Act 3: The Ball - Afterparty

Théo says, "I'll keep an eye on them for now. You guys go get some rest. I can stay up for a bit longer."

"Thanks, I'll bring you some tea in a bit," says Steve, flashing a tired, but appreciative, smile.

"Would rather a beer but beggars can't be choosers."

"Most likely. He's the only one we found in the last hour or so."

With a sword to his throat, the sailor weeps silently. The mercenaries don't appear affected by it; in fact, a few of them seem keen to get this over with.
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"You look really tired," Waffle says. "You should try to get some sleep."
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Smirk easily arranges a meeting with the king and heads to Prosperitatem island, where the manor is located.

"I will, I think I can already feel the hangover. How's Brunhilde doing?"

"She's in Amber's cabin," Waffle replies. "She couldn't sleep, so a few of us stayed with her to keep her company."

"I don't think any of us could sleep once the fighting started," one of her siblings says.

"The explosions woke me up," adds another.
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One of Kaja's warriors grabs the sailor and holds him firm.

"Hold the docks, dispatch the enemy," the officer answers. Then irritated, he adds, "Capture those who surrender when we can—but since the commander redeployed most of our forces west of the river, we don't have enough men to guard them all. We're holding hundreds of them in the market. The few who weren't sick tried to make a run for it and killed some of our men on the way. We don't take new prisoners anymore."

Some of the mercenaries nod sternly while glaring at the prisoner.

"Alright then. I'm tucking in. Wake me if there's trouble."

"I'm gonna look in on her then," says Steve, "Goodnight Konrad."

"Goodnight, Konrad," Femke says.

Fluffle and several of the other fairies do the same while Steve heads back to the forecastle with Florolf in tow.

Steve arrives in front of Amber's cabin.
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"Hmm, if you really want him, then I'll send two men to escort him there," the officer replies. "But could I ask you to tell your men to watch out for enemy soldiers on your section of the docks? That'd be a big help."
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Angelica listens closely as Smirk explains the situation on the docks to Thirza. There's a short silence on the other end of the communicator before the commander says, "That's unfortunate. I'll send a detachment east to assist the troops there. Anything else?"

Mihai looks at Kaja - "That alright?"
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"Nah, that's about it. Thanks for the assist."

Steve knocks on the door.

Konrad looks back at Femke, and vacillates for a couple seconds. Finally, ignoring whoever is still present - the faceless Lofellian juggernaut, for one - he goes in for a bear hug.

"The king will be waiting for you," Thirza says. "Thirza, out."
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Kaja nods. "It won't be a problem."

Amber watches silently from the side, glancing at the nearest pile of corpses from time to time.
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Steve hears a few whispers from the other side of the door, followed by the sound of footsteps. The door then opens, revealing the short and scrawny Brünhilde, unmistakable even in the light of the lantern. Her hat is gone, but not the braids held together by orange ribbons. The instant she recognizes Steve, she swings the door open and lunges at him to hug him.
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At first, Femke stiffens at the unexpected gesture, and she stands there immobile, seemingly unable to move. Then she begins to relax and tentatively puts her arms around his back and her head into his chest.

Waffle and the rest of her siblings giggle, but soon head out of the hold, leaving them alone with the Venators and a very awkward Théo.

Konrad rubs her back. "Let's go somewhere and talk. Preferably before I fall asleep and wake up as someone else tomorrow."

Steve catches her and pulls her into a mutual hug. Through an exhausted grin, he says, "We're back, B, we're back."

"I sure hope so," the officer says. His men take back the prisoner and prepare to leave for the market.
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Konrad hears no response from Femke at first, but after a moment of reflection, she says, "Very well."

When she lets go of him, Konrad can see her blushing.
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"Hugging time!"

The fairies, who were previously sitting on the bed, quickly deploy their wings and join the embrace. Brünhilde giggles and lets go of Steve, a smile on her face.

Seconds later Konrad pulls away, and leads Femke out of the jail and toward a cabin. Hers or his, whichever they reach first.

"Oof," manages Steve, as the fairies glomp onto him. He does his best to return all the hugs, genuinely happy to see them all again. "Hey, is Bonbon still up? We could use some food for everyone that wants it. It's been a long night."

Kaja, her warriors and Amber follow Mihai back to the ship.

"That was..." Amber searches for her words, but then says, "Let's just get back."
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Gabby, one of Bonbon's closest siblings, perks up and says, "Bonbon is sleeping, but I can cook too! What do you want? What do you need? What can I do you for?"
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Konrad and Femke head for the captain's cabin.

"Do you remember that soup Bonbon and Cinnamon made a while back? Do you think you could recreate it? I think it would do everyone some good."

"Sure! But who's everyone? How many people are we talking?"

"Yeah! How many?" another fairy asks.

"How many!"

"Just make enough for the entire crew and the Myrzen. Whatever is left over we can have for lunch later today."