Twilight Beauty

“Are you sure you don’t need any more help?” Mari asked, feeling guilty that Nanny was cooking while everyone else was enjoying themselves. Her grandmother smiled. “I’ve got this under control! You don’t need to worry. I’m having a good time, and I don’t feel like I’m being left out or used! Go ahead and have some! This is the first batch, but there will be plenty for everyone!” Mari took a skewer of fish from the grill over the fire. Her desire for food overruled her desire to be a good granddaughter. “Thanks, Nanny!” The glow of the flames dancing across the old woman’s face only made her look more beautiful and gentle. And incredibly proud of herself and her cooking. ‘I can’t blame her. She likes to take care of other people and this night is fun, even though it’s just getting started!’

After Azreal, Mari and Sori had come back with an abundance of fish, as well as a dozen kids and Sariel in tow, Nanny Tenka had immediately jumped at the chance to have a fish grill-out. Azreal and Mari had helped her build a fire pit in front of the house and outdoor kitchen and invited the kid's families to join them once the sun had started setting. The other families had brought chairs and more food, and everyone was relaxing and milling about. A couple of their neighbors and Nanny's friends had even found their way over to the party. Despite how much energy they’d burned off at the river, the kids were all still running around  underfoot. “Hey, be careful of the lanterns! If you knock them over it could start a fire!” Someone scolded as a jar of fire wobbled from the kids thundering past. Mari caught a glimpse of Sori's blue hair darting behind a corner as she headed for the swing in the kitchen so that she could sit and see everything.

“Hmm, what’s that?” Sariel leaned over the shoulder of Rimea’s grandmother Lyra, staring down the pungent contents of the bowl that she was stirring. “Wild root meadly! I know it smells a bit odd, but it tastes delicious after you cook them all together! Just gotta fire roast them and they’ll pair well with the grilled fish!” “Hmm, I see.” Sariel nodded. “You really aren’t from around here, are you? This isn’t anything special.” The old woman, small and wrinkled compared to Nanny Tenka, raised an incredibly judgmental eyebrow. “Well, I’m in the same line of work as Azreal and I move around frequently. I don’t have a home, and I’ve never exactly cooked for myself before. I’m not particularly adventurous and prefer the simple things.” “Oh, Lord. Another one of those men with absolutely no palate or taste for good food!” The grandmother groaned in exasperation.

Mari smirked to herself as she slid into the seat. ‘I don’t know what I was expecting from someone who works with Azreal, but Sariel isn’t that bad of a guy to hang out with! He’s so serious compared to Azreal, but he’s just as ridiculous! I like him! Though he seems to be even more anti-social than Az...’ She smirked as Rimea’s grandmother dragged Sariel and the pot of roots off into the crowd.

“Ah, sweetie, could you maybe let go? It’s making it hard for me to move with all this wood.” Weighed down with firewood and little Lilly attached to his leg, Azreal limped out of the house. “Hey, Mari, could you help me here?” He begged apologetically. “Hey, Lilly, why don’t we go find your mama? I think the food’s almost ready!” Mari crouched and held out her hand to the child. After a moment, Lilly nodded. Still sucking her thumb, she peeled herself from Azreal and took Mari’s hand. “Thanks!” Azreal sighed as Mari led the toddler out towards the fire behind Azreal. “Looks like you got a new friend, whether you like it or not!” Mari teased. “Yeah, I guess that happens when you have to reign in the kids...that sounded wrong.” Azreal winced. “The kids love you, but I guess she just decided I’m her new favorite adult because I was looking out for her and made the older kids include her? Not that I mind much.” He turned his head as much as he could and smiled at Lilly. “She’s a good girl and she’s far calmer than Sori.”

Azreal deposited the wood by the fire while Mari led Lilly over to her parents. “Thank you so much for being willing to take my little girl with you today!” The young mother profusely thanked Mari as the child let go of the unicorn’s hand and grabbed her mother’s fingers instead. “I know she’s younger than the others and needs to be watched carefully, but she wanted to go swimming with the others so badly and I trust Azreal. She had a great time! You don’t know how much I appreciate the fact that there’s kind people in this village who care about my child as much as I do and are willing to look out for all the little ones!”

 “It’s not problem, really!” Mari bowed in gratitude. “Me and Azreal both love kids! And his little brother has lots of friends sooo...it just happens! If we’re already doing something with Sori, then what’s the harm in letting some other kids join? It makes things more fun!”

