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missrosiesworld · 1 year

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Lunar Festival with Ezra

As he had predicted, Finn informed me that I might discover Ezra engrossed in buying heavily discounted goods. So, I made my way toward a section of the marketplace where vendors sold herbs, spices, and other items that could prove useful to a local witch. A shock of white hair caught my attention, and when I called out his name, Ezra turned around to face me. "Oh, Maia!" he exclaimed, looking surprised before flashing a smile. "I didn't expect to see you standing there." He placed a neatly wrapped package of Skeletal Touch-Me-Nots into the pouch on his belt. The petals of the flowers were wilted and twisted into the shape of a sinister, grinning skull.

I raised an eyebrow curiously and asked him, "What do you plan on using those for?" He responded with a playful eye roll and motioned for me to follow him as he strolled towards the next stall. "I don't buy these for the insidious reason you're thinking. They're for medicinal purposes, not hallucinogenic ones."

I playfully roll my eyes and give him a light nudge on the arm while smiling, "I wasn't about to pass judgment." He chuckles and shakes his head. "I know you weren't. I just wanted to clarify that I'm not up to anything nefarious." We continue to meander from one vendor to another, and Ezra seems pleased to have my company.

I relish observing him as he eagerly explores the unique merchandise, admiring his enthusiasm and how skillfully he interacts with the diverse vendors. He haggles with a particularly obstinate herbalist over the price of her angelica root, and despite walking away with a scowl, his expression lightens up when he spots me. He winks at me, his eyes sparkling, and jokes, "They always fall for that one."

Returning his smile, I respond, "You seem to have quite the knack for this." He nonchalantly shrugs, but it's apparent that he's proud of his bargaining skills. "Running a business by yourself is difficult. You have to be smart," he pauses for a moment, before adding, "That reminds me, I need to pick out a new spell book. I filled up the last one." He looks down at me with a grin, then motions in the direction he wants to go. "Care to help me? There's a great craft stall that Finn showed me a while back." I nod in agreement, responding, "Of course. Lead the way."

We make our way through the bustling market, weaving past vendors selling everything from exotic spices to intricate tapestries. The colorful canopies overhead provide a warm shelter from the chilly night breeze that sweeps through the market. As we approach the corner of the market where the craft stall is located, Ezra points out various stalls along the way, detailing his past interactions with the vendors and recommending some of his favorite goods.

The warm glow of candlelight casts flickering shadows around us as we find the craft stall. The night air is thick with the sweet scent of incense, and the sound of distant music drifts through the market. Ezra's eyes light up as he spots a forest green, leather-bound book, its thick parchment pages almost begging to be filled with secrets and spells. He eagerly passes over his coins to the vendor, his fingers tracing the intricate designs on the cover. "I go through these quickly. I tend to be a bit of a scribbler," he explains with a grin as he flips through the pages.

I let out a soft chuckle and give Ezra a friendly pat on the back. "Well, this looks like the perfect book for you. Let's see what wonders you can create with it," I say before posing a question. "Do you use them purely for spells?" His fingers pause in tracing the pages, and after a moment's reflection, he shakes his head. "As I specialize in healing, I like to get lost in a good medical journal every now and again. It might not be conventional to study such things, but I find it helps me really understand what kind of healing spells I need to develop." With a slight tilt of my head, I gaze up into his bright green eyes with genuine curiosity. "What made you choose healing as your specialty?"

A sad look crosses his face as he gazes down at the book in his hand. "My Dad was killed when I was quite young. My magic had manifested, but I was completely helpless. From that day on, I promised myself that if anyone I loved was ever in danger, that I'd be able to help them. I haven't broken that promise just yet, and hopefully, I never will."

His voice is filled with determination, and I can sense the weight of his past on his shoulders. I place a comforting hand on his arm and offer my condolences, "I'm so sorry for your loss." He smiles bravely, and I'm struck by his resilience. After tucking the book safely away in his pouch, he grasps my hand and gives it a grateful squeeze. "Thank you."

He takes a deep breath, his eyes briefly flickering to where our hands meet before he continues, "I beat myself up over it for a long time, but I turned my pain into something that can help others. It's what my father would have wanted. I do it for him." I squeeze his arm as I give him a warm smile, "You're amazing, Ezra. I admire you."

