A Feast with Keller (Beyond Beauty)

*Minor spoilers for where characters end up after Ashes, so don't read if you want everything kept a surprise. Or go read Ashes and then come back here to read this. That would be awesome too.
Ember turned the letter over in her hand, a bemused smile tugging at her lips. She remembered the last invitation she had been handed- an invitation to Ksa's Turning Ball. That particular invitation had been handed to her with a great deal of derision and had then led to a great deal of unexpected twists in her life. This one was different.
This one was from Keller.

Even if he hadn't signed his name, Ember probably would have guessed from the message itself. His tone, and priorities, were unmistakeable in the writing. The note read:
Join me for a celebration way better than anyone else would put together. There will be food. And chocolate. I have taken over the Druiron Manor, and Ksa cannot remove me.

Ember looked up as her best friend entered the room. Agnes smiled knowingly, holding up an identical letter. "It would appear that I'm not the only one invited."

"Apparently not," Ember replied. "But what exactly is this party celebrating? There are no birthdays or holidays that I'm aware of."

"According to Keller himself," Agnes explained with a sarcastic lift of her eyebrows, "he's pioneering a new tradition."

Ember thought for a moment, debating whether or not to point out her friend's frequent conversations with Keller. She decided against it for the time being. "So he's... making his own holiday?"

"Essentially, yes." Agnes shrugged. "He's promised food and chocolate, though, so frankly he can create any holiday he likes with those standards, as far as I'm concerned."

"Of course," Ember said, smiling sweetly. "And the food and chocolate are the only things you're eager for? Not the idea of seeing anyone else?"

Agnes rolled her eyes, but she couldn't quite conceal the blush that sprang to her cheeks. "Mind your own business, Lady Ember," she teased.

Ember only chuckled in response, linking her arm through Agnes' as they walked out of the room together. Made-up holiday or not, a party of any sort did require some sort of preparation.

When they arrived at the manor in Druiron for Keller's unexpected party, Ember was pleasantly surprised to find the buildings and grounds tastefully decorated. She had half expected glittery decorations strewn everywhere and Keller standing proudly in the midst of the mess. Instead, the paths between the manor's buildings were lined with small candles, and the eves of the roof were adorned with pine boughs. Warm, golden light emitted from the ballroom, accompanied by the aromas of delicious foods. Ember and Agnes exchanged a grin and hurried inside.

Keller spotted them as soon as they walked through the doors, his face lighting up in delight. "Agnes! Ember! Welcome to my party," he exclaimed, greeting them with a ridiculously theatric bow.

Cedric, standing just a short distance behind his friend, coughed.

Straightening from his bow, Keller glanced at him and sighed. "Fine. Welcome to our party. It wasn't just my idea."

Ember raised her eyebrows. "You're organizing parties now too, Cedric?"

"Not really," he replied, nudging Keller aside, but smiling nonetheless. "I mentioned to Keller the idea of a celebration because it seemed odd to me that we don't take time to pause and be thankful for all we have. We forget sometimes, being so far removed from the Rebellion, that Adonia gave His heart to us. That He loved us enough to give us the pieces of His glory and love here on Ada to remind us of what waits for us beyond this life." Cedric shrugged. "I just thought we should set aside a day to be thankful for that and all of the other wonderful things we have."

"Of course," Keller added on, unwilling to be ignored, "my dear friend Cedric has no idea how to go about arranging celebrations."

"That is fairly true," Cedric admitted with a rueful grin.

"So you decided to recruit Keller?" Ember asked.

"Not my best decision."

"Not your worst decision, either." Ksa finally joined them, shrugging off his cloak as he came through the door. He greeted Ember with a light kiss on the cheek. "I'm pleasantly surprised with your work," he added, turning to Keller.

"Why, thank you," Keller answered. "It's about time someone appreciated my effort." Cedric rolled his eyes, but Keller paid him no attention. "See, I figured that if we were going to celebrate and be thankful, we should celebrate with the people here on Ada that we love the most. And I thought we should also celebrate with the food we love the most."

Ember grinned. "Like a chocolate fountain?"

"Like two chocolate fountains!"

Ember couldn't help but laugh. Cedric and Keller were both right. It was important to pause in the business of life to think of what they could be thankful for. She knew all too well what a difference recognizing Adonia's goodness could make in someone's life. And they were all lucky enough to have extraordinary love from other people to reflect Adonia's love. It was a perfect celebration, sure to become even more perfect as more people joined them.

As Ember looked around at the people she was already surrounded by, she suddenly had the thought that perhaps the festivities didn't have to wait until everyone arrived...

"You know, Keller" she began, unable to hide the small, mischievous smile that sprang to her lips, "I think that I know the perfect way to begin your party."

"Really?" Keller asked, somewhat puzzled by her tone. Agnes, on the other hand, seemed to know exactly what Ember would suggest, if the comical widening of her eyes was any indicator.

"Oh yes," Ember grinned. "I believe you should start with a dance... and Agnes would make the perfect partner."