Nephfei Prompt: Mending Day 2023
“Roti. Rotieeeeeee.”
The spinx made a noncommittal rumble at the sensation of a pair of paws lightly drumming along their back. Someone was calling their name with the incessancy of a cat who wanted to be let into a room, and in the bleary haze of wakefulness they found it was a struggle to get their mouth to move in response.
They parted their lips, only to have a strand of their long, dark hair tumble from the hill of one of their pillows into their mouth. Spluttering to let it escape, they made a very sleepy, inquiring trill as the tapping of paws still had not stopped. A moment later Chicory had yanked the comforter off of them, and they found themself face to face with the spinxyn's bright hazel eyes.
“Roti!” Chicory was as chipper and cheery as ever, despite the ridiculously early morning. “Come on, on your paws, up up up up! You remember what day it is right? I’ve made you breakfast and fetched Haida already!”
Roti lifted their head to peer past Chicory at the doorway of their room, where a much larger spinxyn was perched and fidgeting with the toggles of their collar. He gave them an awkward glance and raised a rot-stricken paw to wave.
“Breakfast?” They mumbled sleepily, getting up to stretch languidly and knead at the pillows. “Where are we going Chicory?”
The other spinxyn gave a dramatic gasp of mock surprise. “Why, to only the best lil chocolate shop in all of Winglin of course! Did you forget already? Or are you still asleep?” Chicory drummed their paws on the edge of Roti’s bed, clearly excited. “It’s Mending Day tomorrow! We’re all gonna hang out with Legs, remember?”
At the mention of their harpip friend’s name, Roti ears perked up for an instant. “Legs…” they muttered, sleepy voice tinged with a dreamy sigh. A moment later their eyes squinted shut in evident happiness, and Chicory was worried they’d drop off to sleep again.
“Yes, yes we’re all excited to spend Mending Day with him!” Their insistent paws pattered gently across Roti’s shoulders once more, interrupting their brief reverie. “But that’s why we gotta get up and go now. Candygram shopping, remember?”
Roti nodded and hopped lazily out of bed. They did remember something about shopping before the big day tomorrow, but what was the plan? They gave Chicory a questioning look as they meandered over to the catrack where their shawl and veil were hanging. “We’re buying Legs candy…” they said slowly. “Mending day gift.”
Chicory clapped their paws together. “Bingo bango, you do remember! Look, I know the best place here in Winglin and it’s gonna be PACKED with cats if we don’t get a move on. Do you mind eating your toast on the go?”
Their walk to the Winglin central shops was done at a brisk pace that two of the three spinxyn struggled to maintain. Chicory was clearly a cat on a determined mission, leaving Haida stumbling on his uneven paws and Roti dazedly bringing up the rear. All around them were clear indications that Mending Day preparations were underway; hearts decorating shop windows, bouquets of flowers being hawked from colorful stalls. If Roti had had the time to process and appreciate them they would have stopped to stare, but Chicory’s jaunty trot through the streets meant they had to keep their eyes firmly fixated on that head of brown hair or else they were bound to lose them.
“Chicory.” Haida’s grave and serious voice carried a hint of a wheeze. “You have yet to tell us what manner of candygram Legs would prefer.”
“Eh?” the spinxyn looked over their shoulder at him and waved a paw dismissively. “I’ll tell you when we get there, there’s no time to waste! But Legs’ll eat anything so long as it comes from the heart with love~!” They fluttered their eyelashes at the taller spinx, stumbling slightly over a dip in the road. Haida reeled back slightly, looking perturbed.
“With love…?” He cleared his throat awkwardly, peering over at Roti for some sort of reassurance to something, but their eyes were already hazed over in a thoughtful fog, chewing on Chicory’s words as their paws went on auto-pilot.
With love… Legs needs to know that the chocolate comes with lots of love…
Their eyes squinted shut in that same happy manner once more, and as the three spinxyn rounded a corner to a busy and sweet smelling building, it felt as though their steps had already become lighter at the thought.
