Chapter 19: Night Sky722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGjd2EBRVj
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The next day came with the rumbles of thunder, flashes of lightning and down pouring of rain. “Aw this isn’t going to make for good timing to get ready for the Three Moon’s Festival.” Trim sighed while slouching and resting his head sadly on his folded arms atop the front desk, his feline eyes locked on watching the rain slip down the coated windowpane. 722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbunsjDF9bF
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Upstairs Marenzo was the first to wake with a loud crash of thunder, causing him to jump from where he laid on top of the blankets. He looked around before releasing a breath as his head hit the pillow after a look out the window. “Don’t look like they are going to get anything done today.” He looked at Alura’s sleeping face with a small smile before kissing her head and slipping out of bed. He got changed and crept downstairs. “Hey there, good morning!” he cheerfully greeted Trim.722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXINkjcDA99
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Trim released a wide yawn. “Good morning, you sleep well?” he purred as he felt Marenzo had calmed down from yesterday.722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBtgx14F0m
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“When’s breakfast?”722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfxDrc0Uev
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Trim watched Marenzo carefully when the wizard began looking over a pen. “In roughly an hour and I’m very hopeful you slept excellent.”722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHceBJMupPa
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“Oh, I slept fine~” he cooed as he approached then darted as he tried to grab Trim by the neck only to miss. “Get back here furball! I just want a little chat about how come there just happened to be no rooms open with two beds!”722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlGM2JQQTU
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Trim released a frightened noise as he dashed backwards then out from behind the desk and towards the dining room that was linked to the kitchen. “There just wasn’t one open! Gah!” he ducked as a crash came from metal hanging pans falling onto the countertops. He managed to get out and slid before racing behind the counter and ducked under it in a hidden, blocked off space.722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Hw03rzNAg
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Marenzo huffed as he came running out and looked around with his hands clinched into fists at his sides. “Where’d he go?” he searched but found no signs of the cat. After a few minutes of searching he got frustrated and went back upstairs to their room. “I guess I can leave him alone…it is just for a few short days…” he muttered with a blush kissing his cheeks.722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBxtkyOBEz
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He got back to the room and as he sat down on the edge of the bed, Alura rolled over with a soft moan while rubbing one eye with the back of her hand. “Neh? Marenzo?” she crooked groggily as she opened her other eye barely to look at him in the dreary darkness.722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVI6oBOYqVj
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He jumped a little and twisted to look and see her other eye now opening as it became freed from sleep. “Hey, good morning there,” he smiled kindly. “Have some nice dreams?” she nodded in confirmation. “Before you can ask, they serve breakfast in thirty minutes so, if you get up and around then we’ll head downstairs for a nice meal.”722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCgPDoHapX
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She nodded, got out of bed by nearly pushing him off it and got ready. When they headed back down it was time for breakfast. They approached the bar area which allowed them to see back into the kitchen. “What the two of you want to order?” they looked over to see a guy that had both feline and snake features.722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1rdX1yyj8
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“Just whatever you would recommend two new visitor’s try of your island’s tasty cuisine.” Marenzo chimed before Alura could speak.722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsdFipDm0b
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Minutes ticked by and it would be after they were brought their food that Alura spoke up as the cook turned to get them their drinks. “How are you?”722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeHypfw4E1
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“Doing good, you?” he asked as he came back with their drinks.722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xjfjjMjma
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“I’m doing well and I was wondering if you could tell us about the festival that is being prepared.” She said before taking a bite of food.722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNumUewQiuo
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He nodded, “I’d be glad to explain. You see, once every three years we hold this festival and call it the Lunar Festival. It’s where we honor the three Goddesses when the three moons are in the sky.” He said with pride as the pair nodded. “It takes us a couple of days to get set up, then the festival lasts for three days to show respect to the three Goddesses.”722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0UvUDGGML
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“Who are the three you honor?” she questioned after swallowing.722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUQjSsILAP
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“We pay honor to the Goddess of Darkness, Akira Lostino, for our beautiful nights. She is represented by the moon painted in a purple hue.” He shifted on his feet while moving a hand out through the air. “The second is the Goddess of Life, Liasa Koni, for the breath she gave us and the plants we have. We also have the Great One to thank for this as the Great One blessed us with Goddess Liasa Koni and the others.” He added a bit sheepish before clearing his throat to continue. “She is represented by the brightest moon that is pale to threaten the sunlight.” Softly he rubbed the back of his head before taking a breath. ”The third is the Goddess of Wind, Kisa Vidon, for granting us safety from threats below and giving us such a magnificent view of the world around us. She is represented by the moon that is a pale turquoise hue with a light kiss of the autumn’s orange.”722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQF0qgrFDUM
