I still take a map. They’restylized!
“Enjoy the festival! Long live the Immortal Queens and their generosity!” the information clerk barks excitedly. Their own outfit has a dramatically wide brimmed hat with small candles hanging from its ends.
“Thank you! Long live the Immortal Queens!” I briefly glance at the map.
Half of it’s dedicated to the actual map, a quarter to some event times, and the rest is a rather dramatic advertisement apparently paid for personally by the Vampire Queen. Warnings of blood transmitted diseases from vampires along with her strong hand wrenching one back from someone’s neck by their hair.
‘RESPECT AUTONOMY OVER BLOOD OR LEARN YOUR MANNERS THROUGH ETERNAL SERVITUDE.’
It’s a fun art piece. Pops in the light.
According to the map section of the map, the paths are indicated by colored lighting. Should I go northwest, along the cool blue lights, I’ll eventually pass by a viewing hill. Should I go north by northeast, along the warm red lights, I’ll pass by various attractions, visible from here. They both meet by the library and café.
Some other routes are around here too, and the garden plot is surrounded by open, carless streets and businesses. Still, I’m expecting that Lucia will at some point insist on petting the glowing salamanders, so I’m taking the red path in case I meet her on the way.
Cool winds and pleasant conversations. Laughter and dancing shows. I wish I had someone, even just a friend, to share this with. To give my laughter and comments to. Couples pass by me with matching wreathes, string lights and flowers interwoven, and I’m left with jealousy.
Everything here is a delight for my eyes, and I want more. I’m desperate for more. For a second pair of eyes to look with me. For the reflections of lights to shine off pastel pink…
“The show starts in ten minutes! Pack in while there’s seating to seeThe Necromancer and the Radiomancer!“ a showwoman yells from an open stage.
Concession stands, some unfilled seating, and that play I think I vaguely heard Hanna rave about when she answered Lucia’s phone? Sounds fun. Vincenza would be happy if she knew I was eating.
I wait patiently for my turn at the stand. “Uh, could I get just the popcorn? Oh, wait. Er, you can keep the extra.” I hand over a full silver crescent. “A-and could I have some nutritional yeast salt?”
Mmm. It tastes. That’s pretty impressive by my standards. Probably not enough crushed red peppers though.
“Hey!” A man in a black suit runs next to me. “You should’ve gotten their leg. It’s pretty good.”
He smiles effusively, like we’ve known each other. Under the warm orange light, he looks about my age as well.
“I d-don’t eat that kind of stuff, I think? Do we—uh. Do we know each other?”
“No, but I can recognize a fellow necromancer.” He winks. “Is that all getup, or are you actually in training?”
“I’m an apprentice at The Necromancer’s Parlour just north.” I push up my glasses and throw my gaze to the side. “I’m a bit between patrons, though.”
He laughs warmly. “I’m between consorts myself. Speaking of which, wanna catch a seat together?”
“Oh, sure! I’m Catarina, by the way.”
“I’m Janek. Came up with my friends from lower Lawrin.” He whispers something I can’t understand.
“Sorry, but I did flunk my language classes.” I sit next to him—Ow. These are not nice chairs.
“It’s fine. I only wish to show you my foreign tongue.” He smirks.
“That’s… cool? Want popcorn?”
“I would love some.”
I guess this is what I wanted. I have a friend—eh, acquaintance. I’ll keep friendship on hold until I see him in a dress.
The play starts with a dazzling light show. A radiomancer in a white dress spins while glowing motes surround her. The conductor waves their baton in sync with her movements—I can feel reality warp and blur along the strings of their thoughts.
By the time the necromancer in black comes in, I realize that I’m watching a loose metaphor for the story of the Immortal Queens. Wordless and with a shockingly high quality orchestra for a free event.
Janek elbows me and whispers, “isn’t it funny to think that our nation is ruled by queers?”