"That means a lot coming from someone like you. You're so brave to do what you do." Despite the sadness that lingers in his eyes, I can see the determination and passion burning within him, and it only makes me admire him more.

My smile widens as he leans into my touch, and I can feel my heart swell with fondness. Despite the freezing cold, he radiates warmth. "Looks like we're both doing our part to save the world then." He chuckles, a closed-eyed smile on his face. "Yes, we are," he agrees, his eyes opening to meet mine with kindness and softness. "But really, thank you. I'm so lucky to be surrounded by such wonderful people."

Giving him one last caring squeeze, I reluctantly remove my hand. Ezra drops his gaze, his lashes kissing the tops of his freckled cheeks. He shivers, rubbing his hands together. "It's freezing. How about we go get a hot drink and you can tell me about that headache of yours?" he suggests, looking up at me with concern etched on his face.

Excitedly, I nod in agreement with Ezra's suggestion, feeling the chill of the cold air on my skin. "Sounds perfect," I reply, rubbing my hands together for warmth. We make our way to a cozy stall and order two steaming cups of hot chocolate, inhaling the sweet aroma as we wait. Once our drinks arrive, we take a seat on a pile of plush, mismatched cushions that the vendor had thoughtfully arranged. The hot chocolate is topped with a generous helping of whipped cream and marshmallows, making it the perfect treat for the chilly day. Comfortably seated, we sit in contented silence for a while, watching the passersby and chuckling at the sight of Piper chasing after a speedy Alkar.

Ezra takes a sip of his hot chocolate, shaking his head as he contemplates the chaos that Alkar might be causing. "I dread to think what he's getting up to." Holding his drink in his lap, Ezra turns his attention to me with concern etched on his face "How have you been feeling since...you know?" he asks, his worry evident in his gaze. I toy with the rim of my cup, shrugging. "I'm okay, apart from the fact that I slept all day and missed a meeting with Harry." I admit, grimacing at the memory of my displeased enforcer. “I think August wants me dead."

Ezra chuckles, playfully nudging his shoulder against mine. "I'm sure they don't. You'd certainly know about it if they did. Trust me." We both laugh, but I don't doubt that he's telling the truth. We finish our drinks, missing their warmth the second our cups are discarded. Ezra suggests finding something to do that might warm us up, so we follow the sound of music emanating from a nearby area of the market. I spot an unmistakable figure as we draw nearer, and I see Ezra visibly deflate as August turns and spots us. Their eye roll isn't subtle, but I try to put Ezra at ease by placing my hand on his back and giving him a reassuring smile. He takes a deep breath and returns the smile, his shoulders relaxing a bit.

August clings to their glass of mulled wine like a lifeline, sighing heavily as we approach. "Ezra, Maia. I trust you're both enjoying the festival?" Ezra clears his throat, looking up at those ice-blue eyes. “Yes, we are. How about you? That wine looks delicious.” They tilt their cup, studying the dark red liquid, a stick of cinnamon adding to its charm. “Yes, well, wouldn’t be the Lunar Festival without copious amounts of alcohol to pass the time, would it?” Ezra puts on a polite smile, but I can sense his discomfort as his back tenses beneath my hand.

“It’s been nice seeing you. We’d better get going,” Ezra says, looking at me for support. I give him an understanding smile, patting his back before placing my hand back at my side. I turn towards August and nod politely, "It was good to see you. We have to be on our way now." August nods in acknowledgement, "Well, enjoy yourselves, wherever you're headed. Farwell." We walk away in silence, and I can sense that Ezra is feeling a bit deflated after our brief encounter with the Enforcer General.

The new section of the market is noticeably more vibrant, bustling with a larger crowd than any other area. Ezra tilts his head, motioning for me to accompany him to a quieter spot. "You alright?" I inquire as we move away from the throng. Ezra lets out a soft sigh, his face contorted with sorrow as he gazes at me. “Sorry. I’m fine, I just… I find it hard seeing Gus.” He heaves a heavy sigh, casting his eyes downward. “They make it hard.”

