Submission (#2067) Approved

Enoki sighed as he stared out the window of the library. The sun was streaming in, shining through the yellow and red leaves outside to turn the room a golden hue. It was one of his favourite places here in Bellmoril, aside from visiting the various academics to learn their magic. Sigaldry, elemental channeling, celestial dominion, he wanted to learn it all. One day he would, but that’s why he had to study and study hard. No time for days off.

Another elnin passing outside caught his eye and he watched them disappear with their arms full of lanterns and streamers. Many inhabitants of Il'durahn had already left on ships to the onwater city of Nalnalo to join in the huge celebrations there, but plenty still remained and were busy with party preparations here. He certainly didn’t have time to travel to Ealei but he was finding it hard even to give himself permission to join in the local festivals. He really should keep studying…

The sound of the door opening was loud in the otherwise silent library and made him spin around, his wandering mind bought back into focus. He hadn’t done anything to damage the books, the librarian didn’t have any reason to come grouse on him, but his heart still skipped a beat. He needn’t have worried though, it wasn’t Meilyr, it was Ricqlès. The green and white kittom had also come to Il'durahn to learn and the two had become quick friends. Ricqlès was just as serious about his studies as Enoki was, surely he’d stay with him and skip the parties.

Or so Enoki thought. It wasn’t scrolls of knowledge that the other kittom carried in. It was blank paper and jars of paint. Enoki blinked in confusion. “What’s all this?”

In his mouth Ricqlès held a paintbrush so it took a moment for him to remove it and reply. “What does it look like? I want to make something for the festival!”

“You’re going to the festival? I thought we were going to stay in?” Enoki felt a pang of disappointment. Wasn’t his friend taking this as seriously as him? Was he going to have to stay here alone?

“I had a better idea and I need your help!” Ricqlès grinned. “Trust me, you’ll like it!”

Enoki looked skeptical. “What’s better than studying?”

“Studying and teaching.”

“Teaching?” Now Enoki was skeptical and confused.

“Yeah! I thought we could put on a show! With shadow puppets and backdrops!” The green kittom began unrolling the paper and pouring some paint into little bowls. Enoki watched him dubiously. If he got even a drop of paint on any books they would surely get kicked out of the library.

“A show about what? And what does this even have to do with teaching?”

Ricqlès paused his setting up and looked over at him. “I thought you were clever.” He teased playfully. “I was thinking we could put on a show for some of the younger kittoms, teach them about Ul’uien and how she and the stars fall out of the sky each year.”

Now it was Enoki’s turn to stop and think. That was... rather interesting actually. Some of the kittoms might only think of it as a big party but there was a lot more to it than that. The Silver Mother’s influence on Dusk and the miasma, the turning of the stars into fey lights, even the legend of the elnin that fell in love with the moon…

Ricqlès smiled as he looked at him. He could tell his idea had gotten his friend’s mind hooked.

“And what do you need my help with? I’m not good at painting and I have no idea how to make shadow puppets.” Enoki sighed.

“I’ll do that bit! But you’re good at researching and knowing where to find the information we need. If we’re going to be teaching these stories we need them to be accurate.” And if there’s one thing Ricqlès knows about his friend it’s that he has an eye for detail and is a stickler for accuracy.

Sure enough there was a determined look in Enoki’s eye now. “Yes, I could do that….”

“Great! Let’s find the books about it, then you read out the descriptions and I’ll paint them!”

“Fine. Just make sure you don’t spill any of that paint!”

Ricqlès laughed. “I won’t! And maybe after our shows we could try some faire food?”

Enoki nodded. “Yes, I think that would be acceptable.” Maybe this was a way he could enjoy the Starfall Faire after all.