For all the faults of the gods, Aru had to give them this: they sure knew how to party.

Three days had passed since the Potatoes' triumphant return from Kalivana. The heavens had celebrated the end to the demon threat, and the council had decided to hold a festival in their honor.

Amaravati, where the festival was to be held, had been decorated almost as much as it had been at Holi. Floating golden lanterns glowed in the darkening sky, and the streets were filled with people and immortals.

"Wow," Aru had said when she first saw the place.

The others agreed, and then Brynne had immediately gone to go eat, dragging Hira along with her. Mini and Rudy had gone off to explore (Rudy had wished to have his color-blindness removed, and so he was now obsessed with running around the mortal world and seeing how different it was), and the twins were playing with some young nagini girls. Which left just Aru and Aiden.

Their parents/guardians had all come, even Malini Acharya, for whom the Council had granted a temporary lift from her Otherworld-ban. Aiden had basically single-handedly arranged that when he'd said that he wouldn't come unless his mother was allowed to attend. Aru, Mini, Brynne, and Rudy had stood with him, and with some coaxing from Boo, the Council had agreed.

Now, Malini was off somewhere in the city, probably being swarmed with old fans. Urvashi had gone with her too, saying that she and her sister had some "catching-up" to do. Aru had watched Aiden's face the whole time, and she was sure nothing would ever compare to the smile he'd had on when his mother gasped upon seeing the heavenly city once again.

Dr. Shah, Mini's mom, and Brynne's uncles were all chatting near some stands.

"Hey," Aru said, grinning stupidly as she nudged Aiden's shoulder with her own. "We're not going to just stand here and watch the party, are we?"

Aiden laughed, then raised Shadowfax to his face, snapping a single photo of the glowing city. Then he put away his camera and took her hand. Stepping forward, he kissed her lightly, then pulled a shocked and furiously-blushing Aru towards the party.

"C'mon," he said. "There's something I want you to see."

Being in the party was way better than just watching the party. The aroma of spices and flowers scented the air.

Apsara musicians played on their ghaṭams, sitars, and tambourines. A girl wearing a traditional Indian dress of red and gold danced in front, occasionally pulling spectators in to join her. Golden ghungroos were tied around her copper-skinned ankles, jingling every time she moved, golden bracelets adorned her arms, and golden flower-shaped pins decorated her long black hair. Ribbons of what looked like golden mist floated around her, and with a start, Aru realized the girl was none other than Sanemi, back in human form.

"I wished to have her back," Aiden said to Aru, quietly. "Ten years isn't enough time for a proper life. She's taking magic courses at the Otherworld School and dance at Urvashi's."

Aru stared at Sanemi for a second, then looked back at Aiden, who simply smirked.

The song ended, and Sanemi bowed, then grinned and walked over to Aru and Aiden.

"Guess I can dance after all, huh?" She said playfully, winking. The same glint in her eyes that had made her seem so mature not too long ago now made her look younger and more energized.

Aru was a bit jealous of how naturally something like winking came to the ex-spirit. It took her months for her to master winking without looking like half of her face was spasming. And not to mention dancing... she was still pretty bad at that.

But then Aiden squeezed her hand, which he was still holding, and all those feelings of jealousy disappeared.

Sanemi glanced at their intertwined hands and her face brightened even more, if that was even possible.

"Oh!" She squealed, clasping her hands together and bouncing on her feet, causing her bracelets and ankle-bells to ring. "You two are so cute together!"

Both Aiden and Aru blushed, but before Sanemi could say any more, she was called back over to the musicians. As she left, she looked over her shoulder at them and made a peace sign with two fingers, winking again.

"And to think she was ever insecure about herself," Aru muttered.

"That's my cousin," Aiden said, rolling his eyes. "I am happy she's happy though," he said after Aru arched an eyebrow at him.

Aru tugged at his hand. "C'mon, let's get some food before Brynne eats it all."

The Otherworld may be put at risk again, but for now, Aru could let go of her worries and just enjoy herself.

-𓃰𓃰𓃰-

Last chapter! Yay!

Hope you enjoyed.

Side note: props to theriordanwriter for guessing Rudy's wish right.