There was very little in her own world that the blue-eyed blonde wouldn't give up to make Somnia her home. To think that she would open her eyes to see that glittering white snow every morning, to the fresh mountain air and the rustic scent of the evergreens that grew in thick clusters here and there... to know that she was just that much closer to the fae man, that they would share the same world, call the same little village home, their home. She was entirely aware of just how silly these very thoughts were, but that did not mean that she wouldn't hold onto them, hang them in the back of her mind where she might be able to pretend for just a little while whenever she would come to visit the lodge, visit Ida. She wasn't fae. She didn't belong. All of this was almost painfully clear to the young woman, and even in light of what she knew to be the pure and honest truth no matter how she might wish for things to be different, she still clung to those wistful thoughts like they were the most precious thing in her entire existence. She would give up that part-time job at the café, give up that dream of becoming a world-renowned photographer, run away from her own world just to be here, to be with Andras. Yes, she would miss her parents and the logical side of the young woman knew all too well that she would never do that to her parents no matter how much she wanted to remain here for the rest of her life, and it was perhaps that voice that was the only thing able to keep reminding her that all these fantasies would never be more than that; dreams meant to stay as dreams. Part of her wanted to tell him all this, her every heartbeat carrying with it that desire, that dream that would never see the light of day. How she wanted to tell him how she felt, that there was no one else in the world that she would rather be with... but she hesitates. She would always hesitate. Just the mere thought that he would look at her softly only to tell her that they could never be together â€" even when she knew it herself in the end â€" and that he could never feel that way about a human woman, it was enough to lock away those wants and longings in a chest and hide the key. It was so foolish to guard them as she did, only promising nothing but utter and complete devastation when that inevitable day came where they would be crushed and shattered, but she couldn't help it. I just want them to feel real... just for a little while... for as long as they can. If he didn't know how she felt, wasn't aware that he held her heart in his hands when he surely didn't want it, then he couldn't break her. At least, this was what she told herself.

Just when those thoughts, those hidden feelings threatened to consume her every thought and cause her chest to ache as logic warred viciously against fantasy, that dark chuckle accompanied by a warm smile release her from herself. The fae man gives a small shrug of his shoulders and she can't help the impish pleasure in seeing that he knew there would be no convincing her to divulge anything about that gift that she'd made for him, so much care and warmth having gone into each and every woven piece of the navy blue and forest green plaid scarf that remains safely concealed behind that decorative wrapping paper and thoughtfully threaded ribbon. When he leads her into the heart of the music and the dancing faeiries, she takes a moment to look at the unfamiliar faces as she admires how each one was as unique as the next, wings of all sizes and colors catching in that sunlight that filtered down over Somnia. Still she had yet to see another with the same bat-like appendages that rested on Andras' broad shoulders, but she hardly had a moment to ask that question as he wraps one arm around her and takes her hand in his after retrieving the gift from her and placing it in his pocket. She smiles at his words then, his laughter only causing that softness to find blush-colored lips as she places her hand on his shoulder and they dance together like they've done this before. And just maybe, in a dream long forgotten, she might have dreamt of such a dance. They laugh together, and she can't help but fall for him further as she sees the pure joy and happiness that flows so freely from him, wrapping her in its invisible embrace and awakening in her own spirit that same sense of belonging even when she didn't. She'd never seen him so carefree, so happy in the big city, but then she finds a thought. What if it was because he felt like he didn't belong in that world, in her world? After all, she still knew nothing of where his true home was, only knowing that Somnia was the closest thing that Andras had to "home". So many things she had yet to learn about him, and yet here she was head over heels for the fae man that spun her around him. When the music stops ever so briefly, they move to the outskirts once more and another deep chuckle is rolling from his tongue, his words finding her as he grins down to her."This is true. And I would absolutely love to do it again and again", she says blissfully as the rise and fall of her own chest settles when they move to that stand where they are given those sweet drinks. She feels that familiar warmth from the alcohol, but thankfully the fruity cocktail wasn't enough to do much more than make her feel only a little warmer.

One would think that as often as her family had made that annual trip up to the snow and the mountains that she might have been ice skating at least once, but she hadn't. It would just be another first that she would get to share with the fae man when the time came since the day was still quite young but as midnight tenor tones enter into the air between them once again alive with music and laughter as the fae folk continued dancing and celebrating merrily, she knows that Andras was right. There would be many other opportunities for her to experience this, and maybe it would be just the two of them. Maybe..."That sounds fun", she replies, giving a small nod of agreement. He goes on to explain how the exchanging of gifts was not a part of the Winter Solstice Festival, something that she could understand since they were two different celebrations from two different worlds, and when he winks down at her, a gently chiming giggle tumbles from her lips. How he could make her do such things with such a simple gesture. She can see a fleeting flicker of surprise dance across those hazel depths, and her baby blue gaze glitters only briefly with curiosity as to what it was that surprised him, hardly thinking in that moment how being alone might lead into another moment like last night, but it is whisked away when Andras takes a step closer to her before those satin baritones fall from his lips, hazel eyes alive with a teasing light as he bows before her, that wicked grin finding his handsome features once more and for a moment Beylani casts a quick glance to the fae folk around them, wondering what if anyone had seen him and what they might think... This train of thought hardly lasts long though as his voice brings her gaze back to him and she lifts a brow in question, failing for a moment to understand what was hidden behind those words as he removes the glass from her hand, that wicked smile growing into something devilish. She doesn't even have a moment more to usher a single world or ask him what it was he was thinking when suddenly he sweeps her up and into his arms, a surprised gasp escaping her lips only to be trailed quickly after gentle laughter.

