Monthly Bonus Content #2 — Finding Home… (Farah Summer Scenario)

We make it two steps past the vine-drenched arched entrance before Farah stops with a gasped breath of awe.

I pause, stepping out of the way of two people dressed in embroidered tunics with horns erupting from their brightly-coloured wigs. “If you’re this amazed already, then it’s going to be a long day,” I joke with a chuckle.

She tips her purple top hat back on her head to better take in the wonderous view spread before us.

Medieval building facades make up a long road, stalls that look like they’ve been drawn straight out of the pages of a fantasy book line the dusty street, and sellers bedecked in outfits of rich cotton and glimmering waistcoats call to passers-by adorned in just as fantastical costumes.

“It’s like…” A smile lights her face so brightly that a passer-by almost trips over their own feet at the incredible sight of the expression. Her gaze slides from the view to meet my eyes. “It’s like being back in the Echo World.”

My eyes widen. “This is really what is was like?”

She shrugs. “Well, the people with horns would actually have real horns, but it’s as close as this world is going to get. That’s for sure.”

I laugh again and move in closer to her side. “I thought you might enjoy it.”

“We’ve only stepped through the entrance, and it’s already one of the best days of my life,” she states. A flurry of accomplishment runs through me to be the one to provide it for her.

“Well, come on. There’s plenty more to see than just hanging out around here,” I say, encouraging us onwards into the actual heart of the Renfaire itself as more people emerge through the entrance and drive us forwards. Dressed in our own medieval-inspired outfits (which didn’t get a seal of authenticity from Ava but we wore anyway…), we easily blend in.

Well, as much as Farah can blend in when she radiates such stunning joy.

A waft of some kind of hearty stew creates a wall of enticing scent as we pass by some food stalls, soups and stews bubbling away in cauldrons as people stir them with beautifully carved utensils.

Farah wrinkles her nose for a moment.

“Is it too much?” I ask with a frown.

She shakes her head and chuckles. “If I was worried about my senses being overloaded, then I definitely wouldn’t have said yes to today.” She eyes the stalls. “It’s just a weird sensation to be here and so close to…memories.”

My heart aches. “I didn’t think about what it might bring back for you.”

Her hand slides into mine, grasping it firmly. “Not everything about my time in the Echo World was awful. I just didn’t expect it to hit so close.” She brings up our joined hands and kisses my knuckles. “But my enjoyment is drowning out anything else. Don’t worry, babe.”

I’m not sure I wholly believe her, but I am hopeful we can make enough fun memories to overcome the ones that suddenly seem to haunt her.

Passing through the food stalls, we come out into a small circular marketplace section, where craftspeople of all kinds are working. Steam curls out from blacksmiths hammering at iron, smoke sizzles from tools as people etch designs into thick sections of wood, and gems glimmer as others work the delicate crystals into intricate jewellery.

And my hope comes true as Farah’s eyes sparkle.

“Do you see that?” she exclaims, flinging a hand out towards a glassblower skilfully moulding red-hot glass into the shape of a wand. “She’s doing it with her breath—and her hands!”

“Is that not how they do it in the Echo World?” I ask under my breath, hoping the crowd around us won’t hear. Thankfully, most are as engrossed as Farah with watching the incredible skills of those around us to pay us much mind.

She blinks in disbelief. “Definitely not! When you can use magic to do everything, why bother learning a real craft?” Sarcasm drips like oil from the entirety of that sentence. “But this is so much more. This is real. It’s what life should be like. Experienced and learned, not just created at a whim and the flick of a wrist.”

I squeeze her hand. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”

She angles in close to press a kiss on my cheek. “I’m enjoying it with you, babe. Nothing beats that. Even watching someone literally mould molten glass into an amazing thing.”

I let out a laugh, feeling the entirety of my being right into my core lift with genuine happiness. Never have I felt myself so in touch with someone else’s emotions. Like our souls are linked.

“How about we get a closer look?” I suggest, making to step forwards when Farah tugs me back into her.

She wraps her arms around my middle and kisses me deeply. There must be a hundred people squashed into the marketplace around us…but I forget every one of them as I lose myself to her.

When she draws away, she rests her forehead against mine and grins. “This is home.”

I tilt my head. “Because it feels like the Echo World?”

“No,” she replies. “You. You are my home. Thank you for finding me.”

My breath sticks in my chest as my heart feels like it might explode with the swell of sheer joy at those words.

“Now, let’s see if she’ll let me blow some glass too!” She grins, taking off towards the glassblower, keeping hold of my hand, and leaving me still completely floored by the exposed honesty of her confession.

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I’m figuring a Renfaire is a festival of kinds?

I’ve never been to a Renfaire but have been SO desperate to go to one. This was too much of a perfect opportunity not to write about experiencing one, hehe! :D

I can’t think of one thing F wouldn’t enjoy about it from what I’ve heard about them, lol!

Really hope you enjoyed this little dip into some of F’s deeper emotions….something we haven’t seen too much of yet!