in a dream.

like paint strokes on a blank canvas, leafrees of every imaginable colour and pattern covered the blue skies above them. étoile, who stood alone in the shade, watched as guides and seekers, who were surrounded by their friends, families, and loved ones, looked up and beamed at the prismatic blanket that floated towards them. 

étoile couldn’t help but feel a tinge of jealousy; toasting the arrival of the new year by surrounding herself with those who loved and cared for her dearly was not a pleasure easily experienced. indeed, those who were meant to be there for her were not, existing only as vague impressions of paternal warmth that her grandfather (her primary caregiver) neglected to carve into more tangible, perhaps happier, memories. even one fragment of a memory she could’ve held close to her heart would have done wonders to stave off the feeling of emptiness that had started to set in, gnawing at her more viciously as the years passed.

futile as it was for her to lift her own spirits, what she was always able to do regardless of the circumstances was ensure her patrons had especially pleasant dreams for the new year. as others celebrated, she elected to work her shop as she would any normal day, assisting her customers to the best of her ability. to see their smiling, relaxed faces shine with an infectious joy was almost enough for her to feel the same in return. yet, she hesitated, not letting herself share in their happiness too deeply. after all. she couldn’t afford to yearn for something that was so fleeting in nature. 

that was, until she met everett. 

🌳🌳🌳

many would consider the first new year they spent as bondmates unmemorable or less exciting. rather than joining a big get-together, the two of them decided to celebrate privately to escape the prying eyes of their families. 

having neatly prepared a basket filled with everything they needed for their tea party, they set off side by side to an orchard a ways away from home. traversing through the island as the scenery changed around them was peaceful; even if they had little to say, or if the conversation tapered off naturally, seeing life flourish around them, be it in the form of rushing water or the trees that homed strange creatures, was all they needed to feel at ease. 

arriving at the orchard, they found a tree that was rather secluded from the rest. they took respite from the sun by sitting in the shade so generously provided by its verdant canopy. étoile opened the basket and the two of them took turns taking out what they packed and laid them out on the picnic blanket everett had draped on the ground: finger food they lovingly prepared together, the finest tea they could acquire, intricately decorated cups and saucers, dainty knives and forks. they couldn’t help but feel a little giddy when they took a step back and saw how homely, yet sophisticated, their set-up looked.

everett placed tiny, triangle sandwiches and even quainter leafree-shaped biscuits onto two saucers, one of which she placed in front of étoile, who was preparing tea for the both of them. with tea carefully steeped, étoile handed the cup over to everett, who cradled it in her hands. 

for the rest of the day, they sat together, sipping their tea as they waited for it to cool, relishing in the snacks they brought, chatting about anything and everything until the sun started to set. everett turned to look at the sky as it changed colours in front of them, and étoile turned to look at her. she would usually be feeling lonely this time of year, and during these quiet moments where they left each other to their own devices, she did feel alone.

but they were alone together, and she was happy… and she let herself feel happy because she knew she could rely on someone as constant as everett to bring a smile to her face.

when everett caught étoile staring at her, she tilted her head in confusion before cracking a small joke. étoile giggled and smiled, before moving closer to everett and putting her head on everett’s shoulder. there, they sat, watching as the once-blue skies turned into a starry blanket.