2024 Events

Most of the group honestly could not believe they were doing this and had openly agreed to such a task. The thought in mind seemed like an epic idea, but the action of it in the winter now felt treacherous. With the abilities of Winnie's new drone camera to take incredible pictures that transcended the normal image, he had the great idea to go out and take the most epic picture possible. He wanted all the ship's crew, friends, and pets to take a picture on the top of a nearby mountain. The peak offered some of the most incredible views for the area, stretching out to see Candletown in the distance. From different angles, you could get a different assortment of backgrounds, all unique and fun. At first, the group was pleased with this idea and instantly said yes, but it came to figure they thought as a whole that they would ride up there. Plop in a smaller spaceship and ride on up to take the pictures then leave. Little did they know when coming down the next morning to eat breakfast and prep, they would be met with not only a hearty breakfast but an assortment of different down jackets, Angelic Wing Cloak, and small backpacks. To the door was placed hiking sticks, and on the table stacked was what looked to be packaged lunch boxes by Blossom.

Winnie had thought they understood the assignment. They all, as a group, would be hiking up to the mountain on foot to enjoy the views on the way and document their ascent. This would be a great time to bond and get to know one another since new members had been added to the ship that some were not familiar with. Arabelle was one, and the other two, Quinn and Diaval, still were getting used to the company of the group. They could hike and eventually stop to have a small picnic on the mountain or even at the top, depending on their energy level.

“Are we serious about this?” Diaval sighed, entering the room with the ship's kettlekat Magna to witness the others eating and some already putting their packs together. “Are you sure we can’t take a smaller ship to beat some time?”

“Why would we do that when you would miss seeing everything in the forest?” Winnie offered, already wrapped in his Butterfly Wing Cloak that was tied around a nice warm coat. The boy knew the mountaintop would be colder than anything else, and the sudden elevation change would only make it feel colder. He was a frost browbird, but still enjoyed feeling extremely warm all the time. His body moved better then, but at least he would not die if he didn’t have the coat.

“Just checking…” Diaval grumbled, flopping into his breakfast seat at the table and beginning. The blood crow was usually the last one to get up in the morning, but as he worked on his breakfast, he was pleasantly pleased to find out he wasn't. “Good morning, sweethearts…” His snickering voice leaked, eyeing the two coming into the kitchen looking dreadfully sleepy.

“Oh, hush…” Quinn snorted, one arm wrapped around Arabelle for balance, and she wrapping an arm around them.

“Good morning, everyone… Sorry for getting up later than expected…” her voice was tired, but that would only be until she had her morning coffee. Sitting down next to Diaval, she was quick to stack her plate while the other hero offered to fill her cup. With her wings gone momentarily in the charm, she was better suited to move about the ship freely considering their size. And eyeing the Angelic Wing Cloak and jackets, she was glad to have the charm at all.

“There you are, Magna…” Blossom came by to scoop the kettlekat up from near Diaval and start putting little extra winter accessories on it. The kettlekat fussed a little, but realizing the others had to wear thick clothing too, she calmed down and let Blossom do what she needed to them.

“Even the kettlekat?” Medi laughed, watching the fluffy puff get all geared up, “Probably best… Don't want any frostbitten or frozen creatures up there…” He was slugging back his coffee and chatting with the others at the table, all ready to go. “Are you going to be fine?” The question lingered towards Arabelle as worried yellow eyes rested on her.

“Absolutely… Thanks for asking…” Arabelle smiled fondly at Medi, “Our night…” casually waving over to the exhausted Quinn, “was spent researching the mountain and its wildlife. What was supposed to only turn into an hour of catch-up to see what kind of creatures and plants we’d find on the mountain turned into half the night reading ghost stories about it…”

“Don’t get me started…” Quinn practically wept, “It was the most terrifying night ever. We better not get lost up on that mountain or I swear I won't survive the night…” Their hand started to shake at the thought, but calmed upon sipping their morning tea. The fear of getting too anxious after such a night was not Quinn's ideal way to spend the day. They wanted to be calm hiking the mountain and taking wonderful pictures, not a terrified wreck, fearing some sort of creature would pop out and get them.

“I wouldn’t worry much about it…” Diaval laughed, finishing their breakfast and going to pick up an Angelic Wing Cloak of their own to take. They would start their packing with Quinn, who opted to only take a few slices of toast to munch on and their tea. “Think of the group you’re traveling with.” The smugness was all too much, “I’d feel bad for anything we all came in contact with.”

Medi, Khadgar, and even Winnie gave looks of agreement to Diaval’s comment, but none said anything to back it up. It was simply what it was; this group had a history of battle, adventures, and monster slaying. No scary story would shake these seasoned explorers up, most likely only egg them on to find out more.

“I’ll be outside with Oogieboogs and Magna…” Diaval snorted, taking his leave and waiting outside until the others came. With him, Quinn was out the door, followed by Khadgar and Winnie in tow.

“I think everyone grabbed what they needed…” Blossom smiled, checking over all the lunch packs. There was exactly enough left for the ones in the room, and when each being collected and packed them again, she too went outside, ready for the hike.

