I was dragged by my hand, Lily laughing wildly as she pulled me through the crowded streets. Her fingers were warm against mine, and I tried to act natural, tried to match her enthusiasm.
The cobblestones beneath our feet were uneven, worn smooth by countless festivals like this one, and I could the energy of the festival pressed against me, literally, I was pressed against different people that made up the crowded streets.
The questions swirling in my mind made it hard to focus on anything else. Was this really a romance genre trial? And if so, what exactly was the condition to clear it? Did I need to make Lily fall in love with me? Did I need to fall in love with her?
The streets were alive with color and sound. Banners hung from every window, painted in vibrant greens and golds, lanterns hanged from house to house lighting up the streets. Children ran between the adults, their laughter mixing with the distant sound of music and conversation.
Lily finally stopped in front of a vendor's stall, and I nearly bumped into her, so lost was I in my observations. She looked at me expectantly, her blue eyes sparkling with excitement, and I followed her gaze to see what had caught her attention.
The vendor's stand was decorated with strings of smaller lanterns than those on the streets, and his wares were laid out on a cloth-covered table. Everything was shaped like imps, the same creatures depicted in the fountain statue, though these were far more cheerful-looking. There were candied imps with crystalline wings, chocolate imps with mischievous grins, and even small figurines carved from what looked like compressed sugar.
"Oh, welcome! Aren't you a cute couple?" the vendor said, his weathered face breaking into a genuine smile. He was an older man with silver hair and kind eyes, wearing an apron stained with various colorful substances that I assumed were from his candies. "What can I get for you on this beautiful evening?"
Lily's cheeks flushed pink at his words, the color almost matching her vibrant hair. She tucked a strand behind her ear in a gesture that seemed unconsciously graceful, which made me want to puke by how cliche it seemed.
But I didn't instead, I just sighed, trying not to think about it, I had to play my role.
"Fine, how much for two of them?" I asked, pointing at two of the candied imp sweets that seemed to be the most popular, judging by how many people were carrying them around.
"Well, since this is going to be the first night of the Lammas festival," the vendor said with a conspiratorial wink, "we're having a special two-for-one sale. So just five drachmas will do."
I nodded, digging into the pockets of Leon's well-worn trousers. The coins I retrieved were carved from wood, probably from the trees of the forest that surrounded the town.
Each coin had an iron symbol welded into its center, depicting the same imp figure that seemed to be everywhere in this dammed place.
I handed the man the drachmas, and he placed two of the sweets into a small cloth bag before handing them to me. As I passed one to Lily, our fingers brushed together, and she blushed again, deeper this time. The vendor chuckled warmly at the sight, which only served to make me gag, almost.
"Young love," he said with a knowing smile. "Reminds me of my wife and I during our first Lammas together. Treasure these moments, young man. They're more precious than any coin."
The streets continued to come alive around us as we walked. Street performers were setting up in various corners, a juggler here, a musician there, a group of children practicing what looked like a traditional dance.
Lily seemed to know everyone we passed. She waved to an elderly woman hanging decorations from her window, called out greetings to a group of young men who were clearly trying to impress some girls near another food stall, and even stopped to pet a cat that was weaving between people's legs. Through Leon's memories, I could see that this was typical Lily, social, warm, beloved by everyone in the community.
"Isn't it wonderful?" she said, breaking me from my observations. "I love the Lammas festival. It's like the whole town becomes one big family for seven days."
The Lammas festival.
According to Leon's memories it was a seven day celebration to honor the protector of this town, the one that keeps us safe from ill will. If you couldn't guess by now according to the stories our protector was an imp.
My train of thought was broken when Lily took my hand again and was leading me toward the town plaza, where the fountain stood as the centerpiece of the celebration. More people had gathered here, and the atmosphere was even more festive.
Musicians had set up near the fountain, a string quartet playing lively melodies that seemed to make everyone's steps a little lighter, the laughter from the people accompanying the music perfectly.
As we approached the plaza, I could see that people had begun to dance. Children spun in circles with their arms outstretched, adults moved in traditional patterns that spoke of generations of practice, and elderly couples swayed together with the comfortable familiarity of decades spent in each other's arms. Some danced alone, lost in the music and their own joy. Others formed groups.
The sight was beautiful, genuinely beautiful. Also kind of awkward.
