Bonus Chapter A little Respite
**Bonus Chapter: A Brief Respite**
The day began like any other in Salevo, with the sounds of the bustling city filtering through the inn's thick wooden walls. Trill sat cross-legged in the corner of his room, methodically sharpening his sword. Bren paced back and forth, her movements agitated but oddly deliberate.
"You're wearing down the floorboards," Trill said without looking up.
Bren paused mid-step and shot him a glare. "It's not every day you get sprinkled with pixie dust, Trill. I feel...off."
"Off how?" Trill asked, though his tone betrayed mild amusement.
Bren hesitated, crossing her arms. "Like everything's...bright. And you're..." Her voice trailed off, and she avoided his gaze.
"I'm what?" Trill asked, setting his sword aside and finally meeting her eyes.
"Never mind," Bren muttered, her cheeks flushing a deep red.
The truth was, the night-blossom fairies Trill had summoned earlier for reconnaissance had been unusually playful. In their mischief, they had sprinkled a generous amount of pixie dust on Bren. Normally harmless, the dust sometimes had peculiar side effects on humans. This time, it seemed to amplify Bren's feelings—or manufacture new ones altogether.
---
By late afternoon, Bren emerged from her room looking entirely unlike herself. Gone was the practical armor and sturdy boots. Instead, she wore a flowing crimson dress that accentuated her toned figure, and her dark hair was braided with delicate silver threads.
Trill, dressed in his usual utilitarian attire, raised an eyebrow. "You look...different."
"Thanks for noticing," Bren said, brushing off his lukewarm compliment. "We're going out."
"We are?" Trill asked, skeptical.
"Yes. I need a break, and you..." She hesitated, then grinned mischievously. "You could use some fun."
Before Trill could protest, Bren grabbed his arm and practically dragged him out of the inn.
---
The streets of Salevo were alive with activity. Lanterns cast warm light over cobblestone roads, and the air was filled with the scents of roasted meats, spiced wine, and sweet pastries. Bren guided Trill through the crowd with a confidence he found both impressive and slightly unsettling.
Their first stop was a small tavern tucked away in a quiet alley. The atmosphere was cozy, with a bard strumming a lute in the corner and patrons laughing over mugs of ale. Bren ordered a bottle of wine and poured two glasses, sliding one across the table to Trill.
"You're unusually...cheerful," Trill remarked, taking a cautious sip.
Bren shrugged. "Maybe I've decided to stop being so serious all the time. Life's too short, right?"
Trill studied her, sensing there was more to her mood than she was letting on. Still, he couldn't deny that her energy was infectious.
---
As the evening progressed, Bren led Trill to various spots around the city—a bustling market where she insisted on buying him a carved wooden charm "for luck," a street performance featuring acrobats and fire-breathers, and finally, a quiet park overlooking the city.
The effects of the pixie dust had started to wear off, and Bren could feel her usual pragmatism returning. But she chose to keep up the charade, not wanting to ruin what had turned into a surprisingly enjoyable night.
"You're not as cold as you pretend to be," she said suddenly, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between them.
Trill glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "And you're not as stoic."
Bren laughed softly. "Touché."
For a moment, they simply sat there, the city lights twinkling in the distance.
---
As they made their way back to the inn, the playful energy of the night began to fade, replaced by a quiet camaraderie. Bren felt a pang of regret, knowing this lighthearted interlude wouldn't last. Their mission was too dangerous, their paths too uncertain.
"Thanks for tonight," Trill said unexpectedly as they reached the inn.
Bren blinked in surprise. "You're welcome."
She turned to head to her room, but Trill's voice stopped her.
"That dress suits you," he said, his tone neutral but sincere.
Bren felt her cheeks heat up, and she gave him a small, almost shy smile before disappearing into her room.
---
Back in his own room, Trill sat on the edge of his bed, the events of the evening playing through his mind. For the first time in a long while, he allowed himself to relax, even if only briefly.
Meanwhile, Bren leaned against her door, a small smile tugging at her lips. Perhaps the pixie dust had worn off, but the feelings it had stirred lingered. Whether they were real or just another trick of the fairies, she wasn't sure. But for now, she was content to let them be.