The Lantern Festival (7) : Scientists have been hard at work trying to understand the strange, glowing qualities of the luminescent caterpillars found in the caves by the reservoir. The caterpillars still shrivel up if they are taken out of the caves but their glowing secretions have been processed into an organic paste that can withstand the outside world. The city is selling paper lanterns infused with various seeds. The glow paste is full of minerals to support healthy plant growth without risking damage to the environment; all lantern purchases come with a small packet of activating power that will heat the paste up enough to mimic the effects of a candle without the concerns of flammability. When the glow paste loses its heat, the lantern will return to the Earth and upon the first rain (or any contact with water) the paper will dissolve and the seeds may begin to grow. All proceeds from the lanterns are put right back into the community to support local conservation and environmental protection efforts.
With the aid of her medallion, Meridiana had been successful in luring the White Moon Senshi into a false sense of security. Although they were both of the same rank, she gave off the perception of being nothing more than a basic corrupt in order to get close to the pale-haired young woman.
Eventually, through her own unique skill sets, she was able to pursuade her to leave the lookout area with little more than a generous donation of energy which Meridiana now held in her hand. She lifted it up and looked at it appraisingly as she held it beside the crescent moon and wondered to herself if there was anything particularly different between what she’d taken from the senshi compared to what she would have normally collected from a civilian.
Was it somehow more pure, or potent, when the Negaverse found a reason or cause to use it?
A curiosity to consider at a later time as small specks of lights began to rise from above the treeline and buildings a distance away. “Such a shame, this would have been the perfect place to watch the lanterns.” Sure she could stay for a short while, but with each minute she lingered, Meridiana ran the risk that the Senshi would return with friends and to be quite frank, she knew her limits and was well aware that she was not skilled enough to take on more than one person.
So she left the hill for someone else to happen upon and teleported to a different lookout. A smaller open field, but one she knew that no trails led to this particular place which offered more security.
The view was perhaps not the best but it offered a sense of peace and security
Initially, there was maybe only twenty or thirty lanterns floating up toward the stars but then the amount bloomed in a way that reminded her of the Disney movie Tangled. It’d been ages since she’d watched it, and although she couldn’t remember all the words to the song Flynn and Rapunzel sang together, Meridiana was at least able to hum the chorus.
And at last I see the light. ♪
From her subspace pocket she withdrew her tablet and with it took a photo of the view which she then attached to a message meant for Zinkenite.
Quote:
They say a picture is with a thousand words. But for some reason, I can only think of four.
She had no idea if he were in his office still, if he’d see the message or have time to read it before the festival ended. But the subtle invitation was sent. Even if he didn't open it until tomorrow, there was still time remaining before StarFall ended to watch it another day if he was interested in stepping out for a few minutes of fresh air.
Quote:
Wish you were here.
She began to type but her thumb hovered over the send button and after a moment she set the tablet down on the ground beside her with the message left unsent.
xxendejester
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