Another year had passed.

Lutana sighed as she once again straightened out her silk dress, the layered skirts constantly trying to tangle with the colorful ribbons that she had draped across her waist. It was the new year and there was a festival in town for everyone to enjoy to celebrate. The teen always considered it slightly strange how eagerly earthlings always wanted to celebrate the passing of time but at the same time she could appreciate the fact that they were at least welcoming the new year with hope. It was also interesting to see how different countries took their own approach to celebrating the occasion, her favorite so far being the glowing lanterns they released in Matori during her childhood while Sauti’s tradition was a near second favorite with the fact that they actually burned their wishes away. The village would have a giant bonfire and everyone would have something written on parchment or dried wood to toss inside. It could be negativity that they wanted to destroy from the previous years or hopes and dreams for the future that would be swept up by the winds as ashes going into the heavens above. Of course there was also drinking and dancing….so much dancing. Lutana grinned at the thought as she twisted about so that the ribbons would flutter with the movement. It was perfect! A mask to also get behind the celebration as everyone left behind their past selves to embrace the future that the new year represented...truly it was unique.

Setting the ivory mask across her dark skin, Lutana secured the glittery piece with a golden ribbon that twisted through her curls. She had even found some shimmering makeup in the market earlier today that she had painted along her exposed skin and cheeks so that she almost looked like a spirit. The teen studied her reflection one final time before giving a firm nod. She was ready to join in with the festivities! Already it was evening, the main bustle of the festivities settling in as drinks started pouring and dancers started finding partners around the bonfire. Lutana found herself stealing one of the wooden cups for herself, the tangy berry juice not truly quenching her thirst from dancing but only giving her throat the slightest of tingles that slowly spread throughout her body instead, and she frowned in disappointment before moving on to try something else. The longer she stayed, her body twisting playfully from partner to partner, the more delight she felt from her impromptu decision to sneak away from family for the night. It was a mystical way to pass the final night of the old year and Lutana felt her spirits rising more and more with every dance. It was simply too much fun to even worry about getting into trouble! This was what she enjoyed doing and she truly hoped that she could continue living life freely as she grew older into this new year. Who wanted to mope and worry on a night like this? Lutana just wanted to use this time to refresh and energize herself for the next year. Others perhaps wanted to make wishes and change themselves for the new year but Lutana was happy to be as she always was - a free spirit who continuously pushed her limits. That was why when she went to offer her piece of wood to the bonfire the girl had opted to leave it blank instead of carving some sort of wish or regret. She would leave her future up to the fates and just dance the whole way to whatever destination life held in store for her. If she didn’t like it then there was nothing that could make her stay in place. She would simply run away and try again no matter what! She was confident that she could accomplish anything and didn’t need to restrict herself by setting goals now. What was the fun in that?

Laughter bubbled from her lips as she waltzed with another partner, her ribbons swaying as she danced under the moonlight with multiple partners until dawn started to break. When the sun rose so would the new year come with it and the party would be over. It was a sad thought for Lutana but she was determined to at least enjoy every moment of these celebrations until finally she had to return home to where they had made camp. At least there would always be next year for her to wander this way again to continue the dance as this new year become the past and the next year took its place.

[774]