Come, have some fun, for a new day has begun

Come, let us run, now we've nothing to fear

Here at the fair, feel the joy that's in the air

Bells in the square, ring for a thousand years!

Guardia Millennial Fair - Man on the Internet

I follow her as we traverse the twisting roads of Illumia. When asked why we were taking so many turns, she said she wanted to avoid the marketplace, which would be so crowded that we wouldn't be able to make it through.

Soon enough, we reach the inn. The place is a lot larger than any other inn we've stayed at so far. Along with the smoothly crafted dining tables, there's a fireplace along the far wall with labeled jars on the mantle.

The place is fairly busy for this time of day, and only a couple of tables are open, with most filled with groups of people chatting animatedly. As I watch, one bursts into rapacious laughter as they call for another round of the local ale.

As a server brings out the requested mugs of frothy liquid, Leanna speaks with the innkeeper. I see him point towards a couple by the fireplace.

When she returns, she drops a key in my hand.

"Here's the key to your room. I figured we're going to be spending the night here."

I nod as I pocket the key while she continues.

"The innkeeper doesn't know how to get to Embermyst, but he says that that couple comes from the deep deserts in Vaneaya. Travellers might know."

I nod.

"Maybe we should split up. We could cover more ground that way."

"Good idea. I'll go talk to them first."

As Leanna walks off, I survey the room. Analysis indicates that most of the people here look like locals, though several groups of interest stand out. One table is filled by what can only be described as a conventional adventuring party; swords, rope, specialized but affordable garb and all. While other tables seemed more normal at first glance, seeing how those adventurers interact allowed me to flag several other groups as potential adventurers. Additionally, though not obvious from the lighting pattern in the large room, someone has found enough contrast to brood in a corner. He must be a master of the craft that is angst.

I snicker.

Well, it's a start. Those types do tend to get some travelling done. I approach the man sitting alone in the far corner of the inn. His head is down as he nurses a tankard. Once I get close, I recognise him.

"Zack?" There is a slight edge in my voice, but mostly I'm just surprised. A city like this would likely have more than one inn.

His head shoots up and he stares at me with familiar, stoic eyes. Of course, I should've guessed. Only a classic edgy-merc could possibly pull off brooding in a corner as bright as this one. As he focuses on me, his eyes widen just a bit.

"Oh, it's you."

"That it is. How'd that job of yours go?"

"Fine."

"Cool…"

He's as talkative as ever.

"You finish up at the academy?"

Was that… a question? From Zack?

"Yeah. It was… interesting. I didn't learn anything I expected to."

"That's how it is with mages, usually."

"One of them told me about the city of Embermyst."

Zack snorts.

"Sending you on a harpfrog chase, huh?"

"I guess that means you don't know where to start looking either?"

"Nope."

Well, it was worth the rain.

"Alright, well, it was interesting seeing you. Good luck in the future."

He nods.

As I search about the inn, I see Leanna finishing up talking with one of the 'adventuring groups'. Judging from her slightly annoyed expression as she approaches me, she has had about as much success from her more direct questioning as I did. We make our way to a table.

Before we can begin talking, someone else speaks.

"Greetings."

The two of us start before locking onto the source. Surprise settles on our faces as I identify said source as Amelia Estelle. Leanna recomposes herself first.

"What are you doing here?"

"I've come to accompany you on your journey."

"Professor Exavier made it very clear that you were to stay at the academy."

"His logic is mostly sound, but my presence and assistance is far more beneficial for you than it currently is for the academy."

I raise an eyebrow. Her way of speaking is familiar, though I cannot quite place it.

"What assistance?"

"I am aware of the location of Embermyst."

I'm not quite sure how to react, but Leanna is. Her mouth slightly agape, she wonders aloud.

"How is that even possible?"

"How I know is not currently relevant."

I think I know that tone now. I straighten my armour.

"Would you prohibit a fellow mage from checking facts for themself, Amelia? If you know these things, you can certainly share them."

She looks at me a little differently, then faces me directly.

"I can, and will impart this knowledge unto you should you two accept me as a travel companion."

Leanna finally breaks free from her surprise at Amelia's claim.

"But the academy won't let you go."

Amelia looks over at a random wall to our side.

"If I cannot go, then I suppose neither can you."

Leanna bites her lip. I can tell she is torn. Perhaps some of my own input will resolve the issue?

"Much as I disapprove of her methods, if she does know the way, we can't let this opportunity pass us by. We should let her join."

