The festival had been going for what felt like hours, and I was starting to genuinely wish we could just go home already.
The celebration had shifted from joyful dancing and music into something much more explicit, residents pairing off or grouping together with complete lack of self-consciousness, intimacy becoming very public very quickly.
Home sounded really good right now.
Earth, with its privacy and walls and complete absence of public sex, seemed like paradise compared to this.
Even for a realm that celebrated sacred intimacy, this was excessive.
Beside me, Azryth was observing with his usual composure, like this was just another cultural practice to understand, which it was, but it was also extremely uncomfortable to witness this much of it.
Then the Elder appeared at the base of our platform, carrying a tray draped with white silk, moving with ceremonial care.
The music quieted slightly, residents pausing their various activities to turn some attention toward us.
