[doHTML]<br>
<br>
<p style="line-height:4px;text-align:center !important;"><span style="font-size:26px !important;color:DB857D !important;font-family:Georgia !important;letter-spacing:-3px !important;">STARLIGHT, STARBRIGHT</span><br><span style="color:741E18 !important;font-family:Verdana !important;font-size:12px !important;letter-spacing:3px !important;font-weight:bold;">the firefly festival</span></p>



<p style="line-height:4px;text-align:right !important;"><span style="font-size:26px !important;color:DB857D !important;font-family:Georgia !important;letter-spacing:-3px !important;">SAFETY</span><br><span style="color:741E18 !important;font-family:Verdana !important;font-size:12px !important;letter-spacing:3px !important;font-weight:bold;">welcome</span></p>
<span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:9px;color:e18585">The sun was just setting as the gates opened for the <b>Firefly Festival</b>. It was a beautiful, warm night, with sprawling clouds painted pink and violet with the setting sun; and the cherry hue of the forest sang out with the moment. The sand by Starshell Ocean was cool and soft, gaining a dark, beige hue with the pending nightfall. Bright paper lanterns, colored in an array from orange to a light white-beige hung in the surrounding trees, bordering the festival area, and a small veranda with hanging lights was staked just above a small area of neatly laid out blankets for the dance to occur later that night. A small stage-platform was built just by it, where a small folksy-jazz-indie band set up their instruments for what promised to be a great string of performances. Already the soft sounds of an acoustic guitar floated through the area, crying with the quiet sobbing of locusts as their summer was finally gone away. Just a little walk away from the dance hall was a small strip of food vendors.<br>
<br>
And in the very front, as well as center of the land was Starshell Ocean, colored an uncharacteristic gold for the <i>entire</i> night: multiple little lights reflecting off of the waters. The color was of sweet winter afternoons, and it slowly rippled with the soft push of children placing their wishing boats on the surface. Just on it was a small dock, where a stand was built to pass out the wishing boats and ribbons.
</span>
<p style="line-height:4px;text-align:right !important;"><span style="font-size:26px !important;color:DB857D !important;font-family:Georgia !important;letter-spacing:-3px !important;">HARVEST</span><br><span style="color:741E18 !important;font-family:Verdana !important;font-size:12px !important;letter-spacing:3px !important;font-weight:bold;">food</span></p>
<span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:9px;color:e18585">
<b>[main courses]</b>
<li> fried rice
<li> stew
<li> sushi
<li> buckwheat noodles
<li> baked corn
<li> pizza<br>
<br>
<b>[snacks and sweets]</b>
<li> cheesecake
<li> cookies
<li> snowcone
<li> ice cream
<br>
<b>[drinks]</b>
<li> water
<li> lemonaid
<li> grape soda
<li> aged wine (18+)
</span>
<p style="line-height:4px;text-align:right !important;"><span style="font-size:26px !important;color:DB857D !important;font-family:Georgia !important;letter-spacing:-3px !important;">FREEDOM</span><br><span style="color:741E18 !important;font-family:Verdana !important;font-size:12px !important;letter-spacing:3px !important;font-weight:bold;">wishing</span></p>
<span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:9px;color:dd9f9b">
On a small dock in the lake stands a kiosk, where an old, toothless man with a sweet smile passes out the bamboo wishing boats and a colored ribbon of your choice. It is said that these little lanterned boats, when used correctly, set sail all the way to the goddess, and she grants the wishes deemed beautiful. And all you need to do is write your wish, light the latern, tie the ribbon and let it sail... <i>Do you want to wish?</i><br><br>
<font color="741E18">The contest in this festival is a simple one: have your character character write their wish on a paper, set it in the boat, light the lantern, tie the ribbon and then set it sail. The best <b>two</b> wishes will be granted by the goddess; all wishes must be submitted by <u>September 20^th</u>. Feel free to make your wish post as creative as possible, but you <i>must</i> put <b>I wish, I wish</b> in <b>bold</b> at the top of your post -- so your wish is <i>official</i>. (yes, we realize that we're reusing festivals from other sites our admins are well...admins on.) Good luck!</font>
</span>

<p style="line-height:8px;text-align:center !important;"><span style="font-size:26px !important;color:DB857D !important;font-family:Georgia !important;letter-spacing:-3px !important;">dreamers often dream</span><br><span style="color:741E18 !important;font-family:Verdana !important;font-size:12px !important;letter-spacing:5px !important;"><b>the bold receive</b></span></p>

[/doHTML]

Elizabeth was pacing back and forth just outside of Starshell Cove. She had been there an hour early in order to deal with the possibility of dealing with messy sand, and the scary ocean. She had practiced talking, and she hadn't stuttered once in the mirror. It had been simple once there was no one around. However, no she ached for some company, and her company was running late, or standing her up. "Probably the second," she whispered to herself, as she sighed. She looked to the sun which was slowly sinking into the water, and making the water golden. If the ocean at night wasn't so scary, it would have been beautiful. She sighed, and began to hum to herself. Humming songs she liked, had always calmed her down, but even her favorite song seemed to not even make a dent in the knot in her stomach.

