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"What a dazzling city…!" Ophilia exclaimed as she and Primrose walked the streets of new Delsta.
"Indeed," Primrose replied with a nod. "There's no city like this in Orsterra."
The two women had set sail from Orsterra to the continents of Solistia, lands that shared eight of their gods, and Ophilia wished to learn more. Primrose, of course, had said she could not bear to be apart from her beloved Ophilia for that long, so she accompanied Ophilia as well. They disembarked at the New Delsta anchorage, as according to their map, they would have to cross the Brightlands to reach the Crestlands, where Flamechurch, the seat of the Scared Flame in these lands, lay.
As they arrived in the city, they secured lodgings at the inn, but the bustle of the streets had reenergized them from their weary travels, and thus they continue to explore instead of resting.
Primrose slipped her hand into Ophilia's. "Keep close to me, please," she said with a faint smile.
Ophilia nodded. "If we become lost, we become lost together."
These streets seemed labyrinthine, and Ophilia wondered how its residents could sleep in a city so bright. Crowds especially gathered in front of the theater, and its gates boasted a poster of a blonde woman in blue and another of a young lady with a rose in her brown hair.
"Dancers, hm?" Primrose said admiringly. "Perhaps we could catch a show before we leave."
Ophilia's fingers tightened around Primrose's. "I'm sure you could draw a crowd just as large, but I must admit it is rather overwhelming."
"Over here looks less crowded," Primrose said, leading Ophilia toward a set of stairs. In this level of the city, the buildings weren't as towering, but did look more rundown, and the pathways were uneven and cracked. It wasn't such a surprising sight, Ophilia supposed; bright lights cast deep shadows, and Noblecourt under the thumb of the Obsidians had been much the same.
However, much as Noblecourt had begun to recover after the fall of Obsidians, Ophilia also spotted people repairing buildings and planting flowers as signs of recovery. Primrose bent as a little girl offered her a flower, and she tucked said flower behind Ophilia's ear, and Ophilia blushed as the little girl giggled. "Every large town has its backstreets," Primrose said, "but it feels lively here as well."
"Recovery is a slow process," Ophilia replied, "but little by little things will change."
Primrose chuckled softly. "It makes you wonder what kind of history this city has."
The two women soon came upon a small tavern and entered to rest their feet, and a passing server took their order. However, it was rather more crowded than expected inside, and Ophilia and Primrose only managed to find open seats near the back. The other patrons whispered excitedly among themselves, and at the front was a modest stage while a blonde man stood near the piano.
"With these crowds, one would almost think this was the grand theater we passed earlier," Primrose whispered to Ophilia.
"Just in time for the show!" exclaimed the server, returning with Ophilia's and Primrose's order. "You're in for a real treat!"
"Thank you," Ophilia said to the server, and by now a young woman in a flowing orange skirt approached the stage, and she also wore a rose in her hair. Ophilia heard Primrose gasp beside her; this was one of the two dancers that grand theater had boasted posters of!
"Our favorite dancer, Agnea Bristarni!" the blonde pianist introduced as the young lady - Agnea - bowed, and the crowd cheered loudly.
"Thank you, everyone!" Agnea exclaimed, smiling widely. "No matter the size of the stage, I'm always grateful for all your support! Now, watch me shine!"
"Agnea got her start here at our humble tavern," said a man at a nearby table to his companion. "Made even superstar Dolcinaea nervous!"
As the blonde pianist began to play an energetic number, Agnea too began to dance, and Ophilia felt the audience's anticipation as if it were a solid crystal. She too could not help but lean forward in her chair, unblinking, lest she miss a single movement. Agnea moved gracefully yet with a youthful energy, her smile unwavering as she sang. Her dance was like the spring, promising rebirth, and Ophilia's heart raced the more she watched, and she saw that Primrose was also transfixed.
Like Primrose, Agnea's dance was alluring, with clear pride in her craft. However, where Primrose held a mysterious elegance, Agnea was more eager and open-hearted; Primrose's dancing was like a rediscovered joy, while Agnea's joy was free and unrestrained. Like two sides of a beautiful coin, Ophilia found herself thinking.
"How lovely…" Primrose murmured, and the awe on her face was just as lovely, Ophilia thought with a smile.
When Agnea finished with a flourish and a bow, the crowd erupted in applause and cheers for an encore. Agnea laughed and said, "Well then, if you insist! Would anyone like to join me?"
Primrose stood immediately, and the other taverns clapped for her. With a confident stride she approached the stage, and Agnea held out a hand for her. "I can't resist an invitation like that," she said as she accepted Agnea's hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Agnea Bristarni. My name is Primrose Azelhart."
Agnea's smile brightened. "Thank you, Primrose! Now, let's shine together!"
