The adventure that Lewis and Llywellyn went on to get the tiara was just the start of it all. The whole ordeal lasted a single night, and it ended with Lewis going to see Tempest. For her, it was an easy job to fix the tiara and restore it to its former glory, but during the exchange, the semi-insane blacksmith alchemist touted the idea of a new ring. Within days, Lewis, with the help of a few of his friends, drew up the perfect ring for her, one that symbolized who they were and what they had become. Money was never a problem, as usual. During the process, Lewis had an idea, though, and asked Tempest if it was possible. Tempest, being the brilliant woman she was, laughed at the challenge, and went all out to forge the properties requested.
With that part taken care of, Lewis needed to set up the rest of the surprise. His first visit was to Xeik, who agreed almost before the request was out of his mouth. Of course, the second request was one that not even Xeik had seen coming, and on the sidelines, Mia merely laughed at the shocked look that Xeik gave.
“W-wha? Why me?” the healer asked. “There isn’t anyone else?”
“Why would I pick anyone else?” Lewis asked back. “It makes the most sense to choose you.” There was a look of determination on his face, and Xeik knew he had lost the argument before it even began.
“Fine…just let me check with Ange-”
“I already asked her,” Lewis interrupted. “She said yes. And…she’s helping with the set up. It has to be perfect.”
Xeik leaned back in his chair, and smiled. “I’m impressed, Lewis. You’ve really thought this through.”
“Of course I have. Now…I need to borrow Raine.” Lewis stood up from the other side of the table. “Now, where is that bird brain?”
Xeik led Lewis to Raine’s office, and within minutes, Lewis was dragging Raine off to meet with the next person on the list of things to arrange. The portal that Lewis used lead them to a shop called the Crescent Cloth, to meet the brother of Tempest. Kite, who had been informed of Lewis’ arrival, was more than willing to help with the request that the ex-assassin had, and with Raine there to help, the three of them came up with the perfect design for Simone.
“How fast can it be ready?” Lewis asked. Kite gave him an answer, and it all fell in line with his original plan. “Good…now, the stage is almost set…”
The next meeting was easier, and required being home. It was a simple question to ask, and when Dala entered his room and heard the request, she accepted, though not without reservations. To her, it was like asking her to move the moon, but Lewis had the utmost faith in the girl. After all, Dala was Simone’s best friend, and if anyone could distract her for a full seven days, it would be her. And, Llywellyn had already agreed to the plans…all Lewis had to do was give the date.
And so the night had been chosen, and with luck, Dala would keep her word and distract Simone for the full seven days. It had taken so much time and effort to prepare the whole surprise, but in the end it would all be worth it. It all started with a simple wish to see her tiara again, and it snowballed into this grand event that would blow Simone’s whole world.
With her gone, and the resonance cut, Lewis, Roma, Xeik, and the kids went to work. Throughout the week, they had visitors come and go, most to help, but some to watch in awe at the effort that Lewis was putting forth. Others, like Kite and Tempest, merely stepped in to drop of their works, and leave the moment they arrived. In the end, the set up was almost perfect. There were a few finishing touches to be made, but Lewis’ part was done. Now, all he had to do was wait for Simone to return.
Her return point would be the entrance to the courtyard. The courtyard had been transformed, with lavender peonies, a gift from Lady Angela, lining the walkway towards the center. The walls were lined with new torches, sporting the image of the night phoenix, and illuminated the whole area with a low, blue flame. The centerpiece of the courtyard had been replaced, and now held a beautiful statue of two phoenixes intertwined. This, however, was the location for the first stage.
The second, would have to wait…
