“Come on Vahn. We need to go meet our new neighbors,” your father said, grasping your hand and leading you across the shoddy dirt road to the new shop that was beginning to be filled with wares and a family's furnishings. The shop had not been inhabited for years and had a decrepit look about it in recent years, but still, someone was moving into it.
        “Neighbor!? You here?” Your father calls out after he knocks on the door. The door swings open slowly to reveal something that you had not anticipated. A giant of a man with a horn protruding from his forehead steps out of the house. “Welcome! Sorry I wasn't here quicker. Had a few things to take care of inside,” The giant man says in a strangely pleasant voice. It sounds well aged, inviting, and knowledgeable. The person has a deep blue hue to his skin, and a physique that would make him out to be some kind of indestructible monster. His longer brown hair and white beard contrast with his blue skin, but make him seem somehow gentle and kind in a way. He is quite tall, towering over your father, which causes you to hide behind his leg. Peering out behind your father's leg, you see the gargantuan man come down to your level, resting on his toes to look at you. “Now who is this then? You aren't scared of me are you?” The large man chuckles a little and waves at you, and you reciprocate the motion. “This is Vahn, and I am Adam. It is a pleasure to meet you sir. I am glad we finally have a neighbor out here on the outskirts of town,” Your father says, bowing, taking in the man's physical characteristics in stride.
        “I'm surprised you have not been scared like the other villagers. Not many would willingly accept an Oni into their village. Thank the gods that the elder is understanding,” the man says after your father. “I am Garrion by the way. It is a pleasure to meet yo-”
        “Daddy!!!! I wanna go play!!!” A voice from inside the house screams. It is a small one, an intriguing one. It sounds girly, but rambunctious and happy as well, as if it has never known, nor will ever know, unhappiness. A little girl about your height latches onto the blue man's calf. The girl has some strange physical characteristics. Long white hair reaches down to her calves and curls into her body gently, however, the roots of her hair are a jet black, providing a great contrast between the two. Her skin is a brilliant red color, and her eyes are a bright yellow, giving off a feeling of warmth you have not felt before. From her forehead, a small red horn protrudes as well. She looks over at you and your father. Her face goes from happiness and joy to one of fear and uncertainty. “Who are they daddy?” She says in a shaky and scared voice.
        “They are our new neighbors Celeste, could you tell them hello?” Garrion says, ruffling his daughter’s hair gently and coaxing her forward. She pokes her head out from behind her father’s calf, waves, and says a very quiet “N-n-n-ice to m-m-m.... meet you,” before retreating to her father’s calf for safety. “No Celeste, you know how we taught you to say hello. You can do it right. Here I'll do it with you,” He pushes her gently to his side. They both bow slowly and speak in unison; “We are the Dailemont Family. It is a pleasure to meet you,” they say, and then introduce themselves; “I am Garrion Dailemont, a blacksmith and trader,” The large man raises his head after this. “I am Celeste Dailemont. I am to become my father’s apprentice.” She raises her head as well, and gives a scared sigh after.
        “It is a pleasure to meet both of you. Is it just you two? Would you like some help moving in?” Your father says, looking down at you, “You can go back to the shop if you want Vahn.”
        “Thank you, I think we are almost done however, my wife is inside right now unpacking,” Garrion says after heading back into the house, “I should probably go help her though. It was a pleasure to meet you. I hope you and our children become good friends.”
        The little girl gives a wave goodbye behind her father’s leg, and you wave back to her with a smile that you did not feel cross your face, as if it were instinctively there upon the sight of the girl. “Come across to the shop if you ever would like to talk or need anything,” Your father says as he turns and begins walking away. That was the first time you saw her, Celeste, and it would not be the last. Even in your childhood years, you knew that girl would be with you for a long time, and you were happy.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
        “V! Wake up!” You hear a shout from the floor below you. It was a good thing your house had thick walls, or else your father could wake up the entire village with his shouts. “I'm coming dad. Give me a second. I need to wash up,” You say as you stretch and spring up from bed. “Hurry up then! I've got customers!” Your father yells back again.
