Submission (#6077) Approved

Balancing a savory fishcake snack-on-a-stick in one paw and a slushy blue drink in her other, Poema tiptoed her way through the small crowd gathered around the festival vendors, surprised that even well outside the limits of Silveil City there were still enough Elnin enjoying the lakeside festivities and makeshift market booths to dodge and dance around.

A towering cloud of spun sugar approached from seemingly nowhere as Poema leaned in for a bite of fishcake. She twirled to dodge the massive confection, narrowly avoiding skewering the billowing puff of cotton candy, the Kittom with his face buried in his treat, or the round paper lanterns draped overhead, their designs reminiscent of the caps of glowing mushrooms famous to the region.

For her efforts, Poema received a tiny cheer and a happy wave from some youngsters. She smiled, finally snagging herself a nibble of fishcake, a bit of sweet and savory glaze dripping from her chin. She couldn't quite tell if the fruit notes she tasted were plum or frostpear or perhaps starfruit. Maybe she'd ask later, once more of the crowd settled down. Even now, a few more Elnin started to disperse around blankets and travel chairs scattered the great star-lake for the late night fireworks show.

Taking another bite of fishcake, Poema wandered further from the bustle of the main celebrations, admiring the lake in the distance and the fantastic view. Silveil City glowed almost like dwindling sunset on the edge of the horizon, but Silveil's eldertree, submerged as it always was within the depths of the majestic starry lake, sparkled and shone with all its might. It almost seemed as if the tree wore a spectacular ballgown, glittering with all the tiny jellyfish swooping through the tree canopy, and it had stepped away from a party to admire the night.

And what a night it was. A stray firework from the city lit up the night sky every so often, adding a burst of dazzling color to the bright stars and milky galaxies shimmering above. Elnin-crafted fireworks playing among natural fireworks. The Starfall Faire certainly was a sight here, compared to the slightly more laid-back coastal regions Poema had been more familiar with.

Several weeks spent in Silveil visiting newly made friends helped her eyes adjust to the dramatically darker environment, so tripping over festival decorations, or a certain sneaky, dark-furred Kittom hunched over and giggling in the nearby shadows masking the dim path, was far less of a hazard than it used to be.

Safely stepping away from being pounced or tripped, Poema gently poked Danika with her fishcake skewer, sending the star marked Kittom into a fit of giggle-snorts. Poema couldn't help giggling herself. "Nope, nice try, Danika."

They wandered back to the impromptu fairgrounds, trying their paw at games and refilling their stash of snacks. Poema bought herself a second fishcake skewer, trying to resist the temptation to sneak one of Danika's red bean mooncakes while the other Kittom's back was turned. Seemingly sensing impending mischief, Danika turned and gave the skewer a look, as though it were capable of stealing a mooncake on its own. Poema waved the pointy stick in a jokingly menacing manner around the mooncake dish, grinning all the while.

"So, Pearly, I've been meaning to ask you."

Poema snorted at her friend's newest variation of an ever changing nickname. Girly when they first met, and down the alphabet of rhyming, sing-song monikers afterward. Honestly, given her markings resembling strands of pearls on her blue-ocean coat, she was surprised it took so long for Dani to arrive at Pearly.

"Ain't the Grand Faire happening where you're from this year, Poe? Why spend Starfall here instead of Ealei? Sounds like it'd be loads more fun at the bigger festival."

Poema tilted her head and gazed out into the distance, pondering an explanation a little more thoughtful than simply I didn't feel like it. At the corner of her vision, she could just make out two round shapes, little bigger than potatoes, jostling over a piece of long-pull taffy. The only thing that really distinguished one black, feathery lump from the other was Anima coloration. Her Pomu, Hoku, in matching pearl white, and Danika's Pomu with blue and purple two-tone nubs.

Hoku let out a mighty squeak as the taffy broke, and he sprinted on stubby legs to catch the other half of the sticky candy, continuing the stretch and steal process all over again. She wondered if either Pomu was actually eating any of the treat or just attempting to hoard the whole thing.

"I'm not too keen on big crowds," Poema finally said. "Being out in Silveil, away from the city, it's nice. Something different."

Really, Poema didn't want to admit to the uneasy feelings that crept through her thoughts and settled into her stomach when she spent too much time back home. They usually led to unhappily familiar dreams that night if she dwelled on them too much. Maybe someday she'd gather her courage and and tackle them, put them away for good. But not anytime soon, she imagined.

This time though, this time was for treats and friends. As she and Danika started their slow meander back toward the lake, the first big booms and sizzling rainbow light displays to signal the start of the evening's highlights started in earnest, and Poema shivered in delight. Now was the time for fireworks.