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– You know it's February, right? – Riven says, keeping his eyes fixed on the road.
– I told you we don't follow the solar calendar in Melody. – Musa grumbles next to him. – According to the lunar calendar, the turn of the year happens in February.
– If you say so. – Riven laughs as he sees Musa roll her eyes. – I was surprised you didn't invite your friends.
– You only say that because we could travel through Stella's Portal Ring or use one of the airplanes from Red Fountain .
– I still don't understand why only Timmy is allowed to take them.
– Because he's the most responsible. – Musa's face heats up and her cheeks redden at what she is about to say. – Anyway, I don't want anyone around when I introduce you as my boyfriend to my father.
– What? – Riven looks at Musa with wide eyes and an open mouth.
– Riven! – Musa shouts as the car leaves the lane and the car in the opposite direction honks. – Look ahead!
– I'm sorry. – He shakes his head to clear his thoughts and goes back to staring at the road. – So, are you going to make me official?
– Yes, how would I explain taking a boy home for the New Year? – Musa lets out a sigh. – And I don't want to do it with disapproving looks from the girls, you know none of them like you.
– That's unfair, I was hypnotized by Darcy at the time! – Riven says, completely annoyed. – And Flora likes me.
– Flora likes everyone. – Musa shrugs. – So does Helia, so they're a perfect couple.
– And that's why he's my best friend. – Riven smiles softly. – I'm sorry you had to go through that.
– All right, if they can forgive Sky and Brandon's lie, they'll forgive you too.
– Stella sometimes still calls Brandon the Sky.
– Bloom also changes names when she's angry. – Musa laughs and looks lovingly at Riven. – Besides, I've already forgiven you.
– That's all I care about. – Riven takes Musa's hand and kisses it. – Hey, a fork in the road. Where should I go?
– To the right.
Riven follows Musa's instructions, as he's never been to Melody and his old car doesn't have a GPS, but it's not as annoying as he imagined. In fact, the trip is turning out to be quite pleasant, Musa is great company. They've been spending a lot of time together since Flora made them dance at a ball in Alfea. The courtship began after a few discreet encounters in coffee shops and music concerts, but as the Winx and the Specialists are still upset that Riven has been a spy for the Trix for a while. With the courtship made official by Musa's father, they should stop hiding.
They arrived in Melody shortly after sunset. Riven finds the town very pretty, it has a pleasant country feel, with lots of green pastures and lakes where rice is grown. The streets are lit up with kermesse lights and red lanterns. The shops are closed, but there are food and craft stalls in the streets, as well as many musicians performing xiao and guzheng , both instruments that Riven has heard Musa play very well. Unlike the rest of the Magic Dimension, people aren't wearing white for New Year's Eve, but elegant and colorful hanfus .
Musa's father was waiting for them in front of a small house in a flowery meadow. Ho-boe is a short and chubby man with long white hair and beard. His features are kind and he welcomes Riven with great politeness. Ho-boe serves a veritable feast to the young couple, who are starving after many hours of travel. The food typical of Melody is different to Riven's palate, but he quickly gets used to it, especially the sticky rice dumplings and sweet bean pies. After dinner, everyone headed into the city center in Riven's car and the first stop was the temple, where they said prayers and took lucky tickets for the new year.
Ho-boe regretted not being able to order hanfus for the young couple, but silk production wasn't satisfactory this year and most people are wearing old costumes. So Musa and Riven stayed in their casual clothes. They left Ho-boe in a bar to party with some friends and went out to tour the city. 2024 is the year of the dragon, so there are lots of decorations of the magical being and they buy masks to wear at the Flickering Lantern Festival. Musa joins in some musical circles in the streets, singing or playing with the other artists and sometimes pulling Riven into a dance. So the hours passed, but when the clock struck 11 p.m. they went to the central square, where monks with shaved heads were handing out red lanterns.
– You must write a request on the bottom of the candle and release it at midnight. – Musa says, handing one of the lanterns to Riven. – When the Light Fairies let off the fireworks.
– And how are we going to light it? – Riven takes the candle out of the lantern and starts writing.
– The Fire Fairies will do it when the time is right. – Musa smiles and winks at him. – After all, what's magic for, right?
When the clock struck twelve, the sky lit up with the magic of the Light Fairies in many colorful explosions. The candles magically lit up when the lanterns were carried by the wind.
– What did you write on the candle? – Musa asks with an amused smile.
– A wish. – Riven shrugged, making Musa roll her eyes. – I asked to spend next New Year's Eve with you.
– Oh. – Musa's eyes widen and her cheeks blush. – I did the same thing.
– Now the gods have no choice. – Riven laughs and approaches Musa. – They'll have to keep us together for at least another year.
– Hopefully for longer too. – Musa stands on tiptoe and wraps her fingers around Riven's, whispering against his lips. – Maybe forever.