Come to the Wintumos Dance!
There will be a party you will NEVER forget!
There will be special guest appearances by local bands, free food and drinks, dancing, and so MUCH MORE!
Bring your friends or just yourself! Losers welcome!
The dance will happen on the first day of Wintumnos at sunset.
The event will conclude with the election of the Wintumnos King and Queen!
Don't be late!
Fliers that were distributed all around the school right before the end of the semester.
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The sun was setting on Keceo for the final celebration of this school year: The Wintumnos Dance.
With how everyone was explaining it to the Chosen One, she believed it was a glorified or slightly more magical version of prom, which Gwyn notably never went to.
She arrived through the teleportation coffin, and the halls were already packed with students. Artero held her arm tight as they weaved through the crowd.
"You look incredibly, Gwynevere," Artero said for the second time.
She'd been preparing at the Kosmairian Estate, but he hadn't seen her until moments ago.
"Thank you," Gwyn said bashfully, but it wasn't just Artero; a lot of her classmates also seemed to be complimenting their appearances.
Gwyn wore a long red dress that dazzled in the setting sun. She wore a gold chain with an emerald gemstone. Her hair was braided into a crown, so the emerald earring she wore was visible to those around her.
The dance itself was held within the garden of Kaldere Academy. The playground equipment was temporarily removed to make room for large dance floors, tables with food and drink, and bands that played throughout the night. The cool Autumnos air brushed against their faces, and Gwyn leaned closer to Artero.
The couple entered the gardens and heard something that they thought they'd never hear.
"Make sure to vote for Gwynevere Grim for Wintumnos Queen!" A high-pitched voice said over and over to every passerby.
Two women stood in front of a ballot box, handing slips of paper to passersby.
"Make sure you… Oh. My. Gods." Vicki lost all words the moment she saw Gwynevere. "You look fuckin' smokin', girl."
"I'm sorry… I am unfamiliar with what's going on. What are you doing?" Gwyn asked politely. She was confused as to why anyone would want to vote for her for anything.
"Girl! You are like… so fine. So smart and like other stuff," Cassi started. "We haven't had a Chosen One be the Wintumnos Queen for like… forever!" Vicki said, gesturing wildly.
"Yeah… and like… It's like our duty to all of Keceo to have such a baddie be our Queen this year." Cassi said, pointing directly to Gwyn.
Vicki held out a slip of paper.
"Want to vote? Takes like two seconds, and you get a bitchin' crown whenever you win!"
Gwyn took it, thought for a moment, then wrote Elise's name on the ballot and dropped it in the box.
"Thanks for rooting for me, girls," Gwyn said bashfully.
"No problem, Gwynnie!" Vicki said with a surprised face.
"Oh my gods… Gwynnie is sooooooo cute," Cassi squealed and hugged her partner.
"Right?! I am like… so smart for coming up with that on the spot."
Gwyn hated that nickname. Elise used it once, and Gwyn had to emphasize how she never wanted to be called that ever again.
But the Chosen One wanted to be polite. She didn't know whether to feel flattered or embarrassed. She settled for a slight bow and waved as she passed them by.
After that interaction, Gwyn confronted Artero.
"Why didn't you vote? Didn't you mention something about being Wintumnos King for your… challenge or whatever?"
Gwyn wasn't exactly sure what ridiculous ploy the Royals had come up with to win her favor this time.
"Something feels off," Artero said. His face perfectly illustrated his skepticism.
Gwyn grabbed his arm tightly.
"I think it's fine! It seems people don't hate me as much as I thought they did."
"I still haven't seen Anastasia, that's the part that has me worried."
"You need to relax! We have Rodrick posted nearby just in case she tries anything. All you have to do is say the word, and she's as good as toast."
"If she uses magic—"
Gwyn cut his sentence short with a kiss.
"Artero… everything will be fine."
Their eyes met, and he could feel his heart pulse throughout his body. He slowly nodded and gripped her hand tightly.
They looked forward, and Teddy was making what he may have considered a solid impression. He was giving every person finger guns as he passed them by.
He strutted up to the couple.
"You don't have to tell me, I know I look hot."
He popped his collar.
Gwyn stared at him dubiously. She tried to be polite.
"Um… Teddy, isn't that suit a little… big for you?"
The suit he wore was black silk and had a blue bow tie. The glaring flaw with his outfit was it was about six sizes too big. He seemed to be constantly tripping over his clothing.
"Yep! It was my father's! He never got to see me wear it, and I felt like it was a way for him to be here."
Gwyn immediately felt as though she had been punched in the gut. She braced a smile and nodded thoughtfully.
"Plus, I'm suuuuuuper hot in these fine fabrics."
