Submission (#7013) Approved

UPDATED BASED ON THE SOFT REJECTION
Okie dokie I updated parts of the story to include the lantern more~ Hopefully this is more of what is required :)

ORIGINAL COMMENTS
Regional Affinity: Zevija
Elnin: https://worldofeyre.com/character/ELN261

This is my first time trying to write an prompt, so I didn't really know how to do things properly. If it gets denied please give me pointers on how to improve ;w;

If it gets approved, I would still love constructive criticism. I would love to do more like this. <3
The one thing I didn't fully like was I didn't realize a second nin was not actually needed until I had written most of it. So I would change that first off. Not force a second nin where one is not needed next time x.x

Basic reward: 6 EC

Written 900 words: +2EC

Pomu: +1EC (I wrote about it off and on through the text, so if it has to be a continuous paragraph I was not sure)

Willow woke up and looked out their window at the beautiful clusters of crystals glittering all around their house. Although it's not the luxury scenic home most would imagine when thinking of a dream home this was heaven to Willow. They found beauty in the crystalline caves of Zevija due to them imagining they had a connection due to the resemblance to their splintered anima. They remembered that today the main village was having a group scavenger hunt event. They looked over to their Pomu lanturn swaying back and forth . They smiled softly, “Of course I won’t forget about you.” The light from inside flickered happily through the flower shaped openings. They tied a string to their wrist so their Pomu could adventure with them.

Outside their home Willow ran their paw over the crystals as they walked past. The glow of their Pomu lanturn casting a soft glow around them. After some time Willow made their way to the main square of their subterranean city. They were looking everywhere for their friend when Willow spotted a pair of large pink ears poking up from within the crowd. They quickly ran up and called out “Aria hey”. She turned around and happily greeted Willow. “Man, I thought you were never going to show up. Not good with time while your little Pomu is resting huh? It's pretty much time to start.” Up near the front was a small pastel colored faenin named Alina who had planned this whole thing. Alina fluttered up and called out “Hey hey everybody. I would like everyone’s attention. It's time to start our long awaited scavenger hunt.” She did a small back flip in the air then continued “I have maps prepared with clues. There will be 5 points of interest each group will have to find. Each group will get a map with different riddles that lead to different points of interest so no two groups give away spots by accident. I will be more than happy to help answer any questions if any group might get too stuck. I also have extra maps just in case any group manages to lose or destroy theirs.” She flutters back down to a small table. “When each group is ready please come up here and pick on your map.”

Willow and Aria joined in the line to get their map. “I am so stoked for this.” Aria said as her little round tail kept bouncing back and forth. She was always so excited for anything to do with any sort of adventure no matter how small. Her big ears accidentally bumped Willow’s Pomu lantern. Willow laughed a bit “Woah you’re getting a bit crazy there. Better not leave me in the dust. I guess I will have to be in charge of the map to keep you in check.” Aria jokingly pouted “Sorry sorry little one. Yeah you’re probably right. I have been thinking about this day since we signed up. I have been thinking of all the possible good hiding places.” Willow laughed again “You realize there are families with kids that are doing this too right? It can’t be that hard.” Despite this Aria was still excited. She would be the worst big sister with her competitive nature driving her to try to win whatever competition she takes part in.

The duo got their map which was a very well drawn map of the main town area as well as a bit of the outskirts. Flipping it over and using the light from their Pomu lanturns they read the riddles they were given

• My contents could be found at the end of a rainbow. Treasures that sparkle like stars.
• Though the soils can't support much here I thrive. The glow I produce is loved by many.
• I have an array of knowledge, but I can’t speak. I have what can be borrowed, but not kept.
• Long day huh? Come visit me to relieve those sore muscles.
• Sadly down here the sky is not in view. If you want to see a moon without traveling to the surface you will have to come visit me.

Willow and Aria almost immediately figured them all out. The hard part would be traveling and searching. “So do you want to just go in order since the ones we got are pretty spaced out no matter how we tackle it?” Willow asked. Aria nodded in agreement and they set off for the jewelry store. Once they got there they split up and began looking for clues. On the front of the building there were directions that once followed to a specific location in the store. When they got to the spot there was a small trinket with their names on it. “I guess this is it,” Aria exclaimed “Let's keep this party going!!! We gotta find all the things!!!” Willow laughed at her over the top excitement, but was also really having a blast getting out to explore the city like this. “Okay okay. Let's see, next we have the mushroom grove.” Willow said. 

The other locations were pretty much the same setup as the first. Having an easy to find set of directions that would lead to a specific spot, and in that spot would be a trinket with Aria and Willow’s name on it. After going to the mushroom grove they went to the library, hotsprings, and a well known crescent shaped gemstone. With all 5 trinkets collected they went back to the stand where Alina was waiting. “OHHHH Welcome back you two” Alina exclaimed happily. Willow smiled and handed off the trinkets to Alina “That was an amazing event. You did amazing with the set up.” Aria nodded in agreement. Alina laughed “Aww I can’t take all the credit. I did have help from my family getting it all set up to make it unique and fun for each group.” She looked over at her husband and kids who were helping her the whole time behind the scenes. Willow waved at them “Well thank you all then for a fun time. I hope we have more fun events like this soon.” Alina rummaged through her bag and pulled out a really cute ribbon for the both of them. “Here are your ribbons for joining us in our event, and we will absolutely do our best to keep making fun stuff for us all to do.” Willow and Aria took their ribbons and happily attached them to the string of their Pomu lanterns. 

They said their farewells and parted ways for the evening. After such an eventful day Willow was ready for some rest. They decided to head to the hotspring for some relaxation. Usually they relax at home, but after the scavenger hunt led them there they figured actually going there to relax would be pretty nice. As they soaked in the water they looked up at their Pomu lantern bobbing back and forth. “I promise to bring you here properly when you are done resting.”