        You go over to the wash basin, still filled with the water your father used and give yourself a scrub down before drying off and donning your work clothes. Just as the little girl said so long ago, almost seven years now, you too were to become an apprentice to your father, who was also a blacksmith. You donned your apron and proceeded downstairs. “About time son! Hurry and stoke the fire and man the desk. I have a few orders to fill today!”
        This day was just like any other for the most part. Your father did not know the meaning of slow down nor rest, but you were eager to help in any way you could. Since your mother had passed away when you were young, your father had been working tirelessly to treat you well, and teach you life skills at the same time. It was wearing him out, and you could tell. The least you could do was pay him back for all the help he has given you this way.
        Swords, pieces of armor, and even small items came through for repair or for trading, and your father was always happy to take them in. One after another they came in and flew back out as if processed by magic in some way. To you, your father's technique as a blacksmith was one that rivaled the god servant who gave the gods their weapons. It was unbelievable how good he was with his hammer and forge, making them seem as extensions of his own body. One day, you hope to do the same and make him proud.
        “Hey dad, got another sword, why don't you take a break? I can repair this pretty easily,” You say, trying to help your father in any way you can.
        “Not right now Vahn. Could you go across the street and see if Garrion has any leftover wood? His seems to work better than the stuff we harvest,” He says as he continues to beat and shape a shoulder piece for a customer who had come in early in the morning. You give a slight sigh, due to the fact you know what he is trying to do, and the fact that you cannot get a chance to prove yourself to your father.
        “Alright dad. I'll be right back. Don't work to hard alright?”
        “Haha! Good one! Thank you son!”
        Outside, the street is populated with both shops clients, waiting in line or waiting for their orders to be filled. A weird pride rolls over you as you step out. Your shop is known throughout the continent for its amazing service, durability of arms and armor, and amazing quality. You feel a pride in the name you carry. Vahn Reias would become a blacksmith to be on par, or even surpass his father, and you would do anything to accomplish that. As you walked through the crowd of people over in Garrion's shop, you walk to the counter, to see Tara, Garrion's wife, manning the counter. She was a lighter blue than her husband, and seemed even gentler, if that were possible. She filled out the bust of her outfits very well, and had a very tall stature, which seemed to be quite a lot more leg than normal humans. Her hair was a stark white, and was normally cut short, due to its frizzy nature and the ease of styling it this way. Her eyes shown with a brilliant red color, and gave off a feeling of caring warmth and contentedness you had not seen in any of the women in the village. “Hello Vahn,” Her soft and motherly voice rang in your ears, feeling very sweet and very inviting, “What is it? Everything alright at the shop?”
        “Yes Ma'am. Everything is going well. I just came over to borrow some wood. Father is running out it seems, or he is using an excuse to get me to take your better wood.”
        She gives a chuckle and motions me to the back where the wood is stored. You thank her and give a slight nod before proceeding. Garrion was hard at work with his forge as well and gave you a wave before continuing with his task. “It's nice to see you over Vahn! How's everything with your father?” He said as he hammered away on a piece of armor.
        “Good so far. I think he is getting a little worn out. I've notice he hasn't been feeling to well the past few days,” you say with a chuckle. It was only half a joke, but you knew it to be true and so did Garrion.
        “Well, maybe it's time him and Clara settled down. I know it is hard to believe, but he is quite the ladies man with her,” He lets out a hearty laugh after finishing the armor.
        Clara, a woman who had frequented the shop, was a widow. Her husband had gone off to the war and never returned. She had gotten reports that he had died, and had grieved, and seemingly, had moved on. Your father was not one for women after your mother, but Clara had taken a liking to him. Anyone could see that they should be together, and even you think that your mother would not object if she had a say in it. Clara had, on multiple occasions, helped your father while you were sick with the shop, and had managed to fix up quite a bit of stuff around the shop and the back part of the house as well. She was, in every way they could see, the perfect woman for your father.