"We shouldn't go against a direct order from the mage academy." Leanna shoots back.

"What other choices are there? No one else at the academy even knows where to begin. This might be my only chance."

She frowns as I continue.

"Based on what we found here, I doubt we'll find anyone else willing to tell us. Besides, think of the science!"

Oops. Forgot to turn off old me.

"Are you really willing to give up this lead?"

Leanna runs a hand through her hair as she thinks. She steals glances at Amelia, who watches us with a hawk's eyes.

Finally, she sighs, and her expression softens. She turns to Amelia.

"You can come with us, but only on the condition that you let us bring some extra protection."

"This conclusion is logical. I am not opposed to it."

"Alright, I'll see if I can find a mage last minute."

"No!"

Both Leanna and I stare at Amelia.

"Mages will alert the academy to our proposal."

I finish her thought.

"Leanna would be reprimanded, and you would be watched even more closely."

"Correct."

Leanna's face falls.

"I suppose that makes sense…"

She taps a finger to her chin.

"I guess the only other option is to hire a mercenary."

I grin.

"I might know a guy."

I lead the two of them to where Zack is sitting, indicating him with a flourish.

"Et, voila!"

Leanna smiles a bit upon recognizing him.

"Hey, Zack."

He looks up from his tankard. If he's surprised, he doesn't show it.

"I didn't expect to see you again so soon."

A smile tweaks at my lips.

"Well, we were feeling a bit of separation anxiety. I was missing that feeling of not knowing how much collateral damage was going to happen today."

To my surprise, Zack cracks a smile. Leanna steps forward.

"I'm actually here to do business."

He cocks his head in her direction.

"You have my attention."

"We need protection for our newest companion."

She nods towards Amelia, who merely stares at Zack. He gives her a once over.

"Isn't she a mage?"

"Yes, but a student and researcher. We can't be sure how effective she will be."

The student in question scowls.

"That is not an accurate description. I am-"

Leanna glares at her.

"A student."

"While not untrue, I have fulfilled the necessary curriculum to be considered-"

I break in.

"Amelia, you are not exactly endearing us to the prospect of keeping your company."

"Yes, but she is-"

"Amelia!"

Leanna is clearly exasperated. Amelia cocks her head to the side and studies Leanna curiously.

I cough.

"Anyway, Zack, what we're trying to ask is this: are you for hire and will you accept this job."

Zack pauses, and takes a long swig from his drink. He looks from me, to Leanna, to Amelia, then pauses again.

"What sort of things will I be fighting?"

Leanna, now with something else to focus on, responds.

"Hopefully, nothing. Probably bandits of some kind, maybe magical creatures or even other mages. It'll likely be a threat-level 2 or 3."

He looks ponderingly at us for a moment or two. Finally, he nods.

"Alright."

Leanna and myself are somewhat relieved. After all, searching for another merc would be problematic.

"Really? That's great!"

Best tell him the circumstances of the mission.

"We'll be making for Embermyst. Or, at least, following the trail of someone else who was."

Zack raises an eyebrow at me.

"You found someone who knows the way?"

"Allegedly. She won't tell us directly, though."

I point to Amelia. Zack's gaze narrows imperceptibly.

"Interesting."

"Alright, now that we have our team, what do we do now? Seems pretty late, but there is still time to get some travelling done."

Amelia coughs.

"Not as such. There is a rail tomorrow we must catch."

I give her a look.

"This hidden city is on the rail network?"

"No, but somewhere that is is closer."

Ah. Of course.

"In any case, I should return to the academy before my disappearance is observed."

Leanna nods.

"Good idea. We can reconvene here tomorrow morning."

The three of us leave Zack alone, and Amelia proceeds out of the inn.

Just as she leaves, a gaggle of young adults burst in. They laugh loudly and their cheeks are flushed as if from embarrassment or exertion. On each of their heads lies a chaotic circlet of flowers.

Leanna gasps.

"Oh, the festival! I forgot!"

I blink. I don't recall any celebrations back home that coincide with this time period, except Victory Day.

"Festival?"

"Ya, it's a celebration of the spring equinox. Do you want to check it out?"

I could've sworn the equinox was before Victory Day. Perhaps the years aren't synched exactly. It could be fun, at any rate-

I think I will. After all, what purpose is ceremonial garb, if you don't wear it?

"That sounds fun. Will people be wearing fun and exotic clothing?"

Leanna blinks, as if unsure of what I'm asking.

