As the bell of the Burning Quill rang for the last round, Valentina, Innogen and Crispin realized how quickly time had passed. The tavern had emptied noticeably, with only a few stubborn revellers still holding out at their tables.

  "I think it's time for us to go," Innogen said with a yawn that she tried to hide behind her hand.

  Valentina nodded in agreement, but at the same time felt a pang of regret. The evening had been so beautiful, so liberating. Part of her didn't want to let go of that feeling just yet.

  "Don't worry, little Weaver," Vyxara whispered in her head. "There will be many more nights like this for you – and even better ones."

  They rose, swaying slightly from the 'fire tongues', and made their way to the exit. The warm, smoky air of the tavern gave way to the cool night breeze as they stepped outside.

  The square in front of the Burning Quill was now almost deserted, with only a few stragglers standing together in small groups and talking quietly. And there, on the corner in front of the tavern, stood Hobkin of Foxhollow, just finishing his last performance.

  When he saw the three friends, a broad smile flitted across his face. With an elegant bow to his sparse audience, he jumped away and sauntered towards them.

  "Ah, my young friends!" he exclaimed, his voice full of warm amusement. "I hope you had a pleasant evening? The 'Burning Quill' entertained you well?"

  Valentina felt her heart leap. Hobkin was, if possible, even more charming than before. His red hair shone in the moonlight and his green eyes sparkled with mischief.

  "It was wonderful," she replied, surprised by her own boldness. "Your performance was really impressive."

  Hobkin bowed playfully to Valentina and Innogen. "You are too kind, my dear. But tell me, my dear ladies, would you like to stay a little longer? I could show you a few tricks that I normally only show to my... closest friends." He ignored Crispin completely.

  Valentina felt a blush creep up her face. Was that an invitation? And if so, to what exactly?

  "Oh, this is just perfect," Vyxara commented with amusement. "Our charming street performer seems to have his eyes on you. Perhaps you should take him up on his offer? It could be... educational."

  Before Valentina could answer, Crispin took a step forward, his face a mask of barely concealed discomfort. "It's getting late," he said, his voice an octave higher than normal. "We really should get back to the university. The gates will be closing soon."

  Innogen gave him an amused look. "Oh come on, Crispin. A little fun never hurt anyone."

  Hobkin laughed, a warm, inviting sound. "Your friend is right, young man. Life is too short to always be good." He winked at Valentina. "What do you say, sweetheart? Fancy a little adventure?"

  Valentina hesitated. Part of her – a bigger part than she wanted to admit – was tempted to accept Hobkin's offer. The excitement of the evening, the alcohol in her blood, Hobkin's irresistible charm – everything seemed to be urging her to say yes.

  But then she saw Crispin's face, the worry and barely suppressed jealousy in his eyes, and she felt a twinge of remorse.

  "That's very tempting, Hobkin," she finally said, surprised by the firmness of her own voice. "But Crispin is right. We really should go back. Perhaps another time?"

  Hobkin nodded, a hint of disappointment flitting across his face, but was quickly replaced by his usual charming smile. "Of course, my dear. The offer stands. Come by any time you fancy a bit of... excitement."

  He took her hand and breathed a kiss on it, his lips barely touching her skin. Valentina felt a shiver run down her spine.

  "Goodbye, dears," Hobkin said, with a final theatrical bow. "May the Martyr watch over your dreams – or at least make them interesting."

  With a wink and a wave of his hand, he disappeared in a cloud of glittering Essence-induced dust that made the air around them sparkle for a moment. Out of the corner of their eyes, they could see him quickly disappear around a corner.

  "Wow," Innogen breathed, her eyes wide with wonder and longing. "That was... something."

  Crispin snorted softly. "Showing off, if you ask me. Come on, let's go."

  They made their way back to the university, the streets of Bridgewater now almost deserted. Only here and there did they come across a late night reveller or a patrol from the town watch.

  Valentina walked silently alongside her friends, her thoughts a whirlwind of impressions and emotions. The evening had stirred up so much inside her, raised so many questions.

  "You should have stayed," Vyxara murmured, a hint of disappointment in her voice. "Who knows what you could have learned."

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  "It was the right decision," Valentina thought back. "I'm not ready for... whatever Hobkin had in mind."

  "Not yet," Vyxara agreed, a smile in her voice. "But the day will come, little Weaver."

  That sounded ominous. She thought of Barnaby, what she had done to him and how naturally Vyxara had assumed that Valentina would seduce him in order to get the Distilled Essence. A shiver ran down her spine. She gripped Innogen's shoulder tighter, leaning against her as they walked home.

  When they reached the gate of the university, they stopped, none of them really ready to let the night end.

  "That was a wonderful evening," Innogen said, her eyes shining with affection. "We should do this more often."

  Crispin nodded in agreement. "Yes, we should. Maybe without the... distractions at the end."

  Valentina laughed softly. "Oh Crispin, don't be so strict."

  They hugged each other goodbye, the warm feeling of friendship like a blanket around them.