        “I'll talk to him about it when things start to die down. It seems we got a lot of orders to fill today.”
        “You and me both. I sent Celeste out to gather more of that wood. She should be back soon in fac-”
**CRASH**
        A small hush fell through the shop as you saw from the side door the little girl you had grown up with. You and her are only eleven years old, but you two were drastically different. Due to her being an Oni, she had massive amounts of strength. The logs she was putting down with one arm were heavy enough for five men to struggle moving. She did not even look like she was breaking a sweat however. You were amazed.
        “CELESTE YULENE DAILEMONT! HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU TO 'SET' THOSE DOWN AND NOT THROW THEM DOWN!?” yelled her father through the door, much to the laughter of the crowd inside and Tara. The look Celeste gave to her father was one of confusion, dismay, and one of an uncaring kind of attitude. “They are just logs!” She said in a child like anger. You gave a little chuckle, which brought upon a puffy cheeked Celeste into your view.
        “What's so funny huh!?”
        “Sorry! You got in trouble! I thought it was funny,” you said still giggling. She gave you a soft punch to the arm. Amazingly, her strength here was nothing like that of her moving the tree.
        “Shut up you idiot. What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be helping Adam with the shop? Did he disown you or something?”
        “Not today he hasn't. I came to get some wood. He says that your wood is better than the stuff we get.”
        “Haha! I gotcha. I'll let you guys use one of the logs I got. I'll take it over there no problem,” She said with a chuckle, knowing that it was the same reason as before when they were younger; it was all just a ruse for them to talk and interact.
        After the exchange, you followed her out the door to where she had dropped off the logs, and walked her over to your shop. Clara was inside now helping, even to your father's repeated telling that you would be back momentarily. Celeste sat the log down behind the shop and sat on top of it. You thanked her repeatedly, saying that there was no way you could have gotten that over here.
        “Don't worry. I don't mind. Just what neighbors do right? Sit down. I doubt your dad is gonna call for you anytime soon,” She said patting the piece of the log next to her.
        You sat down and leaned back against the chopped wood behind you. The view was amazing as usual. Your village had an amazing view of the ocean, and at any one time, the sun reflecting off of it looks entrancing. You stare out into the ocean for a small while, but shake it off and look over at your friend. She wore a normal brown shirt and a pair of pants that were fairly loose and easy to move in. Regardless of her outfit, she was beautiful to you, and more entrancing than the sun over the water. You run your eyes down her, instinctively, taking in every gentle curve and the vibrancy of her skin. She was starting to grow more than you it seemed. She had passed you in height and now was about an inch taller than you. Her breasts were growing as well, so much so that her shirt now lifted up a little and revealed her stomach. The little bit of her legs and feet you could see denoted that she had gained her mother’s legs as well. The soft red color of her skin made you feel easy and rather safe for some reason. You could not pin it down, but, something made you want to move over and get a little close to her.
        “Everything alright?” She said with a puzzled look at you. You look up from her body and into her yellow eyes. They seem to glow with a type of understanding you have never seen before. You leaned in closer to her, keeping your eyes locked. “W-wha-? What are you doing?” She says a bit scared.
        You take her hand, and give a gentle pull. She let’s herself go, and falls into you, planting her lips upon yours. You can feel her face heat up upon the moment the kiss started. You feel her tense up suddenly, and then her body eases. Her hand in yours feels almost perfect, as if it were meant to be. Your other hand rests on her back, giving her a little more support so she can feel safe with you. The time you two shared in this moment feels like an eternity, one which you never wish to end. You pull away, letting your lips give a **smack** sound. Breathing heavily, you both simply stare at each other for a moment. You break the gaze suddenly, looking down, embarrassed by the action you just pushed on her. You search for words to convey what you mean, but only utter small noises for a moment and then fall silent.
