Submission (#1346) Approved

Boreal and Azure exchanged glances between them and their own reflections on the water at their feet. Both were sitting on one of the huge roots of Yggdrasil, the ancient tree of Ealei's. These two kittoms had met during Boreal's past stay in Silveil last year, and they had become close friends. At first, Azure was fascinated by the markings on his friend's coat, which were completely representative of the region that had given birth to Boreal. Meanwhile, Boreal was amazed at how much knowledge Azure had about the world, but especially about the heavenly dome.

After talking to quite a few adults, both had managed to go to the same camp in Ealei. It would be the first time that both had traveled to a region bathed by that much sun, so they wanted to experience it together and share impressions. Boreal had spent the year asking travelers about the Ealei, while Azure had spent his time reading an improper amount of books about the region. Both were very clear about what they wanted to do: see the white dragon, bathe in the crystal clear waters, taste the manaberries, get lost in Port Pthalo, see the stars sitting on the branches of Yggdrasil...

But apparently there had been a misunderstanding with the adults, and a rather problematic one for these kittoms who were so thirsty for knowledge and eager to live their first adventure together: there was a price for having sent them to their much desired destination: helping with the harvest.

None of them had ever participated in such an activity, nor was it part of their plans. Azure had tried to negotiate with the adults, but not even his ability with words could get them out of it. Both had a discouraged look on their faces. That morning they would have to help with the harvest of manaberries, but nothing made them get up. For them, their adventure was already ruined, they should have returned home. As they looked at the clear waters around them, Boreal saw a white flash out of the corner of her eye. He raised his head and saw a long white tail diving into the water. He turned to Azure and saw that his friend had his mouth open looking in that same direction, while his eyes shone with admiration. Boreal clenched his fists and stood up.

"We can't just stand here and do nothing. We have managed to get a ride to Ealei, and even if we cannot follow our plans... What better activity is there to get to know this place other than to integrate into the same work and day-to-day life as its inhabitants? And I'm sure that at the end of the day they will let us try some berries..." His speech had begun with energy, although it had faded in the last part. Boreal looked at his partner, who was looking at him with a smile.  "You're right, Boreal." Azure stood up and continued, "What better way to get to know Ealei than to be part of its people and its nature? Maybe we won't live the amazing adventure of our dreams exploring the unexplored, but there will be time for that in the future... The first thing is to gather information after all, right?"

Now it was Boreal who was smiling widely. He nodded. First the data and the experience, and then the experimentation will come.

They returned to one of the hanging houses where the adults were waiting for them, and they were provided with baskets and gloves, the perfect equipment to collect manaberries. The two kittoms spent the morning hanging from branches picking the berries that seemed to be the ripest, the ones that shone the brightest, climbing to pick those closest to the sky. The baskets of them both were overflowing with fruits wet with dew. The two friends looked at each other happily. However, it was at that moment when they saw, this time more clearly as they were calmly looking at the crystalline sea, a sea dragon tearing the waters up majestically, and then falling back into the sea, creating a rainbow where it had been just a few seconds ago. The eyes of both kittoms shone with the promise of more adventure in the future.