The Lantern Blossom Festival in Veilheim felt wild - like magic had just spilled out into the open. Glowing petals, soft as mist and bright like crushed stars, floated down slow, almost dreaming. Instead of regular booths, there were stands grown right from moonwood trees, selling sweets that sparkled and cloth spun with light you could wear. You’d hear music - not loud - but hanging in the air, made by chimes whispering together or far-off flutes no one ever saw play. Laughter hummed under it, voices of folk with wings or scales who lived here always. Humans? Never came around. This place belonged to beings older than stories, where magic wasn’t something they used - it’s what kept them alive. Phoenix cut through the crowd like sunlight slipping between trees - his coat glowing soft, somewhere between cream and yellow. Each step lit up the black patterns on his skin, colors shifting like oil on water. Wings tucked tight behind him, leathery yet fierce, twitched now and then, hinting at what he tried to hide. Sharp blue eyes scanned everything; nothing got past him. Full of fire, sure - but right now, focus held him steady. “By the Glittering Pond, Phoenix - watch where you’re going!” someone shouted with a grin. That was Lyra, a winged horse mare, her mane shiny like thread made of moonlight, chuckling when Phoenix almost smashed into a stand full of glassy woven charms. “If they’re too slow, tough luck!” Phoenix shot back, chuckling, his tone soft and low. ‘Cause he was after a Sky-Bloom Tart - Elara mentioned it’s sold only past the southern market trail. His sharp humor and endless pep showed his bold spirit, yet there was kindness deep down. Just last week, he fixed Lyra’s ripped wing, worrying like it mattered most, which surprised anyone who knew his loud streak. He darted left then right, his strong legs moving smooth through the crowd. Lights flashed everywhere, noises buzzed, smells swirled around. Breathing in, he caught sugary steam from magical honey treats, sharp green pinewood air from outside town, even a zing of wild energy - magic hanging thick in Veilheim’s streets. This spot meant something to him, felt alive in every corner. Equines here stuck together, joked loud, celebrated side by side. Far off from the noisy central road, hidden near a calm spot where crafters showed magically touched leather items, Ember Moon waited. Not loud or flashy, she carried herself with quiet grace, her fur a gentle shade of dark blue - like dusk just before night truly fell. Thin patterns of silver and deep blue ran across her skin, catching light from lamps around her; her wide wings, colored like midnight air, stayed still at her back. She kept apart, watching the event unfold without joining in, her kind but sharp gaze missing nothing. Ember Moon liked doing things alone. All the noise and lights at the festival pulled her in, yet made her want to step back. She loved the colors, tunes, and strange little wonders - but stayed near the edges, just watching. Peace came from small sounds: trinkets buzzing softly, fabric fluttering on a stand that sold cloaks spun like starlight. Her plan? A calm few hours - maybe snagging an old poem-book from the Grove tent, or soaking up Veilheim’s vibe without getting dragged into it. She stared at a fancy old book covered in leather, one that showed glowing stars on its front, when noise from the trail snapped her head up. Foals with tiny fluttering wings had scared some bright moths, making them spin fast into the air like sparks. That flash of motion - mixed with loud laughing nearby - made her jerk backward without thinking. She smacked into someone standing right behind her, stiff as stone. A gasp slipped out - then a quiet "Oh!" hit her as a small bump came, along with noise from something dropping. Her pulse jumped, uneasy. Spinning around, she braced herself, face flushing red before it even began. Over her stood a huge, stunning stallion, confusion all over his face. His pale yellowish fur gave off a cozy glow, while his big blue eyes - wide in shock - stared right at her. By his feet sat what was left of a Sky-Bloom Tart, partly devoured; the fragile glittery shell broken, fruit oozing across the stones. Phoenix stopped dead in his tracks - something squishy got in the way. Right after, a familiar thud told him his Sky-Bloom Tart was now on the dirt. His eyes dropped first, showing a quick flash of frustration at the smashed treat. Then he jerked his stare upward toward the mare who’d stepped right into his path. His feisty energy instantly evaporated, replaced by genuine concern. "Oh, by the Whispering Winds! I am so, so sorry!" he exclaimed, his voice losing its boisterous edge and softening into a heartfelt apology. "Are you alright? I wasn't looking where I was going, I was so focused on finding this... well, that," he gestured lamely at the tart, "that I completely ran into you. Are you hurt?" Ember Moon looked up at him, caught off guard by how he filled the space. Up near, he seemed alive with energy, impossible to ignore. The light danced on his dragon skin, warm like sunset metal. Next to that glow, her blue-tinted coat appeared flat, almost lifeless. She moved her head slightly, dark hair swaying like evening wind. Yet, “I’m okay,” slipped out, barely above a whisper. A warm flush rose from her throat - her quiet self wished the floor would hide her right then. Phoenix squinted, those blue eyes locked on her - was she struggling? Hard to tell. He hated making anyone uneasy, more so if they seemed this fragile. Her skin shimmered, each scale a smooth pink stone catching light. Wait - he hadn’t seen it before - but her gaze pulled him in, dark pink, almost glowing. ‘Name’s Phoenix, yeah? Total oaf, really. Please, let me fix things with you. You were checking out something, right?’ He pointed toward the craftsman’s stand. Ember Moon glanced at the notebook she’d been eyeing. Not loud - just soft - she said, “Just… this one book.” Her voice trailed a bit. It looked really nice Phoenix turned to see where she was looking. “Wow, just look at how it’s made,” he said. “Still, that wasn’t the thing I messed up, right? Mine was the tart.” His eyes dropped to the squashed dessert, then met hers again. “Nah, seriously - let me get you a new one. Well, maybe not the one, but something close. What did you expect from the fair - candy? Some little keepsake? Just say something, yeah?” He pushed a bit, yet stayed soft-spoken, eager without being pushy. Ember Moon wasn’t used to being stared at like this - least of all by someone so full of energy. Most times, she slipped into parties without anyone spotting her. But this guy? A totally different story. He stood out no matter what. Still, his regret felt real, sort of softening her guard bit by bit. “You… really don’t need to,” she mumbled, only it came out more like a whisper than a refusal. "Nonsense!" Phoenix took a step closer, his eyes sparkling. "It's the least I can do. Besides, I've spent all this time hunting for a Sky-Bloom Tart, and now it's gone. I'm afraid I'll have to start my hunt all over again, and I refuse to do so until I've made amends." He offered a charming, lop-sided grin. "Unless, of course, you'd like to join me? A joint tart hunt? Perhaps we can find one that hasn't met an untimely demise on the cobblestones." Ember Moon paused. Go alongside him? That idea felt heavy. Still, his grin spread quick, while his gaze carried a kind glow - tough to say no to. Honestly, though, she didn’t crave full solitude right then. Just a small, barely noticeable dip of her chin gave it away. "Wonderful!" Phoenix practically beamed. "Lead the way, then, if you know where the better stalls are. You seem to have a good eye for quality." He made sure to walk a little slower now, his earlier haste forgotten, his attention solely on her. "I'm told the northern path has the most unique sweets, but I usually just gravitate towards the biggest crowds." Ember Moon gave a small, shy smile. "The Artisan's Row has some lovely treats," she offered, her voice a little stronger now. "Over by the Whispering Falls. They have Crystallized Dewdrop Candies that sparkle from within." Crystallized Dewdrop Candies glowing inside? Phoenix’s eyes popped open, full of joy. “Wow - sounds amazing, right? Maybe even tastier than a sour treat. See? You’re already showing me cooler stuff!” He stepped along beside her, keeping room between them, yet still clearly there. His dragon wings - one huge stretch of golden leather- twitched while he moved, skimming just above the breeze. When they started walking, some loud partygoers swept by, lost in the beat of the festival tunes. Ember Moon stiffened without thinking, her thin dragon wings puffing out a bit, edging nearer to Phoenix. That shift didn’t escape him. “Careful now," Phoenix said low, easing his stance just enough to block the flow of people, kindness showing without trying. His wing stretched open a bit on its own, acting like a quiet wall between her and the busy crowd. A light touch of his warm scales grazed her side - surprising, but somehow calming at the same time. Ember Moon looked his way, startled - yet thankful - her dark pink eyes flashing something soft. He’d moved without thinking, shielding her like it meant nothing, which somehow made her heart thump oddly. She murmured thanks, tone hushed, almost drowned by the noisy crowd around them. Phoenix smiled gently, keeping his tone soft. Not a big deal at all, really - he knew how loud things could feel now and then. This wild mess? Totally normal around here. Noise helped some people hide what they carried inside, though he noticed it sometimes buried others instead. Her calm presence stood out. The stillness in her eyes caught him off guard. Quiet didn’t mean empty - no way - and something about her depth pulled his attention close. They strolled together - his bright blush champagne tabby beside her calm blue maple pearl one, his liveliness balancing her soft elegance. Instead of chatting much, he just soaked in being near her, watching how her wings dipped gently under moonlight, the faint glow on her rose-like scales. She started feeling more at ease around him than she’d thought possible. His kindness felt real, kind of like wrapping up in something