Chapter 24: Night Three and Ending Fireworks
The rest of the day passed quickly, almost too quickly, and soon dusk had come. As the sun continued to fall, the lanterns and torches were lit to welcome the night. It would be just as the night sky was starting to shadow over the land that Alura came running out of the inn. “Hurry up Marenzo! We’re gonna be late from giving our gifts!” she shouted loudly before taking off down the street.735Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOrsqsAqcs
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Marenzo came shooting out of the inn and following after her, hot on her heels. “Hey! Who’s the one who wanted to keep messing with what color to make the main stone in the center?!” he shouted after her as he ran to catch up.735Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqSRQmvRyn
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The moon was above the land as it slowly climbed with its two mates. The many people attending set their gifts down inside the shrine as well as on the sides and in front on bench seat like tables. There was artwork, jewelry, statues, stories, poems, and other things placed for that someone’s gift. Alura and Marenzo left their necklaces once they got there with a silent wish being made before making their way over to the seating area.735Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3Q3ct4RKP
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Minutes passed with chatter until it quieted with a familiar person stepping into the center. The Duchess in her royal wear cleared her throat as she looked to all the attendees. “Welcome one and all to the final night in our Festival of the Goddesses! Tonight we honor Goddess Kisa of the Wind as well as her sisters.” She announced loudly. “Tonight will be music and the ceremonial dance of the wind. When the time has come there will be an announcement the final fireworks shall begin to single the end of the festival.”735Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwiY9jgX3B
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The people clapped and she looked to all of them. “I have been told we are under renewed protection by the Goddesses! Let us finish with a bang of good fortune!” the people celebrated joyously as she went to her seat and sat, motioning with her hand for the music to begin.735Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUeILIXWMb
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The attendees swayed and a few even got up and danced to the smooth, rhythmic music. Alura swayed watching this and enjoyed the music as Marenzo also was smiling and enjoying it. After a couple minutes of music the people dancing took their seats as the dancers came out. Marenzo eyed a couple of then as they looked familiar so he began trying to listen in on their thoughts.735Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6n7fRBOGww
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Alura looked at him after a bit and her smile started to fall as she gently shook him. “Are you okay?” his look had intensified on the dancers.735Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNF6b6wCeQ
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He blinked coming around and looked to her. “I’m fine.” He assured before she snuggled closer to him, wrapping his arm around her for him. He didn’t argue this and watched the dance with caution on his face. I’m sure they are that woman’s friends but… he silently growled. Without my damn rings I can’t get honed in enough to fully confirm it.735Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJuFy4G4d9
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The dance proceeded fluidly even with a couple mages adding visuals behind the performers. The light magic changed colors as it formed different designs before they would explode in a new rain of colors. When the performance ended, everyone clapped and the group bowed at the waist. The music resumed as people chatted. “That was very lovely.” Alura commented as Marenzo nodded.735Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWa4Re3d9v
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“It was.” He replied before looking down to her. “Hey, wanna head to the bridge so we’re ready by the time the finale starts?” she nodded and stood with him, keeping herself close to keep his arm around her shoulders.735Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEvalFyPvr
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The Duchess stood as the current song ended and the pair was walking off. “In the coming minutes the finale will begin. Find your spot for your view of the spectacle that has been planned for us all.” She announced and, with that, others got up and began to head where they wished. The pair with others made their way to the bridge but, unlike the half-demon and wizard, they continued to their own little spots.735Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeP515zWPn
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“So…” Marenzo began after a few moments of silence had lingered between them. He leaned on the wooden railing with the palms of his hands. “Want to head out tomorrow to Azumara?”735Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvSHd3eQFr
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She thought then nodded. “That would be best so we can try being ready for Amoxious. I am wondering why he’s so quiet.”735Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKd2dCN8cp
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“I used a light spell on him and those on shadow demons don’t easily heal. Unless the demon is strong enough, it keeps reopening until it can eventually heal itself up.”735Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvBSyXeSzp
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“You truly are amazing and powerful. I bet you are just as strong as my father.” She commented gently as she looked out up towards the starry sky.735Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3jPCGUlgP
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Marenzo blushed with his stomach twisting. “…Yea…maybe…” he tried to shake it off as the first fireworks shot up. “Hey um, you know I love you and,” he rubbed the back of his head as she looked to him. “I can’t imagine my life without you around so, I was wondering if you’d mind staying around with me after the dust has settled?”735Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RtcrbtlRS
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Alura watched him stunned. Did he just ask me to marry him?! She shouted in her thoughts.735Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfMBq7YG3z
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Marenzo winced at the loudness that assaulted his mind. “Gah, cool it down will ya?” he held his head in pain.735Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqa7uDl6SX
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“Oh! Sorry about that. I didn’t mean to.”735Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFlE7wqgLR
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“It’s okay but to answer your very loud question, no, it wasn’t a proposal of marriage. I just want us to spend more time together and see if marriage does come of our relationship after the dust settles.” He released his head as more fireworks shot up with some of the mage’s magic. Gently he took her hands into his and leaned in closer. “Alura, would you be willing to see where this goes after all has calmed?”735Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjzkclvEFk
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She nodded with a blush and smile on her face. “Yes,” was all she got out before he moved in and kissed her tenderly on the lips. She moved in closer and both now wrapped their arms around the other in a loving embrace. The fireworks light illuminated them beautifully and gave a glimpse of a snarling cloaked woman some steps away. They softly broke the kiss and looked breathlessly into the other’s eyes, then kissed again with the fireworks going off in the background.735Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNdKNVr8zr