The short elf raised his eyebrows at a passing woman, who seemed to quicken her pace the moment they noticed Teddy.
"Yep! You're right!" Artero said nervously. "Where is everyone?"
"I don't know, I just got here. Been making an impression, as you know."
"Yeah… have you seen Elise?" Gwyn asked.
Teddy thought hard.
"No pink-haired elf that I can think of. What? Is the hottie beside you not enough?"
"No! It's not that, we just… figured she would be here already," Gwyn said nervously.
Teddy looked skeptical.
"Sure…" He sighed deeply. "Gwyn, you know it's so frustrating knowing you have like the two hottest people in all of Keceo all up in your grill, and you seem to not be able to decide between them." Teddy frowned. "That's great. Honestly. Really happy for you."
Teddy wore a forced smile.
"Thank you, Teddy," Gwyn said politely.
"Wasn't a compliment," he said under his breath. His eyebrow began to twitch. "No worries. I'm not jealous at all!"
His sarcasm was so potent that it could be considered a poison.
"Doesn't sound like you're not jealous…" Artero said sheepishly.
"Of course I'm jealous!" Teddy exploded. "But Gwyn, if you ever want to share…"
Teddy started eyeing Artero lustily.
Gwyn hid her smile.
"Sure. I mean, if Artero is okay with it."
Teddy's head whipped back to Gwyn in surprise.
"Wait for real?"
"No." Artero laughed. "She's obviously joking." He looked at Gwyn. "Right?"
"I don't know. A quintuple could be a lot of fun. Imagine all the places Teddy could get to."
Artero grimaced as he looked at Teddy, who was raising his arms up at him, making kissing noises.
"I've got to get out of here."
Artero sprinted away from Teddy.
The short elf chased after him, but kept tripping over his attire.
"Come here, baby! We are meant for each other!" Teddy shouted as he chased Artero through the gardens.
Gwyn chuckled to herself as she stepped forward, trying to be polite and excusing herself when necessary. Suddenly, she heard someone shouting her name, and her head tried to peek above the crowded gardens.
"Elise?" Gwyn called back to the voice.
"Gwyn!" Astrin was waving her arms wildly, trying to get the Chosen One's attention.
"Oh!" Gwyn said in surprise. "Astrin, Leo! Hi!"
"Oh, my goodness! You look incredible!" Astrin said.
"Indeed, you do look fantastic," Leo agreed.
Gwyn blushed and nodded.
"I'm nothing compared to you two."
Astrin wore speckled flowers like a crown, with others meticulously woven throughout her blue hair. Her dress was also adorned with flowers and natural vines. She appeared to be a living, breathing garden.
Leo's suit seemed to play off the sun. It was a bright orange with a flowered vest underneath. A silver chain dangled from one of his pockets, and a wonderful flower Gwyn didn't recognize sat upon one of his breast pockets.
"Stop!" Astrin said bashfully. "Where are the Royals?"
"I just lost Artero, but I haven't seen Elise yet."
"Oh, she'll turn up, knowing her, she wouldn't miss this for the world."
Gwyn wore a confused expression.
"Why is that?"
"Because you're here, silly!" Astrin said, as if it were obvious.
"Oh."
Gwyn smiled to herself, and she suddenly felt a hand on her shoulder.
"I think I lost him," Artero said, panting.
"Lost who?" Leo asked, cocking his head.
"Teddy… he's trying to make out with me."
"What?" Astrin asked through laughter and surprise.
"Maybe he's gotten into the punch already," Leo said logically.
"Ah, yeah. Have you two had any yet?" Artero asked, pointing to the table.
Astrin turned, then shook her head.
"Not yet, want to get some?"
"Sure!" Artero chirped. "I could use a drink after escaping the persistent, short one."
"Drink? Is there alcohol?" Gwyn asked.
"Oh, yes. Sorry, Gwyn, it's fairly normal for elves to drink alcohol at events such as these."
Gwyn thought back to the Ela Lunaris festival, how she had a little too much to drink.
"I'll probably take it easy tonight."
"Oh yeah, I thought with how you were drinking before, humans could hold their liquor," Artero said apologetically.
"Some can," Gwyn laughed. "Apparently, I cannot."
The others chuckled to themselves and made their way to the punch bowl, where a kid in sunglasses seemed to be manning the station, handing drinks to those who wanted them.
"Yoooo, Artero, Prince of the Kosmarians, you here to get fuuuuuucked up?"
He made rad hand gestures, but was already having trouble staying on his own two feet. Gwyn could smell the alcohol on his breath.
"You know it," Artero said politely.
Astrin gasped, and she tapped Gwyn on the shoulder.
"Oh, my goodness. Do you see who I see?"