        “So…” She finally breaks the silence. “So… Um… I guess we should… ah…” She looks away, ruffling her hair as she goes back to looking at the ocean. “I’m sorry,” She said, a few tears in her eyes. “I guess I stepped over the line with kissing you. I mean, look at me. I’m not someone who could love a human huh? Besides… We are two completely different species really. We may all look human, but we Oni are just… different.”
 
What?
 
        You are stunned and to hurt to speak. You gaze at her, eyes wide and mouth agape, confused. “Thanks you indulging me, even if it was for just a moment. I’ll head back now I guess," She says, brushing herself off, and begins walking back around the side of the shop.
 
“Wait!”
 
You say, stopping her in her tracks. She looks back at you, her eyes beginning to fill with tears. “Do you have something to say? Or are you just going to babble and hurt me more!?” Her softer red lips quiver as she says this. After she waits in silence for you to speak for a few moments, she wipes her eyes and heads back home. You feel hurt and betrayed. You know your feelings, but could not tell them to the one you loved. You sit back down, your head in your hands as the sun beats down on you. You think on what just transpired. Things you could have done differently; why she would think that; why you could not tell her how you felt. Everything flies through your mind in a blur.
        “Maybe she is just as confused as I am… Maybe… There is still a chance.”
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
        Three years pass as you fix the relationship that was lost with your friend. Through slow conversation and just general friendliness, you repair it to back how it was before that event. It still hangs in your mind, and you suspect it does for her as well. You want that back, but you do not know how she feels. At the age of sixteen, you have become a young man built by the blacksmithing tradition.
 
        “Vahn! Come test out this new armor I made! Garrion says its shit!” Your father says from downstairs. Even though you and Celeste had a falling out, the two fathers could not be the better friends. They would drink and converse together about almost everything. Heck, you even suspected them of having a hand in the meeting of you and Celeste a couple times to fix your relationship.
        “Comin’ dad! Are you going to be hitting me again today?” You say as you wash your face of soot from the forge.
        “Nope! Garrion has a weapon he wants to try out,” Your father says with a big laugh. You shudder at the thought of having to face that hulking man in one-on-one combat. He may be a gentle giant at times, but he can be ferocious when he is angry. Your father finishes laughing and completes his sentence, “So Celeste is gonna be beating up on you today!”
 
        Well this outcome could not have been better. From what you have seen, Oni’s take pride in their work and their performance. However, they are a bit reckless when it comes to fighting and tactics. Fighting Celeste might be a challenge since she has gotten so strong recently. She may have even surpassed her father. If you win, she may never talk to you again. If she wins, you could be hurt pretty badly.
        You make your way downstairs to the shop where the armor is already laid out for you, along with a shield and a hardened wooden sword. “Yeah. That sword isn’t gonna do shit,” You say to yourself as you don the armor. The armor is linked and studded in places, but feels lighter than air. It feels more like a tunic than armor.
        Walking outside, you see the flaming red skin of your opponent. Her long white hair flaps in the wind and her short red horn protrudes from her forehead, shimmering a little in the sunlight. She has not grown much taller than you, but you know she is almost ten times as strong as you, even though she does not look it. She has grown up since your last time alone. Her body has matured rapidly in the few years you have hardly spoken to one another, but her body is still breathtaking.
        “HAHA! Time to show you the power of my steal Adam!” Garrion said with laugh, patting his daughter on the back. “Dad, why do I have to do this? And why against him?” She says, keeping her eyes off of you.
        “What? You don’t want to fight him? Oh I get it. Little Celeste is scared of hurting her precious friend?” Adam said, chortling.
        “Woah now dad. No need to get her riled up. The last thing I want is either of us getting hurt,”
        You say to him, trying to calm him down.
        “Watch your back son! Time to fight! Looks like what I said might have gotten to her!”
        You turn just in time to dodge the swift strike of Celeste. You gain your bearings again and ready your weapon. You feel something strange welling up inside you, the same feelings as that time you spent together three years ago.
