Nerissa threw a look over her shoulder as she walked through the decorated main street of Foxtrot Slope. The last, she told her nerves. People were dressed in warm hues and translucent capes and sleeves. They mingled under unlit, woven lanterns and glass windchimes that hung between the stone houses. None seemed to take notice of her. Good. She steered her gaze once more towards the park where the heart of the annual celebration would take place after sunset. Tonight, she decided, she would ignore the world outside of this town and focus on the joys she could find here.

The town's celebration was a welcome change of pace to the bustling city back home. There, everything could be predicted down to the seasoning of the food, but here things were free to diverge from tradition. She hoped she hadn't overdressed for a local celebration but it had been difficult to pass up on the opportunity to wear her fancy dress, especially since Kai would be here. Their visits to the building site of her tower and to the inn she stayed at were the highlights of her days, but way too brief. Hopefully, this evening would be different.

Colourwise, she blended in perfectly with the crowd in her double-layered, peach-orange dress. It reached past her ankles to hide her golden high heels that stepped just above the muddy puddles. The semi-translucent, pink sleeves flowed over her shoulders and obscured her tattoos slightly. To hide the golden lines she had spent years to earn even the slightest took a toll on her pride, but the town would be filled with visitors and she would not risk being identified. To match the fabrics, she had chosen golden jewellery with rose quartz and carnelian. She had left her hat at the inn and had instead taken the opportunity to put up her strawberry blonde hair with a set of pins enchanted to glow. It had been long since she danced and she didn't want anything to get in the way of her lovely distraction.

She entered the park and was engulfed by the lush willows and budding honeysuckle bushes. The end of the heavy rains had flooded parts of the lawn further away and woken a carpet of magenta, starlike flowers. Music filled the park and blended with the melodies of the windchimes. Together it drew people closer from all directions. Most streamed into the park from the town, some by canoes from the lake and a dozen from the forest. Witches, Nerissa gathered, judging by their braided fabrics and abundance of trinkets.

So many people. Too many people. Her heart picked up speed and she looked over her shoulder and cursed her lack of self-control. She was well out of Waltzway and Vicktar's reach. She should feel safe at the edge of Saltaire, with great distances between the lakes and the mountains at her back. So why didn't she?

Nerissa reined in her thoughts and looked for Kai. She would not let Vicktar ruin her night. Great willows framed the central room of the park that opened up to the flooded lake. A group of children had gathered under the widest of them where Asteropie, the old witch, showed them how to weave reeds. The path led downhill, through a flowerbed of daylilies, to the lake where a big, round dance floor rested on the water. There, finally, was Kai. They were in a heated discussion with Mayor Werifest, a tall woman with a long, black braid and a striking red dress. Her face matched the fabric and it seemed like she could explode with stress at the slightest added inconvenience.

Despite this, Kai soon excused themself from the conversation and went to meet Nerissa. They had given their wavy hair a fresh dye of cerulean blue and pink tips. It bounced against their shoulders, covered by a carnation-orange, translucent vest with a trail that reached their calves. Underneath was a white blouse with long sleeves that opened up by the wrists and faded to a calm orange. The dark red pants were cuffed to reveal a pair of only slightly muddy, black shoes.

"You look lovely," they said with a wide smile. "Wanna take a walk?"

Nerissa nodded and returned the smile. "You look like you've put in some effort as well." Together they followed the curve of the lake, away from the gathering people.

"Well, I have to wear this outfit at least once a year. And that day should probably be the one when I'm least likely to get it dirty."

Nerissa glanced down at their mud-stained shoes. "How's that working out for you?"

"Aw, shut up, everyone can't walk on puddles as you do." Kai nudged her with their shoulder.

Nerissa choked on her breath. "You've noticed?"

Kai shrugged. "Of course I have." They said it with such bluntness, Nerissa wondered if others had noticed too. Was that trick something she'd have to abandon to not be recognised? There weren't many wizards who had the skill or interest of keeping their every step dry. Should she perhaps even adopt a new habit? Maybe she could enchant her hair to move like water? She could pull that off. Or should she perhaps just dye her hair and–

"Saltaire to Nerissa." Kai waved a tanned hand in front of her face. "Are you okay?"

Nerissa whipped her focus back to her company and the lake with the pink water lilies. "I'm sorry. I'm fine. I just need to convince myself I'm safe here." She picked at the seam of her sleeves. "Because I should be. Right?"

"Yes." Kai hooked their arm in hers. "The Rat with a Hat, whose name I've promised not to voice, has never been here and has no reason to start showing up now. And if he does I'll give his whiskers a good twist."

