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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.
“Well Sarah what do you think?” Nate asked his daughter, fixing her little bug shade that was draped over the stroller. They were out walking and looking at all the various booths for the star festival. The toddler just giggled and clapped her hands, she was much more interested in the little emerald star charm that he had tied up out of her reach. The little bell tinkled as he tapped the awning that was stretched over the top, sending the charm dancing. “Yeah, I think so too.”
He turned his attention back to the booth he had dallied in front of, curious about all the paper lanterns that were spread out. After a little while, getting all the information about the lanterns and even talking the seller down some, Nate left the booth a proud owner of a festival lantern. He didn’t quite understand the whole glow paste or how it was made from some bugs but he didn’t really mind it all that much. It was more about the effect of the paste, and the activating powder, that he was interested in. It was a real paper lantern. It would fly up into the sky before falling back to earth, and the best part was that the paper was made of quickly degradable fibers and seeds so its decent would also help spread more plantlife. Considering just how little biodiversity there was in the city, the more the better as far as he was concerned. “Now, baby girl, do you think we can convince mommy to take a break tonight to help us light this lantern?” He chatted with the little girl, not really expecting any clear answer, just the baby babble that she was more than happy to share.
“That's a fantastic idea darling! Yes. We will need to find a florist or maybe just stop in the grocery store. Pick up some dinner while we are at it? I’m sure mommy will love flowers and some dinner.” Nate was happy to plan out the night for his ‘girls’. Flowers, dinner, maybe a walk, and the lantern. It had been longer then he would have liked to just have a date with Dessie or at least a quiet night with her. They were either working, talking about daily things or about Sarah, and chatting about training. She was still so insistent on him working on his fighting skills… and he couldn’t really refute her. He did need to work on them. But still, sometimes being a regular family on a regular outing would be nice. “A picnic! Yes that is a fantastic idea Sarah! Let's go get everything we need.” With that plan in mind the duo headed off to the store. It didn’t take long at all to collect everything. Even less time to get back to the apartment and put it all together. It actually took longer to convince Dessie to take a break and go out with them. Enjoy the cooling night as the sun set but soon they were in the small local playground, Sarah toddling over the grass as Nate and Dessie watched.
Once twilight descended they lit the lantern and all three watched as it ascended into the night sky. He looked over at Dessie, where she was holding Sarah and pointing out their lantern. “Beautiful,” He murmured, grinning when Dessie looked over at him with a questioning look. “Its beautiful, that's all.”
