Submission (#3143) Approved

Kau’i wandered through the flowering hills and trees of the Elenion outskirts. The sun filtered through the pink foliage of the trees overhead, casting shifting shadows on the ground as the wind rustled the branches. Today was the day of a major Festival in Fairendell, where it was possible to have some of the local blooms enchanted to stay forever fresh. 

Last time his family had gone to the festival, Kau’i hadn’t joined them yet. He was a bit younger than Kaia and Koa, and Evenne hadn’t yet taken him in as a foster, but he’s heard so much from Kaia about the fun they’d had at the last festival. Even now, the other elnin often kept several blooms tucked in her hair, colored in a riot of golds and reds that matched her anima so prettily. Kau’i was envious, and so excited to finally have a chance to experience it for himself.

He stopped to examine a bush that blooms with great purple flowers, small bunches of petals speckled with white, a few fallen leaves providing a contrast of pink. The colors of Faerindell were always so vibrant, never failing to leave him in awe, from the lush greens of the rolling hillsides to the vibrant hues of the ever blooming flowers. He especially loved the rainbows of the fairie shrouds that hung from the trees, and he stopped to glance up at them as he passed under a low hanging branch.

These were almost close enough to touch. If he stretched he might be able to reach? Would these be the perfect choice? He didn't know what color to pick. He wanted to treasure these as dearly as Kaia treasured hers, so they have to be perfect.

He huffed a little as he waited for Kaia and Koa to show up, stopping to examine the vegetables on the table of a nearby street market stall. The market is far smaller than the one that lives in the town center, but nice and neat, a small bunch of wooden stalls clustered at the edge of a residential district. In the distance, the cobbled streets end, turning into a dirt path that winds into the hills surrounding the city.

Koa and Kaia had gone out into the fields that morning, Koa on a mission to paint the sunrise in the fields, and hadn’t returned yet. Kau’i really wanted their input on what flowers to choose, trusting in their experience and Koa’s eye for color. Kau’i was no art slouch himself, although he much preferred to build things and tinker as opposed to Koa’s painting and drawing. Still, he missed his partners.

It was going to be nice to finally have a date with just the three of them. He adored his son Lani dearly, but it had been too long since they’d gotten to have some time alone. He’d dropped Lani off with Grandmama Evenne, content to watch him play with his auntie and uncle as he left. He was in good hands. After all, Evenne had managed to raise them into adulthood at least.

“Kau’i!”

A lilting female voice drifted above the bustling sounds of the market, and Kau’i turned, almost sweeping a melon off a table with the tufted fins of his tail in his excitement. They’re here!

He whooped and bound over excitedly, sweeping both Kaia and Koa up in his arms. They both grinned at him, giggling. He nuzzled into them. 

“I missed you guys.”

Koa smiled at him softly, nose to nose while Kaia tucked herself into his neck, her breath tickling his fur. “We were only gone for a few hours, Kau?”

Kau’i brushed their noses together, bringing a paw up to brush an errant petal from Koa’s dark hair that waves in the wind, featherlight. 

“I know, I know.” He could feel his face twist into a pout. “Still missed you though.”

He perked up after a second. “How was the trip? Did you get a good spot?”

Koa and Kaia stiffen a little, and Kau’i pulled back, concerned. “What happened?”

“Well..” Koa started, his voice hesitant. “We might have run into a miasma pocket by accident.”

“What!?” Kau’i gasped, and pulled them back tight, patting over them to make sure they’re okay. They’re fine, he tried to tell himself. They’re both nobles, unlike him, who’s only an adventurer. They’re strong. They’re here, they’re fine.

Still, he worried.

Kaia laughed, and she sounded tired. “We’re fine, honestly. It just took us by surprise.”

Kau’i leveled her with a look, and she just grinned at him. Sunlight speckled her face, dancing with the little motes of embers that drift from her anima, red gold mixing with the cool green of Koa’s where their horns near each other. They’re so beautiful, Kau’i was so lucky. He doesn’t know what he’d do without them.

Koa reached out, paw brushing against the fluff of his cheek, and Kau’i turned to look at him. 

“I promise, Kau’i, we’re okay. Let’s just go pick you out some flowers, hm?”

Kau’i sighed, but gave in. The three of them turn back to cobblestone streets, ducking under a low hanging faerie shroud, before making their way back towards the center of town. The streets were lined with pink, the trees forming almost a tunnel, and they followed along with the flow of the crowd towards the city center. It’s still relatively early, but the flower festival is one of the most popular in the region, and folk come from all over Eyre to participate. It's no wonder that even at this early hour the streets were jammed.

Petals drift down softly, aggregating in small puddles on the edges of the road from the rains that had swept through the night before. Even with so many people, Elenion was a peaceful place.

Before they knew it, they reached the city center, and were met with a visual cacophony as vendors from all over the region set up stalls to market their flowers to be offered for enchantment. They came in every color imaginable, from little fluffy white ones, to large pink, and those that come in a rainbow of assorted colors. 

Kaia tucked her red gold flowers more firmly into her flowing hair, and grabbed Kau’i and Koa, dragging them over to the nearest stall. It’s populated with a bunch of vibrant flowers, all pinks and yellows and purples. Pretty, but not quite right. Still, he watched with fondness as Koa and Kaia stopped to sniff the flowers before they moved on to the next stall.

Deeper and deeper into the festival grounds they went, until finally, tucked away in a corner he found it. A small, brightly colored sign proclaimed that they’re selling flowers imported from their native Palu’au. Most of them were hibiscus, bright and colorful, but a small bunch hidden at the back caught his eye. They’re still hibiscus, but a bit paler in color, mostly white with a blushing pink in places, and they’re perfect.

The vendor smiled at them warmly, clearly a Palu’au native, all Munchkin limbs and oversized ears, their twin meadow tails swishing beside them gently. It felt like home, just for a moment. Kau’i loved traveling, loved visiting new places, but Palu’au will always be home. He misses their inn.

“Ah, excuse me miss, but how much are those?” He pointed to the white flowers in the back as Kaia and Koa came to flank him. Kaia gasped a little. “Oh those are perfect, Kau!”

The vendor grinned at them, and named a price. It was a little steep, and Kau’i almost winced, even though he expected it, knowing they were imports. But Koa didn't hesitate, reaching into his pack to fish around, pulling out rolls of canvas and jars of paint before finally revealing a small coin purse. 

“We’ll take them,” The older elnin stated, passing over a handful of coins to the vendor, who cheerfully wrapped up the armful of flowers before passing them over.

Koa immediately took one and tucked it behind Kau’i’s ear. “Beautiful.”

Kau’i flushed, feeling his face heat up, and Koa’s grin turned wicked. Kaia giggled and tucked herself into his side.

Kau’i was so happy. He loved them so much, and he would always cherish these everlasting mementos of what was truly turning out to be a perfect day. The sky was clear and blue and the wind was sweet with the scent of flowers, and he was with his two favorite people in the world. Nothing could be better than this.