Kapilco

"Come one and all! I have the best water pearls for the Kapilco festival!"

"Fresh tarvar! Caught and cooked within the hour!"

"Get your paper lanterns! Perfect for the Kapilco festival!"

The street bustled with vendors and customers of the Kapilco festival. I couldn't be more excited. This year is my twelfth Kapilco festival! In other words, my coming of age festival. Mine!

Sure it was a village celebration, but when it is your own time it suddenly becomes special. Even if I have seen it eleven times before I can't help but look around in wonder. After all, I don't remember the first three times, so technically I have only been to eight.

"Rising Sun! Come over here!" Hearing my name being called I couldn't help but turn to look around.

"Floating Feather!" Seeing my best friend calling me over I quickly ran to her side. "Aren't you excited!"

Shaking her head she didn't say anything and only pulled me along to a quieter place. Soon we left the bustling main road and entered a grassy secluded corner of the festival.

"What is it Floating Feather? Don't you want to enjoy the festival?"

She didn't look at me while talking instead she was staring out to the red horizon, "Look... Rising Sun... I understand what you mean, but this is our last chance to truly be friends..."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

*sigh* "Do you know what everyone does after the festival?"

"Well, they go and complete their coming of age tasks. I will set sail for my first 'official' fishing trip. I still don't know what you mean."

"Yes... To complete our tasks, but do you know what happens to the people we talk to?"

"Won't they just focus on their own tasks? What is so weird about it?"

She paused for a while before looking into my eyes, "Yes, on 'their' tasks. Don't you get it?" Suddenly tears formed at the corners of her eyes, "I will no longer be able to go with you everywhere. My small chores become my job and will consume all my time. Your occasional fishing trips will become your daily fishing expeditions without the guarantee of returning within the day!"

Suddenly the impact of her words hit me hard... My best friend that I spent all my time with... The only person I cared for deeply... The one who I had fun with my entire life... Suddenly gone from daily life...

I couldn't stop tears from forming in my eyes. Looking into each other's eyes we hugged tightly. This was supposed to be the night of celebration, yet...

As the tears fell the sky darkened as the real start of the festival began. The stars came out as a background. The sun was blocked by the dark shadow just as it had done every festival before this. The waves rose higher than before as they crashed into the rocks protecting the village. The village became quiet as they savored the moment.

"What if we... What if we marry? Like my parents? We could at least spend a little more time together?"

The lanterns slowly lit up the darkness. The dark village seemed to come to life with hope. Their soft whispers were like the soft voice of a siren tempting someone closer. Yet it was only background as the silence lasted for what felt like hours.

"Are you sure? I hear that no matter what we have to be together forever... Forever is a long time..."

People's distant voices slowly brought a wave of cheers as the festivities were beginning. Yet here, it seemed to pause as if the world was waiting for the response.

"And I wouldn't want it to be with anyone else..."

The dark sky seemed to brighten slightly. As lanterns started to float up above the village sky.

"B-but are you really sure?"

The broken voice seemed so afraid almost making the world pause.

"Why wouldn't I be?"

A burst of cool wind flew through the area flowing through the grass making us shiver. Suddenly the festival sounds no longer sounded so distant. It was as if all the festivities had arrived late with the wind.

"How about we forget all about this for now and tomorrow deal with it when it comes. For now, let us focus on this festival! It is supposed to be our coming of age festival, so why not act like it!"

I didn't let her think about it anymore as I dragged her back to the main road to the center of the festivities!

"Wait! This was a serious talk!"

"Well it can be a serious talk tomorrow! Today is only celebration!"

"Wait! Wait! Wait!" Floating Feather struggled to get some control, but I didn't listen as I took her to the nearest stand selling tarvar.

"Two servings!"

"HAHA! Looks like you two are excited! How old are you?"

"We are 12 Kapilco old!"

"HAHA! Looks like it is your time, how about I give you a discount!"

"It better be big! After all my dad probably fished that tarvar!"

"HAHA! Sure thing kid! Here you go!"

As we walked around while eating, Floating Feather loosened up. No longer was she worried so much about the time we might have left. Instead, she started smiling and laughing alongside me.

"See? I told you you didn't need to focus on such things for now!" I spoke with a happy smile spread across my face.

Rolling her eyes she spoke, "Still doesn't change anything going forward."

Thinking of our conversation I joked, "Are you sure? Wife?"

She didn't say anything and only shoved my tarvar into my mouth while rolling her eyes with even more exaggeration.

"I guess for today it will work..."

Swallowing the food in my mouth, I hugged her and I spoke with the most reassuring tone I could muster, "Please don't worry. Tomorrow we will make it official no matter what."

Her face turned a bit red as she shouted, "You better!"

As we stood there, hugging on a random corner of a street, the sky slowly brightened.