Sirona’s night

The next day at work is a blur, your mind only focused on the evening ahead. Even your coworkers can see you’re distracted, and when you explain your date with Sirona, they immediately understand. The poor manticore had languished in the AWIO for long enough that most of the people there knew of her, and everyone who did are happy to see her getting the attention she deserves. You leave work early, heading off to set things up for the date tonight.

When you arrive back home that evening, Sirona is waiting, nervously. You greet her with a smile and a kiss, and tell her to go get ready. You get ready yourself, getting showered and dressed, and wait for her in the living room. You’re dressed casually, and you told Sirona to do the same.

You’re having a chat with Mazzy when Sirona emerges from the bedroom. She’s dressed simply, in a light sundress, but one you don’t recognize. The fabric is the same soft pink as her eyes, with a print of tiny blue flowers. It hangs just above her knees, and clings to her torso alluringly. Though hardly a revealing outfit, your breath catches in your throat as you look at her.

Sirona blushes, smoothing the dress over her thighs. “Is this…okay? I made it myself…”

You walk over and take her hands, smiling, and she blushes even more. “You look incredible, Sirona! You made this?”

She nods, not meeting your gaze. “Yes…it’s a talent of mine. I can…create clothes from cloth easily…”

Finally, she looks into your eyes. “I was…saving this one. For…for a special day.”

You smile, and gently kiss her. “Well, we had better go have that special day, don’t you think?”

Sirona nods, a smile on her face. Her feathered hand squeezes yours, and you lead her out the door, as Mazzy shouts a goodbye. You barely hear her, with Sirona leaning against you.

Once in the car, a process that always takes a while with Sirona’s wings and tail, you start the drive. Sirona watches out the window as you head away from the city. She looks at you curiously, but you just smile. The sun is dipping low in the sky as you pull onto a forested dirt road, and shortly thereafter into a marked parking area.

Getting out of the car, you take Sirona’s hand again, leading her towards the trees. There’s a big sign next to a wide path leading into the woods which reads “Greater Area Preserve Trails”. Sirona looks at the sign, then at you, and you smile.

“From what I understand, Sirona, manticores are forest and mountain dwellers. We don’t have mountains nearby, but we do have this.”

You gesture towards the trees, the lowering sun lighting things with an orange light. You lead Sirona onto the trail. “I thought you’d be more comfortable here. There’s rarely people around, and it’s quiet and beautiful. Just like you.”

Sirona is looking around in wonder as the two of you follow the trail into the woods. Her pink eyes are alight as she smiles, her hand squeezing yours tightly. After a while, she speaks.

“It’s…perfect. I’ve missed the…the quiet of the forest.”

She turns her head to smile at you as the two of you continue along the trail. “There’s more you should know, though. In the forest…it’s hard to explain. Something about nature…it calls to me. Changes how I…how I act, a little.”

You look at her, curious. “Is that bad?”

She giggles, shaking her head. “No! It’s hard to explain. It’s more…I’m more emotional. I feel everything…stronger. I’m just warning you, that’s all.”

You raise an eyebrow. “Interesting. Should be a fun time, then?”

Sirona blushes. “I…yes, fun…”

You both laugh, and as you lead her around a corner in the path, you come across the setup you came out to handle earlier. Nothing fancy, a blanket laid on the forest floor, with a sealed cooler full of food. Sirona smiles as she sees it.

“You…set this up for us?”

You smile. “Of course. A private dinner, out in nature.”

The delight on Sirona’s face warms you as you set out the food. Simple fare, just sandwiches and fruit, but Sirona seems ecstatic as she sits next to you. She leans her head on your shoulder as you both eat, occasionally feeding each other bites of fruit. By the time the food is gone, the sun is almost down, but you’re prepared, setting out a small lantern to light the area.

After setting the light, you turn to Sirona, who smiles, seated on the blanket. You kneel in front of her, taking her hands, and her eyes go wide. You smile, holding her gaze as you pull out a small box.

“Sirona, even though it hasn’t been a long time, I already can’t imagine my life without you in it. I love you, and I want you to always be by my side.”

You open the box, revealing the ring inside. Sirona gasps, her hands shaking and tears in her pink eyes. “Ohh, my mate…my perfect, amazing mate. Yes. I am yours…and you are mine…”

You slip the ring in her finger, and she bites her lip. She looks at you, and you could swear her eyes are glowing pink in the dim light of the lantern. She speaks, her voice husky with emotion.

“I love your tradition…but…now it’s time for mine. I love you, my mate. And now, I will show you how manticores show it…”