        She rushes you, and you lock blades with her. Her strength is unimaginable. You know what she is exhibiting is not her full strength however, and give her a bit of a push off. You parry her and get her away from you. She rushes again and you lock blades once more. “Celeste,” You say, quietly, so your fathers will not hear, “Celeste, I have a request.” You continue to speak as the fight goes on, blade against blade, and begin landing cuts and blows on one another’s armor.
        “What is it?” She says as you lock blades again.
        “Would you… would you like to talk after this?”
        “Wha-? What… What do you mean!?”
        “I mean we haven’t really talked in forever. I want to get to know you again.”
        She scoffs a little at your request, but obliges. “If you can get this blade out of my hand, and knock me over, sure. We can talk all you want,” she says with a laugh.
        The fight continues, and you have attracted a small crowd of everyone in the village. Other monster girls and their husbands watch as you exchange blows. You both have a few cuts and blood trickles from them, but you continue to fight. When you get the chance, you look around to see your father and Clara, holding hands and watching you, knowing that you can win this battle. You can also see Garrion and his wife there too, smiling as you two exchange blows. They know that this is what her daughter wants, and it is the easiest way for her to show her true emotions.
        Cheers and gasps reign out as the crowd stirs with each blow, until, your grip loosens suddenly, and the sword goes flying out of your hand and sticks into the ground. With a final thrust, Celeste lunges at you. She is very quick, but you are just a bit quicker. You sweep your leg and hit the back of her knee, causing her to collapse on the ground, dropping her sword as well. She falls to her knees and catches herself. She looks up at you with angry eyes, sweat still pouring down her face. The crowd falls silent.
        You extend your hand to help her up. Her yellow eyes scan you, and reach out for your hand. As you raise her up, the crowd lets out a wild cheer and whistles. After shaking hands and letting the crowd disperse, you are left alone in the field next to your house, sitting down, watching the sunset.
        You in your gray shirt and brown pants and her in her tight tank top like shirt and shorts. You sit and just stare at the sunset for what seems like an eternity.
        “Thank you,” You say to her finally, breaking the silence.
        A quizzical look comes up Celeste’s face. “Why are you thanking me?”
        “For going easy on me and agreeing to let me talk to you.”
        “Ha! Going easy on you,” She scoffs, “Whatever you think Vahn.” She gives you a little smile and crosses her legs as she lies back on her hands, arching her back to stretch.
        You get a full view of her amazing body glistening in the sunlight. Her plump breasts move a little as she starts her stretch, and you can see the points of her nipples through the shirt. Her shirt raises up as she stretches, letting you see her smooth and slightly chiseled stomach. You can also see the muscles in her smooth legs move as she stretches them and crosses them once more.
        “Celeste, there is something I have been meaning to tell you, ever since three years ago. I know I should have told you then but…”
        “Wait… what are you talking about? Do you mean what we did behind your dad’s shop?”
        “Yes. That. I… I don’t know why you would have thought what you did but… Celeste I…” You turn to her, and put your hand over hers, peering into her eyes.
        “What? Vahn? Are you alright?” she says a little shocked, her face somehow getting redder.
        “I… I love you Celeste.”
        The words floated in the air with the breeze, and you could feel them glow in the setting sunlight. The heavy weight you were feeling was suddenly lifted off of your body, and you felt lighter than air. You see her yellow eyes begin to tear up as she strains her face to hold them back. A single tear rolls down her red skin. You wipe it away and place your hand on her face when you hear something that shocks you.
        “What? You... You must be joking!” She gives a little chuckle, tears still rolling down your face. “You had me going there for a second. I thought you were going to say something else! Don’t joke around like that okay? We had our little lover’s moment way back when. You know we can’t be together. Look at us.”
        Dumbstruck yet again, you have no idea how she could misinterpret this one. You are laying your feelings out on the line for her and she does not even recognize them.
        “Don’t play games with my heart Vahn. Please. You hurt me enough as it is. We are friends again, make no mistake about that, but do not hurt me again, alright?” She says with a final tear rolling down her face. With those words, she turns, waves, and walks back to her house.
