First Kiss

Lightning, fire, drums.
I watched her move to the beat, undulating, mesmerizing, lost in the music. She pulled me into her world of rhythm and dance.
Lightning, fire, drums!
His voice rang out above all others, deep and rumbling. I could feel it in my bones as I watched him step out from the crowd, all smiles and sparkling eyes. He swayed and swaggered, mirroring me like he was hypnotized.
Lightning! Fire! Drums!
We were all entranced by the spectacle of their dance, not entirely sure whether we were witnessing romance or competition. Part invitation. Part challenge. He beckoned. She teased. Circling and spiraling. Closer and closer as the beat moved faster and faster. Their bodies consumed by the scorching rhythm.
LIGHTNING! FIRE! DRUMS!
My eyes never left his even as the rain began to fall. Suddenly, lightning split the sky and thunder rolled across the plain. We were soaked to the skin in an instant. Everyone scattered. I took her hand and together we ran for cover.
LIGHTNING!!! FIRE!!! DRUMS!!!

They ducked into the alcove, breathless and laughing. She slipped and he pulled her close, steadying her. Then the whole world stilled, and in that moment, there was nothing but the sweetness of her lips, the softness of his mustache, and the thrill of that first kiss. The sky lit up, the spark of passion ignited, and their two hearts beat as one.
Lightning. Fire. Drums.

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Commentary

The majority of Bane'ile people didn't enter into the type of long term monogamous relationships that most of us would recognize as marriage, but occasionally, there were exceptions to the rule. These were known as blue flame soulmates who were said to have been kissed by the eternal flame. This phenomena was described as a mystical form of love that carried with it a touch of destiny. It was the two becoming one, a magnetic attraction that, as the name suggests, was quite intense. This type of relationship could transcend time and space, overcoming any barrier.
Salelu and Umbajin were one such pair of blue flame soulmates whose love burned so brightly that even death could not extinguish the flame. This is the song that was sung of their first kiss.