The blonde pianist began to play another song, and despite their differing styles, Agnea and Primrose complemented each other well. Primrose was the taller of the two, and they both cut impressive figures in their dresses. Their dance together was improvised, and the pianist adjusted his song to suit their movements, making a valiant effort to keep pace with them. They held each other's hand, their movements a blend of innocence and experience. How Primrose smiled now, so freely, was a smile Ophilia once feared she would never see on Primrose's lips. The journey for revenge had been a cold one, but the warmth in Primrose's smile now was something no one would ever be able to take from her.
Toward the side of the stage, in the shadows, Ophilia spotted a woman in violet, and when their eyes met, the woman held a silent finger to her lips.
Again the dance ended with a flourish, this time a mix of orange and red, and Ophilia cheered as loudly as the other patrons, and the woman in violet smiled faintly yet adoringly at Agnea upon the stage, a smile that reminded Ophilia much of how Primrose smiled at her.
The celebrations ran long, but one by one the other patrons eventually left for the night, until only a handful remained: Ophilia, Primrose, the pianist (who introduced himself as Gil, the owner of this tavern), Agnea, and Throné Anguis, the woman in violet who was Agnea's bodyguard.
The four women sat together around a table, and Agnea said, "You're a wonderful dancer, Primrose! Where are you and Ophilia from?"
"Orsterra, a continent to the south of here," Primrose replied. "Ophilia is on a pilgrimage to Flamechurch, and I accompanied her."
"I am uncertain if I would call it a pilgrimage," Ophilia added carefully, "but I am curious about the similarities in our lands' religions, so I would like to visit the Sacred Flame in Flamechurch."
"Flamechurch, huh?" Agnea beamed. "Me and Throné are heading there next to visit a friend, so we should travel together!"
Throné chuckled quietly as she rested her chin on the back of her hand. "Always quick to make new friends, aren't you?"
Compared to Agnea, Throné was far more guarded, and Ophilia noticed the faintest hint of discoloration around her pale throat. She made no secret of the dagger strapped to her thigh, but though she presented an intimidating aura, her gaze was filled with nothing but affection when she looked at Agnea.
"It wouldn't be such a bad idea," Primrose said. "While both Ophilia and I are experienced travelers, we are unfamiliar with these lands."
"Me and Throné also travel a lot, so you'll be in good hands!" Agnea exclaimed. "The more the merrier, right?"
"Don't forget you have a performance tomorrow at the New Delsta Theater," Throné said to Agnea.
"Oh, right!"
"We're in no rush, so if you'll have us, we don't mind waiting a day or two," Ophilia said.
"Though, that does remind me," Primrose added, looking toward Agnea. "The New Delsta Theater is that grand theater we passed earlier, right? With all those posters of you there, I was surprised to see you performing at such a small tavern like this one."
Agnea straightened her back, standing prouder. "I want to dance on as many stages as possible, no matter how big or small. When I first came to this city, Gil helped me so much with my dream, and I don't want to forget that. A star is someone who helps people smile, after all."
"This was where I first saw Agnea perform too," Throné said quietly, casting a gentle smile at Agnea.
"To help others smile, hm?" Primrose repeated thoughtfully. "What a lovely reason to dance…"
"That's what my mother always told me," Agnea said, touching the flower pin in her hair. "So that's why I travel the world, keeping our dream alive. Why do you dance, Primrose?"
Primrose was silent a moment, and Ophilia laid a hand over hers. "For me, dancing is strength," she said carefully. "My mother also loved to dance, but she was always frail in health, so I learned to dance to make her smile. Dancing is to know oneself, so even in my darkest moments, as long as I had faith in myself, in my own strength, I would never falter."
"To watch Primrose dance is to know true strength," Ophilia whispered. She had seen the strength of Primrose's faith in herself firsthand, after all.
Agnea's smile softened. "Thank you for sharing your strength with me on that stage, Primrose."
Primrose gave Agnea a knowing wink. "It was my pleasure."
Eventually Gil wished to close the tavern for the night, and as the four women left, Agnea handed a pair of tickets to Ophilia and Primrose. "There are for my show at the theater tomorrow. I'd love it if you two could come."
"Thank you, Agnea. Yes, we would be delighted," Ophilia said, accepting the tickets, and Primrose nodded in agreement.
As Agnea and Throné were also staying at the inn, the four women walked there together, and exchanged goodbyes and promises as they headed toward their own rooms. The room Ophilia and Primrose secured for themselves had been the least expensive option, so the small size didn't surprise them, nor that there was only one bed. After weeks of traveling and at sea, any kind of solid, unmoving bed was appreciated, and of course, sharing a bed meant Ophilia could be closer to Primrose.
"What a day," Primrose said as she sat on the edge of the bed and removed her shoes.
Ophilia peered through the window curtains, and even this late at night so many lights still shined brightly. "Goodness, it's rather like this city doesn't sleep at all."
