Chapter 20: Festival782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYx3jEzGoij
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The morning came sooner than one might expect, or felt like so, and those in charge of readying events for people to take part in were hard at work. The pair had decided to sleep in and enjoy the busy sounds outside. Eventually, slowly Alura began to open her eyes and inhaled deeply with a slight stretch of her body, exhaling heavily as she relaxed. That sleep felt better than others. Wonder why? She pondered before hearing Marenzo stir and a tiny noise left her throat with her cheeks flushing a noticeable red. She noticed his arms were wrapped around her to hold her close, as well as they were both somehow under the same blankets.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCmQhIw5j0
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Okay, that’s maybe why. She thought while debating on how to put some distance between them as she didn’t want the wrong idea coming up. She tried to move away but was pulled in close once more.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fcHIJkMs8
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Marenzo grumbled sleepily as he shifted some and rested his chin on her head gently. “Mmm a few more minutes my love…” he mumbled which caused Alura’s face to feel like it was on fire.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqC2NU9zcF
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Did he just…? No! No, no, no! She looked around and slipped down under the covers out of his arms and slipped out from under the blankets with a thump as she fell out of the bed. He rolled over and she stayed still until he stopped moving before she released a breath of relief. She got up, dusted herself off and made her way over to the window to gaze out at the beautiful morning. Some water droplets still hung onto the leaves in order to sparkle in the warm sunlight. Tonight is going to be great and… she turned her head to look back over her shoulder to Marenzo. Maybe I can tell him. Softly one hand came up to rest on her chest, her digits gently curled in to form a partial fist.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKUoFVWpTa
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Alura took in his sight for a few more moments before stepping over to her bag, grabbed clean clothing and went to get washed up before changing. Minutes later she would exit the bathroom, quietly put away her folded clothes and head downstairs to get them something to eat as well as ask about the activities that would be open.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzM6my5inx
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It would be minutes later upstairs before Marenzo would start to wake and stretch. “Good morning Alu-” he cut himself off upon seeing she was nowhere in the bed or room. “Alura?” he asked while sitting up and getting out of bed. Where’d she go? He looked down to the floor as he thought over his options. Taking a breath he sighed and closed his eyes, focusing on his friend. His eyes closed tighter as he focused and a few strains of hair started to lift up with a faint pale outline. Eventually he dropped his spell and released a hard breath. Okay, she’s…safe… he thought with a panting inner voice.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRqp3eeXtC
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He stumbled a bit from doing that and made his way to the bathroom to clean up. Alura would return to the room with their late breakfast and entered to find Marenzo up waiting on her. She made eye contact as she made her way to the bed. “Good morning! How are you?”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zFfRTNoFO
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“I’m doing pretty good. You?” he asked while taking his plate and fork.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQ4ib0aYsR
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“That’s good and I’m good too.” She got her plate and started to eat as the room fell into quiet. After they had finished in silence she slowly set her glass down she had been fiddling with for a little bit. “So…” she looked up to him, “want to know what I learned about tonight’s events?” Great, just great, that sure sounded not pathetic and forced! She mentally scolded herself with a grimace coming across her face.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0T2iz5Rt0
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Marenzo was quiet as he took in her change of facial before picking the answer he was hoping would not result in him receiving anything unrequested. “Sure, what’s going on tonight?”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ybWM9UT92
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“Well…” she adjusted her silverware on the plate. “Now that I think about it more there isn’t that much. There’s going to be fortune telling, magicians, darts, sparing, and a few other small things.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHe9iu7ygwh
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“That sounds interesting.” He stood and stretched, “I can’t wait to see it but in the meantime,” he looked out the window. “Want to go and look around the city and sample the culture here?”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVqP6kIyGE
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“Yea sounds great!” she tried to end the awkward feeling in the air that was twisting her stomach. They headed downstairs, she dropped off the dishes and they were off for the day.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3125wXTDpt
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It would be dusk when they returned to the inn. Upon their arrival, Trim met them in the lobby area while holding two masks. “What’s with those?” Alura questioned as she pointed to the animal painted masks.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EAW2JvVs3
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“Oh!” he held them up, “humans wear these commonly to fit in more with the rest of us demons on the first night. That is while they are taking part in the games and activities.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh55sVGqP2t
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“Can humans take part without wearing those masks?” she asked while lightly folding her arms in front of her.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxklcJ9SAv
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Trim thought as he rubbed his chin. “Well…technically yes but it just doesn’t fit the same spirit. Goddess Akira likes to have fun and the night is her playground!” he exclaimed with excitement. “But, I’ll understand if fun is too much for a half-demon and a wizard to be able to handle fully taking part in.” He taunted while turning away from them.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5LcVataTh
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“Hey, just what are you implying?” Marenzo asked as he raised an eyebrow and took a step towards the feline.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvn4o5kanVg
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Trim shrugged. “I just thought you were too old now to take part in anything fun.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxstrk9SyoA
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Marenzo frowned and stormed up, snatching the masks from the cat. “I’ll show you who’s too old, you old fur ball.” He moved to Alura and handed her one of the masks. “Here you are, my dear lady.” He addressed politely with a bow.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9UtqVfKyx
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“Thank you, kind sir.” She said bowing her head and took the mask then put it on. He did as well and they were off as the sky became darker with the blanket of stars.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQFiFvXuzE
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In the circle there were lanterns strung across and lit that blew in the gentle wind. There were different stands and booths set up. There were people in masks and not in masks, even some demons wearing masks for fun. “They did a nice job.” Marenzo commented with Alura nodding in agreement. “So, what do you wanna do first?”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUytFdI3LZ
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“Um…” she looked around as they came to a stop. “Hmm…” she mulled over their options for a few moments. “How about we see what the fortune teller has to say about our futures?” he nodded and she led the way.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFED2Hw6nF
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