“Lessons,” Jurao frowned.

“For the Golden Sun Feast,” Hujur said, “It seems an opportune time for you and Braelin to make your first appearance at a formal court event, now that he and the court are more familiar with each other.”

“Ah,” Jurao hummed, uncertain how his partner would feel on the matter.

The Golden Sun Feast was an annual celebration of Maenscul that marked the end of the warm, dry season in the Great Western Plains – which was believed to be the origin of demon civilization, with the Gawuna herdsfolk. It started with a ceremony led by a high ranking priestis of Maenscul, followed by a grand feast of food, and then a grand feast of flesh – for those who wished to partake, in any case.

Jurao had never taken part in the ceremonial orgy, taking his leave during the feast – as all those who chose not to participate did. Now that he had a partner… well, it would depend on how his partner felt about the matter.

“You have to make an appearance together at a formal event sooner or later,” Hujur sighed apologetically, “And the Golden Sun Feast is considered the most important for the King.”

“I do not think Maenscul would be bothered if Braelin were not to attend,” Jurao replied, “They know about his dislike of crowds.”

Kloy snorted, then covered it with a cough.

“You tell Maenscul about Braelin?” Minaz asked.

“They seem to enjoy personal stories more than politics,” the King shrugged.

“So…” Minaz frowned, “When you meet with them, you just… tell them stories about…?”

“Braelin, his family, Feyl, I believe I have mentioned you on occasion as well,” Jurao nodded.  

“Aren’t your meetings supposed to be… more official?” Festi asked.

“Maenscul has said they are meant as a way to ensure Ascension is not being abused,” Jurao replied, “They are not as concerned with the content of our meetings beyond that.”

“It took Ergirri a century to come to the same conclusion,” Kloy chuckled.

“Perhaps they did not say it plainly to him during their first meeting,” Jurao said, “As they did to me.”

“Entirely possible,” Kloy agreed, “Though equally possible, he simply did not take them at their word if they did.”

“Others often do not mean what they say,” Jurao hummed in consideration, though the practice still confused him. Mainly, he could not see the point in such a style of communication – or lack thereof, as it seemed to him. He understood lying to obtain a goal, at least, but not when it made it harder to obtain a goal.

Though he supposed that included Maenscul, in a way – he did not see the benefit the deity derived from acting as though they did not care about mortal affairs when they had a clear interest in the state of the realm and its people. Perhaps he would ask them during the next meeting, though he also found questioning the motivations of others when it came to this odd manner of usually unintended deception led to a scolding he never felt he’d earned.

“That they do, my lord,” Kloy agreed.

They discussed more preparations for the feast before the meal was over, and Jurao spent his morning work hours curious how the midday meal would go. Now that Braelin’s parents and children – and grandchildren – had gotten time together, it felt more like he would really be meeting his partner’s parents. It made him… a little nervous, despite already having the approval of all the siblings and Owren. Perhaps because he and Braelin had been together longer? Or because they had said they loved each other? The King could not be certain.

The midday meal was a picnic in the Pond Garden, and Jurao was one of the last attendees to arrive. His partner was talking with Malson as Amancia and Henes played with Petal, Snip and Snap running forward to join them – causing Amancia to shriek into giggles and Henes to run to fos father.

“I feel we did not introduce ourselves properly yesterday, your highness,” Ebener stood as he approached, then bowed, “I am Ebener Ealdwine, pleased to make your acquaintance.”

“Though our children assure us you were not offended,” Eweylona smiled as she also stood, curtsying, “Allow us the formality – I am Eweylona Ealdwine, also pleased to meet you, your highness.”

“Ah,” Jurao said, inclining his head back, “Thank you, but feel free to be casual; I was not offended, given the circumstances.”

“See!” Ayelma grinned, running into her mother’s side, “Told you! Like anyone Braelin likes would worry about protocol during a fifteen-year reunion!”

“Loves,” Braelin corrected offhandedly as he came to Jurao’s side, shyly taking one of the King’s hands.

Jurao’s tail swished as his chest went bright.

“What!?” Ayelma demanded with a grin, “When did that happen?”

Eweylona laughed as she purred, stroking her daughter’s hair, “It must have been recent, with a look like that.”

“It’s still unexpected,” Ebener smiled in a gentle way that reminded Jurao of his partner, “But it’s clear how much you care for each other. It makes my old heart glad.”

Jurao wasn’t sure how to reply to the simple sentiment, though it certainly eased his unexpected nerves. He cleared his throat, “Congratulations on beating Gnori in a match.”

“Thank you,” Ebener chuckled, “Though I’m not sure I could have done so if he had been serious about winning.”

Eweylona leaned over to kiss her husband’s temple, “Don’t sell yourself short, my love.”

“Should we sit?” Braelin suggested, gesturing to the blankets laid out.  

“I didn’t think the Ealdwine men had such a clear type,” Jaevve snorted, looking over the group as they sat.

“What do you mean?” Meir’ril asked, seated next to her – it appeared it was only family and their partners today, minus Goyl and including Nevve. Which still left them with a dozen adults, two children, two crushferns, and two waste hounds.

