Annan and the girl danced hand in hand before the bonfire, surrounded by young men and women moving to the music.
Olmedo sat beside the bonfire and turned to look at Idelia, whom Leila had brought over. Firelight licked across their faces.
Meow, meow—
Finding the crowd too much, Lily jumped off Idelia's lap and ran away.
Households along the street had brought out their tables and piled them with prepared food, inviting dinner guests, strangers and acquaintances alike, to help themselves.
Seeing Lily approach, a shop assistant hurriedly brought out his treasured Dried Fish as an offering to "Lily the Divine Envoy."
Nearby, a succubus leaned against the entrance to the Massage Parlor, gazing dreamily toward the distant square. Her alluring figure drew men who swallowed hard at the sight of her. She pointed to a sign declaring the business legitimate, then went back to staring into the distance as the disappointed customers walked away.
With a Dried Fish between her teeth, Lily leaped onto an eave and bounded across the spotless rooftops.
The Skeleton King was discussing improvements to gunpowder and golems with Michael and Dunbelly in the Mushroom House. Even without expertise in either field, a Legendary Undead possessed more than enough knowledge to teach them both a great deal.
A small gathering of Dwarves had formed outside the Blacksmith Shop. They were wary at first, but once Copperbeard brought out barrel after barrel of fine wine, they became brothers and sisters from different families.
The Dwarves got so drunk it was hard to tell whether they were carrying the Barrels or the Barrels were carrying them.
Several stray dogs suddenly burst from an alley and chased Lily, barking as they ran.
Lily stopped, dropped her Dried Fish, and raised her head in a long cry. "Meow!"