PART I - NICE

Callie was seated cross-legged, with Pixyl leaning back against her chest as they both looked out over the wide expanse of forest below them. The sun was setting, turning the sky red, the light filtering through a few distant, wispy clouds. It was still a while before it would be dark enough to see stars.

"This is nice," Pixyl said, shuffling a bit to reposition one of her wings.

"It is nice," Callie agreed, her head tilted back and eyes closed, as if drinking in the fading daylight. "Growing up I was a city girl. I never really got to get out and appreciate nature like this very much. I wish I had." She tilted her head down and kissed the back of Pixyl's, hugging her a little tighter from behind. They were still figuring out how to properly snuggle with the Pixie's wings in the way, which was why Pixyl generally gravitated towards being the big spoon despite being smaller. "This is nice," Callie repeated in a whisper, kissing Pixyl's head again.

Following getting kicked out of the dining tent so it could be turned into a dance hall, everyone seemed to go dashing in different directions. While a few stuck around to lend a hand, most of the staff and guests retreated to their own tiny cabins, or to the recruit mess tent where games of cards, dice and something akin to dominoes or mahjong were available to pass the time. As for the recruits, a few returned to their cabins, socks appearing on the door handles, while others joined the games or simply wandered the camp, often holding hands with their Midsummer partners as they got to know each other better in a way not training related.

Callie and Pixyl had decided on a walk in the woods, since with their Darkvision it wouldn't be a problem getting back if they took their time and the sun set on them. They headed towards the big lookout rock not far away that they'd visited a few times over the past couple weeks, Tazrok having told them about the spot helping him decide to embrace being a Druid. It was a pretty spot, looking out over the lush of the forest below them and offering a full, panoramic view of the setting sun's sky. They'd made out a bit, and Pixyl even got a little wing action, too, but they kept their clothes on, lest someone else stumble upon them.

"Do you think about the future?" Pixyl asked, breaking the stillness.

"How do you mean?"

Pixyl shrugged. "You know, after our Conscription is done? W-W-What you want to do?" She paused. "Ab-b-bout us?"

Callie swallowed, surprised by the question's addendum. She considered her response. "Some," Callie said. "Maybe more than I should. There's a lot of things between 'now' and 'then' that have to happen first, though. Why?"

"I think about it sometimes," Pixyl said after a long silence. "About being back in Marindine. About being back in the pits. I don't know if I want to d-d-do that any more. That's all I know, though."

"Well, then don't do it," Callie said, shrugging, eyes still closed as she faced the sky. "I mean, you have enough money to start over with something else. Somewhere else, too, if you want."

The two sat in silence for a few minutes, the distant squawking of a pair of drakelings breaking the otherwise serene moment.

"I want you to b-b-be there," Pixyl finally said, her voice a little shaky. "Wherever 'there' ends up being; whatever 'it' ends up being, I want you there with me. If we can, that is."

For the most part, Pixyl was not one to let herself be emotionally vulnerable, and Callie was rather shocked by it. But the statement also weighed on her a bit. It wasn't that the sentiments were actually bad. She'd be the first to admit she'd had some of the same thoughts, after all. But this 'relationship', or whatever it was, was brand new, in a world she had little concept of beyond the camp. Plus, they were going off to war, and would be separated for the good part of a year, if not longer. And then there was the grim possibility of one of them not coming back from that war. She didn't want to delve into those possibilities and spoil the moment, though.

Pixyl looked up and back a bit, expecting an answer of some kind.

"I've thought about us together," Callie said. "I'm not opposed if it happens. But that's a long way off, for both of us, you know? I don't want to miss the 'now' worrying about the 'then'."

With hesitation, Pixyl reluctantly and slowly nodded in agreement, or at least in understanding.

"I mean, we have training to finish, a war to end, Vanis's kingdom to save …" Callie grinned as she counted to-do items off on her fingers. "My social calendar is simply packed for the immediate future. You're welcome to tag along, if you want, though. It'll be fun!" She added a light laugh, hoping that was enough to push off any more serious conversation about a far off and unknown future.

