Zephyr walked towards the kitchen as Mopsa finished making breakfast. "Morning sleepyhead, how did you sleep last night?" Mopsa asked as she placed a plate of food across the island.
Zephyr yawned as she grabbed the fork. "Not well, as its Gales birthday, today, and I have no idea what to get him or do for him. He's a prince of a country and might have everything he wants back home. Whereas of now, I am—" Zephyr started to rand as she filled her face with food.
"Look, you two are a couple, like it or not. Gale might enjoy the luxuries of Winterstorm's many summer activities—even though it snows all year round." Mopsa stared. "Besides, just the two of you hanging out might be all he needs as the smallest gestures and/or gifts make the biggest impact."
Zephyr glared at her. "Mopsa, what world do you live in? He is a prince, and I am–"
"A princess, look Zephyr. It is not how big or fancy a gift is. It's the thought. Just take him around town and enjoy the beautiful weather. You never know. He might only find it the best gift of all." Mopsa persuaded.
Zephyr stared at her for a moment before letting out a long sigh. "Fine, I will do that. But don't call us a couple."
Mopsa smiled as Gale walked down the stairs. "Well, I better be off. Work awaits me." Mopsa slipped out as Gale raised his brow at her demeanour.
"What was that about?"
Zephyr sighed once more as she looked at Gale, "Nothing, come and eat. I want to head into town and enjoy the weather."
Gale turned to Zephyr and raise his brow once more. "Okay, why?"
Zephyr growled as she turned to Gale, "I just want to see what the town has to offer, a-and to spend the day doing something that isn't being cooped up in the house." Zephyr's face turned red as she looked away.
Gale smiled as he walked over and ate his breakfast. Once finished, they got ready for the day and headed out, Zephyr still red as she thought about Mopsa's taunt.
'Us, a couple? I don't think Gale thinks the same way right now. Mopsa has ruined some of the moments. Yeah sure, when we walked into town, we were, but now—I don't know. We haven't done any couply things. Just lots of training and errand running.' Zephyr thought to herself.
'I wonder what is up with Zephyr, this is the first true date since we became a couple? Wait, does she think we are not as of all the events that have transpired? Oh dear heavenly plains, I hope she doesn't think that.' Gale glanced at her as he thought of the worst.
Zephyr noticed a child running up to Gale as they walked closer. "Mister!" The child called out.
Gale looked to see the child run up and hug him. "Oh, hey, it's you? How is your magic training going?"
The child looked up at him and grinned, "It is going great now that my mom watches me and can cancel my spell if I get it wrong."
The mother walked over as she noticed Zephyr, "You two having a day out?"
Gale nodded as he looked at her. "yes, we are."
The mother smiled at him, "I see, I think the snow building contest for the summer is going on right now. Why don't you two love birds head over? You can see all the different builds and vote one th ones you like. As the people are th judges of the contest."
Gale smiled as he glanced at Zephyr, "I think that would be nice, thank you."
The mother smiled gingerly as her child ran back to her side. "You are welcome. Just check around town, there are lots of events that happen year-round. Some don't show up in the paper only by word of mouth."
Gale thanked her once more as he turned to Zephyr, "Come on, let us get going and enjoy the day. I—" Gale stopped himself as felt uneasy asking.
Zephyr smiled as she walked up beside him. Not saying a word as they made their way to the contest. Gale looked over many of the sculptures and notices a common them as they walked around. After a while, Zephyr sat down as a chill coursed threw the air. Gale looked around to find a hot beverage stand and went to get them a drink.
A man walked over to her and sat beside her. "Hey, babe, why don't you come with me over that looser. I can give you a great time?"
Zephyr turned to the man and glared at him, "Excuse me?"
The man leaned in closer, "You heard me? Leave that looser and be with a real man?"
Zephyr stood up to walk away as he grabbed her arm. "Let go of me right now, you swine!" Zephyr growled as she lifted the sculptures from the ground. "You have no right to tell me to leave my partner, the prince of Grand Dale, to me, the Princess of Gold Heart! Now let go of me or die."
The man smiled as he stood up and pulled her closer, "Come now, no need to be shy." The man scoffed, thinking she was lying.
Gale walked over and pulled him off, Zephyr, "Back of now, or I will be doing the killing of you!" Gale's voice was authoritarian as the man glared at him.
"Well, well, it looks like you have an authority complex. Not suitable for a lady like her. Just ditch her before you hurt her. I can do better than you." The man smiled, feeling he had won.
"Gale, let us get going. He is not worth our time as he is —" Zephyr tried reasoning before Gale glared at her.
"Not now, Zephyr, I am not letting this commoner use you just like the rat who used you and your brother, Zero," Gale announced to her.
The man's smiled faded as Zero was mention and the word rat. Turning to Zephyr. "W-wait Z-Zero? D-do you mean Zero—"
"Yes, Zero Foxtail, my friend and Zephyrs twin brother. Now that you seem to understand where you messed up, I suggest you piss off." Gale grew angrier as the man stay.
The man stepped back as he looked at Zephyr, remembering the news from a long while ago. "I-I better get going t-then."
The man ran off as Zephyr sighed in relief. "Thank you for that, and I am sorry you had to go threw that."
Gale shook his head as he handed her, her drink. "Here, to warm you up. Tell me, where does our relationship stand for us, in your eyes?" Gale's eyes filled with concern.
Zephyr seeing he was serious, took the drink and held it close to her face, "I thought it was disappearing as Mopsa kept sending on errand after errand. To where it seemed we were growing further away. But now I see that it is not the case. Somehow we had grown closer than before we got here."
Gale nodded as he sat down. "Yes, we might have been doing that, but it seems like she keeps us close but far enough to make sure we don't make any life-altering choices. I swear that woman is going to send us to every festival to make up for our lost time as a couple."
Zephyr sat back down as she looked at him, "What do you mean?"
Gale looked down at his hot drink. "Well, think she sent us to that festival, and we ended up kissing passionately, and the next event is another couples event, as well as the next major event up until the Dragons Rage leading into the Dragons Calm." He looked at her as she felt confused, "Plus she is not letting us go until the new year? Don't you find that strange?"
Zephyr looked away as she thought about it, "Now that you mention it yes, the Dragons Rage is Wolvra thirty fifth the last day of the year, and the Dragons Clam is at midnight starting the new year and after th rage comes the calm." She turned to Gale, meeting his gaze, "You don't think she has planned this from the start, do you?"
Gale nodded as he looked around. "Yes and no. Once we met, she got the idea as she looked at us and found out who we were. But then why so long? We could be training to become stronger with another person?" Gale shook his head, "That woman confuses me to no end."
Zephyr smiled as she felt at ease, knowing that they were still together. "Anyway, happy birthday Gale, even if it's not how you wanted to be."
Gale smiled as he pulled her in. "No, I wound not have changed for a moment. I wish to be able to protect you and be there for you when you need me the most. You are a strong independent woman that knows her boundaries. And I am lucky to have met you."