Rising Shards

"Ahhh, just a basic camping theme this year," Pippi said, holding her arms out to gesture to all the pretend campsites covering a whole wing of the Twin Wolves Mall.

"One year it was a pirate theme," Stella said.

"And the vampire one, that was good," Pippi said. "They've also done a warring robot one, an everybody talks backwards one, and a musical one. And lots more, this is a premiere Brambler Co. event."

"How many years have you gone to it?" I asked.

"Only twice," Pippi said. "But I was a Teenly Teen Magazine reader growing up so I used to daydream about going to this when they had articles about it."

"I see," I said. "So what exactly are we supposed to do? Like, officially, what's our role here? Sorry, not trying to be an ass, I'm just confused."

I didn't want to be all grumpy and worry that Stella was going to get flirted with at this singles event. I knew I shouldn't be concerned about anyone getting in our way, especially after our marriage talk. And we weren't even registered for the singles side of it, we were wingmen, but still. I felt like a sitcom character with how cranky I was about this. Luckily, Stella was understanding and Pippi and Mahina were cool.

"You get to back us up!" Pippi said. "You'll see."

Our 'campsite' was a big tent with a pretend fire pit in front of it.

We could pick if we wanted to be the roaming types, going from station to station meeting people or be the ones waiting for visitors.

Mahina voted to be on the move, while Pippi would stay. With Stella obviously being her best friend's wingman, I would be with Mahina.

I tried not to be weird about getting separated from Stella, but I must have made a sour expression, because she beckoned me into the tent.

"Evy, oh my god," Stella laughed as she hugged me.

"What? I'm sorry, I'm just..." I said.

"It'll just be for the first round," Stella said. "There's more to this than just the initial making rounds thing. We'll be back together soon, don't worry."

"I'm not trying to be a big baby about this, honestly," I said.

"You're not, you're just being cute," Stella said. She kissed my cheek. "I'm sure you'll have fun, try to focus on helping Mahina instead of worrying about me!"

"I shall try," I said.

"Hey," Stella said, not letting me leave the tent just yet.

"Hm?"

"I love you," Stella said.

"Love you too, Stel," I said.

I kind of wanted to just spend this whole thing in a tent alone with Stella, but soon it was time to go around.

"So, doctor wingman, are you ready?" Mahina gave me a big smack on the back.

I knew Mahina from being her daughter Kalei's teacher, but our new friendship past that was still in the very early stages, so I didn't know much about her.

"Let's do this!" I said. "So what kind of person do you think you're looking for?" I asked.

"Hmmm," Mahina stroked her chin. "My usual hope is someone who can keep up with me. That's physically, emotionally, socially. If someone can't keep up with my jokes, I'm not having it."

I nodded. "I think I'll be able to assist in that."

"Sounds fantastic," Mahina said, laughing as she smacked my back again. "Loosen up a bit, Evy! I need you on your A-game if I want to find my true love at this product placement festival."

I grinned. "I'll do my best. Anyone you're not looking for?"

"I've had a bad run with men lately, not in the mood for men," Mahina said. "Like, no offense to them, and if I run into a guy that fits my criteria I'm not gonna ignore him, but I'm thinking more feminine today."

"Oh, I definitely can help you then," I said. I still wasn't sure what exactly I'd be doing as a wingman, but I felt ready to try to help out when Mahina spotted the first woman that caught her attention and went to her campsite.

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