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The visual landscape of the Parvian Games is something right out of a movie set—that is, if you ignore the folks flying around without a harness and magic happening right before your eyes with no green screen or CGI.

My gym shoes make a steady beat against the dirt paths as Donella walks me around, pointing out their favorite booths and also some they think I might be interested in; like the seamstress booth where a lizard person was selling dancing yarn.

They spoke in another language so Donella whispered translations to me to explain that the lizard person could charm any yarn so that the purchaser could make any clothes they want with it and they would fit perfectly.

She tried to help me ask what kind of patterns could be charmed into the yarn but they didn’t understand our question.

We ended up getting a small bundle of green just to see how it works.

I’m holding it underneath my arm now as we make our way toward the stadium.

I can tell that we’ve already missed the fluffy creature competition because I can see folks carrying their new pets as they exit the walkways.

Donella was telling me this morning that Cernunnos and Aja have an unspoken rivalry and have been known to throw trick after trick at each other, often finding every loophole in the book to outsmart one another.

But they’re the only ones to compete to make the fluffiest, most loveable creature each decade so it makes for a good show and a few lucky spectators get to walk away with a lifelong pet so no one says anything.

Now we’re just going to see whatever match is next and play the rest of the day by ear.

Walking under the arches of the entrance, I imagine this must be what attending a gladiator fight in Rome would have been like in the early days.

You can hear the crowd cheering before your eyes even have the chance to adjust from the dark walkway to the bright, open air of the coliseum to see them.

Rows and rows of folks sit squished together below us and more fan out in the rows going farther back behind us.

“Oo! Donella, who do we have here?”

A boisterous voice draws our attention to the stands to the right, above us.

Being able to use magic to make sure people can hear you in a loud or crowded area would come in handy so much back home.

Donella waves and grabs my hand to lead me up the stairs.

“This is my friend, Christine. Christine, meet Lellies. She’s visiting from Earth.”

“Christine McManus at your service.” He gives a half bow.

“Just visiting?” he asks with an eyebrow raised.

White skin and golden blonde hair give him a human look that would dupe me if not for his fangs that shine when he smiles at me.

“Yes, I got kidnapped by witches trying to kill me. I want to stand witness for their trial.”

“Mmhmm,” Christine turns to Donella, “So how did you get involved?”

“The very agile and quick-thinking human before you finished the spell meant to kill her,” Donella winks at me, “and I answered the call, simple as that.”

Woah, was that their way of telling me I impressed them?

They’re still looking at me, violet eyes soft but unwavering and I feel that same kinetic energy again, wanting to pull me towards them.

I try to say “yeah” just to ease the tension a little bit but it comes out soft and breathy.

Their gray lips pull into a smile; I fear the butterflies in my stomach are starting to shake off their cobwebs.

“Yes, simple indeed.”

Christine’s voice shakes me from my suspension, I almost forgot he was there.

Donella turns and engages him in conversation but I need a minute.

That was intense .

I imagine I feel just as out of sorts as the goat being rocked back and forth by the teams of water gods on the field playing below us.

One team plays defense, trying to knock the goat out of the boat with different water techniques while the other team keeps the goat’s balance, and all the while the poor thing bleats for dear life.

Yeah buddy, same.

“Lellies, what have you seen since you’ve been here? Has Nellie been a good host to you?” I turn around just in time to catch Donella shoving Christine with a laugh.

The crowd around us starts to cheer so I shout to be heard over the noise.

“Nellie’s been the best host.” I pause to see how Donella will react to me teasing her with Christine's nickname, she rolls her eyes but doesn’t look mad or uncomfortable. “We picked up a spool of charmed yarn on the way here. We would have been here earlier but a few of their neighbors stopped us to talk because they’d never met a human before. I’d never met a dragon, seraph, or a griffin so I figured we were even. Oh! And also, they’re a great chef. We had tekemu last night and it was delicious.”

Christine makes a big scene of play-pouting and crossing his arms. “Wow, you never make that for us anymore, guess you don’t love us.”

“I just made it for you last moon.”

“If it wasn’t within the last day, it doesn’t count.” Christine turns his sulky act towards me, “Isn’t that right, Lellies?”

“Yep, sure is.” We both laugh at the exasperated look on Donella’s face, their tail flickering behind them.

We chat easily after that, Donella and Christine taking turns explaining different games to me and the three of us making commentary in between. We found an abandoned pamphlet on the row below us and I use it to keep track of all the gods I’m seeing. Vishnu from Hinduism, Melqart from the Phoenicians, Shangdi from the Shang dynasty, and so many more. And every so often I see the goddess that must be Asherah, leaning forward from her judges’ balcony to get a closer look at things. She’s beautiful with brown skin, dark, wavy hair, and a soft pink fabric wrapped around her like a saree.

