[KVADRO] Winter Solstice 2024

Character Count: 19297

Word Count: 3307

Characters: Adiantum, Sylvester, Prae

 

 

It was time for the Solstice. It seemed like only a day ago he had celebrated his birthday, and a moment later it was midwinter itself.

 

Perhaps, part of this was due to the fact that Adiantum himself lacked free time - with the approach of the holiday, the need for raw materials from outside the barrier increased, because many plumii and kazuli want to celebrate properly. After all, such an event happens once a year, and it cannot be celebrated without preparation!

 

Perhaps this was also due to the fact that Prae, who usually stopped him from spontaneous adventures and travels outside the city, was now also swarmed with work — at this time their elegant metal products flew off the shelves like hot cakes. For this reason, they even had to suspend all their research, which is an amazing fact that is worthy of a separate holiday in its rarity.

 

But without Prae to stop his impulses, Adiantum ran into the city only to hand over the accumulated materials.

Still, for him, such trips are not only an opportunity to help others, but also an opportunity to be closer to nature, to places that hide many secrets of old, to places that are just beginning to be revealed by the same brave researchers as Adiantum, so he could not miss such a chance.

 

Nevertheless, the proximity of the holiday caught him really suddenly, so the day before the first half of the "polar day" was filled with turmoil.

While Adiant was rushing around the city trying to somehow prepare, passers-by watched this situation without much surprise — for four years now, every time before the Solstice holiday he rushes around the city. Considering the city's not-so-large population, as well as the fact that the plant kazuli can often be seen on the streets running errands for Prae, there is nothing to be surprised about.

 

When the preparations were finished — and it was already late evening — Adiantum finally stopped to catch his breath.

 

All the work was done: the ingredients for the dishes were bought, the materials for the other plumii and kazuli were taken and received, and the ideas and plans for tomorrow were composed and thought out. There was only one thing left - to have a good rest and tomorrow with renewed strength start a new day, the last day of this year.

 

***

 

Adiantum woke up from a knock on the door.

"A little more, and I will definitely get up... Although rather “probably” than “definitely”..." the sleepy kazyulya said in his thoughts, only to sit up abruptly a second later.

 

The realization of what day it was instantly swept away all sleep and quickly throwing on his usual cloak, Adiantum was already running to the door.

 

Opening it with all his might, he saw a scene of a blue-golden kazuli standing in front of him. The guest, clearly not expecting such a sharp turn, froze like a statue, standing with his hand raised for another knock.

 

The silent scene was broken by Adiantum.

 

"I'msorrypleaseIdidn'tmeanto!!" The plant one quickly rattled off and began to shake his friend in panic.

 

Sylvester, who didn't have time to recover from such an spectacle, was swaying from side to side, but quickly coming to his senses he stopped Adiantum's muttering and confused panic.

 

"Hi to you too, Adiantum. I just came early, but as usual, you are never ready." Pushing the plant one away from himself, the golden-haired kazuli continued. "You didn't think that I would not come to you, considering how you like to miss all the most interesting things?"

 

"I'm not missing anything, I'd just like to rest for a moment and that's it." Turning away in embarrassment, Adianth said to himself under his breath.

 

In response to this, Sylvester only chuckled. "And then you complain to me that you couldn't participate in something."

 

Unable to find what to say to such a phrase, Adianth simply grabbed the bag of ingredients he had prepared in advance and pulled his friend by the hand, dragging him along with him into the street.

 

The two-tailed only smiled at this and quickened his pace, overtaking the green-haired one.

 

Walking past the decorated streets that were not yet filled with plumii and kazuli, the two animatedly talked about the holiday. Despite the fact that they celebrated it not for the first time, this was the first time they decided to spend it together, as best friends.

 

They soon arrived at their destination — a small shop on the outskirts, secluded in a corner. Despite its outward plainness, if you look closely, behind the glass of the display case you could see various ingenious mechanisms made with great attention to detail.

Despite the sign "not working during the holiday" on the door, the duo boldly pulled the unlocked door towards themselves and went inside. Interior of the shop was silent, broken only by the steady ticking of the clock on the wall.