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“Whoa,” she whispered. “How do you honor them?”722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DfFGrkyLc
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The man gestured to Alura to hold on as he went to meet a server who had taken three customers’ orders that had come down while he had been talking about the Goddesses. Minutes later he returned to the pair which were finishing their drinks. “Alright, now, where was I?”722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWJDSF104g
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“You were going to tell us how you pay honor to each one.” Marenzo stated before taking a sip of his drink.722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMic2RSInMf
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“Oh yes, on the first night there are games and events for people to take part of that is to honor Akira’s playful nature. The second night we honor Liasa with a large feast provided to us by her and what has been ordered from the other islands.” He pushed back some of is thinning hair. “The third night we honor Kisa by shooting off a grand firework’s show, music and dance with other performances, and everyone leaves an offering at the base of their statue in the circle.”722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVojorZdRJP
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“That’s so cool. So do you guys do anything in between the three years or no?” she curiously asked.722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJix9ctdQTv
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“Each year we leave offerings to the Goddesses without the festival to show them we still remember them. We also have shrines set up in the center of the cities, outside of their bustle, so if anyone would need to then they can go pray at the shrine of the Goddess he or she wishes to beseech.”722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡww210Pbkog
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“That’s very kind of you to set aside shrines that are in the quiet of a country setting instead of inside the cities.” Marenzo praised as the man nodded.722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQo94Wf2Tdz
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Alura finished her drink and spoke up with a new question that came to her. “How long does it take for you all to fix the food for the second night?” he looked pleased someone was so interested in their tradition.722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkwmzh2MGV
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“It takes almost all day because the tables are set up in the circle with one set up for the Goddesses. We take our time and care in the preparation so by the time night comes everything is ready, set up on the tables and we serve the Goddesses first before others are allowed to sit in order to eat.”722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY29jjgvj3M
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Marenzo pondered this, “does anyone just not take part in this?”722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYi79TnGqxX
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“Are you kidding?!” the man nearly shouted as he moved towards the wizard, causing the young man to nearly fall back off his seat. “No one would do that because it’s tradition and it helps maintain peace, tranquility and display of respect to the ones who make life even possible!”722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDisK6ZeTDy
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The wizard blinked and nodded with regret asking that so casually. “I can tell you are very passionate about this and that impresses me.” This answer pleased the man who nodded with a sharp snort while he backed away from Marenzo, calming down.722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIL9eg1Y2Yw
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“Well I hope this rain clears up so you all can get the festival going before the three moons vanish from the sky.” Alura chimed in optimistically.722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTVQDkZ5DR
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The man nodded gently. “I hope so too. The moons stay in the sky for five to six days and we know when they are coming to start planning because the single moon will shift color.”722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhueBA1Nvj
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“Oh do we owe anything for the meal?” Alura asked as she started to get out of her seat.722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoevyo54ME
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“Nah, it’s on the house this time but lunch and forward meals will be added to your bill.”722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfbKp3J3ha
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She gave a cute smile as she folded her hands behind her. “Thank you so much!” she then turned her attention to Marenzo. “So, what do you want to do? Maybe we could get an umbrella and go walking through the beautiful rain.”722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MNJiGKUO9
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Marenzo chuckled while moving towards the foyer. “I don’t think so.”722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBSRvvDkc3
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“Why?” she slight groaned at his refusal of the idea.722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizZz4yrWnw
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He looked to her with a skeptical look. “Do you really not know that going out in pouring, cold rain is a great way to get sick?”722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtiX8qCYFB
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She grumbled with a small blush from her thoughts of being cared for by him. This soon led to his own cheeks sporting a similar light coloring. “What do you propose we do then?”722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVc5TYQPHW
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“Hmm, how about we practice your magic? We could see if you can unlock more spells, maybe even see if there is more than just fire spells.”722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8j4XwwTDjw
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“Sounds good to me,” she shrugged as she didn’t have anything better in mind so followed him upstairs to their room.722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCl8clru4L
