Submission (#1349) Approved

Silveil is a nice place. Pixis could see why it attracts so many people, with its music and parties and ever-present nightlife. She’s glad she was able to come here and see the big city for herself. It’s a bit too loud for her tastes, though; visiting this place serves her best as a vacation, a brief respite, more so than as a permanent residence. She was never suited for something so glamorous and fast-paced.

The thought stung, just for a moment, as it stirred up still-recent feelings of being left behind. Of not being able to keep up with the world around her and what matters most. But things were looking up for her! Ever since that night at the lake, she’s been able to do some soul-searching - for lack of a better term - and figure out what truly was most important to her. Plus, her pomu was finally back to normal.

She watched fondly as they walked beside her, a skip in their step and a smile on their masked face. It seemed like they could tell how long they’d been gone and they were happy to be back. It was technically still daytime, but the dark sky was shimmering with stars overhead. This constant nightfall was something she figured she’d never be able to get used to despite how pretty it looked.

She walked down the crowded city streets, people-watching the hustle and bustle of

Lanterns lined the pathway before her and glowing signs adorned every building as if they were all competing to draw the most attention. Clothing stores, shops selling various musical instruments, stalls with mouth-watering food. It was fun to window-shop, even if she couldn’t imagine actually buying any of these things.

Suddenly, she noticed a group of Elnin packing boxes and tables onto a caravan. Curiosity lured her over, her Pomu following dutifully behind. After a bit of investigating and a couple of questions, she quickly learned it was all for some big event. They did this every year, she was told: a concert and buffet for all the locals and tourists in one final bash for the autumn season before winter comes and confines them to the region. 

Without anything better to do, she decided to lend a hand in the preparations. They seemed happy to have her assistance, which admittedly boosted her self-esteem a bit- but she was doing it to be nice, really, not just for her own ego! ...Though, she couldn’t deny that helping others like this is really helping herself, too. It made her feel… useful. Important in a way she hadn’t felt in a long time.

They headed out of the city and to the Star Lake where a clearing had been prepared for their use. She heaved boxes of fruit and bread, cheeks burning when her stomach very loudly reminded her that she hadn’t had anything to eat yet. The ‘nin she was with laughed but assured her she was welcome to take a bite- they wouldn’t tell. Embarrassed, she rejected the offer for now; she didn’t want everyone to think she only came here to stuff her face and then leave, after all.

Before she knew it, hours had gone by and her work was almost finished. She sat down on a crate to relieve her aching paws and tried to figure out what time it was. Probably nearing nightfall now. She sighed and took a look around at the set-up they’d all created. It was... really pretty, actually. Fairy lights lit up the area and the glowing mushrooms surrounding the lake added an extra ethereal flare. The backdrop of dazzling lights from the never-sleeping city in the distance framed the scene perfectly, and the sky above was swirling with dark purples and blues and greens like she’d never seen anywhere else before. Everything was reflected in the water’s surface; it practically glowed brighter than the sky itself, with all that in addition to the pinpricks of lights that were already floating in its depths. She could hardly make out the outline of the Elder Tree with all the illumination.

Another ‘nin called out for her help, and she quickly jumped back on her feet. She hasn’t had a single lonely thought since she started doing this, as trivial as the work itself might be. It made her think, though, about what she truly wanted for the future. For her future.

As she finished setting up the food for the incoming party guests, she smiled for the first time in a long time.