WARNINGS:
Excessively long. (For me, anyway)
Authoress on crack.
People held hostage.
The strong women of Veldt.
Sap.
Allergies.
Alcohol.
A drunk Lars.
Never attempt these things at home. Thank you.
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Part 3 – The Festival
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Lars was in a dilemma.(1)
And he was not taking it well.
"You girls should wear these dresses!"
Elini had went on to say proper Veldt attire should be worn at important events such as the Queen's birthday, which brings us to the present.
Rhen was standing, looking herself over in the mirror, all the while fidgeting with the unfamiliar silky cloth adorning her figure. She was clearly a little uncomfortable with the snug, rich material, but…
She was so beautiful.
And he should be over there. He should be over there telling her how great she looked.
"You look lovely."
But, no, it was Dameon, of all people, doing such a thing.
Lars scowled sourly.
'Forget Elini! Does she really think I'm just going to sit by and watch Dameon make those disgusting little love-sick eyes at Rhen?!' Lars's mind raged, '… but… if I would have said she was beautiful, she would have just claimed I was being weird again.'
He was bitter.
Bitter and… upset.
Did she think him unable to show kindness? Did his apology mean nothing to her!?
'Suddenly saying "I love you" goes a bit farther than mere kindness, does it not?' His mind argued.
Lars deflated. His eyes roamed the room before settling on the empty love potion bottle sitting innocently on Elini's desk.
He couldn't help but glare at it.
'You caused a lot of this confusion! It can't be true… I love her! I've loved her since… since… well, I don't even remember when…' Lars's thoughts drifted away fro a moment, contemplating, before his eyebrows furrowed, 'But you certainly had nothing to do with it!'
… He was mind-yelling at a bottle.
'Maybe I'm just a psycho,' Lars thought, deadpanned.
"Put these in your hair."
Lars averted his attention back to Dameon, who was now holding out two white poinsettias to Rhen. She smiled as she accepted them.
'Where did he even get those flowers? Does her carry them under that robe? He would… freaking pansy.'(2)
Bitter and jealous.
Not a good combination.
'Fine!' Lars thought angrily, locking determined chocolate orbs onto the young woman placing flowers in her hair, 'If my love makes you uncomfortable, fine! If you prefer that over me, fine! But I'll be damned if I let our friendship get ruined over this! You're just too… important to…'
'Well it looks like she's perfectly fine with avoiding you.'
… Ugh, why did this hurt so much?!
"Lars."
Lars quickly erased any outward emotion that would give away his inner turmoil before turning to Elini.
"Will you be escorting Rhen tonight?" Elini asked quietly, leaning over the back of the couch Lars was sitting on.
Lars raised a brow.
"What kind of question is that, Miss Whether You Really Love Her Or Not She Has To Concentrate Right Now?" Lars practically growled.
Elini was very well tempted to roll her eyes at the jibe.
"Well we're safe while we're in Veldt, are we not?" Elini began, resting her chin on her arm, "And besides, it's not like I'm asking you to go all Casanova-like. I can just tell you're upset about this whole thing."
"Understatement," Lars replied automatically.
Elini felt the guilt quickly piling on her shoulders once again.
"So fix it," Elini suggested.
"You make it sound so easy, " Lars muttered whistfully before hardening his tone, "Stop worrying about me. I refuse to give her up."
With that, Lars stood, making his way to the guest room.
Elini's eyes followed him until he was out of sight.
… and then noticed a certain pair of violet blue eyes doing the same thing.
She shook her head.
'I wonder… if you truly loved her before the potion…'
After the tenth time tugging at the clingy fabric of her dress, Rhen sighed in defeat.
It was a beautiful dress; sea green and silver silk with white mesh trimmings. It was just… not something she was used to.
… just like going a day without talking with Lars.
'So what?' Rhen though stubbornly, 'It's not like a day without Lars is going to kill me. I'm not that pathetic.'
She silently observed as Lars said something to Elini before walking out of the room.
'But… I can't help but feel a little bad about the way I acted. Even if it is the love potion… the fact that he lo-… likes me right now remains. I know what it's like to have a crush,' Rhen thought, an image of Danny flashing through her mind, 'How would I have felt if he had denied my feelings for him?'
