The second day of Etdramira arrived, I observed the courtyard as the elves (at least those who managed to come) came with presents.
At the center of this were Celadille and Veylonar. Gifts were being offered like hand-woven shawls, carved figurines of the World Tree Mintherenia, meticulously embroidered banners that celebrated the couple and the life soon to come and others. But then came the grander offerings. Some brought a golden fruit here, a delicate crystal lattice there, instruments that are centuries old, all culminating in a staggering display of collective care. To them, the gifts are a reflection of shared pride and unity among their species.
Elyonari, the High Priestess, had her role but it was lighter today. She was a witness more than a participant. She observed the ceremonies from the steps. She allowed the younger elves to take the lead and give their presents too. Today, her focus was not on directing but on watching.
Veneri and I were situated away from the crowd in a slightly secluded alcove that overlooked the courtyard. We were sipping tea from delicate cups. For me, anything I touch can turn ghostly so I was able to taste it too.
We could feel Elyonari's glare even from several meters away. Veneri remained as still as he could. Neither of them had said a word to each other yet. In fact, they didn't sleep on the same bed. Darling didn't sleep. Instead, we stayed all night making plans and contingencies.
And then, inevitably, chaos arrived in the most adorable form.
Small elven children came to Veneri. They encircled him with scrutinizing wide eyes and began to give chorus of questions.
"Are you strong?"
"Do you own a floating island?"
Veneri, of course, responded with complete nonchalance with a faint smile.
"Yes, I do."
The children gasped in a collective burst of awe.
"Can you summon crystals too?"
"I can," he replied, and with a subtle gesture of his hand, small sapphire crystals materialized out of thin air. He handed each child a crystal. They turned the small, glittering gifts over and over, examining them as though holding a piece of the sky itself.
But then, a question arrived that halted the entire courtyard. A tiny girl, perhaps five or six, tilted her head up at him and asked, in the blunt curiosity of children.
"Is it true? Are you in a relationship with our High Priestess?"
The silence that followed was instantaneous.
Conversations stalled mid-sentence. A few elves froze with hand over mouth. Even Celadille and Veylonar, at the far end of the courtyard, tilted their heads as if the news had physically traversed the space to reach them. Veneri's lips curved into that signature.
"Yes. The High Priestess is my beloved."
The children's mouths gaped in collective astonishment. Several of the adults were equally taken aback. A few whispered to each other, pointing surreptitiously. Some kept trying to mask their curiosity behind faint smiles.
Elyonari, naturally, had a deep, unintentional shade of blush. Her gaze snapped to him and in the warmth of the sun and the scrutiny of everyone present, she looked simultaneously furious, embarrassed and entirely unable to hide the slight curve of a smile that threatened to betray her composure.
"Do you always have to make it about yourself?"
He turned to me and gave a mock thoughtful shrug with a crystal still glinting in his hand.
"About myself? Hardly. The kids asked, right?"
"Entertainment value, he says. And here you thought the ceremonial gift-giving was impressive. You're a smooth lover, Veneri."
He smirked at me, knowing full well I could see everything he wanted to do.
"l do try," he said and then, turned his attention to the children.
"Do you want to fly?"
The children gasped and nodded. One of the boys nearly leapt from the ground in anticipation as though he could already feel the wind under his arms. Veneri's extended both hands. With a flick of his fingers, he summoned Flight Circles. Small, glowing sapphire mystic circles hovered on the children's backs.
They weren't flung into the air like reckless sparks. They floated as he spun them in gentle arcs above the courtyard.
The adults began to notice. They watched as Veneri twirled his finger, minutely adjusting the orbits of the Flight Circles. The children didn't fly too high or close enough to collide with the elves or the balconies. They were not too low to scrape their toes against the stone. The sight was so utterly ordinary for him and yet so extraordinary for everyone else.
Other children, observing their friends soaring through the air, pressed closer to the perimeter of the crowd. One tiny girl, barely eight, walked timidly, glancing up at him.
"Can I… can I fly too?"
"Of course you can."
With the faintest wave of his hand, a Flight Circle appeared on her back just as perfectly balanced and luminous as the others. She squealed and floated up to join the other children. Her arms were outstretched in delight as the other children held hands.
I have to admit, even as a detached observer, there's something utterly mesmerizing about the sight. Veneri looked… almost unreal. He's the kind of man who made wonder happen simply by being present. Here, he's bending his abilities toward joy rather than fear.
I watched him from above as he tilted his head slightly, observing the children.
From my perspective, the scene had the beauty of a painting. The children squealed in delight, sometimes nearly colliding mid-flight. He intervened with a slight twirl of his fingers, nudging a circle here, a circle there as if the smallest movements of his hand were enough. He was meticulous, playful and utterly unconcerned with appearances, and that combination made the adults watching pause in amazement. Even Elyonari could no longer maintain her rigid composure.
One boy dared to ask, "Can you make us do tricks too?"
He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he tilted his head at them.
"Of course. But first, you have to promise to listen to me. Flying is fun but needs control too."
The children nodded earnestly.
The Flight Circles made the children float in patterns that made them scream in joy and astonishment. Some of them twirled in spirals, some did tiny flips, all laughing and calling to each other. Veneri noticed a few children gawking hesitantly at the spectacle, longing to join. He simply smiled, twirling a finger, creating a new Flight Circle, and inviting them in.
This is Veneri at his playful, fatherly, romantic self. Seriously, who would look a man like that and not fall for him? He's good with kids and gentle too. Honestly, if Elyonari is still mad after this, I'm not sure anything will sooth her.