Primrose chuckled. "Even Sunshade slept during the day, at least."
"What do you think of those two women we met earlier?" Ophilia asked as she sat beside Primrose on the bed.
"Agnea is, quite frankly, adorable," Primrose answered as she slipped her arm around Ophilia's waist, and her voice dropped to a whisper. "To see such genuine, untainted joy was a delight."
"You were both wonderful on that stage," Ophilia said, her voice also a whisper.
"I would not want to be as famous as her, though." Primrose paused a moment, her fingers idly tracing circles on Ophilia's waist. "Her bodyguard Throné seemed to have some shadows around her."
"So you noticed as well."
"Of course. But the path of a dancer can be a thorny one, so someone who managed to tame her own shadows may make a good protector. You saw how she looked at Agnea."
Ophilia rested her head against Primrose's shoulder; it was always nice to be close to Primrose like this. At the end of her journey for revenge, Primrose's heart had been uncertain, but slowly but surely she had begun to reclaim joy and realize the hollowness of Simeon's final words. "Do you think they're a couple like us?"
"Perhaps. Agnea is not particularly subtle about her affection." Primrose chuckled again, a quiet, genuine sound, and she raised a hand to touch Ophilia's cheek. "But you know, we haven't had a room like this to ourselves in quite some time, and the night is still young."
A deep warmth crept to Ophilia's face, but she returned Primrose's alluring smile with one of her own as she pressed her lips to Primrose's for a kiss. With the soft illumination of the city outside, they bared their hearts and bodies to one another, an intimacy that Ophilia was always honored to share with her beloved Primrose.
"I haven't seen you this nervous before a show since the Grand Gala," Throné said to Agnea as they prepared for Agnea's performance in her dressing room of the New Delsta Theater.
"But the two women from yesterday will be there!" Agnea exclaimed, fidgeting in her chair as Throné braided her hair. "You saw how Primrose danced, right? She was so beautiful, and so… powerful."
"Yes, she was," Throné said, her deft fingers making quick work of Agnea's hair. Agnea liked these quiet moments just before a performance, when it was just her and Throné. "I saw her hands - they're almost as calloused as mine."
"I noticed too, when I held her hand during our dance." Agnea smiled at the reflection of Throné in the mirror of her vanity. "I honestly didn't expect anyone to take my invitation to join me on stage!"
Throné let out a low chuckle. "Maybe there's something about that tavern that attracts such wonderful dancers."
Dancing with Primrose on that stage had set Agnea's blood aflame in a whole new way. There had been old sorrow in Primrose's gaze, Agnea noticed, a sorrow much like Throné's, but the movements of her dance had also expressed a feeling of learning to live again. With Primrose's calloused hand in hers, she had remembered that feeling of seeing the sun rise again after a long night.
"Light and dark," Throné said suddenly, her fingers brushing against the back of Agnea's neck.
"Huh?"
"Ophilia and Primrose. That's what they remind me of."
"Well, Ophilia's robes did look like a cleric's, but it's not a design I'd seen before." Agnea paused, chewing her lip. "They must've traveled a very long ways…"
Throné's hand stilled for just a moment. "The world is vaster than we think."
The reflection in the mirror did not hide the cloud that passed Throné's expression. "Hey, Throné," Agnea said carefully, "if Ophilia and Primrose do decide to travel with us to Flamechurch, will you be all right with that? I did kind of offer spur of the moment…"
"You did, yes." Yet Throné's expression softened. "But I don't mind. You want to learn more from Primrose, don't you?"
"Oh, yes, of course! But we don't know them very well…"
"We didn't know each other well either when we began to travel together." Throné wrapped her arms around Agnea's shoulders from behind, pressing her soft breasts to Agnea's back in a way that Agnea was fairly certain was deliberate. "And look how that worked out."
"Yes, you're right." A warm blush rose to Agnea's cheeks, and she smiled over her shoulder at Throné. "You know, I'd like to travel beyond Solistia someday, maybe even visit Orsterra."
Throné planted a gentle kiss on the side of Agnea's neck. "Wherever you wish to travel, I will be with you."
The time of Agnea's performance soon arrived, and Throné escorted her to the grand stage. Through the curtains, Agnea saw Primrose and Ophilia sitting together, and smiled. "They're here!" she whispered excitedly to Throné.
"Shine bright, my star," Throné said with a faint smile of her own.
As the curtain began to rise, Throné retreated to the shadows and Agnea stepped forward onto the stage and beneath the dazzling lights. The size of the audience always took her breath away, and she cast a smile in the direction of Ophilia and Primrose. What she loved most about traveling were the new bonds she could form along the way.
"This is for the friends we've made and the friends we've yet to meet," she said, her voice ringing clearly throughout the theater, and she began to dance.