She looked around, while humming quietly to herself, and saw no one. She wondered if it had been a mistake. Had she gotten the right time? The right day? Or was Mr. Seisuka really playing some sort of joke on her. Tears collected in the corners of her eyes as she still hummed on, growing slightly louder. Still no one noticed, loud for Elizabeth was soft, or maybe at most normal for others. Only if someone was listening very closely, would they notice. She gauged how far the sun had sunk and swore that when if it totally disappeared, she would too. Either on to the beach with Mr. Seisuka, or home alone.

As she swore this, a small ball of light zoomed by her. A firefly? No, it was too large to be a firefly and the light didn't look like that. It looked almost like a LED light and glowed warmly. It continued on for a little bit, then stopped and raised a bit upwards. It swirled around a bit then, from what it looked like, shot a rather dazed Shin out, making him land flat on his butt on the signed. Shin's head was spinning since the feeling of "Teleportation" wasn't what it looked like in the movies and such. He was VERY dizzy. He closed his eyes and shook his head a bit to bring him back down to Earth. He looked around for Elizabeth then spotted her, waving a bit, then walked over to her.

Shin wrote on a note for her. She would probably be a bit freaked out from his entrance since, well, it wasn't often one met a person who could TELEPORT. Shin was lucky since they were near the caves, and that was where it teleported him to, otherwise he'd be even later.

Elizabeth was very freaked out. She practically swooned. She was happy that the source of the light wasn't some sort of new weapon on mass destruction, or whatever, but she wasn't happy to think that people could just teleport wherever they pleased. It unnerved her. Robbers could Teleport into her room and steal things, and kidnap her. She didn't want to be kidnapped. She wanted to go to the festival with Mr. Seisuka. She quickly calmed herself down. She had been practicing this very hard, and she managed a faint smile that only had a twinge of fear, "N-n-no not long............" She looked down at her feet, and her hair, which she had left down for this particular event, fell in her face creating a thick curtain between her and Mr. Seisuka so she could wipe the silly tears off of her face.

"I-I-I'm really glad that you came. I-I-I was worried......" She blushed, as she picked her head up to look sheepishly at Mr. Seisuka. She wasn't lying, she really had been worried about Mr. Seisuka, just in more ways than one. She stood there awkwardly, not sure what to do next. Her reading in the dark could also use a little improvement....she hoped she didn't make a complete fool of herself.

Shin smiled at Elizabeth then wrote a note.

Shin's hand that wasn't holding the note out to Elizabeth was touching another note in his pocket. It wasn't quite a regular note, it was a full blown letter. In it, he hoped carried the means to overcome some of his fears, and also...."Today is the day....I'll make my feelings known." Shin thought to himself. With that in mind, he held his hand out in a similar fashion to how he did at the ball, however this time there was nothing hiding his face.

Elizabeth looked up after reading the first sentence of the note, "I k-know you asked me....but," she smiled, and blushed, embarrassed to have thought that he wouldn't show. She slowly finished the note, and smiled nervously, and her faced turned a violent shade of red. He said he'd never abandon her. Never. Written out in black and white. She was happy, but she felt as if someone let a million restless frogs loose in her stomach. It was unnerving. Another unnerving thing was what he needed to tell her. What could he have to say to her.

"O-of course I'll be patient with you............you're s-so patient w-w-with me..."she said, no louder than a whisper. He was one of the only people in the entire world who had taken the time she needed. He was the only one who, even after a big upset that was completely her fault, took her back no questions asked. He understood what it felt like to be broken, to not have words. They were two people on a separate frequency from the rest of the world, a very lonely frequency for Elizabeth until just recently.

And with that, she took his hand, just as she had not to long ago at a ball that wasn't very far from her mind, ever.

I wish I wish

Shin smiled as Elizabeth took his hand, then began walking them both around, taking in the sights around them. His face still looked like the normal excited Shin, however there was a curious air of seriousness about him as well. He was preparing to do something after the festival, and it was gonna be something big. Even if he did have it all planned out though, he still felt like he had butterflies in his stomach. BOY was he nervous, after all, this could be dangerous to both their dangerous, and his very own health. He didn't really show that he was worried however. Eventually, he made his way towards the harbor where they gave out the wishing boats. He looked at them curiously then gave a small smile, nodding to the old man in thanks after he gave him a set of paper and ribbon. He handed one set and a pen over to Elizabeth while beginning to write his own wish....Well, more like he was about to start, but then stopped. He couldn't think of one. Wishing for luck was kinda basic, and he wanted something more unique. He wondered to himself what to wish for a little bit before scribbling the first random wish that popped into his mind.