He holds her close, and she melts into his embrace as elegantly curled blonde locks feel his chin resting over the top of her head. Those magnificent wings snap open then and suddenly with nothing more than two powerful strokes, they are launching through the air. She tightens her hold onto his shirt reflexively, thick lashes shutting over baby blue eyes in turn despite trusting him entirely that he would not allow for her to fall out of his arms â€" not that she was worried he couldn't retrieve her if such a thing happened, she'd just rather not find herself freefalling today. The wind whips around them, pulling at those elegant locks and it is when he can hear his laughter and those midnight tenor tones that she does open those baby blue eyes as they glance down to the village below them. Her breath is stolen from her lungs then at the beauty of the world below, the mountains in the distance as the sun shone brightly in a clear, crisp sky. She had never before dreamt of flying, but the sensations that find her then are incredible as she watches the fae people stirring below them, the lights illuminating the city reminding her of stars. His voice fills her ear again and she looks back up into those hazel eyes and she remembers how she'd woken up in his bed that night after the attack and she draws herself even closer to him then, a gentle smile playing across her lips as he begins to tell her about how he enjoyed flying over Somnia, how his mother and sister would just him and she can almost feel a sense of peace that falls over Andras then, his baritones almost soft against the wind that swirled around them."If I had wings, I'd want to fly beneath a sky full of stars too", she says just over the wind, hesitating for a moment as she stops herself from asking about his family. Not yet...

Andras turns his gaze down to the world below them and her gaze follows to see a lone structure not too terribly far off from the lodge that she could also see from here. At first, their descent is steady, the tops of the trees drawing ever closer, but when she looks back to see the fae man sporting that wicked grin with mischief gleaming in his gaze, she is about to ask him what warranted such a look. Before she is even able to part her lips and usher a single word, those massive wings fold against his back and they're tumbling down towards the snow. She throws her arms around his neck now, burying her face into his chest, heart pounding wildly at the sudden roller coaster ride she found herself in, and all the while there is laughter falling from his lips like the devil he could so easily be, remembering only for a moment how he'd done his best to unravel their dear friend Dorian at the tea party. As quickly as the sensation that tickled her stomach began, it is stopped when finally those wings flare open once more and they land with ease and the welcomed sound of snow crunching beneath the fae man's feet allow for her to open those baby blues, giving him a playful glare as he moves to return her to the ground she'd missed in those freefalling moments. She only staggers for a moment when Andras steadies her with a hand on her arm and when he has the boldness to ask if she was okay, his expression anything but concerned or remorseful, she gives him a gentle shove, soft hands pressing against his chest."You about gave me a heart attack!", she exclaims quietly, baby blue eyes glittering playfully though she couldn't feign having not been startled by the whole ordeal. Of all the things he would decide to do for fun. She'd much rather he make her blush like some school girl instead of another stunt like that.

Settling herself after the fae man's sudden urge to toy with her, he takes her hand in his and leads her up the paved path to the front door of the log cabin. I wonder who lives here... When they reach the wooden stairs, she follows suit by knocking the snow from her own boots and when he opens the door, she is greeted by a kiss of warm air flowing out of the cabin as a fire snaps and crackles in the stone fireplace. It was a cozy little cabin, a large bed stacked with pillows and a thick blanket to the northern wall, and in front of the fireplace, two cushioned chairs and an ottoman, the small yet cozy structure lit by the chandelier hanging from the beams overhead. She almost misses his words then, looking up to him in surprise before slowly walking to the center of the cabin."Oh, Andras... I love it! You really didn't have to", she says almost breathlessly as she notices the smell of the fresh pine garland that weaved through the chandelier and draped over the frame over the hearth and along the headboard and footboard of the bed. It was a subtle but still festive touch as she turns to look back at Andras who closes the distance, extending to her the gift she'd wrapped for him, hazel depths softening as they met her baby blues. She smiles tenderly to him then, sitting at the foot of the bed as she sits the gift in her lap, patting the place beside her not that he wouldn't notice the expectant look in her gaze for him to follow suit."Well, unfortunately I don't have a log cabin packed in here, but I did make it. Just for you...", she says softly as she waits for him to sit beside her before she hands him the small gift. And how frightfully small it was, but she always thought that the best gifts in life often were small, if not unseen by the eye altogether.