"Yes… people from all over Esaria will be here."

"Great. I'll fit right in. Give me a minute."

Feeling her confused stare on me as I head up the stairs, I make my way to my room. Finding it, I lock the door behind me, and withdraw my backpack from its straw sack. A few seconds of unpacking later, scuffling about in it reveals a uniform.

Another few minutes later, I investigate myself in the somewhat grimy mirror that makes a home in my room. Good thing nanofibre doesn't crease without an iron!

After I stow the bag and my armour within a lockable cupboard, I proceed downstairs again. There is, of course, one major alteration to the standard dress: the sword at my hip is very much real.

Leanna snorts in a very unladylike manner as I descend the stairs.

"What?" I ask.

"A cape?"

"I'll have you know that this is a cloak. It is very stylish."

I spread my arms with a flourish.

"After all, to be anything less than utterly immaculate would bring shame upon myself and my home as a whole."

She struggles to hold back laughter.

"What? It's the truth."

"Come on. Let's have you and your stylish cloak out on the streets."

We exit the inn. Although the moon now provides the majority of the natural light, the streets still swarm with people. Unlike daytime, however, these people seem unconcerned with chores, jobs, or anything else of that sort. Instead, the bubbling sound of a thousand conversations emits an atmosphere of jovial vibrancy. Magical lamps of every colour (except brown; brown sucks) blaze from the many streetlamps, and glowing red crystals kick heat into the spring winds.

Leanna and I follow the crowd until we reach the town square.

Oh.

Coloured strings of crystal lights hang from large arboreal specimens. Analysis marks them as a relative of the long-dead cherry tree. These decorated blooms of bright pink flowers surround the perimeter of the square. Their lights spill soft rainbows on the smiling faces of the townsfolk.

I reach up to touch one, smiling as the thin, velvety petal caresses a fingertip. I picture the bees buzzing between them in the daytime, the fruit they would bear that I've only ever seen in data archives.

I take a breath, and an aroma so pleasant that the stars themselves would blush enters my lungs. They fill with the songs of spices and grilled meat, of the perfumes of countless flowers. A simple stand is set up on one side of the square where musicians play a tune which can only be described as 'jaunty'.

They tap their feet in time with the beat as dancers whirl around the centre of the stage. A fair distance off, I see people leaping about above the tops of buildings as what is no doubt the shaping magic of this land carries them through the air as they pursue each other.

As we pass through the square, giggling girls offer circlets of flowers. Leanna happily accepts hers and lets the girl place it on her head. A smaller one walks up to me, perhaps nervous at my strange clothing. I kneel and incline my head, and she places the crown upon me. It is a little askew, and more than a little unbalanced. That much tells me that she made it herself. I smile at the little one and she returns it, running off with the group to get more. After she leaves, I move the heavier segment to the front, but leave it tilted slightly to the right.

As I stand up, I notice Leanna marvelling at the environment.

"I've attended the equinox so many times, but I just can't get over how different it looks."

"Agreed. Except for the 'I've attended many' part. I'm already glad I came."

Leanna's eyes sparkle and I note her feet tap a rhythm so close to that of the music that it is practically indistinguishable. She traces the paths of the pairs of dancers jumping and twirling, perhaps looking for a place to cut in.

For the first time since we've met, Leanna's face holds no trace of caution. The lights on the trees about the courtyard play about, causing her smile to glow in a curious manner. I don't… think that's magic…

I flick my eyes away to watch the crowd as I realize that I am staring. She isn't a SOL, dammit! Leanna isn't a work of art for you to analyse!

Forgetfulness is an annoying trait of mine at times. I will need to keep better track of this information if it is going to be a problem.

From the corner of my eye I see a flash of inspiration cross Leanna's face, and she looks over at me while I mentally try to berate myself into remembering next time.

"Would you like to dance?"

Ohhhh… marshals take it. This isn't good.

I freeze as I try to think of a way out of this situation. A preferable solution will involve me not having to dance while also not hurting her feelings, little though something like this would probably affect them. Ummm…

Of course! A classic!

"I'd love to, but I actually can't really dance. Especially not like that."

"Oh? How do you normally dance?"

HELP. NO. Odds of success are dropping into single digits. She watches me expectantly as I feel goosebumps rise on my arms, fortunately obscured by sleeves.

Okay. You can still do this. Just do a really simple, really bad dance that demonstrates your ineptitude.

