“Esai!” The young teen turned as his mother scurried down along the pathway towards him, her dark indigo hair tightly tied back with silvery ribbons into intricate braids that swung all the way down towards her lower back.Even if Brynae was a mother and older now the beauty that had entranced his father was still there within her glowing expression that had returned over the years since Esai was born. Her attire was perhaps less than what it had been before when her parents had been living as wealthy merchants but the silk dress that she wore tonight was one of her finer pieces and Esai could easily believe that she was some important lady. “Are you almost ready?” Brynae reached out and started tugging various pieces of his own outfit, the silken tunic feeling foreign against his skin and almost suffocating considering how often he went around with barely anything on while training. Admittedly it did look nice on him and he could already feel the back of his neck flushing as others stared at him while he walked around the edges of the village.

“I think I’m ready enough, mother.” Replied Esai with a small smile of his own as he gently tugged her hands away from his outfit. “Father is coming, correct?” His dark gaze surveyed the path that curved up the hill behind them, his expression thoughtful as he imagined the figure of his father dashing down the hill with his hunting bow across his back like usual.

“He should be joining us shortly.” Brynae shook her head almost as if in embarrassment, “I wasn’t about to let your father come into the village without taking a bath first.” Makas was handsome as well but often disregarded social etiquettes like Brynae since he was more focused on hunting and enjoying the wilderness around them. His mother was determined though that tonight both of her boys would be looking clean and proper for the festivities that were celebrating the meteor shower streaking across the skies. A priestess had announced that the gods would be blessing everyone tonight and of course the superstitious Yaeli were gathering with their families to enjoy the occasion while making wishes on the falling stars for the new year. Obviously Esai had to be there as well so that he could replenish on his goodluck that the gods had blessed him with and Brynae was happy to share a meal with her family beneath the stars. They were also handing out little pastries to the villagers, something that she had dragged Esai into helping her prepare over the last few days. Thankfully they had a supply of preserved berries from autumn and had easily managed to turn the darker berries into Brynae’s famous sweet, flaky pastries that so many others adored. Like usual Esai had helped without any protest and had been rewarded with trying out a few while they worked on preparations.

“Thank you, Brynae and Esai!” A group of younglings had darted up to them and waited patiently while his mother plucked a bag of the pastries from the basket hanging on her arm. Once the pastries were given out they grinned brightly and darted away to rejoin their families who had set up their own blankets along the hills to enjoy the meteor shower. Others would also dart up to Esai and give him gifts, thankful for his help in various things throughout the village and soon enough Brynae and Esai found their own spot on the hill overloaded with little gifts and snacks from the other families. Despite the gifts and attention when everyone left to rejoin their families it was almost a lonely feeling until someone plopped onto the blanket next to him. “I’m sorry that I ran a bit behind.” Makas murmured as he reached out and wrapped his arms around his wife. “On the bright side we’ll have plenty for a good feast tomorrow.”

“Always hunting until the very last minute.” Humphed Brynae but despite her words there was a smile on her lips as she leaned into her husband’s embrace. “You better have plenty of wishes so that the gods’ blessings aren’t wasted tonight.” She teased lightly before grinning over towards Esai. “You as well, Esai.”

Both Makas and Esai found themselves chuckling at Brynae’s antics. “Yes, m’am.” They both replied with a firm nod before settling in together to share snacks while watching as the first stars started to streak across the skies. It was obvious that Brynae especially wanted her son to enjoy the meteor shower tonight since she still felt a bit of guilt about his role in connection with her curse that had haunted her so much before. Without the god's blessing, however, Esai wouldn’t be able to help his mother out and he was just happy that he could be a blessing regardless of whoever had been responsible for the curse’s existence in the first place. Everything happened for ar eason after all and he couldn’t be any happier than he was in sharing this moment with his family. Let’s just hope that I can wish for many more happy years for them tonight. He mused as he turned his gaze towards the stars.

[877]