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The air was ripe with cheer in all of Tendaji. The Oban's King had been defeated and a new and compassionate one put in his place, the slaves were released, and it was time for the Winter Solstice. Friendly faces abounded as the havoc of the war was nearly wiped away and the villages restored.

It would seem as if everyone was enjoying the season, and it was very clear to see why. Almost every land in Tendaji were hosting their own winter celebrations, partying and feasting until the early hours of the morning before settling in to sleep for the night. It wasn't a time for work anymore, but a momentary reprieve for play.


Looking up through the tress she took a big breath and held it for as long as she could before slowly letting it out. It was sad to spend this time of year without her momma and papa. Papa Viveka was wonderful as was Papa Natsu but they were busy with the new baby on the way and so she was here in Yera which was not her home with a lot of people who were ‘family’ but all of whom were strangers. She really didn’t like it all that much right now. But all the adults were always very nice and told her what a good girl she was so she smiled and behaved because it made everyone else happy. Right now she wanted to be by the marker that was dug on the side of the road somewhere in Sauti. There she wanted to hum the song that Papa Natsu had played for her momma and papa. Maybe latter she would ask Papa Natsu to play it for her on the flute. She liked to listen to him play and Papa Viveka make things. it was like her own little show that way. She closed her eyes and hummed as much of the tune as she could remember. It was a sad song on such a happy day, but that was ok. It just made her more thankful for the things that she did have. Like two papas who were always there. A big brother who was kinda weird but nice and a whole room full of strangers who considered her family without a second thought. The little shifter girl kept looking up into the tree leaves and started to spin around while humming. All the while she was thinking. The song she was humming was for a boy that papa Natsu had sung to. But Papa Natsu and Papa Viveka needed a song for themselves. Of course she wasn’t as good as papa Natsu but she could make a song for both of them as a big thank you. On and one for her brother Aaron. Then she could make one for the new baby!

Asrahs fell down onto her behind both in joy and being very very dizzy from all the spinning. Giggling she sat up and after a few moments got to work. First she started on a song for papa Viv and papa Natsu. Papa Viv was gentle and Papa Natsu was wild and fun so she wanted to have both of those in a song. This was going to be very hard. She closed her eyes in concentration and felt a bit sick from all the spinning still. She started to hum slowly and softly for a while until she realized she had no idea how to get to the faster part without making it sound really silly and off. Pouting she nibbled on her thumb and tried to think what papa Natsu would do. She couldn’t figure it out. Papa Viv had it easy he could just make something for Papa Natsu and not have to ask for help from him to make him something. Eyes flying open wide she realized that was it. She didn’t have to make everyone a son just someone who didn’t have to many songs like Papa Viv, she could make something for papa Natsu and and.. for Aaron… a game!

With that in mind she started to think a nice slow but comforting song for Papa Viv. A lullaby that would work right? She could make one of those for him. Still for Papa Natsu she had to actually make something. Looking around she saw leaves, roots, dirt and stones. She got a stick and started to draw in the dirt trying to think. If she used leaves and wrapped them around the stone or around twigs she could make a little doll. But of what was the question. Papa Viv worked in the dirt or clay or something to make his things. So she would have to use something else so this gift was from her. Deciding to put that off she worked on a gift for her brother. As for Aaron she figured that out quickly. She made shapes in the dirt with a stick and tossed a rock. It was like lilly hopper without the lilly pads. So they could play anywhere. Grinning to herself she liked this thought and decided since she had her brothers done she could tackle the others. Breaking her stick into a lot of little tiny ones she peeled the bark off each one. Tieing them together with leaves and bits of roots she could pull up and break off she made little earthling like figures. These small monstrosities she decorated with more leaves and declared each one was a member of her family. Of course to the casual observer they looked nothing like any member of the family, but her child like imagination gave her the gift to see each little doll was a perfect replica that anyone would be proud to have. Elated with her success so far she worked on the last gift a lullaby for her other papa. It took a while sitting there in the shade holding the little dolls and starring hard before she could figure out the right words.

“Snow and rain, sun and cloud,
Just hold my hand in the crowd,
I’ll stand by you, my family
There’s no where I’d rather be.
Now the day has gone away.
There is no time left to play.
Lay down your head
It’s time for bed
Hold my hand
I know you understand,
I’ll stay by you,
Through and through
No matter what the night may hold
Together family can be bold.”

It might not seem like much but Asrahs was certain it was the best song ever and while it didn’t turn out to be as much a lullaby as she had hoped she knew her papa would like it. Gathering her gifts she decided it was time to go find her family and share with them since that was what everyone seemed to be doing lately. Giving gifts, having fun and spending time with the ones they loved. She just hoped they liked her gifts. She had spent most of the day working on them. She could work on gifts for the baby and others later. Right now she just wanted to see her papa’s faces when she showed them all her hard work!

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