Afterward they made their way to the restaurant where Patience had once dined with Schuler’s bandmates. And there once more was the whole theater band. Also awaiting at Lang’s this time were Mr. Laurence, Mrs. Claiborne, both Wells brothers and their wives, and even Celeste Hargreaves with her husband. A few of the guests were disappointed to have missed the ceremony, but they understood Schuler and Patience’s wish for intimacy. The best part would be the reception anyway.

Patience and Schuler had their own little table, and from it they enjoyed a few songs the musicians gifted them, Celeste providing her angelic vocals. Having never been serenaded to, Patience endured the whole ordeal in utter embarrassment. But Anax had been given back to her and she appreciated the mask. Her face finally unflushed when the band broke apart to have dinner and enjoy themselves.

The guests were able to choose from Lang’s usual menu, just as well, to each their own. Drinks were aplenty and glasses were never empty. To finish off the night was a two-tiered cake from the Haighs’ bakery. The delicate butter sponge with strawberry cream and glazed blueberry garnish was to everyone’s delight.

After dinner the band broke out in music, rousing everyone out of their seats. The musicians took turns playing their instruments and dancing, swapping places every few songs. Naturally, Schuler was spared any labor. He only intended to be by Patience’s side the entire night. It was their first time dancing together. Flying by in a blur, the few things Patience remembered were the flash of her sleeves and Schuler’s thoroughly content smile.

Anax had to remain blind and still the entire night to avoid suspicion. He was a silent eavesdropper. Still, Patience hoped he could visit the sights through her own memories, however that worked. Anax was so well behaved that when they were in their hotel room afterward, Patience permitted him sole access to her body for the first round. Anax thought it a decent compromise.

Disrupting the moment of reflection, the creak of the front door and a waft of cold air announced Schuler’s return. Patience eagerly whipped her head away from the fabrics. She enjoyed seeing Schuler in her home safe and sound. It only reminded her that the past few months were not a dream. His face appeared in the archway to the parlor, shooting them a smile as he unbuttoned his jacket.

“I see you two are actually getting work done for once,” the man teased. The amount of times when he came home to Patience and Anax fornicating exceeded the number of fingers he had.

Patience rolled her eyes and smirked. “We get bored waiting for you.”

“Well, soon you’ll have me every day for the holidays.” Schuler joined them in the parlor. The guitar case the man wore on his back alighted beside the stuffed lynx in the corner, neck leaning close to open, panting jaws. 

“Mind the fabric!” said Patience. Schuler gracefully side-stepped the squares on the floor, coming to rest beside his wife on the sofa. She tipped Anax up to give the man a kiss.

“Ready for me, Anax?” Schuler asked, sweeping his black and silver hair away from his temples.

“Any time,” said the skull.

Schuler lifted the skeletal helm from Patience’s head and applied him to his own. He blinked, letting his vision adjust to seeing through the wide sockets. A pinch jabbed the back of his spine. As familiar as the sensation was now, it still caused the man to flinch. Anax’s eye rolled to life as mist seeped over the second donor’s back.

The left half of Patience’s scalp tingled against the open air. Without the protection of the skull and his placating mist, the hills and valleys of her old burn existed on a delicate balance between aesthetic annoyance and pain. But Patience would brave that pain for Schuler’s sake. Over the years, she had found various treatments for her aches. So even the heat from the fireplace harassing her skin did not dissuade her from bending down to tidy the scraps while Schuler basked in the skull’s vapors.

The man hunched forward, undoing the laces of his left shoe. His right came under the attention of an appendage sprouted from the vacillating cape. The solid mist dexterously untied the cord before sweeping up both emptied shoes to set them down near the door in a clatter of leather soles. Schuler thanked the skull.