Seasonal Lightbringers - calcifer
It was a cool yet humid day in the marketplace of Salva. Many creatures, humans, elnin, even kyunru alike were all bundled up in warm scarves, beanies, and fluffy coats as they perused the wares of the wooden shops. Only the tourists to Enmir went around nonchalantly in thin garments or sunhats and were easy to spot amongst the crowds. Amongst them a lone lava coloured kittom strolled along, tugging his pomu lantern with him. His smaller form was pushed around amongst the humans and Kyunru bustling about, but, he kept his chin up and pomu lantern held tightly in his left paw. In his right paw, was a map his Dad had left him of his errands for the day.
Normally, I'd do this with my pomu, Ignis, he thought to himself with a wistful sigh. Ignis's colours were a little odd for a pomu, instead of the typical black with little white claws, he was brightly coloured like a flame, with his white - fiery orange gradiented coat. He was easily distinguishable everywhere he went. Thought the kittom, his lop ears drooped a little lower for a second. Before he turned dual toned, red - amber eyes upwards at his pomu's crystal, snugly inset into his lantern he had so lovingly crafted earlier this season with the help of his Dad and his Dad's friends who were professional pomu lantern carvers for work. The craftsmanship of the wood was wavy and made the lantern appear to look like a wooden flame, highlighting the pomu crystal's colours. Keeping his lantern tethered to himself, was a long red cord tied around his left wrist. Nonetheless, he still gripped it firmly in his left paw just in case it got lost.
Oh Ignis.... come back soon my bestie. he thought to himself. Suddenly he felt himself be pushed about, and he gripped his lantern's string tightly, glaring at the human who had bumbled into him. Well, time to get going. he thought to himself, and looked back down at the map in his hands. First, I need to pick up some pink glowing mushrooms from the shop up ahead, then I need to collect a package from the post office, and then I meet Dad back at the Cosy Firefly for an afternoon snack. Alright, Calcifer, you can do this. he thought to himself slapping his fluffy cheeks with grim determination.
Calcifer made his way to one of the many herbalist shops up ahead. This part of the marketplace was known for its herbal remedies. Many stores had shelves lined with peculiar plants, powders and bottles filled with mysterious unknown liquids. The shop Calcifer made his way to, was one he'd visited before with his Dad, earlier in the miasma season. Its storefront was clad in bright lime green cloth and navy writing outlining the specials of the day. Quickly, Calcifer walked up to the stalls counter and rang the small bell perched atop it. Quickly an Elnin popped from around the back and looked down at the small kittom.
"Ahhh, you must be Ripple's son, right?" the storeowner asked. Calcifer nodded in reply.
"I thought so. He said to look out for a kittom with markings like magma, glowing golden with its luminous suffusion. Heh, you're an easy one to spot in the marsh that's for sure." the storeowner said with a wink, while turning around and picking up a bundle of glowing pink mushrooms from a shelf.
"Here you go, 12, just like your Dad ordered. Tell him we're having an upcoming special on Rambeetle horns next week. I'm sure he'll be interested in those." the storeowner remarked before turning away to deal with another customer. Calcifer just nodded again, before grabbing the small bundle and stuffing it into his backpack.
One task down, just one more to go.
Quickly he scampered off down one of the twisting boardwalks built into the sides of the large overgrown trees of Salva. He stuck to the backroads as he headed towards the Post Office. Today was a weekend, and most of the population would be out and about shopping in the marketplace. As he turned the corner he couldn't help but look up at the huge boughs of Enmir's Eldertree. Its trunk twisted and bent at odd angles up high into the air. It was one of the few elder trees that had a pretty unique shape having grown in the marshy swamp. Many large fireflies glowed amongst its branches... or perhaps, were they bugs? Calcifer shrugged, who knows? Soon, he came up to the Post Office. Easily distinguishable, by its strange terrarium filled with glowing pale yellow fireflies, stuck inside a glass terrarium adorning the grand entranceway.
The Mirisian Post Office was bustling with various races busy sending and receiving packages. Magic was everywhere, as parcels, letters and herbal remedies were sent to their destinations. Calcifer, waited patiently in line, his small meadow tail wagging impatiently. Finally after an hour of waiting in line he had made it to the front of the queue.
"Welcome to the Mirisian Post Office, how can I help you?" a rather bored disheveled masculine Elnin asked.
"...Um... I'm here to pick up a parcel for my dad... His name's Ripple?" the disheveled elnin rolled his eyes, before turning away to consult a book.
"One second.... Ripple... Ripple.... Ah, yeah. That one." The elnin dashed away behind the counter and came back with a small rectangular box marked with several postage stamps.
"There you go. NEXT!" the elnin called, as Calcifer walked away tucking the parcel into his backpack.
Finally done with his chores, Calcifer pulled along Ignis's lantern and headed to the Cosy Firefly. I hope Dad's ordered me some glowing ginger ale. he thought as he scurried off.