So he wrote. He looked at it funny for a second, then chuckled to himself. That would never happen....Right? Errr...Maybe it would since HE could do magic. No telling what the Goddess could do to him. Well, that might not be so bad either. Good to be different. He tied his wish to a boat then waited for Elizabeth so that they could both push it out into the water at the same time.

I wish I wish...

Elizabeth sighed forlornly. She had never been good at thinking up wishes. She had never been good at thinking up anything, but wishes were especially hard. There was so much potential. She had every one of her desires within grasp, and she only had the to pick one. If she messed up, there was no re-do. If she missed this chance, she missed it for good. She watched as Shin quickly wrote down his wish, and sighed. It was quite a confidence breaker to have the person next to you be done with the same task you are trying to accomplish ten times faster. It was also a little pathetic. She sat there starting at the piece of paper for at least ten minutes, before even putting her pen to the paper. She sighed, and was about to write the most boring wish she could think of, but her pen started to bleed, creating a mess all over her wishing paper. It made her sad. She didn't want to appear sloppy to the goddess. She then, had a lovely idea for a wish

"I wish that, just for one day, everything was spotlessly clean,"

She smiled sheepishly at Mr. Seisuka. She had him on her mind. He was always on her mind, but tonight in particular. Something seemed off, and she couldn't place her finger on quite what it was. She hoped he was feeling well. She wondered if she should have wished for Mr. Seisuka's good health instead, but her wish was already tied to her boat, and she wanted to see what it would be like to not have to worry about the cleanliness of everything for a day. It would be blissful. She blushed at Mr. Seisuka, who had waited so very patiently to push his boat in the water.

Shin smiled once Elizabeth finished her wish. It was nice to see that she was so carefully picking out her wish, unlike him who just scribbled something random. Perhaps it would have been better to wish for things to go well later on in the night, but he needed to do this himself, not with the Goddess's help. He made a count of three with his fingers then counted down, giving his boat a gentle push out once his countdown reached zero. "Probably could thought of something better....But this might be pretty cool if it works." Shin thought to himself. He slowly stood up, also admiring the large amount of fireflies buzzing around in the middle of the lake. As much as he disliked bugs, when they were a good distance away from him, the fireflies were absolutely beautiful.

Shin wrote to Elizabeth. Actually, he did have something he wished for, but he didn't want his wishes to directly affect other people. Just for a bit he continued to watch his small boat float along the lake with wonder in his eyes, also gazing at the fireflies.

Elizabeth still had worries that she had made the wrong wish. She did want to see what would happen, and yet. She sort of could care less. She didn't want to run back and change it, and besides, she had already pushed her little boat passed the point of no return. It was funny to think that a wish she had thought was suitable a few minutes ago, seemed silly now. Granted, she didn't know what she would change it to, and she figured a silly wish was better than no wish at all, so for once she didn't fret to terribly about it. Mr. Seisuka handed her a note that stated that he had also written down some sort of random wish, she smiled, happy she wasn't alone in the silly wish club.

She waived a tiny goodbye to her boat, before standing, and giggled. "It's okay. M-m-my wish was silly too. I j-j-just take longer to think, that's all," she blushed, a little embarrassed that she had admitted her stupidity, but somehow she figured that Mr. Seisuka wouldn't mind. There were fireflies buzzing around the pond. Elizabeth was terrified of bugs. She didn't like being near them at all, but seeing then from this distance was nice. They looked like strings of lights hung over the pond, and that was one of the prettier things Elizabeth had seen in her life.

She smiled, and faced Mr. Seisuka, "W-what n-n-now?"

Shin continued to gave wistfully out at the lake. Indeed, there was something wrong with him at the moment. He then closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. It was time to end his past. "...I'm...Sorry...But..Just.tonight I have something I need to do. Afterwards, I need to tell you something..." Shin said. Yes, Shin said. He was talking. At first it sounded like when he first tried, but gradually it began sounding more natural, then it went to the point where it sounded like a normal conversation. He was prepared.

((Short post, but it's building up to another topic. TO BE CONTINUED...After your next post.))

Elizabeth gasped. He had spoken...to her. He had to tell her something. He had spoken to her. She smiled. He had spoken to her. His voice was strong, as if he had always been able to speak, but the words he said were forlorn. She wondered if she wanted to hear the news, but she would always follow him, regardless of what he needed to tell her. She wondered what he needed to tell her. Did he not want to see her again? Was he leaving never to return? Had he seen through her guise, and was he telling her that he didn't want her to get the wrong impression? She smiled, happy for Mr. Seisuka's progress, and willing to follow him anywhere, but melancholy nonetheless.


"O-okay....do what you need to do," She smiled at Mr. Seisuka, and waiting patiently for whatever he needed to do and say.

I Wish, I Wish..
Charlotte skipped along the beach, smiling and singing a song gently to herself, making sure that no one could hear her. The music which played was so peaceful, and it made Charlotte smile widely.
She was going to make a wish tonight, a very important wish to her. No, not to see James, as Ariel had given her a little hope of finding him without wishing, but instead to wish for a certain picture which she had left at home. It was too far away to go home to get it, and then bring it all the way back to the Village. But Charlotte really wished for it to be back in her possession. It was a picture of herself, and James.

