Celebration

Anja’s birthday was always celebrated heavily in The Eternal Depths. Given their region’s reputation as a generally dangerous and foreboding place due to their proximity to the Blighted Wilds, they took any excuse to celebrate and make the region a more fun and welcoming place. The grand party of Anja’s birthday included a feast, drinks, dancing, and several performances of all kinds by different groups and individuals.

But that was the public celebration, which was crafted by many supervisors and coordinators and everything that was planned was approved by Anja. It was not the private celebration that Syndra intended to have with her wife; the planning and execution of that would fall solely on her, and Anja would have no clue about her plans.

When the public party had begun to wrap up and the staff were cleaning the place up, Syndra took Anja by the hand. “Did you enjoy yourself?”

“I did,” Anja beamed, entwining her fingers with Syndra’s. “I only wish I had been able to drink more. I kept worrying that something might go wrong so I didn’t let loose as much.”

Syndra chuckled. “Perhaps it’s better that you didn’t, if only so you can stay awake a little bit longer.”

“Oh? Is there a reason you want to keep me awake?” Anja teased, though Syndra didn’t miss the flirtatious look in her eyes.

“I may have something planned.” Syndra responded cryptically, “I suppose you’ll have to wait and see.”

Anja did not have to wait long. As soon as she opened the door to her bedroom, she was surprised to find the room lit up with magical orbs of light all around, each orb a different color that floated softly around the room. “It’s beautiful,” She admired.

“I thought it was less gaudy than balloons and streamers,” Syndra led her further into the room, where a small table was set up. There were a couple of gift boxes on the far end, while closer to Anja there was a bottle of her favorite wine, and in the center of the table lay a cake. “It’s my first time baking a cake,” Syndra admitted. “I hope you like it.” She cut out a slice for both of them and presented Anja with hers, then took the time to pour a glass of wine for them both.

“This is your first time?” Anja couldn’t hold back her shock after taking a bite. “This is the best cake I’ve ever had!”

Syndra looked embarrassed by her compliment. “I did make sure to do a lot of research, and measure each ingredient carefully…”

Anja could picture her wife taking hours to meticulously craft a cake to perfection, and the thought made her smile. “Thank you. I love it… all of it.” She gestured to the lights and the gifts. Despite not knowing their contents, she already knew that she would treasure whatever they contained.

Syndra returned her sweet smile, though it wasn’t long until her gaze turned sultry. “To answer your earlier question: yes, there is one other reason I want to keep you awake for a bit longer.”

Anja giggled. “I can’t wait.”