As many know, this is the first Ela Lunaris festival since the civil war with the twenty-fourth Chosen One started.
My heart aches for all those lost in the fighting, but the Great Eight have gathered and instructed the Keceo Chronicles to tell you thus:
The Ela Lunaris festival MUST continue.
What this festival represents to our people is a risk and a journey beyond the limitations of elven culture and the forced entrapment that is our only means of survival. The Chosen Ones represent an absolute connection with the unknown.
One evil being must not spoil the bunch.
For those who are unsure of attending, just know our leaders will be present. We'll be celebrating for all those who can no longer celebrate.
We will marvel at the advancements we've made only because of the Chosen Ones,
The Great Eight refuses to revel in the misery our people face.
Let us forget for a night, let us prosper and be merry.
Publication by Kindly Barons, approved by the Great Eight right before the Ela Lunaris festival.
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"Weirdo," Gwyn said.
Looking around her, she saw something that caught her by surprise. A My Chemical Romance shirt and an oak-colored cardigan obscuring it. A young adult elf was sporting this attire, and to Gwyn's surprise, it looked good on them.
"Excuse me," the elf cautiously approached Gwyn.
The Chosen One nearly fell over, surprised that a stranger was being so direct with her.
"Y-yes?"
"I was told to wear this, to like… mock you," the elf admitted.
Gwyn's expression changed, her posture tensed.
"But you look insanely beautiful. You remind me of the—"
"Gwynevere!"
Her head whipped to the sound of the familiar voice. She turned to face the elf before them, but they'd already left.
"Gwyne….vere…" Artero said, panting. "I'm here and…"
He paused when he caught a glimpse of Gwyn in her entirety, immediately looking dumbfounded.
Gwyn gave a shy smile.
"Yes?"
"You look…"
The clacking of heels pierced the sound of bustling crowds.
"I can't run in these damned things, Artero! Why did you…"
Elise seemed to wear the same expression as him.
"Surpriiiiiiise," Gwyn said, shaking her hands as if this were some sort of performance. "Ready to enjoy the festival?"
Gwyn had chosen a particularly controversial dress, but to say she wasn't stunning in the attire would be a lie.
Artero was wearing a light blue kimono with pink flowers ornately patterning its silken surface. While Elise had her pink hair tied up in a crown braid, she wore a white-and-gold kimono.
"Yes…" Artero choked out.
Gwyn took both their arms, and they strolled through the streets together. People's heads seemed to turn constantly.
"Where's Rodrick?" Gwyn asked, wearing a coy expression. "I hope you didn't mind my trick… I just wanted to surprise you."
"Rodricks—"
"Fine!" Elise cut off Artero. "He's… taking a... nap, yes. A nap."
"I hope he doesn't sleep too long…" Gwyn said, a little disappointed. "Oh well!"
She took both their hands and ran further into the festival.
"The festival's the other direction!" Artero shouted, nearly tripping over people.
Gwyn whipped them around without regard. This was the first time she truly felt excited for an event since arriving at Keceo.
The festival took place in the open fields outside the Capital. Admission was free and always had been. When they entered the designated area, there were plenty of guards stationed throughout the event.
Gwyn wondered if she had anything to do with it.
It reminded the Chosen One of a Halloween celebration at a theme park. People wore costumes, bands played music at different stations all throughout the festival, and there were towering contraptions that looked like rides.
"Is that a roller coaster?" Gwyn shouted. "I love roller coasters!"
"No way, I do too!"
She high-fived Artero.
"Let's ride that thing!"
Gwyn stepped towards the towering contraption.
Elise was not nearly as excited. She avoided eye contact with the ride at all costs.
"I think I'll sit this one out."
"No way!"
Gwyn pulled her, and Elise nearly toppled over.
"Gwynevere, what has gotten into you?" Elise asked, laughing as she was pulled into the line.
"Nothing, I just… love fairs and theme parks. I haven't been for a long time, but I went all the time as a kid."
"The rides are to die for here. Are you aware what this one is?" Artero asked.
"What's it called?"
"The Buzzlenuckle," Elise said in a tone, seeming to turn the same color as Mr. Keeper as she stared at the ride above her.
"Why don't you like rides?" Gwyn asked.
"They're terrifying." Elise shivered. "You wait in line for, like… ever. Then, there is always a chance you just die, boom, zi. Dead!"
She wildly gestured as if to get her point across.
"You're so dramatic, Elise," Artero said, rolling his eyes.
"Because they go ticaticaticaticatica up up up! Then they stop, and for a moment, you see your demise. You see the world beneath you as you hurl towards it! How is that fun in any way?" Elise shouted, now panting.
Gwyn just laughed at her explanation.
"That's what makes them amazing, Elise!" She took her hand. "You can do this. We are going to have so much fun."
Gwynevere Grim stared deep into her lavender eyes, and some of the worry faded from Elise. The Bloody Princess wishes Gwyn had her power of mind manipulation at this moment, so that she could just go on the ride and follow that part of her that wanted to ride that thing.
The Princess stared up at the Buzzlenuckle.
"If you say so," Elise said bashfully.
"That's the spirit!" Artero said, patting her back.
"I can't do this!"
The ride approached the precipice. Elise was in the front seat of the roller coaster, beside Gwyn, who was excited as ever.
Gwyn let out an evil laugh.
"Too late now!"
Elise gripped Gwyn's hand with demonic levels of strength.
"If I die on this thing, I'm going to kill you!"
"See you in the afterlife then!" Gwyn shouted.
The coaster descended like a lightning bolt. Elise screamed the entire ride, as it looped, turned upside down, went through what looked like mini teleportation portals, and then came to a sudden and complete stop.
When they exited the ride. Elise's legs shook as though she had forgotten how to walk.