She went to the little kiosk, and was handed everything that she needed. Charlotte got her wish, which was already written down on the paper, out from her pocket.

She tied it to the boat, and kneeled down to push her boat out to, hopefully, the Goddess herself. She really hoped that she could retrieve her photo for her. Charlotte took a deep breath, and pushed her boat out. She arose, and watched as it slowly went out of view.

Josie's bare feet still held some of the sand from the beach as she ran into the Firefly Festival with Ariel in tow. As she stepped into the light of the coloured lanterns, she breathed in deeply. The smell of freshly cooked food wrapped around like a blanket. She smiled dreamily as she glanced off in the direction of the food stall, her mouth salivating at the sweet and spicy scents. Later. she thought as she spotted the small stage area where the band was playing a soft mellow tune. She frowned, well the night was still young, she was sure the faster music would be starting soon enough.

She looked over her shoulder and smiled impishly at Ariel, he had no idea what he was in for. "Well it’s not as fast as I'd like it to be, but for now..." she said as she took a hold of both his arms and pulled him up onto the veranda. It was a slow beat, but she could work with that. Slowly she started to move her body with the beat, rocking her hips and making her long flowing skirt flounce around her legs.

"In the city where I used to live I knew this woman." She said as she took Ariel's hand and started moving him with her. "A ballet dancer, professionally trained and everything. I told her one day I would have killed to have what she had, a job doing something she loved. Do you know what she told me? She said "I hate ballet, it hurts like hell and drives me nuts because it's so dull. I love hip hop, flamenco, salsa, anything with life in it." I asked her why she just didn't do that instead. She just smiled and asked me when was the last time I saw a well paid hip hop dancer that wasn't dancing backup behind some pop singer." Josie shook her head. "I can't imagine having to sacrifice something I love for something I hate when I have the choice not to."

Josie smiled and looked behind Ariel, noticing that other couples had followed suit and joined them on the dance floor. She looked up at Ariel and rolled her eyes. "Monkey see, monkey do right? This place is getting kind of crowded, do you want to go somewhere else?" She craned her head to look over his shoulder and noticed a small dock crowed with children. "Look, isn't that where you send off your wishes to the Goddess?" She turned to Ariel, her eyebrows raised. "You're kind of the expert here, does the Goddess even grant wishes?"

It was kinda strange for Ariel to actually visit such a public attendance, such as a festival.He actually did try and skip these places, there were a lot of people and he wasn't really used to talking to a lot of people.And since he was an expert in only field, in no more than ten minutes people got bored from him and he was left alone.Of course there were excepton, but they were quite rare and he was used to being alone.

But this time it was noticeably different.The tender hand of Josie, was leading him to this place.Her soothing reflection in the ocean, guided him and he surrendered before her majesty.Once he saw how beautiful this place actually was, Ariel repressed his feelings for the crowded and stepped on ,after Josie on the veranda.

He placed his hands around her and started to dance in the same slow, but tender and loving move.He could not let his eyes off from her and just stared at those beautiful glowing orbs.

He hadn't felt like this and it was certainly more-powerful than everything he could imagine.He was in the center of the universe, along with the one, who he liked.This must be mortal paradise!

He could not even reply to her answer, as he closed his eyes for a few moments and inhaled the air.The sweetness of this place, filled his lungs and spreaded throughout his whole body.

This was truly magical.When Ariel opened his eyes, he could only answer

"Let's not think about the Goddess tonight.It is us,Me and You.I guess wishes come true"

This surely was a fact now, since Ariel wished for Josie ,ever since he met her

Just as Josie was thinking of leaving the dance floor the music suddenly seemed to speed up. She turned her head and caught the eye of the guitarist. He nodded and started to play a fast rift, just begging her feet to move. She grinned and turned to Ariel, ready to show him what real dancing was. She grinned and tossed her hair back, moving her hands to his shoulders and spinning him with her.

But then slowly a strange look settled on his face. He seemed...what worried? What could he be worried about? She frowned as he closed his eyes, his whole body felt tense under her hands. "Ariel..? she said softly, her voice full of concern. "Let's not think about the Goddess tonight.It is us,Me and You.I guess wishes come true." Josie faltered mid-step, his words leaving her off balance. Her back foot slipped on the floor, she had to hold on tightly to Ariel to keep from falling. Did he just say what she think he said? Or was that just Ariel speak for 'I'm having a nice time.'

She looked at him as she tried to pull herself back up. But if he felt that way...did she too? "You really have no idea how much your words...leave me stumbling." She said laughing lightly. She paused for a moment, the music and people only dull noise in the background as she looked into his face. Yes. she thought. I do

(OOC-Bah, I'm feeling very writery blocked, I'm going to log off for a little while)

Ariel felt that she needed more.He saw how his beloved winked at the musician in order to fasten the pace of the music.Seeing her how she spinned like a wild dervish made him feel more relaxed, as if Josie was intoxicating him.There was no choice, but to follow her movements to the best of his agility.It waas funny, at one moment he was a silent follower of Sophia and now he had become devouted to Josie with his whole heart.He never dreamed of this, it was beyond comprehension for his mind.