        You do not understand how you could have messed this one up. Were you not clear enough? Did you really come across the way she took it? Is there something else you could have done? With all these thoughts in your mind, you head back to your house, and sit down with your step mother Clara, and your father, Adam, and proceed as if it was just another day.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
        Your 20th birthday was just a week ago and your father is already acting like he is more of a boss to you than a father. You are now the sole blacksmith of your fathers shop, and now he only helps you from time to time. Your skills have sharpened and your technique has surpassed your fathers. You have made swords and armor for knights and equipped the villagers with the necessary equipment for their day to day lives to the best of your abilities. Each piece you produce is the pinnacle of your learning and technique.
        With the event that happened four years ago that brought you and Celeste back on speaking terms, the village has seen it as a display of strength, as well as skill, and have dubbed it the Blacksmith’s Banquet ever since. People from surrounding villages and towns come to watch and even participate in it, but the main attraction is always you and Celeste. You work all year on your main piece and display it to each other on the battlefield. Each year, you have gone back and forth in winning. Last year, Celeste’s creation won, but only slightly, and now this year it was your turn. You two always make a bet before the match, and as always, yours is to sit and talk with her, watching the sunset, just like so long ago.
        “Quite your daydreaming boy! Focus!” Yells your father from the counter. You gather yourself and continue working on the orders of the day. The big day is on its way, and you know that this year, you will fix all the wrongs you may have done.
 
>>A few days later<<
 
        The day is finally here. The crowds have gathered and merchants have come to display their wares. It is hard to believe that you and Celeste started this and it has blown up into this. It is the early morning, and you are already at the forge, working on the piece you know will win you the fight and the bet. Just as the fire reaches the perfect temperature, you hear a knock at the door.
        “Doors open! Come in!” You say as you ready yourself for your final preparations.
        In walks none other than Celste. She has grown considerably. Her body still resembles her mother’s, but instead of the blue color it is of course a brilliant red. She stands inside the room, almost hitting her horn on the ceiling. She stands at about seven feet tall and a few inches. Her muscles are smooth and not bulging like her fathers, which you thank. The smooth muscle glisten a little in the dim light of the room, and just like always, her shirt is a bit too small, showing off her midriff and her slightly toned abs.
        “Hey there Celeste, what’s u-“
        “Don’t give me that,” She cuts you off mid sentence, “You know what’s up.”
        You give a little laugh and go to the counter. “All business today it seems” you think to yourself.
        “Alright, what is your bet?” You ask her, resting on the counter.
        “Hmmm… How about… You just saying I am the best? I mean, we already know that that is right, but I want you to make something that says it,” she lets out a laugh.
        “Fine. I can do that,” you give a little chuckle too.
        Since the first time you two fought, you two have been on good terms. You would go do stuff together, work together, eat together, but every time you tried to reveal your true feelings to Celeste, she always just pushed them aside. Even now, if you told her, she would think nothing of it. Over the years you have known her, she was always very headstrong and boyish, and you liked that about her, but now, you kind of want to see the softer emotions come out in her.
        “What about if I win?” You say finally, after talking about the banquet and what everyone is cooking for it, as well as the fireworks show coming with the night.
        “The same as always right? Maybe you should pick something else. I mean, I always change mine. Why don’t you change yours?” She says with a slight huff, arms crossed.
“Fine fine I can do that. I’ll tell you when we get out on the field alright?”
        “You better not disappoint me like last year!” She says as she waves and walks out the door back to her house. With that, you hear the commotion outside as the festival of strength gets underway.
 
        A few hours pass, and it is time for you two to take to the field. Due to Celeste’s overwhelming size and strength, you are able to use thicker armor and almost any weapon. Celeste has basic armor on and a weapon of her own, and can use any item she deems necessary. The fights are fair for you both, and each year has turned out differently. This year, however, you have an ace up your sleeve. The weapon you have is simple but strange. A sword with a felt at the hilt, attached to your wrist. The metal is able to detach from the handle and can now be used more like a whip. If you can trip Celeste up, and pin her, you win. It will not be easy though.