"I… am… never… going—"
Elise's cheeks puffed out as she ran to the nearest trash can.
"Hell yeah!" Gwyn shouted. "You know you had a good time when you vomit!"
Elise wiped her mouth clean and used magic to eliminate the odor.
"Not where I'm from, I don't. My Gods… I am never riding another one of those things again."
But only a few moments had passed when…
"Guys… I really don't want to ride this again," Elise pleaded.
Gwyn gave Elise doe eyes.
"Just one more time."
Elise grimaced and looked up at the ride again, then her gaze shot back down, feeling nauseated just from looking at it.
"I don't think I can do it."
"It's okay…"
Gwyn hugged Elise.
Artero made eye contact with Elise as Gwyn embraced her, and Elise flipped him off, sticking her tongue out and saying via link.
~I'm going to beat you, Artero,~ taunting him. ~Our little challenge isn't over yet.~
Artero just frowned, then a smirk appeared.
"Actually, Gwynevere, this isn't the best ride here," he said as they all got in the ride queue.
"It's not?"
"No, no." He gave a sly smile. "There's actually one ride more exciting than this one."
"Really?!" Gwyn asked, leaning in close to Artero.
"Oh yes, we should ride it instead, right, Elise?"
He turned his head to the Bloody Princess, looking worse for wear.
"I think I can't handle a ride worse than this."
"Oh, really?" Gwyn asked, tilting her head at Elise. "I guess I'll just have to ride it alone with Artero."
She grabbed Artero's hand and pulled him from the line.
"Hey now, wait a second!" Elise said, desperately trying to catch up. "What I meant to say was that I can't handle riding another ride… without you, Gwynevere."
Elise tried to sound cool, but ended up sounding desperate.
"So you'll ride this other one with us then?" Gwyn asked, overjoyed.
"Yes…" Elise said hesitantly.
"Awesome!" She turned to Artero. "What's it called?" Gwyn asked.
"Oh, it's only the sickest ride ever," Artero said. "It's called the Skull Decimator!"
"The what?" Elise said, out of breath.
The party approached the ride, two by two, and Gwyn sat in the front again, next to Artero. Elise had to sit next to a stranger, who happened to be a small child.
The child looked up at Elise.
"This is my favorite ride! I'm going to ride it until I pee myself!"
Elise gave a deadpan look.
"What have I done to deserve this?"
"You look like you're gonna be sick, lady? Do you have to pee as well?" The child asked Elise.
~I'm going to kill you, Artero,~ Elise said via link.
~If you're lucky, we'll all die on this ride, then we can spend all of eternity together,~ he responded via link.
~You'd like that, wouldn't you?~ She snapped back, huffing.
"You look mad, lady. You know… You look pretty ugly when you're angry."
"Can you shut up you—"
The ride shot off like a rocket without warning. Elise was immediately thrown back into the seat. The ride went high into the sky, far higher than the Buzzlenuckle. Then it immediately descended into a tall tower, and flames shot from every direction.
Gwyn was having the time of her life. This was the fastest and most exciting roller coaster she'd ever been on. She had her hands raised the entire time, feeling the wind rush past her as they crossed icy tundras and fiery hellscapes that the ride simulated for the experience.
Everyone was laughing and clapping, except for Elise.
"How'd you like that one?" Gwyn asked, turning to Elise once the ride was over.
Elise's hair crown came undone, and her normally straight hair was a jimbleweed. Her skin was somehow paler, and it looked as though she might pass away at any moment.
"Wow, you're so lucky, lady!" The child said to Elise.
"How… so…?" Elise said through heavy breaths.
"I've ridden this all day! And it wasn't until you rode with me that I was finally able to relieve myself." The ride came to a halt, and Elise noticed the puddle of urine she was sitting in. "Thanks, lady! You're the best!"
Elise couldn't even react. Artero and Gwyn had already stepped off the ride and were waiting for her.
"Elise, are you coming?" Gwyn asked, calling her over.
Elise had to resist the urge to cast a spell at the child. When she stood, it appeared as though Elise had soiled herself.
Artero and Gwyn immediately noticed.
"Elise, did you…?" Artero asked, holding in laughter.
"No!" Her face flushed. "That kid did it!"
"What kid?" Gwyn asked, looking around. "I don't see a kid."
"The one that was on the ride with me."
Elise let out a sigh of frustration and used presdigitation on her white kimono, as she had earlier with her breath.
Artero and Gwyn retrieved their belongings from the cubby on the other side of the ride.
"Well, if anyone needs a bathroom break," Artero said, looking at Elise.
"Fuck off."
"I'm just saying," he said, raising his hands in surrender.
"You look so unlike yourself," Gwyn said, laughing.
"I do?"
Elise noticed her hair was undone. She scrambled to fix it.
Gwyn put both hands on her face and kissed the elven princess.
"I like the messy look."
Artero's mouth hung open. Elise was just as flabbergasted.
"What are we doing next?" Gwyn asked without missing a beat.
"I um…" Elise was still recovering from the sudden kiss. "I know something else that we can do that is equally fun."
Gwyn's eyes lit up.
"What's that?"
"Do you happen to love games, Gwynevere?"
"In more ways than one," Gwyn admitted.
Artero wondered what she meant by that, and had a fearful look in his eyes.
"No. No games we can—"
Elise cut him off again, putting her arm around Gwyn.
"Gwynevere, let's take a short break and try out some games." She looked at Artero, then back to Gwyn. "Let's have a competition, whoever can win the biggest prize… gets to sleep in the same bed as you tonight."
Gwyn gave a puzzled expression.
"Well… what do I get if I win?"
Elise wore a sly smirk.
"I guess you can sleep with both of us."