Various devices and objects standing here and there instantly attracted the attention of the forest kazuli.

 

"Do you think Prae will allow me to use the semi-philosopher's stone one day?" Sylvester said without taking his eyes off his old object of affection.

 

"Yeah, he will. When you stop touching their every unfinished mechanism." Adiant answered with a chuckle, approaching a surprisingly clean and tidy table without anything on it, and laying out the items from the bag on its surface.

Various dry plants and flowers were neatly laid out and arranged in piles, while Sylvester was delightedly examining the new mechanisms, which he had not seen before.

 

"Of course. After all, then I won’t have to worry about him cutting off something after he climbs in out of curiosity to see “what’s inside.” Suddenly, a calm voice echoed throughout the room.

 

In the passageway into the depths of the building, tall plumii stood watching what was happening inside. “You could have at least warned me that you would come earlier.”

 

Seeing that, Sylvester, caught at the scene of the crime, suddenly recoiled, only to stumble and fly sideways, right at Adiantum standing nearby. From such a push, he also flew to the floor.

 

Looking at the kazuli sprawled on the floor, the Ivao grinned and approached them with a smile, extending a hand and helping them get up from the floor.

 

“How long can you scare him, Prae!!” Adiant said, puffing out his cheeks. “I will never understand how you, with your height and wings, can move so silently!"

 

Already standing in front of the table where the plant one had been, Prae simply ignored the question, not being distracted from examining the materials lying on it.

 

"Actually, I got you something. I'll bring it now." Plumia said and disappeared into the passage again.

 

"Ouch, I almost gave myself a bruise." Sylvester, who had been silently watching the other two's small squabble, winced. "Prae likes to make me scared."

 

Adiantum only giggled in response.

 

"You don't know how they can scare you if they want to, so Prae actually tolerates you. They just enjoy your reaction every time."

 

"Yeah, and you don't care about that, you're not afraid of them at all." The forest one answered, picking up and putting back the mechanisms that had been knocked over during the fall.

 

"And I've known them for almost as long as I can remember. So don't be fooled by Prae's constant smile and pokerface, they are real pretender."

 

Interrupting their discussion again, Prae returned holding a neatly wrapped elongated case.

 

Sylvester and Adianth looked at each other curiously, already wondering what could be in there. Looking at this, Prae only sighed and placed it on the floor closer to the wall.

 

"In the evening, look at what's in there. In the meantime, we need to sort out the cooking and amulets, you don't want to go hungry all day, do you?"

 

The kazuli shook their heads vigorously at this statement, especially Adiantum, and got down to work.

 

While Adiantum went to the kitchen to sort out the preparation of pancakes, as the one who was more often in Prae's house, Sylvester began to weave the bases for future amulets under the supervision of ivao. The older plumia periodically helped him, showing him how to create it easier and stronger.

 

Carefully intertwining the vines together and making a beautiful pattern from them, the forest one did not notice how a plate of pancakes poured with honey and a glass of peach juice were placed on the table where he was sitting.

 

"Here, try it! According to my signature recipe!" Adiant said proudly raising his nose. "You probably haven't eaten since morning either, so have a snack."

 

Putting aside the unfinished preparation, Sylvester pounced on the fragrant dish with shining eyes. "Hof mfuch I lofe yourf difches!"

 

"Don't talk with your mouth full." Prae chuckled, calmly eating their portion and drinking ice water with a lemon wedge. "Although I agree about the taste, Adiant's cooking is always good."

 

Having heard the praise from the stiff about it plumia, the plant kazuli beamed with joy. "Hehe, I knew you two would like it! One way or another, no one can resist my masterful cooking skills."

 

"Yeah. I honestly still don't understand how you are able to recreate dishes so perfectly by eye, without having their recipes and measurements. And at the same time make them delicious." Having finished chewing the last pancake and exhaling with satisfaction, said another kazuli.

 

"Experience! Experience of cooking for Prae and a bi-i-i-it of imagination." Adiantum answered, collecting the empty plates.

 

After the snack was over, the trio gathered together at the table with blanks for amulets.

