Submission (#4586) Approved

Word count: 902
Regional Affinity: Ealei
Elnin: https://worldofeyre.com/character/ELN2630

North being the very kind surrogate brother he is, takes Rain on a well deserved trip. This story takes place when Rain is still a kittom!! I am very sorry to the mod who has to read my terrible writing T-T

 A Trip Just For You

It was early morning and the clouds hung low in the sky, gently enveloping the dock. Gentle breezes rocked the ship and the weather was pleasant. They had at last arrived at Ealei, the watery metropolis of Eyre. Yggdrasil towered above the clouds and mountains, so vast and magnificent that it would make any other Eldertree look like a newly grown sapling. North stared in awe at the scenery and for a moment understood why his sister Fahren loved to travel so much. As the crew prepared to dock, North nudged Rain awake.  

“Hey kiddo, it’s time to wake up. We’re here.”

Obediently, Rain got up and followed North’s gaze toward the shore before them. While he didn’t say anything, the kittom’s eyes twinkled with excitement. The older nin smiled. That poor child had so much sadness contained within his little body that North worried it might just overflow and sweep him away. Rain was like a little brother to him, so seeing him happy meant the world and more. This trip was one of the rare requests Rain had ever made, so of course, North agreed. It was after Fahren returned from one of her adventures and chronicled the fantastic sights she had seen in Ealei that prompted Rain to shyly ask if they could go. His little sister was quick to shove them out the door and promised to look after the conservatory while the pair were gone. 

Their first stop was to explore Port Pthalo, a wharf city nestled into the southern tip of Ealei. There were plenty of little huts scattered across the shore, each selling a variety of local goods Rain had never seen before. His eyes began to twinkle again and his pace became a hurried walk, excited to see what each stall had in store. 

“Pick something you like. I’ll buy you a souvenir.”

“But everything is so expensive!” 

“One little trinket isn’t going to hurt me,” North said encouragingly. 

If he could, North would give Rain the world.

“Ah…! Uhm, okay, let me see.”

After much careful deliberation, Rain settled on a small opalescent charm. After paying the merchant, North gently tied it onto Rain’s leg. The kittom looked at the accessory thoughtfully, and then gave North the biggest grin he had ever seen. This melted North into a puddle. 

---

Their next destination was Nalnalo. The trail that led to the city weaved its way through rocky cliffs and thundering waterfalls. Little tidepools were tucked away between narrow crevices, just wide enough for Rain to take a peek inside. The otherwise skittish kittom had become adventurous, splashing along waterlogged paths while North carefully made his way across using stepping stones. Along their journey, North discovered a small clearing that was perfect for a much-needed break. Here, the cliffs had softened into a flat expanse that housed larger tidepools. North lay down while Rain went to investigate the colourful marine life. 

"It reminded me of you."

Rain gently placed a small white conch shell in front of North. The iridescent lip shimmered in the sunlight much like his sparkly coat. North smiled yet again. 

---

They could hear the capital before they could see it. Rain’s eyes widened as he realized the city was carved into the great branches of the Eldertree itself. Great crystal spires breached the canopy, held up by grotesque branches that have stood the test of time. 

“Woah.”

North chuckled. “Just you wait, we’re gonna go up there.”

“Really!?” exclaimed Rain. 

Embarrassed by his own outburst, Rain shifted awkwardly and looked at the ground. While also surprised, North was pleased that the kittom was finally opening up. He patted his head.

“Yes, really. But first let’s explore the city.” 

Their day went by in a whirlwind. The locals fussed at the adorable Rain, and Rain was just as enamoured by the creatures that lived there. Nalnalo’s infrastructure was just as unique as its citizens. There were no such things as sidewalks in this city, for each building was connected to the next with narrow suspension bridges that swayed in the wind. Terrified, Rain clung to North as they carefully made their way up to the sky. He eventually seated himself firmly on North’s back, mostly burying his face in the nin’s white mane so he wouldn't have to see the ground far below them. 

“Are we almost there yet?”

“Just a little farther.”

As they ascended even higher, the dense leaves gave way to bare branches covered in deep blue crystals. They twinkled softly in the fleeting sunlight.

“We’re here now,” North said softly. 

Rain raised his head cautiously, letting out a soft gasp as the horizon came into view. 

Taller than anything in its vicinity, they stood on top of Yggdrasil’s crown. 

He felt so small. 

So insignificant.

But it was not in a bad way like how his grief would sometimes consume him. He was awestruck. His worries felt trivial compared to how endless the sky was in front of him. It felt like nothing else in the whole wide world mattered.

The two stood together in silence for some time. North could feel Rain slowly relaxing on top of him, and that was all he needed to know. 

---

“I’m glad that we came.” Rain said quietly.

“Me too.”

---

To this day, a little blue crystal and the conch shell sit on Rain’s bookshelf. They sparkle as brightly as ever.