Nerissa hid a giggle in her hand. "I've never heard anyone speak of him like that."

"It's probably because I don't know him. I've no reason to either fear or respect him, so why should I?"

"Let's hope we can keep it that way."

They walked for a moment in silence, their arms still linked, appreciating the last light of the day and the sweet fragrance of the little, magenta flowers Kai named Floating Stars.

"I hope your trouble with Mayor Werifest wasn't because of me," Nerissa said. "I know you've had to lie on my behalf since I came here."

"Oh please, that wasn't the first time I've lied to Betriss. If I hadn't, she would have had a heart attack by now. No, this was about the floating dance floor. She doesn't think it's secure enough, which it is and I'd gladly prove it."

Nerissa smirked. "Are you asking me to dance?"

Kai smirked back. "I would love to."

They had reached the end of the park and followed the path as it curved back around. As they got closer to the dance floor, a cheerful song reached them, causing Nerissa's heart to beat faster. But before they could see the band, Mayor Werifest came into view further up the path. She walked at a brisk pace which accelerated when she saw Kai.

"What now?" they muttered.

"Kai!" the Mayor called once within earshot. "Can I have your attention for a moment?" It was more of a demand than a request.

Kai plastered on a smile. "Of course." They let go of Nerissa's arm and said apologetically, "I'll find you soon, there's free food and drinks by the statue if you want any."

"Oh, okay..."

Kai hurried off and Narissa strolled behind in the same direction before changing course towards the mentioned statue. Apparently, that would be her company for the foreseeable future. It was a life-sized witch carved in remarkable detail of red granite. He wore a crown of flowers, numerous rings, and pendants, and stood with an air of confidence, a hand on his hip and a smile that reached his eyes. Under his boots was a text carved into the stone. "922 PD, Silas of the Swaying Birches founded the coven of the Swaying Birches to break free from the restrictive traditions that held the witches of northern Saltaire in the past." She recognised the name from an old article about Foxtrot Slope. He was probably the only remarkable thing about the town, which made it qualify as a place where she should feel safe. She scanned the square bustling with eating and laughing people for familiar faces. Anyone could be a spy. Anyone could even accidentally give her away if she drew too much attention. She wanted to hide, but a reclusive wizard would draw more attention than an ambitious wizard so she braced herself and went into the crowd to get herself something to eat.

With a bread roll of fried fish and baked cattail roots in one hand, she brushed the dirt from the bench with a glimmering flick of her wrist and sat down next to Silas. She let her gaze wander over the park, not sure if she was looking for threats or simply something interesting. Despite her nerves, or perhaps because of them, she found neither.

The sun set as Nerissa studied the townspeople. In Waltzway it was tradition to light the lanterns the moment the stars became visible. But here, none seemed to be in a hurry. The children under the great willow were still grouped around Asteropie. The old witch had dyed her hair a fiery orange for the celebration and wore a golden cardigan, rich with floral embroidery over an otherwise plain rust-colored dress. She paced between the younglings and showed them how to weave little lanterns from the reeds gathered in piles around them. A few of the older children had managed to magically light theirs and shone with pride as they went to hang them along the paths.

"Remember," Asteropie said to her remaining students as she walked amongst them. "Magic exists everywhere. From behind the stars to under the ocean floor. In every breath, every thought, and every embrace. To use it, we take what we need and weave it like reeds to take the form and function we desire."

"It doesn't matter how many times you say that!" a blond boy yelled. A neatly woven lantern flew with surprising speed through the air and crashed into a hanging willow branch. Nerissa took a bite of her food and tried to hide her curiosity.

Asteropie kneeled by the boy's side and spoke to him in a voice that didn't reach Nerissa. A moment later he stormed off, eyes red with tears. He didn't seem to notice Nerissa and disappeared to the other side of the statue. She looked over at Asteropie and met her pleading gaze.

Alright then, Nerissa thought and finished the last of her meal in a few bites. She peaked around the statue at the little boy dressed in soft warm hues. He was curled up in the grass against the stone, intent on hiding from the world.

Nerissa took a deep breath and softened her voice. "Hi there."

The boy looked up and sniffled.

"Do you want to join me on the bench? Maybe I can help. I'm Nerissa."

"I don't wanna be a witch anyways," he muttered.

"You don't have to be a witch to learn magic." Nerissa turned back and waited. Soon enough, it was the boy's turn to peek around the statue. Nerissa scotched over and he sat down by her side.