Leaning forward, I meet Ezra's gaze and offer him a gentle smile. "If something is bothering you, you know you can talk to me about it, right?" He lets out a deep sigh, fidgeting with the hem of his coat and avoiding eye contact. “I wouldn’t know where to begin. I’ve known Gus since I was very young, and our friendship was never easy.” I nod in understanding. “They seem complicated.” Ezra nods once, worrying his bottom lip between his teeth. “They didn’t have much of a support system when they were growing up, and I think… well, I think they envied me. It sounds so silly saying it out loud.”

My eyes soften as I speak in a gentle tone, “Have you ever spoken to them about it?” He shakes his head slowly, “I’m sure they’ll come to me when they’re ready. Giving them space is important, that much I know.” I hum in agreement and offer, “If you ever need help or just a friendly ear, I’m here.” He looks at me with gratitude, his eyes shining. “I appreciate. Gus is a good person, though. One of the best. Don’t let our issues put you off them.” He clears his throat, bright eyes darting around the market.

"Anyway," he begins, smiling at me with a twinkle in his eye, "I heard a little rumor that there might be a band playing somewhere around here." Scanning the surroundings, his gaze settles behind me, and he inhales sharply before pointing, "Oh! Here, look..." I turn around, and sure enough, a band is setting up near the trinket stands. The music starts, and a crowd of people eagerly gathers around them, swaying and dancing to the beat.

Ezra steps closer, extending his hand with a cheeky wink. “May I have this dance, fair Hunter?” I smile and step forward, raising my hand. “I would be delighted, kind Witch.” As we move closer, Ezra takes my hand and gently places his other hand upon my waist. A faint blush appears on his face as he looks into my eyes and asks, “Are you ready?” The warmth of his hand against my skin sends a shiver down my spine, and I can feel the heat of his body as he pulls me close.

Our hands intertwined, I feel the warmth of his grip as I place my other hand on his shoulder. I get lost in the glow of his green eyes as I breathlessly respond, “I’m ready.” A stunning smile spreads across his face, and he laughs, giving my hand a gentle squeeze. “Keep up,” he says, playfully challenging me as the music begins to swell around us.

Our bodies move in perfect sync with the cheerful and fast-paced music. As we spin and step to the beat, Ezra's laughter fills me with a sense of magic. Despite my best efforts, I find myself starting one too many times, completely entranced by the depth of his emerald eyes. Our bodies pressed closely together, I feel lost in the moment, almost forgetting where I am and who I am. As the song reaches its end, Ezra finishes the dance with a dramatic flourish, impressively dipping me back.

As he holds me tighter, laughter escaping from his lips as he flings me backward. Pulling me upright. I try to regain my composure, missing the feeling of his arms around me. He grins widely, his voice full of excitement, "That was amazing!" The sound of applause breaks me from my daze, and I realize that we had gathered quite an audience. But at that moment, all I can focus on is Ezra. He smiles at me, his cheeks tinted pink as his eyes soften, "You're quite the dancer. I'm impressed."

In the distance, the loud boom of the fireworks echoes through the night, and Ezra grabs my wrist, his eyes alight with excitement. “Quickly, we’ll miss them,” he says, tugging me along. We weave through the crowds, dodging people left and right until we reach the docks. We skid to a stop at the edge of the crowd, both of us breathless and laughing, our cheeks flushed with exhilaration.

Ezra’s grip on my wrist is firm and steady, and I can’t help but feel a rush of warmth spread through me at his touch. We both look up at the sky, the colors of the fireworks painting dazzling patterns against the backdrop of the twinkling stars. It’s a sight to behold, but I find myself wanting to take in another sight - the look on Ezra’s face as he watches the display, the joy and wonder etched into every line and curve.

Bathed in the shifting light, he looks like a work of art, his smile wide and far brighter than any firework. My heart swells with warmth as I take in the sight before me. “Thank you for tonight, Ezra,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. He turns to face me, his eyes wide with surprise. Slowly, he takes my hand, his fingertips feather-light against my palm. “I enjoyed myself tonight. With you,” he says softly as the last of the fireworks fade away. The crowd cheers, but it's like we're in our own little world. I find myself leaning closer to him, my body moving almost unconsciously. He smiles softly, and I can feel the heat radiating from his body.

Then…

A terrible and blood-curdling scream rings out somewhere in the distance.

~ I'm a sucker for Ezra from When The Night Comes by Lunaris Games <3

#wtnc game #wtnc #when the night comes #ezralyon #ezra lyon #x oc

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