(Requested)

rayla the sassy matchmaker makes a debut

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After years of war, the magic-filled land of Xadia and the human kingdoms were finally at peace. Our murderous tyrant was dead, and the rightful crown king was in his place. Everything was as it should be. Today was a council meeting, with emissaries from both the Xadian and human kingdoms joining to discuss what plans we should enact next.

I was currently on my way to the meeting spot, a small village on the brink of the border, travelling there by horseback. The brusque wind crashed against my face, the howling sound in my ears never dying down as I sped towards the destination.

Seems like I'm here a bit earlier than expected. Peering at the emerging rooftops in the distance, I noticed some movement along the horizon. Or maybe not.

I stopped my steed once we both had arrived, and guided her to a stable with troughs filled with hay and water. That should be enough to keep her satiated for the duration of the meeting. Two guards were standing near a large tent, helms indicating that they were from the kingdom of Neolandia. I showed them my invitation and they parted the flap of the tent to let me inside.

"General (Y/N), you finally join us. We were all a bit early, sorry about that." I smiled at the human officer, taking a seat at the long table.

"It's quite alright. Though I hope I wasn't intruding on anything."

"Not at all." So the meeting finally began, every creature in the space at ease. My eyes marveled at the sight. Only a couple of years ago, we couldn't even dream of such big things like these. It took us more time to forgive each other after the war, but everyone came around, fortunately.

While glancing around, something, or rather, someone had caught my eye. A Moonshadow elf, with long locks of white hair and streaking markings of a purple hue on his face and arms. Clad in dark blue battle armor, I merely appreciated his broad stature and the power he radiated, even if he was so far across the table.

He had a female companion, a younger looking elf with the same colored markings and hair. Her eyes danced with mischievousness when her irises caught me staring in their direction. Quickly averting my gaze, my face flushed a bit in embarrassment. I couldn't help it, they looked so familiar.

This is an official council meeting, not some dating simulator. I quietly scolded myself and turned my attention to the actual meeting, trying to not think about what had just occurred. But little did I know, the Moonshadow elf girl had other things in mind.

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"Runaan, I'm telling you!" Rayla protested, whining to him, "They were looking at you!" He merely chuckled and shook his head, crossing his arms in amusement.

"Rayla, I know your antics. Getting my hopes up, and playing with my feelings. Cut it out, would you please?" The smaller girl groaned and whacked his arm, causing a red mark to appear.

"This time I'm not lying! I saw it with my own two eyes!" Runaan sighed, looking downwards at the ground.

"Even if you aren't, I don't think this is the right environment to play matchmaker. We're in the middle of trying to resolve conflicts, and this is the stuff you're talking about?"

"Runaan, I saw your face, and I saw their's! You haven't had that expression since you tried those hot brown morning potions the humans drink! I know a face of love when I see one! Besides, dating a human isn't so bad, Callum and I are doing just fine!" she exclaimed, desperately trying to convince her partner, "C'mon, please?" The male Moonshadow elf groaned, running a hand down his face, taking in a deep breath.

Like a miracle, the person that they had previously been talking about breezed past them wordlessly. Rayla gasped and immediately flagged them down.

"The human from Katolis! Hey!" (Y/N) turned around, surprised by the sudden callout. They pointed to themselves, questioning whether or not the elf was trying to get their attention. Rayla nodded excitedly, making a beckoning motion.

"It's a pleasure to meet another emissary from a different territory! I'm Rayla, and this is Runaan." (Y/N) awkwardly stood, realizing that these were the two elves that they were looking at so intently back in the tent.

"Ah, yes. It's a pleasure to meet you both." They stuck out a hand for Rayla, then Runaan to shake, and retracted it after the customary greeting. "I do remember you two from somewhere, though I never got your names. You're the girl who's dating Callum, right?" She perked up, grinning wildly.

"Yes!"

"And..." (Y/N) paused, racking their brain, but snapped their fingers as they got it, "I fought some weird guards with the guy next to you. I remember being thoroughly impressed with his swordsmanship. Easily the best I've seen in a while, next to the head guard in Katolis." Runaan's face lit up a bit, surprised that (Y/N) still remembered him as an old comrade.

"It's been a long time, you two," the Katolian laughed, putting their hands on their hips, "We should do some catching up sometime." Rayla smiled slyly.