I take a step forward, bringing my feet together while being very out of time with the music. Then, I step back and to the side, bringing them together again. I wait until I am a beat past the appropriate time in the song, and step the other way, completing the wonky L. I am several bricks away from where I started. An excellent performance.

"Well, time is no problem."

She grabs my arm and leads me to a secluded area of the dance floor. Well, comparatively.

"You said you wanted to dance, but didn't know how. I'll just show you how we do it here."

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!

Okay, breathe. You'll be fine. Just make the most of a bad situation. It doesn't have to be like last time. You're better now. You know now.

"For this song, we're going to raise our right hands up like this so they touch."

I've failed to escape, so now the best thing I can do is make sure she has fun. I might not, but that was a given.

Leanna bends her elbow and holds up her arm to eye level. Then, she moves my arm so it matches hers. I pour focus into my limbs, willing them not to shake in fear.

"Our hands will stay here and then we will use our right foot to step to the right, then left foot back, and we'll shift our weight front and back in a ball-change."

As she speaks, she demonstrates the steps.

"Then we do the same thing on the left: left foot left, right foot back and ball-change."

She seems to sway like a breeze, easily moving through the motions.

"Then, we step to the right and spin from behind."

Then, she pauses.

"Come on, try it with me!"

I take a deep breath. You can do this. It can't be any harder than frying a legion of murderbots.

We get into position and Leanna counts off.

"Five, six, seven, eight."

I tense up and step- what was it, right foot leftnoright!

Matching Leanna, I step with my right foot. While my expression is perfectly neutral (I think), my body tenses as I scramble to remember the steps. I seem to have done adequately, as Leanna smiles.

"That's it!"

Then I step with my left foot to the back and prepare to do a- whatinthemarshal'snamesisaball-change.

I am a beat behind as I observe what Leanna does for that step, but then copy it and move forward with the dance.

My left side fares better, as it's just the same thing but inverted and I remember what a ball-change is now. Then we step with our right feet and spin around. I do the move correctly up until the end, when my left foot crashes into my right and I tumble to the ground.

"Ow…"

Leanna smiles down at me from her place a fair bit away.

"It's alright. You almost had it."

"Yeah, but… should we be this far apart?

"Yes. Normally we'd be facing our new partners and we do the whole thing over again starting with our left foot!"

She pantomimes another twirl with an invisible partner.

"And once that's done, we'll be facing each other again."

We go through the steps a few more times. After I manage to do them right twice in a row, Leanna smiles.

"Wow, you're good at this. Are you sure you 'can't dance'?"

Her warm grin is infectious and I find myself grinning just as broadly.

"Well, it could be that there once was a time when I wasn't literally the worst dancer in the history of humanity. It could also be that I had a great teacher. Both probably helped."

She smiles softly in response.

"Um, thank you. So, do you think you're ready to join the rest of the dancers?"

Oh, right. This was only the warm-up. Good thing I don't really know anyone here.

"Well, I'd better be. Let's go."

I hold out my hand and she accepts it. Then, the two of us walk out to the middle of the dance floor.

The pattern on the floor proper also involves a step one way to ensure that time with others is evenly distributed. It isn't perfect, though, as one time I ended up dancing with a male. Either that, or those two were gay and had inverted their pairing to work together, I don't know.

After a long while of laughter and aching feet, Leanna and I bow out of the network as another cheerful pair takes our place. My throat aches a little from my impromptu lyrical bout which began about halfway through.

"Thank you."

Leanna looks surprised.

"What? Why?"

"In case you didn't notice, I was trying to avoid dancing at the beginning. In the end, I did it because you wanted to do it."

She blinked.

"But you had a lot of fun too."

"That I did. That's why I'm thanking you for dragging me out onto that dance floor. It was fun. I must ask why you selected me, however. I told you I wouldn't be the best partner, and surely you had other friends that you could find?"

She shrugs.

"We both had fun. That's what matters, isn't it?"

The two of us smile at each other. After a moment, my eyes begin to dart about the square.

"Now, where was that thing where people were jumping all over the place? I want to try it."

The loud jubilant screams of flying individuals reoriented me, and I look over towards it.

"What is it?"

Leanna looks over at the events in wonder.

"Oh! I didn't know they had finished that!"

"You mean that is new?"

Her smile broadens.

"It's a kind of race. Crystals secure buildings from the Shaping Lands, but provide a tunnel for their distortions to reach the surface. It funnels all the distortions from beneath the city, if I remember the study correctly. Someone originally tried it so he could siphon metals to a specific point, but another mage had the idea to turn it into recreation."

