As promised, the next day she was out of her room bright and early. Everyone said goodbye to Jack and the others, now that she was out of bed rest, there was no need for them to stay. After they left, Simone started to check up on things that she couldn't while on bed rest. She checked the progress of the Mid-Summer's festival, which Gabriel told her she should leave to the others. She slipped away long enough to check on Mako and Jamie, and received a silent thumbs up. Gabriel and her argued over going to the Light Council meeting, but she convinced him she would go with or without him. The same argument went with the War council meeting. She always had someone following her, or Gabriel himself would stay by her side, and it was driving her a little insane. But she didn't say anything, knowing it was his way of making sure she was okay. Days were passing quickly, and she was looking forward to the upcoming celebration.

"Isn't it dangerous to have this much extra fabric when dancing around a bonfire?" Simone asked, yards of brightly colored silk in her lap. Simone was at Satya's small house, admiring the other woman's choice of festival wear. Satya handed her a cup of fresh tea and took back the dress.

"One does tend to avoid setting themselves on fire." Satya said, carefully laying the dress out to prevent wrinkles.

"Have you something to wear?" Satya asked, setting back down with another cup for herself. Simone thought about what she had.

"I have one that might work, nowhere near as extravagant as yours. I had it made for special event while part of Overwatch and had it specially dyed to match my wings."

"It shouldn't be something that you would wear for any other day." Satya wave dismissively.

"It is a special celebration. Your outfit must be perfect. I need to see it to be sure."

"Oh… okay." Simone put down her cup and opened a portal to her room. Satya followed her through and Simone searched, pulling the pale grey dress out. Holding up to herself, she showed the other woman. Satya looked it over with a critical eye before shaking her head.

"It may be pretty, but it is not the right kind of dress for the festival. And the person who dyed it for you was mistaken, the colors do not match."

"What?" Simone's brow furrowed and she turned to face the tall mirror on her wall. Satya was right, the dress was lighter in color than her wings. She fingered the fabric.

"I don't understand, could the fabric have faded?"

"No, it's your wings that have grown darker in color." Simone tried to process this information, laying the dress on her bed. Her wings were changing color and she hadn't even noticed.

Why would they be changing? She wondered who else had noticed and why they didn't tell her, and Satya went through the rest of her clothes to find something more suitable for the festival.
Did Gabriel notice her wings were darker? She ran fingers through her feathers as she stared at herself in the mirror. Chewing her lower lip, she wished she could ask him.

"Simone?" Satya called her, and Simone looked to the other woman using the mirror. Seeing a portal opening she turned quickly.

"Oh my goodness."

"Where does it lead?" Satya asked. Simone gave a shake of her head.

"I don't know." Both women gave a slight jump when someone came through.

"What's wrong?" Gabriel asked, stepping fully through the portal, and it closed behind him.

"You opened a portal to him? I didn't know you were capable of doing that." Satya's brow rose in surprise.

"I didn't mean to do that. I don't know how I did that." Simone confessed.

"What are you two doing? You called to me." Gabriel told Simone.

"We are simply looking over her selection for appropriate festival attire. Simone became distressed about the condition of her wings." Satya said before Simone could answer.

"I wasn't… distressed." Simone denied, but wondered if her worry combined with a need to ask Gabriel caused her magic to open a portal to him.

"Your wings?" Gabriel stepped closer, raising a hand to brush against her feathers.

"What's wrong with them?"

"They are growing darker." Simone said softly.

"And that bothers you?" He asked. She shook her head.

"No. Just that I didn't notice. Nobody has said anything." Gabriel nodded.

"They are growing darker, affected by the magic of the forest." He moved closer, bending to whisper into her ear.

"That doesn't make them any less beautiful." Simone couldn't hide the blush that rushed to her cheeks, or the smile that broke across her lips. He turned, looking over his shoulder at Satya.

"Did you find her something to wear?" Satya pursed her lips.

"No."

"Take her shopping. Get her whatever she wants. I have to get back now."

"Of course." Satya said with a smug smile. Simone grabbed his arm as he went to leave.

"Thank you." She smiled sweetly, rising up to give his mask a quick kiss where his lips should be. Then she turned to Satya.

"Where should we start?"

They apparently needed to start by visiting every shop that had fabric to sell. Satya demanded that they find the perfect color for her before they did anything else. Simone stood there while Satya and the shop helpers held up roll after roll of colorful fabrics to test against her. She was quickly growing bored, and then guilty because they were only trying to help after all. She suppressed a sigh before someone caught her eye. Jamie saw her as he was passing, and gave her a big enthusiastic wave. She smiled, waving back and he hobbled over.