        As you make your way out, and ready yourself, the crowd cheers as you two enter the field. Celeste is waiting across from you, a wide sword in her hand, and a belt with something on it. The battle area has grown a little since the last few times you have met, and the field has been muddied a little with the other participant’s battles. You make your way to the center, cross swords, take three paces back. The fight is now on.
        The crowd continues to cheer and yell as you two cross blades over and over. The sword she has is so large that it is almost like she is wielding a small tree rather than a weapon. With all the days of your training however, you can somehow match the strength she is giving you. A few minutes pass, and you two have landed no attacks on the other. With another cross, Celeste lunges back and gets a small ball out of the belt pouch she had. As she throws it into the mud, you cannot see where it goes. She continues to do this all across the field, and takes off the shoes she was wearing. “Alright let’s go!” She yells as she rushes you once more. You dodge around her and roll to the ground behind her. As you try to get up, you feel something on your foot, as if you were stuck to the ground. Sure enough, the balls that Celeste had thrown out were some kind of sticky substance. You are unable to move from the spot you are in. “Haha! You fell for it!” Celeste says, sprinting at you again, holding the sword over her head for a final strike. You quickly get out of your leg armor and leave it behind, as well as the other once it gets stuck. Now you are on an equal field again. A few more minutes pass as the battle rages on. You decide that it is time to end the fight, and dodge quickly and throw the blade of the sword away, and ready the whip. Celeste looks at you, confused, but rushes you again, just as you hoped. The Oni girl dashes to your, right into your trap, and gets tripped up by your whip. She falls to the ground, and you pin her to it. Somehow, her bracers got caught in her own sticky traps as well. The crowd goes wild as you raise her up and claim yourself the victor. She wipes herself off with a slightly angry look, but joins you in waving as everyone proceeds to the village hall for the actual banquet for the Blacksmith’s Banquet.
        After the feast, you head out to the normal spot you always designate for talking after the fight, and see her standing there, staring out at the water while the sun dances in its waves. “I hope you didn't wait long,” you say as you near her. She turns around, her hands behind her back. She darts her eyes around and stares at the ground. “*mumble mumble*” She says something under her breath.
        “What was that? I couldn't hear you.”
        “Good... job today. I thought my little invention would work,” she says quietly.
        “Hey you almost had me there. I'm just glad my rope was good enough. One false move and I would have been done,” You say laughing.
        The two of you carry on conversation about the fight for a little while, and then settle into the grass as the sun reaches its perfect spot. You look over at Celeste, her big yellow eyes looking just as gorgeous as ever in the sunlight. You had not noticed it before, but as you look her over, you see a small tooth poking out of the right side of her mouth, just like her mothers. You give a little chuckle as you notice it, causing her to snap to attention.
        “Hey! What's so funny? Something on my face!?” She says, turning to you and wiping her face a little.
        “It's nothing Celeste. Don't worry. Your face is just as beautiful as ever,” you say, taking a chance.
        “Wh-wh-what was that!?” She says as her face gets a little redder.
        “You heard me,” you say with a straight face, “You are beautiful.”
        “I... Shut up! You tryin' to make fun of me or something?”
        “No. I mean it. All this time... You've misunderstood my feelings,” You start letting it all out, “You never asked me how I felt. You just assumed that you could not be loved by someone like me. When we were kids, behind my father's shop, that kiss... I meant it.” You pause to let the words sink in and to see how she reacts.
        A soft blush creeps on her face as her eyes begin to tear up... just like the last time this happened.
        “Then when we were sixteen, the first time we ever fought out here.... I meant the words I said.”
        Her head was now in her hands. You could see the tears creeping out of her fingers slowly and go down her arms. You could not tell if she is scared or happy, but you continue. “Celeste. There is so much time we have lost. I'm sorry I hurt you all those years ago, and I am sorry I could not speak up at the time to let you not get hurt. But now,” You turn to get in front of her, “I will tell you everything I feel for you, to make sure you know exactly, just how much I love you.”