"How about a picnic?" she proposed, clapping her hands together, "We should all have a picnic this evening! It'll be nice. But since you already know me because of Callum, you should go with Runaan!" Runaan's eyes bugged out, panicking on the inside as he tried not to choke on his spit.

Please don't do this, please don't do this-

"Oh, that sounds lovely!" He stifled a cough. "I just received some wine and cheese from the best sellers I know, so it'll be on tonight! I'll make sure to get some bread as well." (Y/N) winked, making their departure.

"See you then!"

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"What should I wear?" I mumbled, looking through my closet, sorting out the whites from the colors, seeing which pants matched which shirts, testing to see if anything was too loose or too tight. My face flared up, imagining the night. Oh my God, don't tell me you have a thing for the elf boy, (Y/N). But what's wrong with a human dating an elf? It's not shameful, at least I don't think so...

Sighing, I finally picked out a suitable outfit and dressed, checking my mirror to see if I looked presentable. I hummed, satisfied, and sprayed on a bit of a pleasant smelling scent to complete. I grabbed my bag, filled with the food products and long-necked bottle of alcohol, preparing to go. Before I could, I was stopped by Soren who was meandering along the halls.

"(Y/N)- Oh, what's this? You're dressed up so nicely?" He gave me a questioning glance, raising an eyebrow. "Is this the same (Y/N) I know?" Giving a small laugh, I swatted his arm playfully.

"I'm just out for a picnic with one of the council members. It's nothing fancy, really."

"Oh, 'just a picnic,' huh?" Soren added suggestively, nudging my arm with an elbow, "I see you." With pink tinting my cheeks, I gasped and hit him again, my free hand balling up into a fist.

"I said it's nothing!" I whisper-yelled, almost seething through my teeth. The blonde snickered again and patted my back, giving me a little side-hug, the bristles of his hair tickling my forehead.

"Well, good luck on your picnic, and make sure to not get to heated!"

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When I arrived, the land of Xadia was still unfamiliar to me. Magic was everywhere, and I didn't really know how to navigate. Of course, there were no potential dangers to me here, but to say the least, I got lost. Still wandering, making my way deeper into the forest, I heard a rustle come from behind me.

My senses quickened and I wheeled around, ready to attack, my foot kicking around, stopping mere centimeters away from my target. The figure's eyes darted back and forth in surprise, and I soon realized it was none other than my friend from the council.

"Oh, Runaan! I'm so sorry!" Apologizing profusely, I looked down in embarrassment as I smoothed out of clothes. He gave a little chuckle, trying to calm me down.

"It's alright. I understand if you were quite nervous about coming here. I should have escorted you." Smiling thoughtfully, I took out the bread, cheese, and wine from my satchel, raising it up.

"Do you want to enjoy these somewhere else besides here?" Runaan laughed again, this time more genuinely. My heart fluttered seeing his smile glow in the rather dark and damp forest. He looked rather handsome as well, in a more casual version of his armor.

"I know a place."

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Soon, we were sat down in the middle of a little field, the bright moon open up above for our eyes to feast on while we snacked on Katolian and Xadian foods. The few minutes of awkwardness around each other soon faded into hours of enjoyment as we discussed topics we wouldn't really be able to at the council table (especially as some of the gossip involved members of the alliance). But our conversation suddenly came to a turning point, as Runaan brought up the situation with Rayla suggesting we should get together.

"You realize what she meant wasn't just a picnic, right?" My eyes widened, taken by surprise.

"Oh? Really?" I started to sweat. Wait, what if she really meant that...

"She..." Runaan faltered, clearing his throat, his gaze not meeting mine. "She meant this as a date." My heart was nearly bursting with embarrassment as I wrung my hands together. How could I have not seen this before, oh my God. But then does that mean he knew, but still came?

We sat in silence for a few minutes before he piped up again.

"I'm sorry, I just shouldn't have talked about this-"

"No, no! I-I like your honesty..." I smiled a little, a blush coating the tip of my nose and cheekbones. "I'm actually kind of glad that it was." Tucking a lock of hair behind my ear, I looked at Runaan's expression, and his deep purple eyes.

"We should do this again sometime, is what I mean," I admitted, feeling giggly. He slowly began to realize that I had just asked him out again, and immediately panicked.

"Yeah! Of course!" My melodic laughter rang out, echoing through the empty woods.

"You're funny, Runaan. And I'm serious about the next date." He scratched his cheek, sheepishly grinning.

"I hoped you were."