Returning a single laugh, Pixyl then sighed, her body relaxing ever-so-slightly. "It will be fun," she said in a whispered agreement.

They sat and watched the red sky in silence for a while, their thoughts turned inwards and tumbling in a dozen directions at once, as the prospects of the unknown future weighed on them. It was hard not to think about that future, and romanticize the 'happily ever after' possibilities that it might bring. At the same time, it was equally hard to ignore the realities that needed to be overcome first. They both knew they needed to stay grounded and focused, or the distraction could lead to the unthinkable.

Twisting around to face Callie, and getting up on her knees, Pixyl looked deep with her blue eyes, locking them with Callie's purple ones. They stared at each other for several long moments, saying nothing but communicating all the same.

Pixyl suddenly charged Callie, pushing her backwards. She straddled Callie's body, pressing her lips hard, throwing passion into the moment.

Instinctively, Callie reached around for the base of Pixyl's wings. Pixyl slapped her hands away for some reason, though, while continuing to focus on the intense kiss. Then she felt it, a tiny Pixie hand sliding itself under her rope belt, fumbling to find a path.

"Take off your pants!" Pixyl hissed, her voice firm and commanding.

"What? People might …" Callie began to whisper just as the hand found what it was searching for, causing the rest of the words to be cut off in a gasp as her eyes went wide.

"Then they can watch," Pixyl growled, simply not giving a damn.

Callie and Pixyl managed to have a little fun without anyone accidentally stumbling upon them, save a pair of rather curious jackalopes, although Callie was pretty sure she heard a couple people not far off in the woods with her super-hearing. They'd surely heard her, too, quite honestly. She really hadn't been very quiet. The moment had been a good break after the brief serious conversation, and Callie found herself once again slightly surprised at how aggressive Pixyl could be. For some reason, when it came to intimacy, she didn't really expect it from her somewhat shy, tiny girlfriend, but in those moments it came on, it erupted. She had to admit she rather liked it, too.

While they had been recovering a bit, lying back and watching a few clouds pass in front of the moon, the distant bell sounded. Rather than rush back immediately, neither had moved, simply basking in the moment for a while longer. It was finally when a slingstone beetle landed on Callie's naked thigh that the bliss was broken, her shriek of sudden terror destroying the otherwise quiet afterglow. The beetle was nonplussed, took umbrage at being brushed away in a panic, and flew off, looking for something else to do.

By the time they left the woods, emerging onto the training field, the party in the tent was already in full swing. Distant bits of music could be heard, along with a few people whooping it up in celebration. Outside the tent, scattered poles had been erected with glowing globes at the top, each casting a muted circle of light over a small, chest-high table where perhaps four people could gather to drink and chat. Callie and Pixyl took their time, not in a rush as they strolled hand in hand. When they got close, they found a nervous Lena who had been pacing, her hands fidgety.

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"Oh thank the stars," Lena said. "I thought something might have eaten you."

"Seriously?" Callie replied, rolling her eyes. "We're fine. You need to take one of Ambria's Dreamers."

"Why do you have grass and dirt all over your back?" Lena asked, her tone maternal as she roughly brushed Callie's clothing off, ignoring her suggestion. "And more of it in your hair!"

"Um, gee, I dunno," Callie said, shooting a mischievous grin towards Pixyl.

"Uh huh," Lena said deadpan, noticing the glances between the two. She finally put it together and threw up her hands. "Yup, I don't want to know!" she growled before stomping off, making sure to show her annoyance.

Giggling a bit at Lena's mothering, Callie and Pixyl walked under the massive tent. The twinkling fake stars above were even more bright without any daylight leaking in, and globes similar to the ones on the poles, but much more subdued had been placed in strategic locations to provide enough light. Probably half of the tables from dinner had been removed, clearing a space in front of the stage, and half of those that remained had been raised up to a standing height. To reach, Callie saw Swopik perched on a booster, so assumed there were more around as needed.