Chicory and Haida left Roti standing in the heart festooned doorway of the Winglin chocolate boutique, already deep in conversation about flavors, arguing about how many of the options the brown haired spinx was listing were preferences for them rather than their harpip recipient. Roti took in the sight of the interior, of the display cases lined with row upon row of fancy little chocolates, at all the spinxyn milling about placing orders and buying cards. The rich scent of candy and cocoa tickled their nose as they drew a deep breath in, and they meandered back and forth in front of the display cases taking a thoughtful count of the inventory.
They had no idea that chocolate could have come in so many colors or shapes! Over here there were little yellow and red hearts, over there little rounded squares with fancy molded patterns. Roti could see chocolates in the shape of mice and fish, chocolates in all the colors of the rainbow, chocolates with nuts and fruit and flavored fillings, so many chocolates that it made their head spin! How would it be possible to find a present in all of this…?
The tawny harpip behind the counter must have noticed their helpless expression, as they sauntered over with a smile. “Lots to choose from huh? You look like you’re having a little trouble.”
Roti nodded earnestly. “I don’t know where to begin…” they admitted. “I’m not sure what he’d like...”
The harpip nodded sagely in understanding. “I understand my friend, I do! You look like you’re packing for a very special nephian, so I’ll cut you a deal. How about you and me pick out one of those boxes up there-” they gestured to the shelves behind them where rows of colorful chocolate boxes with clear display lids were lined, each one decorated lovingly with hearts and flowers and ribbons, “and we’ll pick out a few together for your favorite friend, huh? I’ll even let you have as many free samples as you’d like!”
Roti’s eyes almost sparkled in gratitude.
Over the course of the next twenty minutes, while Chicory and Haida picked out their own offerings, Roti took their time to sample the store’s entire inventory, and eventually paid for their order feeling proud and satisfied. When the three spinxyn left the building, Roti held a delicate orange chocolate box in their paws with six of the establishment’s finest residing within.
Chicory peered over at their selection with an impressed ‘oooh’, taking note of the flavors on display. One chocolate passionfruit heart, a crumbly coconut truffle, an elegant sesame filled chocolate in the shape of a leaping fish, a little cup shaped one filled with coffee cream and topped with a roasted coffee bean, marzipan airbrushed to perfection to look like half a coconut and dipped in chocolate to form the little shell, and a tiny confectionary harpip made of white and ruby chocolates.
“That’s such an impressive lineup, Roti!!” They congratulated the other spinx, slapping their shoulder playfully. My assortment isn’t nearly as nice.” Holding out their paws, they showed off the little cellophane pouch of five mango and coconut bonbons they’d bought, lovingly tied shut with pink ribbon.
“I made sure to ask them to double tie the knot so I couldn’t eat em before we see Legs tomorrow.” Chicory announced proudly as Roti squinty-smiled and Haida rolled his eyes. “What about you Haida, what did you get him?”
Haida coughed awkwardly and revealed a simple milk chocolate heart wrapped in bright red foil, three times as big as any of the chocolates the other two had bought. “I. Intend to convey most of my feelings and appreciation through my letter.” He stammered awkwardly beneath Chicory’s suspicious gaze, brandishing the elaborate candygram he’d chosen from the stand. The other spinx seemed satisfied and left him alone.
The three of them returned to Chicory’s abode before bidding Haida farewell, and Roti placed their offering on the nightstand next to their nest of blankets and cushions, staring at it as they curled up to sleep for the night, internally quivering with excitement.
Tomorrow is Mending Day! I’ll see Legs!! And give him his gift!!!
Chicory’s Mending day attack plan was a simple one. They’d scoped out the perfect location in the soft fields surrounding the harpip capital of Roost, and with Haida in tow they were going to whip up a veritable picnic feast for the occasion! But they needed time to prepare and that’s where Roti would need to come in. Placing a paw on their shoulder, Chicory solemnly told them they had the most important job of all.
“We’re gonna need you to keep Legs occupied while we get set up, ok?” They stared at the sleepy spinx earnestly. “So! I’ve booked the two of you in for a Mending Day balloon ride up in the skies about Roost! You didn’t forget if you had a fear of heights when you lost your memory did you?”
Roti blinked thoughtfully, shaking their head after a moment. “I don’t think I’ve ever been up in a balloon before though.” They added quietly.