  When Valentina stepped into her small attic room, she felt as if she existed in two worlds at once. One was the familiar world of her childhood, with all its rules and expectations. The other was a new, exciting world full of possibilities that was just beginning to open up to her.

  She lit the small Essence lamp on her desk and sank onto her narrow bed.

  "Well," Vyxara spoke up, "that was an enlightening evening, wasn't it?"

  Valentina sighed softly. "I guess it was. I never thought we'd be so open about... such things."

  She thought back to the conversations, to Innogen's confident way of talking about sexuality, to Crispin's shy confessions.

  "You've learned a lot tonight," Vyxara said appreciatively. "About the world, about your friends... And about yourself."

  Valentina nodded slowly. "Yes, I suppose I did. It's all so... different from Palewood. So much more complicated. But easier at the same time. It's… it's confusing."

  She thought back to her home village, to the strict morals that prevailed there. The veiled glances and the whispering if a girl even dared to be seen alone with a boy. And here they spent a whole evening with Crispin, and no one even batted an eye.

  "The world is much bigger and more colorful than your little village would have you believe," purred Vyxara. "And you, my dear, are only at the beginning of your journey of discovery."

  Suddenly the memory of Barnaby appeared before Valentina's inner eye again. The stuffy back room of his store, his greedy hands, the smell of garlic and sweat. She shuddered.

  "But not all discoveries are pleasant," she murmured.

  Vyxara was silent for a moment. "Ah, you're thinking of our little trip to Barnaby," Vyxara said then, her voice unusually soft. "That was... not so pleasant. But necessary."

  "Necessary?" Valentina felt anger rising inside her. "It was humiliating! I felt so... used."

  "I know, little Weaver," Vyxara said placatingly. "But think of what you got in return. The Distilled Essence that allowed you to win this round of the competition. Sometimes we have to make sacrifices for what we want. Besides, the thought of being used doesn't bother you in principle – I know your fantasies, remember that."

  Even though Valentina was all alone in her room, she turned bright red.

  She stood up and began to walk up and down the room. Her thoughts raced, trying to make sense of it all.

  "I don't want something like this to happen again if I can help it," she finally said, her voice firm. "I want... I want to be in control of my life. Of my body."

  "That should be difficult." Vyxara said. "For one thing, because the world you live in grants women rather little power, provides few roles for them in which they can have control. Including over their body. And secondly, because the incentives can become so great. Look how easy it suddenly became to talk Barnaby out of the Distilled Essence. Are you sure you can do without such benefits forever, are you sure you want to do without them?"

  Valentina stopped and stared out of the small window. The night sky was dotted with stars.

  "I don't really know yet," she admitted. "But I do know that I don't want my first time to be like how it was with Barnaby. I want it to be something special. Something I choose for myself."

  "Your first time?" Vyxara laughed softly. "You mean you don't want to lose your virginity to a sleazy old merchant? How surprising."

  Valentina blushed, half in embarrassment, half in annoyance at Vyxara's mocking tone. "Yes, that's exactly what I mean. Is it that ridiculous?"

  "No, little Weaver," Vyxara said, suddenly serious. "It's only too understandable. And clever, too. Your first time should be something you remember fondly, not something you regret and carry around as baggage."

  Valentina was surprised by Vyxara's sudden understanding. "You... you understand? I thought you'd laugh at me."

  "Oh, I understand more than you think," Vyxara replied. "I may be a demon, but that doesn't mean I don't know how important such experiences are for you humans. Besides," she added with a hint of mischief in her voice, "the better and more enjoyable your first experiences are, the more open you will be to... more experiences."

  Valentina shook her head, but still had to smile. "You really do always think one step ahead, don't you?"

  "Of course, my dear. That is my nature."

  Valentina sat back down on the bed and drew her knees up to her chest. She thought back to the evening, to Hobkin's seductive smile, to Crispin's shy looks.

  "I know I won't always have full control," she said softly. "Not in this world, and... not with you in my head. But I at least want to decide this one thing for myself. I want to share my first time with someone I like. Someone I trust."

  "A wise decision," Vyxara agreed. "And don't worry, I won't interfere. It's your decision, your experience. I promise."

  Valentina breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Vyxara. That... means a lot to me."

  She leaned back and stared at the ceiling. The thoughts in her head slowly began to organize themselves, forming into a vague plan.

  "I don't know exactly how or when yet," she said, more to herself than to Vyxara, "but I will. I'll do it on my own terms."

  "I'm sure you'll find the right opportunity," Vyxara said gently. "And when you're ready, I'll be there to help you. If you want."

  Valentina nodded slowly. It was strange, but in that moment, she felt closer to Vyxara than ever before. Maybe, she thought, they could find some kind of partnership that worked for both of them after all.

  She yawned and only now realized how tired she was. The day, the alcohol, the many new impressions – everything was now taking its toll.

  As she lay down to sleep, she felt strangely at peace. She had made a decision, had regained a small amount of control over her life. It was a small step, but an important one.

  "Sleep well, little Weaver," Vyxara whispered. "Dream of all the possibilities that lie ahead of you."

  Valentina smiled slightly as she drifted off to sleep. Yes, she thought, the future was full of possibilities.