Terrible.
Rhen groaned.
"Are you alright?"
Rhen started, noticing Dameon had not moved from her side since he had handed her flowers to put in her hair.
She plastered on a smile.
"Yeah, I'm fine!" Rhen chirped, inwardly frowning at the unbelieving stare she was receiving, "So… the festival! What are your plans?"
The curious stare was masked by a pink blush.
"Well… I was wondering if… you and I cou-"
"Dameon!"
Dameon and Rhen both looked up, the former scowling at being interrupted.
Elini towered over the sitting couple, offering a smile.
"Could you come with me, please?" Elini asked, pretending not to notice the displeasure rolling off the man in question.
"Isn't it near time to leave?" Dameon asked, looking toward the window where the dimming sky could be seen.
"Yes. And that's why the others," Elini raised her voice to be heard by everyone, "should leave now. We'll catch up with them soon enough."
"But-"
"Rhen," Elini addressed, cutting Dameon off, "Can you please go tell Lars it's time to leave?"
"But-"
"Now then," Elini then cut Rhen off, grabbing Dameon's arm, "Come with me!"
Elini pulled Dameon, who was protesting the whole way, out of the back door while Te'ijal, Galahad, John, and Elini's three husbands walked out the front, leaving a dumbfounded Rhen sitting in the middle of the room.
She slowly turned toward the guest room's door.
'… Did she do that on purpose?!'
Rhen fumed, feeling butterflies dancing in her stomach.
She took a deep breath.
'Just tell Lars it's time to go. No big deal.'
"Lars?" Rhen asked, walking toward the door and tapping on it twice, "We have to go now…"
A short time later, the door opened. Lars stared at her for a moment before breaking his gaze, looking at the now-empty place.
"… Where is everyone?" Lars questioned.
"They left already."
Lars raised a brow.
"Dameon left you?"
Rhen's cheeks puffed.
"Why sound so surprised? … Elini needed to talk with him about something."
'Elini did?' Lars thought, his muddled brain trying to grasp onto the strange concept, '… So that leaves me alone with Rhen…'
An awkward 'let's not make eye contact until you speak' silence fell upon the two.
"Rhen-"
"Lars-"
They spoke in unison.
Lars snapped his mouth shut while Rhen laughed dryly. With a sigh, she clasped her arms behind her back tightly, tapping the tip of her shoe on the floor.
"I'm sorry," Rhen spoke, not seeing Lars's eyes widen because her own were locked on the floor below her, "For ignoring you and all. Guess that was pretty childish."
Lars stared at the top of her head, wanting more than anything to reach out and touch those smooth, light purple strands…
'You'll scare her again.'
Lars crossed his arms to assure he didn't do such a thing.
"Rhen…" He started, getting the girl to look up at him again, "Can I… stay with you?"
Lars nearly smacked himself in the head when she suddenly looked troubled.
"I mean!" Lars quickly amended quickly, "Do you mind if I stick around with you at the festival tonight? As friends!"
'Dear Lord, I sound like an idiot!'
'Dear Lord, he sounds like an idiot!' Rhen thought, unknowingly mirroring Lars, and brought her hand up to cover her mouth as she laughed.
Lars felt his heart skip a beat at the sound.
"I… don't mind, I guess," Rhen spoke with a small smile right before eyeing him, "On one condition."
Lars froze.
"I get to call you Peta."
… What?
"What?!" Lars yelled, horrified. Rhen's smile widened evilly and she shrugged, turning around and walking toward the front door.
Lars grit his teeth.
Rhen reached for the door handle.
"Fine," Lars gave in, following her. Rhen was mildly surprised, glancing at him.
"You sure about this, Peta?" Rhen asked, watching his jaw clench again.
"You're going to regret this," Lars replied, grinning.
Rhen was slightly frightened, but held her ground.
The two walked out into the night.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"
The shout was loud and enraged, but only heard by the two people standing on the sandy cliff.
Elini crossed her arms, eyeing her work in triumph.
Her Red Demon stood a few feet away, coiled tightly around a struggling, outraged Dameon.
