Nyxara
By this point, my parents knew we were hiding. Azrail had messaged me that they would give us one more hour to hide before he wouldn't cover for our absence anymore. According to the message Keir received, Azrail would assume my eldest brothers were forfeiting half of their personally baked birthday cake if we did not come out at the time. Aspen wanted us to immediately rejoin the party now. Nimra only baked for birthdays and special occasions now because she is so busy.
Aspen and Lux were heading towards the entrance when Líma stepped forward, pushing a cart with said birthday cake on it. The candles were lit. Keir dimmed the lights, and we all began singing happy birthday to them. Aspen and Lux looked dazed at seeing the cake. They blew out the candles, then promptly split the cake in half.
Aspen put his half into his pocket space, while Lux cut a slice that he immediately gave to Zen before he put the rest away in his space. I gave Líma a thumbs up for protecting the cake like I requested. I'd long known Azrail was eyeing their cake, so I preemptively got permission from Nimra to keep it safe.
I had heard the stories of Azrail's antics when it came to him swindling Nimra's cakes away from others. I figured I would protect the cake as one of my gifts to my brothers. The rest of us ate cupcakes made by Mrs. June. While I ate my cupcake with Zen on one side of me and Elias on the other, I had front-row seats to Zen trying to reject the cake slice Lux gave her.
It was after the 5th time Lux had pushed it back to her that I pinched her nose with one hand, then shoved a bite of the cake into her mouth with the other. I pulled my fingers back in time before she bit my fingers. "Now finish that slice of the best cake ever, like a good girl. You have made Lux sad enough for the evening."
"Sad? How have I made him sad? I was just trying to be nice. He should have given you or Keir the slice instead." Zen was grumbling as she actively ate the cake slice to Lux's pleasure and everyone else's amusement.
When Zen's eyes landed on him, Lux turned on the biggest sad puppy eyes. Zen immediately looked away, blushing and muttering about stupid hot men giving her cake. And there goes Lux's ego inflating to join Raine's. I don't think she is considering that everyone here has higher cultivation than us, so they can hear her cute rant quite clearly. Oh, oh, oh, look at Sänti proving that he can outmaneuver Lux and Raine.
Sänti was sitting on the floor in front of Zen. He was serving her without being asked. He was handing her water at the right moments. He was massaging her feet. Making responsive sounds to her ranting. Lux and Raine wore neutral expressions as they watched Zen's other best friend prove who was the one already close to her. This is better than a TV drama. Watching courtship unfold in real time.
After everyone finished their cupcakes—the things were huge—we picked back up where we left off in our tournament. Next up was Aspen. During his turn, he got an excellent which both surprised me and didn't. I guess all that yoga makes him pretty flexible, and his essence control is top-notch.
During my turn, I tied with Raine because my essence control was still a work in progress. Lux, Keir, and Venus all got excellent as well. With everyone who was participating having gone now, our lineup for the official tournament would now be decided. Lux got the highest score, so he would automatically get to advance to the next round since we have an odd number of participants.
First to battle was Keir vs. Sänti. Sänti won, but both men stepped off to the side to give each other pointers on where the other could refine their technical movements and essence control. I sensed a budding friendship growing. Which would be good if we all keep hanging out. I had to pause my train of thought to consider why I would assume Elias would be hanging out with us going forward. I mean, he has been fun to spend time with tonight, and outside of training, he is warmer and more relaxed.
So I guess I wouldn't mind him hanging out with Zen, Sänti, and me. Especially since he is a Sentinel initiate like me, so it will be nice to have someone I know in classes and training. I didn't let myself think about any other reasons I might be okay with his presence. Luckily, the next match between Venus and Zen had begun, so I focused on Venus beating Zen. Zen put up a good fight though. Their score was only a 50-point difference.
They smiled and high-fived as they stepped down. We congratulated them on a good round. Keir pulled Venus into a deep kiss that was beginning to get R-rated until Aspen knocked into them when he stepped onto the platform for his match with Elias.
Zen's three suitors tried to guide her to a couch of their choosing, but I literally picked Zen up and ran for the huge sofa. Their male dismay fed me deep in my female soul. I cackled as I clung to Zen while sticking my tongue out at them. Lux raised a fist at me, promising a fight later, but I wasn't worried; I would remind Aspen of his grudge with Lux at that time. Raine was staring at Zen's and my tangled limbs like he could separate us with his gaze alone. While Sänti just chuckled and pointed his finger at me, making it clear he saw I won this round as well.
"Nyx, what are you doing? Why are you being so possessive of me? I can't even move my arms." Zen struggled in my embrace, so I loosened my hold some so she could be more comfortable. "Your actions reflect your look; your illusion has turned you into a snake shifter. You want to explain why you are having trouble sharing tonight?"
"I do not, in fact want to explain. If you don't know, then I will enjoy your ignorance. Now snuggle with me until it's my turn. I feel Raine is going to kick my ass, and I need pre-defeat cuddles. I also suspect that they will steal you from me when I go dance. They will force me to share you."
Her bewilderment at my statement made it impossible for me to not snuggle her more. She is so cute when she is confused. Snuggling a confused mosaic looking being is weird but I'm loving the weirdness. I even had Líma come take a few photos of us; I was so happy in this moment. Since I didn't respond to her non-verbal inquiry she accepted my silence and just scratched my scaly head.
Omegas love cuddling so I was feeding her neglected instincts. The men may not appreciate my behavior right now but they will realize I'm making things easier for them when they try to get up in her space later. While I do enjoy cuddles just as much as her I am also re-acclimating her to wanting close proximity to those she wants to be close to. Helping her through my hugs, to understand what good energy feels like is the long game goal.
I will totally brag to Lux and Sänti later about how I helped them get Zen. Maybe by that later point I will be on good terms with Raine and I can tease him too. Ah the future is looking very fun. Aspen and Elias's battle just ended with Elias winning. I gave him thumbs up and he gave me a smug smile back.
I swear I want to stab and kiss him at the same time. Maybe I'm kinkier than I thought. Dude, I really need to follow up with Aspen about the second therapist he mentioned assigning to me. I have a lot of questions and I do not want to ask Aspen if I don't have to.