Author's note: this is from Seraphina's point of view

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Liatris led the way to the feast.

For this occasion, I put on my sleeveless, knee-length, blue summer dress, feeling that this is an occasion where I should wear something fancier than my usual sports bra and shorts.

My time in this humid heat with harpies got me to be much more comfortable with nudity as I didn't mind Liatris's (or any other) exposed breasts.

More than once, I contemplated if I should dress up after a bath, considering that it was more comfortable without clothes and a number of harpies were walking stark naked, while others barely covered their flower, but I reminded myself not to lose my sense of decency while repeating that I'm not one of them.

Staying true to myself was getting harder every day.

I experienced firsthand how time in isolation with a different culture can mess up with one's mind.

At first, it was my desire to blend in and not attract attention, and then I started accepting everything around me as new normal.

I noticed that we were walking through a tunnel I didn't use before, and it didn't take long before walls all around us were replaced by lush foliage.

A warm breeze caressed my cheeks and I looked up into the dark sky covered in stars. We were outside!

"Are you sure this is the way?", I asked Liatris nervously.

"Yes. It's just further ahead…", she gestured down the narrow path we were on.

And just as she said, we emerged on a small clearing that was surrounded by flowery bushes and tall palm trees. Low tables were arranged in a U-shape, with a variety of fruits and nuts available. One table was slightly higher than the others, and I guessed that is the main table.

About a dozen harpies were already seated. They observed me in silence as Liatris guided me to the table that was closest to the main one.

"Here is your drink…", Liatris murmured as she poured something in a glass before giving it to me.

I took the glass with curiosity. Since I came here, this is the first thing (other than water) that I got to drink. It was sweet and fruity, and I took a sip. A slight sting in my throat told me that it's something alcoholic.

'Ah, so this is a feast!', I thought.

Looking at the fruits and nuts and this sweet wine and it was already promising. It would be better if Treva was here, because I would ask her about the other harpies present. Considering a small number of them in attendance, there must be some criteria on who can attend this event.

I counted as eleven more harpies joined at the tables and then Mivian and Lumiona made an appearance and they took their seats at the main table.

All harpies lowered their heads and I followed suit.

"Good, good!", Mivian said. "No need for formalities. We are here to enjoy!"

"Let's start!", Lumiona exclaimed and clapped three times.

Several harpies emerged from bushes with hands full of steaming food. My eyes widened at the scent, it was meat! Chicken (or some bird), fish, and red meat that looked like pork made my mouth water.

I'm not much of a meat-eater, but after a long time of fruits, nuts, and roots, just the thought of sinking my teeth into a chunk of meat sounded delicious.

Mivian leaned closer to me. "We were discussing if you would prefer raw meat, but ultimately decided to cook it. I hope that is fine."

I blinked and it took me a moment to understand that she was talking about my non-existent vampiric heritage. "This is fine.", I assured her. "I am used to human food."

Mivian hummed. "It's interesting to see a vampire who doesn't need blood."

I smiled nervously. "I have a special constitution. Just like my father."

Lumiona narrowed her eyes at me. "You are special. There are no doubts about that."

Her comment combined with the way she looked at me, made me nervous.

Mivian clapped her hands. "We all worked hard on tempering our powers and talking to winds, and now is the time to relax and please our bodies. Let's enjoy!"

Mivian nodded at Liatris who promptly refilled my glass.

I didn't miss that exchange.

I raised my glass to Mivian, and my smirk matched my confidence. If she thought that she can get me drunk, there is a surprise coming her way.

Five harpies rushed in the middle of the gap that our tables formed, and they sang a song while waving their hips. The entertainment was here!

It was beautiful. Their white bodies swayed, and their sounds made my heart flutter and I felt goosebumps.

"What do you think about the feast?", Lumiona asked me.

"Harpies know how to have fun.", I responded with a smile.

Liatris was making sure my glass is not empty, but my attention was on devouring chunks of meat. It lacked salt, but otherwise, it was delicious. Or maybe I was just so deprived. In any case, I enjoyed it.

"Did you have time to think about the singing ceremony?", Lumiona continued probing.

I decided to make my stance clear, while not offending them. "I would love to give it a shot, but I feel that there is still a lot for me to learn before that."

"It sounds like you have a plan.", Mivian chimed in.

"Yes. My plan is to go home and settle my affairs before I return here."

Lumiona frowned. "You are adamant about going to the human realm."

I did my best to maintain my smile. "It's unfinished business that is lingering on my mind and not allowing me to focus on my practice. Once I finalize my things there, I believe that we will be able to observe much faster progress."

Mivian and Lumiona exchanged complex glances and I wished that I could read minds.

Mivian raised her glass toward me. "Alright. Let's not talk about heavy topics anymore. Now is the time to enjoy. It's the feast!"

I nodded my head in agreement and raised my glass.

The wine was good, and the food was the best I had in a long time. I had no intention of letting it go to waste.

The breeze brought to me the sweet scent of tropical flowers and I relaxed while taking deep breaths to savor it. The air around me was fresh and sweet and I enjoyed it profusely, even though it made me slightly dizzy.

There was some giggling on my left, and I turned to see that my two neighbor-harpies are making out. I blinked. What the…?

I glanced around and froze at the sight of several other harpies who started fondling each other, hugging, and kissing.

The scene all around me caught me unprepared and I was unable to stop staring.

I saw girls making out in movies, but this was the first time for me to see such a thing in person. My heart pounded in my chest as my heartbeat accelerated.

A soft hand landed on my shoulder, and I turned to see Liatris sitting next to me. Close. Very close.

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