Up on the stage, the musical group was in full swing, playing a somewhat peppy song that had about ten people or so dancing in pairs, and at least another twenty clapping along. In addition to Deduxia and Nekini, four others had joined them, two dark-skinned Elves, one with fair skin, and a Catkin of some kind, maybe a Pantherkin. The two Gnomes had both changed their clothes, the former wearing a tie-dyed lightweight dress in a rainbow of bright colors, while Nekini's outfit was a little more subdued, but sporting a bright-colored shirt which paired well with a pair of stylish suspenders holding up darker pants.

As for the rest of the band, one of the Elves was playing a fiddle, another, this one male, a standup bass, while the Beastkin added a slow-but rhythmic tap of a trio of drums, using her paws, so it wasn't very loud. The fourth, the lighter-skinned Elf, was standing to the side, pulsing out waves of light towards the roof in time with the music, while also clanking away with a pair of finger-cymbals in one hand and shaking what was essentially a tambourine in the other.

Callie couldn't decide if she actually liked the music, because it still had a sort-of-lame renaissance faire feel to it. The lightshow from who she assumed was the Illusionist was pretty cool, but the music sort of brought it down to simply 'oh, interesting'. Well, she could dance to it if she had to, she supposed.

"Ladies!" Vanis called from one of the tables, waving and then pointing to indicate a stack of boosters off in the shadows. Also at the table was another male Elf, the one he'd spoken to briefly just before telling his Prelude to the Feast story. Joining them was a young, lady Elf in a high-cut green dress, with a poof of netting in her hair of the same color, and a necklace of sparkling stones. She was standing rather stiffly, with a slightly sour, bored look on her face. Juniper was there, too, but turned away so she could watch the light show and essentially ignoring the others.

"Lena was dreadfully worried," Vanis said with a smirk as Callie and Pixyl arrived and stepped up on the boosters they had found. "I thought she might wear a trench in the ground from her pacing."

"Yeah, she really needs to get a puppy or something," Callie replied.

Smirking, Vanis gestured towards the other two Elves. "If I may, Callie, Pixyl, I'd like to introduce Lord Cessel and Lady Winafria, both of Imor. The Lady sits as a member of Parliament. In fact, she's the youngest member in its history, and the Lord has also served in the past and has been a long-time friend of my father's."

Gulping, Callie straightened her posture, as did Pixyl. "Uh, hello," she said. Despite being around Vanis since the beginning, she wasn't sure what the protocol was for addressing important nobility. She looked to Pixyl for help, feeling suddenly far too informal.

Having been ingrained with too much royal knowledge from her family, Pixyl bowed her head deeply, instinctively replying with, "It is a pleasure." Next to her, Callie quickly copied the motion.

"Charmed," the Lady said, paying almost no mind to the newcomers and seeming to firmly blow them both off. She sighed, almost a bit of whine, "Cessel, I wish to go dance."

"But you hate this music," Cessel replied.

"Yes, but it appears this is what is available," Winafria said with another sigh. "Your Majesty, if you'd excuse us both?"

"Of course," Vanis said. "It was wonderful to catch up, Lord Cessel. Congratulations again to you both on your marriage. Lady Winafria, I'm sure we'll talk again before you depart. Please, have a wonderful evening."

"I'm going to need a lot more wine for that to happen," the Lady replied, rolling her eyes. "This music is so … dull."

"Yeah, it kind of is," Callie agreed, having almost immediately forgotten her place around the Lord and Lady.

"See?" Winafria said to her husband, gesturing towards Callie. "Even the Little One agrees with me. At least the Illusionist appears skilled. Come, we'll make the best of it."

"Work, work, work," Cessel fake-grumbled with a chuckle as his hand was taken, before being led off, or maybe dragged off, both echoing a fading 'Duwana' to Vanis.

"Why are they here?" Callie asked. "Checking out the camp? She seems really young to be a member of Parliament."

"The Lady is Legate Galin's younger half-sister," Vanis said. "She's a little older than me, about thirty, and I've known her in passing for a few years. Actually, I had no idea she and the Legate were related, until we began speaking. She and Lord Cessel also finally married early last month."