But still it brought him immense levels of pleasure and joy, surely it was worth the cause.From this night forward, Ariel would change completely, for good or bad.The one, who was responsible for this future change was Josie alone.She was not to blame, becuase she was the only source of change for the poor Ariel, who to this date only believed in fairy tales and myths.

He could hear that she spoke to him, but his senses were shut off,besides his eyes.Those glowing jewels were fixed at Josie, for he could not loose sight of her, even when he was without her.

He was bound to her spirit, like Prometheus to the rock.Suddenly the music shut off or rather he stopped to comprehend the melodies.His mind shutted off,before he tossed himself further and embraced the female with tenderness.

His eyes closed to subdue the forming tears
"I have never been more happier in my life"-he weeped softly,before wrapping his hands around Josie's body



[OOC: going to sleep]

Now I'm hungry.. Charlotte thought. She smiled one last time at the ocean, and turned on her heel towards the food stall.
But on her way there, her vision had seemed to want to take a quick gaze at the dancers. Which she instantly regretted, when she saw two familiar faces, dancing together. She stopped in her tracks, and stared at the two. It was Josie, and Ariel. But what were they doing together?

"It is none of your business!" She hissed quietly at herself, shutting her eyes tight, hands in fists as she tried to control herself. She did not want to think about this moment for weeks, tormenting herself with why and what were they doing together! "You don't know either of them that well. Perhaps they've always known each other? Or are just dancing as friends? Either way, it still is none of your business!" Charlotte hissed at herself again, and opened her bright blue eyes before continuing to the food stalls.

She grabbed a piece of cheesecake, and sat down to eat it. Charlotte tried not to look at Ariel and Josie, but her eyes were too interested in what they were doing now for her to look away.

I Wish I Wish

Josie gasped lightly when she was pulled into Ariel's arms. "I have never been more happier in my life" Josie blinked when she felt a sudden lump in her throat, then shook her head, a smile glowing with joy lighting her face. She leaned against Ariel and buried her face against his shoulder. "Right back at cha." She said in a muffled voice.

Suddenly the music seemed to slow back down in a dreamy waltz. Josie lifted her head and leaned against his neck as she closed her eyes and swayed with the music. How long had she been in town? A week? How had this happened all so fast? These things never happened except in movies or romance novels, it was just unbelievable. But then...so many unbelievable things had happened to her since coming to Feather Valley, truly it was a place of magic.

Her eyes opened slowly, a dizzy smile on her face. Then her eyes suddenly widened. Charlotte? She lifted her head as her mind felt that familiar presence. She turned and spotted the girl, sitting by herself. She caught her eye for a split second before another dancer blocked her view. But that second had been enough to see the look in Charlotte's eyes. Josie shook her head sadly, there was loneliness in her eyes, and loss. Yes Josie knew what loss looked like, her mother had the same look ever since Josie's father died.

"I'll be right back, only a few seconds." She smiled."There's something I have to do." She tilted her head up until her lips met his in a light, tender kiss before pulling away. She started to walk away then, finding it hard to pry herself from his side. But finally she forced her hand to let go of his, forced her eyes away from his own strong gaze and turned. She bent to pick up the hem of her long skirt before racing off towards the small kiosk. As her feet threw sand into the air, her eyes traveled once more over to Charlotte. She nodded, maybe it wouldn't work, but Josie hadn't gotten where she was today by not trying things that weren't a certainty.

As she walked up the steps of the kiosk, she nodded to the man handing out the boats. He nodded to her silently and smiled in a way that reminded her of Ariel, sweet but more intelligent than it seemed. He passed over a tiny bamboo boat and waved a hand over the rainbow of ribbons in front of him. Josie hesitated for a moment, then smiled and reached for a pink one, perfectly Charlotte. Josie took a deep breath and walked over to the edge of the dock, trying to figure out the right way to say her wish. After a moment she pulled the boat close to her mouth, and whispered.


"I wish for Charlotte to find the one who makes her happiest."


Silently Josie crouched down, the golden water of the lake illuminated her smiling face with rippling light. She leaned over and gently set the boat into the water, giving it a small push with her fingers. As the boat bobbed along on it way down the ocean, trailing the pink ribbon behind it, Josie rose to her feet. She folded her arms over her chest and nodded, "Good luck."

It was dazzling.So many things happened today and Ariel had trouble even remembering most of the events.Maybe it was true what people said, once you get hit my an arrow, you bleed forever.And Josie surely enchanted him.Who could even think that something like this would have happened?Ariel, the closed-minded priest and stranger in FeatherValley to fall into this whirlwind of feelings towards Josie.It was even hard to imagine, but then that was the whole truth.