"Whatcha doin'?" He asked, watching as Satya and the store owner argued.

"Finding me suitable clothing for the festival." Simone explained.

"Having a hard time picking the right color though."

"Why not red?" He asked, shrugging his lanky shoulder.

"Absolutely not!" Satya intervened, lip curled at the thought.

"Red'sa good color." Jamie defended.

"Red is too simple. And it would clash horribly with the shade of her hair." Satya explained, as if it was only too obvious.

"We will be choosing this one." Satya held up a bolt of pale gold fabric, so light it was almost white. It shimmered and was almost sheer. Simone blanched, not sure about the choice. Jamie whistled.

"I don't know…" Simone stuttered.

"That's…, I mean it's practically see through!"

"The dress will consist of many layers. Trust me, I would not let you look the fool." Satya turned back to the shop owner and started giving her very strict instructions on making the dress. Simone bit her lip, suddenly very lost. Jamie gave her a nudge, pulling her back to reality.

"Whut next?" He asked. Satya linked arms with Simone and pulled her along.

"We are looking at jewelry now." She gave Jamie a once over.

"Really no need for you to come along." She dismissed the junker as they reached the jeweler's shop.

"Ohh, Shiny!" Jamie ignored the dark elf, looking at all of the beautifully crafted pieces on display. Simone had to agree with him, there were many pieces that grabbed the attention, reflecting the sunlight in a pretty way. Satya looked at pieces for Simone's hair, but a very particular item had caught Simone's eye. Dainty bands of gold braided together with tiny little bells all around them; a matching set that would look perfect around her ankles. Simone smiled, the memory of bells twinkling in her ears. She picked up the delicate anklets and turned towards the other two. She showed them, giving Satya a hopeful smile.

"Do you like them?" The dark elf asked her.

"Very much." Simone nodded.

"Then you shall get them." She also asked the shop owner for a set of dangly earrings and some matching hair pins. She paid for the purchase, giving Jamie's hand a sharp smack when he tried picking up some of the small charms.

"I'll come by and help you get ready on festival day." Satya promised. Simone gave a nervous nod of her head, the event suddenly more interesting when she seemed to have no control over what she would be looking like.

Simone was brushing her hair out before bed when Gabriel found her again.

"Did you find something today?" Simone cocked her head to the side, wondering just how to answer the question.

"Satya bought a few things yes, I'm just not sure what those things will turn out to be. She was… a little overbearing, with her shopping." Simone smiled.

"The point is that I will have a dress for the festival, I just don't know what it looks like yet."

"Satya is a perfectionist. You don't have to worry about your dress." Gabriel explained.

"And do you know what you will be wearing for the festival?" Simone asked, a teasing tone to her question. He gave a low growl, it could have been more of a grumble, and pulled at her hair lightly. Tipping her head back, she looked up at him standing over her.

"Guess." He replied.

"I have a feeling that it's going to be the same as always. Long cloak, dark colors… and that mask."

"Same as always." He agreed with her. She sighed, righting her head to look at the mirror. Glancing at his reflection, she asked.

"Why do you wear the mask?" Her voice was quiet, unsure if the question would hurt him. But she was curious, and had been wanting an answer to that question since she first met him. Gabriel brought a hand to the mask, silver claws scratching at it lightly. Dropping his hand, he answered.

"Because I am Reaper."

"But you are also Gabriel." She said, turning towards him.

"At least… you are to me." Simone found it hard to look him in the eye.

"I'm not meaning to rush you, or anything. I just…" Wringing her hands, she stopped herself before she started to babble.

"When you trust me, okay." He didn't respond, his posture a little stiff. She could feel that things were going to become awkward, so she pressed a quick kiss to the mask cheek and pushed him out of the door with a goodnight.

Simone and Zenyatta weaved through the loud crowd arm in arm. Makeshift stalls had been put up, filling up all of the free space in the usually organized marketplace. It seemed like everyone was either selling or buying special festival trinkets and snacks. The atmosphere was contagiously exuberant. Zenyatta was pointing out his favorite shopping stalls, and buying her all different sort of snacks to try. They met several of her other friends, and she made sure to stop by Mako and Jamie's stall, purchasing a small Patchi figurine made from twisted metal. By midday most of everyone was headed back home, taking a short rest before getting ready for the real festivities of that night. She said goodbye to Zenyatta, but was too excited for an afternoon nap. Instead, she paced her room, imagining all sorts of scenarios for what Satya had commissioned her to wear tonight. Both Gabriel, and then Zenyatta had assured her that Satya had excellent taste in fashion and that she shouldn't be worried. But Simone was well aware that dark elf women were more liberal with the amount of skin their fashions showed. Not that she wasn't willing to try, just maybe not with so many people around. And just the thought of wearing such an outfit in front of Gabriel made her face burn and the butterflies in her stomach to flutter up a storm. Her hands fluttered, trying to cool off her cheeks, and she went to the window. Below her, people were milling around as they packed up all of the stalls and built the wood stacks for the bonfires. Feeling a slight shiver race up her spine, she turned and saw Gabriel at her door.