"I apologize, but you'll have to stay up here for a little while," Elini spoke sweetly, turning to walk away.
"Elini, get BACK here!" Dameon exclaimed, increasing his struggles. He suddenly gasped for breath when the Red Demon suddenly squeezed harder, grinning. Dameon growled.
"When this quest is over, I'll make sure you SUFFER," Dameon threatened. The Red Demon's eyes narrowed and his mouth opened, sending a small ball of fire against Dameon's head.
The hair on the left side of his head sizzled.
Dameon screamed like a girl.(3)
The festival was in full swing.
Lanterns were hung and lit, adjacent to all available paths throughout Veldt, and the large purple tent in the town square had been taken down and replaced with a huge bonfire, which was brilliantly lighting up much of the town and casting shadows of the dancers circling and weaving around it. The desert town was taken over by people laughing and chatting and singing.
Rhen was absolutely thrilled by it all.
"We've had festivals in Clearwater, but nothing compares to this!" Rhen exclaimed, just as one of the Veldt dancers pranced over to them and flung strings of woven flowers around their necks, "Thank you!"
"Aaachuu!"
Lars sneezed harshly as the sweet scent of the flowers reached his nose. Rhen just laughed at the sight of Lars wearing flowers.
"What's so funny?" Lars snapped, humor flickering in his eyes.
"Nothing, Peta," Rhen answered, winking.
Lars flushed. From anger, or from how cute Rhen looked like that, one wouldn't know.
"Are you really going to keep that up all night?" Lars asked pitifully. Rhen raised an eyebrow.
"I thought you had some kind of get-back plan?" Rhen inquired with a challenging smirk. Lars looked away from her.
"I think I'd just rather enjoy tonight."
Her smirk faded away.
They stood there for a moment, bathing in the flickering lights and loud laughter.
"Achu!"
Lars sneezed again, reaching up to scratch his neck irritably. Even through the fiery light, Rhen noticed the discoloration on his neck.
"AchUU!"
"Lars, take off the flowers! I think you're allergic!" Rhen exclaimed. Lars's eyebrows shot up before he yanked the offending necklace off.
"Great. Since when I have been allergic to anything?!" Lars proclaimed, rubbing the itchy spot on his neck with a vengeance. Rhen swatted his hand away.
"You'll make it worse," Rhen warned, shoving him toward better light before leaning forward to inspect the damage.
Lars flushed at the close proximity.
"This is going to bother you all night if we don't get something for it..." Rhen trailed off, stepping back and looking around.
"The shop is right over there. Maybe Aldara will have something for it," Lars suggested, scratching.
Rhen slapped his hand away again.
"... You don't think anyone else would have it?" Rhen asked, rubbing her chin worriedly. She wasn't too keen on the idea of letting Aldara meet the one under the love potion's spell.
"I don't really feel like venturing around," Lars replied gravely, trying his best not to touch the burning sensation underneath his chin.
Feeling sorry for him, Rhen nodded, and the two made their way to the Alchemist's shop.
"Rhen!" Aldara smiled upon seeing the girl again and leaned over the counter excitedly, "Did you change your mind about the cu...r..."
Aldara trailed off when Rhen began making cutthroat gestures with her hands.
Lars looked on curiously, but chose not to say anything.
"Aldara," Rhen said sweetly, eyes flashing wildly as they glanced from her to Lars, trying to send a telepathic warning, "Do you have some sort of itching cream?"
"Itching cream?" Aldara questioned, trying to conceal her confusion.
Lars pointed to his neck.
"Yeah. One of those dancers put flowers around my neck and this was the result," Lars grumbled. Aldara looked on in pity before dipping down and shoving her hand amongst the many concoctions under the shelf.
"This should do the trick! Free of charge," Aldara offered, holding out the small bowl for Lars to take before turning to Rhen with a sneaky smile, "So. Are you two enjoying the festival?"
Rhen shifted, not liking the weird undertone to that sentence.
"Yeah! It's really something else," Rhen answered as Lars applied the cream to his neck. Aldara leaned in close to Rhen.
"He's the one under the love spell? Remind me why you want this cure again?"