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Elsewhere in the city, a trio of umbrellas made their way down the street until coming to an average looking tavern. “You sure they will accept us?” Gilia inquired skeptically.722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XzsK3YdYN
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“Why wouldn’t they?” questioned Tina as she looked to Gilia who shrugged.722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKsRFOEt0O
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“I don’t know. I was simply asking a legitimate question.”722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVOFXy10Bs
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Rose knocked without giving much more thought towards her friends. The door opened and she gave the older woman who answered a smile. “Hello, we have come to volunteer to take part in the dance celebration at the end of the festival.”722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOYlHWNR29
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“You sure?” the fifty-some year old woman asked unsure, meeting each of the three young women’s eyes.722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDz62W516b
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The three nodded while answering in unison, “Yes, we are.” The woman wasn’t sure still but wasn’t going to refute someone who wished to partake in honoring the Goddesses. She didn’t want to anger them. She invited the females in so they could meet the other dancers and begin rehearsing the dance that would be performed in a few days.722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEx3tSRIghq
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Back in the duo’s room, Alura was trying to focus as she eased a heated air spell off. She finally got it ended safely after several moments and she released a breath once it was done. “Good job Alura. Now…try another.” He encouraged and Alura looked through what spells were displayed for her.722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKHCMOlrEI
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“Hmm…” she pondered before coming to one. “This one says it’s a healing flame. I didn’t even know fire could do that.” She looked up from the book. “But I think I’ll wait on this since none of us is hurt.”722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpUoFwiX49
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“I’d like to see if you can do it. Plus it’ll be good to find out any limits you have with it.” He began to think before punching himself twice in the arm, causing Alura to gasp as she jumped.722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Q42GRcLoK
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“Hey! Don’t do that!”722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7W7j2vgzdh
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“Too late~ Now, how about that healing spell for this soreness and bruise?” he asked with a cutesy grin which brought her to groan and roll her eyes while walking over and sitting beside him on the bed.722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxpI29a0Lr
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She gave him a scolding look when he held his bruising arm out to her. “You know, I have a mind to punch you myself for being a stupid man.”722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdchExomIn
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“You wouldn’t be the first.”722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsLynhPJUk
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She lost the scolding look as her expression softened, wondering again how many altercations he had dealt with from his mother. Pushing this aside, she looked to the book at the healing fire spell. “Hmmmm…” she studied it before laying the book opened and faced down as she held both hands out. One hand hovered above the bruise as the other rested in the air above both his arm and her hand. She silently mouthed the words as she spoke them aloud in her head.722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUYqCzekh0
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Slowly and with hesitation a blue flame began to manifest itself in the air between her two hands and his arm. The flame began lowering until it made gentle contact with the injured spot. She took a careful breath in and out while the flame began to wrap around his arm. It’s working! She thought excitedly as she saw the bruise starting to recede and fade away.722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYn9X7M1gTB
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It took a bit but once done, she bit her lip while carefully willing it off his arm. This proved harder than she thought. As her nerves grew in seeing it not listen, the more it refused to listen to her. “Alura, remember how you recalled your other spells?” he finally asked in a calm tone after he saw fretting in her eyes that were glued on the flame. She didn’t answer so he continued. “Breath evenly and relax. Keep in your mind the vision of the flame letting go of my arm by having it drip away like water, and turning into puffs of cool spring air.”722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3J7ZMQFyEq
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Alura took a shaky deep breath whiling focusing as reminded. “Be stern with it yet not forceful.” He softly said as he observed small drips of flames leaving. Roughly three to five or so minutes passed before the entire spell had been ended. Alura soon after fell onto her side with her eyes closed and she was a bit out of breath, her hands were trembling as he softly laid down and took her hands into his. “Good job. That was wonderful.” He gently whispered before scooting and kissing her forehead.722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZUxDIwSoO
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“Thanks,” she quietly responded as she opened her eyes. “Marenzo…”722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTuygQ5AMr
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“Yes?”722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxybt0Cbbk
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She hesitated and soon shook her head. “N-nothing, never mind…um could we just rest for a bit before lunch?” gently he nodded, “thank you.” She kept quiet as her eyes closed to get a small nap with her heart racing and a small blush on her cheeks. His heart was also racing as he held her hands throughout their nap due to him also dozing off.722Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sWJtLfBZQ
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