Adaptability was a skill that Cyran picked up early in his life, having been subjected to the intricate webs the nobility loved. And yet, he was still not prepared for what he saw when he pushed open the door to meet you at the agreed place.
“...What, in Dura’s name, is going on?”
The once empty classroom was decorated in various shades of red. Round lanterns, big and small, floated along the walls to cast a red glow. Red fabric with veins of gold ran along the ceiling and swathed the tables that had been pushed together. On the tables were plates and plates of food that looked like it was waiting for more than two people. Not their everyday fare, but finely presented meat and fish, steaming loaves of bread and delicate little plates of dessert.
You were surveying the scene, tweaking things here and there with magic. “Oh good, you’re on time.”
Cyran took a deep breath. “Would you care to enlighten me?”
“It’s the Lunar New Year!”
You looked at him like that explained everything. Cyran folded his arms. “Oh come on, I thought you read every single book in the library. Lunar New Year is when-”
“I know what Lunar New Year is. I’m asking you what are you doing.”
“Celebrating the Lunar New Year, duh.” You rolled your eyes at his expression. “Lighten up, Cyran. The party is starting soon.”
No. Not a party. Tension crawled up his head when the door opened to allow more students to pour in. Some were dressed in red or pink. Enchanted oranges jumped into their hands as they approached the tables piled with food.
“Happy Lunar New Year!” Your greeting was answered with overlapping choruses.
Cyran barely hid the scowl on his face while the party went on. You had put much more effort into it than he anticipated; enchanted oranges, red packets filled with faux money, and fortune cookies that sang when opened. He recognized the transfiguration spells you used to make minature lions and dragons dance on the table like some bizarre circus. Maybe that’s why you were so popular with the other students despite your class cutting tendencies.
What a waste of time. I should be back in my dorm working on the binding spell, not spending time with these bunch of idiots.
But every time he tried to slip away, you always appeared like you had been keeping an eye on him. You’d drag him over to try some new sweet, or pull him into a conversation about magic theory, or ask his help for some spell you already knew. By the time the last stragglers departed the party, he was long out of patience.
You caught his arm again as he rose to storm off. “Wait, I’ve got one more surprise for you-”
“I’ve had enough of tonight.” He snaps.
“Please?” You tugged at his arm. Your voice softens. “Pretty please?”
Cyran stared at your eyes, big and pleading. He couldn’t stop the way his jaw tensed. He’s leaving. He’s had enough of your nonsense for today.
“Please, Cyran, pretty please?”
He let you tug him out of the room, into the school grounds and behind the bush you favored as a hiding spot. You pulled him into a crouch and cracked your fingers.
A moment later, the night sky lit up with fireworks. Not the kind that shot up and fizzled away, but the ones that danced in the sky at your behest. The fireworks took many shapes: a roaring lion, a fire breathing dragon, and a flying phoenix. Right before they scattered, the sparks grouped to form a visage of his face briefly.
You were smiling at him when he finally turned to look at you. “Isn’t it pretty? I modified the spell for you.”
“...and what does it do other than please the eye?”
Was that a sigh he heard from you? You must be in some whimsy mood tonight. Perhaps it was guilt that drove him to produce a mini firework on his palm. It didn’t look as good as yours, and something in him recoiled.
Your eyes widened. “Do it again! I haven’t been able to do tiny ones well!”
That feeling. Cyran pushed it down as he obliged you. A few more times of practice, and he could probably make the sparks create your face too.
No. I’m not spending time on useless magic.
Your eyes lit up with the fireworks reflected in them. The smile growing on your face made his chest twist.
Happy Lunar New Year, you fool.