 

Each took one for themself, after which, taking the materials of their desire from the pile in the middle, they began to decorate blank amulets. Each of them gradually transformed and acquired its own, unique, but recognizable features.

 

Adiantum's amulet was filled with greenery: a large number of leaves and vines were combined with red wooden beads strung on them.

 

At the same time, Sylvester's amulet was less bright, but no less beautiful — decorated with stems with small but beautiful golden flowers, it resembled a composition of one of the constellations.

 

And Prae's amulet, neat, made by experienced hands, it didn't acquire the feeling of products on sale, but on the contrary: with thin branches that intertwined with each other and shards of glass, it seemed as if it had taken the features of the essence of its creator.

 

Time flew by while creating and hanging the resulting products. Soon all the amulets were hung by the window by the older iwao, as the tallest.

Standing out brightly against the background of the always dark workshop, they gave it an atmosphere of coziness and warmth, being colourful and living elements in this kingdom of mechanisms.

 

The kazuli watched this spectacle with delight, proud of the work they had done with their own hands. Whispering among themselves about their dreams and goals for the coming year, they looked fascinated by the reflections of colored glass that wandered along the walls.

 

The time was approaching noon.

Gathered in a small but cozy kitchen located deeper in the building, the duo and Prae counted down the time remaining until 12 o'clock, spending the last minutes of the year together.

 

On the kitchen table there were various dishes, prepared by the creatures sitting here together. Traditional salads, jellies, various juices and fruit drinks were accompanied by some not-so-typical dishes that had their own charm - a couple of pieces of fish and berry bursties were visible, as well as bread with vorai spread on them on plates.

 

The clock on the wall ticked slowly, steadily counting down the time until the beginning of the new year. At the last minute, the anticipatory silence was broken — the creatures sitting at the table began to count every second out loud.

 

As soon as the clock struck the cherished number twelve, all the tension and anticipation evaporated, leaving room for pure and unclouded joy.

The table burst into laughter and conversation, and the two younger ones began to tell their impressions and discuss various topics of the new year.

 

At this time, iwao silently drank a lemon drink, hiding a small but sincere smile behind the edges of the glass.

 

Soon after everyone had eaten, the kazuli began to gather outside, wanting to walk around the city and participate in competitions and festivities.

 

Standing at the door, Sylvester was called from behind.

 

Prae, who stayed at home to clean and wash the dishes, asked him to stay for a few words. Forest kazuli, a little nervous, went back into the house.

 

"This is for you." They said to Sylvester, picking up and handing him the case that had been standing in the hall by the wall and, which he already managed to forget about. "You can open it later, after the main part of the festivities has passed and night has come."

 

Accepting the gift, Sylvester remained standing, shifting from foot to foot, before trying to say words of gratitude, but was interrupted by Prae.

 

"Sorry for that-"

 

"No need. It's just a thing that will be more useful to you than to me. Take it at least so it will stop collecting dust here."

 

"But-" Sylvester again tried to object, only to be interrupted, but this time by Prae gently placing a hand on his head and lightly ruffling his hair.

 

"Go ahead. Otherwise, Adiantum will soon go without you." And gently pushed him towards the door. Still not thinking after that moment, Sylvester automatically left the shop.

 

Adiantum, standing near the exit, glanced at the forest kazuli, lingering his gaze on the object in his hands and disheveled hair, grinned. "And I told you that he likes you, but you didn't believe me."

 

Taking his friend's hand again, the plant kazuli dragged him along the streets, heading towards the city center.

 

Throwing the strap of the case over his shoulder for convenience, Sylvester hurried after him, examining the city that had been transformed since the morning. Turning their heads from side to side, one could notice how the trees and plants of the city filled with various greenery were now also decorated with various paper decorations in the shape of bells. The streets themselves, which had previously been relatively empty, were now full of life and filled with various creatures.

 

There was a noise everywhere, and here and there laughter and songs could be heard.

 

Having reached the square through the crowd, the duo looked with delight at the spectacle that was happening there.

On such a magical evening, the dances looked truly mysterious and beautiful.

