Me?’ Raiden leans a little too amicably on Bree’s shoulder. ‘I’m here as a guest of Ambassador Talthanryl. Friend of a friend, you know how it is.’
‘You know the ambassador!’ exclaims another. ‘Have they told you whether they bring good news from Nospait? I’m looking to speak to them about a business opportunity.’
‘Ah, no, I’m afraid that’s not the type of thing they discuss with me,’ says Raiden, settling comfortably into this conversation that’s way above his pay grade. ‘But do tell me about your business idea!’
The nobleman explains a trade proposal concerning mushrooms from Nospait that can’t be grown elsewhere.
‘Now, are we talking about the eat-y kind, or the other kind?’ asks Raiden playfully. ‘Because either way, I’m in.’
There is laughter, and another noble pipes up. ‘You should talk to Melvin here, he’s acquired some actual moopleberry juice!’
For a few blissful minutes, Bree can enjoy a bit of respite from having to dance around the topic, but eventually his patron does bring the conversation back to the possession spell.
‘It’s going to revolutionize the way we teach History!’ he proclaims. ‘Imagine — students will no longer have to guess at the motivations of a historical figure, or pretend to empathize with the victims of past tragedies. Soon, this research will enable academics all over the Empire to connect with the past on a deep, personal level by hearing these stories first-hand!’
‘Marvellous,’ remarks Raiden, slapping Bree on the shoulder. ‘I see absolutely no drawbacks.’
Meanwhile, Ara has gravitated towards the quietest corner he could find on the terrace. He firmly holds his drink now that he has no spear to cling onto, and stares into the middle-distance. He quietly worries about not having complimented Fins outfit, and is scripting a whole conversation in his head.
‘There you are!’ says Kevin.
‘You don’t look like you’re having fun,’ states Annori. ‘Come inside, there’s so many people to insult there!’
‘I don’t insult people,’ corrects Ara. ‘And I’m not having fun, I’m the only swamp elf here.’
‘Sure, but we’re here!’ Annori says, wrapping an arm around Kevin. ‘Look at this face, he needs to be danced with.’
Ara looks out to the crowd on the dance floor. ‘We’re on Fins territory now. I don’t wanna… embarrass them.’
‘Findire definitely wants to dance with you, are you kidding?’ exclaims Annori. ‘I saw the way they were looking at you! Come on.’
Together they drag Ara back inside. Kevin leads him in a stiff dance, which Annori carefully ensures is in view of Findire who is standing a little ways away. It doesn’t take long for their plan to pay off. Fin approaches them from across the room.
‘May I cut in?’ They extend a hand in invitation to Ara. He looks to his friends making encouraging gestures in the background.
‘I believe this is the part where you say “yes”,’ Fin suggests, with a gentle smile.
Ara meets their gaze and, after a second or so, takes their hand.
They share a graceful dance together. The rhythmic tranquility of this shared focus connects them, and they glide across the floor in unison without needing to speak.
