Back? # **Chapter 0.5: Season of the Heart\!** *Nepenthe, 6:00 PM* “They’re heeeeere!” Fileran trilled, rushing to the front door of the Commanders’ penthouse atop Mira Tower. “Yes, I heard you the first fifteen times,” Nuro grinned. He couldn’t blame him for his excitement, though -- the other members of StrangeNation were about to see the Festival costumes he had toiled over for weeks. Taron was the first to enter, arms full of brown paper takeout bags filled with ramen and sushi from his father’s restaurant. “You two -- take some of these or I’m gonna spill soup all over that nice rug.” Fileran gasped in horror and snatched some of the bags from his friend’s arms. “Don’t you dare.” As he seized one of the bags, its bottom ruptured, and a bowl of steaming noodles and broth exploded over the carpet like a water balloon. Fileran’s jaw dropped, frozen in terror. “See what you did?” Taron scowled. “I told you the soup was gonna spill!” “What I did?!” Fileran’s cheeks flushed. “If anything, you messed up when you passed the bag to me!” Nuro rolled his eyes. “Fi. Calm down. He’s messing with you -- it’s an illusion. The carpet’s fine.” Taron sighed, and the spilled soup vanished completely, the bags in Fileran’s arms entirely intact. “You never let me have any fun.” Nuro took the food from his brother’s arms, carrying it to the kitchen counter. “If Fi gets any more excitement, he's gonna have a heart attack.” “Will not!” Fileran stuck his tongue out at his brother. “Will too,” Nuro smirked. “Alright, chill out, you two,” Burgundy scolded as she entered, followed by Mercury, Astral, Pyx, Mirina, Willow, and Spencer. “Otherwise it’s gonna be a long night.” The remainder of the group would have helped Taron carry the food if their arms weren’t already tied up by overnight bags, pillows, and blankets-- not to mention even more snacks to last them through the night. They weren’t only visiting to be fitted for their costumes: the occasion called for an all-nighter, accompanied by a festive movie marathon. Taron lived on a lower floor of the building, so he had been saddled with carrying the group’s dinner, seeing as he could simply retrieve his belongings from his apartment. Once everyone was settled, Fileran clapped, calling everyone to attention. “Now that we’re all here, come on! I simply can’t wait a moment longer!” Astral raised an eyebrow. “Fi, our food’s gonna get cold.” Pyx shook her head. “Autumns, let him have this. I, for one, want to eat my dinner in peace.” “I’m inclined to agree,” Mercury laughed. “I’m sure Minato’s temperature conservation spells will hold a while longer. The food’s made it to another planet with its warmth intact, I’m sure it can handle another delay.” Taron nodded.“My dad knows his stuff. If not, there’s always the microwave. Lead the way, Fi.” Fileran skipped down the hall and threw open the door to his studio. “Voila!” Ten mannequins waited in a semicircle, each clothed in an elaborate, glittering outfit. The friends had been shown Fileran’s sketches of the costumes, but seeing them brought to life was something else entirely. Each one was tailored to its owner’s personal tastes, but with elements and colors that tied them together as a cohesive unit. The boys each wore navy-blue pants and an icy blue top, sleek finished with a jacket. Nuro’s was sleeveless with a flowy, skirt-like bottom. Spencer’s resembled a fur-lined winter coat. Mercury’s was a take on his usual princely attire. Fileran’s was incorporated into his ever-present suit, and Taron’s was a mix between a blazer and a letterman, part of an identical set for him and his acapella group, Greek Chorus. The girls wore dresses -- except for Burgundy, who’d opted for a romper instead. Pyx received a simple t-shirt dress with a cold-shoulder top, Mirina’s was an elaborate gown fit for a princess, and Astral’s knee-length skirt billowed around her waist. Willow’s ruffles were reminiscent of icicles, and Burgundy’s top evoked glimmering glass ornaments. A belt of golden chains and blue gemstones sat at the waist of each garment, marking them as a set. “Whoa,” Spencer exhaled as he approached his leather jacket. “Will, are you seeing this?!” “I'm seeing it,” Willow responded, eyeing her dress. “Yet again, world-famous fashion designer Fileran Gliam lives up to his title. Glad he's giving us the friends-and-family discount.” “Oh my gods, Fileran! These are gorgeous!” Mirina squealed, admiring her cascading skirt. “You never disappoint!” “I…I get to wear this?” Astral asked, amazed. “Dude, I think this is the most gorgeous thing I’ve ever worn.” “A gorgeous dress for a gorgeous woman,” Mercury added, watching his girlfriend blush. “And I agree: Fileran, you’ve truly outdone yourself.” “I like the ‘mom-dressed-me-for-church’ look Taron’s got going on,” Nuro joked. “At least someone didn’t forget my sleeves,” Taron retorted. “And for your information, that's exactly the angle me and the guys were going for. This was a choice.” “Oh, it was a choice, alright.” Despite the gentle teasing, it was clear that Fileran’s work had paid off. The friends returned to the kitchen, enjoying their feast of hearty ramen and fresh sushi. Stomachs full, they patiently obeyed Fileran as he tweaked, tuned, and shaped his outfits to fit their owners perfectly, through a combination of magic and simple skill. The television in Fileran’s studio played a constant stream of holiday classics -- each friend had picked their favourites, providing entertainment while they waited for their fittings. By the end of the session that stretched into the early hours of the morning, each of them had a costume that was both fashionable and functional, ready for their big night. “Damn,” Pyx exhaled. “This feels real now. Like, we’re really doing this. Together. Even after…everything.” Tears welled up in Burgundy’s eyes as she smiled. “Yeah, we are. Guys? I…I probably don’t say this enough, but…thank you.” “For what?” Astral questioned. “For just…gods, I don’t know. Being here. Doing this. Being…” Nuro put a hand on his girlfriend’s shoulder. “A family?” “...Yeah,” she whispered, pulling him closer. “A family.” The ten friends piled into a group hug, before Mercury raised his glass of cider. “To being a family, now and forever!” The rest raised their glasses in a toast, a resounding chorus of clinks and cheers. “To family!”