"Did you enjoy your morning?" He asked. Simone gave him a large smile.

"It was amazing! I can't wait for tonight." He came further into the room, resting a hand on her shoulder.

"Are you sure you'll be okay?" Simone chuckled, not sure what he meant exactly.

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"Angela advised against stressful…"

"That was almost 3 weeks ago!" Simone interrupted. Her hands fisted into the labels of his leather cloak.

"I'm perfectly alright Gabriel, I promise. I've been looking forward to this for so long." Her lower lip bloomed into a small pout, and she looked down to her hands, still gripping him tightly.

"With such an unsure future, I want everyone to have at least one night of fun, without having to worry." She looked up at him through her lashes. He raised a hand, caressing her cheek with his palm, and she leaned into his touch. Her grip lessened, her hands flat against his chest.

"I understand." His voice was low. She turned her head slightly, the tiniest brush of her lips against his palm in a kiss.

"Just don't overdo it." He ordered, before tapping the end of her nose.

"And no more pouting." Simone laughed, surprised at his teasing.

"Only if you promise to dance with me." She slid closer, biting her lip. He growled.

"I don't dance."

"You may change your mind when you see her in her dress." Satya stated, stepping into the room, catching the other two unawares. They both froze, taking a tiny step apart and hands falling to their sides.

"My apologies, I didn't mean to interrupt." She seemed a little embarrassed at having walked in on their moment.

"It's fine." Gabriel reassured her, going to leave so the two women could get ready.

"When are you going to show up for the bonfires?" Simone asked before he made it to the door.

"Trust me, you'll know when I get there." He promised before ducking out of the door.

"I am sorry." Satya apologized again. Simone shook her head, a slight flush working up her cheeks.

"It's alright." She looked nervously at the large bundle that was in the other woman's arms.

"Is that mine?" She asked. Satya nodded, laying out the different garment bags on the bed.

"You will bathe, then get dressed. Sombra will be stopping by to do your makeup while I work on your hair. We only have a few hours, so we must get started right away." Simone wasn't sure that they would need all that time, but apparently, they did. After her bath, Satya worked on drying her hair and getting it styled. Sombra stopped by, all dressed in neon green and purples, ready to start make-up duty. Seeing both Sombra and Satya in their festival gear was causing her nerves to grow, the bright colors and amount of skin was causing her stomach to knot. And when she saw that Sombra had styled a pale purple skull across her face, she was about ready to kick everyone out and just go with her original grey dress. As Sombra came towards her with a makeup brush, Simone flinched back.

"Don't worry. I'll keep it simple." Sombra promised, rolling her eyes. Satya clicked her tongue, continuing with Simone's hair.

"Sombra likes the dramatic flare. Combine that with being a necromancer, and she believes that it gives her the liberty to wear such garish face paint."

"It's not garish!" Simone quickly defended.

"It's just a … I'm not sure I could pull off anything so… unique." She struggled to word it without offending anyone.

"Not skulls for you, mi Reina, I will make you look like the angel you are."

"I'm sorry, I'm just suddenly really nervous." Simone explained, sitting still so the two women could work.

"Do you not trust us to make you beautiful?" Satya asked, a coy smirk on her face.

"No, that's not it…" Simone started.

"We would not make you try anything that makes you feel uncomfortable." Sombra reassured her. Simone felt better, the nerves in her system calming down. Because she knew that they wouldn't. And she knew that in her vision, she didn't feel embarrassed, she was too busy enjoying herself. When they finished with her hair and makeup, they helped her into the dress. Outfit, would be more appropriate. It was a long flowy top, made of many layers of the gold material until it was no longer opaque. It had a slit starting just below her navel, and whenever she moved it would waft around her showing the tight white pants they had provided. She slipped on the anklets and the earrings.

"See. Pure perfection." Satya smirked confidently. Simone turned, looking at her back. Because a lot of it was showing, her whole back bare, with a strap around the back of her neck and the skirt low at her hips.

"It won't seem as bad once you bring out your wings." Sombra assured her, before an evil smirk twisted her lips.

"And Reaper will definitely love it." Simone's face turned bright red, the flush burning all the way down her neck. She hoped he did.