"Truth be told," Nerissa continued, "you don't have to be a wizard either to learn magic. Those words are just titles you get when you've mastered one of the two practices." At this, the boy looked confused and she quickly changed tracks. "What I mean is that just because a witch can't teach you magic, doesn't mean a wizard can't either. Would you want to try my way?"

He thought for a moment before nodding determinately.

Nerissa smiled and stuck her arm in her white purse to get her sketchbook. "What's your name?"

"Lou."

"Okey Lou, wizards use magic a bit differently than witches." Nerissa opened the book and tore out a clear page from the back. With a blade of gathered magic, she cut off the torn edge and gave it the shape of a perfect square. She handed Lou the paper and made one for herself. "To us, magic is a whole, something that can't be picked apart or merged. Instead of weaving it, we mould or fold it."

Step by step, Nerissa showed Lou how to shape the paper to their will against the surface of the bench. "With each fold, think of light. Not only what it looks like, but what it feels like and what it makes you feel. Imagine what shape it would have if it was tangible and what it would feel like in your hands."

Lou's face was twisted with concentration and after some struggle, he held a bent and skewed dragonfly. "Now what?"

"Now, instead of folding the paper, you fold the magic around it. It takes a lot of practice to make it perfect, but it doesn't have to be." Nerissa demonstrated this by making a gesture over her own symmetrical dragonfly. The golden tattoos on her hands flashed and the cream white paper lit up like the sun shining through a summer cloud.

Lou held his breath as he copied Nerissa's movement. There was a flicker in the paper and he tried again and again until one of four wings shone as Nerissa's did.

He jumped up with the dragonfly held high. "I did it!" he shouted with delight for the whole town to hear.

Nerissa laughed and applauded him.

"Thank you, Nerissa!" He gave her a crushing hug and ran off with the shout, "I gotta show my dads!"

A smile lingered on Nerissa's lips. Even the easiest of spells were hard the first time, but Lou had done better than most. Any of the wizarding academies would be lucky to have him, if he ever chose to study magic.

"Do you have to be so adorable?" Kai said with a dreamy smile as they took Lou's spot on the bench.

"What? Where did you come from? I was just-" A blush spread across Nerissa's cheeks. "I'm not-"

"If you say so," Kai teased.

Nerissa put away her sketchbook. "It's just something my dad taught me when I was little." She cleared her throat and redirected the conversation. "What did the Mayor want? I thought you were free today."

Kai sighed. "I'm never free when she's around." A sly smile bent their lips. "But that won't stop me from dancing with you."

"I hope very few things would do that." Nerissa took their outreached hand and placed the dragonfly amongst their blue locks.

Hand in hand, they strolled towards the dance floor. Night had set to the point where stars filled the sky and the lit lanterns seemed to pull them all closer. The jingle from the glass windchimes mingled with the lively drums and lutes, and made Nerissa's heart beat faster. Or maybe it was just the warmth from Kai's hand?

They stepped out onto the wooden boards and the song changed to a gentle waltz. They passed through an arch of willow branches, ornate with glowing glass orbs, and onto the circular dance floor filled with dancing couples. Most of last season's reeds still stood tall around them, creating a wall that obscured the horizon. Fireflies danced amongst them. It seemed like everywhere Nerissa looked, there were stars. Even in Kai's eyes. She spun them around and stepped into the rhythm of the music.

"If it isn't the great working conditions, what brought you to Foxtrot Slope?"

Kai didn't meet her eyes. "It's not that bad, I've learned how to deal with Betriss and I do have a lot of creative freedom here." They gave her an elegant spin.

Nerissa returned to Kai's hands. "That's not what I asked and you know it."

Kai looked at their interlocked fingers. "You're not the only one with secrets and demons, Nerissa."

"Anything I could help you with?"

Kai thought for a moment as the dance continued. "Maybe one day. But I don't want to ask that of you. You've got enough to worry about even though I'm sure I'm unaware of most of it."

"I'd guess you know more of my problems than I do of yours. To be honest, it feels like I know very little about you. Yet..." Nerissa let the rest remain unsaid. It was safer to say too little than too much. "Anyways, I'm sure I'll have less to worry about once my tower is done. Then I can invest all my time into your demons."

Kai cocked their head. "I bet the old Wax Puddle and my demons won't stand a chance against your fancy tower, filled with ancient tomes about subjects that would make one's mind boil."

Nerissa fought to hide a smile. "They might be interesting, but they're not that interesting. Especially not compared to your eyes." She winked.

Kai laughed. "You can't flirt your way out of this, Nerissa. I don't believe that for a second. Anything "controversial", as you once put it, ought to be very interesting."

"One day I might invite you over to look for yourself."

"Are you asking me out?"

"I'd love to."