It looks like she’s taking notes on the gods racing the flowers they’ve just grown from scratch when a— centaur ? Okay, yeah, sure, a centaur walks up to her. He’s tan and has deep brown hair combed into a long, thick braid.

Christine nudges my shoulder with his, “That’s your judge right there.”

“That’s Jarren?”

“Yeah, and he’s just as pompous and conceited as you’d expect. It’s the main reason why you and Nellie have to wait for court, he loves to show off and flaunt his power over everyone.” As if on cue, a frog comes up next to him with a palm leaf and begins fanning him softly. He flicks his hand and the frog moves away, but then he grabs their head and pulls them closer like some Goldilocks bear on a power trip.

Yeah, conceited isn’t a strong enough word for all that.

“Will we have to talk to the entire court, or just him?”

“The court will be an audience, you only have to address him.” Donella gives my shoulder a soft squeeze, “And he might be full of himself but he will listen to you.”

“Very true. Just make sure you don’t speak until you’re asked to. One of his little rules.”

I nod, taking that information in. A horn sounds in the distance, and folks in the seats start stretching and getting up.

“They’re taking an intermission,” Christine says, “do you want to see what games we can get up to ourselves?”

I would love a distraction right now after seeing what we’ll have to deal with in court. I look at Donella who’s nodding their head at me, it’s my choice.

“Sure.”

Christine has the most infectious laugh! He’s playing at a booth where the objective of the game is to throw small, potion-filled beakers at pins across the way. The potions have to be thrown in the correct order at the right pins to match the sequence of items on a spinning wheel above the booth. So for his turn, the wheel shows a fish, bucket, and drum. However, Christine has created a log with fins, and iron drum sticks, and hasn’t been able to hit the third pin at all. Which is fine because he told me that he’s only playing so that he can flirt with the booth master and, right now, he’s got them laughing right along with him.

I finish what I’m imagining are french fries and turn my attention toward Donella. She’s watching the crowds and twirling the hairbrush I won around her fingers.

“Nellie,” Donella squints her eyes and scoffs at me, “what are you thinking about?”

She’s quiet for a moment and then lifts the blue brush. “Do you think you’ll ever use this?”

Its tight bristles are definitely not meant for my hair but I was planning to take it home as a keepsake. I tell Donella as much and she says okay and turns back to the crowd, but her demeanor looks a little disappointed.

Was that rude?

Heat creeps up my neck and ears. I’ve been careful to follow Donella’s lead and, luckily enough, most social rules here are the same as I’m used to at home but this could be my first misstep. I definitely don’t want to offend Nell after they’ve been so kind and welcoming to me. Hot or not, I’d really love for us to at least be friends after this if we can.

My mind races with what options I have to solve this. She’s been holding on to it ever since I handed it to her after my turn with the potion pins, opting not to put it in her bag like she did the yarn and other items we’ve collected throughout the day. Maybe I should offer it to her?

“Would you like to keep it?”

“Oh no,” Donella sets it down on the table between us, “I have a hairbrush but … It’s been a long time since someone’s brushed my hair.”

Oh.

“Would you like me to brush your hair for you?” A soft, vulnerable Donella all but melts my heart. I reach across, grab her hand, and give it a squeeze.

“Yes, please.”

The second my brain registers that I can do something for them, it’s like a fresh wave of invigorating boldness rushes through my body; like I’d do anything to see their request granted. I tug their hand until their eyes are on mine.

“From now on, if you want something, just ask, okay?” I push all the butterflies I’ve been feeling throughout the day up and out and don’t drop my eyes from hers. It’s scary, but the bewildered look Donella is giving is making it worth it. Her little smile when she says okay just does me in and gives me just enough confidence to lean over to kiss her. It’s just a quick touch of her lips, and I sit back down, not wanting to press too quickly.

“Well don’t stop on my account,” Christine startles me for the second time today, walking over hand in hand with the booth master.

“We’re going to head off soon, just came over to say goodbye.”

Donella and Christine grab elbows, the general greeting here I’ve learned, and I wait to hug him.

“It was nice meeting you,” I say, “and you have a great booth, enjoy your night,” I grab elbows with the booth master.

“You as well,” Christine says, “I’m sure I’ll see you around.”

I don’t want to burst his bubble that I’ll be going home after the trial so I just nod and watch them go.

“I had a fantastic day out here Donella, thanks for showing me around.”

“You’re more than welcome, Lellies.” That goddamn dimple. On the heels of my moment of bravery, I grab Donella’s hand and we walk like that all the way home, and I can’t help but feel a little spark in my heart for Nellie.