"Leon?" Lily's voice brought me back to reality. She was looking at me with concern, her head tilted slightly to one side. "You really do seem distant tonight. Are you sure you're okay?"
I realized I had been staring at the dancers for several minutes without saying anything. I needed to focus, to play my role better. If this was indeed a romance trial, then I needed to engage with Lily, to build whatever connection the trial required.
I turned to face her fully, trying to channel whatever charm Leon might have possessed. "Sorry, it's just... you look beautiful tonight."
It wasn't entirely a lie. She did look beautiful, with her pink hair, that fell down in waves and her blue eyes the color said waves should have been. She wore a simple dress in pale yellow that complemented her unusual coloring.
Her blush deepened, and she looked down at her feet. "You don't have to say things like that just to make me feel better."
"I'm not," I said, trying to stomach the words coming from my mouth. "I really mean it."
The music changed then, a more upbeat and yet romantic composition. I saw my opportunity and decided to take it. If I was going to clear this trial, I needed to commit fully to the role.
I extended my hand toward her, meeting her gaze directly. "May I have this dance?"
Her eyes widened slightly, and for a moment I thought she might refuse. But then she smiled, a genuine, radiant smile that transformed her entire face, and placed her hand in mine.
"I'd love to," she said softly.
I led her toward the center of the plaza, near the fountain where other couples were dancing freely. We found a spot with enough room to move, and I tried to remember everything I'd ever learned about dancing from movies and the few school events I'd attended in my real life.
My free hand found its place on her back, while hers settled on my shoulder. The position felt natural despite the fact I had never done this before, and I was surprised to find that leading the dance wasn't as difficult as I'd expected.
Perhaps Leon had some experience with this, or perhaps the simple steps of the traditional dance were intuitive enough that anyone could follow along.
The music changed, slowing, becoming more intimate, and I made a decision. I pulled her closer to me, close enough that I could smell the sweet scent of her hair and feel the warmth of her body against mine. She didn't resist; instead, she relaxed into the embrace, resting her head against my shoulder.
I wrapped both arms around her back, holding her as we swayed together. Yet I felt nothing to it. No flutter in my chest, no shaking of my arms.
This was an act, and I was going to play it well.
Both of us were slightly breathless from the dancing, and I could see a light sheen of perspiration on Lily's forehead.
She gazed up at me, her blue eyes meeting my green ones. She leaned in slightly, and I realized she was going to kiss me. For a moment, I almost let it happen. It would have been easy, natural even, the perfect culmination of our dance and this perfect evening.
But I stopped her, I hadn't even meant to but I guess there's no turning back now.
"It's getting late," I said quickly trying to cover up my acts. "We should go back home."
The disappointment in her eyes was immediate. She tried to hide it, but I could tell that my rejection had hurt her. She nodded, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Of course," she said quietly. "Early morning tomorrow."
We said our final goodbyes, and I watched her walk away toward her own home, her shoulders slightly slumped.
I walked through the quieting streets toward the bakery where Leon worked and lived. The celebration was winding down, though I could still hear music and laughter from various corners of the town.
It made me want to vomit.
The bakery came into view, its familiar wooden sign creaking slightly in the evening breeze. Standing in the front doorway, waiting like an old scrooge, was Frank, Leon's adoptive father and boss. He was a stern-looking man with graying hair and a lined face.
"Well, aren't you coming in late," Frank said as I approached. His tone was mildly disapproving but not harsh. "Remember, tomorrow you have work."
I nodded, walking past him toward the door, but his voice made me stop dead in my tracks.
"Did you have dinner yet?"
I shook my head. "I'm not feeling hungry. I'm just going to bed."
"Good night then," Frank said, his voice softening slightly. "And happy Lammas."
"Happy Lammas," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper as I walked up the stairs to the second floor where the living quarters were located.
I opened the door to Leon's small room and stepped inside, closing it behind me with a soft click. The room was simple but comfortable, a single bed, a small desk, a wardrobe, and a window that looked out over the town square. I could still see the lights of the festival from here, still hear the distant sounds of celebration.
That goddamed laughter.
My back fell onto the bed, but as silence surrounded me and only my thoughts kept me company.
My arms came to my face, blocking my eyes, as a few tears began to spill out.
I was getting homesick already.