He had trouble comprehending this as well, but that wasn't an isssue.He just wanted to enjoy life, for the first time.However when Josie let go of him, he returned to reality.It was true that they could not be in a dance forever, but still a little bit of sweet sadness came over him.

"It's normal.You can't be with her forever" - his inner self proclaimed, as his body moved to a bench, closer to the stalls.He looked at all the different items for sale.Mostly were for children, but that didn't seem to stop the people from buying small candies and toys.

After all this festival was a return to innocence event.Such a wonderful idea!Ariel's dreamy eyes then looked at the distance.The small beach could be seen from her.Did they walked all the way from there?It was hard to believe, but still found it hard to comprehend reality.

An unknown person walked by and greeted him, but he did not answer.He didn't care now.All that was important was Josie alone.Ariel saw a few lanterns lit by the ocean.He could remember how they together stared at the beauty of it.

The endless waters surely kept many secrets within.Just like Ariel and Josie.

Josie titled her head to the side as she watched the boat bob away across the ocean. Well alright there was a good chance that wouldn't work, she herself had said that you had to make the things you want happen for yourself, but still there was a part of her that believed it wasn't a waste of time. She folded her arms and turned back onto the beach. Maybe she would peak her head in on Charlotte one of these days, she how she was doing. But in the meantime....

Josie laughed and broke out into a run. But as she neared the veranda she knew Ariel was no longer there. She didn't have to see it with her eyes, she could sense him now. She frowned and closed her eyes. Well he was close at least, he hadn't just bolted. Josie found herself jerking to a stop when she thought of that possibility. Would Ariel just leave without notice, not now but some day?

Josie laughed at herself and rubbed her eyes. "Oh come on Jo, you just fell for the guy and already you're imagining how it could end." Still feeling ridiculous, she started to run again, her eyes traveling through the crowd trying to find his face. When she finally spotted him sitting on a bench she let out a relived sigh and waved. She hurried her pace, narrowly avoiding running into the people around her.

But as Josie got nearer to him something hit her, a wave of exhaustion so heavy it left her head reeling. She stumbled, but kept her footing. Carefully she walked forward, trying to keep herself upright. Tired, oh God I'm so tired. She thought wearily. How many hours had she been awake? She hadn't slept since her meeting with Ariel...when had that been again? She closed her eyes when she finally reached Ariel's bench and all but fell onto it. "Sorry, I haven't slept in...a really really long time. I guess I just pushed myself to my limit tonight." She opened her eyes despite how thick and weighted they felt, and smiled wearily. "I tend to do that a lot, push myself too much..." her words trailed off as a yawn suddenly overtook her.

Ariel felt relieved when Josie saw him.She came to him in a tired step, but still he could see that she was happy to see him,too.Seeing as how sleepy She actually was, Ariel transformed.He felt that she had not much energy left.
"You need sleep.Rest now,my dear"-he whispered in her ear, as she hugged the female.

Taking Josie within his arms was no burden at all.Infact he was more than happy to provide support and care for the female.This was all that he could wish for.Someone to care for.Ariel's hazel eyes closed, once he saw Josie relaxed.

They were such a nice couple together.Infact they seemed so peaceful together, that a bunch of older people already made several comments.But Ariel was too distracted to actually hear.He just opened his eyes and watched his beloved.

She was like a jewel, so beautiful and yet so fragile.A unique mixture of all things he adorned, Josie was the center of the universe for his still-young mentality.

And then he could hear his second inner self ,speaking in a higher voice


"When you say it's all divine and meant to be
What about your flesh and blood and defires like me?"

Charlotte continued to eat her cheesecake, but slowly, as she was too interested in Ariel and Josie's dance still. She sighed. I wish I had someone to dance with .. but no, James is practically no where in the village! He probably forgot all about me and got himself a girlfriend! We were never exactly going out anyway! Charlotte thought. Her eyes began filling up with tears, and she dropped her knife and fork down on her plate, unwillingly making them clatter loudly.
Her fists clenched together, and she felt like thumping them down on her table and screaming until her heart stopped beating and her lungs stopped breathing.

But she couldn't. She didn't want to make a scene, and people were already looking worriedly at her. She hesitated, wondering what to do.. and decided to sigh her rage out. Surprisingly, it helped a little. Charlotte tried smiling a little, so that everyone would look away from her. Eventually, they did, and she wiped her tears away before starting to eat her cheesecake again.
Annoyingly, her eyes returned to their previous gaze at Ariel and Josie. It was then that Josie and Charlotte's eyes met for a brief second, and she looked quickly away, even though someone had already blocked both their gazes. She stared at her plate, and frowned. Should she go over and say hi? Charlotte wasn't sure. She didn't want to disturb them anyway.
She quickly finished her cake, and decided to check on what Josie was doing now. After all, she might've been coming towards her for all she knew.