Arabelle, Quinn, and Medi were the last to leave the ship. With Medi making sure it was secure for the passengers to still be able to leave and come as they wanted, but still safe with a trinket spell. Once complete, the group was packed up and snugly in their winter attire with aims into the forest and up the mountainside. Winnie had already started up his drone and like some space influencer was recording the moment with an intro. The others only waved but did not pay much mind to the silliness of the boy.

“It was a nice idea for him to think of this… I don’t think we ever have taken a picture together before…” Blossom giggled, “I’ll instantly stick a few of these on the fridge when we get the images back.”

“And I’ll be sure to buy some frames in town and stick them around the ship,” Quinn added, loving Blossom’s idea. “It will make the ship feel a bit more homey…” To which Blossom agreed, and the pair rushed to buddy up on the trail to share ideas back and forth.

Winnie was in the lead, guiding the group, with Diaval, Oogie, and Khadgar behind him, simply being quiet in their hike. If one could guess, Diaval wanted nothing more than to fly up the mountainside and wait for them at the top, while Khadgar and Oogie simply couldn’t talk. They were happy to be there, pointing at interesting things but continuing on. Blossom and Quinn were in the middle, with Arabelle, Magna, and Medi behind. Those two had also buddied up to share little words back and forth.

“I figured such a strong brow like you would be up in the front of the group taking charge up the mountain. Leading us to victory like all the tales of you are spun…” Arabelle laughed, watching him linger behind the entire time with Magna, the kettlekat, sitting on his shoulder. The poor wintry kettlekat did not like all the clothing Blossom put on them and so got tired out far too quickly over it. This left her to be carried by her favorite person of muscle, Medi.

“I usually would be…” his words were quiet and humbled, “but with how many celestials on this trip, someone needs to be stationed in back…” Tugging on his Angelic Wing Cloak to better situate himself, he adjusted comfortably quickly. The kettlekat had been tugging on it and slowly choking him. “This is the best view to see oncoming danger in the front or behind. I’d be able to react quickly from the front or back…”

Arabelle looked to Medi and then up towards the line of others that trailed with them. She understood what he meant slightly but needed clarification, “What about the boy? Winnie? He is in front…” That is what threw her off, looking at the young teen browbird leading the trail. His face in a map, making sure they were going in the right direction for the perfect spot on the mountain.

“Don’t think him weak. That little healer can do more than make you feel better in battle. He’s frost and blood magic… A deadly combo…” Medi laughed, as most underestimated the power of Winnie. There was more that hid under his happy adorable exterior. As friendly as he was, the young boy was secretly a powerhouse and would one day be a leader. “Moments like this, he needs to take the lead and find his wings…”

“Early training…” Arabelle smiled, fully getting the picture now. “Turning him into a captain too?” she laughed again, trying to picture the boy running his own ship. With him so gangly, it was hard to picture what type of browbird he would become. “I suppose there is not much to worry about anyway… Diaval is up there too with Khadgar…”

“And I’m sure Diaval would love to stab something…” Medi joked.

“I heard that!” Diaval shouted from the front without looking back, “You forget the wind carries…”

“And he’s a wind hero…” Arabelle could not contain her giggles. Diaval must have enchanted the wind so if someone mentioned him, he would hear.

“Wind magic is a fascinating gift…” Medi commented, impressed that the hero could hear from that far. This sparked an interest to look up aspects and check in on them more of what they could do. Medi and Arabelle once again went into quiet banter, commenting to one another and laughing.

As they trekked higher up the mountain, the scene slowly began to change. From a lush green forest blanketed in white, it turned into an open trail with a few small trees unable to grow any larger due to the altitude. Rocks became the main scenery, with big boulders covered in thicker snow. The air was dry and cold, so much so that even Magna was not pleased in her winter gear. Celestials of the group wrapped up tight in their Angelic and Butterfly Wing Cloak. In such a vast and steep area, it seemed tiresome to think about looking around too much. One could only focus on the steps ahead, not bothering to sneak peeks at the incredible view around them. Breathing even became heavy for some.

The kitbulls quickly learned they were both out of shape but continued on. Quinn, with their pudgy belly, was breathing heavily along with Arabelle and Blossom. Even Diaval and Medi could be seen giving uncomfortable grunts with each step. But at least everyone was nice and warm in their winter gear. Properly bundled up on this winter hike made it worth it, and when they would reach the top, they would get to enjoy a good lunch.

“I can't believe we made it!” Winnie screeched, having been quiet the entire hike up to conserve energy. “I’m getting the drone out!” He shrilled and instantly went to get the camera out to start picture snapping.

Diaval reached the top next, pleased to find the peak was a flat land they could actually walk around and enjoy. Then the kitbulls, who both found a spot to rest in a short nap. Quinn, Blossom, and Arabelle were next, quickly going for their lunch packs to get a much-needed snack. And finally, Medi with Magna on his shoulder walked past them all to look around at the incredible view. They would all take this moment in their own ways, finding moments of silence to get their heads sorted out. Eventually, with Winnie setting up the drone camera, they would all return to the center to pose and take pictures, completing their epic task of hiking up the mountain and taking pictures as a group.