"Alright, love, the house is spick and span," Medb called out cheerfully, her voice echoing through the corridor as she finished the last of the dishes. "Now, it's time for me to kick back and relax."
Scáthach looked up from her book, her scarlet eyes meeting Medb's golden ones. "Good job," she said with a nod of approval. "You've outdone yourself again."
Medb beamed, wiping her hands on her apron that read "World's Queenly Housewife" in glittering letters. She sailed into the living room, her pink hair trailing behind her like a cloud of cotton candy. Flopping onto the couch, she sighed contentedly. "Ah, the sweet taste of victory!"
Scáthach set her book aside, a faint smile playing on her lips as she watched Medb sprawl out. Despite her serious demeanor, she couldn't help but feel a warmth in her chest. "You always find a way to make chores seem like a battle won," she teased gently.
Medb shot her a playful glare. "And who taught me to fight like that?" she countered, her eyes sparkling with mischief. She reached for the remote control, the glint of the metal matching her wedding ring. With a flick of her wrist, she turned on the TV, the screen flashing to life with the latest reality show. "Now, let's see if these mortals can keep up with the Queen of Connacht's schedule!"
The living room filled with the cacophony of laughter and drama as the show's contestants bickered on screen. Medb's expression grew more and more smug as she compared her day to theirs. "They think their lives are so hard," she murmured to herself, a hint of ancient royalty in her tone. "They have no idea what true chaos is."
Scáthach chuckled, joining her on the couch. "Careful, love," she said, draping an arm around Medb's shoulders. "You might start missing the battles of old."
Medb leaned into the embrace, her golden eyes never leaving the TV. "Never," she said firmly. "I have everything I need right here."
Scáthach nodded, her gaze softening as she studied Medb's profile. Despite the centuries that had passed, she still felt a thrill at the sight of her, the woman who had once been a fierce queen and now her partner in this quiet, domestic life. "True," she agreed. "Our battles are of a different sort these days, but no less important."
The show's plot thickened, and the room grew quieter as the two immortals became engrossed in the mortal drama. Medb's hand reached for the bowl of popcorn on the coffee table, her slender fingers disappearing into the salty white clouds before popping a few kernels into her mouth. The crunch was satisfying, a simple pleasure she had grown to love in this era of convenience.
As the tension on screen built to a crescendo, Medb felt her own tension begin to unwind. The house was clean, the day's responsibilities were done, and she had her Scáthach by her side. For a moment, she allowed herself to forget the weight of their shared past, the centuries of war and politics they had left behind.
But the quiet was soon shattered by the ringing of the doorbell, the harsh sound piercing through the bubble of their relaxation. Medb sat up, her playful expression replaced by a flicker of annoyance. "Who could that be?" she wondered aloud.
Scáthach tensed, her hand unconsciously moving to the sword she kept by the couch. "We're not expecting anyone," she said, her voice low and alert.
The doorbell rang again, more insistently this time. Medb rolled her eyes, tossing the remote aside. "Fine, I'll go see what the racket's about." She untangled herself from Scáthach's arm and marched to the door, her apron fluttering behind her like a battle flag.
Pulling it open, she found a young woman on the porch, her eyes wide with excitement. "Are you Medb O'Connell?" the stranger asked, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm.
Medb's annoyance faded, replaced by curiosity. "That's me," she said cautiously. "And who might you be?"
The woman held out a piece of paper. "I'm from the neighborhood committee," she said, her smile beaming. "And you've been nominated for the 'Best Kept House' award!"
Medb took the paper, her eyes scanning the details. "What's this?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
"It's an annual competition," the young woman explained, her voice brimming with pride. "The entire block votes for the house they think is the tidiest, most well-managed, and just... the best! And this year, someone submitted your name!"
Medb looked over her shoulder at Scáthach, who had risen from the couch, her hand still resting on the sword's hilt. She raised an eyebrow in silent question. Scáthach just shrugged, her smile growing.
"Well, I suppose we'll have to accept the challenge," Medb said with a grin, her competitive spirit stirring. She took the nomination form and scanned it over. "What do we have to do?"
The young woman rattled off a list of requirements: a home tour for the judges, a brief interview about her homekeeping secrets, and a small gathering for the award presentation. "But don't worry," she added, "It's all very casual. Just be yourself!"
Medb's eyes narrowed, and she felt a thrill of anticipation. "Casual, huh?" she murmured, her mind already racing with ideas. "We'll show them just what a queen can do."
Scáthach chuckled, moving to stand behind her. "It seems you've found a new battle, love," she said, her voice a mix of amusement and affection. "May the best house win."
The woman at the door nodded eagerly. "Yes, yes, it's all in good fun!" she exclaimed. "And remember, the prizes are a plaque and a year's subscription to House Beautiful magazine!"
Medb's eyes lit up at the mention of the prize. "Oh, now you're speaking my language," she said, taking the form with renewed interest. "Count us in."
As the woman thanked them and practically skipped away, Medb turned to Scáthach, her golden eyes gleaming. "We're going to win this," she declared. "No one can outdo me in the art of war... or the art of cleanliness!"
Scáthach's chuckles grew louder. "I have no doubt," she said, stepping closer to wrap her arms around Medb's waist. "But remember," she whispered into her ear, "it's not just about winning. It's about having fun together."
