Just Another Day

The following days were celebrated privately among family and friends instead of the great hall. With the cold, dead of winter, the Scissortails stayed mostly in their dens. The second day marked the first day of winter after the turn of the season, and many whispered warnings were shared to beware the fae as the veil between the forest and the fae lands was still thin. Those out during night were most susceptible to being swept up by the fae and never to be seen again. The virtue of perseverence was preached, and reminded that its rewards would also include protection from the evil fae.

Shanku was a little confused by this as she had spent many cold winter nights out in the Nyre during her sailing days when the Meriweather would dock until spring. Her curiosity to explore the frozen Nyre under the moonlight was tempered by the second day being filled with a day of baking buns and rolls.

The third day celebrated courage, and that some of the delicious smoking and barbecuing was ready. Most wouldn't be cured until the end of Dolagog, and the available meats were spiced and happily served. Shanku particularly cherished this night, as each in her family was toasted to for their fearlessness and strength during the difficulty of the past year.

The fourth day was of love and friendship, so Shanku spent most of the day visiting her grandparents and Katari, and the others likewise visited relatives and friends. Hilael once again could not avoid Ina, but felt he should at least make an effort to be civil toward her for the sake of the holiday.

The fifth day was of community, so again Hilael's day was filled with Ina by his side, and moreover she dragged him with her as she engaged in her large circle of acquaintances. Games were held inside and outside the Scissortail den, and Hilael felt he had been present for every single one of them by the time he was permitted to return home. Shanku was the opposite, having very few friends, and relished every competition she participated in, not caring if she won or lost so long as she had fun.

After the gay abandonment of the fifth day came the disciplined sixth day of justice, fairness, and prudence, in which Shanku felt she was unfairly singled out for many examples of poor judgment and impulse.

Assistance was the theme of the seventh day, and a week of merrymaking had left the area rather disheveled and some chores had been let go. It was a long day of cleaning and mending, but the company was pleasant, and there was much gossip and planning to be had while hands were kept busy with menial tasks. The holiday was half over.

Truth marked the eighth day as the Scissortails huddled indoors away from the icy storm blowing outside, and as they sat around their fires and swapped stories many details were called into question. Among the more mischievous Sylvans, this was also the day of skilled deception as they fooled young cubs with tall tales.

The ninth day came, marking the reverence of honor and the fathers. Shanku made herself scarce as she wrestled with memories of deeds done while she sailed on the Brelland Seacat pirate ship. Muso and Banhi happily pounced on Zanzen as they had Nari during the day honoring mothers. At length, Zanzen sought out Shanku to bring her back, and gave her a gentle reminder that she could not be held at full fault for her past sins as she had tried the best she could to avoid them, and as she was still a young cub at the time the weight of the sins were not as heavy as they would be if she had been an adult and cheerily committed them. Shanku finally began to forgive herself, and happily rejoined her family for the day.

Justice was reverenced on the tenth day. Shanku and Hilael both struggled with the traditional notions often accompanied with the seventh day, but they received little sympathy from Muso who aspired to be a captain and Banhi who was determined to be a lady of the higher court. The cubs debated among each other much of the day.

The following day represented self-reliance, and Shanku felt she had managed that quite well in the past years. Nari sternly reminded her that she may not fare so well when the day of humility arrived, and Shanku grinned sheepishly at her mother.

The twelfth day was about temperance and moderation, which many struggled with after being outright gluttons with all the delicious feasts that were being had.

The thirteenth day and day of humility arrived, where pride was corrected and kept in check, and those who were self-loathing were gently guided back to being fair toward themselves. To Hilael's dismay, Shanku had picked up on his insecurities, and spent the day subtly praising and encouraging him.

At last, the fourteenth and final night of Dolagog arrived. It was time for the grandest feast and the last lesson of the holiday: wisdom and learning from past mistakes. The veil to the fae realm would begin to close, and the Scissortails would stay up through the night to count their blessings and good fortunes, and welcome the dawn and growing strength of the sun.