“No need to fear!” Chicory crowed. “It’s just like taking the airships but smaller. You get into a leeeetle basket and you’re cozied up nice and close together and it’ll be great! Trust me.” They snickered, almost deviously, making Roti wonder if this was some sort of elaborate prank they were planning. But that couldn’t be right… spinxyn weren’t supposed to play tricks on Mending Day.
The soft bump of a satchel being slipped over their neck shook them out of the thought, and they blinked as they watched Chicory pack it full of assorted odds and ends for their trip out. “Here’s some water so you stay hydrated out there! And this is a map of Roost so you won’t get lost. Legs is gonna meet you here at the balloon dock, ok! Don’t make him wait or he’ll come looking for us, I know what he’s like. And one more thing…” They turned to the table, where Roti’s immaculate box of chocolates was waiting and carefully slipped it inside. “Don’t forget to give him his present ok, you’re gonna do great!” they said with a wink.
Roti was unsure of what they meant by that. But before they could question it, Chicory was ushering them and Haida out the door once again, the three setting off for the airship to Roost. This year’s festivities were being held in the big harpip city, and Roti had never been before.
The airship was crowded with Winglin residents flying over with their own Mending Day plans, and while Haida crammed himself anxiously against Chicory’s side so as not to be underfoot, the other spinxyn animatedly told Roti about all the wide open fields, the squared buildings of the city, the houses in the cliffs and the bright sky above. It sounded lovely, but Roti was too shy to admit that they’d dozed through most of their friend’s tirade.
They had a little half-dream about seeing the tall harpip along the way, about his smile and the delight in his eyes, about his little claws petting their head in that loving, friendly manner of his. Roti awoke in good spirits, and had an uncharacteristic bounce in their step when they disembarked from the airship that did not go unnoticed.
“You know where to go right?” Chicory asked, unfolding the map so that the three of them could pour over it. “Over here’s where we’ll be setting up -” they tapped a spot on the map to emphasize. “Aaaand, a lil walk over heere~ is where you need to be!'' They circled the balloon landing with a claw, giving Roti a pat on the back and a wide grin. “He should be there waiting for you! Or if not, well. You can wait for him.” They winked. “Go get em champ! Give Legs the best Mending Day he could ask for!”
“Of course.” They replied blithely, more than a little bewildered at what Chicory was trying to imply. They did not dwell on it as they left the group though, paws dancing a little hopskip through the grass towards the hot air balloons on the horizon, and found exactly what they’d hoped to find waiting there for them.
Legs was incredibly tall for harpip standards and stood a good few heads higher above his peers. He was deep in conversation with one of the aeronauts, who had their neck craned back to meet his eyes and answer his questions. Roti couldn’t help but feel elated at the sight of him, with his white and grey feathers gleaming in the sunlight, broken by the colorful orange splash of the thick scarf wrapped comfortably around his neck. They stood a few feet away, watching him, waiting for him to finish his business with the other harpip.
He must have felt their gaze on him as he stopped the discussion abruptly to look up, and the moment those familiar ultramarine eyes met their own, his entire face broke out in a smile that could oust the warmth of the sun.
“Roti!” He cried, hurrying over to sweep the spinx into his arms, lifting them almost bodily off the ground as he spun them in a circle. “Ahh, y’made it!” He looked down at them, still not letting go, positively beaming down at them in a way that made them begin to purr unconsciously in delight.
“I made it~” they replied, bracing their paws on his chest in order to balance themself a bit better. “Happy Mending Day! Are you ready to go flying…?” Roti was aware they were squinting happily up at him but found they couldn’t make themself stop. Seeing him and being near him like this made them happier than they knew how to explain.
Legs let them go in order to hold their paws in both hands, pressing an affectionate kiss to each of their cheeks with a giggle. “M’so excited to go flyin’ wit you.” he beamed. “Happy Mending day, should we head aboard?”
Roti nodded,dropping back down on their feet as they meandered over to the waiting basket of their hot air balloon ride and scrambled in. One of the harpip aeronauts gave Legs a wink and nudged him gently with a wing.
“Oh is this a romantic Mending Date then?” They asked. “You should’ve said something!”