She wasn't, but instead it seemed that Josie was going to the small kiosk to send out a boat. Charlotte wondered for a moment or two what she would wish for, but she really had no idea. Charlotte arose from her seat, and just sort of stood beside her chair for a moment, looking around her for a direction or an alternative in which she should turn to. But she couldn't see one, and sighed a deep sigh. Perhaps I should just go home? Or rather, back to my room.. Charlotte considered, and shrugged. There wasn't much left at the festival for her to do anyway. And she felt like drawing or writing to rid of her sadness.
Just as someone took her seat, she began walking to get back to her room at the inn. On her way, she noticed Josie running back to where she had been when Charlotte had first seen her. She smiled, even though she knew Josie wouldn't see, and started running across the sand.

I WISH, I WISH

The Firefly Festival would of never came to mind had Blythe not walk passed the cove on this very fine evening. The many lit boats caught the corner of his eye-- and he would of never dared to intrude… However, he remembers that one fine Spring year, when someone had taken him to this very tradition-- and he made a wish. Smiling at the thought of a fine childhood memory, he began to think, what would he wish for this year? It had to be something good. Something worthwhile, perhaps not at the spur of the moment… though some things thought of in mere seconds could sometimes be definitely worthwhile. Blythe stands a bit far away, watching from the shadows as the villagers happily tie their wishes to the boats, and then pushing them out into the sea. He wanted to join in. He wants to make a wish, too, one that is filled with happy thoughts and with a hopeful calling to the Harvest Goddess herself. The blond boy walks further up the path, finally amidst the floating lanterns of luminescent oranges, blues, greens, pinks, and whites. All the colors, meshed together to create a festive-like atmosphere. Laughter filled the air as the villagers prepared for a local dance-off. Shyly, he brushes away from the designated dance area, out of the way, ducking under a random pagoda.

The smell of delicious food seemingly wafted their way towards his mudded nose. Glancing over at the festival’s food-- he spots fried rice and buckwheat noodles in his way. Food stands! Right on time! His stomach had been empty for today-- what a wondrous time to indulge himself!

“Aye, what’ll it be?” Asks a rather burly man behind the counter of a food pagoda. He was smiling at Blythe with a rather toothy grin. Noticing his rather large overbite, the boy couldn’t help but perk up.

“Yes, I’d like a plate of sushi please!” With childish ease, Blythe places his order. As he watched the man work, placing each roll perfectly on the plate, the man begins to talk about the festival itself.

“Have ye made a wish yet, lad?” The man inquired, placing the last roll among the order. Blythe lowers his eyes, unsure of what to say to the man at the pagoda. “No worries, then. Ye have plenty of time to figure things out. I haven’t done so meself yet. Jest make ye way to the dock in yer own time. I would take ye there meself if I hadn‘t to work.”

With his emotions somewhat at ease, he says good-bye to the burly man, making his way towards the dock. Fewer and fewer people were showing up to tuck their lanterns into the sea now. As he continues to eat away at the sushi rolls, the more he realizes how he couldn't really think of anything.

Breathing in the ocean's air, he disposes the styrofoam plate in a nearby bin. Well... here goes...

Blythe makes his way towards the kiosk just before the docks. In it, he sees a rather thinning man. Old, toothless and still handing out lanterned boats and ribbons; how dedicated... Blythe smiles, receiving his lit boat. There were no words exchanged, except for maybe the word "blue." He was handed a sky-blue ribbon, and a writing implement. He bids farewell to the old man, who was still smiling with his eyes glistening even in the dark of night. It was probably the many paper lanterns hung for the festival that gave that affect. But who really knows?

He was excited to be writing a wish that maybe would be received by the Harvest Goddess herself. But what to write? Preparing himself, he scribbles a few words on the ribbon;

I wish for the Goddess's happiness and safety.

It was something he had wished for that one childhood day. Flashbacks project in his mind as he ties the ribbon onto the lanterned boat, making sure that it was nice and taut. In his mind, he watched as the person who had taken him to the beach pushed the boat out into the sea. Blythe slowly places his boat onto the shimmering water, and gave it a little push. Slowly it drifts alongside the others, as if new friends were made.

the goddess was reading all of the wishes as they came in. she was alsos sighing in absolute hatred and disgust. everything was all the same: oh, i wish for canine ears. been there. oh, i want this one picture. done that. oh, i hope so-and-so is happy. she had the stupid teeshirt. where was the excitement? the fun in the matter? where was the million-gold wishes and the wishes of absolute ridiculousness? where was the excitement!

the goddess sighed and stared into her mirror. she could feel the onset of wrinkles just because this topic was bothering her. she shook her head to change the picture, and in her looking glass came a quaint little scene of the boats bobbing in the ocean.

she sneered, and with the flick of her wrist made something awesome and awful happen. this festival was not to appease the villagers. it was to appease her! to allow her to have fun!




on the surface world, a giant tidal wave appeared and crashed itself into the boats. it's destroyed them all but disappeared, not touching any one of the villagers. her voice boomed out, disembodied.

