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 Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2025 4:40 pm
Since we're allowed I'm going back and doing some of the other 2025 prompts! 4laugh January 2025 Prompt It's a new year in the Kawani lands! Winter is in full swing and much of the land is covered in snow. Does your soquili do anything to acknowledge or celebrate the new year? Are they part of a herd or family that has a tradition or ceremony? Have they made a promise to start the new year with a clean slate and change themselves for the better? Or did they simply try to stay warm and wait for the snow to melt and spring to arrive?
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Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2025 4:45 pm
Bragi and his mate had a great deal to celebrate with each new year, for it was the anniversary of the day they pledged themselves to one another. It had seemed apt to take their vows, then greet the first dawn of the new year together.
It was a tradition they'd kept to, even if it was a bit early to rise after a night of revelry in the village. Bragi made an amused noise at his mate's sleepy grumbles and nudged him again. "It is almost dawn, my heart." They had only slept a couple of hours after leaving the others but it would do for now.
The more insistent nudge got Magnai to properly stir. "Of course. How could I forget?" He affectionately nuzzled Bragi in return. "Did you sleep at all?" He rose quickly to avoid possibly dozing off again. This little ritual of theirs was something far too important to miss.
"Some... I was thinking too much about the tales we heard last night." Stories told over the firelight once the food was through. They'd lasted until many had left to sleep, or simply dozed off on the ground. He would have joined the latter had Magnai not ushered him back home. "I know some of them we've heard many times now." Some since they'd been foals even. "I just never get tired of them." There had been some new bard woven tales last night as well, but Bragi did have his favourites.
"I'm not surprised." Magnai gave him another affectionate nuzzle. "Had I not eaten so much I might have managed to lay awake with you and hear your thoughts." It was a conversation they had had many times, some even before they'd been mated, but it never bothered him. Mood, circumstances and experience could and did often change how one perceived a story.
"It's quite alright." He worked at nosing his mate's mane into some sort of order while they talked. There was so much more to it when it was out of braids. "You were beside me and that was enough." He took a step back once he was done to survey his work. "Besides, we can always talk a bit later after we've both had some proper rest." He would let Magnai do his own round of fussing before before getting to his hooves.
"Mhm..." Magnai did indeed fuss a bit. Bragi's braids had largely fallen out as well. They would all have to be redone once their assistants with more dexterity had recovered from last night's revelry. But for now it was no matter, his mate looked particularly handsome ruffled as he was. "Shall we go then?"
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There was an early morning chill in the air as they headed out of the village. Bragi was glad they had stopped to drape on their shawls before heading out the door. Since they weren't working today, it would take a bit of walking to shake off the cold. Staying close to Magnai wouldn't hurt either. There wasn't much noise in the village apart from the snow crunching beneath their paws as they made their way. "Guess last night did a number on everyone." He laughed but was hardly surprised.
"Indeed. It will be a nice calm day for rest then, my heart." Magnai's thoughts seemed to run along similar lines to his mate's - they would be warmer closer together. "Just you and I for today. Any other business can wait." He led them toward their traditional spot - an open edge of cliff largely devoid of trees. In any other season it would be full of grass and floors, but right now it was covered in a fresh blanket of snow.
"I don't think I'll ever tire of this view."
Magnai was surprised to find his mate looking not out at the cliff but over at him. He rumbled softly. "Nor I."
Bragi probably looked far too amused. "When we come back in the Spring I might have to cover you in flowers again." He nuzzled his mate, hoping to soothe his embarrassment. "It's nearly dawn now, shall we settle in?"
The very edge of the skyline was just beginning to lighten as they settled down. A soft snow began to fall. The pair leaned into each other and watched the sun rise, basking in each other's company. It wasn't til dawn had gotten through all it's colors that they moved.
"Here's to another year with you by my side, and to many more in the future." Magnai nuzzled his mate. "I could ask for no better partner. I love you, my heart."
Bragi nuzzled him and settled into him again. "I love you too."
-fin
780 words.
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