Festival of Frost 2021: Chapter 1

It was nearing the end of the day when a large brown royal Harpia made his way down the streets of Sol. The street itself was cobbled, with a light dusting of snow covering the recently shoveled walkway. It was wide enough for two large sized Gryphs to walk side by side so he had no trouble fitting between the vendors. 

The market place was busy as people rushed around him as they travelled with their Stryx gathering goods from the Festival of Frost. He watched as children screamed while running after one another a treat in their hands, while older folk bought gifts for one another. He did however keep an eye out for his company whom he was expecting to meet up with him. 

He spotted the Hawk stryx first - She was small compared to him and weaved her way through the crowd. Grace was a medium tan colour, her back and wings a faded darker brown. Individual feather tips on her back glimmered like golden little crescents in the light. Her face has an assortment of intricate markings, she radiates beauty and grace. Hence her given name. 

“Igor!” she called excitedly as she neared him “good to see you!” she screeched at him, trying to be loud above all the chatter around them. 

“Grace” Igors deep voice boomed back “glad you could make it” he beamed “I trust you had no trouble finding me” he chuckled. 

“Of course not! You are a bloody oaf! Hard to miss” she shot back jokingly. 

From behind them came a small heavily accented voice “You are both bloody loud” said Vladimir, a dark grey and black chiroptera the same size as Grace. His fur was flecked with tiny white dots if you squint really hard, and a ruby red bib under his neck. He looked tired as he had to wake up extra early to meet with the others, preferring to be active at night rather than dusk. 

“Vlad” the two bird-like Stryx’s greeted their mammalian friend. 

“Let's get the show on the road, shall we?” Vlad yawned before making his way through the crowd to a nearby booth. The others followed him, Grace having no issues keeping up and Igor taking his time to avoid crashing into anyone or anything. 

The stall awning was covered with a layer of snow, the weight threatening to collapse it if any more were to pile on top of it. Grace and Vlad parted the other customers to gain access to see what the stall was selling. Igor could see the goodies laid out on the table and the baskets behind holding many more. 

The two ordered whatever pleased them and when it came time to pay Igor reached into his feathers producing a small pouch of coins. The vendor took what was necessary and handed the pouch back with a thank you.

As Igor turned around Vlad and Grace were going through the contents of their bag. Vlad pulled out a strip of candied bacon and offered it to Igor. Amused Igor took it gratefully and let it rest on his tongue while the other two searched for a quiet place to eat their treats. 

Swallowing his goodie Igor walked over to another booth. It was littered with an assortment of knit hats, mitts, and scarves. He did not come for those however as he eyed the sachets to carry whatever they purchased. One of the merchants helped size him and slung the cloth over his neck. It hung low enough that it was not annoying but high enough that if he took flight it would not get in the way. 

Igor gestured over to the chiro and hawk still eating their treats. The merchant understood and tied two more. “It should fit them” gestured the merchant “but if not come by and see me. I will be more than happy to fit them.” Pleased, Igor paid the man and headed over to his friends. 

“Ready?” Igor called to them when he was within hearing distance. Both looked interested at what he had in the cloth sling around his neck. 

Vlad nodded, his face full of melted coloured sugar from the cotton candy he had eaten. His eyes still looked tired but he had a sugar boost and was much more awake than he was previously. 

Grace was trying to swallow whatever goodie she had to reply. 

Igor laughed “a simple nod will do Grace.” Which earned him a glare from the golden hawk. It was half hearted he knew. It just made him chuckle. 

“I got you presents,” Igor said as he dug into his bag and produced two more slings. 

“Ladies get first pick,” Vlad said sheepishly. 

“What a gentleman,” Grace cooed. 

She hummed before picking the blue patterned one, leaving the textured purple one for Vlad. Thankfully they fit like a glove on both of them so they did not need to waste time having them adjusted. 

Splitting what was left of the goodies Vlad stashed away what was left of his cotton candy and caramel popcorn. Grace had grabbed a caramel apple that was missing a bit from it in her sash. Igor waited for them but was surprised when they presented him his own bag of candied bacon  and buttered popcorn.  

“When did you…” he started to question them before Grace announced that she and Vlad had both picked up goodies before meeting up with him. 

“We knew you would buy us goodies when we got here so we thought we would both return the favour” Vlad added. 

Grace bobbed her head “Yeah! We knew you would not let us buy you anything otherwise!” 

Overwhelmed Igor could only say thank you. He was pleasantly surprised at the two younger Stryx. 

Igor enjoyed his snacks as the three of them wandered about the market. It was getting late as the sun started to set on the horizon. The fireworks would start soon. 

Vlad being the youngest wanted to play some carnival games. Agreeing Igor gave them some money, while he went to wander around the stall one more time and buy the three of them supper. The plan was to meet up on the hill within one hour to enjoy supper with each other and watch the fireworks display. 

Vlad and Grace dashed off, giddy like two teenagers. Grace was the middle aged one and could act like an adult or child on cue. 

The first game they arrived at was a goldfish game. The person running it handed them a small net each and explained the rules. Scoop as many as you can get in the small bucket before the net breaks.

Vlad tried his luck on the left hand side of the tank. Below him hundreds of goldfish swam in the heated tank below him. He tried scooping them carefully into his bucket but after catching three his net broke. 

He waited patiently as the man deposited the fish into a plastic bag, blew some air into it before tying it up. He then packed it into a styrofoam container to help keep them warm. Carefully the man then put them into the chiros sling. Once the fish were secure Vlad looked towards Grace and was surprised she was still fishing. 

Grace eyed the small gold fishes below her. She had one leg propped up onto the rim of the tank, holding the bucket close to the water. Once she spotted a fish she liked come near it she coaxed it to swim closer and carefully scooped it into the bucket. From what vlad could see, she had caught more than five already.

Carefully Grace moved in for another fish. It was a small all black goldfish with one small white spot on its forehead. She was accurate with her movements as she herded the fish towards the bucket without spooking it. Quickly she scooped the fish and lifted the net in triumph. When she moved in for another she realized the net had broken.  

One of the men came over and prepped her fish to go home with her, much like Vlads. 

Once her fish were safely in her sash she joined Vlad, “so what’s next?” she questioned cheerfully. 

They were able to get in a few more games before it was time to meet up with Igor. They found him perched on top of the hill like he said he would be. 

“Ah, there you two are” Igor announced more to himself. “Come quickly before the food gets cold!” He called them over. 

Grace and Vlad made themselves comfy on the blankets that covered the snow. Igor had taken the liberty to buy a few so they could have something warm to sit on to enjoy the fireworks. 

Igor divided the food and when they were done it was time for the fireworks. They could see the men and women setting up the first one in the distance. They talked about the day's events and what each of them enjoyed as the first firework went off. 

Silence fell between the trio as they watched the show, enjoying each other's presence.