With so many fellow kittoms building lanterns all their own, Tai had taken an extra careful time picking his supplies out. A seashell from Velia from her very own collection and pure white yarn from Everest tucked away in his traveling pack was what he needed for the journey ahead. A caravan had taken him to Ahza, it’s hot and humid desert airs so different from his usual lush home he spent his days exploring.
The trip had been a bit uncomfortable with his thick black fur around his neck keeping him warm but it was well worth it now that he could feel the sand under his paws as he trotted through the dunes. Still close enough to town to stay safe and watched by the older Elinins, the pink hued kittom plopped down under tall palm trees clustered together, the large green leaves giving him shade to rest under. A small huff came from him as he yawned, shaking sand out of his fur in an attempt to keep the mostly sleek fur somewhat clean.
From where he was he could see large dunes and savanna lands stretching before him and with his shade to aid him, this seemed like the perfect place to begin!
Dropping his bag to the ground, Tai began to dig through it, tossing out his supplies one by one. His precious seashell, his spotless yarn for the string, and all the things he had gathered from the nearest town here. Bright lantern paper, golden paint, bells from home, and tassels--all of this tumbled out until it was all laid before him. Excited orbs of gold swept over the now emptied contents in the sand as he twitched his tail happily behind him, the silky strands flicking up dust. “Perfect!” he chirped to himself, his paws getting to work.
The whole point of the lantern was something or another of a Pomu, something Tai heard older kittoms talk about and he very much wanted a friend for himself. He could only think of all the things he could carry in his shadow on his adventures if he had a companion! This thought spurred him on as he began his work in his shady safety, pieces slowly coming together. Though he was usually very excited he wanted to get everything just right--the bigger the lantern the better the Pomu! Or so he convinced himself. If he was lucky, he could drag the lantern all the way home to show his parents, perhaps a large lantern would make them proud?
Once his boxy structure was complete, he pranced around it, trying to see all sides and make sure it was solid enough to keep going. He had made tiny ones back home before he started his trip, wanting to make sure the final product would be something he could trot around with pride like the others he had seen. So many pretty ones had inspired him during his trip and he hoped his could be just as wonderful and glittering in the night.
Careful strokes with his paintbrush quickly covered his cream lantern paper with swirls and sparkling markings, writing the names of his friends and family upon the surfaces. They we’re all apart of his wishes and he knew it would make his project even more special.
Soon enough though, time had passed quickly and large shadows we’re being cast far past his little spot. His eyes looked outwards towards the town, it’s large buildings to protect its citizens from the hot sun letting him know that it was nearly time to head back in. Tai was so close to finishing though! Just a bit longer and he knew he could see his lantern lit tonight, finally after such a long trip. With the sun going down and a cooler night coming in the kittom quickly attached his bells and tassels to the edges of the box shaped lantern, his gold eyes darting up to the lowering sunlight and back down to his work. Could he really make it by the time it went down?
Lost in thought, he did not hear the four little paws coming towards him, but as they got next to him and a soft light joined the sunset he gave a surprised gasp. Looking up quickly, multi colored hair flopping over one eye, he saw that he was no longer alone.
“H-Hello, the caravan says it’s time to return to town.” a minty colored kittom sat there beside him with lavender eyes gazing at his nearly finished pride and joy. “Okay! I’m almost done!” he said quite excited. However, his eyes found themselves drifting upwards once he noticed the string attached to her small bunny shaped tail until they finally reached the already floating lantern hovering above his new friend. His mouth went agasp, taking a leap back so he could get a better view as he turned to fully face her. “You have a finished one!” he explained towards her, seeing her blink in surprise and look up to her lantern floating above.
While Tai had a very homemade looking craft, hers seemed so pristine! Gold dangles and jewelry glinted in the setting sun and she seemed to capture the colors of the Ahza sunset in her paintings. A welcoming glow cast over them from the hovering lotus shaped lantern. “You have not finished.” she said in return, eyes looking down at his paper creation. Cheeks puffed out, Tai returned to his work, wanting to prove he very much had finished his as well!
Just a few more things we’re needed, his final touches.
Carefully he placed the purple glittering seashell among the paper petals he had glued to the top. The purple among the pink reminded him so much of home and he already couldn’t wait to return to see if his friends had also finished or gotten their little pomus yet. Finally, he turned the lantern on it’s side and tied the white string to the bottom, beading it here and there and tying the bottom where he could hold it. Finally it was complete!
Excited, he slid his pomu crystal into the center from the top and watched as the lantern hummed to life, his eyes sparking with happiness. It had all been worth it and he hummed happily, closing his eyes with a delighted sound as it floated upwards as the sun finally said goodnight to the desert it lit during the day. Now Tai could see his own soft glow above him, joining the other kittoms light as well. Satisfied and so excited to show it off, he quickly tossed all his remaining supplies in his bag and quickly slung it over him, ignoring the gold paw print marks on it from the paint. “Let’s go!” he chirped, rushing past with his lantern flowing behind him, paws carrying Tai towards the town.
To his surprise, the mint hued female kittom caught up, her lavender eyes sparkling in the lantern light, and soon she was past him. “I’m Bambi!” she told him, her tiny paws carrying her over stones and past palm trees as the city came into sight. Not to be beaten, Tai rushed forward, his sleek tail streamlining him as he pushed ahead, laughter coming from the tiny kit. They zipped through the sand, kicking up dust and dirt until finally skidded into the town, laughing and bumping into one another, their lanterns bumping into each other slightly above. “Tai.” he finally got out as he caught his breath, panting as he looked back over his shoulder towards the landscape. Oh how he hoped his friends had finished their lanterns as well. He turned his head to Bambi, tilting his head slightly and causing hair to fall back into one eye. “Nice to meet you.”