“Tall,” Jaevve laughed, “Very tall.”

Ayelma elbowed her twin, “Guess you’ll have to find someone even taller than Jaevve to outdo Malson and Braelin.”

Meir’ril blushed, “Well… I mean, living here, it’s not like there are many people shorter than either of us to court…”

Jaevve laughed louder, “That’s true! Don’t worry; we’ll take a trip to Lajaonar, and I’ll introduce you to some trolls – they get up to twelve feet!”

Meir’ril chuckled uneasily, “Um, no, thank you.”

“I know a trollish mage that does music magic,” Jaevve grinned.

“… I’ve never even heard of music magic…” Meir’ril said, blushing harder.

Eweylona chuckled, reaching over to cup his face, “My son, a favorite of Udhai – I’m so glad you’ll have so many opportunities to learn.”

Meir’ril buried his face against his knees, mumbling, “Thanks, Mom.”

“Malson, did you hear?” Ayelma said, grinning, “Braelin’s in love.”

“Wasn’t that obvious!?” her oldest brother replied, the last to join them. Henes was clinging to his back, as demon children tended to do to their parents, while Amancia let go of his hand to launch herself into Jaevve’s lap.

“You’re a king?” Amancia asked, giggling as Jaevve resettled her, “My mom’s a queen! And, and grandma and grandpa used to be a king and a queen!”

“He knows, little one,” Jaevve chuckled.

“I am the King,” Jurao answered with a nod, “Nice to meet you.”

“He and your uncle are courting!” Malson added.

“You already told me that, Dad!” Amancia huffed, sticking out her tongue.

Snip and Snap came to lie on either side of Jurao and Braelin – Snip laying her head on Jurao’s thigh. He absently pet the waste hound, and she settled more readily.

“Do you have other aunts and uncles, Mancie?” Ayelma asked.

“Oh, so many!” Amancia replied, “And entles, and moms and dads and zakkes – cause there’s Mom, and Dad, and Jaevve, and Casro, and Felantia, and Carmena, and, and-”

Jaevve laughed, smoothing Amancia’s hair, “Aunt Ayelma isn’t going to remember everyone right away, Mancie.”

“They were such a lively group!” Eweylona laughed as well, “I could just see Malson fitting right in.”

“Well!” Malson blushed, then cleared his throat, “Yeah, it was a fun time!”

“It was,” Jaevve agreed, reaching out to brush her knuckles against his cheek, “But I must admit, I’m looking forward to having my husband home more nights than not.”

Malson blushed harder, but stuck out his chest a bit to declare, “Of course!”

“I suppose I should introduce myself before I forget,” Nevve snorted at the pair good-naturedly, “I’m Nevve, Jurao’s aunt. Raised him after his moms passed.”

“A pleasure,” Ebener said, inclining his head towards her.

“She’s also head of the Civil Smithy,” Beneford added, “And has done a lot of the extra work on the cottage, as well as maintenancing Malson and I’s prosthetics.”

“Flattery won’t get you weapons for the Royal Guard,” Nevve scoffed in amusement.

Beneford smiled, “Worth a try, at least.”

“That reminds me!” Malson said, “Rumor is you’re this smithing spirit person, is that true!?”

“If it were, I wouldn’t tell you anyway, lungs,” Nevve snorted, “It’s not, though.”

“Smithing spirit?” Jaevve asked.

“It’s said there’s a phantom smith that’ll make stuff in the Civil Smithy at night,” Ayelma explained, “I think Braelin knows who it is, so I’m not worried about it, but Malson is determined to figure it out himself.”

“Is that where you got those swords, Aya?” Ebener asked, nodding towards the weapons at his daughter’s waist.

She grinned, patting one of the pommels, “It is! Jurao is teaching me his sword style, but these are made of fae metal, so I can channel magic into them! Loge has been teaching me combat water magic, but I want to learn ice magic from you, too, Mom!”

Jurao knew Feyl had modeled them after western Frost Elf style knives, but lengthened into swords – as that was the region Eweylona hailed from. He would have preferred to craft them from bone, which was more traditional, but had no experience with the material. Loge had declined a metal eku, instead making his own replacement weapon from a sturdy crystal hydra branch one of the trees dropped for him.  

“My combat spells aren’t exactly suited for melee use,” Eweylona laughed, “But I’m so glad I will get to teach both my children magic,” she paused to sniff and wipe at one of her eyes, “Really, thank Eleamera you’re all alright.”

Ayelma laid her head on her mother’s shoulder, “You too, Mom – Dad.”

Ebener reached over to tuck a stray strand of hair behind his daughter’s ear, “Yes – and we’ll have plenty of time to catch up, or so I’ve heard.”

“Yes,” Jurao confirmed, “After the Hundred Years Ball, you will all be able to live a demon lifespan as long as you remain in this realm.”

“My parents will be thrilled,” Eweylona chuckled dryly, stroking Ayelma’s hair.

“Why would they not be,” Jurao asked, tilting his head.

“Ah, yes, not everyone here knows that old story,” Eweylona snorted, “You see, I was not meant to marry Ebener.”