cozy when the night air turned sharp. When they got closer to Whispering Falls, the roar of water climbed, lit up by flickering glow-stones tucked in the flow. Artisan's Row stayed hushed, alive with faint taps of magic tools, along with low hums from folks who liked what they saw. “Here,” Ember Moon pointed to a stall, its case shimmering with soft glow - those were the Dewdrop Candies Phoenix stared at the detailed candies - little treats that sparkled like jewels. "These are amazing," he said softly, totally caught by them. “So, what do you wanna try?” “The blue ones - maybe,” Ember Moon muttered, jabbing a horn toward a group shimmering in pale sky-blue, just like her skin. Phoenix grabbed a tiny pack of blue sweets - then snagged a second one, these yellow-gold, matching his skin. He held out the blue pouch to Ember Moon. "Here. Take it." She took it - her muzzle just grazing him. Then came a spark, almost like energy buzzing under the skin. "What about those?" she said, nodding toward the yellow-gold pouch. "For me," he said, winking. “Yet, I wouldn't mind giving some away.” Then, he unzipped his pack - held out a piece to her: big, clear, shimmering just a little. Ember Moon grabbed it, eyes stuck on him. Then she tossed it in her mouth. Suddenly - sweetness hit hard, kind of like morning mist mixed with sparks, warming her from inside. “These are amazing,” she said, showing real joy. Her whole look shifted, soft but brighter, almost glowing. Phoenix stared at her, warmth rising inside - no trace of the candy’s doing. "Beautiful," he whispered, locked onto her grin. Totally hooked. Not merely quiet - she carried a silent kind of greatness. They kept walking, sometimes pausing when something amazing caught their eye or a story drew them in. Phoenix started choosing calmer areas on purpose, letting his steps fall slower than normal to stay beside her. It turned out she knew nearly everything about Veilheim’s old legends, saying little things that made him think deeply. He told her bits from his past journeys, describing scenes so clearly they’d make her smile - sometimes even giggle. When night started falling on Veilheim, the glowing flowers shone brighter - while huge floating lanterns, built like legendary beasts, rose over the event area. Up high, the Sky-Bard Stage, a giant platform held up by unseen forces, got ready for tonight’s big show: music woven from raw elemental power. Phoenix hesitated, then said, "Uh… wanna check out that Sky-Bard thing?" His tone came out quieter than normal. Truth was, he didn’t feel like going home yet. Being around her felt good - better than expected, better than most nights lately. Ember Moon glanced at the stage, then turned toward him. Equines started to gather around, yet this quiet trust - built from how simply they clicked - now covered her like a coat. “Yeah,” she replied. “That’d be really nice.” They picked a place just off the busiest area, up on a low hill that faced the stage. Next to her, Phoenix laid down - his big build made her feel safe. As soon as the show kicked in, full of bright flashes, loud beats, or something like real enchantment, Ember Moon shifted closer, totally drawn in. He looked over at her, noticing how the lights from below shimmered in her deep pink eyes. Her scaly skin, normally dull, sparkled now with a quiet, otherworldly shine. Phoenix didn't hesitate - his wing unfolded, sweeping close around her like a curtain. It blocked out the press of others piling up behind. Just for a moment, they had their own little pocket of quiet. His warm scales touched her lightly; even the faint rustle of feathers spoke without words, saying he’s got her. Ember Moon sensed the wing drape across her. For a second she stiffened - then let go. Not claiming or controlling, just gentle… thoughtful. Tender even. Into the heat she shifted slightly, barely noticeable, yet Phoenix noticed it clear as day. When the show hit its peak, glitter floated down like soft rain. Phoenix looked at her, his blue eyes calm yet intense. “Ember Moon,” he said slowly, almost tasting the words. “Really happy our paths crossed.” She looked into his eyes, her heart skipping slightly. "Phoenix," she said quietly yet firmly, "I’m happy you felt the same." A real flush spread over her face - soft pink on pale skin - just like the warm tint coloring his cheeks under that sun-kissed fur. He smiled, a genuine, open smile that reached his eyes. "Perhaps," he ventured, "we could... hunt for more Dewdrop Candies sometime? Or perhaps a Sky-Bloom Tart that meets a better fate?" Ember Moon smiled softly again, her deep blue eyes hinting at something unspoken. “I’d really enjoy that, Phoenix.” When the festival lights started fading, while distant echoes of music melted into the evening air, Phoenix stayed close to Ember Moon - two quiet figures who’d somehow clicked in the middle of Veilheim’s wild celebration. What once felt loud and messy to her now fit just right, almost like it was made for this moment. That awkward first encounter? It grew slow, turned real, kind of like those glowing petals floating nearby, lit up by their own hidden spark.