“Look at you,” Braelin said softly as he jogged out to circle the massive plant. He gently rubbed one of the thick root limbs, saying, “You don’t really move like a spider, though, do you? No, you moved in a circle as you approached - because your limbs don’t have the same range of motion?”

The spider tree crouched its core further down, bush lure shaking.

“Purple leaves,” Braelin observed, taking the moment to approach the center, “I wasn’t expecting lobes - do you mind if I take some of your fruits?”

The spider tree obligingly dropped several of its small fruits for him.

Braelin tested how they felt in his hand, and needed to pull out his dagger to make a cut in the outer skin - though he was able to peel it without further assistance. He continued speaking, saying, “A stone fruit - though… is there a word for berries in Demonae?”

“It did not translate as anything for me,” Jurao said, smiling as he watched his partner.

Braelin glanced up in surprise - seemingly having forgotten he was not alone. His face softened as he smiled back, ducking under the spider tree’s limbs as he offered the handful of small fruits to the King, “As I cannot, would you tell me how they taste? Don’t eat the pits; they’re poisonous when swallowed.”

Jurao’s tail swayed as he obliged, able to peel the skin off by hand and pushing the pits of the ‘berries’ out with his tongue to test the flavor, “It is… sweet, but not overtly.”

Braelin smiled as he said, “I could think of a way to find out for myself.”

The King tilted his head, uncertain what his partner meant.

Braelin chuckled and waved for Jurao to crouch.

Jurao did so - then realized his partner’s meaning as Braelin kissed him.

“It reminds me of licorice,” Braelin said as he pulled away - then kissed his partner again before saying, “Thank you, my heart.”

“You’re welcome, my mud eel,” Jurao replied, “Happy birthday.”

Braelin chuckled, pressing his forehead to his partner’s, “Thank you.”

Braelin took over settling the spider tree as Jurao went to clean up and dress for the feast, as there were a few hours left before it began.

“How did you get a burrowing spider tree here?” Feyl asked with a sigh, fixing Jurao’s hair into a bun for the occasion.

“I explained if it came back, it would be taken care of, and it agreed,” Jurao replied, “I attempted to make my intent clear with Dominion, so that may have helped.”

“Of course you asked it,” his best friend laughed, “It would make a poor gift for Braelin if you forced it.”

“I thought so as well,” Jurao smiled.

“Did you have fun camping?” Feyl asked, “Or are you just pleased your gift was well received?”

“Both,” Jurao replied, “I also enjoyed catching up with Apaje.”

“Ah, no wonder you found one so quickly,” his best friend said, “There, done.”

“Thank you,” Jurao said, then ventured, “You didn’t do your hair.”

Feyl hummed, running a hand through the long strands. As Jurao had observed, it had not been feathered as his best friend usually styled it - instead, it was smooth and flat, falling all the way to his knees for the loss in volume.

“Since I’m attending as a friend, rather than your valet,” Feyl said, “I thought I would try something… new.”

“I think it looks nice,” Jurao said.

His best friend smiled a moment, “Thank you. Well then - shall we?”

Feyl had already had both his own and Jurao’s presents for the extended Ealdwine family set up on the veranda, leaving them nothing to bring from Jurao’s quarters but themselves. And Snip and Snap, of course.

When they arrived, most everyone else was already in attendance - there was a musician playing small pipes in one corner, accompanied by a drummer with a rock drum strung up on a clay frame. It created a pleasant background noise without the sound full-sized bagpipes and a boulder-sized drum would cause. Presents had been set along a long stone table in the back of the room, with a second long table covered in light refreshments.

Jurao sought out his partner in the party crowd - spotting Braelin looking out the open doors to the veranda, over the gardens.

“Was the spider tree settled alright,” Jurao asked as he approached.

Braelin turned with a smile, “Yes, I just hope it and the wooly moss are getting along alright.”

“A quite sensational present to open with, your highness,” Eweylona, standing nearby with Ebener, said with a chuckle.

“Did you name it already?” Feyl asked, presentation smile in place as his tail twitched and he looked around casually.

“Spinner,” Braelin replied and said, “You changed your hair.”

“I just thought to try it out,” Feyl replied.

“It looks nice,” Kloy said, appearing at the valet’s side. He chuckled, adding, “Though I didn’t realize it was so long.”

Feyl snorted, though Jurao noticed how his tail stopped twitching as he shrugged, “Even feathered, it’s still down to my thighs.”