Medb leaned into her, her smile softening. "Alright," she agreed, planting a kiss on Scáthach's cheek. "But I can't help it if we're just that good."
They shared a laugh, the sound echoing through their cozy home. The battles of their past may have been grand and bloody, but this new challenge promised a different kind of victory. And as they faced it together, they knew that no matter the outcome, they had already won the most important prize of all: each other's love and companionship in this strange, modern world.
The following days saw a flurry of activity as Medb threw herself into preparing for the neighborhood competition. She scrutinized every corner, every crevice, ensuring not a speck of dust dared to settle. Scáthach watched her with a mix of admiration and amusement, occasionally stepping in to offer advice or a helping hand. Despite her serious demeanor, she couldn't resist the contagious excitement that bubbled from Medb.
The day of the home tour arrived, and the house gleamed like a jewel under Medb's meticulous care. She had even gone so far as to bake cookies that filled the air with the sweet scent of vanilla and cinnamon, a far cry from the meals of roast meats and mead they had once feasted upon. Scáthach had to admit, the change was not unwelcome.
The judges arrived promptly, a trio of middle-aged women with stern expressions and clipboards at the ready. Medb greeted them with a smile that could have melted the hardest of hearts. She led them through the house, explaining her cleaning routines and the little touches that made their home special. Her passion was infectious, and even the most skeptical of the judges couldn't help but be charmed by her enthusiasm.
Scáthach remained in the background, a silent sentinel, her eyes flickering with pride as she watched her wife dazzle their guests. The tour concluded in the garden, where Medb had painstakingly arranged a display of freshly picked flowers, each one a symbol of their long and winding journey through the ages.
The judges took notes, nodding approvingly, and then it was time for the interview. They sat in the immaculate kitchen, the scent of lemon cleaner and baked goods still lingering in the air. Medb regaled them with tales of her 'secret weapon' cleaning spells, a wink in her eye as she revealed that she had picked up a few tips from her 'travels'.
The women laughed, their sternness melting away. One judge leaned in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Is it true that you were once a queen?"
Medb's smile grew enigmatic. "Who can say what the whispers of history hold?" she replied, her golden eyes twinkling. "But let's just say, I've had a bit of experience managing my domain."
The room erupted in laughter, and Scáthach felt a swell of affection for the woman she had chosen to share her eternity with. As the judges left, promising to announce the winner at the block party the next weekend, she knew that no matter the outcome, their home was already the richest for the love and joy they had brought to it.
The days leading up to the block party were a whirlwind of activity. Medb had decided to go all out for the award, her mind buzzing with ideas for decorations and the perfect menu. Scáthach watched her flit from room to room, a blur of pink hair and determination. It was both exhilarating and exhausting.
"What do you think, Scáth?" Medb would ask, holding up a string of fairy lights or a garland of freshly picked ivy.
"Perfect," Scáthach would respond, her voice filled with sincerity. She knew that the true beauty of their home was not in the decorations, but in the love that suffused every inch of it.
Finally, the day of the block party arrived. The sun shone brightly, casting a warm glow over the neighborhood as people began to gather in the street outside. Medb had transformed their house into a vision of domestic perfection, with flowers spilling from every window box and the scent of grilling meat wafting through the air.
Scáthach stood beside her, watching the neighbors approach with a mix of curiosity and awe. They had always known that the O'Connells were a little different, a little more... extraordinary than the rest, but now they had proof. The other houses on the street looked like quaint cottages in comparison to their gleaming fortress of neatness and order.
As the party grew louder, with children's laughter and the clinking of glasses, Medb grabbed Scáthach's hand, pulling her close. "We've got this," she murmured, her voice filled with excitement. "They're going to love us."
Scáthach squeezed her hand in return, her heart swelling with love. "They already do," she said softly. "And so do I."
The moment was interrupted by the sound of a microphone squealing. The neighborhood committee leader took the stage, a nervous smile on her face. "Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to announce the winner of the 'Best Kept House' award!"
The crowd hushed, and Medb took a deep breath, her eyes shining with anticipation. Scáthach felt her own heart racing, not for the prize, but for the sheer joy of watching Medb revel in this new challenge.
The committee leader unfolded a piece of paper, her eyes scanning it dramatically. "And the winner is..." She paused for effect, looking out over the crowd. "Medb and Scáthach O'Connell!"
Cheers and applause erupted around them as Medb beamed, her face flushing with pleasure. Scáthach felt a sense of pride swell within her, not because they had won, but because she had watched Medb blossom in this new environment, finding joy in the simple things.
They walked to the stage, hand in hand, to accept their award. Medb gave a gracious speech, her golden eyes sparkling as she thanked the neighborhood for their support. And when she held up the prize - a simple plaque with their names engraved on it - she looked like she was holding up a crown.
As the party wound down and their neighbors began to say their goodnights, Scáthach knew that this was a victory worth more than any battle they had ever fought. It was a testament to their love and their ability to adapt to the ever-changing tides of time.
"Well, my queen," she murmured as they closed the door behind the last guest, "it seems we've conquered another realm."
Medb turned to her, her eyes shining. "And what's next?" she asked, her voice filled with mischief.
Scáthach grinned, the warmth of their victory still resonating in the air. "Whatever you want, love," she said, pulling her close. "Whatever you want."