“Romantic?” Legs blinked in genuine bewilderment. “Oh no no, nothing like that. Me’n Roti are friends, this is just how we express that we care about each other.”
He left the harpip scratching their head as he hopped into the basket next to his spinxyn friend and began animatedly talking about the colors of the sky and clouds. They were staring at him, completely absorbed and enraptured, and that much was obvious even with the dark veil across their face.
“Sure could’ve fooled me.” The aeronaut chuckled, shaking their head as they followed behind.
Drifting across the sky in a hot air balloon was an experience Roti knew they’d never forget in their lifetime. Even if they somehow lost their memories again, they felt as though somehow, in some way or another, they’d manage to keep this one intact.
The sky was bright and clear and impossibly blue, speckled all over with other balloons and their passengers in a rainbow of colors. They placed their paws on the edge of the basket to get a better view, taking in the experience with wide, awestruck eyes. They could feel the wind touseling their fur, the soft billow of the clouds as their balloon swam through them, the warmth of the flame powering the vehicle just overhead. Even though their open mouth was obscured by their veil, it did not mask the soft gasps and oohs that left them at every new and seemingly incredible sight.
Both Legs and the aeronauts knew this was not a spinx that thought about flying often. But while the latter had seen this look on plenty of other nephians before, this particular kitty’s excitement and wonder was contagious to the former. Legs hopped up from where he was perched in the basket to stand somewhat awkwardly at Roti’s side, leaning down on his too-tall harpip legs so his face was level with the spinxyn's.
“It’s a lovely sight, ja?” he muttered, tucking a wing across their back to pull them against his side. He smiled as Roti nodded, sighing dreamily at the sight of the hills rolling below them. ”You not afraid?”
“No.” Roti breathed, mesmerized. “Not with you here. Is flying always like this?”
“Nowhere near this special.” the harpip replied softly. “Flyin’s work y’see… and anyt’ing I get to do wit you… sure don’t count as work.”
They spent the rest of the ride pressed close against one another, pointing out this and that as they spotted things in the air, on the horizon, in the shapes of the clouds. By the time the harpip aeronauts let them know that they were heading back to the balloon dock, Roti was purring loudly and their claws were kneading little patterns in the wicker basket, warm and comfortable against Legs’ feathers despite the briskness of the wind.
All the plans they’d had the previous night, of riding with Legs and snacking on chocolate had gone out of their head the moment they’d stepped on board with him. It was with a start they realized that the little orange box with its carefully chosen contents was still tucked away in their satchel.
“Oh, Legs!” They jumped slightly as the balloon settled back to earth with a bump. “I forgot! Oh no, I forgot…” Their paws fumbled with their bag as they stepped off onto the platform, the harpip letting out a curious chirp as he followed. “H-here!”
Their breath caught as they pulled the box out and held it out to him, the chocolates inside still as visible and as pristine as ever. A twinge of nerves came over them as the harpip was silent for a moment, but as soon as he processed exactly what it was he was looking at, he gave a gasp of delight, little claws flying to his face to cover his mouth in surprise.
“A… you took me on a nice balloon ride an’ y’got me chocolates too?” He almost teared up with emotion. “Aw Roti…” He took the box from them, taking a moment to admire each and every morsel, before his bright eyed gaze and beaming smile met the spinxyn's once again. “You sure know how to treat a harpip on Mending Day, y’know that?”
Roti’s face lit up at the praise as they unconsciously began purring again. “I wanted to get you the best… the harpips at the shop helped me pick these out for you…”
“And I’m sure they’ll taste perfect since they’re from you.” Legs laughed, sweeping a wing around them to pull them into a tight hug. “C’mon, maybe you n’me can find somewhere to eat these together?”
Roti looked off into the distance at the picnicking area where they knew Chicory and Haida would be waiting.
“Actually,” they purred. “I know the perfect spot.”
Paw in one hand and box of chocolates in the other, Legs followed as his spinxyn friend led him away, feeling as though there couldn’t have been a more perfect Mending Day than today. It was the kind of day full of friends and care and delightful experiences that he knew he would treasure forever.
What a lucky harpip he was, to be so loved.
~ Fin