Rhen blushed, stepping back.
".. Should we go back to the festival?" Lars asked cautiously, looking between the two odd women. Rhen nodded immediately.
"Sounds like a wonderful idea!" Rhen yelled, grabbing Lars's arm and very near dragging him out of the place. When Rhen made to go back toward the bonfire and dancers, Lars effectively planted his feet into the ground.
"I'm not risking another necklace being thrown on me! As a matter of fact, take that off!"
Rhen blinked, looking down at her own flower necklace. She then ripped it off, letting it fall carelessly to the ground.
"Where do you want to go then?" Rhen asked. Lars looked caught off-guard for a moment before glancing around.
"Well-"
"AhahaHA!"
The two jumped as a large hand was planted on both of their shoulders. A big, burly man with a huge black mustache stood behind them, grinning like a mad man.
"What's the matter with you two youngsters, hm? Standing around here when there's a festival going on!" He lectured, clicking his tongue on the roof of his mouth in shame before turning to Lars, "You look like a strong young man! How about trying to win something for your lady here?!"
Both faces went red.
"Um... sir... we-"
"What kind of contest?"
"... Lars?!"
Lars grinned sheepishly.
What could he say; he liked challenges. And the prospect of winning something for Rhen was... intriguing.
Being thought of as a couple was also intriguing.
Lars grinned.
"THAT 'a boy!" The huge man shouted, slamming his hand against Lars's back and paying no attention to the poor boy's wince, "Just follow me, youngsters!"
... Yeah, it was more like 'just get dragged by me, youngsters!'.
"What are you thinking?!" Rhen whispered dangerously, nearly tripping over her own feet as she was being pushed forward.
"Apparently I'm going to win something for you," Lars responded with a grin.
"You don't even know what you're getting yourself into!"
"It's not like it can be anything bad. We're at a festival in Veldt!"
They entered a large red tent packed with Veldtians(4) and... large kegs?
"AND CHUG!"
The voice came from deep within the crowd, signaling the two men in front to tip their large kegs and gulp down the liquid inside.
And from the looks of the many staggering men in the tent, that liquid was alcohol.
Lars and Rhen stared, eyes wide, as the men chugged their drinks.
"You better beat that slum, Heldrad! No husband of mine is going to disgrace me!" A wild-looking woman shouted from the sidelines.
You could see the fear radiating off the poor man.
He thankfully won.
And passed out soon after.
"You... are not doing that," Rhen ordered.
Lars had to admit, he really wasn't up for such a thing himself...
"Well, hello cutie!"
A hand suddenly reached out to grasp Rhen's, and a pair of lips descended upon her skin just as fast.
Rhen blinked in surprise as she studied the handsome man in front of her, his vivid green eyes boring into her own.
Lars barely refrained from zapping the guy.
"You don't look like you're from around here," he began, standing to full height, but never letting go of her hand.
"Er... I'm not..."
"Buzz off!" Lars exclaimed, irked to find the man a tad bit taller than himself. The man looked at him as if he'd noticed him for the first time.
"Don't tell me your with this guy," he said dryly.
Both Lars and Rhen frowned at the comment, but Lars spoke first.
"Yeah, she is with me. Got a problem with that?"
"Yeah. I think she can do better."
Ouch, that struck a cord.
"You think you're better?"
"I know I am. How about a competition, brat?"
"Ha! I'll wipe the floor with you!"
Rhen smacked herself in the forehead, shaking her head in disbelief.
"Hey guys, get a round of shots ready to go!" He shouted, getting cheers in response before he turned back to Rhen with a sly smile, "I would tell you my name now, but people will be shouting it when I win anyway."
Must... refrain... zappation(5)!
Lars was positively fuming and ready to take this guy down.
A hand on his momentarily stopped his train of thought.
"Lars, this is stupid," Rhen tried to reason, squeezing his hand, "Let's just go!"
He almost gave into that cute little pout.
Almost.
But...
He laced their hands together, surprising Rhen.
"You're getting a cure for this... love potion, right?" Lars asked, placing Rhen in further shock, "I'm not stupid. Not to mention that Alchemist is loud. ... Anyway, if this really is the love potion's fault... and I still refuse to believe it, but if somehow, it is... then let me fight for you while I can."(6)
Rhen looked positively stunned.