        All of a sudden, all at once, Celeste turns over, and raises herself up. You hear her crying as she does it. She runs as quickly as she can behind her father's shop, her long white hair tailing behind her. You chase after her, to find her sitting down, her knees at her face and her arms wrapped around them. You go over to her and sit down in front of her, hoping to coax her out of her shell.
        “Celeste. I mean it. I love you. I am not taking pity on you. I am not trying to hurt you. I truly mean it.” You say, trying to calm her down as best you can.
        “I...” She says, sniffling through almost every word. The large red woman you see before you is almost like a princess to you. “I don't want... to hurt anymore,” With that, you reach down and lift her up to her feet. You press her against the wall and reach up to her lips and lock into them with your own.
        Her crying is still there, but you feel her body ease and lower itself down to you a little so you do not have to stretch. Her lips are warm and soft, and her saliva tastes as sweet as honey to you. You have been waiting for this moment for quite a while, and it completely lives up to what you expected.
        She pushes away from you, and looks a bit scared.
        “You... You are serious? Right? You... You aren't going to hurt me anymore?” She says, still scared and sniffling.
        You grab her waist gently and pull her in, she is a foot taller than you, and quite a bit stronger, even though she does not look it, but you take her and lay her down on the grass, and rest beside her. You turn her towards you and stare into her eyes. “Never. I will never hurt you.” You say softly as you caress her arm.
        “A.... Actions speak louder than wor-” She says, but you cut her off with another kiss.
        You move your hand through her soft white hair and tousle it gently, and then proceed to move you hand down her arm. You feel her tense up as you move to her lower back and pull her in closer. Her leg moves over and locks around you. Her brilliant red skin feels soft and smooth against you. The kiss lasts for what feels like an eternity. Once you finish it, Celeste's eyes are still closed, small tears still at the fringe of her eyelids. “I... I was saying... Actions speak louder than words,” She chuckles, wiping away the tears, as she snuggles up to your shoulder. Luckily, her horn is curved perfectly, so it does not poke you or prod against you. “Are you sure you can love someone like me?” she says as her leg retreats from you, and goes back to her side. You run your hand down her arm and place her hand in yours, interlocking your fingers, and kissing them. “I don't think I could ever love anyone but you.”
        The tears come once more, but you stifle them with another kiss. You feel all of her emotions flow into you. All the pain she had been through because of her misunderstandings, they seem to fade away from her. Her chest pushes against you and heaves with each kiss, as if she wants to get as close as possible to you no matter what. Her soft lips entrance you and keep your emotions high as you continue kissing. Once you finish, you pull away, with both of you panting, and just simply staring at one another. She giggles a little, and kisses your forehead. “It may be awkward, having a girlfriend that's a lot taller and stronger than you,” You both chuckle as you raise up.
        “Thank you Vahn,” she says, pulling her knees in close. “I... I haven't been honest with you... or listened to you. I am glad you still kept me in your heart and mind all these years. I'm... I'm sorry for being so stubborn.”
        “Are you happy now?” You say, as you raise to your feet.
        She looks up at you with a toothy smile, “I think so. I feel really light, and my hands are shaking. My heart feel like it could fly out of my chest at any moment... and... I still have tears running down my face... I think... I think I am happy.”
        “Then nothing else matter Celeste. As long as you are happy, that is all that matters to me.”
        With those words, she leaps up and smashes into you, wrapping her arms around you and almost smothering you in her chest. You fall over and proceed to kiss intimately for another few minutes, before giggling and getting back up.
        Finally, the woman of your dreams is with you. Both of your families wondered why it did not happen sooner, but they are happy and relieved that it has finally happened. You do not know what the future holds for you two... but you both know that now you will have the other to lean on no matter what trials and troubles you face. Now, you can face the challenges of life together. Now and forever.