Page 146 of To Fight and To Fold

Biting down on her chuckles, Thea pushed away her absolute infatuation and motioned to a tree, the soft green beneath it awaiting them. "How's this?" It was just far enough away to feel the heat of the fire. Thea was already flushed from her jacket and counted on the temperature dropping as the night went on. The sun was still setting, but Thea was only getting warmer.

"Cozy," Aaryn said, and plopped down into the clover. Her dress pooled around her, hair spilling over her shoulders, and Thea blinked softly, half afraid she was a dream.

The murmurs of the party began to die down, and Thea lifted her head just as she took her seat beside Aaryn.

"What's going on?" Aaryn whispered as everyone quieted. Only the crackle of the fire could be heard despite the growing crowd.

"Vaelen's here," Thea said.

And sure enough, Vaelen stepped up onto a tall log and the crowd gave her their attention. From where they were seated she was mostly in shadow, and Thea got chills as she spoke.

"Some of you might be wondering what we have to celebrate after such a tragedy has struck, after so much life was lost."

Short whispers quickly refocused simply because Vaelen's presence demanded it.

"Here, we gather together to remember that we are alone in neither triumph nor loss, sorrow nor relief. Take comfort in those around you. We are in this as one."

Thea startled as a hand slid into hers. Aaryn leaned forward, as captivated by Vaelen as everyone else. She had that effect.

Thea threaded their fingers together and tried to ignore her pulse.

"These nights are special, here..." Somehow, Vaelen found Thea in the crowd, the flames marbling her face as she met Thea's gaze, smile soft and nostalgic. "It was a night like this that I lost a bet over a toke of moon bloom, and a tradition was born," she said, lifting her banded arm. "To proudly display our circles we earned for building a life for ourselves, for looking out for one another. To memorialize not our losses or our struggles, but our home, in which we are so very honored to offer you refuge. Nature gives as much as she takes. And tonight she offers warmth."

Under a wave of Vaelen’s hand, the fire hissed, pretty pink sparks floating up from the blaze like stars. Some of the crowd gasped—as did Aaryn—and some hooted in support. "She offers healing." Green sparks fluttered up from the flames, followed by more cheers. Aaryn squeezed Thea's hand as she glanced over, eyes wide with thrill. "She offers community." This time blue sparks flew, and the crowd burst into excited delight.

"Let this night bring us closer,” Vaelen said. “There are those who would tear us apart because they know we are stronger together. We must not let them win."

The crowd was louder than ever, and Vaelen lifted her hands. The fire exploded in a rainbow of sparks as she shouted, "Let's celebrate!"

Aaryn released Thea’s hand and clapped, yelling loudly with those around them, her energy and volume a sacrifice to the young night. Thea knew Vaelen was powerful and demanded respect, but Thea had eyes only for Aaryn, cast in soft yellow light from the fire, hair ablaze though they were dozens of feet away from the flames.

Vaelen disappeared from her post, melting into the crowd, and Aaryn slumped against the tree.

"Want to tell me the lore there?" Aaryn asked.

Thea played dumb. "What lore?"

"Something about traditions? Over moon bloom?" she teased, waving her fingers over the pipe.

Thea groaned, leaning her head back. Vaelen really did have it out for her!

"It's… silly."

"Tell me anyway," Aaryn said, and well, when she was looking at Thea like that…

"It was years ago. When the circle was still new and growing," Thea began. "We were celebrating, like Vaelen said." She waved a hand around. "Just on a smaller scale. Nothing like all of this. Skies, there were only a few dozen of us. I was young, and excited, and I wanted Vaelen to be recognized for her leadership. So…." Thea sighed. "I suggested we come up with a way to honor those who lend their magic to the creation of the circle. A piercing, a tattoo, a⁠—"

"Shaved line in your brow?" Aaryn asked.

Thea flushed. "Yes. Some people don't like tattoos, you know? Or their body rejects the metal."

Aaryn nodded.

“At first it was a game. If I won, I got to pierce Vaelen's brow. If she won, she got to pierce mine."

"And…?" Aaryn prompted, leaning forward. "I take it you won?"

"Of course."