 

Songs filled with different words at different rhythms and tempos sounded from everywhere, merging into one enchanting melody. Without standing still, the kazuli joined the celebration, merging into this living and colorful sea.

 

When the celebration was over and the tired but happy kazuli met again at the edge of the square, the sky was already getting dark.

Only then did Sylvester remember the case hanging on his back. It itself was not that heavy, and the strap comfortably secured it at the back, preventing the object from moving from side to side when walking and dancing.

 

Seeing that Adiantum was also looking curiously at the object secured at the back, Sylvester said. "Prae asked to open it closer to night. Sorry I forgot to tell you about it."

 

"It's okay. I just have in mind one quieter place where we can do it."

 

Following Adiantum, the forest man walked first past houses, and then plants, until the ground became steeper and he realized that they were climbing a hill located right at the edge of the city.

 

Filled with various trees and bushes that are usually difficult to get through, it was rarely visited, so it was not particularly surprising that Adianth chose it as a secluded place.

Despite this, the plant easily made its way through thicket, leading his friend along an invisible path known only to him.

 

The trees ended as abruptly as they had begun, revealing a small clearing.

 

The forest kazuli hooves sank into the soft grass and various flowers as he was standing looking around, until Adiant, walking through the clearing, found a place closer to the middle quite comfortable and plopped down on the ground there.

 

"Sit down." The green-haired kazuli said, clapping his hand next to him.

 

Sitting down there, Sylvester took off the strap and placed the case right in front of him. The young starlight shone brightly, casting rays onto the clearing and illuminating it.

 

Having moved closer to his friend, Adiant watched with interest as he carefully opened the latches on the case and threw back the lid.

 

Sylvester exhaled in surprise and disbelief.

Inside, on a soft lining, lay a folded dark blue telescope with gold details.

 

On its new shiny surface, neat stars were drawn, shimmering in the light.

 

Sitting next to him, Adiantum whistled. "Wow... They really decided to go all out."

 

"This... You knew?"

 

"No. But I had an idea." Gently running his hand over the smooth surface, Adianth answered. "Despite being busy before the Solstice, Prae should have had more free time, but this time they practically didn't have it. Most likely, they ordered parts for it in advance and worked on it when they had the opportunity, assembling and decorating it."

 

Sylvester, hearing this, sank into silent thought. A short but comfortable silence ensued.

 

"I'll assemble it now." Sylvester finally decided after a couple of seconds.

 

Taking out the tripod stand, unfolding and installing it, the forest one set to work.

Having secured the brackets on the legs for reliability, he carefully took out the main part of the telescope, the optical tube.

 

After placing it in special rings on the tripod, he began installing the mount. Calibration of the eyepiece and finder was the last, final step.

 

Sitting down on the grass again, Sylvester touched the eyepiece with timid anticipation.

 

The dark night sky became increasingly clearer with the setting of the sun behind the horizon and the end of the polar day, regaining its power.

 

A specially modified eyepiece perfectly conducted the essence, allowing the kazuli to use it, and the symbols engraved on the tube and special lenses allowed the silhouettes of the stars to be clearly distinguished even without eyes.

 

It seemed that if you reached out with your hand, you could grab them in your palm and hide them forever, taking them for yourself.

 

Sylvester held his breath as he looked at the fake but beautiful stars created from magic on the barrier high above the city.

 

Here is the constellation Dew, which looks like a cluster of small droplets, next to which is the constellation Spike, which got its name from its elongated shape, like a long needle. There are always stars on the dome, it's just hard to notice them in daylight. Some of them shine brightly, others fade, only to reappear after a certain period of time.

 

Adiantum sat quietly nearby, leaning on his side and staring up blindly, looking for those very stars.

 

There was silence all around, broken only by the rustling of the wind. The city below was almost silent after a noisy evening. The silence was broken by Sylvester's voice.

 

"And what do the stars look like outside the dome?"

 

"I don't know. But we have all the time in the world to find out."

 

"Do you think we'll be included in some books like ones Prae likes to read if we find a new unknown constellation there?"

 

"At least I'd be interested to see their face when they gonna read it. So why not?”