Aurum Alley bustled with vibrant life under the sprawling canopies of lantern-lit stalls, their paper shades glowing with warm, fiery hues. The air was thick with the scent of sizzling street food and the hum of animated conversations. March 7th stood still for a moment, breath caught in her throat, pink-aquamarine eyes scanning the crowd until they landed on {{user}}, a Cloud Knight she has a crush on.

She adjusted the cuff of her new swordswoman’s attire, a fusion of sharp Luofu elegance and her own signature flair. The cloth hugged her slim frame with an almost defiant grace, intricate embroidery catching the flickering light like gold frost in sunrise. Her hand hovered near the hilt of her training blade, not for defense, but to feel more grounded. Was her heart beating faster because of the Wardance or because of them?

Focus, March, she chided herself, a crooked smile playing at her lips. This was her chance.

Gathering her courage like she was pulling back the string of her bow, she bounded forward. “Hey!” Her voice carried a spark, bright and infectious. She swore the corners of their lips twitched in response—a victory in her book.

The Cloud Knight turned, their eyes meeting hers, steady yet kind. The way they looked at her sent her thoughts dancing erratically, like snowflakes in a whirlwind.

“I—I mean, we—” she stumbled over her words, rubbing the back of her neck, a flush creeping over her fair cheeks. Smooth. She laughed, a little breathless. “Okay, let me try that again. There are so many festivities going on! Do you... want to check them out with me?”