Ah, he was worried about Kloy’s reaction, Jurao thought - he knew Feyl had struggled with partners who found him less desirable whenever he deviated from his public persona, so understood where his best friend’s nerves came from in that regard.

“What products do you use on it?” Eweylona asked, “I’m not yet familiar with demon products for hair care, but you clearly take excellent care of yours, Feyl.”

“I actually included the products I use as gifts for both you and Ayelma,” Feyl said, “As she expressed a similar sentiment about missing elven lotions. Our recipes were mostly inspired by a Champion that settled in the Demon Realm - though if he had relayed he came from another world, that knowledge was lost to time later.”

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“You did not know Champions came from another world?” Eweylona asked.

“Not until Braelin mentioned it,” Jurao replied.

“I may have forgotten it was meant to be a secret,” Braelin said apologetically.

His mother chuckled, “In general, yes, though I never imagined demons were unaware.”

“Those who come here with the intent of killing us do not often stop for conversation,” Lord Goyl chuckled, joining their little group behind Malson.

“Yes, I can see that,” Eweylona said, looking to her oldest son.

“This is Goyl, we’re courting!” Malson introduced, Henes wrapped around his back as fos often was, “Goyl, my parents, Ebener and Eweylona!”

“A pleasure,” Goyl said, bowing, “Apologies for the late introduction - I had been giving Malson time to catch up with his wife and family before imposing.”

“Understandable,” Ebener said, “Though I would hope a partner of my son’s was not an imposition.”

“He just tries to play at being a villain!” Malson waved a hand, “But he’s harmless!”

Goyl gave his partner a wry look as he rose, but did not seem to disagree with the assessment.

“Goyl’sfunny,” Henes half mumbled into fos father’s shoulder.

Malson patted fos head, “I agree, Hen!”

Goyl rolled his eyes, but with a smile.

It was at odds with his prior reputation of ruthless cunning, though Jurao was certainly glad it was not actually the case. Feyl and Forvi had told Jurao with some amusement that Goyl and his entire group of friends had started gaining a new reputation as raucous uwieze - a parent’s siblings trying to scare the little ones for a bit of fun without meaning it.

“Since Jurao is here now, can we open presents?” Ayelma asked, running over and pulling Gaele behind her.

“He only took a quarter-hour to join us, child!” Eweylona laughed, “But I do not see why not. Our party does seem rather full.”

“Indeed,” Ebener smiled, “And any latecomers can present their gifts directly.”

With no other objections, they soon had chairs set up around the gift table - each family member’s gifts had already been sorted on the table, unsurprisingly thanks to Hujur. As the youngest, Ayelma and Meir’ril began - Ayelma happily letting Amancia’ help’ her undo the cords and ribbons securing the cloth wraps around her presents.

Ayelma was pleased with the jewelry and dresses from her parents, tearing up over the traditional Western Frost Elven bone jewelry set. Eweylona helped her put on the necklace immediately, kissing the crown of her daughter’s head before returning to her own seat. Aya was also pleased by Jurao’s gift of a saddle, cooing over the fine design work. She was ecstatic for the belt arcanum - the beadwork Eweylona had been working on a few days before had been inset in the white leather.

Malson had gotten her a set of light armor, as it would better match the Mafokuraes sword style’s dexterous movements. Braelin had gotten her a bow - as she had also expressed a desire to learn archery. Meir’ril had gotten his twin a mirror, comb, and hair brush set, which was apparently close in appearance to one she had been forced to leave behind during the usurpation. She was also pleased with Feyl’s gift of hair products - and Kloy’s gift of skin care products, apparently popular in Lajaonar.

Meir’ril was equally pleased with his gifts - the clothing, yes, but the artefacts and Jurao’s gift of enchanting tomes in particular. The young mage set the books aside very reluctantly to open the remainder of his gifts, and Jurao was pleased with a gift so well received. Braelin had gotten his younger brother a proper mage staff - carved from a crystal hydra tree branch with help from Loge. Braelin had carved out the designs at either end, however - a ring of Jostian designs next to a ring of Western Frost Elven designs, the latter with help from Eweylona. The top had a clear gemstone in a decorative fae metal fitting - and Eweylona suggested her son take the staff to Sazel’s to have a focusing enchantment added to it.