The man scowled from the sidelines.
"Let's go, brat," he taunted.
Lars squeezed her hand before letting go and glaring at his new competitor.
The two men were seated at the bar, hands on their shots and awaiting the call to begin.
Rhen stared at Lars, having not moved an inch.
Her hand still felt so warm.
She gently cupped it with her other.
'... You idiot. Don't make me... start liking you like this...'
"AND START!"
At the call, the men began fervently downing their first round of shots. One after the other, the liquid poured down their throats.
Lars's eyes watered from the sting.
But there was no way in Hell he would stop.
Not when she was watching.
Not when he was winning for her.
Not when his competitor's wife came barging in the tent, red faced and swinging an ax, yelling about him flirting with another woman, causing everyone in the place (especially the man himself) to run for their lives...
Wait, what?
Lars blinked, his head rattling from the commotion around him.
Ugh, his eyes were blurry.
"Lars?!"
Rhen...?
He forced his eyes into focus, staring at the worried-looking girl resting her hand on his shoulder.
Yep, it was definitely his Rhen.
His friend.
His love.
His...
"HONEY BUN!"(7)
With the unexpected shout, Lars launched himself at the girl, who in return squeaked as she fell backwards.
The two landed on the sand with a big 'oof!'(8 )
'... WHAT did he just call me?!'
Rhen was quite afraid and even more embarrassed when Lars snuggled up to her, burying his face into her neck.
She silently thanked God everyone else had been run out by that crazy wife.
"Lars!" Rhen exclaimed, squirming, "You're drunk! Get off of me!"
"Dun wanna," Lars spoke childishly. Rhen nearly burst out laughing.
"You idiot!"
"But 'm your idiot," Lars slurred.
Rhen blushed brightly.
Lars looked up with a pout before finishing, "... Right?"
Rhen was finding it wondrously hard to breathe with him so close. Her throat felt entirely constricted.
How was she supposed to answer that?!
Apparently the silence wasn't a good idea.
Lars's lower lip began trembling violently.
"YOU DON'T LIKE ME!" Lars yelled into the night, scrambling off of her and making a run for it.
... Well, in his mind, anyway.
Really, he just managed to roll off of her and fall into a curled heap on the ground.
Rhen's eyes widened in alarm.
Was he... was he about to cry?!
"No, wait, Lars!" Rhen exclaimed, seeing the shoulders begin shaking harder, "I like you!"
Hello, complete 360.
As if someone had flipped a switch, the shoulders stopped shaking and the pout vanished, quickly to be replaced by a large smile. Lars sat up quickly.
"Really?!" He asked excitedly. Rhen awkwardly shifted.
"Y- yeah. Just... don't cry... or anything."
Lars's smile stretched even further before he leaned forward...
And kissed her nose.
Rhen squeaked, going red for the umpteenth time that night.
"Th- that's it! I'm getting you home right now!" Rhen exclaimed, scrambling to stand up.
"Home sounds nice," Lars replied cheerfully, attempting to stand himself.
It didn't work so well.
Rhen giggled as he sank back down on his knees. She bent down, offering her shoulder.
With a little effort, Lars was on his feet, though leaning the majority of his weight on Rhen.
'Ugh... how am I going to explain this?!'
Thankfully, Lars stayed somewhat quiet as she contemplated the thought.
What a night.
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(1) Oh, title moment!
(2) What I would give to see Lars actually call Dameon a pansy. XDD
(3) ... Ok, when I started writing this, I was NOT expecting to degrade Dameon like this, I promise!! It just... came to me... and I had to do it... heh heh...
(4) People of Veldt... Veldtians...? shrugs
(5) No, this is not a word. I do not care. X3
(6) Ready? 1, 2, 3... awwwwwwwwww!
(7) Ready? 1, 2, 3... LOL
(8 ) They are in a tent. It has no ground. Therefore, yes, they land on sand.
Jeez, I do believe this is the longest chapter for something I've ever written. But it was SO much FUN! XD Hope you liked