Alright, I had NO IDEA how many of you guys were going to ship Schula/Wren! If you've finished Half Wylde you know they have a very special and loving relationship, but not a romantic one. But I thought it would be fun to do a little alternate universe where Shula is the love interest and Thain is the... well I'm not going to spoil it for readers who haven't finished Half Wylde yet, but you know ;)

Anyway, here is a little fun for you Wren/Schula shippers!

~~~
Wren
Thain's house, Thanantholl

My heart was pounding as I looked at myself in the mirror. Wairen had offered to braid my hair, and I took them up on it gladly. It was much more intricate than I had ever done for myself, but it still managed to hide my ears like I liked. Tiny buds of white flowers were tucked in the braids and they looked like bright stars in my dark hair.

I had picked up a small jar of lip paint on Pearl Street, a dark pink that looked nice on my skin. Wairen put that on for me too and then helped me slip on my dress.

And stars, my dress.

I had chosen it with Schula in mind. Her tastes ranged from sensible tunics and boots during the day, to bold and scandalous evening wear. Since we were having a late dinner, I went with bold and scandalous. Or at least, as scandalous as I could muster myself to wear.

The bodice pushed what chest I had upward and clung to my already narrow sides until it reached my hips. It also had no back to speak of, and came down nearly to the end of my spine. The silk skirt and off the shoulder sleeves flowed as I moved. The skirt, while full, had a slit up one leg that would have my skin peeking out as I danced. Knowing Schula, there would be dancing. The whole affair was a deep plum with silver embroidery and it had matching slippers. And if I had done my job well, Schula would love it.

"Miss Wren, I am finished lacing your dress." Wairen bowed and gave me a soft smile.

"Thank you, I appreciate your help tonight," I replied.

Wairen left, and after one last glance at my reflection, I left my room. Thain was at the bottom of the stairs, sitting in his favorite chair and sipping his brandy. He looked up as I made my way down.

"Wren..." He grinned. "You look lovely. Schula isn't going to know what hit her."

I swallowed and blushed. "I... do you really think so?"

"I know so," he said wickedly. "Do you want me to walk you there?"

"No, no I'll walk. It's not far," I said. "I can... I can do this on my own."

Thain just nodded and took another drink from his glass. "Do you want me to wait up, or will you be returning tonight at all?"

"Th-thain!" I stammered.

He gave me a deep laugh and a pointed look. "Go on, have fun. I'll see you tomorrow."

I didn't trust my voice, so I gave him a weak smile and I left.

The streets were damp from the rain earlier and the maple leaves stuck to the stone paths. I tried to avoid any dripping water from above, and made my way through the dancing fireflies to our meeting place. It wasn't far from Thain's house and even though I was going as slowly as I could make myself go, I was at my destination all to quickly.

I stepped into what I could only describe as a moonlit clearing in the trees. None of the houses that sprouted from the other trees in Thanantholl were here, instead these great maples and birches were encircling a grassy field. In the middle of the field sat a gazebo. I could barely tell it was painted white under all the dusty pink vines that climbed it, and in that gazebo was Schula.

My breath caught as I saw her.

Her snowy white hair was pulled into a bun with sprigs of amaranth in it. Her blue dress was similar in fashion to mine, off the shoulder with full flowing sleeves and skirts. Her bodice plunged much deeper than mine though, and part of the sides were cut away in the pattern of flower petals.

She was facing inside the gazebo when my breath caught and she turned to face me. Her eyes widened and her lips parted as she stared.

"Wren, you look stunning," she said.

"Thanks, y-you too." My face was on fire, I was certain she could see the blush on my face from where she stood.

Schula wasted no time in stepping down from the gazebo and closing the distance between us. With a wide grin on her face, she reached out and took my hands in hers.

"Come on, I brought a picnic, just like I promised. Are you hungry?"

I opened my mouth to respond, and to my great embarrassment my stomach answered before I could. It growled loudly, and snapped my mouth shut. Schula laughed, filling the clearing with the bubbling sound of her merriment.

"Let's eat," she said with a grin. "I want to show you what I've been working on."

She pulled me behind her into the gazebo and I was met with a beautiful spread. A thick wool blanket covered most of the floor. Candles lit the area, and in the middle was a large open basket that looked to be heavily laden with foods I'd never seen before. My mouth watered instantly and I turned to Schula.

"I thought you'd like to try a few more Autumn land specialties," she said, sitting down by the basket and pulling items out. "I don't know what you like yet, so I got all my favorites from around the city. Tell me if you like anything in particular and I'll take you to the shop I found it at sometime."

"Schula, this all looks so good!" I sat down beside her and happily took a small wedge of a soft cheese that she offered.

"I'm glad. Here, let me show you this fruit from the western farms..."

I tried all kinds of food I'd never tried before. I found very little that I didn't like, and many things I'd be desperately wanting to taste again soon enough. Schula was gentile and alert to my every expression. I didn't know what to do with such direct attention but secretly I was enjoying it immensely.

Shula told me all sorts of little stories. About the shops in Thanantholl, about the people she's met, about the most beautiful views. I was happy to listen as we gorged ourselves on treats and the candles burned low around us. When the lights were beginning to flicker and the moon overhead was nearly at the top of it's path, I heard the violin.

I sat up straight and Schula squealed in excitement.

"She's here! Come on, I want you to experience my favorite violinist in the Wyldes!"

Schula pulled me up to my feet, giggling as we went. The moment her feet hit the grass outside the gazebo she kicked off her slippers. I did the same and barely managed to keep on my feet as Schula planted her hands on my waist and began to dance with the music. I barely got a glance at the elegant sprite who played the fluttering Melody. She wore a dramatic black dress and she seemed completely absorbed by what she was doing as she played just in the tree line for our pleasure and no one else's.

"Schula," I breathed. "This is too much!"

"Never!" She exclaimed with a grin. "I live for all the pleasures around me, and if I can make them happen all at once then I will!"

I giggled as she spun me around the clearing.

"Food and dance?" I asked with a laugh.

Schula slowed our dance for a few heartbeats and looked me in the eyes with a serious smile. "And you, Wren."

Then, she leaned forward and kissed me. It was slow and warm at first, building in ferocity as my own mouth began moving to meet her passion. Pretty soon we were wrapping our arms around each other. I vaguely recognized when we broke for a moment to catch our breath. Schula's lips were smudged with my pink lip paints, but neither of us cared and we immediately met our lips again.

Once the music stopped and a new song began playing, I realized we weren't alone in the clearing and I blushed, pulling back.

"I-oh," I whispered. I glanced at the violinist but Schula gently turned my gaze back on herself.

"Don't worry about her, tonight I only want you to see me."

I bit my lower lip, taking in the intensity of her stare.

Schula just reached forward and brushed a finger over my lip.

"And don't do that or you might entice me for another kiss."

My heart pounded in my chest. My face, no, my whole body was flushed with wine and exhilaration. I gave her my slyest smile. "And what if that was my goal?"

Schula's face was shocked for a moment, before her grin matched my own. Then once again her lips crashed into mine.

The music bubbles around us, and Schula dances me around the soft cool grass as we continued to kiss and steal touches from each other.

The night was so perfect I didn't k ow if it could ever be replicated again if I lived a thousand more years.

But I knew in Schula's arms and wrapped in her soft affections that I'll be willing to try.

And in my heart, a love began to blossom.

For Schula.