Submission (#2535) Approved

The echoing voices of the elnin who were peacefully chatting and drinking at the bar echoed against the walls, giving the feeling that the place was quite lively. The establishment was located inside a subway cave in the very heart of Zevija. The only light coming in were small rays of moonlight that slipped through the rocks, reflecting off the thousands of crystals gleaming purple and blue hues that had sprouted here and there in natural harmony. The place was perfect to chat leisurely: soft light, the best imported grape juice stored in bottles carved from precious gems.... Ah, but it was only perfect for Hanami. She was in her environment of discretion and sensuality. She had indeed enjoyed making her entrance, flaunting subtlety the pompousness of her coat that smelled of an intense cherry blossom fragrance that emanated and intoxicated those around her, giving free rein to her seductive aura. Everyone would think that everyone would also have eyes for the other Elnin that followed her: a cherry blossom among the snow. The creature was soft and delicate, too pure for this dark cavern illuminated with crystals overflowing with millennia-old magic. But it was not. Although she had her mother's light pink eyes, they were covered in a layer of permafrost. Anyone looking at her would freeze in their seat. This snowflake did not seem happy to have descended into what for her would be the underworld.

"Miyuki, my child, relax a little. You look like you're going to bite them."
"I don't even know why they're looking at me."
"They can't help it... They feel attracted."
"Well, it disgusts me."
" You are not that disgusted when you wield the same effect on your beloved Kanji..."

Miyuki frowned and looked down without answering as they sat down at a slightly more intimate table that Hanami had requested next to a wall decorated with salmon red crystals.

Hanami took it upon herself to order the drinks from the waiter - and not just any drinks! They would be the house specialty.
When he wrote down their order, he disappeared with a smile. Miyuki kept looking down, pretending to be distracted by the crimson crystals. Hanami watched her for a few seconds and closed her eyes as she settled into the chair and let out a sigh.

The drinks didn't take long to arrive: two beautiful sapphire carved goblets. The top edge of these was covered with a thin layer of crystalline sugar of a deep blue hue. One of Zevija's wonders: sugar crystals. They were naturally formed, and the only way to distinguish them from normal crystals was to lick them, much to the annoyance of the Elnin who were devoted to collecting them.... Or mining them... The licking part was not much fun either for the customers who later consumed them. There were as many colors as the rainbow, and depending on the color they had a different final taste of a different fruit. People say that, in this arid region, this is possible because these crystals accumulated the flavor of the fruit that eons and eons ago ended up dehydrating in the sun and took crystalline form.
The one that had been served to the two ladies had a blueberry-flavored finish, and it was so sweet that even the waiter prayed that it might sweeten even a little the younger one's gaze.
They both took the cups between their fingers and briefly brushed them, as was customary, as a way of celebrating their encounter. The material let out a soft musical note, and the contents of the glass caressed their lips. Crimson in hue, the juice was made from Faerindell's finest grapes, and had probably rested in sapphire barrels for hundreds of years. They both savored the fruity taste before finally looking into each other's eyes, prepared for what they were about to say.

"So..." Hanami began. " You guys are back together."
"We were never together, Mom."
"Oh, you were inseparable as kids. And you gave me beautiful grandchildren one night of spring, too..."
Miyuki sighed. She remembered with a bit of regret that night when she let herself be carried away by her lust for Kanji. She was still with her previous partner back then, but this one had barely had time for her, and Miyuki could sometimes be very childish.... And she wasn't made of stone in the presence of Kanji's charms and perseverance neither. She felt bad for weeks, but eventually she also parted ways with her then-partner. Still, Kanji was always there for her, and made her heart beat stronger than anyone else. She realized how stupid and childish she had been all these years without paying much attention to him. Besides, she wanted to reconnect with her children, especially Geki. Kana was in good hands with her mother, but Geki needed a mother....
"Do you like her, Miyuki?"
The first thing that came to Miyuki's mind was Kanji, and her already pastel pink cheeks heated up.
"S-Sure I like him, Mom!"
Her mother looked at her with a half-smile on her face. "I meant the drink, you've hardly tasted it."
If possible, Miyuki blushed more. The night was young, and mom was very good at love and relationship topics. Miyuki needed to vent, talk her heart out to someone and raise a toast to love. This was the perfect place and the perfect company. Many more drinks were to come. Her mum knew it.