Just Another Day

"I've been home almost a whole year now!" Shanku exclaimed. "One whole blessed year! Wow, time flies."

"Indeed," Nari replied. "You came in just after the flower festival last year."

"I must admit, it comes with a mild sense of trepidation since I was exiled right after the flower festival too," Shanku remarked grimly. "What do normal kurach do who aren't running for their lives at this time of year?"

"Shameless flirting," Nari said wistfully. "Cuddling under the trees, rolling in the long grass, whispering sweet nothings others cannot hear..."

"Ma," Shanku interrupted her. "Young ears."

"You're nearly grown. I don't have to censor myself much longer," Nari replied. "Little cubs are sent to bed early, but older cubs are encouraged to spend the day with friends, and special friends if they have them. It is the season to celebrate life and how well the season has progressed since Candle Day. All the rains of the past moon have made the waterways swollen, the flowers blossom so fully, and the crops grow so well, and now is a good time to collect fresh drinking and bathing water."

"Sounds fun. Please tell me food is involved," Shanku said eagerly. "What lovely culinary delights are there to enjoy?"

"Oatcakes and milk sweetened with honey are the main two things," Nari said. "I'll make plenty for us."

"It's a party then," Shanku said.

"The real party is when the sun goes down and we get to spend all night in the woods," Nari teased.

"Please, Ma, no!" Shanku yipped and darted out the door, leaving her mother to chuckle to herself.

"I don't know if I'm cut out for this one," Shanku shuddered. Despite her reservations, she joined in as eagerly as she had the past festivities. Nari and her daughters got up early and braided their hair as was traditional for the holiday before the whole family went out. Shanku had even let herself get talked into wearing a more decorative dress. The other Scissortails were all in a very light mood as they enjoyed the fresh air and gathered fresh water. The cubs frolicked and played games as the older ones basked in the warm sunlight and enjoyed the beautiful day.

"You two go on and spend time with your friends!" Nari urged her two oldest. "This isn't a day for family, it's a day for friends, and I know you both have friends."

"Come on, Hilael. Let's go have some fun!" Shanku agreed with her mother and took Hilael by the hand.

"I think she over-estimates my social skills," Hilael murmured.

"Nonsense! Surely there is somebody around here you'd like to spend the day with," Shanku said.

"Yeah, my favorite tree," Hilael said dryly.

"Then go to your favorite tree," Shanku said cheerily. "Every tree has a spirit and I'm sure it likes you as much as you like it."

"Are you mocking me?" Hilael asked.

"Nah, not at all. Wait a minute, do Scissortails believe in tree spirits...?" Shanku asked.

"Generally, no," Hilael sighed. "Where did you pick that one up from?"

"Shaman Onami, of course, and I should think a shaman knowledgeable on these things. Now, shoo, your tree is probably lonely standing there by itself."

"I owe you one then," Hilael said and gave his sister a brief smile before retreating.

"I suppose that's my good deed for the day then," Shanku chuckled.