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[SUNBURST'S POV]
I was sitting in my tower, polishing my sword, as per usual on a Tuesday afternoon, when I heard footsteps and a knock.
"Come in!" I called.
A rather haggard-looking young servant, her wing-like horns chipped, comes in, dropping a letter on my table before running off again.
I give it a brief glance, noticing its fancy envelope. Must've been something important, the seal a star.
"Dear Sunburst Venin of Inpherno,
You have been formally invited to this century's Stellae et Lunae! Please come to the kingdom of Steorra by the last day of summer for this event. Remember to leave all weapons in your inn. You have been given 500 bux for your travel and inn.
- Stargazer Steorra"
Uhhmm, okay. What did I know about this event? I snapped my fingers as I thought, setting my sword down. The kingdom of Steorra... it was named after stars... situated high in the mountains... that's it. I must've fallen asleep during Venomshank's lessons again. I'll bring it up with him over dinner.
Venomshank seemed surprised, explaining it was a special event that only happened every 100 years.
"Thou should dress formally, and remember to be on thy's best behavior." Venomshank explained.
"So you're letting me go?" I asked.
"Yes."
I hopped out of my carriage nervously, taking the small suitcase of what I'd been advised to bring with me inside a building called 'The Purple Sunflower Inn'. It looked nice, though I was scared traveling. I'd probably be fine though!
The inphernal at the desk accepted my bux and gave me a room number, so I went there. No use snooping around, and it'd be impolite. Why was I even going to this event if I just planned on standing in the corner and not talking to anybody? I don't know, sounded fun. And there'd probably be good snacks.
The room I had looked comfortable, though sterile. The walls were painted light purple, fake lilac-colored sunflowers were used as chandeliers and candle-holders, a bed was pressed into the corner, with a dresser and a closet right next to it, a mirror hanging above the dresser.
I quickly checked through my bag to make sure I had everything. A couple books Venomshank wanted me to read while I was away? Check. My formal clothing, jewelry, and makeup? Check. My armor? Check, even though I was wearing the knee and shoulderpads. Pajamas and non-formal clothes? Check.
Okay. It looked to be about 8 PM, so I should start getting ready for bed. I stepped into the attached bathroom and turned on the tub. The water was a little cold for my tastes, but livable. Plus, my body naturally heated up the water until it was scalding (even though I didn't mind the warmth. Venomshank told me it was because I had a condition called 'Leogere').
I dried myself off, changing into pajamas before laying down on the bed. The material was nice and plush as I read a book on the history of Inpherno, as I was supposed to for Venomshank's lesson.
The Inpherno was a kingdom created by the swords, a group of 7 powerful deities all originating from a far-off land called the SFotH, and the swords decided to give the kingdom something special... instead of one singular ruler Inpherno was given a council of 7, each representing one of the swords.
And then a bunch of boring things about the 'clever architecture' and 'beautiful wildlife'. This author really liked painting the swords and Inpherno as this beautiful, peaceful place where everything was perfect, didn't they?
Whatever, I was really tired anyway. I used one of my feathers as a bookmark as I set the book on the closet, curling my wings around myself like a blanket, along with the actual blanket.
Okay, what did I need to do for this? I wondered as I plucked a crumpled feather out of one of the smaller wings on my head. I needed to finish preening my wings, brush my hair, pick out what jewelry I was going to wear, apply some makeup even though I've never used it before, put on something formal, and put on said jewelry.
Just one thing at a time. I'm done preening my wings, so I grabbed a hairbrush, trying my best to get the knots out before tying it into a low ponytail.
Walking over to the dresser and peering into my jewelry box, I had many pieces that glittered in the light. I picked out a choker that glittered with shiny red jasper, a necklace of gold and ruby, a more stylized version of my armor's sleeves as bronze cuffs, a ring, twinkling like a topaz-hued star, and amber earrings that glowed like the sun.
I picked up my makeup, gingerly grabbing a brush. This couldn't be too hard, right? I remember 2 of my cousins teaching me a few of the basics at a family gathering.
So I picked up some what I'm decently sure is called blush and lightly dabbed some on my cheeks, lipstick, a faint bit of eyeliner, even using some paints to draw a sun on my left cheek, even if it looked a bit lopsided.
Now, the actual formal attire. I smoothed down a cherry red dress, tying a crimson sash around my waist into a bow, using my typical boots because I was not walking in some uncomfortable heels or anything like that, smoothing down some tight red shorts under my dress.
I slipped on my jewelry, sheathing my sword around my waist before walking outside.
I nervously walked into the ballroom, a gorgeous building located in a garden disconnected from the rest of the castle, overlooking the ocean. I awkwardly stood in the corner, eating the food. I'd never had seafood before!
After about 30 minutes of just eating the snacks because hey, free food!, someone approached me. I immediately tensed. Were you not supposed to just hang around by the snack tables?
A boy approached me, dressed in dark blues and silvers, making him look almost etherial in the lighting.
"Hello. You don't seem to have anyone you know here, do you?" He asked.
"No..." I awkwardly avoided his gaze, fidgeting with my ring.
"Where are you from? You don't look like you're from here." He seemed more curious than hostile.
"Inpherno."
"I've never been, what's it like with a council of 7 rulers rather than just one?"
"It's much harder to get laws approved, but it's helpful!"
"Say... care to dance?"
The boy took my hands, taking me in a clumsy dance, I nearly tripped over his own feet at least 12 times, though we both were having fun, laughing and joking.
"It's getting late." The boy observed as the clock struck midnight, chiming throughout the room, probably the whole palace. It looked like many of the other guests had already gone home. "May I see thy again?"
"Yes!" I agreed basically as soon as I processed the other boy's words.
"Say, I never got thou name?"
"My name's Sunburst."
"That's a beautiful name. Mine's Stargazer."