"Huh, the Legate having a baby sister. For some reason, I never would have imagined that." It was so easy to forget that the officers and staff all had lives outside what was seen here.

"I suspect he invited them to visit for the holiday under the auspices of being family, but perhaps also so they both return with a good report regarding the camp's work. Mind your manners around them both, if you would. The Lady is a bit of a rising star in politics, and I wouldn't be surprised to see her in a leadership role before too long."

"Got it," Callie agreed, with Pixyl nodding along eagerly. "Hopefully they've already seen a lot of good things."

"I believe so. Winafria was commenting on your summoned constructs, finding them quite fascinating. I'm sure she'd appreciate a one-on-one demonstration if you'd be willing. Of course, she was also quite impressed by the results of your full layering attack. She called it 'quite the boom'."

Callie grinned at that, mentally making a note to talk to Lady Winafria the next day, if only to answer any questions she may have, and maybe talk up Xera and the rest of the camp. If she wanted a demonstration of the turrets, she'd be happy to do that. It seemed important to Vanis, so in turn it was important to her, too.

"So, what did we miss? Anything interesting?"

Vanis made a shuddering motion. "Just all the formal ball ceremonies at the beginning. Processions and receiving lines and formal pairings and all that."

"He said it was horrid," Juniper said absently, turning back to the table so she could refill her wine glass. "It was intriguing, but did seem overly tedious."

"It was horrid," Vanis confirmed, deadpan. "Thankfully, there seems little interest in additional formal protocols this evening, and it's become more of a party. But if you hear someone call for the 'Midsummer Tirine', I recommend you run as quickly as you can. Unfortunately, if they do, I'll be expected to participate."

"Damn! I'm sure glad we missed all that, then," Callie said, with Pixyl nodding vigorously as she poured her own wine, before filling one for Callie.

"Lena!" Vanis called, and all turned to see the Elf approaching, a bottle in one hand and what looked like a short stack of shot glasses in the other. "See, I told you they'd be fine."

"Oh, shut up!" Thumping the bottle down, Lena unstacked the glasses. Wiggling the cork off the bottle, she poured a single one for herself while glaring at both Pixyl and Callie, purposely making a point to not offer one to them.

Callie couldn't help but laugh. "Sorry, Mama Lena. We'll behave from now on."

"No you won't," Lena snarled sarcastically before tossing back her drink. "I know better than that."

"You're right. It was worth a try, though." Callie looked generically around the area. "Where are the others?"

"Tazrok went out to look at the stars," Vanis replied. "I think he's feeling a bit crowded in here with all the people. Jesca disappeared somewhere, too. Xin left for what she said would be a 'torturous moonlit walk' with Nola, and then something about 'agonizing snuggle time'."

Lena and Callie couldn't help but laugh at that, imagining their poor cabinmate having to suffer through Nola's excited demands. Vanis, Pixyl and Juniper didn't get the joke, so they took turns filling them in, which actually caused Vanis to break down into outright guffaws of his own. It was good to see Vanis smile so hard, especially given the last couple days.

The conversation, now a little brighter, continued, Lena eventually moving past her sour disapproval of Callie's earlier wanderings, and pouring a round of shots for everyone. There weren't exactly any topics, per se, just a free-flowing conversation of personal stories from Vanis and Lena. This seemed like a good time for Callie to step away, intent on running back to Ogre House to change. When Pixyl offered to come along, Callie fended her off by putting a hand on her stomach to imply a bit of indigestion and needing some personal time, saying she'd be back in a little while.

As she walked away from the big tent, adding a little butt-wiggle as Pixyl watched her go, Callie couldn't help but think about how happy she was at the moment. Happier than she'd been in a long, long time. Was it just that she was with Pixyl? Or that she had all her friends? Or was there more to it than just that? She'd accepted that this was her world now, and that came with a tremendous lifting of weight off her shoulders, so was that it? No clear answer came to her, and maybe it really was just a muddled combination of all those things. Whatever it was, she was happy, and she was going to enjoy every single moment that she could, while she was able.

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