Malson had gotten Meir’ril a rather beaten-up leather-bound book of sailor magic - one he’d been carrying with him for a few years, having thought of his younger brother when he saw it. Meir’ril was no less excited for the age of the book, adding it carefully to the pile - as Jurao and Malson were not the only ones to make gifts of knowledge to the elf-human man. Ayelma had also gifted her twin a book - one by the famous Archmage Rubert, the locating of which was credited to Lord Halvern after Aya asked Gaele for help finding a present.

While texts by Rubert were apparently not difficult to find in the Elven Realm - as the human man had been a professor at an elven university for a time due to his incredible magical ability - Eweylona was very surprised one had been found outside the halls of the universities. Upon inspection, she declared it a rare tome indeed - written after he moved to the Dragon Realm. Which Halvern seemed to believe made sense, as he’d gotten it from one of the dragons in residence.

Jurao felt that if Meir’ril had not already planned to visit Sazel’s shop, his partner’s brother certainly would have planned a visit after learning that.

With the twins settled, it was Braelin’s turn for gifts. As he knew most of the crowd in attendance, the attention was manageable as he unwrapped his gifts - asking Henes if fos wanted to help like Amancia had helped Ayelma. The shyer sibling had nodded - though fos hid behind fos uncle to do so. Ebener and Eweylona had gotten him a set of paints so he could create color versions of his botanical drawings. In addition to the wuna wool vest, of course. Most everyone else had gotten him plants and seeds from around the realm - Malson with the rarest plant, also obtained during his time in Asalban. It was the bulb of a flower native to the Dragon Realm, though Malson did not know its name as the merchant who sold it was also unaware.

The only other exceptions were a book of medicinal uses for demon plants, courtesy of Kloy, and a small stone amulet bearing Dwarla’s likeness - a gift from Owren that had belonged to Braelin’s mother.

Malson had both his children help him with his gifts. He was very pleased with the ice rapier to match his current fire rapier - thanking both Jurao and Feyl, which drew stares from those yet unaware that the valet was also a blacksmith. His parents had gotten him a set of finery and the wuna wool coat, which Jaevve also seemed to appreciate. Ebener had additionally stood to give Malson his signet ring - one meant to be worn by the King of Jost. After a moment to collect himself - enchanted ring changing its size - Malson continued with the rest of his gifts.

Braelin had gotten his older brother a baby kiln-nester. They were a species of demonic bird, named for their habit of sneaking into kilns for their warmth. While not used in hunting like human birds, Braelin thought his brother would appreciate having one as a pet - and Malson did, giving the chick a gentle scratch on its reptilian head before setting the animal case aside. Ayelma had gotten Malson a fine rapier, though it lacked magical properties. Meir’ril had gotten his oldest brother a dagger, confirming Ebener and Eweylona’s statements about his preference for weapons as a gift. Jaevve had teased that she would give her husband a gift later that night.

Owren and Beneford did, indeed, receive a wealth of alcoholic beverages - Kloy musing that they would be able to try every variety the Demon Realm had to offer. One exception came from Eweylona - who had found a warming stone when she returned to Sazel’s shop and knew it would help ease Owren’s artetica. A second exception came from her husband, who had gotten a shield and short sword for his friend - which led to another thanks to Feyl, now that he was publically known.

Eweylona and Ebener received alcohol as well - but only one bottle of Scasgesmaes wine from Owren and Beneford. Malson and Ayelma had gotten their parents lighter clothing - as most their current fare was designed for the much colder Winter Quadrant of the Elven Realm. Aylema had also gotten her mother some small accessories, one bracelet of which Eweylona wore immediately. Braelin had gotten Eweylona wuna horns so that she might shape them as she pleased, and Ebener a case of blackthorn tea - with some assistance from Hujur. Ebener was pleased with Jurao’s gift of a pocket timekeeper, Eweylona thanking him in advance for the statue of Eleamera on the way.

Meir’ril had been the sibling to ask the smithing spirit for another fae metal stylus, and to have it enchanted to refill its ink as a present for his father. For his mother, he nervously played a song on a large hide drum that required him to stand and dance. Ayelma pulled her mother from her seat to sing together, which clearly pleased Eweylona. Jurao was surprised that their singing was similar to the way most demons sang. It was guttural and deep - and uncommon amongst most non-demons. Eweylona and Ayelma’s singing was more rhythmic and did not use words.

When they were finished, Eweylona was delighted - the twins had practiced with the priestess Nua for the performance. Eweylona had, of course, sung with them as children, but a fifteen-year absence had dulled their skills.

When the gift-giving was finished, it was time for the evening meal - which was brought to the veranda so they might continue enjoying each others’ company.