Festival of the Day 2020

The cold winter air in the forest was filling with the smell of the warm baking goods cooking away. All sorts of animals took to peeking their heads out of trees, bushes, water, etc, as they wondered curiously what could smell so nice. They of course stayed mostly hidden, knowing very much someone and their somethings lived there. The eyes sank back as the masked humanoid with a big fluffy white tail and equally pure hair ran on by, laughing all the way in his pleased ways. Mana was really fond of this holiday season, even Baal was getting in the holiday spirit! Coming home all decorated in that shiny hairy stuff that Nephy called ‘tinsel’. All he knew was it wasn’t all that tasty and was very shiny.

“Calm down Mana, it’s not good to run around when there’s so many people inside.” The more soft spoken female told him, moving out of the way as he ran on past in his red sweater she made for him. He loved how warm it was, and she was just happy he liked it.

“But so exciting! It smells so nice!” He told her, but stopped darting around chasing the smells and the small wiggly snakes she had brought with her from her own tree.

Giving him a concerned look, she was more pleased as he sat down, watching the oven as the cookies inside cooked. He wasn’t alone either, as in front of the warm cooking contraction the small bat and mostly white lizard looking one also stared on. The smell was attracting wildlife, how could it not attract the people that lived there?

“Just be careful and don’t touch the oven, it may hurt you.” She wasn't sure how well insulated it was, but she didn’t want to find out either. The two dragons agreed to mind her warning, Mana still ever so curious though was holding his hand closer to the oven.

“She said no Mana!” Coraline told him, flapping her wings until she caught the female’s attention he came over with bowl still in arm, gently booping where his ‘nose’ would be so he was distracted by the more affectionate gesture.

Sitting just outside the kitchen area, Star peered in with her shadow busily playing with the smaller noodles that weren’t always there. The snakes were calm yet playful, meaning to Star they cuddled with her and told her how pretty she was, but for the shadow they played away. It was a great combination that left them both happy. Nephy paid attention to her too, talking softly with the more calm dragon and asked her how her day was thus far. It was rather uneventful though, but she listened all the same as her blind eyes studied the bowl as if she could see them.

“W-where is Draco? Did he not come with you?” The shy dragon asked, always loving to see family during these times and it was nice to have more than just her dad and Mana.

“I think he went out gathering things, he liked to to have some free time of his own too. I wanted to make a bunch of food so I figured it would be good for him.” Nephy told her softly, holding up a spoon covered in batter for the dragon to lick and taste test.

“It's very sweet.” Star told her, but didn’t seemed distressed by it. “N-not too sweet though!” She added in as the other rider started to look worried.

“Oh, well that’s good.” She placed the bowl down for Kisho and Coraline to lick at, returning the spoon to Star for her to have as she gave Mana the spatula to have his way with. It was nice having so many things around.

As the oven made a ringing noise, Nephy hurried on past with the four close behind. It had felt as if it was so long, and they all remembered what she told them. As soon as the oven made it’s happy noise that meant the cookies were done! That meant they of course were ready to eat. Grabbing the oven mits she pulled them out, putting them on the cooling rack as she tried her best not to trip over the others clambering around.

“C-calm down now, they still need to cool off and get frosting...” She told them, trying to shoo off the little too excited clan of snackers.

As the cold winds whistled on, finally it was time. Nephy going around to hand each dragon a single cookie (telling them that was all they were getting until dinner as well, as she didn’t want them spoiling their appetite), all waiting until she gave them the okay to eat the gingerbready goods. It was a sight to see, watching as almost all of them munched off the dragon shaped head and left the headless body in their hand. Some ate it completely in one bite, leaving Nephy a bit surprised.

“It’s so nice!” Coraline told her through a stuffed mouth, nibbling on her cookie that was shrinking more and more by the minute.

“Mmmmmm!” Kisho input, eating hers completely in the second bite and was eyeing the counter where the rest of the cookies were being kept. Wondering it just one would be missed, but the wandering snakes hissed at her and pushed at her face resting on the counter and eyeing the treats.

“Y-yes, very nice.” Star put in at last, watching as her rider was trying to steal another but Nephy gave him that sad look he seemed to know meant no. “We can get more after dinner, r-right?”

“Of course, but only after dinner.”