"Sounds awesome. Do you want to try it?"

The exhaustion of an hour or three of dancing on her face evaporated, replaced by a determined smile.

"Yes. Let's do it."

With that, the two of us make our way through the crowds to the starting area. A well-dressed individual greets us.

"Hi there! You wish to try your feet and mind here?"

I nod.

"We wish to participate."

He looks over at Leanna.

"I hope I don't need to explain that personal magic is not permitted here."

Leanna takes it in stride.

"Of course not."

He smiles easily.

"Great. The boundaries of the course are marked by the blue crystals, which permit and enhance the magical effects found near Illumia. Your job is to use the changes in gravity to reach the end of the course faster than your opponents."

I nod.

"Sounds brilliant. When can we go?"

"The last group left a minute ago, so unless you want to wait for others, right now."

"Awesome."

The two of us take our places at the starting line. As I assume a crouched stance, I feel gravity surging around me, and the power keeping it in broad sweeps rather than crushing needles that could splinter bones. One second, I am light as a feather, the next I am heavy as one of those ridiculous 'man-portable' anti-tank guns that you can only really cart around in powered armour.

"On your marks!"

I looked down, ensuring that I was, in fact, on my mark.

"Get set!"

My back foot lifted up onto its ball as I set my centre of gravity lower, and I sense Leanna doing something similar. I glance over at her, and she smirks back.

"Go!"

I dash forward, taking advantage of the downward force to maximize early contact with the ground. Then, as the winds of attraction change, I kick to the side, surging around the corner at high speed. My cloak whips in the wind, but it is extremely light and does practically nothing to my momentum. Only a few steps ahead, Leanna's steel carapace reflects the light of the festival as her footsteps clatter against the neat blocks of road.

Then, she is halted by a wall. On either side, there are the crystals that mark the boundary of both the path and the effects of shaping magic. Feeling an upward surge about to arrive, I leap, trusting that it will be enough to allow me to clear the wall.

As the gravitic breeze rises, I ascend towards the shingled roof. My hands clasp the edges, and the still-lessening gravity allows me to easily pick myself up and over the barrier. Close behind, I hear the clank of moving metal as Leanna makes a leap of her own, rising onto the rooftop close behind me. I have, however, already began accelerating, and jump to the next surface: the top floor of a flat building. As I jump, I note a flash beside me as my competitor reaches for the lip of the building, her hair floating in the wind.

While she clears the distance easily, having waited for a better moment to jump, I notice myself become heavier as more normal gravity takes hold ahead of me. I grasp the lip of the roof, hanging on for dear victory. Oh, and maybe life. When the world's hold upon me weakens again, I pull myself up, and work to catch up with Leanna, who is now waiting at the edge of a roof two buildings down.

The two of us are neck and neck like this for much of the race, and we end up passing the previous group eventually. Leanna leads most of the time, but by the end I notice her beginning to tire in her armour. She likely isn't used to wearing it without the support of wind magic, much like I would be unaccustomed to gunplay without the support offered by my hud. As the two of us settle onto the final stretch of road, I sense a growing lightness settle around me, and jump.

Leanna reaches out to stop me, but her part of the track is gravitationally distinct from mine and I cross the line before her, only to realize that the strangeness of forces ceases to be at the end. Normality re-asserts itself, and proceeds to drag me across the ground for my crimes against nature and being attached to the earth.

After a moment, I pick myself up, checking the uniform for damage. As I predicted, there is none. The tough polymer is rated for combat when you're in a pinch, after all. My arms might be a little scraped up, but I'll be fine.

As Leanna takes her time to catch her breath, I extend my hand. She looks oddly at it.

"This is also used for congratulating opponents. You raced well."

I would be lying if I said I wasn't tired as well. Beads of sweat decorate my brow as she shakes my hand, correctly this time.

"Thanks. You did too."

By unspoken consent, we both return to the inn, despite the party still raging outside. We say our goodnights, and I enter my room.

By the marshals, that was fun.

As I fall into my bed, I have confidence that tonight's dreams will not be the same nonsense I've grown used to. I am partially correct.

A/N: The solstice is a really nice part of the game, and I had fun translating it into a novel format. However, there were a few changes I felt were necessary to better convey my interpretation of the events of Crystalline. Thus, this event is less about two people going dancing and starting to fall in love and more about two people having fun at a seasonal festival. While I think that this works as well if not better, I am open as always to feedback.