Brew 6

Aria hesitated as her and Blaise continued onward through the village. One hand, fingers gripping tightly around the edge of the cloak while the other, nestled in Blaise’s hand, squeezing tighter as her anxiety grew. There was a gentle hum of the village stretched out before her, a melody of laughter, chatter and the rhythmic sound of a bard’s lute. The smell of freshly baked bread and honeyed fruit drifted through the air, drawing her forward despite the apprehension weighing in her steps.

Blaise gave hand a reassuring squeeze, using his thumb to rub gentle circles on the back on her hand. “See? No one is paying attention to us.”

Aria swallow, her golden eyes flickering across the scene. Humans bustled with carefree smiles, exchanging goods, sharing stories and prancing happily to the music. Children weaved between the stalls, giggling as they played there came of chase with the fluffkins that were allowed to run free from the farm today. There was no fear, no suspicion in their faces. Only joy.

A cautious breath left her lips as she took another step forward, the sensation of the cobblestone beneath her feet foreign and yet grounding. Blaise guided her gently, his face slow, allowing Aria to drink in the experience at her own pace as not overwhelm her. Under the shadows of the hood, she studied the vendors’ colourful displays – the shimmering skills and polished trinkets shining in the sunlight.

“Wait here,” Blaise suddenly veered off towards one of the market stalls, leaving Aria momentarily alone. She shrank back instinctively but no one around even gave her second glance. It was as if Aria was blending into the villagers, almost as if she was a villager like them.

A moment later, Blaise returned with a triumphant grin, holding a brown paper bag and two glass bottles. “Here, try this,” he placed a sugar-dusted pastry into Aria’s hands.

Aria examined it with hesitation. It was unable the bright and untamed fruits she was used to in the forest. This was carefully crafted – golden and delicate, the scent of butter and sugar wafting into the air. She took a small bite, her lips parting as a burst of sweetness melted onto her tongue. The crunch of the flaky pastry unlike anything she had eaten before.

A noise of delight escaped her before she could stop t.

Blaise chuckled, leaning closer. “Good, isn’t it?”

She quickly nodded, taking another eager bite, the powdered sugar dusting off onto her fingers. “It’s so…warm,” she murmured, savouring the lingering taste.

“Made with fresh butter churned with milk from the local cows,” Blaise explained proud, biting into his own sweet treat. He then twisted the cap off a glass bottle, a fizzy pink liquid catching the light. “Here, use this to wash it down.”

Aria wrapped both hands around the bottom of the cool glass bottle, feeling the condensation against her skin. She lifted it to her lips, a rush of bubbles tingling against her tongue as the taste of ripe strawberries flooded her senses.

A satisfied sigh escaped Aria’s lips, never having experience such a simple pleasure.

Aria glanced around, the weight of her apprehension loosening. “Tell me, “She spoke looking up to Blaise with curiosity in her eyes. “What is the special occasion that gathers the humans around on this day?”

Blaise grinned at her reaction, the sight of Aria enjoying herself in a new environment making his heart swell. “Humans find joy in the smallest of things,” he hummed looking down to the treats in his hand. “Food, music, a warm place to rest. While it’s not magic, it’s still special in its own special way.”

Aria smiled, her gaze back to the villagers, they were alive with celebration, despite having no grand event, expect for life itself.

In the middle of the square, the bard stepped forward, bringing other musicians with him as he once again began to play his lute with a joyous tune. The other musicians all joined in, strumming their retrospective instruments. People clapped along, some spinning in dance while others simply swayed side to side.

Blaise finished his sweet treat, washing it down with large gulps of his fruit drink, being sure to put the empty containers in a nearby trashcan. He wiped his hands on his shirt, coughing and presenting a hand to Aria. “Care to dance, my lady?” He smiled softly.

Aria gasped, staring at Blaise’s hand, her words coming out as a stammer. “Blaise, I don’t-”

“Just following my lead.”

Before Aria was able to protest, Blaise had taken her hand, guiding her forward, deep into the square. The music swelled around them, Blaise twirled Aria into the movement, his steps light and playful. Aria struggled at first, the concept of dancing with another foreign to her and yet laugher bubbled in her chest as Blaise exaggerated his movements, purposely stepping wrong to make her smile.

Under the shade of her hood, Aria let herself go. Allowing the melody to sway her, the warmth of Blaise’s presence, the safety of his grip grounding her in a way she hadn’t known she needed. Her feed moving freely, the cloak billowing behind her. She laughed – a sound so rare even to her own ears, that it startled her. This laughter wasn’t mischievous nor fake but full of pure joy. Joy for the moment and joy for the person she was with.

But then – a sudden pull.

She felt it before she saw it, having no time to react. A tug at her cloak, a soft ripping sound. A fluffkin, one that had been previously playing with the children, leapt onto her hem, sinking its teeth into a stray crumb on the fabric. The moment the cloak slipped from her shoulders, exposing her pale skin and pointed ears, the music came to a halt.

A stunned silence ripped through the crowd.

Aria’s breath hitched.

The wind swept through her unbound hair, strands lifting in the golden afternoon light. She turned, her heart hammering, eyes meeting that of the villagers that stared onto her with awe. Fear crashed into her like a wave as expressions shifted from surprise to uncertainty.

Blaise’s hand found hers again, squeezing it tight. But this time, the comfort did not reach her.

For the first time in many, many years, she was seen.