"i want more entertaining wishes. you bore me."



this festival will be open for four more days. more interesting wishes or else none will be granted!

i wish, i wish.

"go to the festival, delphina. and make a wish, and then maybe you will get something." camus coliquet said, from behind her.
delphina coliquet stood in front of the mirror trying to smooth out the new dress that her father had given her to wear. it was blue, much like the color of her eyes and had a strange poofy skirt that delphina did not like. she felt much like an upside-down flower on her thin stem legs, or a bell high up in a tower. the only issue was the coloring -- it was all very wrong. delphina decided she was much more like a bell anyway, because they could be painted. yes, it would stifle the sound a bit, but they could be painted.

"yes, dad. i will, then. goodbye." she said, and walked out of the door in an odd fashion, moving to make sure the fabric of her dress touched the sides of her legs in an alternating fashion with every step. ding. dong. ding dong. ding. dong. ding dong ding! she sang in her head, before moving to saying it out loud. she held her arms out strongly as she walked as if she was being held up in the rafters.

being a bell was a lot of fun.

delphina arrived at the beach just in time to see a terrifying sight. she was almost sure the king of the sea was going to pop out and eat the entire village! luckily, the wave subsided but the sad little remnants of the boats skidded to a stop in the wet sand, creating their own grainy lips. she looked at them and did not like the sight, but the thoughts distracted her from what had been said quite eerily. something about wishing -- that was this festival. delphina tried to think of something she would like to see, or hear, or be.

she finally decided on something, procuring herself a boat and a wish paper. she could not write it herself and asked the man at the booth to write it for her. he was elderly and knew of her plight, but did not care enough to help her through it. i wish that sir zachary wine's dragon would have a companion. perhaps one not so dangerous! -- delphina coliquet.

with her wish written and safely strapped into the boat, delphina carelessly set it afloat in the water, not aware really of what had happened before. she could only imagine the sweet little dragon cub that would be given to sir zachary's dragon if her wish had come true, and perhaps he would allow her to see it!

I WISH, I WISH

And it just so happened that the Harvest Goddess sent a message. He was appalled by such actions. Perhaps it was his wish that angered her the most, since it was the last before this uproar. He runs for it-- thinking that the goddess would be cruel enough as to wipe the entirety of the village out. But if that were true, where would he turn to? He wouldn't be able to escape her power for long. Just before he makes it off the sandy beaches, the wave subsides. And her booming voice comes from out of no where, showing her displeasingness.

"What's going on?!" A man exclaims from the crowds. Everybody chattered amongst themselves without shame. Blythe walks towards the shores,w here the lit boats once lain, now washed away into deep oblivion, just as the goddess had wanted. None were in view, anymore. The once decorated sea was now pitch black. Dare he try again?

Once again, he goes to the little kiosk, with the old man, still smiling his toothy smile. He didn't seem at all bothered that the goddess raged the seas. Had he even noticed it?

Blythe walks up to the docks, with a new boat in hand. In it, held a piece of paper, and a pen. Now, to brainstorm.

The goddess's acts reminded him of how much he truly hated the sea. It could take life, just like that. With the roaring waves. The goddess's anger expressed within the sea shocked him to no end. He wanted nothing to do with the sea after tonight. Vowing he would never come back, he scribbles a few words onto the paper;

I wish for the water to dry up, to see what lies beneath.

He quickly ties the wish onto the boat, and drops it into the water. Blythe then leaves the area.

"Did you make a wish again?" A voice came from the kiosk. The man was speaking to him!

"Yes, I have." Blythe states, placing the pen into the man's hand, "I'm glad I got it over with the second time... I wasn't sure if I was going to make it back out. I dislike large bodies of water..."

He mutters the last bit, but surely the old man heard, even with his impaired hearing. "Ahh, I see..." It was as if he knew what the boy wished for, Blythe didn't have to say much.

"I mean, why is there so much water? Life doesn't need that much and it's all salt. Most creatures can't even ingest it," Blythe continues, placing his thoughts out there. Maybe the goddess can hear his words. Just maybe, "I'm thinking it protects something. What is it? What's being protected at the bottom of the sea?"

The man chuckles, "That is very interesting, lad. But I think you've had enough for tonight."

Perhaps he was right. Blythe apologizes to the man for his rantings. Of which, the old man simply waves his hand. He wasn't bothered at all by his outburst. Maybe he was used to it already, or maybe he was glad to have somebody say something other than having do with ribbons and boats. He must be lonely, sitting there.

"Good night." They change salutations, and then Blythe was on his way.

the goddess was highly annoyed with the people in feather valley. perhaps she had gotten a little carried away though! oh, no no, of course not. she was a goddess and was never wrong. however, since her decree, only two people had wished. they were slightly more interesting than the last, but none the less, she didn't have much to choose from.

as the festival came to a close, the boats of delphina coliquet and blythe salazar alighted and turned to fireflies, dancing off into the sky. they would soon become what their hearts desired.