Justice for the Forest-Beasts

Chapter Three - In Which Gifts are Given

The twins hurried back to the castle, wanting to arrive on time. They still had the rest of the day to spend playing and wandering the city streets without a care in the world. That freedom wouldn't last forever, so they had to make the most of it.

The next day was the final day of the Zaliow Festival. It was a rather warm day—considering it was autumn—and the sky was a beautiful, vivid blue. The twins met up with Rain in front of Verity's Tailor Shop, just as they'd promised. They paid for Rain's new tunics and had xem try them on before they left the shop, satisfied with the beautiful outfit. Verity had been clearly proud of her work, seeing as she'd never tailored clothes for a winged person before.

"Looks nice?" Rain asked, sticking xyr arms out and grinning. Xe did a little spin, showing xyr tunic off to the twins.

"Beautiful," Lucian signed.

"Just one thing's missing," Estelle said.

Lucian looked over to Estelle and tilted his head, as if to ask what she meant.

"A belt." Estelle gently removed Rain's scarf, as xe eyed her with an almost offended expression, "Do you think this would work as one? It's not quite belt material, but I don't have anything better on hand."

Lucian nodded excitedly, while Rain seemed a bit lost.

Estelle tied the scarf around Rain's waist, tightening it until it fit xem properly. The belt was there to accentuate xyr body shape, so it was important for it to be rather tight. Once the belt was on, Rain put xyr bag on over it, smiling softly to xemself.

"Now how is that, Luc?" Estelle asked, grinning.

"Perfect!" Lucian signed.

"Like human, yeah?" Rain asked. Xe twisted side to side gently, watching to see if xyr tunics would sway. They didn't, really. They were very thick, especially since the inner tunic was lined with animal fur to keep xem warm. Most tunics were worn with pants underneath, but Verity decided that xyr undergarments would be just fine. Truly, they didn't know how to make pants for legs like Rain's.

"Just like a human," Estelle confirmed, "That's all you need, right? Now you've got clothes, food, and a roof over your head."

Rain nodded, "All I need. Before I leave, I ask: why festival? To celebrate what?"

"It celebrates peace and beauty, which Skaizened gives us," Estelle said.

"Also alcohol," Lucian added.

"I suppose that too, yes." Estelle shook her head with mock disappointment. "My favorite part of the Zaliow Festival is when someone gives a gift to the person they love. A piece of jewelry, a flower—something sentimental like that. It's all about what's special to the people. And I think that's truly beautiful."

"I like the end," Lucian signed, "The last evening, when everyone's cleaning up."

Rain smiled, "And games?"

"The games can be stressful, but they're fun if you're good at them," Lucian signed.

"Is that all you had to ask?" Estelle said to Rain.

Rain hesitated for a brief moment, before xe nodded.

"Alright, then we'll be going now. But we do hope to see you around. Enjoy the rest of the festival, and may Skaizened bless you with eternal beauty and wisdom," Estelle said.

"I hope to see too," Rain said, "Skaizened. . . Skaizened bless with eternal and wisdom."

With Rain's scrambled farewell, they parted ways. As the twins walked back to the courtyard, Estelle couldn't help but to think about Rain's lack of manners. Xe didn't address the twins as "sire" or "Your Royal Highness," and xe didn't wait to be dismissed. It was an odd thing—almost captivating, in a way. However, it was a thought that Estelle had to brush off and discard. It did not matter.