Mari left Lilly and returned to the swing, the grilled fish still clenched tightly in her hand. ‘Should be cool enough soon...what in the world did Nanny do to these fish that they stay hot for so long?’ She fanned her food with her free hand. “So greedy that you just had to get the first fish off the grill?” Azreal smirked as he sat down next to her. She kicked his shin. “I’ll have you know that Nanny told me I could take it!”

Azreal studied Mari. After coming back from the river, she’d changed into her favorite sundress that Nanny had gave her for the trip to Andressa. While the seashell print was a bit too elaborate for living in a backwater town, the dress was appropriate for the warm weather and setting. He hadn’t seen Mari wear many different outfits since he’d bought her the leggings and top that she seemed welded to, so he was taken aback at how beautiful she looked in the sundress. It really brought out the blue of her eyes and complimented her pale skin and hair. “You look pretty.” Mari beamed. “You like it?” She held out the skirt and Azreal nodded. “Though, you’re always pretty. You’d look good in anything, so maybe that’s a shallow compliment...” Mari’s face flushed. ‘He thinks I’m pretty?’ She felt like jumping out of her seat. “No, I love it! You can call me pretty all you want! It makes me happy! Seriously, compliment me more often!” Mari insisted joyfully.

Azreal looked away sheepishly. ‘I can’t believe I said that...but it’s true! She’s gorgeous. If it makes her happy then...maybe it isn’t too embarrassing or strange to compliment her like this sometimes...’ “Oh! I just thought of something!” Azreal turned to her. “How would you like to go to the capitol with me?” Mari paused for a moment before she burst out “really?!” Her giant eyes sparkled and she leaned in. “Really? Really? Are you serious?” Azreal laughed awkwardly at the personal space invasion. “Yeah. I wanted to ask you before I forgot. I’m going to have to go meet with the King the day after tomorrow. That’s why Sariel came looking for me. The King wants to discuss what happened during the raid. I’ll be busy, but we’ll still have time to look around the city and you can see the palace. It’s beautiful and has amazing gardens that I’m sure you’ll like.”

“Of course I want to go with you! It’ll be like a date!” Mari wiggled in her seat. “Besides, you did promise me we’d go sometime so I’m holding you to it! Oh, I think my fish is cool now!” Pivoting to food with an ease that continually confounded Azreal, she took a bite. “Oh wow, that’s good! Flame grilled fish really is in a class all its own!” She held out the skewer to Azreal. “Wanna try some?” “Why not? I don’t know when I’ll be able to get my own because I want everyone else to go first. And I’m sure the kids will inhale everything they can get their hands on.” He tucked his long hair  behind his ear before leaning in to take a bite. “Mmm, nothing like grilled fish once the weather starts warming up.” He commented approvingly. “I’m surprised by how well our little trip turned out. I wasn’t expecting enough fish to be able to throw a party but there being two of us catching stuff made it a lot easier.”

“Yeah, it was fun! Especially once the kids and Sariel showed up!” Azreal raised an eyebrow. “Is Sariel...? Are you okay with him?” Mari nodded. “Yep! He’s a bit weird and has no social skills to speak of, but he’s not a bad person! He was nice! And he told me that you told him sweet things about me while you were in the hospital!” A vein popped in Azreal’s head. “Sarieelll! Come on, why?! I’m going to kick that guy’s ass!”

“Try it.” The two jumped as Sariel silently appeared in the outdoor kitchen. “I’d like to see you try, but I doubt it will work.” The pale man deadpanned. “Geeze, you just show up with no warning!” Mari complained. “I live and breathe my work.” Sariel shrugged. “Rather hard to be a mercenary and spy if you aren’t silent, right?” Azreal glared at him, still annoyed at his coworker for outing his attachment to Mari.

 “You quite literally just called her pretty. I'm not outing you if it’s already blindingly obvious to everyone that you love your girlfriend.” Sariel sighed, crossing his arms. Azreal turned beet red. “For the thousandth time! She isn’t my girlfriend!”

‘Yet!’ Mari added mentally as she appreciated how flustered the topic made Azreal. ‘I’m definitely growing on him! If today’s any indication!’ She smiled contentedly as the two mercenaries continued their childish bickering and name calling.