Coldsnap: Harbinger of Ice

Chapter 29: Exposed Intentions

The next morning, Coldsnap, Firebird, Leo, and Keena woke up and all headed downstairs to the inn's lobby for breakfast. As they ate, Firebird soon broke the silence. 

"I noticed you and Keena left the inn for a little bit last night," she pointed out, making sure to keep Leo's involvement hidden until she could tell Coldsnap in private. "Might it have something to do with her?" 

Firebird gestured to Keena, who was grinning from ear to ear with happiness, clearly reminiscing on the events of the previous night. 

The two partners looked at each other with glee. 

"Should I tell her?" Coldsnap asked. 

"Sure, go ahead!" the water mage replied with a nod. 

"Okay, so.....Keena took me to the Grand Terminus Lantern Festival last evening!" 

Firebird's eyes widened. "Ooooh, bet you girls had a lot of fun, didn't you?" 

"Yup!" Coldsnap responded. "It really was magical.....the night itself seemed to glow. Keena created this 'boat' made from water and had me freeze it, then we slowly sailed through the middle of the lanterns. Heck....she and I even sang a duet together! I don't think I've ever been part of  anything that beautiful in my entire life...." 

"Glad you liked it!" Keena exclaimed excitedly. "When I first saw the flyer for the Lantern Festival on our way to the Stonemount Gorge, I instantly thought it would be the perfect place to take Coldsnap. It does revolve entirely around her, after all!" 

Firebird looked at her friend. "So now you know the source of all those lights that occurred in Earth's skies once a month for the past two years?" 

Coldsnap nodded. "Yes; Keena told me everything. It means a lot that you and the rest of the Mage Aspects never forgot about me, even after my departure." 

The female fire mage smiled. "Of course. Everyone in the Realms admires you! ....Well....almost everyone. I remember a previous Lantern Festival where I crafted a lantern with drawings of you and me hanging out together. I drew the memory of us surfing at high speed across the Grand Terminus roofs that one time, so many years ago. Do you remember that?" 

"Of course I do! It was quite exhilarating....." Coldsnap said before taking a deep breath. "But yeah, it was a wonderful evening indeed." 

"She really cares about you, doesn't she?" Firebird asked, taking a sip of her juice. "Would you even go so far as to call it a....'date'?" 

"Yep. I'd say she and I are officially an item." 

Keena gazed warmly at her, smiled, and rested her head on Coldsnap's shoulder while the ice mage slung her hand around her partner. 

Firebird planted her hands on the table and propped herself up. "Pardon me for a moment, you guys.....I just need to use the restroom." 

However, out of the corner of her eye, Coldsnap thought she could see Firebird subtly gesturing for her to follow. Excusing herself from the table as well, she got up and followed her best friend some distance away, leaving Leo and Keena to share in a bout of awkward silence. 

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Leo took a sip from his soda, then let out a burp. 

Keena recoiled. "Excuse you." 

He chuckled. "Sorry, my bad. You know.....I suppose I do have to credit you for at least something." 

".....What do you mean?" 

"You saved Coldsnap's life last night. She would've already been dead at my hands if it weren't for you," Leo revealed.