Submission (#2471) Approved

Yuki travels to Bellmoril not for its esteemed academy, Il'durahn, but rather the autumnal silence. Her favourite scenery to stay in would always be the eternal cold, where the winter air could keep her cool and crisp, and the snow was abundant to cushion her every step. Bellmoril was far from that, but fall was the next closest season to her ideals. It was a comfortable break from the usual. 

The forests that were eternally painted a warm canvas were a welcome sight, rustling in the sharp chill that pricked the young kittom’s thick fur pleasantly. It reminded her vaguely of home. Birch trees of gentle reds, oranges, and yellows greeted her, outlining the mountainous range. A perfect personification of autumn at every turn. From the grass, the leaves, and to the creatures of the region, everything was all born and raised in fall. Even the smell of the land was somehow reminiscent of the renaissance festivals that were rich this time of season. 

Bellmoril always filled her with a serene calm. It was something she always looked for when traveling. The cool breeze carried the melody of leaves. Birds would call in the distance to accent the song of the region as the sun began to set over the horizon. And she would sit there and watch, atop the tallest mountain. All around her would be the shades of a fire, adorning nature, adorning her path. With each wisp of wind, her path would be washed over like new snow, except in its place would be the glowing orange of shrubbery and the sheddings of the autumn trees. 

The sunset was always the most memorable sight at such tall heights. In this place, however, it was something different. As if the whole world was engulfed in a gentle flame - one that would never burn but would never go out. Its warmth was but for a moment of the whole day but it remained, lingering bright, in her memories. The view was something she could then fall asleep to soundly, keeping the ember of the sleeping sun with her. 

It was a true bliss to be surrounded by nature in such a gentle environment. Yuki had only dared venture out of the woodlands on three occasions. She preferred this quiet of the wilderness, finding company in peace and solitude. But rarely she would be coaxed out of her comforts to try something new. The small rural towns were festive by nature. Nowhere near as grandiose as the major city, though some would say that its charm was because of that fact. 

For a town, even at its busiest it was still relatively tame compared to other regions. The festivities had an air of peace and gentle joy in them - carrying the stride of nature and mixing with it the whimsy of a forest civilization. That’s what made it almost endearing in her eyes, more than tolerable even. And that was a large compliment from the usually solitary kittom. 

The lights were reminiscent of fireflies that danced around at night. The smell of autumn was elevated by the various native cuisine of Bellmoril, both pungent and subtle to invite the weary and the hungry. Oftentimes they were shaped as maple leaves or in the form of the various endemic life of the land to add some charm. Yuki always enjoyed the sweet and sharp tang of the desserts she’d tried, favouring the small finch shaped sticky buns. 

During the renaissance festivals, the crowds were thin but lively. Some wore costumes of older times, dancing about with the confidence of those attached to the earth they came from. They were different from the bustling urban cities. Loud but not too loud. Just the right amount of cheer to bring out the quieter souls for a good time. 

So while Bellmoril was far from the wintery plains where Yuki was born and raised, the fall region had its fair share of joys that were unmatched anywhere else.